Playboy Magazine relaunches in SA

People have been commenting about the return of the once controversial magazine, Playboy.

They are arguing that it won't work because women are treated better or have more rights or live different lives, irrespective of their gender. I'm not convinced that that these arguments present the threats to Playboy SA becoming a successful magazine.

Rather, I think Playboy suffered because it became borrowing.

Yes, Playboy used to be controversial but reality TV shows like Girls of the Playboy Mansion have taken away any mischievious allure that it had in its most execiting periods.

In the 1960, 70s, 80s, even the 90s, people looked at it for naughty pictures and edgy, if sometimes non-serious journalism.

The TV show that took people into magazine founder, Hugh Hefner's house, made the magazine rather predictable.

The merchandise - aftershaves and clothes maybe made it "too safe" or conservative.

Hugh Hefner has before said he wanted people to embrace a Playboy lifestyle that empowered women but also one that included sexually confident women.

Perhaps, he succeeded and his magazine ran its course.

Another move that turned people away from Playboy was that many film and music stars just refused to pose among its pages anymore.

Marilyn Monroe was its first cover star in the 1950s - when she was one of American film's biggest stars. But even she did not pose for the mag as such - none of her nudy bits were on display.

The Wikipedia article's list of notable film stars who posed for Playboy is unimpressive.

Film:

Marilyn Monroe (December 1953) (Never actually posed for Playboy itself)
Jayne Mansfield (February 1955)
Mara Corday (October 1958)
Ursula Andress (June 1965)
Carol Lynley (March 1965)
Kim Basinger (February 1983)
Janet Jones (March 1987)
Drew Barrymore (January 1995)
Daryl Hannah (November 2003)
Denise Richards (December 2004)

What about since 2004?

Jessica Alba was in a bikini on a cover in 2006 and stopped the mag from putting any nude pics of her inside the particular issue.

As far as edgy journalism including the notable "Interview" series goes, well, that will stay strong as long as the people interviewed ensure good interviews.

I leave it to Playboy SA to find some innovative ways to keep selling then.