Playboy (USA) January 2004

COVER STORY Fifty years ago we invented a winning formula: top-notch journalism, hilarious cartoons and, of course, nude photos of beautiful women. This issue shows why we're still on top at our half-century mark. Art Director Tom Staebler created our celebratory cover. Senior Art Director Len Willis designed our anniversary logo. Our Rabbit doesn't look a day older. FEATURES 90 IMMODEST PROPOSALS The nation's smartest—and ballsiest—writer lays out a fearless platform for a brave new world. Ignore it at your own risk. BY NORMAN MAILER 117 50 YEARS: A PLAYBOY CELEBRATION In 1953 the first issue of PLAYBOY hit newsstands and, quite simply, changed everything. These 21 pages tell the story of history's best-looking revolution. 138 TO MY SON A playwright famous for turning four-letter words into an art form passes down some tender truths about women, handshakes and necrophilia. BY DAVID MAMET 142 THE NEW PLAYBOY BACHELOR PAD View the ultimate party space for the 21st century single man. BY FRANK GEHRY 148 EMPTINESS The simple tools of writing can shed more light on the creative process than any words. That's why this novelist collects blank sheets of paper from such famous authors as Sigmund Freud and John Updike. BY JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER 152 FEAR AND JUSTICE IN THE KINGDOM OF SEX The original gonzo journalist salutes Hef and worries that old communist conspiracy theories are being repackaged as the War on Terrorism. BY HUNTER S. THOMPSON 158 YOUR OFFICE OR MINE? A writer best known for her humorous send-up of office life says we should reevaluate the role of sexual harassment in the workplace. BY LAUREN WEISBERGER 162 DEMOLITION Every year men driving fire-breathing farm equipment pull into a tiny Washington town to drink up, fuel up and get smashed up. BY CHUCK PALAHNIUK 182 DR. SEX Alfred C. Kinsey pried open the bedroom doors of 18,000 Americans and published the most intimate details of their sex lives. Here are his sexual peccadillos. BY T.C. BOYLE 220 50 PRODUCTS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD How the miniskirt, Big Mac and Jacuzzi helped fast-forward us into the future. BY BOB SLOAN AND A.J. BAIME 254 MY LIFE WITH PLAYBOY Shortly before his death, Gotham's man of letters immortalized his favorite memories from the Mansions. He bunked with Bunnies, snapped Centerfolds in Hef's backyard and almost tripped over a napping Warren Beatty. BY GEORGE PLIMPTON 260 20Q: AL FRANKEN The SNL alum behind the controversial book Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them comes clean about life as a liberal satirist. Honest. BY WARREN KALBACKER FICTION 104 LOYALTY A man discovers the truth behind an unsolved homicide. BY SCOTT TUROW 228 ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER A manic bridge tender loses his bird's-eye view in a swan dive. BY THOM JONES INTERVIEW 79 JACK NICHOLSON Forget his 12 Oscar nominations. Jack Nicholson is our anniversary Playboy Interview because he's the exemplary Playboy man. The Hollywood legend addresses his reputation as a rogue, reveals his definition of a woman's "sweet spot" and says he'll retire when younger actors can do a better job than he can. BY DAVID SHEFF PICTORIALS 96 LIGHTS, CAMERA, FANTASY! Michael Bay, Spike Lee and six other top Hollywood directors will get rave reviews for their visions of beauty. Definitely not rated PG. 168 PLAYBOY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY PLAYMATE: COLLEEN SHANNON This Alaska native embodies our hopes for the future. 200 GOLDEN MEMORIES It took half a century to put together this scrapbook. In it are the Playmates and celebrities wito define American beauty. 233 PLAYMATE REVIEW Soft money is not an issue in this election. Cast your ballot for your favorite 2003 Playmate. NOTES AND NEWS 25 PLAYBOY MANSION FROLICS Eminent, Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek and George Clooney help us celebrate 50 years. 65 THE PLAYBOY FORUM From abortion to sodomy, the battles we helped win; Hef writes the Playboy Philosophy. 309 PLAYMATE NEWS Celebrities who've posed for PLAYBOY will compete in the Lingerie Bowl during Super Bowl halftime; Colin Farrell's favorite Playmate. DEPARTMENTS 3 PLAYBILL 29 DEAR PLAYBOY 33 AFTER HOURS 57 MANTRACK 61 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR 180 PARTY JOKES 290 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY 315 ON THE SCENE 316 POTPOURRI FASHION 188 THE A-LIST Billy Bob Thornton, Jerry Bruckheimer, Greg Kinnear and other members of the Hollywood elite revel in their personal style. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS 196 THE GOLD STANDARD These precious-metal accessories offer the appropriate shine for our golden-anniversary party. REVIEWS 45 MOVIES The Return of the King caps off the Lord of the Rings saga. 48 DVDS Pirates of the Caribbean is shipshape; Liv Tyler's nude scenes hoist our mainsail. 50 MUSIC Blink-182 leaves our eyes wide open; the Beatles tear down a wall of sound. 52 GAMES Max Payne finds love and new firepower; a chat with Mya about gaming. 54 BOOKS Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas is strange in the best way. Plus: fun with serial killers!