A magazine is a collection of articles written and published in monthly, weekly, quarterly or annual periodicals. It contains a variety of content ranging from education to fashion to lifestyle.
Magazines are printed on glossy, matte paper, making them attractive to readers. Two magazines, which are very popular as men’s in the United States and Kingdom, are Playboy and Penthouse.
Key Takeaways
- Playboy and Penthouse are two popular men’s magazines that differ in their target audience, content, and approach.
- Playboy is more mainstream and focuses on lifestyle and entertainment, while Penthouse is more explicit and focuses on adult entertainment.
- Playboy has a larger readership and is more widely recognized, whereas Penthouse has a more niche following.
Playboy vs Penthouse
Playboy magazine articles are written well compared to Penthouse magazine. The models at the centre of the attraction and stylised by Penthouse are known as Penthouse Pets. In terms of content, Playboy is less explicit than Penthouse, which has pornographic pictorials.
Playboy magazine was started in 1953 in the United States. It was published in print, but then it switched to the online mode. Playboy is said to be important in bringing about the sexual revolution.
It is considered one of the best brands worldwide. It is widely published in the States, but the special/limited edition is published worldwide.
Penthouse Magazine became popular in the 1990s and emerged as a hardcore magazine. It was founded in the United Kingdom in 1965 and eventually in the United States in 1969.
Its logo is a type of stylised key with the features of Mars and Venus in its design. It was created to compete with Playboy.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Playboy | Penthouse |
|---|---|---|
| Founded by | Playboy was founded by Hugh Hefner in Chicago, along with his friends. | Bob Guccione founded the penthouse. |
| Logo | It has the mascot of a rabbit wearing a tuxedo tie. | It has a logo of a key that shows both Mars and Venus. |
| Published | Playboy is published monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly. | Penthouse is published monthly only. |
| Owned by | Playboy Enterprises own it. | It is owned by WGCZ Ltd.(the owners of XVideos) |
| Popular for | Playboy is known for bringing the sexual revolution to America. | Penthouse is known for its softcore pornographic pictorials, which evolved into hardcore. |
What is Playboy?
Playboy is an American men’s magazine started by Hugh Hefner and his friends in Chicago in 1953. It is said to have brought the sexual revolution to the United States in the 1960s and 1970s.
It is notable for its centrefold of nude and semi-nude models. It is one of the best-known brands in the world, and Playboy Enterprises Ltd owns it.
Apart from being published in the United States, it also publishes special nation-specific editions worldwide.
Playboy magazines also publish short stories from famous novelists like Arthur C. Clarke, Saul Bellow, Roald Dahl, Haruki Murakami, and Margaret Atwood.
It also displays the full page of colour cartoons and has become the favourite showcase of famous cartoonists like Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Cole, Rowland B. Wilson etc.
It features the interviews of famous public figures ranging from artists to film directors to journalists, athletes, playwrights, race car drivers, religious figures etc., in its monthly editions.
It has one of the most iconic and enduring mascots, a stylised silhouette of a rabbit wearing a tuxedo bow tie. According to Hefner, rabbit implies a humorous sexual connotation.
The first issue of Playboy featured Marilyn Monroe on its cover page in Dec 1953.
What is Penthouse?
Penthouse is a men’s magazine with urban lifestyle articles and pornographic pictorials. In the 1990s, it became hardcore.
Founded by Bob Guccione in the United Kingdom in 1965 and then in America in 1969 to compete with Playboy Magazine.
It has content that is much more explicit and sensational than Playboy. It has also published investigative stories, and exposed numerous scandals and corruption at the highest level in the United States Government.
The magazine’s pictorials featured much more sexually explicit content commonly sold in that era, especially in men’s magazines. Over the years, it featured many authorised and unauthorised photos of celebrities.
In 2003 the parent company of the magazine General Media went bankrupt. Later in 2018, all the assets of magazines were brought out by WGCZ Ltd.
It also publishes international editions in countries like Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Russia, Thailand etc. It comes every month. It has a logo of a stylised key that incorporates Mars and Venus in its design.
The centrefold models of Penthouse Magazines are known as Penthouse Pets, which wears customised necklace based on the company’s logo.
Main Differences Between Playboy and Penthouse
- Hugh Hefner and his friends founded Playboy in Chicago in 1953. Bob Guccione founded the Penthouse in the UK in 1965.
- Playboy has the most iconic mascot of a stylised rabbit wearing a tuxedo tie. The Penthouse has a logo of a stylised key that shows Mars and Venus in its design.
- Playboy is published monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly with special nation-specific editions. Penthouse is published monthly only, with international editions as well.
- Playboy Enterprises Ltd. Penthouse owned Playboy by WGCZ Ltd.(the owners of XVideos in 2018 after it went bankrupt.
- Playboy is known for bringing the sexual revolution to America. Penthouse is known for its softcore pornographic pictorials, which evolved into hardcore.
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/aa2426a0a6718e40c2ad40d14c58629e/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=1819044
- https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF00287624.pdf
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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This is a very informative article! I appreciate the detailed breakdown of the Playboy and Penthouse magazines, their content, history, and comparisons.
The historical context provided about both magazines is truly valuable for understanding their impact.
Agreed, this article is well researched and presents the information clearly.
I find it quite ironic that Playboy is known for bringing about the sexual revolution, yet it is less explicit than its counterpart, Penthouse. It shows the complexity of human perceptions and cultural influence.
It’s fascinating how different magazines can have varying impacts on societal norms and values.
Absolutely, the contrast in explicitness between the two magazines is quite intriguing.
This article provides a comprehensive understanding of Playboy and Penthouse, from their publication history to popular culture impact. Impressive work!
Absolutely, I appreciate the depth of information and engaging narrative style in this article.
The detailed comparison of Playboy and Penthouse’s historical roots and distinctive features is both thought-provoking and enriching.
Absolutely, the comparisons offered in the article prompt deeper reflections on the diverse influences of these two magazines.
The in-depth descriptions of Playboy and Penthouse are highly engaging, providing a rich context for understanding their respective positions in the magazine industry.
I concur, the comprehensive details about these magazines make this article a valuable resource.
The thorough portrayal of Playboy and Penthouse elevates the discourse to a more nuanced level, reflecting the complexities of media content.
While the article offers a detailed overview of Playboy and Penthouse, it would be beneficial to explore the evolving societal responses to the content of these magazines.
The societal shifts in response to the contents of these magazines are indeed an intriguing aspect for discussion.
Agreed, an analysis of changing societal perspectives would further enhance the depth of this article.
While the article is informative, I believe it should address the controversies and criticisms surrounding both Playboy and Penthouse as well.
I agree, shedding light on the criticism these magazines have faced would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their influence.
A well-crafted article that provides an insightful portrayal of the cultural, social, and historical dimensions of Playboy and Penthouse. Well done!
Absolutely, the comprehensive depiction of these magazines makes this article a compelling resource for understanding their significance.
It’s intriguing to learn about the different ownership and popularities of Playboy and Penthouse. The historical and business aspects add depth to the discussion.
Indeed, the ownership and publishing details are significant factors in understanding the dynamics of these magazines.
The comparison table provides a concise overview of key differences between Playboy and Penthouse, making it easier to grasp their distinctions.
An enlightening read! The article effectively summarizes the core characteristics of both magazines while maintaining an objective tone.
It’s refreshing to see a detailed analysis of these magazines presented in such a clear and informative manner.
Absolutely agree, the article delivers a balanced and insightful view of Playboy and Penthouse.