Playboy December 2008

Features
66 AGENDA FOR A NEW ERA
In a letter to the next president, former senator GARY HART tells the new man what he'll need to be good in office—and how he can become great.
76 CLASSIC CARTOONS OF CHRISTMAS PAST
In a festive flashback we unwrap seven classic cartoons from our archives.
78 THE ENDLESS COMEBACKS OF RICKY WILLIAMS
He has failed more drug tests and sustained more suspensions than any other NFL star. Will his current stint with the Miami Dolphins endure? BY PAT JORDAN
82 THE PLAYBOY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
From cigars to Smart cars, we've made a wish list and checked it twice.
92 TIP-OFF '09: PLAYBOY'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW
The Tar Heels may be the favorites, but why don't we play out the season anyway? DAVID KAPLAN picks the top 25 teams, the must-see matchups and more.
96 GRANDE VENTI MOCHA OPRAH CHAI
Caustic comedian DENIS LEARY beholds Oprah Winfrey and discovers the formidable daytime-TV dame may be the cure for all that ails America.
112 COMIC HEROES
Four comics-influenced authors describe their devotion to their favorite superheroes.
BY MARGARET ATWOOD, JONATHAN LETHEM, WALTER MOSLEY and JODI PICOULT
126 PLAYBOY'S MUSIC POLL 2008
Tune in to our annual survey of the year's signature sounds, featuring interviews with Scott Weiland, Katy Perry and Ice Cube.
132 THE PLAYBOY BAR: SCOTCH
Explore the lore and savor the flavor of Scotland's finest.
Fiction
136 BLOOD'S A ROVER
From the simmering summer of 1968 comes this saga of American corruption, conspiracy and murder, involving J. Edgar Hoover, Howard Hughes and others of their sinister, cynical ilk. An explosive excerpt from JAMES ELLROY'S new novel.
The Playboy Forum
51 WE CAN'T MAKE IT HERE
Our factories rust as the country shifts from manufacturing to an economic model in which financial services rule. KEVIN PHILLIPS assesses the damage.
20Q
134 ROSARIO DAWSON
The scintillating star of Sin City chats openly with STEPHEN REBELLO about her role opposite Will Smith in Seven Pounds, her challenging childhood and a résumé rich in sexually provocative characters.
Interview
57 HUGH JACKMAN
One of the few actors equally comfortable slashing his way through a superhero movie and singing and dancing along the footlights of a Broadway stage, the star of the epic Australia talks to MICHAEL FLEMING about horses who've nearly trampled him, his youthful indiscretions and how he handles ardent female fans.
Pictorials
70 SEX IN CINEMA 2008
Witness the heat generated on-screen when stars collide.
VIRTUALLY PERFECT
See the results when video-game vixens shed their clothing pixels.
100 PLAYMATE: JENNIFER AND NATALIE CAMPBELL
With identical twins, Christmas comes twice this year.
118 THE HUNT FOR THE 55TH ANNIVERSARY PLAYMATE
Foreplay before next month's big climax.
140 CAROL ALT IN THE RAW
The supermodel displays the benefits of eating raw.
Notes and News
13 THE WORLD OF PLAYBOY
Guests start hopping at the House Bunny premiere; Playmates at the Palms help Michael Phelps shake the water out of his ears.
14 MIDSUMMER DREAMS
At Hef's annual Midsummer Night's Dream party at the Mansion, celebrities re-create the Arabian Nights, burnoose-free.
173 PLAYMATE NEWS
Great gifts designed by Playmates; Alison Waite hosts the World's Largest Underwear Party.
Departments
5 PLAYBILL
17 DEAR PLAYBOY
23 AFTER HOURS
32 REVIEWS
43 MANTRACK
49 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR
110 PARTY JOKES
160 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY 180 GRAPEVINE
Fashion
86 THE LIFE OF THE PARTY
The season's sharpest jackets, vests, slacks and accessories will help you pop at holiday mixers.
BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS
124 SUITABLE PUNISHMENT
He left HBO's Rome behind to play the Punisher on film, but Ray Stevenson hasn't bid arrivederci to Italy.
BY JENNIFER RYAN JONES