Holly Madison isn’t doing “Girls Next Door” anymore, but that hasn’t kept her from reality television. Holly – who moved to Vegas a few months ago to star in “Peepshow” on the Vegas strip – is now balancing her nightly burlesque duties with the filming of her new reality series, “Planet Holly.” The show will follow Holly’s new life in Vegas, and she describes it as very “Mary Tyler More.” Although I like Holly, that’s not a comparison I ever would have made. Although Mary Tyler More would have been a much more age appropriate girlfriend for Hugh Hefner than Holly ever was. She says she wants to highlight the lesser-known aspects of Vegas, and she seems to really love her new home.

“It will be a guilty pleasure with a lot of eye candy.” That’s how Peepshow star Holly Madison described her new reality TV series Planet Holly to me in an exclusive interview. Holly will film it entirely on location here in Las Vegas starting Oct. 12 — one day after E! Entertainment launches a two-night premiere of the new season of The Girls Next Door. Those two debut episodes have Holly’s former love Hugh Hefner leading his new three-pack of blonde beauties to reunite with her to watch her perform in the topless burlesque cabaret here at Planet Hollywood! Holly will continue to make several guest appearances on The Girls Next Door this season as a continuing ratings booster — and great cross-promotion for her own new series.

Holly told me: “There will be elements of GND in my show because there is such a fan following for it. It’s all good-natured and not mean like other reality shows. I’m really excited about the new series because I am also getting a legitimate co-producer credit for all the work I do behind the camera. It’s not a vanity credit. I’m super excited to learn from the best and take on new responsibilities.”

…“I fell in love with Vegas since moving here. So I want to show a lot of the Vegas few people know about, it’s hidden treasures away from the Strip. Yes, you’ll see my quirky day-to-day life of living in a casino with a dog, but it will show the side of the valley many people never know existed. “It will have some docu-drama, but it’s the perfect excuse for me to be normal in a lighthearted comedy romp. Think Mary Tyler Moore. In fact, I just hooked up my DVD player so I can look at all the episodes of her old TV show. But Planet Holly also will have an empowering message for women showing that however crazy the ideas you might have, they can be achieved.

“I’d be very happy if I go longer than the new 12-month contract. I’d like to stay here a long time. The show is doing really well and has long legs for the future. I get to work three hours each night, which leaves me lots of time during the day to work on the other goals.”

[From Vegas Deluxe]

The interview, which was conducted by Robin Leach, is comically long. Not that it’s a bad story or anything, but after a while you’ve scrolled down enough that you’re like, “Still? We’re still talking?” I got the impression he didn’t want to let her go a moment before he absolutely had to. Robin probably figured Holly’s known for hooking up with rich old guys, so he’s got a shot. I can’t explain why but I really love Holly. I think it’s because she strikes me as genuinely nice and not a complete airhead. I doubt she’s trying to do advanced physics or anything in her spare time, but she doesn’t act like a drunk bimbo either.

I find the whole concept of Vegas confusing. Isn’t it basically just L.A. to the right? And without the ocean? I honestly don’t understand why hookers and gambling make a place more intriguing, but it’s the height of popularity right now. I’m sure I’ll catch the show at least a few times – according to the article, Holly convinced Robin Leach to make a guest appearance. That sounds so frightening I’ve got to tune in.

Here’s Holly at the Sugar Factory in the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Vegas on Saturday. Images thanks to WENN.com .