Sex In Sports? Why Not!!! - History Of Playboy, Hugh Hefner And Their Influence On Sport

8 Pages 1941 Words

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One famous bunny, feminist Gloria Steinem, went undercover to “expose” the bunny persona (Miller, 96-97). This was in 1963, around the time when women began demanding equal rights and respect. The article attempted to show the public that the “Bunnies” were being exploited. However, the Clubs went about their business until the last one closed in 1986 (Sales, 245).
Another one of Hef’s ventures was the 1960’s TV show, Playboy’s Penthouse. Filmed in black and white, the show had special guests such as Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole (Miller, 69-70). Hefner, of course, was the host. At this time, Playboy became popular with many celebrities who were proud to be associated with the bunny. He bought the first Playboy Mansion on Chicago’s north side in 1959. Club bunnies moved into the dormitory and attended the mansion parties (Miller, 71).
When Playboy Mansion West was bought in 1971 in Beverly Hills, it quickly became a hit. The Big Bunny, Hef’s private jet would take him back and forth between the 2 for events and parties. The jet was painted black with the bunny logo on its tail (Miller, 149; 153). This was another one of his ideas that set him apart from his counterparts in business. He loved showing people how much money and power he had.
In the 1980’s and the early 90’s, Playboy as a whole declined. Profits fr...