Playboy February 2004

COVER STORY
In the big-screen action flick Torque, Jaime Pressly revs engines as a motorcycle-riding villainess. Famed photographer Patrick Demarchelier had Jaime step away from the bike, onto the beach and out of her clothes. She rode the waves in her lingerie with our Rabbit.

FEATURES
60 THE PEOPLE VS. ROBERT BLAKE
Prep for the biggest celebrity murder trial since Of .'s with an exclusive look at the prosecution's case file: a day-by-day account of the lead detective's investigation, including peeks at victim Bonny Lee Bakley's shady connections, the bizarre police interviews with Blake and the damning "Kill Bonny" list. BY MILES CORWIN
72 DESTINATION MARS
Enthusiasm for space exploration has plummeted. Now the author of The Martian Chronicles argues for a renewed push toward the final frontier. BY RAY BRADBURY
76 FIGHT OR DIE
Even in the brutal world of professional boxing, the life of five-time world champion Johnny Tapia stands out. Brilliant in the ring and self-destructive outside it, Tapia has weathered arrests, addictions and even drug-induced comas. But now he faces his most daunting opponent ever: impending retirement. Can the man whose nickname is Mi Vida Loca survive? BY KATHERINE DUNN
82 VALENTINE'S DAY SEX QUIZ
(a) Is a humorless academic exam on the origins of this Hallmark holiday.
(b) Is funnier than five clowns having sex on a tightrope.
(c) Is your last chance to get lucky this February 14.
Find the answer here.
100 PLAY TO WIN
The next few months mark the high season of sports gambling, so we took lessons from high rollers, bookies and oddsmakers for the ultimate tip sheet. Learn when to ignore the spread, why an underdog is man's best friend and how you can tell if a prize horse is an ass. Don't bother thanking us; just send us a check after you cash in. BY ALLEN ST. JOHN
105 CENTERFOLDS ON SEX: LAURIE FETTER Vibrators? Buzz off. Laurie quivers for neck kisses.
106 20Q DAVE MATTHEWS
Even though his eponymous combo grossed more than $85 million last year, the jam-band king reveals a double-secret plan for his next career move: breaking into the imported-cheese industry. BY ALAN LIGHT

FICTION
108 ASSIGNMENT IN HAVANA
A journalist tails Cuba's annual Ernest Hemingway fishing tournament. Then Castro reels him in to witness an unspeakable act of violence. BY BOB SHACOCHIS

INTERVIEW
55 KIEFER SUTHERLAND
A decade ago it seemed certain he would go down in Hollywood history as the man Julia Roberts dumped at the altar before hightailing it to Ireland with his best friend. Sul Sutherland's legacy was rewritten when he took on the role of Jack Bauer in Fox's frenetic hit 24. In a Playboy Interview with a few cliffhangers, we talk about growing up with a famous dad, breaking up with a Pretty Woman and kicking the shit out of guys in bars. Time's a-ticking—start reading. BY LAWRENCE GROBEL

PICTORIALS
66 THE YEAR IN SEX
Britney and Madonna played tongue tag, athletes played sexy games and protesters played naked peace games.
86 PLAYMATE: ALIYA WOLF
This Lone Star beauty is living proof that it can be fun to mess with Texas.
122 JAIME PRESSLY
Torque's torch reveals her simple side (and naked backside).

NOTES AND NEWS
11 A 50TH ANNIVERSARY FETE AT HEF'S
Jenny McCarthy, Pamela Anderson and other beauties toast the magazine that made them famous.
47 THE PLAYBOY FORUM
Justice goes up in smoke for Tommy Chong, give ways to fix the world and why voter scams should bother us all.
155 PLAYMATE NEWS
Set your Tivo - Kelly Monaco has a new show; Andrew W.K.'s favorite Playmate

DEPARTMENTS
3 PLAYBILL
15 DEAR PLAYBOY
19 AFTER HOURS
36 PLAYBOY TV
37 PLAYBOY.COM
39 MANTRACK
43 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR
98 PARTY JOKES
148 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY
159 ON THE SCENE
160 GRAPEVINE
162 POTPOURRI

FASHION
112 HOW THE WEST WAS WORN
The solution to spring style: saddle up. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS

REVIEWS
27 MOVIES
Take your Valentine's Day squeeze on a memorable 50 First Dates or laugh together at Along Came Polly.
29 DVDS
Don't miss Lost in Translation; where to find Nicole Kidman topless.
30 MUSIC
A right-on chat with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs; Stereolab experiments.
32 GAMES
Spar with Jet Li in Rise to Honor; play godfather in Gangland.
33 BOOKS
Elmore Leonard's Mr. Paradise is prose from heaven; new fiction about Columbine.