08.29.07 5:00 AM CDT
• Here at Playboy
• Chip Rowe
Playboy is unique in many ways, one of which is that it has an online fan club with nearly 4,000 members. We spoke with its moderator, Peggy Wilkins.Playboy: How did the group get started?
Wilkins: It was founded as an email exchange by Michael Todd Glazier on February 14, 1994, which is by coincidence the same day Playboy registered the Playboy.com domain. I was one of the first 10 members. The archives were hosted on a server at the University of Michigan until administrators booted us off. In the beginning we had a lot of hardcore collectors, so many discussions were about the first issue they had purchased, which ones they needed for a complete set, what Playmates they had met, that sort of thing.
Playboy: What fuels your personal interest?
Wilkins: As a teenager I was really into Marilyn Monroe, and I found out Playboy’s 25th anniversary issue (January 1979) included a full-page reproduction of her legendary calendar pose, Golden Dreams. I loved that issue, although I didn’t happen to mention my new interest to my parents. I began to obtain other issues and now have a complete collection. Playboy is unique because a person can be interested in it for so many reasons. Many people believe incorrectly that it’s one-dimensional.
Playboy: Do you have a favorite cover?
Wilkins: Probably December 1961 (pictured here). I prefer the covers from the early- to mid-1960s. The covers today are covered with text, which I know is designed to attract the attention of newsstand buyers, but many members of the list would love to have subscribers get issues with just a beautiful image, and no teasers.
Playboy: What are your duties as moderator?
Wilkins: I approve all messages before they are posted so the discussions don’t get too far off topic or devolve into personal disputes. There is a core group of about 25 people who post at least once each day; most members are “lurkers” who are content to just read. We always welcome new members, including Playmates. Cynthia Myers (December 1968) joined the list more than 10 years ago and still posts. Christina Smith (March 1978) has been a regular, as well, and many other Playmates say hello.
Playboy: Have there been controversies that forced you to cut off debate?
Wilkins: One issue that has become a dead horse is the quality of the Centerfold since the magazine stopped using the 8x10 camera and went digital. Some people see no difference and others complain about a loss of resolution, although most agree the designs are as great as ever. Variety is always an issue. For example, if you compare the head shots on the datasheets of Miss February and Miss May, they could be sisters. Many members also say they want more Playmates shot outdoors, rather than in studio light.
Playboy: After reading a number of posts about the lighting of the Playmate’s left ear or something of that nature, the word “obsessive” comes to mind.
Wilkins [laughs]: At times it can go a little too far. Focusing on the details can make one miss the larger picture.
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Comments on this entry:
Thanks for spotlighting our fearless leader. As a member of the fan club since almost the beginning, I am especially proud - and geeked out - for the chance to speak directly to the Playmates who also are regular contributors. That includes one of my personal favorites, Debi Johnson (October 1984), as well as my "first" Playmate, the aforementioned Christina Smith. Which brings me to a correction to the Q&A with Peggy - the writer confuses Christina with Christine Smith, who indeed is the December 2005 Playmate. Christina Smith is the March 1978 Playmate. I'm 99.99 percent sure the error was not Peggy's. :)
The error has been corrected; it was not Peggy's. I am obsessed with Christine Smith.
Peggy is a great moderator and many of us think that Playboy must remember the old covers and an excelent Art Director as Arthur Paul. 10 points for Peggy .
Thank you for highlighting "our" dear Peggy Wilkins. And, I am so happy she is a woman! It proves that us ladies can appreciate PB as much as the men! She not only is our moderator, she is our number one supporter at our Glamourcon Conventions!
Thank you Peggy for ALL that you do.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Myers
Miss December 1968
PS I wish more fans knew about the very special exchange of ideas she had with Hef (reviewing an upcoming issue he brought out just for her)when the PML'ers were invited up to the mansion!