Hugh Hefner Promotes His New Book ‘Mr. Playboy’
80+ year old Playboy magazine mogul Hugh Hefner, flanked by his new twin girlfriends Karissa and Kristina Shannon, made an in-store appearance with author Steven Watts at Book Soup here in LA last night to promote and sign copies of the new book Mr. Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the American Dream. Looks like homie ain’t wasting no time introducing the world to his new “lady loves” since it was revealed earlier this month that Hef had broken up with former girlfriend Holly Madison (and, most likely, Kendra Wilkinson and Bridget Marquardt). Here are a few pics from last night’s in-store appearance and a bit of information about the book:
“Mr. Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the American Dream” (Wiley, 544 pages, $29.95), by Steven Watts: In 1953, Hugh Hefner was a young man in Chicago with an unimpressive resume and big plans. He would start a men’s magazine geared toward young urbanites such as himself with lifestyle tips and racy pictures. He would call it “Stag Party.” A legal snag forced a last-minute name change to “Playboy,” but Hefner stayed true to the idea. The magazine quickly became a huge success and gave new meanings to the words playmate, bunny and centerfold. Hefner — with his pipe, his pajamas and a girl on each arm — became a symbol of the sexual revolution. But a symbol of what? Hefner is either the swingingest hep cat, a pornographer, a sexual liberator or a lecher, depending on the observer. Watts aims to give a full account of the man, his magazine and their place in social history. Hefner cooperated, giving the author access to everything from his personal scrapbooks to a 1972 memo from a Playboy administrative assistant on the Rolling Stones’ four-day romp at the old Chicago Playboy mansion (they left behind burned towels and clogged pipes; it’s unclear why). Watts presents Hefner’s life as a sort of X-rated Horatio Alger story. A boy growing up in the Midwest falls in love with the fantasy world of movies. As a young striver, he creates his own fantasy world with Playboy. Then he moves into the world he created, leaving a wife and kids for the swinging life. Watts argues that Playboy is more than a girlie magazine: It “comprised a historical force of significant proportions.” It’s arguable whether Hefner mostly made waves or rode them. But it’s clear that Hefner took seriously his role in offering a philosophy to counteract Puritanism. When Hefner calls himself a missionary, he’s not punning. Along with the naked women, Playboy early on featured the likes of Dave Brubeck on jazz, Evelyn Waugh on abstract expressionism and an interview with philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre … Oh, and Hefner really, really likes sex. Women come and go from his round bed like the sheets were made of Flubber. It just never stops. Even into his old age, the Viagra-fueled magnate stays on the prowl. Watts reveals that Hefner narrowly avoided an ironical death when he almost choked on a partner’s sex toy. A quick-thinking Playmate saved him with a chest compression.
… Annnnd, I think that’s enough info, thank you very much. The Playboy empire is a fascinating one and the man behind the Bunnies is just as fascinating. But when you see him now, as an 80+ year old man, clinging to 20-year old buxom beauties who wouldn’t touch him with a 10-foot pole if he didn’t have fame and wealth, well it’s just not as impressive as it may have been at one time. Don’t get me wrong, the man deserves props for living his life to the fullest and enjoying the zest of life for as long as he can. But sometimes, like with the introduction of these new twin sister girlfriends, I think Hef looks more foolish than pimpish. For his sake, I hope that the Shannon twins are schooled in CPR … you know, in case another one of those “choking on a sex toy” or worse incidents happen again.
[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]
Tags: 'Mr. Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the American Dream', Book Soup, Hugh Hefner, Karissa Shannon, Kristina Shannon, Steven Watts
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October 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
he’s really not looking too good in these pics. :(
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I just think it’s all publicity. I don’t buy them being interested in him unless they are reaping the benefit of being his girlfriend. I did buy Holly’s love for Hef though. Eh.
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
so what was the story with bridget? How did that relationship end? I’m only hearing about Holly and Kendra.
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I don’t like the new girls…they really aren’t very attractive at all!! Someone should tell them blue eye shadow went out decades ago. I agree with Margie..it was obvious that Holly loved Hef and its very sad that they aren’t together. But absolutely the new girls are only in it for the fame and notariety.
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Is it me or do these twins look like two displaced fembots from the Austin Powers movies?
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
TOTALLY FEMBOTS! LOL :)
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Good Lord. They looked so riduclous. Plastic, vapid barbies. The blank looks are kinda scary.
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
what ever happened to bridget?! kendra and holly confirmed the break-ups. and arent these girls a little old to be dress in the same outfits?!
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:32 pm
They look like 1970s airline stewardesses! And, Hugh Hefner is just GROSS :(
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
a big EW to these girls for “dating” the same EIGHTY year old man
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Something’s not right here… TskTskTsk
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
He looks super old in these pictures, alot older than the shows of Girls next door that are currently airing.
And those girls are taking the twin thing waaayy too far by dressing alike. It’s cute untill you’re about 5 years old.
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I cannot BELIEVE they are dressing alike.. ew. A little to incestual for me, and I used to like Hef.
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Hef looks sad. I think Holly really made him feel alive and young. It’s unfortunate that the creeper twins are by his side now. They look robotic and uncomfortable. Poor Hef.
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Err, dressing your twin girlfriends up in matching outfits is not only creepy but screams electra complex.
Is it just me?
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:35 pm
You couldn’t even hand me a blank check to “pretend” to sleep with a 100 year old man! What a joke.
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Hef’s face looks like his stock-dead in the water, but the wariter looks so so happy just to be there. Watts must be a Hef want to be but want to be broke is nothing to want to be.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
He doesn’t look happy.
THEY DO LOOK LIKE FEMBOTS. lol.
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
This just strikes me as sad and embarrassing – but then I guess him having ‘teams’ of girlfriends always was …
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
He looks not only old, but miserable to boot…
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:55 pm
It’s just amazing to me how he is so old, yet this Playboy lifestyle has NOT gotten old for him! I think it’s fair to say that he is a man who lacks real substance since he has happily chosen to surround himself with it his whole life, but I suppose this lifestyle is simply destined for him.
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:22 am
Is it just me or did Hef totally trade down? Yikes! They may look like fembots but they look like fembots straight from the trailer park!
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:58 am
it’s so creepy! the twins are my age, and hef is 10 years older than my grandfather!
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:43 am
Hugh’s luck with pretty girls must be running out because his new Twin girls are just TRAGIC lookin!
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:48 am
Hef looks like Kirk Douglas in the second pic!!
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:16 am
He looks like a midget in the first picture! And his two new girls are definately a trade down… they are trashy and not even attractive.
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:18 am
Was this on their way to the Grand Ole Opry?
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
Okay now THIS is gross.
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 am
Wow. Gross. I feel sorry for the girls. They obviously have issues and are just barely not teenagers anymore. I hope they can take the money and get something better going on than having to service an old lech. Ick.
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:12 am
Ugh this is just gross. Those girls are straight up white trash (much like one would find at….Chilis or Applebees?) I seriously hope they don’t try to do the Girls Next Door with these two.
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:47 am
those girls are not attractive. they DO look like fembots. & i agree the dressing alike is too much.
bring back other girls!
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I an’t believe what is going on?!?!?!?! The show the girls next door besides being taken off the air soon due to what the hell is going on but also is truly being ruined!! why!!! The playboy name and mansion will not be the same!!1 why didn’t he save sperm in a bank for an occasion like thios??? that sounds weird to me. although i do respect Holly’s reasons and choice it crushes my heart and i never thought i’d see the day come when the girls nexxt door and the playboy mansion fell to pieces. Something MUST BE DONE!!!!
SINcerly with Love
Jenn
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I just must add another note. He def did trade down with these girls. MAJOR i agree with the’ above with that. and once again agree with the fact that they DEF should not have these replacements on the show. it’s disgraceful and the show wouldn’t even make a new sesason before being kicked off the air. the show was good as it was and this is just fucked up!! i hate it. and it needs to be fixed. i i can’t deal!!! urghhhhhh
-Jenn<3
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
They’re way too tall for him; way too young for him, and aren’t nearly as attractive as Holly/Kendra/Bridget.
They look like they don’t know how to model very well. (hence the stiff discomfort they seem to have).
PawPaw is lookin a fool.
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Ol’ dude’s atrophying, methinks… he looks teensy! And way old.
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Hef has definitely downgraded with these two. They look like they have ZERO personality…Ick.
October 24th, 2008 at 6:29 am
These girls are NOT attractive. As much as I loved Holly, Kendra & Bridget, we all knew there was not going to be a “long lasting love” there!
I think he just needs to suck it up and spend the rest of his years with his assistant Mary- they would be such a cute old couple together! :)
October 27th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I like your opinion, but i’m not sure if my friend here next to me agrees with me. :(
But thanks for writing this. :)
October 27th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I like your opinion, but i’m not sure if my friend here next to me does :(
But thank you for publishing this. :)
November 7th, 2008 at 10:23 am
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