Playgirl+

At long last, a digital archive of the magazine established in 1973: celebrities, centerfolds, newcomers… And the new “Man of the Month”. Here’s AARON, Playgirl‘s Man of the Month/February 2022, JOE, Man of the Month/May and the press release

PLAYGIRL, which pioneered erotic entertainment for women in 1973, has launched a new site showcasing the history of the iconic magazine. PLAYGIRL+ (Playgirlplus.com) features exclusive celebrity interviews, centerfolds, erotic fiction, and original titillating articles. In addition, PLAYGIRL is producing a new “Man of the Month” series that includes photosets and video interviews featuring some of today’s hottest up-and-coming male models. The new membership site is $12.95 per month or $99.95 per year for access to both the archival and new material.

A PLAYGIRL Rep says of the launch: “We’re excited that PLAYGIRL finally has a place online that documents the rich and diverse history of the brand. The Hollywood elite which have graced our covers range from Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Redford, Jack Nicholson, Antonio Banderas, Rob Lowe, Richard Gere, Mark Wahlberg, Tom Selleck and Sylvester Stallone to Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Liza Minnelli and Jamie Lee Curtis.”

Over the years, PLAYGIRL has scored notable high-profile interviews from the likes of Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Bette Midler, Yoko Ono, Larry Flynt, Dustin Hoffman, John Travolta, Paul McCartney, Cher, Michael Douglas and Kathy Griffin to timeless icons such as Burt Reynolds, River Phoenix, Robin Williams, Joan Rivers and many more.

In addition, the magazine has featured original writing from prestigious literary figures such as Gloria Steinem, Joyce Carol Oates, Anais Nin, Truman Capote, Maya Angelou, Raymond Carver and Tennessee Williams, as well as the world-renowned photography of Annie Leibovitz, Greg Gorman, Herb Ritts, Norbert Jobst and Robert Mapplethorpe.

Recently, PLAYGIRL has begun its entry back into the pop culture landscape. In Fall of 2020, Playgirl unveiled its first relaunched print edition with Oscar-nominated actress, Chloë Sevigny and her baby bump on the cover, shot nude by famed fashion photographer Mario Sorrenti. This year HBO Max released a popular series, Minx, inspired by Playgirl, as the first magazine empowering women to explore their sexuality.

PLAYGIRL’s 50th anniversary will be marked in 2023 by exciting retrospective exhibitions, merchandise, and limited print editions.

All-Male Film Directors

Humbled to see my name featured on the cover of Michael Hone’s book, The Worlds’ Greatest All-Male Film Directors ( Amazon). And featured in between my two mentors, Duroy and Bjorn. But can’t help but think we’re an endangered species: Poole, J.Brian, Deveau, Sterling, Travis, Douglas, Higgins are long gone…

Inevitably, “greatest” is a relative adjective. Hone writes about the directors who mattered the most to his own journey. Many other filmmakers are omitted and they may very well matter more to one reader or the other. But I owe Hone 2 thanks: for his work on this neglected genre of ours. And for his generous review of Hotel Italia (“incredibly handsome men made to look their best”). “As of this 2020 writing”, he says, “Kristen Bjorn is 63, a man, who, along with Lucas Kazan, 55, remain the greatest hopes for the homage and adulation due to all-boy male beauty”. While I certainly don’t deserve the comparison, a pat on the back is always welcome. Thank you, Michael.

(Check out the XBiz interview, for more insight into the last 30 years)