Playboy

Kendra Wilkinson ain't just deep in the heart of Texas, she's knee-deep in controversy after reveling in the joy -- as she sees it -- of picking cotton.

Kendra knocked off an odd bucket list item Wednesday when she pulled over -- mid-road trip with her husband, Hank Baskett -- to wander into a random field and pick a cotton bulb clean.

Kendra joked she might get shot for trespassing -- a legit concern, to be honest -- but the tone deaf move came when she loudly celebrated, and posted it on social media. Perhaps a little too giddy for something so connected to slavery?

Kendra's rep tells TMZ she didn't intend to offend, and she's sorry if anyone took it the wrong way. As for anyone claiming she's racist -- the rep pointed out Hank is black.

The final Playboy Mansion bash honoring Hugh Hefner is going down this weekend, and although it's supposed to be invitation-only -- there's a way you can get in ... but for a VERY hefty price.

The event's been labeled a celebration of life, and it's set for Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Remember, Sunday Funday was always a big tradition for Hef back in his partying days, so it's a fitting send off.

Leave it to ticket scalpers to key in on that ... because tickets have started popping up online. The highest price we found was $3500 a pop. No word on who got real deal invitations, but we're told it's supposed to be mostly close friends and family. Plus whoever throws down thousands on the black market.

As we reported, Pabst heir Daren Metropoulos bought the Mansion -- and is planning some major renovations and add-ons -- so this might be the last party there in its current configuration.

Hef was 91 when he died in September, but a Playboy party is forever.

Former Playboy Playmate Dani Mathers is slacking ... and the judge let her know it.

Dani was in court Friday where she was supposed to submit proof of more community hours served as part of her plea in her criminal invasion of privacy case. To date, Dani has completed 56 hours but she was ordered to put in 240 hours.

The judge reminded Dani of her obligations and strongly advised her to get on the stick. She has to return to court January 17 for proof of completion ... or else.

As we reported ... Dani chose to do 30 days of graffiti removal instead of serving 45 days in jail. She's also on 36 months probation for secretly taking a pic of an elderly, naked woman in a gym locker room and shaming her on social media.

If she fails to complete her community service, she could get thrown in the slammer for 45 days.

Playboy is taking steps to protect its biz regarding its iconic bunny logo -- almost a month after their founder Hugh Hefner died.

Playboy filed to renew the rights to a retro version of its Playboy bunny mark on a ton of its packaging and other items that'd typically feature the regular logo.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, they're looking to lock down the image of a smirking white bunny in a tux and plaster it on pretty important Playboy merch ... like magazines, for example ... plus calendars, boxes, stationery materials and LOTS of other stuff.

The move's interesting, especially considering Hef died just last month. Some might have seen it as a signal to potentially change the branding ... but Playboy says that's not the case.

A rep for Playboy tells TMZ .. this "new" bunny ain't all that new -- it's been used by the company before, having appeared on the cover of their February 1960 issue, and has popped up over the years. We're told Playboy is simply trying to re-assert its ownership of this version of the Playboy bunny, and that it ain't changing their iconic logo.

Playboy Playmate Ines Rau represents a cultural shift in America as far as Meagan Good's concerned, and the new message is ... quit all the hating, it's what God wants.

Meagan was at LAX when we asked about Ines becoming Playboy's first transgender centerfold, and it was all positive for her. In fact, she says Rau's biggest impact will be on the lives of young people struggling with gender identity issues.

Remember, Meagan's married to a preacher. While some religious groups aren't exactly known for tolerance of the LGBTQ community, Meagan is clear ... it's all about love and acceptance.

The new owner of the Playboy Mansion was targeted by his former assistant in an extortion plot ... according to a new lawsuit.

Daren Metropoulos is fighting back in court against the assistant his company hired in 2014. According to docs, obtained by TMZ, the woman resigned in early 2017 ... and 3 months later started demanding millions. Metropoulos -- who's also heir to the Pabst Blue Ribbon fortune -- says she threatened to spread lies about him mistreating and harassing women.

He says the ex-assistant targeted him on the heels of his mega-deal to purchase the Mansion.

In the suit, Daren also says she lied like a rug during her interview -- failing to disclose she'd been sued for being an unlicensed contractor, or that she was once sued for fraud and fabricated portions of her resume.

As he puts it in the suit ... "She is an opportunist; a scammer; and an extortionist."

Daren's lawyer, Marty Singer, tells TMZ, "In nearly 40 years of practice, I have never seen such a blatant case of fraud and concealment committed by an employee on her resume and during the job interview. Ms. Graves lied to the Metropoulos Company regarding her background and experience and concealed charges of fraud made against her in prior lawsuits."

Singer goes on, "I have represented the Metropoulos family and their company for years. The Metropoulos Company has employed numerous women over the years, some of whom have worked for the Company for over 15 years. No current or former employee has ever claimed any form of harassment or wrongful conduct by Mr. Metropoulos."

Metropoulos is suing her for more than $1 million.

Hugh Hefner's got game even in death, because someone made out with his crypt.

TMZ broke the story ... Hef's family had a very private, small ceremony last Saturday at L.A.'s Westwood Village Memorial Park, where he was entombed next to Marilyn Monroe.

Well just days later, someone planted lipstick kisses on Hef's crypt, and a few for good measure on Marilyn's.

Hugh Hefner didn't just sexy up the women in Playboy, he also saved their lives, according to ex-girlfriend Cristal Camden ... who credits Hef with curing her bulimia.

Cristal dated Hef for about a year after they met in 2003. She was bulimic at the time, but kept her illness a secret. She eventually moved into the Bunny House across from the Playboy Mansion and word got around about her illness.

Hef confronted Cristal about her eating disorder during one of his movie nights.

From the way Cristal describes Hef's intervention, you can tell it made a huge impact on her life. She says she went to treatment for 8 months before returning to the House all on Hef's dime.

She's had it under control ever since, and doesn't think she'd be around had Hef not intervened. As previously reported, Hefner passed away at the age of 91 last week.

Hugh Hefner ultimately died of cardiac arrest, but

reveals he was also battling a few other ailments.

According to the doc, Hef was suffering from septicemia -- a severe inflammation of body tissues triggered by an infection in the blood. He'd also been dealing with E. coli ... and both are listed as contributing factors.

The main cause of death is listed as cardiac arrest.

As we reported, Hefner died last week at the Playboy Mansion ... surrounded by loved ones at 91.

Hugh Hefner is gone, but his memory will live on ... and the most famous Hef impersonator plans to do his part to keep Hef's legacy alive.

George Kane's been making a living for years as a "dead ringer" for the Playboy founder, after winning a look-alike contest in 2010 in Key West. He's done club appearances, private parties, bachelorette parties and corporate events ... but tells us he's giving all that up now and will only work to honor Hef.

Sounds like he'll have a chance soon too ... George says he's received some calls about making a tribute appearance.

Hugh Hefner died Wednesday at the age of 91.

As quickly as Hugh Hefner said "I Do," he rolled out a plan to make sure his wife would be provided for when he dies ... a plan that included a sick pad and MILLIONS.

TMZ obtained the deed to a Hollywood Hills home that is held in trust ... a trust controlled by Crystal Harris. Hef bought the 5,900 square foot house for her back in 2013.

And get this ... sources familiar with Hef's estate plan tell us he also left Crystal $5 million. Based on what we know, the deal is part of a prenup Hef and Crystal signed before they got hitched in 2012.

As for the house ... it's got 4 bedrooms, 5 baths and an infinity pool.

Hef died peacefully in his L.A. home Wednesday. He was 91.

Former boxing champ Mia St. John is technically retired ... but says there's one fighter who could lure her back into the ring -- UFC superstar Cris Cyborg!

One catch, though -- it's gotta happen at the Playboy Mansion.

We got Mia -- a former Playboy cover girl -- the day after Hugh Hefner's passing ... and she showed Hef mad love for exposing her to the world.

But when the convo turned to her career ... MSJ told us she was officially done -- UNLESS she gets offered a match with Cyborg at Hugh's legendary crib.

Cris says she wants to box, and Mia was in the first-ever mansion fight (yeah, Hef had those) ... so, maybe?

If it doesn't go down ... St. John's got another fight -- against the system she blames for her son's death.

Hugh Hefner was in failing health for years, and he steadily deteriorated in the final months of his life.

This pic was taken in January ... inside the Playboy Mansion. Although Hef was frail, using a walker to get around, he still hosted movie nights and invited people over.

TMZ broke the story ... Hefner got a back infection 2 years ago and that became the linchpin for a variety of ailments that ultimately led to his death.

Hefner died Wednesday night at age 91.

Hugh Hefner started having serious back issues about 2 years ago, and it was all downhill from there as far as his health ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the Playboy founder tell us he already had back problems in his late 80s, but it got much worse when he got an infection. We're told it was so debilitating for Hugh, he could barely walk without assistance and was bedridden soon after.

That's when his public appearances became extremely rare ... one of his last was at the Mansion in May 2016 to announce Playmate of the Year, Eugena Washington.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago ... our sources say Hef caught a bug, and in his still weakened condition, his immune system simply couldn't fight. We're told it was a mild illness, but family and friends knew it would probably be too much for him.

Hugh was surrounded by loved ones when he died ... including, we're told, his sons Marston and Cooper, his daughter Christie and 2nd wife, Kimberley Conrad.

Hugh Hefner's sons were solemn after chowing down ... understandably after losing their legendary father.

We got Cooper and Marston Hefner Thursday night leaving Katsuya in L.A. They were there with a few family members as they waited for valet to bring them their ride.

We asked them about plans for the final Playboy Mansion bash.

Paps offer condolences but the boys are mostly mum. As we reported ... new and old mansion staff will return to the mansion to remember the boss.

Hef died peacefully Wednesday in his famous L.A. home. He was 91.

Hugh Hefner still had a hand in Playboy's centerfold biz as his health was failing ... according to Miss September, who's floored she'll now be mentioned in the same sentence as Marilyn Monroe.

Jessica Wall -- who's 34-24-35 from Chicago -- tells us she was the final pick for Playmate Hef made before his death. She says it really hit her that she was now ending a tradition that started with Marilyn way back in 1953.

However, she hopes the Playboy mogul will be remembered for much more than handpicking hot women to grace his magazine. She explained why he was so much more than that.

While it's a good bet she'll be at the final Playboy Mansion party -- Jess says she and the Playmates have something else cooking to honor Hef. Good luck getting it out of her though. No loose lips, here.