Showgirls

Showgirls is a film directed by Paul Verhoeven and released in 1995 by MGM. It starred former teen actress Elizabeth Berkley (Saved by the Bell) as a drifter who wanders into Las Vegas and climbs the social ladder from stripper to showgirl. The film was slated to be a huge success for the film studio, its directors, and stars (Charlize Theron and Jenny McCarthy were among the actresses who tried for the lead role). Significant hype about the film's gratuitous amounts of sex and nudity preceded the film's release. In the U.S., the final released film was rated NC-17 for "nudity and erotic sexuality throughout, and for some graphic language and sexual violence."

The V.I.P. Edition

In 2004 MGM released a special boxed set for Showgirls called "The V.I.P. Edition." It was an unabashed attempt to capitalize on the camp value of the film. Inside the box are two shot-glasses, special cards from the film with drinking games on the back, a deck of playing cards, and a nude poster of Berkley with a pair of suction-cup pasties so one can play "pin the pasties on the stripper."

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A new DVD is also included which features several bonus features including a "how-to" tutorial for giving a lapdance (hosted by nude strippers) and a special "trivia track" feature that can be turned on or off. When left on, it adds humourous comments and factoids in the vein of VH1's show Pop Up Video that relate to the scenes as they play out. (An example: apparently Berkley was invited to contribute to the special DVD release but she demanded $2,500 for an interview and she was turned down.)

Related Topics:
Factoid - VH1 - Pop Up Video

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