Holly warned Hef about his fiancee

Holly Madison called it back in January.

Raising eyebrows with what appeared to be some out-of-character comments, Madison publicly warned her ex, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, he might be "making a hasty decision."

Madison was referring to Hefner's Christmas engagement to Crystal Harris.

The "Peepshow" star told Life & Style magazine, "I'd like to see Hef settle down. I just want it to be with the right person, and I feel like he's making a hasty decision. I'm not sure Crystal is the best thing for him."

Madison didn't mince words.

"Crystal hasn't been around very long. She's a mysterious character. No one knows much about her. Plus, she's very young, probably too young to settle down.

"I've seen a lot of girls try to date Hef, and some have ulterior motives. I don't think it would be a bad idea for him to get to know her a little better. I think it's possible Crystal could break Hef's heart. They could end up divorcing, and she could take half his money."

Were they words of a woman scorned after a six-year relationship with Hefner soured, or did she have his best interests in mind?

I'm going with the latter after Madison confirmed to me that she had dinner with Hefner on Wednesday at the Playboy Mansion, two days after Harris bailed on Saturday's wedding.

In a text message, she wrote: "Two girlfriends, the executive producer of my show and I stopped by briefly to have dinner and lend our support :) nothing fancy."

It speaks volumes about their repaired friendship.

When I sent a message back saying I thought she knew more than she was saying back in January, she responded, "I'm gonna hold (off) on that one for a while."

Before anyone jumps to conclusions about Holly and Hef reuniting, she's taken. She's been dating Jesse Waits, who operates Steve Wynn's XS and Tryst nightclubs.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

I showed up at the Sahara hotel for one last top-to-bottom tour during Thursday's liquidation sale. The large photo in the House of Lords steakhouse of The Beatles on a Sahara balcony, circa 1964, took away my breath, and I impulsively thought I'd pay whatever they were asking. But it was already sold. Someone had removed the room number (2344) from the Beatles' suite and, alas, the door was locked. The lasting image of the 25th floor penthouse: the Jacuzzi, with its view of the mountains. Check my slide show at the link found at Related Media (at right) and also at www.NormClarke.com.

SIGHTINGS

Actor David Arquette, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, reigning Miss USA Rima Fakih and the 2011 pageant contestants and Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete, at Gallery Nightclub (Planet Hollywood Resort). ... Drummer Travis Barker of Blink 182 and the reality show "Meet the Barkers," at "Viva Elvis" (Aria at CityCenter) on Wednesday with his two children, Landon, 7, and Alabama, 5, and rapper Paul Wall.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Hugh Hefner's wedding has been called off. I guess he didn't want to be tied down with one woman for the rest of his weeks." -- Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.