Playboy December 2006

FEATURES 76 THREE SENATORS GORE The true first family of American politics has been the Gores. Al's cousin gives us Gore-centric details about what makes the clan tick. BY GORE VIDAL 86 LOVE, JERRY For the first time, PLAYBOY readers gain intimate epistolary access to legendary writer J.D. Salinger and the femme fatale who may have inspired him. BY NEIL COHEN 110 INO MAS! A renowned playwright and filmmaker takes the measure of the Ultimate Fighting Championship matchup between Royce Gracie and Matt Hughes and defines what it takes to be a champion. Note: You don't need to win the bout. BY DAVID MAMET 128 PLAYBOY'S HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Anyone game for a primo espresso machine, sculpture-like stereo equipment, a model Ferrari or tickets to the Super Bowl? Wrap it up—we'll take it. 136 EROTIC PASSAGES How does writing capture the sensual experience, its anticipation and tactile thrills? JAY MCINERNEY, JANE SMILEY, A.S. BYATT, JUNOT DIAZ and LAUREN WEISBERGER share the love. 140 JAMES BOND'S DESK Even 007 needs a desk. Now the magazine that first published a James Bond story in America displays his unique taste in paperweights. 142 PLAYBOY'S MUSIC POLL 2006 Tune in to our annual survey of the year's best music, featuring interviews with DJ Irie, John Medeski, John Scofield and Rod Stewart. 152 CENTER OF ATTENTION Navigating your way through March Madness will be a slam dunk thanks to our annual college hoops preview and top 25 picks. BY DAVID KAPLAN 158 TWISTED CHRISTMAS Mel Gibson, Ann Coulter, Saddam Hussein and others spread holiday cheer in their own idiosyncratic ways. FICTION 98 WILLA Getting stranded at a train depot in the middle of nowhere can be hell, literally, in this eerie tale. BY STEPHEN KING THE PLAYBOY FORUM 57 TOUGH LOVE There are plenty of op-eds about self-inflicted problems and the need for personal responsibility, but they rarely target whites. BY ISHMAEL REED 20Q 156 SAMUEL L. JACKSON The planet's coolest star speaks his mind about rappers who can't act, people who give him attitude and his idea of female perfection. BY STEPHEN REBELLO INTERVIEW 65 DIXIE CHICKS They bad-mouthed the president and felt the backlash. Now the country trio talks about their new audience and redefining the meaning of success. BY ALAN LIGHT COVER STORY Cindy Margolis is a one-woman empire: the most downloaded woman on earth, a poker ace, a sexy calendar model, a savvy businesswoman and an author-to-be. She is the ultimate girl next door who now feels comfortable enough in her own skin to show it all off. Senior Contributing Photographer Stephen Wayda captures the great unveiling. Our Rabbit watches from an enviable position. PICTORIALS 80 MISS GREAT BRITAIN Meet the other Queen of England: Liverpool's own beauty-pageant royalty Danielle Lloyd. 90 SEX IN CINEMA 2006 Angelina Jolie, Sharon Stone and Salma Hayek are here to testify: 2006 was a banner year for on-screen sex. 114 PLAYMATE: KIA DRAYTON Miss December is a DJ in heavy rotation on many holiday wish lists. 160 DESPERATELY SEEKING CINDY The unstoppable Cindy Margolis says doing PLAYBOY is her crowning achievement. We agree. NOTES AND NEWS 15 ONCE UPON A DREAM The dress code for Hef's annual Midsummer Night's Dream party is lingerie or less, and the guests happily oblige. 135 CENTERFOLDS ON SEX: VICTORIA FULLER It took an Amazing Race to inspire Miss January 1996 to join the mile high club. 201 PLAYMATE NEWS Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy are one funny couple; Miss June 1997 Carrie Stevens redefines motherhood on HotMomsClub.com. DEPARTMENTS 5 PLAYBILL 19 DEAR PLAYBOY 23 AFTER HOURS 33 REVIEWS 47 MANTRACK 53 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR 126 PARTY JOKES 181 WHERE AND HOW TO B 205 ON THE SCENE 206 GRAPEVINE 208 POTPOURRI FASHION 102 BLACK-TIE EVENT 'Tis the season to give a little something back—and wear a handsome tux in the Process. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS THIS MONTH ON PLAYBOY.COM THE PLAYBOY.COM A-LIST We name America's top hotel bars in the first installment of our new best-of feature. THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS PLAYBOY sports seer Gary Cole profiles five fantastic freshman hoopsters whc may never see a sophomore slump. DON'T SKIP THE FORMALITIES One button or three? Vest or cummerbund? Find out in our guide to the essentials of formalwear. THE 21ST QUESTION Get the last motherfucking word from Samuel L. Jackson in this online exclusive. DRUMROLL, PLEASE Vote in our annual music poll and rock out to clips from the nominees.