Playboy March 2007

COVER STORY Riding high on the success of The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah Carey has proven again and again that she can overcome adversity and emerge stronger because of it. Photographers Markus Klinko and Indrani put the sexy songstress's best face forward on our cover, while photographer Michael Thompson takes a ride on the flip side. Our Rabbit joins the chain of Mariah's admirers. FEATURES 52 THE REAL COST OF WAR The unremittingly perilous nature of the fighting in Iraq—a hidden enemy, a battle zone with no safe areas—has increased the psychological risks for the average soldier. But conservatives are campaigning to discount post-traumatic stress disorder as a condition, and the undermanned military is deliberately withholding PTSD diagnoses. The real costs of this war are still churning below the surface. BY MARK BOAS 64 THE YEAR IN MUSIC 2007 Viva rock and roll! For our annual look at who hit all the right notes, we talk with crunk revolutionary Lil Jon, country giants Brooks & Dunn, the multitalented Tyrese and many more. We also reveal the Playboy Jazz Artist of the Year and our readers poll results, and we continue our annual feature in which musicians recall what was playing when they popped their cherry. 74 BUSINESS CLASS Your office space doesn't have to be a gray- or beige-bland land. We highlight what we consider to be office essentials—from stylish seating and retro phones to sleek gadgets and the best of the Bard. 92 GET RICH! LIVE FOREVER! Marketers make almost miraculous claims for XanGo, an antioxidant-rich fruit drink—not least of which is how you can make a fortune selling the pricey juice to friends. Our man puts the squeeze on the latest multilevel marketing scheme and shares his hilarious observations about XanGo's strange adherents. BY JONATHAN BLACK FICTION 104 ZOMBIE DAN Resurrection from the dead, in this wildly imaginative story by the author of Happyland and Pieces for the Left Hand: 100 Anecdotes, is something that can be bought at your local hospital for the right price. But as we see after one young man's return, that price is not just monetary but involves coping with a certain soullessness that's very hard to take. BY J. ROBERT LENNON THE PLAYBOY FORUM 41 ONE NATION, UNDER CORPORATE CONTROL Why doesn't our government serve the people? Four prominent economics authors—Robert H. Frank, David Sirota, Paul Stiles and Louis Uchitelle—discuss how we came to be ruled by corporations. 20Q 72 MARIAH CAREY The pop diva and cover girl has recorded more songs that have spent more time perched atop the charts than anyone except Elvis Presley. Now Mimi discusses the highs and lows, including her row with Eminem, that infamous breakdown and how she broke into the business. BY JASON BUHRMESTER INTERVIEW 47 JEREMY PIVEN The 41-year-old journeyman actor with a long list of credits finally broke through into the big time with his role as ruthless Hollywood agent Ari Gold on HBO's Entourage. We hug it out with TV's funniest shark as he discusses the wildest rumor about himself, people who expect him to be Ari in real life, why almost no one has seen his best work and how he feels about being singled out as a "pretty girl" on the Hollywood party scene. BY DAVID RENSIN PICTORIALS 56 HOT FOR TEACHER Do you like apples? Former educator Erica Chevillar shows hers. 78 PLAYMATE: TYRAN RICHARD Cajun country, the land of gumbo and Tabasco, produces yet another hottie: Miss March. 108 PLAYBOY'S 25 SEXIEST CELEBRITIES Sure, we gave you the girl next door (not to mention The Girls Next Door), but we also honor the sexy and glamorous. NOTES AND NEWS 11 THE WORLD OF PLAYBOY The Hair hangs with the Man as Donald Trump and apprentices visit the Mansion; Mercedes McNab supports the troops. 12 FRISKY FRIGHT NIGHT The one occasion when we encourage putting on clothes is Hef's annual Halloween party. See what Bill Maher wore. 103 CENTERFOLDS ON SEX: SHALLAN MEIERS Miss September 2002 likes to hear men's fantasies and believes in lust at first sight. 139 PLAYMATE NEWS We bring the Glamourcon convention to you and check out Playmates aplenty, including Alison Waite and Lillian Willer, plus an interview with journalist and Miss January 1972 Marilyn Cole. DEPARTMENTS 5 PLAYBILL 13 DEAR PLAYBOY 17 AFTER HOURS 27 REVIEWS 35 MANTRACK 39 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR 90 PARTY JOKES 128 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY 143 ON THE SCENE 144 GRAPEVINE 146 POTPOURRI FASHION 96 ROCK THE RABBIT The Flaming Lips and Thievery Corporation get jazzed up in sharp threads. Man, are we glad grunge is over. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS THIS MONTH ON PLAYBOY.COM THE PLAYBOY.COM A-LIST Where do celebs go to party? We name the top 10 VIP lounges. THE PLAYBOY BLOG News, views and inside perspectives from PLAYBOY'S editors. THE 21ST QUESTION Get the final word from cover model and singing sensation Mariah Carey. ROCK ON WITH THE RABBIT Go behind the scenes at Mick Rock's PLAYBOY fashion shoot. HER TURN-ONS The classic Playmate Data Sheet goes video.