August feature, CSC: Crime Scene Cleanup

[Peggy Wilkins]

>>>>> "Steve" == Steve Sloca <gokings@comcast.net> writes:

    PLW> ...it does make it look like PLAYBOY is hopping on
    PLW> the imitation bandwagon.  This is not a good way to be
    PLW> perceived."

    Steve> This is very apt and perceptive.  Not only has Maxim been
    Steve> running stuff like this, but the German edition of
    Steve> Playboy--which according to the demographics in the
    Steve> magazine has a much younger readership than US
    Steve> Playboy--regularly features photos of death and violence...

I am not sure what role the German edition has had as a role model for
recent issues of the US PLAYBOY, but my observation is that the
international editions seem to have little (if any) impact on the US
edition; they seem to be entirely separate enterprises.  I would argue
that PLAYBOY should definitely and deliberately leverage the vast
international network of editorial and graphic design talent they have
in the international editions and consider feeding that back into the
US edition, if that is at all possible.  I would think it would be,
considering that PEI holds the upper hand in any licensing agreements
these foreign editions have.  It is, after all, PEI's brand.  They
should have the taste and selectivity to adapt the best of it while
leaving aside approaches that do not suit them.

    Steve> Playboy should [not] be going ... into the muck with
    Steve> Maxim and CSI.

I would like to clarify that I find nothing wrong with CSI; in fact, I
often enjoy watching it.  It is altogether understandable to do a
feature based on CSI's popularity, and I had no problem with the Crime
Scene Cleanup feature idea.  What I had a problem with was the
specific implementation of that feature: I thought it was poorly done
in both overemphasizing the sensational and lacking sufficient depth
of insight.

Peggy Wilkins
mozart@lib.uchicago.edu