Long before the somewhat creepy reality show, “Girls Next Door,” Hugh Hefner had a weekly late night variety show called, “Playboy After Dark.” The show was filmed as if you were at one of Hef’s swinging Playboy cocktail parties complete with celebrities, Playboy Bunnies and some really interesting musical guests. The series ran from 1968 to 1970 and I used to love to watch the show when I was a kid. Friday I had some links to Barbi Benton, who was not only a well-known Playboy model, but also Hugh Hefner’s girlfriend for years. MBIP Contributor and pal, Scott Turley put up a comment about “Playboy After Dark” and I started reading online articles about the show and below are six links to those articles. And then there’s the weekly MBIP Coming Attractions as to what’s happening here next week!
Hugh Hefner’s forgotten late-night TV career - This NY Post article features tidbits about “Playboy After Dark” which was shot in L.A. and it also mentions that Hefner had a similar show way back in 1959 called, “Playboy’s Penthouse” which was filmed in Chicago.
Bill Kreutzmann on Grateful Dead's LSD-Tinted 'Playboy' Show - This Rolling Stone feature and video from Conan O'Brien is from an interview with the Grateful Dead drummer, Bill Kreutzmann talking about how legendary LSD maker, Owsley Stanley had dosed the coffee pot with acid when they appeared on “Playboy After Dark.”
Full List of Playboy After Dark Episodes And The Guests - This is a list of the guest stars on every single show. You can also click on the list and go to a complete overview about that episode. Some of the guest lists are a wacky combination of celebrities like this one from August of 1968: Otto Preminger; Harry Nilsson; Norm Crosby and Rich Little.
How Hugh Hefner’s ‘Playboy After Dark’ Became A Classic Rock Showcase - In this article it tells about the different bands that appeared on “Playboy After Dark” including: Deep Purple, the Byrds, Fleetwood Mac, Harry Nilsson, Grand Funk Railroad and Steppenwolf. There’s also videos of Deep Purple and The Byrds performing live on the cocktail party TV show.
Hugh Hefner The Music Impresario, From ‘Playboy After Dark’ To Hip-Hop Icon - Hefner not only showcased jazz and rock ‘n roll, later in life he embraced hip-hop.
All Hail Playboy’s ‘After Dark’ Music Series - This article from the Vice website touches on Hugh Hefner’s sagging ball sack before highlighting some musical videos from the show including Tony Joe White, Fleetwood Mac and Ike and Tina Turner.
Tomorrow I start a two-part series about restaurants with trees in the dining room. We start this mini-series off in Peoria LaGondola & Leonardo’s which has had a tree in the dining room since they opened back in 1975! I love the atmosphere in there and they recently acquired a classic Italian lit-up wall display that has an interesting story behind it. Tune in tomorrow to find out about that story out and see what I had for my Saturday night dinner there. Tuesday we conclude the two-part dining with trees episode as we log in another week on the MBIP seven month steak tour. Wednesday, I finally get to go to the infamous Bergner’s break room, which used to be the Skandia restaurant. We had a little pizza party with some of the employees and shared Bergner’s and Peoria memories. You won’t believe this break room! Thursday we’ll feature another random Peorian in the People of Peoria series and Friday will be a Thirsty-Third Friday from the Second Annual MBIP Coney Dog Party at The Red Barn, check out photos from the first one! That party happens this Thursday, so stop on by and enjoy a free coney dog while they last! The party starts at 6PM! Okay, I’m running an hour behind because of the daylight savings thingy, so I have to get running! Have a fantabulous Sunday and we’ll see you all tomorrow!
Related Posts: Sunday Links: John Lennon, Sam Kinison and Groundhog Day.
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THE OBLIGATORY CHURCH OF ROCK SUNDAY PLUG
I’ve been doing a weekly MBIP feature on the radio show The Church Of Rock which is broadcast live, worldwide out of Oregon on Sunday nights. Every week I pick a song and give a little talk about it before the song is played on the show. The hosts of the show are Rev. Derek Moody (some of you know him as Bloody Mess) and Sister Tracy. The show starts at 9PM CST and my segment will air at 9:30PM sharp! The song I chose this week is a song by The Jackson 5 and I’m going to tell a few factoids about the song and also how they were one of my favorite bands as a kid. Be there or be L7! You can listen live by streaming from the KSKQ website right here!