Following her success with Playboy Swings, Patty Farmer looks at Playboy’s relationship with comedians and cartoonists in her new book Playboy Laughs. Playboy Laughs invites readers onto the sets of the organization’s groundbreaking TV shows, Playboy Penthouse and Playboy After Dark. These popular variety series brought top-tier comedians, impressionists, and monologists—as well as the finest musicians—into people’s homes each week. Readers will learn how before he ever dreamed of conquering the magazine publishing world—and along the way establish a worldwide brand—Hugh Hefner harbored aspirations of making his mark in the world as a cartoonist. Playboy Laughs delves into the darker aspects of the time as well, tackling the ways Playboy and its comedy stars helped break down social and racial barriers as well as sexual ones. Known for her devotion to meticulous research and clear, honest storytelling, Farmer has gained the full cooperation of the Playboy organization—and Hugh Hefner himself—making this not only an entertaining read but a trustworthy history of an under-appreciated aspect of American comic culture.

Compiled by a top comedy writer, a rib-tickling collection of sharp, topical one-liners on every subject under the sun, alphabetically arranged by category for easy use.

On the writing of comedy for cinema and television

The writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron is captured by her long-time and dear friend Richard Cohen in a recollection of their decades-long friendship.

Tempted by the hospital heartbreaker! Nurse Isla McKenna is warned about Dr. Harry Gardiner the moment she enters the London Victoria's emergency department. He's a commitment-shy playboy—and Isla has been betrayed too often to play with fire! But there is more to this "bad boy" than meets the eye, and when Harry asks for help facing a family wedding, Isla can't refuse. Even if it means fighting the chemistry between them! Except their weekend together proves the ultimate temptation, leaving them both dangerously wanting much more…

THE SEDUCTION PLAN An eye for an eye was the motto Mac Valentine lived by. So when a business rival dared to sully his reputation, Mac decided to strike back using his enemy's daughter—Olivia Winston. He'd hire her, seduce her, then walk away. But Olivia was no easily manipulated pawn. She tempted him like no other woman. And for once Mac wondered if his plan for revenge would destroy not only his conquest, but himself as well.