You wonder whether Hugh Hefner thought he would live to see this day.
Hefner, 80, joins Palms owner George Maloof for the uncorking of a Playboy Club extravaganza this weekend at the $300 million Fantasy Tower.
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"It's a big deal for us, and it's a big deal for Playboy," said Michael Morton, one of Maloof's partners in the tower.
Hefner, 80, who once ruled a Playboy empire that stretched around the globe before it imploded, is reportedly giddy over Playboy's long-awaited arrival in Las Vegas.
Friday's lighting ceremony will be the crowning touch of the Playboy brand's resurgence.
"It will be a special moment for Hef," Maloof said.
Hefner, daughter Christine Hefner, the chairwoman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, and Maloof will take part in the 7 p.m. ceremony.
"Hef has always been very passionate about this whole deal," said Maloof, whose deal with Playboy also included a maxed-out suite for Hef and his hutchmates.
"There were times in the process, when you negotiate anything, you have challenges. Hef was always so positive, and he really kept it together. Hopefully, he'll be very proud of what we've put together."
MEDIA UPDATE
Heidi Harris has left CBS affiliate KXNT-AM 840 after a five-year run as co-host of the morning talk show with Alan Stock. Harris told me she chose not to renew because she needed a break. ... Today's Women in Communications luncheon at Maggiano's is featuring media power couples. The panelists: advertising execs Tom and Marla Letizia, broadcasters Tony and Linda Bonnici, and KVBC-TV, Channel 3's Dana Wagner and Kim Capozzo.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Mayor Oscar Goodman is in Europe on a promotional tour to push Las Vegas and the NBA All-Star Game here Feb. 15-19. He'll be posting a blog on his three-city stop sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Vistors Authority. Check out NBA.com. He'll be posting from Barcelona, Spain, on Friday, Rome on Saturday and Paris on Monday. ...
A spy tells me Prince will be in charge of booking Club Rio entertainment. Most nights there will be a $30 cover charge; on nights that he jams with the groups he brings in, the fee will rise to $125. ...
After a two-year hiatus, the Bottom's Up is back in the business of funny business. Breck Wall's burlesque-style revue is in previews at Fitzgeralds, with 7 p.m. shows Thursday through Monday. Look for an end-of-the-month grand opening. A Las Vegas fixture since the 1960s, the show last ran at the Flamingo for almost four years.
SIGHTINGS
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, flanked by a large security detail as she walked through the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood. She was on her way to a speech at a Women's Financial Forum. ... Las Vegan Bernie Barker, billed as the world's oldest male stripper (he's 66), performed in two numbers with The Chippendales at the Rio on Tuesday night. His appearance was taped for a segment on the next season of "America's Got Talent."
THE PUNCH LINE
"It was a beautiful day all up the East Coast. Condoleezza Rice couldn't recall enjoying it." -- David Letterman
