Playboy Rides The (Pointless) 3D Wave

By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on May 11, 2010 2:40PM

Earlier this spring, our own Rob Christopher joined a growing group of folks - including Roger Ebert - that have railed against the new trend in 3D, be it films or television. And despite their protests, the 3D trend continues to grow. Witness the latest development: Playboy in 3D. For the June 2010 issue, hitting newsstands later this week, centerfold will be in 3D (don't worry, the issue comes with its own glasses). Said editorial directior Jimmy Jellinek: "In today's print environment you have to create newsstand events...People want things that last and have meaning." We get how people might like a 3D Playboy, we're just not sure how making one centerfold in 3D gives it "meaning," but what do we know? We're just a 2D website.

The 3D idea is actually a tie-in promotion with the HBO show "True Blood" which debuts a new season in mid-June. We guess when circulation is plummeting - down to less than half of what it was four years ago - you have to try new things. Even though Hef admits he's just fine with seeing movies in 2D, he added, "What would people most like to see in 3-D? Probably a naked lady." Well, speaking for myself, I prefer a naked lady in real life to 3D, but, again, I digress...