[Byrdie]

I own a few issues myself, special celebrity editions with the old movie stars in them. And yes, I did read the articles. All in all, pretty good. But then again, I am not a heterosexual male, so I really can't speak for anyone in that category who claims "It's only for the articles!" when the mother, wife or significant other discovers his stash. I do, however, take such claims with a honkin' big heap of salt.

I am a heterosexual male, but honestly always felt the articles truly were the only reason to read Playboy. The girls were all too similar, either the "girl next door" or "rich daddy's girl gone off to college"... Thin, blonde, airbrushed and not my cup of tea at all. (The kind of girls upward moving American men in the 1950s-70s sought for trophy wives?) Too modestly posed to even be provocative, just easy on the eyes and nothing more.
That said, they did keep it classy enough that an attractive celebrity could indeed undress for their cameras without ruining her reputation.