Levi Johnston to Pose for Playgirl

Levi Johnston has been hitting the gym for a few hours almost every day of the week, under the training of a former Mr. Alaska contestant who happens to be a professional bodybuilder. Johnston is the father of Bristol Palin's baby and he was married to her briefly during the pregnancy and up until the birth of the child. As things unraveled in that relationship and after Palin and McCain lost the presidential election, Johnston turned his attention to trying to start a career as a celebrity.

So far he's done surprisingly well at finding inroads into the mainstream entertainment industry. He recently debuted his first commercial as a spokesman for Wonderful brand pistachios. Johnston is slated to appear in Playgirl in an upcoming issue, although it will likely depend on how fast Johnston can get himself into Playgirl shape.

Once that issue hits the newsstands, we're sure to hear all sorts of talk from Sarah Palin and from both her supporters and detractors. Of course, none of it will be at all relevant to any political issues that Palin may or may not be endorsing, nor will it reflect at all on her abilities as a politician and legislator. What it will do, however, is keep the spotlight on both Palin and Johnston and ensure that both are still very much in the public's consciousness in the years to come.

Of course, depending on the reception that the Playgirl shoot receives, it could launch Johnston to a level of celebrity that even Palin has yet to achieve. The irony there would be difficult to ignore.