Steve York posts on XPT:
I’ve been contemplating this question for a few days and was wondering what everyone’s opinions are (and it was a coincidence Luke posted the Larry Flynt shooting article today about his lawyer as I wondered what happened to him too):
I got stuck watching E!’s The Girls Next Door, (the Playboy Bunny show) and couldn’t help but think how terrible Hugh Heffner looked. The guy’s 80 now and looked like he could have croaked in any scene. A few friends were discussing Playboy and how instrumental he’s been in its longevity (and they all still thought he fucked all the bunnies…tee hee…my friends were also surprised to hear Playboy’s bleeding cash left and right with foolish business decisions.)
I’ve been thinking in general and strategically about the next five years in the world of porn; I doubt Hef will live that long to tell you the honest truth. Additionally, I doubt Larry Flynt will survive the next five years either. Realistically with the two male icons that have existed pretty much throughout the modern history of pornography in the United States passed on, what will happen to Playboy and Hustler given that so much of their brand recognition and respect (or what’s left of it) depends on these two figures?
Are there contingency plans in the works for these companies in the event one of their founders/publishers croaks?
What will happen to their flagship magazines and brands? Continue on or die out?
I’m interested in everyone’s opinions on this. Would you continue to buy their product or magazines once their founders are in the ground?
I think Playboy has already moved beyond Hugh Hefner. Penthouse has moved way beyond Bob Guccione. And Hustler did first what they’re all trying to do – build a business in hardcore. Hustler is doing alright – the others are still in the air. The new crew at Penthouse seem to have a fresh take on what they’re doing – and their magazine actually again has a couple of articles worth reading in it. Thanks for the press copy!
Hugh, Larry and Bob(of Playboy, Hustler and Penthouse respectively) all started at a time of limited media. They were the three sources of pornography. Now in the 21st century there are 1000’s of sources of pornography. The days of the ICON are over. This is the same for the mainstream world. As a 34 yr old I remember listening to American Top 40 on the radio and who was a number 1 that week mattered. People talked about it all week long. Now there is Radio, HD Radio, XM and Siruis Rado, Internet Radio and Ipods. The market place is crowded and the consumer as too many choices. Hustler is getting back into clubs and gambling because the porn market for them is not the future. Like the Mafia they are needing to go mainstream(somewhat) in order to survive.
There will never be porn icons like Peter North, Ron Jeremy and Nina Hartley because there will never be the limited sources of information as in the past. I remember vividly waiting for Hustler Erotic Review and Adam Film Guide to see who was in the latest fuck movies and this was back when there where less then 15 major film studios. These three names appeared in 80% of the movies. Its gotten so bad now that AVN just gives a AAA to any jack ass that mails them a movie. You will get a AAAA rating if you purchase ad space. Do me a favor, look at the current AVN and tell me how many movies you see with a AA or A rating. Every moron knows that 80% of the movies AVN reviews are worthless. You gonna tell me retailers should stock another Denni O movie? How many times can the same old ass fat lady fuck the same loser? Anything Mickey Blank or Sandy Bunz makes should get an automatic shitty rating.