Playboy (USA) February 2008

COVER STORY It may seem as if there is little or no consensus on matters of politics today in America, but our exclusive nationwide Politics of Sex survey shows a country united by similar sexual views. Senior Contributing Photographer Arny Freytag catches painted Playmate of the Year 2005 Tiffany Fallon portraying Wonder Woman; our Rabbit is ready to take a bullet for personal freedom. FEATURES 54 SEX IN AMERICA Social and cultural issues still divide Americans, but voters in both blue States and red states are surprisingly united when it comes to sexual matters. Our exclusive survey by political pollster FRANK LUNTZ paints a vivid picture of a nation much happier in bed than in the voting booth. 66 PEACE THROUGH POLE DANCING PATTON OSWALT makes a convincing argument that the secret to a happy, stable relationship with your wife or girlfriend involves your dating a stripper. 70 SAVING LOS ANGELES Supercop Bill Bratton has conquered crime in Boston, New York and now Los Angeles, with.an approach police departments across the country are emulating. JOE DOMANICK takes an up-close look at the lauded police chief and his inventive methods. 92 UP IN SMOKE The past five years have seen a boom in cigar sales and the flourishing of stogie- friendly rooftop bars and festivals. We check out the latest and greatest cigar brands and accessories to please the sophisticated tobacco enthusiast. 94 21 SEXIEST COMMERCIALS OF ALL TIME Take it off. Take it all off! Just in time for this year's batch of sexy Super Bowl television ads, we look back at some of the hottest commercials in the annals of corporate-sponsorship history—from Paris Hilton getting messy with a Carl's Jr. burger to Alyssa Milano showing everyone who's the boss for Candie's. FICTION 88 HOLY MAN Every boxing trainer wants a fighter, a "holy man" who will take him to the big time. Champions, however, are hard to spot and even harder to keep. Five years have passed since the death of F.X. TOOLE, the author of Million Dollar Baby. This valedictory tale of triumph and failure brings back his singular voice. THE PLAYBOY FORUM 39 MY APOSTASY In faith-first countries like Ireland, religion has exercised an iron-fisted control over people's lives. JOHN BANVILLE assesses the cultural changes that have taken place in his nation and makes a case for overcoming Catholic guilt. 20Q 104 RACHEL BILSON On The O.C. she played a bebutiful, rich and spoiled vixen who got into serious messes. Now one of the stars of the sci-fi flick Jumper tells us about the worst trouble she's gotten into in real life, the perils of dating a co-star and whether she would ever disrobe for a role. BY STEPHEN REBELLO INTERVIEW 45 MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY No leading man seems more comfortable in his own skin (naked bongo playing, anyone?) than this "redneck Buddha," as pal Lance Armstrong describes him. The star of the new romantic comedy Fool's Gold gets characteristically casual as he chats about his most reckless adventures, his aversion to shirts and how sucking Coke off a table landed him a part. BY MICHAEL FLEMING PICTORIALS 60 IRISH MCCALLA In these never-before-published vintage photos, the original Sheena, Queen of the Jungle sheds her leopard-print wrap. PLAYMATE: MICHELLE MCLAUGHLIN For Valentine's Day, a sweeterthan-chocolate Miss February dresses like Lady Godiva. 106 THE WOMEN OF HOOTERS 2008 Here's an unobstructed view of the women whose tank tops are filled to overflowing at our favorite neighborhood bar and grill. NOTES AND NEWS 11 FREAKY FRIGHT FEST The nights leading up to Halloween saw the spooky and the sexy haunting the Mansion grounds, among them Playmates, Painted Ladies and celebrities such as Adrian Grenier, Paris Hilton, Quentin Tarantino, Adrianne Curry and more. 35 PLAYMATE NEWS In her latest book, Jenny McCarthy opens up about her son's struggle with autism; Bebe Buell checks out a bejeweled cast of her breasts. DEPARTMENTS 3 PLAYBILL 13 DEAR PLAYBOY 17 AFTER HOURS 25 REVIEWS 31 MANTRACK 35 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR 86 PARTY JOKES 130 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY 140 GRAPEVINE 142 POTPOURRI FASHION 98 PLAYBOY'S DESIGNER OF THE YEAR Tomas Maier has transformed Bottega Veneta into Gucci gold. The subtle colors and understated yet innovative elegance of the gifted German designer's spring and summer lines reinterpret the fashion adage to say the man makes the clothes. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS