Flashy, you and I are of a like mind when it comes to Playboy's playmates. I am much more attracted to the centerfolds of the seventies and eighties (the hairy years.) Today the magazine is in trouble with its historical subscription base and has been attempting to reinvent itself ten times over. Moreover, due to the Internet most men's magazines are in trouble. As Playboy soldier's on with a fraction of subscribers from its hey-day, the big question is how much input founder Hugh Hefner (nearly 82) has from day to day.
Hefner's dream girl from his youth in Chicago was the big-breasted blonde, a theme largely carried in his magazine through the decades. Sometime after his daughter Christie took over it was suggested that the WASP girl-next-door model didn't reflect the changing demographics in America. A commendable ideal gradually morphed into a now almost hilarious "three French hens, two turtle doves" and a Caucasian method of Playmate and Playmate of the Year selection process. If Donald Trump's Miss USA and Universe contest are politically correct, they are nothing compared to Playboy.
But back to hair. A few years ago a friend and I went to the LAX Hilton to something called Glamoucon, a meet & greet with past Playmates. I was reluctant because to me it was kind of a $10/autograph rip-off and of course I was above begging for a Playmate's autograph. By the time we got there the Glamoucon was booming and the packed Hilton conference room was arranged with long tables and various Playmates from the early 70's to 2003. A cursory glance could see they were busy raking in the big bucks for a few seconds of conversation and a stock photograph. I reluctantly tagged along with my buddy as he transformed from the macho athlete that I knew into a timid submissive fan:
"oh please Pamela autograph this 'to my dear friend Mortimer Milktoast.' " It was enough to make me want to barf.
We moved around until we reached a long line of fans waiting for Brande Roderick, a previous Playmate of the Year. My cynicism quickly vanished; she was incredible in person as well as in print on on TV. However, what made it all worth it was her sexy personality! Standing in line we were going over the Playmate photographs and I (forgetting we were in a public place) made the observation all the latest ones
were bald... just as the guy in front turned away and we were standing in front of Brande Roderick, 2001 Playmate of the Year and Baywatch babe supreme. I suddenly lost all power of speech. Brande heard my crass observation and shot both of us a huge smile. With a wave of hear hand she said,
"oh it's just the latest fad. A couple years ago I'd have needed some sheep shears on mine. What's your name honey?"
I slowly reached over to the pile, not for the cheaper photographs but to the super expensive plastic wrapped archived June 2001 Playmate of the Year issue. I heard myself say,
"oh please Brande autograph this 'to my dear friend Mortimer Milktoast.' " :redface:
http://www.centerfold-babes.net/pb/brande_roderick/12.jpg