Amateur contest winner Erika Avila, 18, of Las Vegas sings for children at Andre Agassi's bash. Photo by Jane Kalinowsky.
Pure partying for the Hilton sisters.
Less political commentary, more family-appropriate direction, and another magical night.
That was the consensus of attendees who took in the 11th Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit concert at MGM Grand Garden on Saturday.
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Apparently yielding to concerns about recent political uproars and X-rated language, organizers made sure this show was all about the music.
Instead of Dennis Miller's divisive schtick, Elton John's anti-Miller rant and Robin Williams' f-bomb fest, the crowd reveled in a night of all-star entertainment.
Tennis legend Steffi Graf seemed to set the tone, with one of the best saves of her career.
When live auction bidding for two rackets offered by her husband roared past $300,000, Graf came on stage and bought them back for $360,000, saying they belonged in their home. One was the racket Agassi used during his first pro win 21 years ago, and the other was the one he played with during his U.S. Open finale.
The flattest moment came when "West Wing" star Bradley Whitford asked whether he could get political. He told a couple of lame -- and inappropriate for a youth event -- jokes about disgraced former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., and the page controversy.
The groans from the crowd of 8,000 said it all: Enough already; entertain us.
THE PARIS WATCH
Here's a sight to behold: Paris Hilton on a comped shopping spree.
Spies tell me she arrived at the Playboy store at the Palms about 11 p.m. Saturday, escorted by Palms owner George Maloof and a bodyguard.
Maloof was overheard saying, "Get whatever you want and something for Nicky." The Hiltons were in town for Nicky's 23rd birthday.
Forty-five minutes later, Paris, still wearing the black Bunny ears she put on during her Playboy Club appearance, left with two diamond-studded watches worth about $50,000 each, three Bunny necklaces and a Bunny bellyring.
One of the necklaces had just been purchased by one of my spies, who surrendered it after some pleading by the hotel heiress.
During her stop in the Playboy Club, Hilton danced on a chair at a blackjack table while TV cameras caught the action.
Then she and Maloof headed for Pure, where he personally delivered Nicky's watch during his brief visit.
SIGHTINGS
Also at the Playboy Club's VIP opening Saturday: Actors Jamie Foxx, Luke Wilson, Taye Diggs, James Woods, James Franco, Benjamin McKenzie, Shannon Elizabeth, Stephen Dorff, Bam Margera and Brody Jenner, porn star Jenna Jameson, Maroon 5's Adam Levine, Carrot Top, illusionists Criss Angel and David Blaine, producer Norbert Aleman, syndicated sports talk host J.D. The Brick and a sheik from Dubai. ... Hugh Hefner and his blondes, being filmed at "La Femme" (MGM Grand) Saturday for their reality show, "The Girls Next Door." ... At Pure (Caesars Palace): Nicky Hilton, getting a birthday cake replica of the Breakwater Hotel in Miami, soon to be renamed Nicky O, which will be the first in her line of boutique hotels. Her contingent included boyfriend Kevin Connolly, sister Paris, Brandon Davis, Faye Resnick, celebrity blogger Mario Lavandeira of perezhilton.com and fashion designer Richie Rich. ... "Deal or No Deal" host Howie Mandel, racing with friends and family at Fast Lap Indoor Kart Racing on Sunday. ... Paris Hilton and new beau Travis Barker had reservations for "Love" on Sunday, but they canceled.
THE PUNCH LINE
"A sure sign that it's fall: Terrell Owens overdosed on cider." -- David Letterman
