Playboy February 2007 Magazine Back Issue

FEATURES
50 THE SEXUAL MALE, PART ONE: THE FLIGHT OF THE SPERMATOZOON
After we track a sperm cell on its fantastic voyage to make a man, you may never look at your bits and pieces the same way again. Study up: This is the first chapter in a series of in-depth reports on the science of male sexuality. By Chip Rowe
66 ELEMENTS OF SEDUCTION
Frigid, frightful February can become the hottest month on the calendar. Learn about intoxicating love potions, the 10 sexiest places in North America and sensual lingerie you'll want to buy now and peel off her later.
74 HEARTBREAK
Five literary luminaries consider love's sour side by sharing their personal and sometimes painful relationship-ending experiences. By Kevin Canty, Aleksandar Hemon, Susan Minot, Gary Shteyngart and Jeanette Winterson
92 THE GUY BEHIND FAMILY GUY
Discover who puts the fun in Family Guy's dysfunctional Griffin clan by going behind the scenes with subversive Seth MacFarlane, creator of the most successful animated TV series since The Simpsons. By Dave Itzkoff
102 ROMANCE 2007: THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE, SEX AND THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION
As Valentine's Day approaches, now is the perfect time to brush up on what makes the world go round. Hear advice from scientists, foodies, troubadours and, perhaps most valuably, beautiful women who are learned in the ways of love.

FICTION
62 THE STARLIGHT ON IDAHO
In this dark and troubling tale from an American master, a man in rehab uses a series of letters written to friends and family members to reconstruct the chain of events that has brought him to rock bottom. BY Denis Johnson

THE PLAYBOY FORUM
41 SERVING THE PUBLIC
The titans atop the world's giant media companies seem willing to spend millions to lobby for greater consolidation. Why do such huge amounts of money seem inversely proportional to the quality of the radio, television and
newspapers being acquired? By Eric Klinenberg

20Q
72 BETTIE PAGE
With her raven hair, beguiling smile and killer curves, she is one of the most enduring and popular sex symbols of the past 50 years. In a rare interview, the pinup icon and Playmate sets the record straight about a lifetime of lovers, her biggest regret and which of her former associates she would most like to knock on the head. By Stephen Rebello

INTERVIEW
47 SIMON COWELL
Caught between a rock (Randy Jackson) and a soft-hearted place (Paula Abdul), the cantankerous American Idol judge (and co-creator) believes that when it comes to helping contestants face the music about their lack of talent, a spoonful of venom helps the medicine go down. Prime time's favorite critic sounds off about tone-deaf singers, cultural snobs and why he prefers Kelly Clarkson's music to Bob Dylan's. By Rob Tannenbaum

COVER STORY
As Cylon Number Six on Battlestar Galactica, Tricia Helfer is easily the sexiest robot in history. "She glides; she's a seductress," says Tricia of Number Six. But the talented model turned actress is more than a sexbot—she goes deep into the many variations of her conflicted character. This cover image by photographer Antoine Verglas reveals the sensual woman behind the machine. Our Rabbit is left tied in knots.

PICTORIALS
56 TOUGH LOVE
Work up a sweat with Air Force drill sergeant Michelle Manhart in this steamy layout.
78 PLAYMATE: HEATHER RENE SMITH
Though no longer a gymnast, the lissome Miss February still has all the right moves.
110 OUT OF THIS WORLD
Looking anything but robotic, Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer alights from the heavens for an exotic shoot.

NOTES AND NEWS
9 THE WORLD OF PLAYBOY
Las Vegas's Playboy Club opens with a real Bunny bash; celebrities help raise money for an animal sanctuary with the Mansion's Wildlife WayStation brunch.
10 PLAYBOY AT THE PALMS
Paris Hilton, Taye Diggs, Jamie Foxx and Tony Curtis were among the full house of celebrities Hef welcomed to opening night at the Playboy Club and casino.
151 PLAYMATE NEWS
Miss July 1997 Daphnee Duplaix Samuel talks about her conniving alter ego on the soap Passions; 50th Anniversary Playmate Colleen Shannon broke hearts on British TV's Love Island.

DEPARTMENTS
3 PLAYBILL
11 DEAR PLAYBOY
15 AFTER HOURS
23 REVIEWS
33 MANTRACK
39 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR
90 PARTY JOKES
147 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY
155 ON THE SCENE
156 GRAPEVINE
158 POTPOURRI

FASHION
96 PLAYBOY'S DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Ozwald Boateng won acclaim in the U.K. when he opened his flagship store on Savile Row. Now the innovative designer brings his flair for streamlined silhouettes and daring use of color to America. By Joseph De Acetis

THIS MONTH ON PLAYBOY.COM
THE PLAYBOY.COM A-LIST
Discover the true mixology masters as we name America's top 10 bartenders.
MAGAZINE BLOG
Go behind the scenes with PLAYBOY'S editors, post your two cents and read more of our interview with Tricia Helfer.
THE 21ST QUESTION
Get the final word from pinup legend Bettie Page.
HOT TOPICS
Stay abreast of the most intimate headlines in our new daily sex-news feature.
FASHION ARISTOCRACY
See video from our feature with PLAYBOY's Designer of the Year, Ozwald Boateng.

• Covergirl Tricia Helfer (Nude) photographed by Sante D'orazio
• Playmate of the Month is Heather Rene Smith photographed by Arny Freytag
• Cocktails, Chemisty, Corsets And The Art Of Seduction
• Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer Sheds Her Cylon Suit
• Hooah! The Naked Drill Sergeant
• Simon Cowell Interview: The Man We Love To Hate

Playboy's original title was to be "Stag Party," but an unrelated outdoor magazine, Stag, contacted Hefner and informed him that they would legally protect their trademark if he were to launch his magazine with that name. Hefner and co-founder and executive vice president Eldon Sellers met to discuss the problem and to seek a new name. Sellers, whose mother had worked for the short-lived Playboy Automobile Company in Chicago, suggested the name "Playboy". The first issue, published in December 1953, did not carry a date, as Hugh Hefner was unsure whether there would be a second issue. The first centerfold was Marilyn Monroe, although the picture used had originally been taken for a calendar, rather than for Playboy. The first issue was an immediate sensation; it sold out within a matter of weeks. Known circulation was 53,991 (Source: Playboy Collector's Association Playboy Magazine Price Guide). The cover price was 50¢. Copies of the first issue in Mint to Near Mint condition fetched over $8,000 in 2007. The famous logo, depicting the stylized profile of a rabbit wearing a tuxedo bow tie, was designed by art designer Art Paul for the magazine's second issue and has appeared on every issue since; a running joke in the magazine involves hiding the logo somewhere in the cover art or photograph. Hefner said that he chose the rabbit as a mascot for its "humorous sexual connotation", and because the image was "frisky and playful". An urban legend started about Hefner and the Playmates of the Month because of markings on the front covers of the magazine. From 1955 to 1979 (except for a six month gap in 1976), the "P" in Playboy had a number of stars printed in or around the letter. The legend stated that this was either a rating that Hefner gave to the Playmate according to how attractive she was, the number of times that Hefner had slept with her, or how good she was in bed. The stars, which ranged in number between zero and twelve, actually indicated the domestic or international advertising region for that printing. Since reaching its peak in the 1970s, Playboy has seen a decline in circulation and cultural relevance because of increased competition in the field it founded — first from Penthouse, Oui, and Gallery in the 1970s; later from pornographic videos; and more recently from lad mags such as Maxim, FHM, and Stuff. In response Playboy has attempted to re-assert its hold on the 18–35 male demographic it once controlled through slight changes to its content and focusing on issues and personalities more appropriate to its audience—such as hip-hop artists being featured in the Playboy Interview. Christie Hefner, a daughter of Hugh Hefner, became the CEO of Playboy in 1988 and is now also the Chairman of the Board. The magazine celebrated its 50th Anniversary with the January 2004 issue. Celebrations were held at Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, and Moscow during the year to commemorate this event. The best-selling Playboy edition was the November 1972 edition, which sold 7,161,561 copies. One-fourth of all American college men were buying the magazine every month. It is interesting to note that although this issue is available in abundance, it is very difficult for collectors to find this issue in excellent condition. The black ink on the cover wore off easily and it is difficult to find this issue with a bright clean crisp black color. A Near Mint copy of this issue is a hard find. Perhaps coincidentally, a cropped image of the issue's centerfold (which featured Lena Soderberg) became a standard image for testing image processing algorithms. It is known simply as the "Lenna" (also "Lena") image in that field. Many people ask about Playboy UK, Playboy USA is the same issue that was issued in the UK because there was no need to translate the magazine. So, Playboy USA and Playboy UK are the same magazine.

Playboy is an American men's lifestyle and entertainment magazine. It was founded in Chicago in 1953, by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. Notable for its centerfolds of nude and semi-nude models (Playmates), Playboy played an important role in the sexual revolution and remains one of the world's best-known brands, having grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with a presence in nearly every medium. In addition to the flagship magazine in the United States, special nation-specific versions of Playboy are published worldwide. The magazine has a long history of publishing short stories by notable novelists such as Arthur C. Clarke, Ian Fleming, Vladimir Nabokov, Saul Bellow, Chuck Palahniuk, P. G. Wodehouse, Roald Dahl, Haruki Murakami, and Margaret Atwood. With a regular display of full-page color cartoons, it became a showcase for notable cartoonists, including Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Cole, Eldon Dedini, Jules Feiffer, Shel Silverstein, Erich Sokol, Roy Raymonde, Gahan Wilson, and Rowland B. Wilson. Playboy features monthly interviews of notable public figures, such as artists, architects, economists, composers, conductors, film directors, journalists, novelists, playwrights, religious figures, politicians, athletes, and race car drivers. The magazine generally reflects a liberal editorial stance, although it often interviews conservative celebrities.