Playboy goes 3-D with centrefold and free glasses

READERS of men’s magazine Playboy are being offered an extra eyeful, a 3-D centrefold complete with special glasses to view it.

The June edition hits news stands on Friday with what is, at first glance, a very blurry Playmate of the Year.

“What would people most like to see in 3-D?” asked Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. “Probably a naked lady.”

Hefner makes no secret of hoping to capitalise on the popularity of 3-D movies such as Avatar even though he seems to not quite get what all the fuss is about.

“I’m not a huge enthusiast of 3-D,” he said. “I leave real life to go to the movies and 2-D is fine with me.”

Playboy certainly must do something to get more people, especially younger people, to buy a magazine that has seen circulation plummet from 3.5 million in 2006 to 1.5m today.

Editorial director Jimmy Jellinek said he hopes the issue featuring centrefold Hope Dworaczyk in 3-D also reminds people that for all the infatuation with the internet there is nothing quite like having a magazine in your hands.

“People want things that last and have meaning,” he said.

Or as Hefner put it: “This particular picture is one example of how books and magazines are different (than computer images).

“You can hold it in your hands, save them, and as dad used to, put them under the mattress.”