Kardashian empire continues to grow

The Kardashians open a boutique at The Mirage on Aug. 21 to sell products the family owns or endorses, from DVDs to their clothing lines and even a towel bearing their bikini'd bods.

The boutique spot will take over a store that sells all things Terry Fator and where he signs autographs. Fator will get a new store closer to his theater.

Kim, Khloe and mom Kris made the announcement with other company executives at The Mirage on Monday.

Mirage officials hinted the Kardashians could get their images planted on slot machines. The question we media failed to ask: Does the MGM deal mean the Kardashians can't make appearances in non-MGM hotels?

MAHER ON BYRD

Bill Maher and I were talking Monday about his July 17-18 shows at The Orleans when I asked about Robert Byrd, who died, at 92, a few hours earlier.

Maher said Byrd was emblematic of how America has evolved: Byrd started as a KKK member and ended as an Obama backer.

"When you think about the world he was born into, it was not that outrageous to be sympathetic to the KKK. You have to give that to America: Racially, we've come a long way."

Less seriously, he joked: "The original member of the Senate. And when I say the Senate, I mean the Roman Senate. I'm just saying, he's old."

MARK MCGRATH -- PAPA

Eight weeks ago, Sugar Ray singer Mark McGrath's fiancee, Carin Kingsland, gave birth to twins, Lydon Edward and Hartley Grace. McGrath, whose band plays Saturday at the Silverton, told me Monday that parenthood is "the greatest thing," a joy for him, Kingsland and their parents.

McGrath -- one of the funniest, nicest, most generous and humble stars alive -- told me it was a no-brainer to give up partying for parenting: "Even a douche like me can see the rainbow through the trees. You know, the band was great. Hosting 'Extra' was great, but I was sitting at 41 last year going, 'What am I missing?' And they filled the void.

"This is what I'm supposed to be doing the rest of my life," he says. "It's not all unicorns and rainbows, but it's fun. It's galvanized my family."

McGrath says he's been with "my chick" for 16 years.

"We've been off and on, dude. It hasn't been the cleanest, most-perfect relationship. But we've got to this point now where we've got a shot at making it good.

"I still like waking up with her each day. I'm glad she's a mom."

McGrath was just in Vegas a month ago, judging a model search at Hard Rock's crazy pool party, Rehab.

His fiancee understands gigs pay the bills, and she's not a prude, he suggests.

"She's the kind of girl who would go to Spearmint Rhino tonight. I don't have to put on a facade.

"I've made my mistakes. She's forgiven me for them. She knows I'm gonna make more. But I'm not a hypocrite, either. I let her live her life as well. When you're on the road, and you're in a band, and you're trying to make a relationship, there's the real way, and there's the other way, that it can exist.

"Luckily, we've made it.

"But she's really cool. If they pay me to show up for a contest with hot bods, that's my job! It's a damn good job, but it's a job."

SIGHTINGS

Tonight, Molly Ringwald promotes her book, "Getting the Pretty Back," after 10 p.m. at Lavo at Palazzo. ... Wednesday, firecracker Emily Jillette, whose hubby is Penn, produces the improvisational show "Matt Donnelly's Executive Monkeys" at the Palms' Lounge. Shannon Elizabeth guest stars. ... Carrie Underwood did her birthday and bachelorette party at Liquid Pool on Saturday. She didn't drink, and she avoided fried foods. ... Kelly Monaco (after doing her birthday at club Haze on Friday with Shanna Moakler), kept celebrating Saturday by eating at Union with Moakler and Tyler Christopher, then taking friends to The Bank at Bellagio, dancing on a banquette for all to see.

Doug Elfman's column appears on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
E-mail delfman@ reviewjournal.com. He also blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.