First though, the new photo of next Sunday’s guest Playboy dealer, TV’s blonde bombshell Jenny McCartney checking out the costume she’s been fitted for.

She will be behind the blackjack tables on August 3 at the Playboy Club in the Palms, and had to undergo six weeks of rigorous card-training for her guest stint in rabbit ears and Italian designer Roberto Cavalli’s body-clinging corseted and tailed uniform. Meantime, a slew of Vegas hopefuls wanting to be Playboy bunnies at the club auditioned in the second annual Playboy search at the Ditch pool party. Our Scott Doctor was on hand as they strutted their stuff, filled out their applications, went through their interview skills and even met with some of the existing Playboy bunnies.

Tonight is the last but one episode of NBC’s Age of Love reality show, and 30-year-old Australian tennis superstar Mark Phillippoussis, who now lives here in Summerlin, is getting really close to choosing one of the 40-year-old women battling a 20-year-old in the showdown between Cougars & Kittens.

I hooked up with the hunk at Planet Hollywood resort casino when he met the lovely ladies for the first time since he’d eliminated them from the show. On hand were the 20’s ladies: Lauren Bryant, Tessa Walker, Adelaide Dawson and Mary Sanks, and the 40’s ladies: Angela Harrington, Lynn Borges, Jodie Fisher and Kelli Brook Prather.

You decide who’s who in our exclusive screening party photos!

I sat with 39-year-old Jayanna Haverton who was kicked off the show last week. The mortgage loan officer told me: “I never thought I was competing with the 20-year-olds because I think young anyway. Actually, nobody knew going into the show that it was a battle between 20-year-old women and 40-year-old women. I’m just an adventurous person and I just felt if we both fell in love during the show it would just be a plus to a fun experience. My heart wasn’t broken. All my life I’ve always dated men either 15 years younger or 15 years older than me, so age doesn’t matter. It got to be a soul-mate connection. I lasted six episodes and came out of it with two amazing women as incredible friends. Jodi, at 46, who was the first sent packing, and Jenny, the oldest at 48, who is still in the running. We’re going to do an Amore fashions calendar together to raise funs for charity!”

Once again I tried to trick Matt into giving me one tiny clue as to who he winds up with, but failed miserably. The only thing I can tell you is that tonight we start the final journey “down under” to Australia where his final contests will take place to find the ultimate winner be she young or old - whoops, sorry! Young or slightly older!

Our town was literally Party Central this past weekend. Here’s a sampling of what we managed to cover: Stuff Magazine celebrated its music issue by throwing a party at TAO Beach, and among the stars spotted under the palm trees around the pools were Haylie Duff, Brody Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Jonathan Schaech, Shane West (ER) Roger Cross (24) and January Jones (Mad Men).

In a seamless transition they kept the party going at TAO later. First, a dinner of lobster wontons, chicken pad thai, kobe beef and assorted sushi rolls, and then into the nightclub VIP to party like rock stars.

Also spotted amongst the party-people were model Joanna Krupa, professional BMX biker TJ Lavin, actress Alana Curry (Days of Our Lives) and VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club host, Ant.

Boxing champ, Floyd Mayweather Jr. not only announced at the weekend that he’ll come out of retirement to fight England’s Ricky Hatton on December 8 at MGM—but he threw a two day party that spread from the Studio 54 nightclub to the MGM pool complex.

Floyd showed up at 2:30 a.m. to pose on the red carpet where he was joined by good friend and well-known rapper T.I. They were rushed inside to the Studio 54 VIP area by their mass entourage and bodyguards followed by screaming supporters. Mayweather got on stage to welcome the crowd holding one mic that was covered in bling and showed a pocket full of $100 bills. “Money Mayweather” then whipped out the wondrous wad and threw the Benjamins at the frenzied fans until dawn rose.

More on what might wind up being the biggest fight of the year: Both Mayweather Jr and Hatton are undefeated champions at the top of their sport. Floyd is 38-0 with 24 KO’s, and Ricky is 43-0 and 31 KO’s. Originally, the Spice Girls were booked into MGM Grand Garden Arena for their reunion tour so the boxing match will relocate them across the strip to the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

The most original and unique party of the weekend—maybe the year—was last night when on-line retail shoe giant Zappos kicked off the Shoe Week convention here in super-sized grand-scale. Company officials didn’t blink at the $500,000+ price-tag to take over all of TAO: the pool beach club, the Asian themed eatery and the swank nightclub for the sensational soiree - just hours after the STUFF magazine party had ended at dawn!

It was mind-blowing, with gorgeous models running on treadmills suspended high above the dance floor, world-class skaters performing electrifying half-pipe stunts, live entertainment by the SPAM all-stars on a stage specially built around the 25-foot hand-carved Buddha wearing the largest t-shirt in the world, an arcade of old-school video games and footwear fashions everywhere one turned. It was as if the web’s most popular online shoe store had come to life, as mannequins clad in black prowled and posed around the platinum palace. Several hard-boiled Vegas nightlife aficionados commented they’d never seen such an outrageous money-is-no-object party in Vegas before!

Four new talented principals with movie, TV and stage experience join the Mandalay Bay cast of Mamma Mia! tonight.

The show has just celebrated its fourth anniversary there—and it’s booked through next summer. Carol Johnson continues on as the main character, Donna, as does Vicki Van Tassel as her loud and curvy friend. Libby Winters, who was in the “Like Girl” and “Champs” movies and the White Noise musical in New York, will play bride-to-be Sophie—and all three of her might-be dads welcome new actors: Rob Sutton, Ron McClary and Scott Cunningham.

Over 30-million people worldwide have seen the show, now in 11 global productions, which has grossed more than $2-billion at the box office as the world’s most popular musical. For anybody living on a shipwrecked island until now, I will add briefly that the musical, about a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father in time for her wedding by bringing three men back from her mother’s past, is written and woven around ABBA’s greatest musical hits including “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “Money Money Money.”

… Basketball hero Shaquille O’Neal should be sunning, sipping and stretching out at the Palms pool today. That’s what he told N9NE steakhouse chef Barry Dakake last night at dinner—and that’s when Shaq will go into the kitchen to sign the chef’s famed door of super sports-star autographs. The N9NE steakhouse at the Palms attracted several stars over the weekend including actor comedian Bill Bellamy, hosting the 5th season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and actor Mario Lopez and Dancing with the Stars girlfriend Karina Smirnoff with Palm’s owner George Maloof. Upstairs at Ghostbar was Trichelle from MTV’s Real World and racer Michael Andretti, while across in the Fantasy Tower at the Moon nightclub were comedian Jon Lovitz, Scrubs’ star Donald Faison and wrestlers Snisky, Carlito and Sheldon Benjamin, who’s hand I shook and will never forget!!!!!
… Congratulations to Sahara headliner Trent Carlini for being named winner of ABC-TV’s reality contest The Next Best Thing. The Elvis impersonator won $100,000, and the runner up was Sebastian Anzaldo who plays Frank Sinatra in the Riviera’s show, Barbra & Frank—The Concert that Never Was
… Lest we forget, in the rush yesterday to get the Britney and Paris stories posted we omitted Fergie’s beau-friend, actor Josh Duhamel from the TV show, Las Vegas. He was very much with his true-love and I don’t want anybody thinking my omission meant they aren’t together any longer. They are: big time!

TONIGHTS TIP: The International Belly Dancing convention sheiks its way into the South Point arena until Saturday’s showdown finals … Neurotic comedy king Dom Irrera begins a weeklong run at the Riviera with his irreverent and hysterical story telling.

TOMORROWS TEASE: We’ll try to unravel the possible link between Prince and Michael Jackson that might see the Gloved One getting a series of concert dates with the Purple One producing, and how Pamela Anderson’s opening magic trick went horribly wrong for the first time. Plus, we’ll tell you why UFC head honcho Dana White just doesn’t want to get in the same room as his fighter Tito Ortiz and his porn-princess gal-pal Jenna Jameson!

When visiting Vegas, be sure to see Las Vegas Magazine in your hotel suite featuring a print edition of Vegas Luxe Life, and an incredible directory of attractions, shows and restaurants.

VEGAS—THE ONLY PLACE TO PLAY!

MOM AND SISTER’S TRIP TO VEGAS FAILS TO WIN REUNION OR RECONCILIATION! MYSTERY OF BRITNEY’S VANISHING ACT AS LEGAL PROBLEMS MOUNT!

Mystery surrounds pop-princess Britney Spears’ whereabouts today (Sunday) after her mom and sister’s futile attempt to stage a reunion and reconciliation in Vegas this weekend. (Click here for the full Britney Vegas saga and first anywhere Luxe Life reports.) During Britney’s ever-escalating seven-month nonstop melt-down of troubled torment and bizarre behavior she had “cut-off” her mother- even warning her with a legal slap to stay away from little Sean Preston and Jayden James.

Just as we predicted exclusively yesterday, mom Lynne and younger sister Jamie Lynn checked into Caesars Palace, relaxed by the pool there in two hideaway private cabanas, dined at Social House and then partied at the PURE nightclub—all without Britney showing up.

At the Asian-themed Social House restaurant in the Treasure Island resort Jamie Lynn and Lynn ate in the Newspaper Room with friends. They chose yellowtail jalapeno, tuna salads and Kobe burgers for dinner. Watching from nearby was actress Michelle Kwan and two friends enjoying sashimi and red wine.

No word about rumors that Jamie Lynn is pregnant but she went off to bed early (and because she’s only 16 and not allowed into our Strip nightclubs ,) while mom joined a slew of stars partying at PURE. The guests included Mindfreak magician Criss Angel, Hollywood socialite Kim Kardashian, actress Halley Duff, hunk Brody Jenner and tattooed rapper Mike Jones who gave a surprise performance.

Lynne, who drank Dom Perignon champagne and margaritas, stayed at the club with five friends until 2:30 a.m. today. Criss Angel was the last to leave at 3:30 a.m. with Halley, Kim and Brody all calling it a night by 3 a.m.

Britney has not been spotted since being kicked out of the plush five-star, five-diamond Wynn resort on Thursday with her two baby sons, her brother Bryan, a nanny and bodyguard Julio Camera. The latter is now facing a citation for battery, which carries a six-month possible jail sentence after a violent punch-up with a photographer. Britney is now facing ever-mounting legal problems as a result of her so-called mini-Vegas vacation.

My colleague in celebrity chat, Norm Clarke is reporting this morning that Britney may face legal consequences of her own as Vegas police now investigate whether she ordered her bodyguard’s beating of the cameraman. Britney had also complained to Vegas police that the lensman had bumped one of her sons but after investigation and finding no injuries they did not issue the citation she’d requested against the photographer.

It was believed that Britney’s brother, Bryan, was acting as a go-between his famous sister and his mother in an attempt to get them back together. It was also believed that Britney’s ex-husband, Kevin Federline had asked Lynn to go to Vegas because he feared for the safety of their two sons—and his own attorney had demanded Britney return to California with them after violating a court-order forbidding her to take them out of state without Kevin’s permission.

LUXE LIFE will continue to monitor the Spears’ family time in Vegas today (Sunday) in the hope that Britney surfaces and their reunion takes place.

AFTER JAIL, IT’S AN ALL-NIGHT BLOWOUT PARTY WITH POP-STAR FERGIE!

For the first time since spending more than 20-days in jail, singing socialite Paris Hilton returned to Vegas—and turned it into a long full-blown night on the town! She flew in, as Luxe Life had predicted, for the star-studded Fergie concert at The Pearl in the Palms.

Paris, who lost weight while at the Lynwood Women’s Detention Facility, looked slimmed-down, glamorous and radiant with a new blonde hairstyle—but she was tight-lipped, unsmiling and wouldn’t answer any questions. Asked how it felt to be back in Vegas for the first time and asked how she was feeling she mumbled so quietly nobody could hear her properly. Along with one TV crew and myself we were the only journalists at the Pearl when she arrived. We’re pretty convinced she said she was “happy to be here.” However she did smile—and loved Fergie’s show. Eyewitnesses reported that even though she showed up 30-minutes late into her performance Paris was rocking and waving her arms to thebeats.

Fergie bounced onto the stage at The Pearl wearing a red-ermine trimmed cloak over a short plaid schoolgirl’s mini-skirt and black bra-top outfit for her first song—and the sell-out crowd of fans went wild with screams, applause and flash-cameras. I’m pleased to report she performed the Ludacris written and produced hit ‘Glamorous’ with its shout-out to me and we even got cheers! Fergie’s incredible energy and enthusiasm had the crowd revved up to the max.

By the end of the sensational show Paris had really dropped her guarded reserve, was smiling broadly, laughing and was ready to rock out at the MOON nightclub atop George Maloof’s Fantasy Tower at the Palms. Paris danced wildly—and the frenzied fans crowding the club erupted in cheers when the DJ gave her “shout-outs” during the night and when the roof opened up to the stars at midnight.

Earlier Paris had joined younger sister Nicky Hilton and her boyfriend David Katzenberg at the N9NE Steakhouse. Nicky told me everybody was well, happy, doing great and glad to be having fun in Vegas. After Fergie’s party in MOON, Paris and Nicky joined the singer for her own private party in Hugh Hefner’s penthouse duplex sky villa suite which was still going strong past 2 a.m. today.

Among the stars celebrating as guests of hotel-owner George Maloof with Fergie and Paris were tennis sensation, Serena Williams, singer Macy Gray, TV host Mario Lopez with his Dancing with the Stars partner Karina Smirnoff, Scrubs stars Donald Faison with galpal Cacee Cobb, and Sarah Chalke plus race-star Michael Andretti. Other celebs there were Camille Gusty, Josh Meyers, Romany Malco, Scott Speedman, Justin Long, and WWE hunk-heroes Carlito, Umaga and Snitsky who perform their hi-flying chokehold antics tonight (Sunday) here.

Paris, who was just with girlfriends on the rush Vegas visit and with no boyfriend in sight, didn’t pal up with prior friends Kim Kardashian partying at PURE in Caesars Palace and showman Jeff Beacher partying at Body English in the Hard Rock after the Artie Lange comedy show. Paris was planning to return to Los Angeles early this afternoon and continue her self-imposed low-key social schedule following completion of the jail-term.

BRITNEY SPEARS MOM ARRIVES IN VEGAS FOR RESCUE MISSION AND REUNION

Early this afternoon (Saturday), Britney Spear’s mom Lynne and younger sister Jamie Lynn checked into the Caesars Palace hotel in Las Vegas—but for now the troubled pop-princess is nowhere to be found. “It’s a total mystery as to where she’s vanished to since she was booted out of the Wynn hotel two days ago,” I was told at the resort. As revealed exclusively in LUXE LIFE overnight, they flew in on the rescue-mission after discussing with Britney’s estranged husband, Kevin Federline his dramatic concern for the safety of their two young children, Sean and Jayden.

Britney violated a court-order that didn’t permit her to take the two under-2-year-old babies out of the State of California without Federline’s written permission. Legal experts advise that makes her subject to arrest upon her return to California.

The family had two private secluded cabanas booked for themselves at the Venus and main Garden of the Gods pool at the luxury casino and tonight (Saturday) have made reservations for dinner at the Asian-themed Social House restaurant in the Treasure Island resort. It’s is not known yet if Britney will meet with them, or join them for dinner or socialize with them at the PURE nightclub afterwards.

Britney had turned to the PURE executives for help after being evicted from the Wynn as she is set to open their new LAX nightclub at the Luxor hotel here on August 31 for Memorial Day weekend festivities. PURE’s executives refused all comment about Britney saying that “it’s all a personal matter that we don’t get involved with, other than being helpful where we can to friends we work with.”

It is believed that Britney’s brother Bryan has been acting as a go-between for Britney and her concerned mother, as LUXE LIFE reported earlier this morning. Click here for that report. He had traveled to Vegas with Britney and her two children and a nanny on Wednesday. Britney had asked that her suite at the Wynn be made child-proof and puppy-proof—but after a punch-up between her bodyguard Julio Camera and two photographers they were escorted by Wynn security off the hotel property on orders from hotel mogul Steve Wynn himself. Click here for our earlier LUXE LIFE story.

Las Vegas police issued a “battery citation,” which could get Britney’s bodyguard a six-month jail sentence after taking statements from all involved in the fight near the Wynn spa. Britney’s complaints against one of the photographers was investigated by Vegas police officers but, after taking statements and examining physical evidence, no citation was issued against the photographers.

“The family is now together at Caesars Palace,” I was reliably told, “although nobody has seen Britney. Now it’s a watch and wait situation to see if they reunite and save her from the escalating seven-month mess she’s made of her life.”

LUXE LIFE will continue to monitor this extraordinary developing story throughout the weekend, and on Monday we have the unbelievable diva-demands she made prior to her eviction from the Wynn resort.

HAS EX-HUSBAND KEVIN FEDERLINE ORCHESTRATED A POSSIBLE FAMILY RECONCILIATION AND REUNION WITH HER MOM?

Troubled pop princess Britney Spears might just have a “full reconciliation” with members of her family this weekend. Her younger brother Bryan has been acting as a “go-between” with Britney and her estranged mom, Lynne. Now today (Saturday) sources confirm rumors that Lynne and Brit’s younger sister are en route to Vegas to ‘meet up’ with Bryan this afternoon—and hopefully Britney.

Wynn hotel security escorted Britney, her brother, her two young baby boys, a nanny and her bad-boy bodyguard from the resort Thursday afternoon—as reported first anywhere right here at LUXE LIFE— under orders from hotel mogul Steve Wynn himself. She desperately made frantic phone calls to Vegas friends—including Palms hotel owner George Maloof and the owners of Pure Management Group—for help. Britney is contracted to open PURE’s newest nightclub LAX at the Luxor on Memorial Day weekend. Click here for all our first-before-anybody-else reports of her troubled Vegas visit.

Rumors circulated late yesterday (Friday) that Britney persuaded them to arrange rooms at Caesars Palace—and that’s where her mom and sister will headquarter for the weekend intervention and long hoped for reconciliation. The singer/dancer had been asked to leave the Wynn hotel, when her bodyguard, Julio Camera, was cited by Vegas police after investigating his punching one of two photographers.

Britney’s bodyguard now faces a possible six-month jail sentence for “the battery charge” of assaulting a photographer. Although Britney claimed the photographers had injured one of her young boys, her attempt to have Vegas police officers cite the lensman failed as they could find no evidence of any injuries to little Sean Preston. Thus no charges were filed against the paparazzi.

In addition to the Wynn debacle, Britney’s former husband, Kevin Federline, had his lawyer on Friday demand Britney return to California with their two young babies. She violated a court order not to leave the state without K-Fed’s written permission. It is believed that Federline talked with members of the Spears family to ask them to come to Vegas and resolve the situation.

Britney had originally come to Vegas for a mini-vacation with her two children and had hoped to see tonight’s (Saturday) Fergie concert at the Palms. As predicted in earlier LUXE LIFE reports this week, Paris Hilton will be attending The Pearl theater’s show on her first return visit to Vegas since her release from prison on a drunk-driving incident involving her suspended license. Paris, who normally pals up with Hard Rock showman Jeff Beacher, is expected to be with her sister, Nicky on this trip—and the entire LA platoons of paparazzi are invading Vegas in the event they all show up together at the Palms and PURE at Caesars.

Ironically it was at a Caesars Palace restaurant that Britney and would-be rapper Federline had a scream-fest over dinner during their brief marriage where she fled in tears to her suite and he strolled into the PURE nightclub which is where he shot his music video later.

The world has been asking why this 25-year-old pop-star has displayed seven non-stop months of ever-worsening bizarre behavior since I witnessed her collapse at the PURE nightclub on New Years Eve and why she has fired her advisers and business team and cut-off both family and friends.

“There is no doubt that she is experiencing the height of paranoia” I was told. “One can pretty much accurately guess why she is so paranoid: the screaming, the constant bathroom visits, the erratic mood swings and inexplicable behavior. She believes everybody—including her family, sadly—around her has been there only using her to make money for themselves and helping themselves to her fortune. It’s a classic Hollywood tale thats been repeated time and time again. It’s pathetic that as America’s No. 1 pop-star she got caught up in an evil party world surrounded by hangers-on, drugs and drinking. Either Federline or her mother and sister have to do something now before it’s too late and we have the final headlines of a tragic ending.”

LUXE LIFE will continue to monitor this extraordinary developing story all weekend—and on Monday we have the juicy inside details of Britney’s outrageous diva-demands when she first arrived at Wynn.

A citation for misdemeanor battery was issued against Britney Spears‘ bodyguard J.C Camera following an incident at the Wynn resort hotel yesterday (Thursday) according to Las Vegas police. Click here for LUXE LIFE’S first anywhere report on that incident. Apparently, the bodyguard tackled a photographer to the ground and punched the lensman in the chest. During the fracas another person was struck and accidentally collided with Britney’s baby, Sean Preston. Wynn security officers were called “with Britney screaming at the top of her voice”. They called Vegas police to the resort to take statements.

Sgt. Loretto of the Las Vegas Police Department confirmed that the bodyguard was issued a citation for misdemeanor battery and Britney asked to file an allegation of battery on behalf of Sean Preston against the photographer.

Britney’s allegation remains under investigation, with Vegas police issuing the following statement: “A second IncidentCrime Report was also filed by Ms. Spears on behalf of her minor child.”

The incidents near the famed plush Wynn spa were brought to hotel owner Steve Wynn’s attention immediately. Through hotel president Andrew Pascal they gave orders for Wynn’s own security officers to escort Britney, her children and the bodyguard from the property. Click here for LUXE LIFE’s breaking news world exclusive on Britney being ordered out of the luxurious 5-star 5-diamond resort complex.

There was no word overnight as to whether they had moved into another Vegas hotel or had returned to Los Angeles per instructions from former husband, Kevin Federline’s attorney who claimed Britney broke their child custody agreement by taking the boys out of state, across state lines without his written permission. There were claims late last night (Thursday) that Britney faces possible arrest back in California for the violations.

Originally Britney’s mini-vacation was to include pop-singer Fergie’s concert tomorrow (Saturday) night at the Palms. No word for now as to even where Britney is in hiding. LUXE LIFE will continue to monitor this extraordinary developing story.

The the Wynn Hotel has now released its official statement:

“At Wynn Las Vegas, we respect the privacy and do our utmost to maintain the anonymity of our guests. In the event that this is compromised, we take the appropriate action. Given the widespread news reports of Ms. Spears’ stay at Wynn Las Vegas, we can confirm the following: Ms. Spears was a guest of Wynn Las Vegas this week. She elected to leave the resort on Thursday afternoon, July 26, of her own accord. We have no comment with regards to any alleged activity during her stay with us and will not comment on our guests’ experience at Wynn Las Vegas.”