MTV has been hyping Britney Spears’ opening performance at tonight’s Video Music Awards to the hilt, but if a New York Daily News report is to be believed, they’re not above pulling the plug on the whole thing if she doesn’t shape up:

Sources told the Daily News that MTV has already lectured Spears to behave in Las Vegas or risk her spot in the lineup.

“Britney knows she’s on thin ice. When they agreed to the performance, they sat her down and told her she should not be going out, and instead focus on rehearsing and resting,” an insider said. “She seemed to be thankful and appreciative for the chance, but who knows with her? MTV made it clear that her usual behavior will not be tolerated.”

Another source said that Spears was “totally phoning this in. … She’s been drinking a bunch and not putting her all into rehearsing.” Which seems sorta likely given the above clip of her rehearsing, where she seems a bit more interested in not losing her hat than actually working on her dance steps. And hey, if the plug does get pulled? We’re sure this guy would love a chance to get back into the VMA spotlight.

MTV lectures Britney Spears to behave on VMAs [NY Daily News]