Playboy February 2004

COVER STORY In the big-screen action flick Torque, Jaime Pressly revs engines as a motorcycle-riding villainess. Famed photographer Patrick Demarchelier had Jaime step away from the bike, onto the beach and out of her clothes. She rode the waves in her lingerie with our Rabbit. FEATURES 60 THE PEOPLE VS. ROBERT BLAKE Prep for the biggest celebrity murder trial since Of .'s with an exclusive look at the prosecution's case file: a day-by-day account of the lead detective's investigation, including peeks at victim Bonny Lee Bakley's shady connections, the bizarre police interviews with Blake and the damning "Kill Bonny" list. BY MILES CORWIN 72 DESTINATION MARS Enthusiasm for space exploration has plummeted. Now the author of The Martian Chronicles argues for a renewed push toward the final frontier. BY RAY BRADBURY 76 FIGHT OR DIE Even in the brutal world of professional boxing, the life of five-time world champion Johnny Tapia stands out. Brilliant in the ring and self-destructive outside it, Tapia has weathered arrests, addictions and even drug-induced comas. But now he faces his most daunting opponent ever: impending retirement. Can the man whose nickname is Mi Vida Loca survive? BY KATHERINE DUNN 82 VALENTINE'S DAY SEX QUIZ (a) Is a humorless academic exam on the origins of this Hallmark holiday. (b) Is funnier than five clowns having sex on a tightrope. (c) Is your last chance to get lucky this February 14. Find the answer here. 100 PLAY TO WIN The next few months mark the high season of sports gambling, so we took lessons from high rollers, bookies and oddsmakers for the ultimate tip sheet. Learn when to ignore the spread, why an underdog is man's best friend and how you can tell if a prize horse is an ass. Don't bother thanking us; just send us a check after you cash in. BY ALLEN ST. JOHN 105 CENTERFOLDS ON SEX: LAURIE FETTER Vibrators? Buzz off. Laurie quivers for neck kisses. 106 20Q DAVE MATTHEWS Even though his eponymous combo grossed more than $85 million last year, the jam-band king reveals a double-secret plan for his next career move: breaking into the imported-cheese industry. BY ALAN LIGHT FICTION 108 ASSIGNMENT IN HAVANA A journalist tails Cuba's annual Ernest Hemingway fishing tournament. Then Castro reels him in to witness an unspeakable act of violence. BY BOB SHACOCHIS INTERVIEW 55 KIEFER SUTHERLAND A decade ago it seemed certain he would go down in Hollywood history as the man Julia Roberts dumped at the altar before hightailing it to Ireland with his best friend. Sul Sutherland's legacy was rewritten when he took on the role of Jack Bauer in Fox's frenetic hit 24. In a Playboy Interview with a few cliffhangers, we talk about growing up with a famous dad, breaking up with a Pretty Woman and kicking the shit out of guys in bars. Time's a-ticking—start reading. BY LAWRENCE GROBEL PICTORIALS 66 THE YEAR IN SEX Britney and Madonna played tongue tag, athletes played sexy games and protesters played naked peace games. 86 PLAYMATE: ALIYA WOLF This Lone Star beauty is living proof that it can be fun to mess with Texas. 122 JAIME PRESSLY Torque's torch reveals her simple side (and naked backside). NOTES AND NEWS 11 A 50TH ANNIVERSARY FETE AT HEF'S Jenny McCarthy, Pamela Anderson and other beauties toast the magazine that made them famous. 47 THE PLAYBOY FORUM Justice goes up in smoke for Tommy Chong, give ways to fix the world and why voter scams should bother us all. 155 PLAYMATE NEWS Set your Tivo - Kelly Monaco has a new show; Andrew W.K.'s favorite Playmate DEPARTMENTS 3 PLAYBILL 15 DEAR PLAYBOY 19 AFTER HOURS 36 PLAYBOY TV 37 PLAYBOY.COM 39 MANTRACK 43 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR 98 PARTY JOKES 148 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY 159 ON THE SCENE 160 GRAPEVINE 162 POTPOURRI FASHION 112 HOW THE WEST WAS WORN The solution to spring style: saddle up. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS REVIEWS 27 MOVIES Take your Valentine's Day squeeze on a memorable 50 First Dates or laugh together at Along Came Polly. 29 DVDS Don't miss Lost in Translation; where to find Nicole Kidman topless. 30 MUSIC A right-on chat with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs; Stereolab experiments. 32 GAMES Spar with Jet Li in Rise to Honor; play godfather in Gangland. 33 BOOKS Elmore Leonard's Mr. Paradise is prose from heaven; new fiction about Columbine.