Friday, September 04, 2009

Heidi Fleiss in Nevada


I first caught Heidi Fleiss: The Would-Be Madam of Crystal (2008) on HBO last year, and it's been showing again. It's fascinating. Fleiss took the fall for her Hollywood business, and after a stint in prison, has been trying to start a brothel for women in Nevada, where prostitution is legal in some counties. Fleiss is a relentless entrepreneur. In this documentary, she describes how she first came up with a business by managing babysitters when she was a babysitter herself. Becoming a madam later in life didn't seem so different. But in Nevada, she faces local resistance. Besides this conflict, she has trouble with her handyman, and befriends a former madam who is fond of exotic birds. It's all strange and touching and weirdly hopeful.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler played Fleiss (while also starring on HBO as Meadow Soprano) in Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss (2004). Fleiss, ever the wheeler-dealer, had already sold the rights to her story for a tidy sum. But she has also been an addict, and will appear on the next season of Celebrity Rehab. In what seems to be a natural business move, Fleiss is also engaged to Dennis Hof, owner of the Bunny Ranch also of HBO fame. (Hof backed Ron Paul for President in 2008, and came up with interesting ways to raise money for his candidate . . .)


Legalized and taxed prostitution: a good idea or a bad idea? I've posted on this in the past; most seemed to favor regulated and legalized prostitution over the mostly underground and dangerous status quo.

Today's Rune: Partnership.

7 comments:

the walking man said...

Legalized and taxed with periodic medical check ups for STD's and also standard retirement options.

Charles Gramlich said...

I watched some biopic on her years ago. Not sure of the title.

Lana Gramlich said...

I'm all for legalization for all so-called "consentual" crimes, personally. In this case, they don't call it "the world's oldest profession" for nothing & you're certainly not going to stop it. Legalization may wreak havoc on the sex slave trade, so what ARE we waiting for?

Johnny Yen said...

It seems to work in Europe. A close friend actually did legal work for the Frankfurt, Germany hooker's union. Health checkups, guards, safe locations-- it's safer for all involved. I think that at this point, we can safely assume that some people are going to participate in this. Why not recognize it?

jodi said...

Erik, That girl could certainly strike a deal. I never could get past the sorta funky, half starved look of her. I will try to catch that show, tho. Have a great Labor Day weekend, and do absolutely NO labor!

Erik Donald France said...

Thanks all, for the comments. Cool stuff!

Adorably Dead said...

I say legalize it. You're never going to outright eradicate it and atleast this way both the customer and the girls are safe.