Columnist Kate Maddox: Fabulous 50 cavort in Las Vegas

Kate Maddox

Friday, Sept. 15, 2000 | 9:28 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays. Reach her at kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

The winner of "The Sexiest Bachelor in America" made-for-TV beauty pageant has been chosen. Tuesday night Fox trotted out its top 50 guys, one from every state, in front of six "celebrity" judges at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. I was sworn to secrecy as to who won the coveted title, but I will say that the taping was a long one and the guys acted prima donna appropriate -- true beauty queens at heart.

The show's after-party at Studio 54 was scheduled to begin around 10 p.m., but Mr. Sexy wasn't crowned until well after 11. Then it was off to the club to celebrate.

The mostly female audience of about 1,000 followed the boys to Studio 54, clamoring for autographs and photos. The guys didn't seem to mind the attention, although they were a little peeved when MGM comedian Carrot Top (a notorious ladies' man, when not pulling gags out of his trunks) showed up and stole some of their thunder.

As for the competition itself, the field of 50 was narrowed down to 10 semifinalists and then five finalists. And, yes, there is a first runner-up, in case the Sexiest Bachelor gets hitched or something during his reign. Heaven forbid.

The, ahem, celeb judges included first-season "Baywatch"-er Nicole Eggert (you remember her, she was the one who had her implants removed after she was canned from the beach-beauty farce), model and VH1 hanger-on Roshumba, stars from "Mad TV" and "Days of Our Lives," and a former Miss America (well, they had to have at least one expert).

And, because I know you were just dying to ask, the ladies were spared any Speedo embarrassment -- none of the guys donned the skimpy skivvies during the swimsuit competition.

Check out how Mr. Nevada (whose identity is also being kept a secret) fared when "The Sexiest Bachelor in America" airs Oct. 2 on Fox.

Ben Affleck was gambling here again this week. Now, I don't want to say the guy's got a problem, but this is his third Las Vegas vacation in the past month, and he's not dropping nickels in the slots. Affleck famously won $150,000 at the Hard Rock and also lost a bundle at the same hotel a few days later.

This time, Affleck got off a flight from NYC and headed straight for the Mirage. (A note to the limo driver waiting for Mr. Affleck at the airport: holding up a large sign with the words "Ben Affleck" boldly displayed at the baggage claim is probably not the best way to avoid unwanted attention. Just a thought.)

Affleck questioned the driver as to whether his credit would be good at both the Bellagio and the Mirage and then hustled out to the limo. The actor was later spotted with a pretty blonde (no, not Gwyneth) at a reserved baccarat table at the Mirage.

Also hanging out at an MGM MIRAGE property, comedians Adam Sandler and David Spade got some sun by the Bellagio pool this week. Spade and Sandler were resting comfortably until some annoying fan called a local radio station with the sighting. Soon gawkers were flocking to the pool. Security was called, nonhotel guests were thrown out and poolside peace was restored.

Look for Cybill Shepherd at the premiere of "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" at the Flamingo later this month. Shepherd, who was just tapped as the host of the new "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" talk show (not to be confused with the musical), is slated to show up to support author/producer John Gray at the opening on Sept. 28.

Shepherd was last seen terrorizing the country with her (thankfully) aborted plans to enter the presidential race.