Las Vegas Weekly

July 13, 2009 · 2:06 PM

Strip Scribbles: Holly Madison’s last-minute dash to make curtain call

By Robin Leach

Holly Madison.

Photo: Courtesy

Our Showgirl Next Door Holly Madison nearly missed her Saturday Peepshow performance because she was stuck in traffic going from her UFC ring-girl duties at MGM to her Planet Hollywood stage. Holly had to abandon her limo and hightail it down the Strip in high heels.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, she wasn’t wearing this new bikini she donned for a new calendar shoot. Holly also found time over the weekend to get “married,” as you can read in our story this morning. Meantime, enjoy the swimsuit shot!

Photo: Whiting-Turner

An aerial view of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

*The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health sees its first patients today. Fifteen years in the making, the center’s mission is to prevent chronic brain diseases and to prolong healthy, vital aging in people at risk for dementia or cognitive disorders. “We still have much more to accomplish, but welcoming patients and caregivers is a truly significant benchmark for all involved,” said Larry Ruvo, Southern Wine & Spirits head honcho and philanthropist who named the center for his father, whose last years were with Alzheimer’s. “It’s certainly a day worth celebrating for all those afflicted or involved with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington, ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases -- and also for all those in our community who have worked so hard to make this effort a reality.” As Vegas DeLuxe readers know, many of our Las Vegas stars along with their Hollywood counterparts helped fundraise for this private undertaking.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Lou Diamond Phillips.

*Keeping tabs on who’s in and out at WSOP, as of last night, actor Lou Diamond Phillips, the winner of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Outta Here, was still in the game along with last year’s $9.15 million winner Peter Eastgate of Denmark. But 11-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth was beaten and went home in 436th place, netting $25,000. MGM CityCenter chief Bobby Baldwin made it to the 352nd slot before exiting with $29,910.

It’s now down to less than 200 players, and by play’s end today, it’ll be less. Expect the final table of nine to be announced late Wednesday, and those players will return to The Rio in November for a shot at one of the biggest purses in sports, this year some $8.5 million based on the economy that shrunk the player signup. Still in the game while writing this were locals Phil Ivey and 2005 Main Event champion Joe Hachem, among others.

Photo: Warner Bros.

Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Justin Bartha in The Hangover.

*It’s two years away, but Hollywood insiders are predicting a sequel to The Hangover, the sleeper hit of the season filmed extensively at Caesars Palace and throughout town, with the same cast and director Todd Phillips. Why they don’t do the bachelorette version in the interim is beyond me because we all know that girls are even wilder than boys when they come to town for their final-fling parties!

Photo: Scott Berry/Hard Rock Hotel

DJ Clinton Sparks parties with actress Leighton Meester at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Michael Clarke Duncan, Chuck Liddell and Michael Strahan at the Chuck Liddell UFC 100 after-fight party.

Star surveillance

Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester had two guys on her arm at the Hard Rock Hotel. Leighton enjoyed dinner with actor Sebastian Stan at Rare 120 before heading over to Body English, where she joined DJ Clinton Sparks onstage for an impromptu performance of her not-yet-released single “Front Cut” in front of an energetic crowd. She was accompanied there by Joshua LeBar of Entourage. … Michael Clarke Duncan dined with Michael Strahan at Strip House in Planet Hollywood. … Laura Prepon (That ’70s Show) with boyfriend Scott Michael Foster (Greek) danced the night away enjoying Grey Goose cocktails at Blush in the Wynn. Also there was UFC lightweight Roger Huerta with his manager and friends on the patio and excited about his fight against Gray Maynard in September. … Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was at Tabu Ultra Lounge in MGM Grand enjoying time away from NBA Summer League games. … Salma Hayek attended the Vinnie Favorito show at the Flamingo and laughed out loud along with the audience.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Robin Antin and Nicole Scherzinger.

Tonight’s tips

Today’s NBA summer games at Cox Pavilion are Phoenix vs. Dallas (3 p.m.), Portland vs. Toronto (5 p.m.) and Detroit vs. Golden State (7 p.m.). … It’s Rise Against and special guests Rancid and Billy Talent at The Rogue Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. … DJ Steve Aoki twists the turntables at Prive in Planet Hollywood. … Comedy headliners Joey Kola from Showtime’s Comedy Club All-Stars, R.C. Smith and John Garrett headline at the Riviera Comedy Club for six nights. … Tickets went on sale at noon today for Matt Goss Live From Las Vegas, which starts in September in the Palms with Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin producing.

Tomorrow’s teases

Menopause the Musical makes the change with a premiere and party at the Luxor. … The World Hip-Hop Dance Championships returns to town. … Robin prepares to find a new sexy dance team for her debut Matt Goss show at the Palms.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Share This