Secrets of Playboy

Watch Secrets of Playboy

  • TV-14
  • 2022
  • 2 Seasons
  • 6.8  (1,693)

"Secrets of Playboy" is an explosive and gripping docuseries from A&E that premiered in 2022. Punctuated by first-hand accounts, the series catapults ambitious viewers into the vertiginous world of Playboy, extending far beyond its well-known glossy magazine pages. The 10-part series is aiming to uncover the hidden truths and dark secrets within the Playboy enterprise, which was once seen as the epitome of glamour and sophistication in popular culture.

At the heart of the story, of course, is the infamous Playboy magazine publisher, Hugh Hefner, who built an empire out of his lifestyle brand. With its iconic bunny logo, the Playboy brand transformed Hefner into an emblem of male fantasy and sexual liberation. However, "Secrets of Playboy" proffers a less glamorous perspective, providing an unfiltered view into life behind the Mansion's wrought-iron gates and the toxic culture that it perpetuated.

The series takes advantage of the firsthand testimonies of those individuals who were intricately involved with Playboy. These include previous Playboy Bunnies, Hefner's ex-girlfriends, employees, and insiders who were intimately familiar with Hefner and the Playboy empire's inner working and operations. Their stories are a blend of high-profile glamour and shocking confessions, each providing a lens into a lifestyle that was as much about power and control as it was about hedonism and liberation.

"Secrets of Playboy" doesn't shy away from instigating a deep-dive into the controversial aspects of Playboy's history. Despite its fashionable exterior, the series sheds light on the manipulation, abuse, and exploitation that took place within the Playboy empire. With many harrowing revelations throughout the series, the viewers will get a stark reality check, questioning the glossy façade the brand fronted to the world.

The complex personality of Hugh Hefner himself is interrogated throughout the series. Hefner, on the one side, the velvet-robed lothario, the picture of suave sophistication and liberated sexual expression, is contrasted with the more somber side of Hefner, the man at the helm of a toxic environment beneath the Playboy brand's posh image. The series poses the question: Who was the real Hugh Hefner? This balanced examination of Hefner as both Playboy's charismatic face and the puppet master of a controversial empire is a significant part of the series' narrative structure.

In line with A&E's reputation for delivering immersive and compelling docuseries, "Secrets of Playboy" narrates a tale that's both sensational and unnerving, melding social commentary with riveting storytelling. It weaves together the narrative with a mix of archival footage, reflective interviews, and dramatized recreations. The show is rife with revelations that alternately fascinate and repulse yet always holding viewers' rapt attention.

But “Secrets of Playboy” is not just about unearthing controversies and scandals. It is also a thought-provoking exploration of the cultural impact of the Playboy brand and the societal norms it influenced and was influenced by. It reflects on how Playboy catered to the fantasies of the average American male and how it contributed to shaping perceptions about sexual liberation and gender roles.

"Secrets of Playboy" takes viewers on an unprecedented journey. From its start as a revolutionary selective magazine that spearheaded the sexual revolution to its downfall marred by accusations of sexual exploitation, the show uncovers the reality of what transpired behind those closed doors of the Playboy Mansion.

Led by the Emmy-awarded producer, Rebecca Halpern, together with producers Stephen Mintz, Stanley Buchthal and Joan Cohen, "Secrets of Playboy" promises a captivating look inside the realm that was once perceived as the epitome of glamour. It's an eye-opening exploration into an iconic brand and provides an intriguing and captivating look at the much-darker side of the Playboy Mansion's glitz and glamour.

In conclusion, “Secrets of Playboy” guarantees to be a gripping watch that re-examines the vintage glitz of the Playboy empire in a contemporary light. While it may cause discomfort by challenging one's perspective of an iconic brand, it’s equally fascinating in its revelations. Filled with raw interviews and powerful testimonies, this series is a stark reminder that everything isn't always as it appears. This series is a poignant journey that uncovers the truth behind velvet curtains, providing viewers with a rare and unfiltered view of Playboy.

Secrets of Playboy is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (20 episodes). The series first aired on January 24, 2022.

Secrets of Playboy
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Seasons
STANDARDS OF BEAUTY
8. STANDARDS OF BEAUTY
August 14, 2023
While Playboy usually featured a specific standard of beauty in its magazine, it occasionally disrupted that norm by showcasing models not typically seen within its pages.
WOMEN IN UNIFORM
7. WOMEN IN UNIFORM
August 14, 2023
Playboy cover model and investigative journalist Lisa Guerrero sits down with a former NYPD officer and a former US Air Force Training Instructor to discuss the highs, and lows, of their fateful decision to pose.
ATHLETES EXPOSED
6. ATHLETES EXPOSED
August 7, 2023
The sports world is often criticized for not only underpaying and undervaluing female athletes, but these women are also notoriously sexualized. Lisa Guerrero talks with three athletes who made the controversial decision to pose for Playboy.
MY BODY MY CHOICE
5. MY BODY MY CHOICE
August 7, 2023
Posing for Playboy seems like a dream come true for many young women, but the allure of fame and fortune comes with a steep price.
The Truth Hurts
4. The Truth Hurts
July 31, 2023
Former Playmate Sondra Theodore and her daughter Katie share their story in the Playboy Mansion. They open up about their complicated relationship and the trauma Sondra suffered while living with Hugh Hefner for years as his girlfriend.
Playboy On Campus
3. Playboy On Campus
July 24, 2023
Playboy traveled around the country to university campuses and held auditions for female students to pose and promote their institution. While some of these ladies jumped at the opportunity to audition, others objected to the magazine's presence on campus.
The Era Of The Seven
2. The Era Of The Seven
July 17, 2023
After a divorce in the late 90s, Hugh Hefner became a bachelor again, and the era of the seven girlfriends emerged. For some, being one of the seven girlfriends was a highly coveted position that was as much a job as it was a relationship. Hef's girlfriends were not only supported by him, but they were used to publicly promote the Playboy brand during lavish events and club outings. But being a girlfriend was not all glitz and glam.
Who Wants to Be a Playboy Centerfold
1. Who Wants to Be a Playboy Centerfold
July 10, 2023
Thousands of women across the nation vied for the chance to become a Playmate, but only 12 were chosen for the reality competition "Who Wants to Be a Playboy Centerfold?" The two-hour prime-time special aired on Fox in 2002, bringing together aspiring Playmates in typical house reality show fashion. Photo shoots at the Playboy Mansion and a nude centerfold layout culminated in eliminations and, ultimately, a winner, whose prize was to become the Playmate of the Month. Contestants share what the show was truly like, how the experience changed them, and how being associated with Playboy fulfilled dreams and also caused heartache.
Description
Where to Watch Secrets of Playboy
Secrets of Playboy is available for streaming on the A&E website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Secrets of Playboy on demand at Peacock Premium and Amazon and Hulu and Vudu and Sling and Google Play and Hoopla and Apple TV and A&E and Philo and.
  • Premiere Date
    January 24, 2022
  • IMDB Rating
    6.8  (1,693)