Hugh Hefner, from right, greets former girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson as Hefner’s other former girlfriend Holly Madison greets Hefner’s brother Keith Hefner during Hugh Hefner’s 83rd birthday party at the Palms Place pool in Las Vegas Saturday, April 4, 2009.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 | 8:22 a.m.
While Hugh Hefner is coming to Las Vegas to check up on his ex, he doesn’t think the visit will be awkward.
In fact, he said his former main squeeze Holly Madison invited him to come see her.
“Holly called me a few days ago wondering whether I was going to come and see the show,” Hefner said yesterday during a phone interview, “so we made arrangements.”
The 83-year-old will have a front-row ticket to see Madison as she stars in “Peepshow” on Saturday.
Naturally, Hefner won’t be alone.
“I’m taking (current main girlfriend) Crystal (Harris) and the rest of girls,” he said. “We’ll be flying out on Saturday and all of us together will watch ‘Peepshow.’ ”
Later that night he will catch the late show of Playboy Comedy at the Palms, where his two younger girlfriends, July-August Playmates Karissa and Kristina Shannon, are hosting. (Meanwhile, “MADtv’s” Bobby Lee and fellow funnyman Cort McCown will perform.)
In addition to seeing Madison onstage, Hefner said he will have her at his dinner table on Saturday, too, between “Peepshow” and “Playboy Comedy.”
“We’ll also be having dinner in my suite at the Palms,” Hefner said.
The iconic playboy said it will be more of a family style meal than an intimate dinner for two.
“All of us together will be having dinner in my suite with Holly,” he said.
He said he has been wanting to come see his former flame headline at Planet Hollywood for some time.
“Quite frankly, I had originally intended on going in for the opening week and there was a feeling that that might take some of the excitement about the opening away from it, and that we should separate the two, in other words, that I should delay my visit,” he said.
The ever-uninhibited Hefner said there is “certainly nothing weird about” taking his current trio of girlfriends to see the woman he once loved onstage and topless for all to see.
“We’re looking forward to the trip and we always have a good time,” Hefner said.
He said he is glad to see Madison, 29, succeed away from life at the Playboy Mansion.
The 83-year-old dated Madison and her fellow “Girls Next Door” co-stars, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson, for several years until the four went their separate ways last fall.
He admitted that he was worried about Madison after the split, even though the break-up was amicable.
“Both Bridget and Kendra have made such very nice transitions and, you know, I was kind of concerned in terms of Holly,” he said.
The “Peepshow” star dated “Mindfreak” magician Criss Angel during the months immediately following the split, though the two performers have since called it quits.
Madison appeared as a contestant on the most recent series of “Dancing with the Stars” and is rumored to be working on a new reality TV show of her own.
Hefner said he approves of Madison’s post-Mansion choices.
“I’m very happy that she’s making this transition in a way that works for her,” he said. “I’m very pleased.”
Melissa Arseniuk writes about Las Vegas entertainment and celebrity events. She can be reached at 702-948-7823 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Palms Casino Resort has come a long way since its "Real World" debut in 2002. The boutique property features three distinct towers and a diverse mix of bars and restaurants across a 95,000-square-foot casino.
Palms, which features more than 1,200 rooms and fantasy suites, is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar transformation that will encompass an Ivory Tower room and suite redesign, new culinary additions, re-imagined gaming spaces and new, distinctive nightlife experiences.
In addition to newly designed rooms, during the first phase of the renovation, Palms will welcome Heraea, a high-energy American restaurant and lounge, and XISHI, a pan-Asian restaurant and lounge.
Fantasy Suites include the Hardwood Suite, the only hotel room in the world with its own basketball court.
Other amenities include the all-new Cantor Gaming® race and sports book, one of the few sports books in Las Vegas to include a poker room; SOCIAL; Scarlet; Chocolat Bistro; tonic bar; ghostbar; Pearl Concert Theater; Moon Nightclub; N9NE Steakhouse; Nove Italiano; Simon Restaurant & Lounge; Palms Pool & Bungalows; Kim Vō Salon; Drift Spa & Hammam; Brenden Theatres, a 14-theatre cineplex and more than 60,000 square-feet of meeting space.
Catering to the young and modern crowd, Planet Hollywood is a one-stop shop for entertainment with its massive shopping mall, slew of restaurants, spacious casino and clubs.
The ambiance of the casino is retro-chic meets high-tech with black granite floors throughout and colorful LED lights throughout the space. The theme carries into the 100,000 square-foot casino with 250 flat screens topping off slot machines. The casino is also home to 87 tables, a sports book and a poker room.
There's also the Miracle Mile Shops, one Vegas' largest malls, with 140 stores including BCBG Max Azaria, bebe, Urban Outfitters and The Discovery Channel Store.
Following an afternoon of shopping, guests can satisfy their appetites at one of the gourmet restaurants in Planet Hollywood, like the non-traditional approach to steakhouses at Strip House or check out the exotic Far East motif at KOI restaurant and lounge. And if guests are still looking for more, they can spend the after hours at Privé, Triq or Krave nightclubs.
Perhaps one of the resorts biggest attractions came in March with the addition of "Peepshow." The naughty twist on the story of Little Bo Peep is modern-day spin on the run-of-the-mill Vegas topless review. The "Peepshow" stage has seen visiting celebs like Scary Spice Mel B, "Dancing with the Stars" Kelly Monaco and Playboy's Holly Madison.
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