Playboy December 2008

Features 66 AGENDA FOR A NEW ERA In a letter to the next president, former senator GARY HART tells the new man what he'll need to be good in office—and how he can become great. 76 CLASSIC CARTOONS OF CHRISTMAS PAST In a festive flashback we unwrap seven classic cartoons from our archives. 78 THE ENDLESS COMEBACKS OF RICKY WILLIAMS He has failed more drug tests and sustained more suspensions than any other NFL star. Will his current stint with the Miami Dolphins endure? BY PAT JORDAN 82 THE PLAYBOY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE From cigars to Smart cars, we've made a wish list and checked it twice. 92 TIP-OFF '09: PLAYBOY'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW The Tar Heels may be the favorites, but why don't we play out the season anyway? DAVID KAPLAN picks the top 25 teams, the must-see matchups and more. 96 GRANDE VENTI MOCHA OPRAH CHAI Caustic comedian DENIS LEARY beholds Oprah Winfrey and discovers the formidable daytime-TV dame may be the cure for all that ails America. 112 COMIC HEROES Four comics-influenced authors describe their devotion to their favorite superheroes. BY MARGARET ATWOOD, JONATHAN LETHEM, WALTER MOSLEY and JODI PICOULT 126 PLAYBOY'S MUSIC POLL 2008 Tune in to our annual survey of the year's signature sounds, featuring interviews with Scott Weiland, Katy Perry and Ice Cube. 132 THE PLAYBOY BAR: SCOTCH Explore the lore and savor the flavor of Scotland's finest. Fiction 136 BLOOD'S A ROVER From the simmering summer of 1968 comes this saga of American corruption, conspiracy and murder, involving J. Edgar Hoover, Howard Hughes and others of their sinister, cynical ilk. An explosive excerpt from JAMES ELLROY'S new novel. The Playboy Forum 51 WE CAN'T MAKE IT HERE Our factories rust as the country shifts from manufacturing to an economic model in which financial services rule. KEVIN PHILLIPS assesses the damage. 20Q 134 ROSARIO DAWSON The scintillating star of Sin City chats openly with STEPHEN REBELLO about her role opposite Will Smith in Seven Pounds, her challenging childhood and a résumé rich in sexually provocative characters. Interview 57 HUGH JACKMAN One of the few actors equally comfortable slashing his way through a superhero movie and singing and dancing along the footlights of a Broadway stage, the star of the epic Australia talks to MICHAEL FLEMING about horses who've nearly trampled him, his youthful indiscretions and how he handles ardent female fans. Pictorials 70 SEX IN CINEMA 2008 Witness the heat generated on-screen when stars collide. VIRTUALLY PERFECT See the results when video-game vixens shed their clothing pixels. 100 PLAYMATE: JENNIFER AND NATALIE CAMPBELL With identical twins, Christmas comes twice this year. 118 THE HUNT FOR THE 55TH ANNIVERSARY PLAYMATE Foreplay before next month's big climax. 140 CAROL ALT IN THE RAW The supermodel displays the benefits of eating raw. Notes and News 13 THE WORLD OF PLAYBOY Guests start hopping at the House Bunny premiere; Playmates at the Palms help Michael Phelps shake the water out of his ears. 14 MIDSUMMER DREAMS At Hef's annual Midsummer Night's Dream party at the Mansion, celebrities re-create the Arabian Nights, burnoose-free. 173 PLAYMATE NEWS Great gifts designed by Playmates; Alison Waite hosts the World's Largest Underwear Party. Departments 5 PLAYBILL 17 DEAR PLAYBOY 23 AFTER HOURS 32 REVIEWS 43 MANTRACK 49 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR 110 PARTY JOKES 160 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY 180 GRAPEVINE Fashion 86 THE LIFE OF THE PARTY The season's sharpest jackets, vests, slacks and accessories will help you pop at holiday mixers. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS 124 SUITABLE PUNISHMENT He left HBO's Rome behind to play the Punisher on film, but Ray Stevenson hasn't bid arrivederci to Italy. BY JENNIFER RYAN JONES