Columnist Kate Maddox: Agassi, Graf ask: Baby, anyone?

Kate Maddox

Friday, July 13, 2001 | 9:34 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Confirming widespread speculation that tennis' most powerful twosome were on the brink of parenthood, Andre Agassi and Stefanie (don't call me Steffi) Graf announced Thursday that they are awaiting the birth of their first child.

In a brief statement released by Agassi Enterprises, tennis' No. 3-ranked male said that he and Graf "are so happy to have been blessed with this gift," and that "this is a very special time for us."

Agassi and Graf, who have been dating for about two years, are both expected to attend the Sept. 29 Grand Slam for Kids charity event at the MGM Grand.

It was in January of last year that Agassi-Graf wedding rumors made papers around the globe, but the couple denied that they had taken the marital plunge. No doubt the baby news will spark fresh gossip about a permanent love match.

The baby is due in mid-December.

Morale has reached an all-time low over at KTNV Channel 13. This week investigative reporter Glen Meek departed after failing to reach an amicable contract extension agreement with station higher-ups.

One insider said the Meek's departure was a "total shock," and that the Emmy winner was considered "a hard worker and one of (KTNV's) best selling points."

But KTNV's loss might soon be another local station's gain. Meek confirmed that he will be free to return to the airwaves in January, following a requisite noncompete period. As for his 13 years at KTNV Meek said that he thinks he did "really fantastic work there, especially in the past year," and that he and the station "did agree to separate on mutually agreeable terms."

In other Channel 13 news, it looks like former weekend anchor Michael Geeser is also "in talks" with the powers that be concerning his future with the station. Geeser, who recently won the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Reporting, has been with KTNV since 1994.

This afternoon Carmen Electra announces plans for her Strip debut at the Aladdin. The buxom brunette will star in "Lumiere," scheduled to open in the as-yet-to-be-completed Aladdin Showroom in early 2002. The 1,100-seat showroom will double as a gigantic nightclub named Tatou.

Electra is still planning to sing, dance and special-effect her way to Vegas stardom in a part that show producers promise will be "both seductive and whimsical." (Well, it's safe to say the latter will ring true.)

Tonight Electra, who currently decorates the arm of bad-boy rocker Dave Navarro, will be the guest of honor at an invite-only VIP cocktail party inside one of the hotel's suites.

Hard Rock Executive Casino Host Jimmy Tipton plans to celebrate his birthday with hundreds of lingerie and pajama-clad friends poolside at the Hard Rock on Saturday night. High-roller guests, rumored to include gamblin' fool Ben Affleck and the aforementioned Electra's ex Dennis Rodman, as well as a bevy of local luminaries, will get dressed for bed and party into the wee hours. Most of the female guests are expected to sport the latest from celebrity underwear faves Trashy Lingerie (clients include Madonna, Cher, Janet Jackson and Drew Barrymore). In fact, Trashy's so sure its skimpy getups will be a hit at Tipton's party that it is setting up a mini-boutique in a Hard Rock rooms for those who want to purchase the ultimate in sexy sleepwear.