Photos: Levi Johnston Arrives in NYC; All Aboard the Playgirl Bait Bus!

Levi Johnston arrives at Newark airport on Saturday night (via Alaska Airlines, of course); his big Playgirl photo shoot is set for this coming Friday. All photos by Todd Kancar.

Here are some entertaining pics of political prodigal man-child Levi Johnston arriving in NYC (via Newark airport) this past Saturday night. The shade-sporting, soon-to-bare-all hockey-pup was accompanied by his rather large manager Tank Jones, and greeted upon arrival by Playgirl magazine spokesperson and NYC nightlife impresario Daniel Nardicio. And, a few reporter types from TMZ, Entertainment Tonight, Life & Style, etc.

Nardicio brought his notorious Playgirl van (which has its own stories to tell) to squire Johnston into the city, where no doubt the Palin nemesis will continue his serious workout regime before baring his junk for the Playgirl cameras this coming Friday. Which begs the question: Can this gig actually live up to the hype? And how long will Johnston's comfort level with this d*ck-dangling circus last, do you think?

Here's some more info from the airport press frenzy: Evidently, the FIRST question Levi got from the press in the airport was from Life & Style Magazine, and the reporter asked, "Levi, how do you feel about Playgirl being for gay men?" Levi's answer was a drama-free "Whatever." And his manager Tank Jones responded: "WHO THE F**K CARES? We're all the same underneath!"

I gotta give props to Nardicio for slyly managing all of this madness. From underwear parties to creating the frisky-yet-cheekily-clever man-meet site DList.com to this, Nardicio knows his way around smart-meets-seedy pop culture.

Ah, showbiz... Anyway, enjoy the pics of Johnston's NYC touchdown.

All aboard the Playgirl bait bus!

More when-Levi-met-Nardicio-in-Newark pics after the jump!

This sh*t is genius. It's like Jackie-O up in here...


Levi and crew (that's Tank Jones above and behind Johnston on the left, next to him is Nardicio) head to baggage claim.


Happy to be here.


Another good shot of (from left) Nardicio, Jones and Johnston swanning through Newark Liberty.


Hot shades, but how's the rest of Levi looking? Think he's ready to show us the big Wasilla?


Johnston feeling pretty chill meeting the press. Maybe he's a natural?


Waiting for luggage. What do you think these two were talking about? Their favorite Playgirl covers of yesteryear? The reinvention of the magazine's brand that may come of all this? The public health care option? Taylor Swift on SNL?


Daniel Nardicio & Levi Johnston: Odd Couple? Or NYC's hottest new duo?

Want to follow Levi's full week of Playgirl fluffing? Follow the action at http://twitter.com/ILovePLAYGIRL. Or check back here.