Playboy
What Makes Playboy a Popular Magazine
When most people think of the magazine Playboy, they think of one thing: nude women. While this has definitely contributed to the popularity of the magazine, it’s not the only reason why it’s read each month. As the male’s nude version of Cosmopolitan, it might not share the same target audience as magazines such as Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day or Ladies Home Journal. But it has a devoted readership thanks to its wide variety of features. Mixed in the pages of scantily clad women, one can find a smattering of stories that seem to have been pulled from the pages of magazines like Reader's Digest, People, Time, National Geographic, Prevention, or, another guy-favorite, Sports Illustrated.
Playboy has been popular with readers since its beginning in 1953 when Marilyn Monroe was featured as the centerfold. Since then, it’s iconic Playboy bunnies, Playmate of the Month, celebrity interviews and short stories have kept readers coming back for more. Currently, Playboy sells about 2.6 million copies per month in the U.S.
For the monthly centerfolds and cover models, the women come from a variety of backgrounds as models, actresses, musicians and athletes. Actresses such as Kim Basinger and Drew Barrymore have posed for the cover.
The Playboy Interview is another popular mainstay of the magazine. Each month, a celebrity, politician, or other newsworthy figure is featured in a meaty, candid interview. To prove that the magazine does offer substance, interviewed figures have included presidential candidate Jimmy Carter, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Bob Dylan. More recently, an interview with musician John Mayer caused controversy when he divulged details about his past sexual exploits with other celebrities.
Articles from guest writers and celebrities on a variety of timely subjects also appear monthly. Playboy also offers great opportunities for talented short story writers. The monthly short stories in the magazine offer a variety of genres, such as mystery, sports, humor and science fiction.
Playboy’s annual lists and rankings are another popular feature. The magazine’s Top Ten Party Schools is a popular choice, ranking American universities according to a number of criteria such as sports and a “bikini index”.
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