The Bunny Chronicles | The History of Hugh Hefner | The Empire He Built | Playboy Magazine

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John Champion worked at both Playboy's New York and Chicago offices in the 1990s.

He started as an intern in the publishing office and quickly moved to the public relations department where he spent the majority of his time.

Along the way, he worked in graphic design and dabbled in editorial projects for the magazine."

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What if the infamous Playboy empire and its founder, Hugh Hefner, played a significant role in the fight for civil rights and personal freedoms? In this eye-opening episode, we unravel the complex history of Playboy, its battle with the Nixon administration's war on drugs, and the FBI's targeting of Bobby Arnstein, a close friend of Hefner. Our guest, John Champion, offers valuable insights on the historical context of the sexual revolution and its impact on Playboy's legacy.

We delve into the life of Hugh Hefner and the darker aspects of his reputation, examining allegations of sexual harassment and assault that emerged following his death. As we ponder the implications these accusations have on the Playboy brand and the women who worked for him, we also explore the magazine's role in igniting conversations on sexuality, gender roles, racism, and politics.

Finally, we emphasize the importance of Playboy's editorial voice in addressing sexual politics and the power of media in sculpting public perception. To dig deeper into the fascinating story of Playboy and its undeniable influence on American culture, we highly recommend watching the Amazon Prime show 'Playboy: American Playboy.' Join us on this journey to reveal the truth behind the Playboy empire.

A HUGE THANK YOU to JOHN CHAMPION + RODDENBERRY STUDIOS
podcasts.roddenberry.com /  thebunnychronicles.com

WITH LOVE & GRATITUDE - Corinna & Echo

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What's the true story behind Hugh Hefner's retreat to the Playboy Mansion? How did the murder of star playmate Dorothy Stratten impact his life and business empire? We explore these questions and more as we unpack the narrative presented in the podcast "Power, the Hugh Hefner Story" and the A&E DocuSeries. Join us for a fascinating look into what was really going on behind the scenes, and learn why journalistic due diligence is crucial when telling the stories of public figures like Hefner.

We also discuss the misconceptions and judgments surrounding Hefner's unusual lifestyle and the rules he set for guests at the Playboy Mansion. Listen in as we analyze how Hefner lived his life the way he wanted to, despite public opinion, and investigate the hypermoralistic attitudes people have had towards him. Plus, we'll ponder why society tends to look for the most obvious answer to explain tragic outcomes.

Finally, we delve into Hefner's open attitude toward sexuality, his legacy, and his inability to defend himself since his passing. We'll also examine the Bobby Arnstein incident, the evolving feminist movement, and how Christie Hefner's arrival to Playboy ultimately led to the closure of the Playboy clubs in 1986. Don't miss this engaging conversation offering a fresh perspective on the life and legacy of Hugh Hefner.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO JOHN CHAMPION + RODDENBERRY STUDIOS
podcasts.roddenberry.com /  thebunnychronicles.com

WITH LOVE & GRATITUDE - Corinna & Echo

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A&E created a 8 part series with a nasty narrative.  A Podcast called POWER also came out and does equally the same thing. So WHY are these women - Amy Rose Spiegel of POWER Podcast & Alexandra Dean Executive Producer of A&E Series creating this narrative? 

What's their AGENDA? 

Their AGENDA is to CANCEL Hugh Hefner - Yep that's right! This group of female producers who both Corinna & I spoke to 2 years ago when they started their "research" into the history of Playboy but more specifically Hefner have a hard on for the "me too movement" and are trying with all their might to clump Hefner into the category of "Sexual Predator."

They focused on four women that at one time or another were intimate with HEF both as a girlfriend or working directly with HEF through the company. The women they chose to focus on are "the most irrelevant characters in the history of Playboy." And boy the contempt they have for HEF is beyond bizarre - especially considering the man is dead.

However the Playboy Family that we have and knew when HEF was alive & well is a strong and unbreakable family AND WE ALL ARE SPEAKING UP!

 It's time to CANCEL THE CANCEL CULTURE MOVEMENT!

We Stand With HEF. We Honor HEF. We know the truth and are here to give that truth to you, our audience!

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WITH LOVE & GRATITUDE - Corinna & Echo

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Corinna & I  REUNITE with a few of our "PHENOMENAL PLAYMATE SISTERS" - which is btw the "Ultimate Sorority."

These INCREDIBLY, VIBRANT, BEAUTIFUL, KIND and  SUPER FUNNY, group of women, each carry the title of  "PLAYBOYS PLAYMATE OF THE YEAR" known in the world of "PLAYBOY" as "PMOY."

We are STOKED to bring you this very candid conversation with the incomparable  PMOY 1990 - RENEE TENISON  plusmy partner - my co-host - my soul sister The CORINNA HARNEY PMOY 1992 - last but certainly not least -  The extraordinary  - BRANDE RODERICK - PMOY 2021.

"PMOY" is a true honor. To be awarded with that title; Well, lets just say you have truly reached "The Echelon" of a very rare and revered group of  women, that exist in the world.  You are being named, and recognized as "ONE of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN in THE WORLD."  A term that goes hand in hand, with the INFAMOUS  title of "SUPERMODELS"  the drop-dead gorgeous, exquisite, unique women; of the "ELITE" world - of the "Modeling Industry.

No questions were off base - we laughed - we cried - we took a good look at our shared memory of being a part of HEF'S world  and werejoiced at how very grateful - how very certain - how very unique we each are because of the profoundly important and life changing moment in time that we were each selected to be Miss ?  Playboys Playmate of the Month.

AND  what a better time to release this show. It just happens to be that we recorded this show 6 months previously - with ZERO idea about the current day "MEDIAS MAD DASH"   to try  and  decimate the legacy, the character and the legend of the man behind this whole conversation. Our beloved - Hugh M. Hefner.

Enjoy these bevy of beauties at the links below as well - Cheers!
@brandenroderick
PLAYBOY PLUS
PLAYBOYS PMOY 2001 - BRANDE RODERICK

@corinnaharneypmoy
PLAYBOYS PMOY '92 - CORINNA HARNEY
PLAYBOY PLUS

@reneetenison
PLAYBOYS PMOY '90 - RENEE TENISON
PLAYBOY + UNPUBLISHED IMAGES

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WITH LOVE & GRATITUDE - Corinna & Echo

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Bill Farley would wear many hats during his extensive career in the world of Media / PR & Communications.  Farley began his career as a newspaper reporter, a radio newsman and a DJ.  In the late 70's  Farley found his home with "ABC the NETWORK. "
Upon departing ABC's Prime Time Television Operations in Los Angeles in 1981, Farley was brought in as a consultant with Playboy to help launch Playboys first venture into the new world of Cable Television. Farley would oversee the creation & implementation of the wildly successful “Playboy Cable Television Network.”

For 3 years Farley oversaw the development of Playboy TV and its home videos concept with the inception and explosion of VHS Tapes.  

In 1985 Farley stepped into the role of Communications Manager for PLAYBOY ENTERTAINMENT. It was at this time - Farley would begin working closely with HEF and the PB Mansion Staff. 

Farley was not only responsible for developing the Communications Department he would also be designated as PB “National Director & VP of Marketing” as well as “President of Playboy Models/Playmate Promotions.”

Over the course of his Playboy career, Bill Farley served as a spokesman for HEF and Playboy Entertainment as a whole.

Farley would be designated as “VP of the famed Playboy Jazz Festivals” as well as managing director of the newly created “Playboy Playmate Promotions department.” The department served as an agency within the corporate offices for PLAYMATES to be hired for appearances, modeling contracts & a multitude of key PRESS Events.

Over the span of his 25 Years at PB, Farley would be responsible for coordinating multiple profound milestones in HEFS personal and professional life. The wedding of HEF to Kimberly Conrad. “The Comedy Central Roast” in honor of HEFNER. Coordinating PB’S 50th anniversary celebration, the Pre-Game Super Bowl Parties & Events, and HEFS very successful series of national commercials for Carl's Jr. in the early 2000’s. 

In 2005 Farley retired from Playboy and returned to his roots as a print journalist in South Carolina

Echo & Corinna

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A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR FABULOUS MAKEUP + HAIR ARTISTS

• Sara Cranham @saracranhammakeup 
• Michelle Vanderhule @beautybymichellev

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LARRY LOGAN worked with HEFNER & PLAYBOY for close to 30 years.

Logan began his career as HEFS personal Contributing Photographer from 1977-1984 and then was named "Vice President, Creative Director" in PLAYBOYS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP from 1984-1994.

"I transitioned to the VP Creative Director position in the early days of the new Entertainment Group. I had extensive background in marketing and design, separate from my professional photography career, which gave me the expertise to take on this role.

How were you able to secure your photographer position at Playboy in 1977?

"Kerry Morris was the Playboy Studio West manager and knew of my professional (outside) work during my student years at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara and earlier at the University of Arkansas. During both degrees I did off-campus professional assignments for major magazines resulting in over 500 magazine credits."

"Kerry invited me to join initially to assist and learn from the other photographers then to work with HEF as a photojournalist for the magazine. Although I did some nude shoots, more of my focus was on serving as HEF'S personal photographer and photographer of the Playboy Interviews, all the Mansion events, traveling with HEF."

"I transitioned to the VP Creative Director position in the early days of the new Entertainment Group. I had extensive background in marketing and design, separate from my professional photography career, which gave me the expertise to take on this role."

What was the biggest take away you took from working so closely with HEF?

"How to stretch and push myself in any project with him. As he said to the designer of Playboy
Mansion West, do your very best and that is the minimum I will accept. How to not accept
anything less than the maximum effort from my staff and contributors I hired."

"I would have my 1pm calls with HEF.  When answering the phone it was always like stepping up to bat at the World Series.  I had to be on my best game, each and every time. Although he was demanding, he always gave an allowance when he could see I was pushing hard to make his directive come through.  Loyalty was of paramount importance."

"The level that he forced me to achieve has stayed with me throughout my career. It also made it difficult with leading other creative teams after Playboy, as it took a certain sacrifice and drive that my team at Playboy certainly had, but was beyond what others could achieve."

This was another fascinating interview Corinna & I were able to land. We learned so much more about HEF - and the common theme that we continue to hear from our guests was:

"HEF was absolute genius & visionary - and with that said - everyone of us who had the honor and privilege of working with HEF left a profound impact on each us.  Without a doubt each of us have harnessed what we learned from the exquisite gift of working with HEF & Playboy for the rest of our lives - throughout our many careers, we would go onto after life at PLAYBOY." 

Corinna & Echo
  xoxoxoxox

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Michael Lee spent years at Playboy Enterprises Entertainment. First as the Senior Art Director & then went on to hold the title of "VP Creative Director."  

Challenged to develop creative strategy  and execute large scale projects for the entertainment division. Developed and optimized internal business capabilities and collaborated with cross function team collaborators, photographers,  and international PLAYBOY license holders to conceptualize and produce multimedia while maintaining brand consistency across diverse business lines.  Developed vision, business briefs and design requirements for trade, consumer advertising, electronic media and special events.  Directed photography project from concept to final retouching and key art completion. Selected locations, set designs and models and stylists for photo shoots. Contributed to design and development of corporate website.

*Michael Lee received numerous public awards and accolades. Including the "Golden Ink Award" from the printing industry association, Print Magazine, LA  Advertising for woman for outstanding overall achievement & design of logo types,  Jazz CD packaging, print communications and PR.*

The events that Michael created were nothing short of spectacular! It was an absolute honor to be a part of all of the spectacular events that Michael Lee was responsible for creating. You knew if you were chosen to work the event that you were going to be dressed in something  fabulous that we the PLAYMATES would all wear to mirror the theme of the event, to the actual events - rather HUGE Parties - where we entertained the guests and represented PLAYBOY as one of the chosen few, a "Playboy Playmate."

Thank you Michael Lee for sitting down with us for this outstanding interview!   We adore you!

Corinna & Echo
 xoxoxoxoxo

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A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR FABULOUS MAKEUP + HAIR ARTISTS

• Sara Cranham @saracranhammakeup 
• Michelle VanDerhule @beautybymichellev

*DISCLAIMER*

The Bunny Chronicles Podcast & all of its entities are neither endorsed nor affiliated with PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES

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PRE-SHOW to Episode 4 with Jim Petersen - PLAYBOY ADVISOR of 30 YEARS.

Corinna & I took over the mic and had a free flow - candid - shit talking convo while waiting for our guest. Unbeknown to us - our engineer was recorded our audio.  What authentically occurred was excellent!

Corinna & I have been friends for close to 30 years.  Not only is our synergy on point as hosts of the podcast but - I wholeheartedly consider Corinna a sister and she would say the same.  Here is a glimpse into our friendship. Our hysterical banter. And our incessant laughter. It just never stops when the two  of us are together!

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A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR FABULOUS MAKEUP + HAIR ARTISTS

• Sara Cranham @saracranhammakeup 
• Michelle VanDerhule @beautybymichellev

We are so grateful for your support! We certainly couldn't do this without YOU!

Corinna & Echo
  xoxoxoxox

*DISCLAIMER*

The Bunny Chronicles Podcast & all of its entities are neither endorsed nor affiliated with PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES

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"James R. Petersen is a veteran of forty years at Playboy magazine. Hired to be the Playboy Advisor in 1973, for two decades he answered  - all reasonable questions—from fashion, food and drink, stereo, sports cars to dating dilemmas, taste and etiquette. He was, according to USA Today, “the number One source of sex advice in America.”  That was his day job.   

An award-winning freelancer, he has written about adventure travel, motorcycling, windsurfing, kayaking, and skiing (he co-authored Playboy’s Guide to Ultimate Skiing)."

 Additionally, Petersen  authored  the infamous book "The Century of Sex."   The book took 3 years to write and was a true labor of love for Petersen & Hugh Hefner, whom acted as the chief editor for the book itself.

"The book presents a sweeping history that argues that the "sexual revolution" of the sixties and seventies was part of a larger social evolution. This evolution began generations before the advent of penicillin, Playboy, or the pill -- and produced seismic cultural shifts that have changed the way Americans live forever."

Corinna & I loved having the opportunity to sit down with Petersen and conduct the interview. What we would learn from Petersen and his career at Playboy and most importantly working closely with Hugh M. Hefner was incredibly profound.

Enjoy the show as we travel back in time to the early years of PLAYBOY and it's dynamic and ever evolving  historical moments in time.

We are so grateful for your support! We certainly couldn't do this without YOU!

Corinna & Echo
  xoxoxoxo

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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR - YOUTUBE CHANNEL - for bonus behind the scenes clips.

To watch this show LIVE in THE STUDIO become a PATRON on our PATREON CHANNEL.

To access merch - NFTS - autographed Playboy Memorabilia and glossy autographed photos - check out our WEBSITE!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR FABULOUS MAKEUP + HAIR ARTISTS

• Sara Cranham @saracranhammakeup 
• Michelle VanDerhule @beautybymichellev

*DISCLAIMER*

The Bunny Chronicles Podcast & all of its entities are neither endorsed nor affiliated with PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES

Support the show

Follow & Support The Show:

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CAMEO: @echo_bunny93

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FACEBOOK:
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SUBSTACK: substack.com/@echobunny93

The Bunny Chronicles Podcast & all of its entities are neither endorsed nor affiliated with PLBY GROUP or any of their entities.