Playboy April 2007

COVER STORY Wrestling glamazon Ashley Massaro is relatively new to the WWE, but already fans are crazy for the blonde contender and Starstruck, her signature move. We can't wait to see who she pins to the mat in the next WrestleMania. Senior Contributing Photographer Arny Freytag captures why Ashley hurts so good. The shapely athlete has our Rabbit in a firm wristlock. FEATURES 60 BOOSTING THE BIG TUNA John Mendell was a top-notch street burglar who allegedly robbed the secret lair of Chicago Mafia boss Tony "Big Tuna" Accardo. Then Mendell got iced. Nearly three decades later we present a true-crime exclusive as the man accused of his murder finally goes to trial, in a case dubbed Operation Family Secrets. BY HILLEL LEVIN 72 L.A. CONFIDENTIAL 2007 A renegade group of gossip blogs, including Perez Hilton, Jossip and Gawker, has ripped up the Hollywood-reporting system. Our writer—a former gossip columnist for New York magazine's Intelligencer—takes a look at who's who, who's a liar, who's suing whom and how blogs have changed the way journalists cover celebrities. BY DEBORAH SCHOENEMAN 76 SWING FEVER Few men live near a legendary golf course; most will travel a great distance to get to one. For where there are great courses, there are also superb hotels, bars and beautiful women. We crash the ultimate greens parties. BY STEVE AGER, KEVIN COOK AND SCOTT GUMMER 100 DR. T TO THE RESCUE For years human growth hormone has been the jock's favorite steroid, and why not? Promoters in the antiaging industry claim it makes you bigger and stronger, increases your libido, restores your youthful looks and adds years to your life. Now it is being marketed as the ultimate elixir. An acclaimed writer quizzes doctors, pseudophysicians, patients and critics about the wonder drug. BY PAT JORDAN FICTION 82 THE THIRD SENSE The Nobel Prize–winning novelist returns to PLAYBOY with a story about the potential ruin of domestic bliss. Keyed by the unmistakable scent of another woman, a wife sniffs out her husband's infidelity, leaving her to decide whether to confront her feelings or bury them. BY NADINE GORDIMER THE PLAYBOY FORUM 49 - BREAKING THE LAW Patents are supposed to be reserved for inventions that are novel and useful; instead, under our outrageous patent laws, they are being doled out for broad, ill-defined concepts and turned into a system of legalized extortion. BY LORI ANDREWS 20Q 112 WILL ARNETT Most people know him as Gob, the inept magician from Arrested Development, but with five films due this year, that will change. The Canadian funnyman ponders Arnett backlash, his role as a ruthless figure skater in Blades of Glory and why it would lot sweet to take Will Ferrell down. BY ERIC SPITZNAGEL INTERVIEW 55 BILL MAHER The political satirist whose name is synonymous with "politically incorrect" skewers the nation's movers and shakers on his hit HBO show, Real Time With Bill Maher. His unsparing criticism of President Bush and religion—not to mention his Steve Irwin Halloween costume—has made him no stranger to controversy. Now the host and best-selling author comes even cleaner with a candid discussion about the Iraq war, dating younger women and that stripper's pole in his home. BY DAVID SHEFF PICTORIALS 64 THE WILD WORLD OF PLAYBOY Enjoy a tasting menu of the most beautiful Playmates from our international editions. 86 PLAYMATE: GIULIANA MARINO Arresting Miss April is a German Playmate of Italian ancestry who is positioned to conquer America. 114 STAR STRUCK WWE diva Ashley Massaro shows off her best moves in this sexy pictorial. Plus, we feature bonus photos of the WWE's hottest women. NOTES AND NEWS 11 THE WORLD OF PLAYBOY While Hef and the Girls Next Door visit the set of Ellen, red-hot Cindy Margolis parties down with the Playmates. 12 HANGIN' WITH HEF Holly holds court at her regal birthday party, Jenny McCarthy hosts a fund-raiser, and the world celebrates Thanksgiving at the Mansion. 151 PLAYMATE NEWS A review of the Playmates who have heated up CSI: Miami, including Marketa Janska, Alison Waite, Qiana Chase and Monica Leigh; take our quiz and match the Playmate with her real MySpace headline. DEPARTMENTS 3 PLAYBILL 15 DEAR PLAYBOY 19 AFTER HOURS 29 REVIEWS 39 MANTRACK 45 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR 98 PARTY JOKES 131 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY 155 ON THE SCENE 156 GRAPEVINE 158 POTPOURRI FASHION 104 SPRING AND SUMMER FASHION FORECAST Men's designers are pairing lightweight fabrics like cotton, silk and tropical wool with sophisticated weaves to craft hip suits that remain comfortable even as the mercury rises. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS THIS MONTH ON PLAYBOY.COM THE PLAYBOY.COM A-LIST Bat 1.000 touring our top 10 minor league baseball stadiums. BEST-DRESSED MAN ON CAMPUS The search begins. THE 21ST QUESTION Get the final word from Blades of Glory star Will Arnett. BATTLE OF THE SEXIEST Each week two newsworthy women go head-to-head in the web's hottest poll. BRACKET BUSTER Beat our Playmate prognosticator and win big in our annual college-hoops contest.