Cost of a chat with Lewis steep

The price of Jerry Lewis' time has gone up.

Las Vegas freelance writer Steve Friess e-mailed an interview request to Lewis' public relations point man the other day, with the intention of doing a Q&A for Newsweek with the comedy icon.

The response ended with two-word jolt.

"Any interviews related to the MDA Telethon," wrote Rick Saphire, "must be scheduled through the publicity office of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I can schedule general, career-related interviews, but Mr. Lewis gets a sizable fee."

Friess wrote back, "If the MDA helps me set up an interview, will it be restricted only to MDA and the telethon or will I be able to ask other questions. And, also, how much is the fee for an interview otherwise?"

"Jerry Lewis will not (and cannot) combine an interview about the MDA with matters pertaining to his own career," Saphire replied. "He does not use his position as MDA National Chairman to advance his other activities, etc. Up to a one hour interview with Mr. Lewis for a commercial publication (electronic or print) is $20,000."

Friess, writing on his blog at TheStripPodcast.com, said he was "floored ... and morbidly fascinated."

Friess sent a note back to Saphire, saying "That's awfully steep" and added, "Have many media outlets actually paid that? Or do you negotiate?"

"Jerry Lewis' price is his price," Saphire wrote back. "It's a healthy sum, but ANY story about him receives international attention and raises readership. Yes, he is often paid that much and more for his interviews, but obviously it's only the heavy hitters in the media which can afford the fee."

Friess passed.

FAERIE GOOD TIME

The first "Midsummer Night's Dream" turned into a dream event for the Palms.

More than 2,000 revelers paid between $100 and $200 to attend the inaugural Las Vegas version of Playboy's annual soiree at Hugh Hefner's famous Los Angeles mansion.

Palms owner George Maloof said the poolside lingerie and masquerade event Saturday night exceeded expectations and will become an annual event.

The surprise, Maloof said, was that so many got caught up in the spirit of the event. Elizabethan faerie outfits outnumbered all others, while some brave souls wore little more than well-placed layers of paint.

"The costumes made the evening," Maloof said. Interest in the event was so high, he said, "next year we're going to sell masks at the door."

"We heard Frederick's of Hollywood had a big rush the last couple days," he added.

Attendees included NBA stars LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire; rapper Nelly; Criss Angel, with Anna Nicole Smith's longtime bodyguard, Cory Ardizzone; UFC star Chuck Liddell; porn icon Ron Jeremy; former Duke basketball star J.J. Reddick; Playboy's Alison Waite, runner-up for 2007 Playmate of the Year, with beau Jon Gray; "Top Chef" runner-up Marcel Vigneron; Las Vegas City Councilman Lawrence Weekly, in an all-white suit, and former Clark County Commissioner Michael McDonald, with a gold mask.

SIGHTINGS

Oscar winner Helen Mirren, dining Sunday at Restaurant Guy Savoy in Caesars Palace. ... Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Kevin Connolly, checking out Bare Pool at The Mirage on Saturday while cooling off with Lava Flows, a frozen blend of piña colada mixed with strawberry daiquiri. After dining with Rick Salomon at Stack Restaurant & Bar at The Mirage, they headed for the VIP section at The Mirage's Jet. ... Kevin Federline, drinking vodka and Jagermeister on Saturday straight from the bottle at Tao nightclub, according to People magazine. He was with a group of 25 pals. ... Illusionist David Blaine, dining at N9NE restaurant at the Palms. ... Stepfanie Kramer, who played Dee Dee McCall in "Hunter," at a birthday party Friday at the Wynn for cousin Ellen Robinson Schwartz of Denver.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Squirrel in a wheelchair. Free to a special home." -- From Jay Leno's classified advertisement collection.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.