Playboy's Penthouse

Playboy's Penthouse
Genre Variety
Starring Hugh Hefner
Opening theme Playboy Theme by Cy Coleman[1]
Country of origin  United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 44
Production
Running time 60 mins.
Broadcast
Original channel Syndicated
Original run 24 October 1959 – late 1961

Playboy's Penthouse is an American variety / talk television show hosted by Playboy founder and then-editor/publisher Hugh Hefner. It was first broadcast on October 24, 1959 and ran in syndication for slightly more than one year with a second season starting on September 9, 1961 with Jack E. Leonard, Anita O'Day, Buddy Greco, and George Wein.[2]

Contents

Development

The show was designed as a way to spread Playboy magazine's influence beyond the printed page and to help non-readers get to know Hefner.[3]

The show, recorded at Chicago station WBKB-TV, was set up as if it were a party at Hefner's own apartment, with many Playboy Playmates and bunnies in attendance. Celebrity guests would engage in conversation with Hefner and then perform, as well. The theme was written by Cy Coleman.

Legacy

In 1969, Hefner launched a show in a very similar style, Playboy After Dark which was taped in Los Angeles. Episodes of Playboy's Penthouse were included in the DVD release of Playboy After Dark in 2006 and footage from the show has been used on Hefner's most recent program, The Girls Next Door.

References

External links