Conversation | 07/18/2008 10:30 am

HBO Executive Producer Sheila Nevins on the Making of 'Heidi Fleiss: The Would-Be Madam of Crystal'

With Lily Tomlin, Liz Smith and Sheila Nevins

SHEILA: Right. I love that.

LIZ: And she calls herself notorious. And she describes her life at one point as being a person in a concentration camp.

SHEILA: Yes. She feels that and she has the empathy of a suffering person. Heidi’s been very low. But she’s not bitter. She’s not angry. I always say to her, “Aren’t you angry? Don’t you want to take your little black book and scream out those names from the hilltop, on the Hollywood hills? Don’t you want to just say, ‘Nobody came to save me, nobody came to visit me, nobody’s rescuing me.’ Don’t you want to do that?” She doesn’t have malice toward anyone. None. I probably have more malice than she does.

Heidi really needs to be cured of her illness, because the rest of Heidi is magnificent. She’s a really nice human being.

LIZ: Oh, you definitely do.

Read more about: Business, California, HBO, Heidi Fleiss, Nevada, Prostitution, Sex

145 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

In 1998 the New Yorker featured a piece in which literary persons gave their take on the Clinton scandal. The following is from Louis Begley: I take as an unshakable postulate that for many men (though by no means all) the abject availability of woman makes her irresistible––the man’s *gout de la boue* [taste of the dirt] locks in. From then on, when she’s on hand, ready to be used however the man wants, it’s easier to separate two dogs in heat in an ally than to keep him off her. The President was a lost man, and naive to boot. Somewhere in the back of his head he must have the idea that you can trust little sluts. In fact, only great ladies and high priced whores know how to keep secrets.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 07/18/2008 10:57 am

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What’s this thread have to do with Clinton?

By Star Lawrence on 07/18/2008 11:14 am

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I thought that quote Phyllis provided was very enlightening, and true, and it is why women like Heidi can do such a bang-up business.

By No Way-No How -No McCain on 07/18/2008 12:20 pm

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Star: Indeed. That was quite a leap, but I guess we slip the political digs in where best we can. Now to get back to Heidi, so far I’m not understanding the fascination with the story. The video clip is showing an unkempt young woman obviously spaced out on something. If the documentary never names names, then there’s precious little of interest. Maybe other posters will speak on what I’m missing.

By Marjorie C. on 07/18/2008 12:31 pm

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My dear Star and Marjorie: You completely misunderstood my post. The quote was not at all a political dig at the Clintons; I loved Clinton–I voted for Hillary in the primary. During the scandal I was furious at the congress for what they did to this man––it was none of their damn business. My god, how many presidents had their so called “pussy pools” and the masses were kept in the dark. So knowing that reread it and connect it to the issue at hand. Thank you.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 07/18/2008 5:10 pm

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phyllis: “In fact, only great ladies and high priced whores know how to keep secrets.” Is this the point you are making? That men should use professionals rather than office staff? If so, then I agree. If your point is that men have no control over their hormones, I somewhat agree with that, too. Although back in the day before reliable birth control, many, many young men solved their problems without resorting to rape or hired help. Perhaps a different male example would have kept me from leaping on the political bandwagon. No harm done.

By Marjorie C. on 07/19/2008 6:23 am

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Has anyone else here heard of sex addiction?

By Mugsy Peabody on 07/20/2008 1:16 am

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Phyllis—After reading Obama’s books, strongly suspect he enjoys a loving long term relationship with a very well educated upscale discreet white woman.

By Dr. Mark Klein on 07/20/2008 10:53 am

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Oh, come on, Duchess of Delete, please, please, pretty please? I mean, well, obviously, the first one would be, “Aha! At last, something Dr. Mark actually might have a working familiarity with! Prostitution!” Or… Okay, okay. I’ll at least try to be nice. For you.

By Mugsy Peabody on 07/20/2008 2:29 pm

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Mugsy—As if that was really so horribleI, I didn’t say Obama consorted with prostitutes. He wouldn’t be the first politician to find solace in the arms of a discreet loving mistress.

By Dr. Mark Klein on 07/20/2008 5:27 pm

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“little sluts”? how disgusting to call a human being that.

By DeBúrca obj on 07/18/2008 12:51 pm

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Surely, you can’t be serious.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 07/18/2008 5:12 pm

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I’m very serious.

By DeBúrca obj on 07/18/2008 7:53 pm

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Slut: a slovenly or promiscuous woman Derivatives: Sluttish–adj. Sluttishness–noun Origin: Middle English of unknown origin It’s a word––to describe a certain kind of woman who displays a certain kind of behavior. I think it’s only used for human beings–never heard of a sluttish monkey––well, maybe I did. I’m wondering what word you would use to describe a young woman who, after delivering a pizza to the President of the US, picks up her skirt and flashes her buttocks encased in a G string.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 07/19/2008 8:13 am