Despite good reviews and great buzz, Planet Hollywood's topless "Peepshow" finds itself in the midst of a tiny controversy. The reason for the flap: tiny pasties. Some had argued that, due to use of pasties, "Peepshow" wasn't a topless show at all. And so, in material worthy of satirist Alexander Pope, the pasties have been removed, causing, it was reported, at least one cast member to quit.

Caught somewhere in the "Peepshow Pasty flap of 2009" is the issue of the difference between a striptease and a topless show. Regardless, "Peepshow" remains a very good adult show that now runs pasty-free. The men in the show never wore pasties, though I wish they would.

Anyway, I spoke to Scott Zeiger, co-chief executive of "Peepshow" producer Base Entertainment, and here is our conversation, in which he also announces the arrival of Holly Madison to the cast after Kelly Monaco's contract ends:

Richard Abowitz: So why have the pasties come off in "Peepshow"?

Scott Zeiger: Like any show, Broadway, West End or Las Vegas shows go through an artistic arc in the creation process from storyboards to opening to after. But our process on "Peepshow," unlike Broadway, is an evolutionary one that will continue to evolve as we cast different people into the show and exploit their unique talents. If we get a new Bo Peep character who is also an extraordinary singer, that person will be called upon to sing in the show. Whereas Kelly Monaco is a dancer and not a singer and so she didn't sing. Our process from the storyboard was always an evolutionary one. The decision to remove  pasties is part of the overall process. You have seen the show. We are not a topless dance show. We are not a parade of topless women. We are a striptease spectacular. Our vignettes are about the art of the tease.  We tried it with pasties and we thought it was beautiful  and elegant. But our cast became more comfortable and we decided to take the striptease down another level, so to speak. The show continues to be artful, elegant and beautiful. The show  still delivers on the promise of our original artistic mission.

Abowitz: But now offers a more traditional forward reveal?

Zeiger: That is exactly right. If our show were on Broadway in its pasty format, it would be the most sexy show in New York. But we are in Vegas and we are watching the audiences and evaluating the competition and deciding what is appropriate for the market. So, yes, it is a full reveal.

Abowitz: Please, let me ask you about some rumors that have appeared in the press. First off, did a cast member quit over the decision to remove the pasties?

Zeiger: The way the Equity contracts work, every actress and actor has a four-week out. These are union actors and actresses, and we are prepared for that. The way the contracts work is we had to go to the actors and ask permission to remove the pasties.  It is true that one of our dancers gave notice. But I am not sure she was comfortable in the play in its first format from the very first time we had a preview. But it is true an actor gave us notice. But an actor can give us notice for any reason.

Abowitz: The rumor I read that amazed me the most is that the production cost $400,000  a week. Is that accurate?

Zeiger: That is not accurate. It is expensive. But we have a fluid number because there are so many variables. The biggest variable is advertising, and during the branding process you are going to see large advertising spent. We have a billboard on Sunset Boulevard. Also, depending on time of year, advertising costs go up and down. They can range from $35,000 a week to $100,000 a week. Rehearsals aren't free, but once the show is set, those costs wind down. We are putting Holly Madison in the cast replacing Kelly Monaco.

Abowitz: Who is replacing Mel B or is she staying on?

Zeiger: That role is undecided. I think Holly Madison will be great.

Abowitz: Does she sing?

Zeiger: She has other talents.

Abowitz: What are they. Please feel free to say what they are.

Zeiger: You can say what they are.

Abowitz: I can't say. All I know is she dated Hugh Hefner and Criss Angel. What is the talent in that?

Zeiger: She was also on "Dancing With the Stars" and she is quite beautiful. [After this interview a publicist contacted me to let me know what I was missing is that unlike Kelly Monaco, Holly Madison will be going fully topless.]

Abowitz: Finally, in this economy, how is "Peepshow" doing?

Zeiger: That is the most exciting thing. The audience is building every single day.  It is challenging with tourism and occupancy down, and people here spending less when they are here. But given that, we could not be happier because each night our grosses are better than the night before. We are very confident in the show.

Photo: Holly Madison. Courtesy: From Holly Madison.