Las Vegas Weekly

June 27, 2008 · 7 AM

Hefner sends his No. 1 for Bunny Hunt at Playboy Club

By Robin Leach

Beautiful blonde Holly Madison is Hugh Hefner’s favorite of the three Girls Next Door who star with him onscreen -- and live with him in real life at the Playboy Mansion. By now Luxe Life readers know from our separate interviews with Hef and Holly that they’ve even discussed marriage and having a baby together!

The Playboy King has dispatched his No. 1 girl to the Palms today for the third annual Bunny Hunt -- and this time around Holly is charged with the full responsibility of interviewing all the eligible lady competitors wanting to become the next new Bunny at the world’s only Playboy Club, right here in Vegas atop the Palms Fantasy Tower. While Holly is poolside checking out the shapes, sizes and standings of the prospective bunnies hoping to win the opportunity of a lifetime, the Shop Boys will perform in a special concert with “music to watch girls” by. It all starts at noon and runs until 6 p.m.

Here’s what Hef and Holly told me on their last visit to Vegas:

Robin Leach: Hef, you have been married twice before - what did you learn from them for number three?

Hugh Hefner: That I am happiest when I am not married.

R.L: Do you think you would do it again? There are three girls, but Holly is the one special lady out of them.

H.H.: It wasn’t planned, it just happened. The notion of going from seven to three wasn’t planned. I found three that were very compatible and very happy and as those relationships evolved there was one very special relationship that was going to last.

R.L.: So in the end like most men you are monogamous?

H.H.: In a certain sense, in my fashion. If I do get married I would do it for Holly not for myself.

R.L.: She wants a child, you are in the back end of life and they want to remember you with another son or daughter!

H.H.: I would say if it is possible for us to have a baby, I would have a baby. We probably will. We have talked about it. She talks about it all the time.

RL: Would you say within a year, the next two that this would be a possibility?

H.H.: Anything is a possibility.

(Holly interjects: “That would be awesome. Don’t call it nagging but I ask him all the time. I want to get married and have his baby. We’re definitely getting closer on the subject”)

If I get the opportunity I’ll ask Holly if the marriage plans have advanced any further along -- and if so we’ll have that report right here for you on Monday!

Until now they have been bitter rivals, but now they are teaming up as “best buddies” as they go for the gold in the Beijing Olympics. Today the official 12-man basketball roster of Team USA meets here in Vegas and Saturday they have their first practice sessions at the Cox Pavilion -- although, be warned, the public won’t be allowed in to watch that first workout.

Here’s the team led by superstars Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and 35-year-old veteran Jason Kidd, who previously won gold as the point guard in the Sydney Olympics of 2000: Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Tayshaun Prince and Deron Williams. Only three players from this group -– Anthony, James and Wade -- were on Team USA that won a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

They will all be back here in three weeks time (July 20) for five days of practice at our Valley High School, and then play Team Canada in an exhibition game at Thomas & Mack on July 25. That’s the only opportunity for fans to see them play before the team departs for Beijing, where on August 10 they’ll play their first game against China. Jerry Colangelo is the senior national team managing director, and Mike Krzyzewski is head coach.

MAMMA MIA BOX OFFICE EXPECTS BIG BOOST AS MOVIE STARS LAUNCH WORLD TOUR:

Producers of the Mamma Mia! musical at Mandalay Bay are expecting a huge box-office boost when the Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan movie version comes out this summer. Originally, the Mandalay Bay production was going to wrap its successful five-year run this summer, but now hotel executives there have decided to continue its run through at least until next spring. If the film does assist theater ticket sales it will remain even longer! This weekend Meryl and Pierce lead the other movie stars Colin Firth, Amand Seyfried, Dominic Cooper and Stellan Skarsgard to Athens for a special Greek Islands photo shoot to launch their world promotional tour. Luxe Life hopes to have those candid camera photos early next week and details of a possible Vegas visit of the stars. Mamma Mia companies are presenting the Abba musical around the world and movie studio executives hope that Pierce and Meryl will lead their cast-mates to most of them!

THOUSANDS OF BEATLE FANS INVADE FOR 3-DAY LOVE FESTIVAL:

For all things Beatles -– music, art, photo and fashion exhibits, contests, games, memorabilia and memories from guest speakers -- it’s the three-day Fest For Beatles Fans that gets underway Sunday. Headquartered at The Mirage where the Cirque du Soleil-Beatles Love musical plays, it will seem as if the Strip has become Abbey Road and the resort hotel has upped to Liverpool!

This year’s Fest will feature concerts by Mellow Yellow singer Donovan, in his first Vegas appearance; Liverpool band Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas; who were also managed by Beatles manager Brian Epstein; and Spencer Davis, who founded the Spencer Davis Group with Stevie Winwood. Model, actress and photographer Pattie Boyd, who was married to both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, will sign autographs at a special photo and fashion exhibit set up for her. George and Pattie first met on the set of A Hard Day’s Night and married two years later. Festival organizers persuaded Ringo Starr to autograph several copies of his new limited edition artwork book Painting is my Madness, to be available to Vegas fans.

Two friends of mine are involved with the Fest: Ken Mansfield, who was the U.S. manager of their Apple Records label, has written two books about The Beatles, whom he first became friends with in the mid-’60s, will make his first Beatles Fest appearance; and British humorist and leading Beatles scholar Martin Lewis, who will emcee all the guest events. It’s his 43rd Beatles Fest convention since 1992, and he produced the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Beatles first visit to the United States.

Luxe Life will return Monday with a report of the Fest’s first day.

TRAVIS BARKER & GNARLS BARKLEY AND THE ALL-STAR NIGHTCLUB PARTIES:

Tattooed drummer Travis Barker teamed with DJ AM for a special show at LAX in the Luxor. A special stage was set up on the dance floor, and Travis married his drumbeats to the DJ turntable sounds. After the unique presentation the guys partied with pals on the main VIP balcony alongside former NFL wide receiver Freddie Mitchell and former NHL star Dino Ciccarelli. Our LAX spywitnesses spotted That 70’s Show star Wilmer Valderrama, who confirmed he’ll star in the upcoming movie version of the old CHiPS TV series, MTV personality LaLa Vasquez and Denver Broncos hero Champ Bailey. Also partying in LAX was The Bachelor: London Calling season winner Shayne Lamas with a group of gorgeous girls celebrating her bachelorette party but it was the arrival of Grammy Award-winning musical duo Cee-Lo Green and Danger Mouse from Gnarls Barkley, who stole the spotlight. Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O’Neal and MTV Real World star Trisha Cummings were also at the VIP tables.

The Gnarls Barkley twosome and Shayne also hit LAX’s sister Pure nightclub up the Strip at Caesars Palace during their Vegas visit. Athletes galore were at various VIP tables around the dance floor including Doug Datish of the Atlanta Falcons, A.J. Hawk of the Green Bay Packers, NFL Pro Bowl veteran Junior Seau, Brady Quinn of the Cleveland Browns and NBA star Robert Horry of the San Antonio Spurs. Shayne and her entourage tanned at the topless optional Venus Pool Club in Caesars Palace, and once again were upstaged when Seau teamed up with boxer pal Sergio Mora for a tour of the sights showing off the WBC Super Welterweight Championship belt he won on June 7. No, it was not holding up his swim trunks!

Pure Management Group’s Social House restaurant at TI is also a hot spot with the sports stars. UFC Heavyweight champion Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueria was there for assorted nigiri sushi and Kobe beef tataki while love-mates Jenna Jameson and Tito Ortiz cuddled up in the corner of the lounge for their Kobe beef taste treats. Jenna and Tito were also seen enjoying drinks at the Halo Bar inside Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile.

STRIP SCRIBBLES:

-- Reality stars Heidi Montag and boyfriend Spencer Pratt say that their MTV Hills drama isn’t scripted! They even told Barbara Walters and her View co-stars on the Caesars Palace broadcast Thursday that they are pre-engaged in real life. Heidi, an aspiring singer, presented a fashion show of her new Heidiwood clothing line, even admitted that at only 21 she’s had plastic surgery and breast augmentation, but has never done drugs, nor does she drink and she is very religious. Barbara tried to grill her about the public rifts in her broken friendships with co-stars Lauren Conrad and Audrina Partridge, but Heidi would only admit they all lead separate lifestyles.

Star Surveillance: After taping her Barbara Walters interview for The View, which will broadcast today, singer Bette Midler lunched at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago restaurant near the Colosseum theater in Caesars Palace while pop-princess Jessica Simpson picked the neighboring Trevi Italian restaurant for her lunch! Soon-to-be birthday girl and socialite Khloe Kardashian and her sister Kourtney, who also appeared on The View attended Midler’s The Showgirl Must Go On at Caesars … Britney Spears’ manager, Larry Rudolph, joined his Sunset Tan partners Devin Haman and Jeff Bozz in a party of 10 -– including comedy actor Pauly Shore -- for drinks at the Playboy Club in the Palms … retired WWF (which has since changed its name to WWE) superstar wrestler Ric Flair threw a cocktail party for 30 people in the N9NE Steakhouse private dining room at the Palms and signed Chef Barry Dakake’s kitchen door at the end of the meal. He wore a T-shirt with an arrow pointing up at his face which was emblazoned “MAN” and an arrow pointing downwards with the word “LEGEND”!

-- First was their Liberace books -- and now Karan and Michael Feder have created Elvis: Your Personal Fashion Consultant. Their new 32-page book is packed with archival photographs, savvy fashion quips and 12 punch-out and play fabulously dressed Elvis paper dolls. The novelty book celebrates the King of Rock ’n’ Roll retaining his regal reign on the throne of fashion. Life size versions of the book’s punch-outs are available here.

-- Sad face! It’s the final weekend of Rita Rudner’s comedy Room 776. But the response to their two-week run has been so overwhelming, the Harrah’s headliner and her husband, Martin Bergman, have decided to add a late-night 9:45 p.m. extra show Saturday at Las Vegas Little Theatre. It’s to accommodate disappointed fans who couldn’t get tickets to the other sold-out shows. The laugh-a-minute tale centers on a man and a woman who have never met before accidentally booked into the same hotel suite on a jam-packed holiday weekend in Vegas. The couple -– played by Nancy Denton and Scott Ast -- have to stay with each other because no other rooms are available!

This weekend is just as crowded in real life and whether you’re together or apart for hi-jinx we’ve given you the key to all the highlight attractions that around here we affectionately call the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

Today

-- The man in the big black hat is still ‘Killin’ Time.’ Singer guitarist Clint Black has sold several million albums worldwide –- 2 million alone for that album’s debut single “A Better Man” that went No. 1. Clint has racked up numerous awards and expanded from making hits to acting and directing in addition to playing percussion instruments, harmonica and drums! He starts a three-night run of shows at The Orleans and asks “Where Are You Now?”

-- In the 13 years that Smashmouth has been together, they’ve sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and they still “Can’t Get Enough of You, Baby.” “I’m A Believer” in this California party band, and you will be too when you check out their one-night show poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel. Indoors at The Joint will be hip-hop pioneers Gym Class Heroes playing their new album release As Cruel As School Children. Two guest alternative rock groups Cobra Starship and The Academy Is will join up and coming hip hop artist Tyga in a true valued lengthy concert.

-- In a blast from the past there’s a doubleheader from the ’70s, with Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers teaming with Paul Revere and the Raiders in concert at the South Point and a Tribute to the Diamonds is set for a three night-run up in Summerlin at the Suncoast.

-- Sweet sounds of soul from Peabo Bryson will set love a-flutter at the Boulder Station, while Sammy Kershaw entertains at the Santa Fe Station and Teo Gonzalez is at the Texas Station; Mike Ness and his band shake a skeleton’s bones with the Horton brothers at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay and LiveBrew the original brew tasting and live music experience takes over Studio 54 at MGM Grand, with the Draw the Line tribute band, sanctioned by Aerosmith.

-- Brunette beauty Khloe Kardashian celebrates her 24th birthday with her reality-star sisters Kim and Kourtney and all the family at Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace and you can bet she’ll be dancing along to the “Voice of Reason” … Laguna Beach actress Lauren ‘Lo’ Bosworth will celebrate her college graduation from UCLA with a party at the Prive nightclub in the Planet Hollywood casino resort…. And Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick will celebrate his 21st birthday with some of his cast-mates at TAO restaurant and nightclub in The Venetian.

Saturday

-- The WBC’s lightweight championship will be decided at the “Lethal Combination” battle at Mandalay Bay Events Center, when Manny Pacquiao punches away in a slugfest with belt-holder David Diaz in a second defense of his title.

-- It’s a doubleheader of a rock show at the Thomas & Mack Center when Boston and Styx go back-to-back in a one-night special … And in a sweeter blast from yesteryear, Herman’s Hermits, with my old Manchester pal Peter Noone, teams with the Turtles in a concert at The Club at the Cannery … Blood, Sweat & Tears blows that big brass sound at the Tropicana … The Oak Ridge Boys bring their special sound of country rock to Texas Station … Ottmar Liebert is at the Boulder Station … And Five Finger Death Punch deliver a knockout at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.

-- Sing “Happy Birthday to You” to sexy Pussycat Doll lead vocalist Nicole Scherzinger when the busty bombshell celebrates her birthday at LAX at the Luxor and covergirl nude model Kirsten Price hosts a Strip Las Vegas magazine party at Torrid in the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile, where Maxim model DJ Frances wraps the Chicks with Decks series.

Sunday

-- Cedric the Entertainer is joined by Nick Van Exel and Ryan Dempster for a special party at Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club in the Palazzo to celebrate the Vegas debut of Ceren Vodka.

-- The legendary swing and swagger of yesteryear’s jazz songs spring back to life when Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses recapture the sounds and sensations of his famous father. He’ll recreate “That Old Black Magic” with a 10-piece band at the Hilton for a one night special concert. Louis Prima was a 40-year legend here on the Strip.

-- The search is on for America’s most talented air guitarist and the US Air Guitar Championships kick off in the Carnival Court at Harrah’s.

-- The summer concert poolside series at the South Point gets underway with Joan Osborne in concert at 7 p.m.

MONDAY’S TEASE:

Hugh Hefner’s No. 1 galpal Holly Madison is picture-perfect on her Bunny hunt at the Playboy Club, and we’ve got the up-to-the-moment coverage of the Fest for Beatles Fans at the Mirage. Plus, during the week our advance glimpse at the new and extraordinary Christian Audigier nightclub at Treasure Island.

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