One day in October 2015, men who patronize a certain long-running men’s magazine were flabbergasted when said mag, “Playboy”, announced that they would discontinue featuring the one content that pretty much made them an iconic publication for over half a century: nudie pictorials. It’s been that way for just over a year, with unhappy “readers” tending to blame the proliferation and disturbingly easy access to internet porn as a primary culprit for ruining an institution, never to return. Or won’t it? Okay, for the fans put off by that decision, things are going to change.
The nudity is coming back.
Son reverses editorial decision
“Playboy” loyalists will have a reason to be jubilant with the recent announcement that the magazine will be returning its “meat and potatoes” as it were with the reintroduction of nude features in the upcoming March/April 2017 issue. They have cooper heffner, son of “Playboy” founder Hugh Heffner, to thank for this changing of tune for the mag. After stepping up as the publication’s chief creative officer last October 2016 (amidst unsubstantiated rumors that the elder Heffner has passed away), he has been able to turn his staunch criticism of the former higher-ups’ decision to do away with nude content into concrete action to bring them back.
In a tweet sent Monday February 13 regarding this reversal of mandate, Cooper Heffner remarked that even he is fully aware that the manner of presenting nudity in “Playboy” magazine was rather quaint and old-fashioned, however in his own words, “Nudity was never the problem, because nudity isn’t a problem. Today, we’re taking our identity back and rediscovering who we are.” In line with this thought, the March/April issue where nudies make a comeback for the magazine carries the cover title “Naked is Normal” in an affirmation of sorts.
— Cooper Hefner (@cooperhefner) February 13, 2017
Reversions and omissions
In addition to the return of the nudes, another old feature brought back for this momentous occasion is the humorous “Party Jokes” segment in order to celebrate the “playful” side of the “Playboy” brand according to the younger Heffner, who is also reviving his father’s discontinued (since the 1960s) “Playboy Philosophy” personal column.
Cooper means to use it as a vehicle to explore the current cultural and political climate of the US, seemingly referring to US President and high-profile “Playboy” buddy Donald Trump.
With all these returning oldies, one facet of the publication that is making an exit will be the classic “Entertainment for Men” subtitle. The way Heffner sees it, “Playboy will always be a lifestyle brand focused on men’s interests, but as gender roles continue to evolve in society, so will we.” The next issue of “Playboy” with the nudity back is now available for download on the official website, and hits newsstands on February 28.
