Showing posts with label playmate of the year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label playmate of the year. Show all posts

Thursday, January 26, 2012

2012 Playmate of the Year Candidates

As I've said all year, it's been one of ups and downs, of twists and turns. The 2011 Playmate class has been anything but perfect, but along the way we've seen some flashes of true brilliance that are worth noting. We didn't see any Hall of Fame ladies this year, but that shouldn't stop us from seeing the special girls that went through the magazine's pages. So without further ado, my year-end rankings:

#12
Sasha Bonilova, Miss May
Age 24 | 36DD-27-36 | 5'7" | 127 lbs

Sasha is a model whose primary selling point - large breasts - pretty much landed her the Playmate role. Although she severely lacked any semblance of talent that could have been the reason she got nominated, she does have fans in those who admire her unique body type.
The Good: Sasha's uniquely large breasts are a sign that there is a market for them, and there are admirers out there. Behind those huge cans, though, there is a semblance of a pretty attractive frame. Also, her face is certainly not a major detriment, but how she uses it is another story.
The Bad: As I've said, there is an audience out there for Sasha's body, which means it's really up to taste. However, her utter lack of talent and her disinterested gaze make for a pitiful pictorial. Sasha had not a shred of talent, and it shows miserably in every photo. How she came to be a Playmate is beyond me, but I'm quite sure it has something to do with her chest.
Face: B
Body: B-
Talent: C+
Pictorial: B-
Centerfold: C+
Overall: C+

#11
Ashley Mattingly, Miss March
Age 25 | 32C-24-32 | 5'7" | 127 lbs

Ashley came on early in the year with a mixed set of assets that really didn't garner her much support from fans. Her defining characteristic, her solid, almost masculine body, was seen as a detracting quality, and her overall posing style didn't necessarily resonate well. Although she had a bit of potential here and there, she ultimately will fade to the bottom of the pack.
The Good: Ashley's physique is both Ashley's biggest strength and one of her major flaws. Her finely toned arms and tight, well-formed abs are easily the strongest and most powerful of hte 2011 class. It's well documented in her pictorial, with some workout scenes leading to a moist locker room pose-off. While her photos are well-intentioned, they can't overcome the model underneath.
The Bad: Ashley's masculine physique is also her biggest downside. She has a tough exterior that's difficult to photograph with much subtlety, and so it takes away from the layers and depth that could otherwise allow for a very pretty girl to shine through. Instead, Ashley comes on too strong, without ever really satisfying in her decent pictorial. She falls flat due to these unique characteristics.
Face: C
Body: B
Talent: B+
Pictorial: B
Centerfold: B
Overall: B-



#10
Anna Sophia Berglund, Miss January
Age 25 | 34D-25-36 | 5'6" | 128 lbs

2011 got started with a bubbly blonde, voluptuous model who worked the Playmate mold to the max. She was a prototypical Hefmate, with all the characteristics - a reticent posing style, big round breasts, and those curly blond locks. While her angelic face and curvy body were worth a look, she was arguably the blandest of all the Playmates in the class.
The Good: Possibly the most flattering thing you can say about Anna is that she is a Jack of all trades, but a master of none. And when I say none, I mean it. Her pretty face is almost postcard-worthy, allowing her to take on a youthful, energetic look. That's where she leaves it, but it allows her to take on an amazingly photogenic stance when she passively poses in photos. Her body is also hit or miss, but is quite sexy in angles that extend her body and show off her length.
The Bad: Miss Berglund will never win awards for uniqueness or memorability. There were some pathetic overall performances in 2011, but none could have fallen as flat for such a nice girl as Anna's did. Miss Berglund is a mildly wasted talent, with otherwise lovely features giving way to an uninspiring performance with no talent in sight. Anna is out of her element in the Playmate world, and possibly would have been better suited as a Cyber Girl.
Face: B-
Body: B
Talent: B-
Pictorial: C+
Centerfold: C
Overall: B-


#9
Mei-Ling Lam, Miss June
Age 27 | 32B-24-34 | 5'6" | 109 lbs

The first Asian Playmate since 2008's Grace Kim, Mei-Ling came in with some hope, but left a flat mess. One of the most petite body types of the class, she delivered a boring performance that could even contend with the others so far in my rankings. When it comes down to it, Miss Lam brought in one of the more forgettable performances of 2011.
The Good: While Mei-Ling's pictorial is a mixed bag of boring and slightly interesting, Mei-Ling is generally a pretty good looking girl. She looks decently radiant in a number of her photos where her own posing doesn't get in the way, and when her slinky body is photographed in the bedroom, it takes on a whole different look. Mei-Ling is a difficult girl to picture correctly, but when it's done right, you can only wonder what could have been.
The Bad: There is just too much wrong with Miss Lam's performance, where it can only hold her back from reaching her potential. Her petite body is photographed very poorly for much of the time, taking angles that show off her lack of a true focal point that would make her a decent nude. This girl simply wasn't made to pose in the nude, as she just seems more comfortable and better suited to being a clothing model or a generic fashion model.
Face: B
Body: B
Talent: B
Pictorial: B-
Centerfold: B+
Overall: B-

#8
Iryna Ivanova, Miss August
Age 25 | 32DD-25-35 | 5'4" | 105 lbs

This Eastern European bombshell debuted with little fanfare, being known only to the international edition of the magazine. With a long lineage of Ukrainian beauties appearing as Playmate in the past, Iryna had a lot to live up to. Unfortunately, she missed the mark, mostly due to the aesthetic appeal of the model rather than the execution.
The Good: Iryna's pictorial is the one high point of her Playmate reign. Although she is lacking in a variety of areas, her photos are bright and colorful, with summer hues that really come across beautifully. She is captured in some fun, sexy poses with some excellent costuming, and is overall shot quite well. The shift into a bedroom setting is seamless and a natural fit for Iryna, whose face is photogenic enough to warrant a second glance. This is a model who shows promise, as evidenced by her spread as well as her fine centerfold, one of 2011's finest.
The Bad: Iryna is hampered mainly by herself, as her editors do a fine job of trying to capture her beauty. Instead, she exhibits no enthusiasm, being a glum focal point in an otherwise high-spirited and lovely pictorial. She rarely cracks a smile, and instead focuses with an awkwardly squinty stare. Physically, Iryna is voluptuous in her short stature, and is best shot prone, although she is often shot head-on. This makes her look a bit sloppy here and there, and takes away from an otherwise attractive model.
Face: A-
Body: B
Talent: B-
Pictorial: B+
Centerfold: A-
Overall: B


#7
Kylie Johnson, Miss February
Age 21 | 32D-25-35 | 5'4" | 107 lbs

This is the turning point of my ranking, where we go from "so-so" performances to "good" ones. Enter Kylie, whose exotic Afro-German looks and above average pictorial have vaulted her to a status where she has gathered a major fan following. Miss Johnson's appeal goes deep, and is due to her uniqueness in the Class of '11. Indeed, she may be a major force as voting gets underway.
The Good: Kylie is a girl whose look just screams "agressive," and she needs to be shot that way. Her body is buxom and marvelous, with supple, large breasts and sharp shoulders making up a strong and sexy frame. She obviously has one of the best physiques of the 2011 group, along with her amazing caramel skin, which is not too dark due to her mixed heritage. Her face is both an upside and downside, but can be looked at as an asset due to its innate uniqueness with its angular characteristics.
The Bad: Kylie's positives stop at the physical level, where she's got plenty of pull. When you look at her photos, though, it's a different story. Kylie is an uninspired poser, who never really gets into her comfort zone. Her pictorial is incredibly safe (a sad trend in 2011), and that really hurts the model, since Miss Johnson is innately a physical posing model. She needs more freedom to move and display her physical assets, but instead is restricted in a hot tub or in a cabin, looking passive and bored. She is a mediocre poser at best, and while she is a fine choice for Playmate, it shouldn't garner her attention for PMOY honors.
Face: B-
Body: A-
Talent: B
Pictorial: B
Centerfold: B+
Overall: B



#6
Jaclyn Swedberg, Miss April
Age 21 | 34D-25-35 | 5'5" | 106 lbs

April gave us someone who has one of the best shots at the fan vote for PMOY 2012, Jaclyn. As the year wore on, Miss Swedberg became a huge fan favorite, as she places at or near the top of most Playmate straw polls. The reason for that is plain and simple: Jaclyn is beautiful. There are no two ways about it, the former Playboy TV star has catapulted herself into the PMOY conversation with some unmistakably good looks and a solid set of skills.
The Good: To put it simply, the subject matter is the real appeal here. Jaclyn is simply the "prettiest" of all the Playmates in the 2011 class, perhaps by a long shot. She has a worldly, calm, and gorgeous face, with a set of penetrating eyes that are the deepest and most amazing of the lot. Physically, she isn't curvy and doesn't have the volume that other ladies can throw around, but she's certainly got some spunk to her that makes her pop in photos. To top it off, Jaclyn is a talent. Although she doesn't exhibit any out of the ordinary skill, she has a knack for the camera, and strikes poses that complement her style wonderfully.
The Bad: What could drop such an amazing girl so far down my list, you say? It's the value that I put on a good performance, and Jaclyn, sadly, didn't quite deliver as far as material goes. Although she might put on a fine performance in a PMOY spread, her look just didn't translate well to the pages. Her "badass" persona is a horribly bad fit - this girl is destined for the bedsheets, with some pajamas and a good book, stripping down to a fluttery set of lingerie. Instead, Playboy puts her on a motorbike, and out of her element. I wouldn't mind if she took the title, just to redeem herself here.
Face: A
Body: A-
Talent: A-
Pictorial: B
Centerfold: B
Overall: B+



#5
Jessa Hinton, Miss July
Age 27 | 34D-25-34 | 5'8" | 116 lbs

My top five starts off with a Playmate who was probably my biggest surprise of the 2011 class. Jessa Hinton had her reign as Cyber Girl, and I initially thought her selection as Playmate was rather questionable. Very fortunately, she proved me wrong. Jessa is a bit of an enigma - a fan favorite to many, but also the opposite to some. In stark contrast to every other girl of the year, Jessa's posing style was far more in-your-face and physical, with a tantalizingly raw and powerful look. She therefore makes a spot in my top 5 by introducing an excitement that was otherwise lacking in the class before her appearance.
The Good: It's quite simply Jessa's ample talent at delivering a fresh, exciting, and exhilarating photo that makes her a superb Playmate. While she won't wow you with any particular aspect of her physique, and isn't special by any stretch, she's a solid, and downright sizzling contender. Her squinty, smoky eyes are unlike anything else you'll see in 2011, and her busty body complements her persona so well. This girl has personality, and shows plenty of it in her spread. Utilizing a daring stare and combining it with some excellent contorting posing, we might have a strong contender here.
The Bad: For all the great things that Jessa offers to add a jolt to the Playmate class, there are several downsides. Most notably, it's physical here. Jessa doesn't have the pure beauty and subtle, refined qualities that other ladies like Jaclyn, Tiffany, or Amanda have to offer. There are only sharp curves, balloonish breasts, and some awkward angles to consider. Her face may be a turnoff to many, and is a testament to the fact that Jessa is what you make of her. If you take her as a full package, she is excellent. But if you take her apart, she just doesn't deliver in the way other ladies did in 2011.
Face: B+
Body: B+
Talent: A-
Pictorial: B+
Centerfold: B+
Overall: B+



#4
Rainy Day Jordan, Miss December
Age 20 | 34C-24-37 | 5'9" | 125 lbs

The last girl of 2011 was also one of the best, and for a few select reasons. Although she didn't garner rave reviews from the Playboy fan base, I thought she was worth shouting about. Rainy Day is certainly not an all-around Playmate - that title would be much better suited to the ladies in my top 3. However, what she excels at isn't really what she can do, but what she is: a great physical specimen, and probably the best of the year. With a nearly perfect body, she's got an innate advantage that can overcome any shortcomings, to an extent.
The Good: The headliner for Rainy Day is definitely her great body. Although it isn't immediately apparent how statuesque she is, one might need to dig a bit deeper to understand. First, Rainy is exceptionally proportioned, with a very tall frame (the tallest of the year at 5'9") combined with an extremely low waist-to-hip ratio. Put it all together, and you have a girl with some fine curves who can also stand tall and use length to her advantage. She can pull off the full gamut of poses, and combined with a great sense for the camera, she has the talent to back up her excellent frame and put it to good use. Rainy Day is a great combination of once-in-a-year physique and awesome natural ability, and that's what brings her to this point on my list.
The Bad: Although she may possess these natural gifts, Rainy lacks in a variety of key areas. First and foremost is her face - it's almost hidden most of the time, and is never photographed very well. In hard light, she looks awkward with her pouty lips and strange smile. Although it's never unattractive, it's a downside on such an otherwise physically superior woman. If you go a step deeper, you also see some pitiful material. Rainy wasn't given much to work with, and put out a miserable spread that she only helped with her presence. Still, I think these things really turned many fans off to her, and drew away from the star quality that could otherwise have made for an awesome model. Rainy may be the acquired taste of the year, and an often unacquired one at that.
Face: B
Body: A+
Talent: A
Pictorial: B
Centerfold: B+
Overall: A-


#3
Ciara Price, Miss November
Age 21 | 32C-25-35 | 5'4" | 118 lbs

As I get into my top three ladies of the year, we really see where the elite is, when it comes to being in the Playmate of the Year conversation. While Jaclyn and Kylie form a powerful fanbase, it's these three that I definitely think deserve the nod, no matter who it may be. First off, there's Ciara, who is just flat-out the most beautiful model of the year. When taking nothing else in consideration, Miss Price would easily be the most perfect Playmate - a wildly photogenic blonde with everything going for her looks-wise. Although she's got her shortcomings, Ciara's got the goods to put her up on my list.
The Good: It's pure and simple - this girl looks amazing. While her body may not be #1 in 2011, it's her amazing face that cuts through the mold. When she's shooting a sparkling, toothy grin at the camera, you can't help but wonder how such a pretty girl is willing to take it all off for the camera. As I mentioned before in my review, Ciara easily has the best face in two or three years, going back to the lovely Laura Croft in 2008. And as I mentioned before, her body is no slouch, either. Her petiteness and lack of any bombshell volume is actually a good thing, as it creates a sort of understated look that fits Ciara's personality perfectly. What comes across ultimately is an innate shyness, but in moderation, that creates an allure that's hard to pinpoint. Whatever it is, looks alone could put Ciara in the driver's seat for a PMOY appearance, even with her other shortcomings.
The Bad: While it may not be all her fault, and we all know how Playboy's editors don't always hit their stride, Ciara is perhaps the magazine's biggest wasted opportunity of the year. While other girls got their fair shake to an extent, Ciara is a stunning model who didn't get the full treatment. Her pictorial is the pinnacle of prudeness, making her look moderately uncomfortable with her role. She never goes a step farther than topless nudity, which is quite disappointing. While Ciara is best left as a passive poser who can just radiate a cheery beauty, she still could use some thematic elements and a bit of motion in her pictorial, which is sorely lacking. When it all boils down, Miss Price is easily the "what if" candidate in the 2011 class, with the difference between her and the top 2 ladies simply being her performance itself.
Face: A+
Body: A
Talent: B+
Pictorial: B
Centerfold: B
Overall: A-



#2
Amanda Cerny, Miss October
Age 20 | 34C-24-34 | 5'7" | 125 lbs

My top two Playmates of 2011 are easily my favorites by a mile. While all the other 10 ladies had some issues that would keep them out of the race in my mind (including Ciara), these final two simply don't. Enter Amanda, one of the more interesting women in the class. With Eastern European pedigree and a very unique face and body, her all-around appeal gives her an edge in the polls. In fact, she is polling at a rather high level, fighting off some of the more heralded candidates. The reason for this is simple: Amanda's beauty melds excellently with a solid, attractive pictorial. While it won't revolutionize the way Playmates are shot, Amanda leaves an indelible mark on the year.
The Good: All-around greatness is Amanda's game, and it all starts with her body. While there are other great bodies in 2011, like Rainy Day or Tiffany, Amanda's is in a different  category. She does have that voluptuous frame that seems to be the trend for Playmates of the decade so far, with hourglass curves and a smoother, less defined core. But what Amanda also mixes with this is a great lower body, with legs that are tough and defined, and are photographed immaculately. Just take a look at her beautifully executed Centerfold, picturing her in front of a mirror. Her legs are featured prominently here, and rightfully so. With amazing thighs and muscular calves nestled into some golden stilettos, Amanda creates a great visual image. Combine that with some milky smooth skin and a lovely pair of eyes, and you have Amanda, one hell of a model. Her sense for the camera isn't bad, either - Amanda's posing complements her body style very well, with each photo taking advantage of her tall frame and rugged (but refined) look. There's just a lot of good to say about this all around wonderful girl.
The Bad: With all of that good, it's hard to pick on things with Amanda. One thing is her facial expressions, which are inconsistent and take away from the character she otherwise displays so well. She lacks much definition in her face, making her a bit forgettable. That really is a microcosm of Amanda - she is an incredible model in many ways, but she doesn't ever excel at one thing. She has an amazing body with a good pictorial and nice talent, but doesn't ever pack the punch that some other ladies do in some areas. Although she might not win many category awards, she's still got the minimum baggage that makes her a great Playmate in the running for PMOY.

Face: B+
Body: A
Talent: A
Pictorial: A-
Centerfold: A+
Overall: A-


#1
Tiffany Toth, Miss September
Age 25 | 34C-24-36 | 5'8" | 125 lbs

My #1 Playmate of the 2011 class came as a big of a surprise to me. Tiffany has been in the Playboy ranks for the past couple of years. She made her debut as a Cyber Girl of the Week nearly six years ago, appearing then as a wide-eyed teen with little experience. After years of numerous appearances in a variety of pictorials, she garnered some major attention from fans. Still, I never got what the fuss was all about, and I still didn't all the way up to her Playmate nomination. She was a cute girl, sure, but there was never that spark that truly pushed her over the edge. But alas, here she is, at the top of my rankings for PMOY 2012, and that's all due to her perfect balance of energy, looks, and a brilliant pictorial. All in all, she put together a tour de force performance that should rank her among the top on anyone's list.
The Good: Tiffany didn't just drag on with her usual schtick when putting together her PMOM performance. Instead, she gave us a wonderfully dynamic and colorful pictorial that just popped out of the pages. She took on an overhauled look, with a tighter, visibly sleeker body (and abs), and a smoky set of engaging eyes that  really transformed her as a model. While before she could look overly childish and bubbly, now she comes off as a bombshell beauty. While other girls of 2011 left their sexuality somewhere far behind, nowhere to be found, Tiffany brought it in heavy doses, delivering one of the best centerfolds of the year, and unabashedly displaying some sensual zeal in full frontal awesomeness. Through it all, she still retains the best aspect of her past career - her wholesome likability, of course. Tiffany's personality comes across well in her pictorial, while she skillfully adds a layer of awareness that exhibits her maturity. And with the well-produced and involved pictorial, Playboy's editors gave her a star treatment that many others this year have sadly lacked. Bravo, I say, and here's to 2012's Playmate of the Year!
The Bad: While Tiffany does have her moments of fault, all in all I'd say that her performance in her Playmate spread was downright flawless. The model could be more photogenic overall, but no one's faulting her for that given her transformation into a more solid and skilled model over the years. Her sense for the camera has improved so much in the past six months, it's tough to notice any of the issues she had before. Although I'll admit that Tiffany is not revolutionary by any means, she is certainly in the upper echelon this year, and may have done as well as she possibly could have.
Face: A-
Body: A
Talent: A+
Pictorial: A
Centerfold: A
Overall: A


Playmate Superlatives

Best Pictorial
Tiffany Toth
Best Breasts
Tiffany Toth
Best Butt
Jaclyn Swedberg

Best Talent
Tiffany Toth
Best Face
Ciara Price
Best Body
Rainy Day Jordan

Monday, May 16, 2011

2011 PMOY Review

As everyone saw coming several weeks ago, this year's Playmate of the Year is Claire Sinclair, Miss October 2010. It came as a bit of a surprise to many, including myself, that Claire was able to nudge out some stiff competition. 2010 was an excellent and very deep Playmate class, as I reviewed months ago.

With some awesome candidates like Amy Andrews, Katie Vernola, and Jamie Faith Edmondson, it seems strange that Playboy would go with a Playmate who comes from complete left-field to take the title. Although Claire was at #5 on my ranking, it comes as a bit of a disappointment. Claire has talent, and is undoubtedly a pretty girl, but she just doesn't have the all-around package that a PMOY really should have.

Claire lacks the body of a Playmate, and although there's nothing wrong with a few curves, her body is just not very photogenic. Her pale skin and lack of sleek, tight contours really hampers her appearance. The biggest issue with her, however, is her gimmicky look. Her entire PMOY pictorial stands as a perfect example: it showcases Claire in over-the-top "pinup" style poses, which is creative, but incredibly tacky. When it all comes down to it, fans just want to see some comfortable, sexual posing with intimacy and grace, like all the greats have done it. Miss Sinclair completely misses that boat, lookin overproduced and silly in a cartoonish beach setting, or in a bizarre bunny costume.

When it comes down to it, Claire is a sensible choice for PMOY. She's a bit of a risky pick, but it's somewhat refreshing to see a throwback girl take the title. On the other hand, it always feels like a whole lot is missing whenever Claire poses, and it leaves an empty feeling throughout her pictorials. The overdone pinup girl thing is cute for a while, but as in every great Playboy model, keeping it simple is always a great rule of thumb.



So, another year has gone by, and another Playmate prediction has gone awry. To be more accurate, I never "predict" the winner in my PMOY rankings, but merely identify who I think should win. So, let's take a look back at my picks for the ultimate Playboy title, and see who's won the prize instead for the last 10 years.

Year My Pick Winner Winner's PBC Ranking
2011 Amy Leigh Andrews Claire Sinclair #5
2010Jessica BurciagaHope Dworaczyk#8
2009Juliette FretteIda Ljungqvist#3
2008Brittany BingerJayde Nicole#3
2007Monica LeighSara Jean Underwood#2
2006Raquel GibsonKara Monaco#3
2005Tiffany FallonTiffany Fallon#1
2004Carmella DeCesareCarmella DeCesare#1
2003Teri HarrisonChristina Santiago#5
2002Jennifer WalcottDalene Kurtis#3
2001Shannon StewartBrande Roderick#7

Ouch. Well, here's to next year!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Jayded

Announcing the 2008 Playmate of the Year pictorial, featuring our newly crowned leading lady, Jayde Nicole. Turns out the rumors were true, and the leaked cover was the real thing. Jayde was uncovered as 2008's PMOY, and has gotten rave reviews from fans. Many went so far as to say that this was one of the few times when Playboy got it right. Well, I might agree with that, given the last two years' choices of Sara Jean Underwood and Kara Monaco, two odd choices. This year, it seems, the folks at Playboy made the right decision.

Jayde has everything it takes to be a true PMOY superstar. She has the body, she has the exotic appeal, and she has the talent to make it big and offer memorable photos. She did just that in her PMOY debut, putting out an assortment of very engaging and interesting photos that show off this gorgeous Canadian girl in a different light than we saw in her PMOM installment at the beginning of 2007.

Jayde starts off her 2008 reign with a couple of clothed photographs. They do a great job of showing off what's possibly Jayde's most intriguing asset: her angelic and radiant face. She looks amazing in this first photo, looking as bright as ever. Same as in her second offering, where she looks stunning in a purple slip robe.

Her next motif is the car wash theme, where I thought she would've been better served if her hair was let down. It looks like her hair grew a bit since we last saw her, and that just gives her a more full, feminine feel that makes her that much more desirable. It then shifts over to a great photo showcasing her dark locks, also with fantastic lighting on her breasts.

What I thought was the best showcase of the "new" look of Jayde was in her shower photos, where an interesting look from her sexy face was followed by a polished look at her smooth, fully nude body. Photo 10 is just an excellent and natural pose that really shows off Jayde's talent, and offers a great view of her fit, cut, and curvy body. It has all the right lines in all the right spots, and really proves to be worthy of the PMOY crown.

Other sexy views of Jayde do a lot to further her image, but don't really do much to get a natural, intimate look at this amazing girl. It's not Jayde who's at fault, but the pictorial just doesn't have that natural feel that you crave from these girls, and it's a problem that occurs with all the PMOY pictorials. Great photos like this intimate one (a theme that I wish they pursued more with the outfit), which moves into this angelic pose (does a great job of showing off that flowing hair), and then this fierce look towards the camera... undeniably sizzling.

The pictorial finishes with some looks at her long, sinewy body, getting a little darker and more intimate with the lovely lady. Bent over, legs spread, she does it all.

Bottom line is, Jayde Nicole is a pure gem. Playboy hit the jackpot right away last year, and no one else really truly ever measured up, with the exception of possibly Brittany Binger or Spencer Scott. Jayde was, however, the right choice. She's unique and memorable. She looks like an enduring Playboy icon, and not just another lucky girl like 2006's Kara Monaco or last year's Sara Underwood. This one's special, and I just wish she came out with more pictorials that show off even more of her variety of looks. This pictorial just didn't do her justice, although it almost nearly hit the spot.

Again, congrats to the lovely Jayde. My only hope is that next year's PMOY will be nearly as lovely as she's been, and we see more of her in the future.




Consensus... B+

Jayde Nicole
Playmate of the Year 2008 Pictorial

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Leaked!

Now, I know that the official announcement for Playmate of the Year 2008 isn't due until around May 8th, when the June issue is supposed to come out. However, there's recently been a leak on the message boards with a look at the new cover. There's been speculation that it's a hoax, but closer inspection can lead you to feel like that's not really possible because of the detail in it.

So, I'm going to make this an "unofficial" announcement, since I don't want to totally jump the gun.

... But it sure does get me excited...

Presenting 2008 Playmate of the Year
Jayde Nicole!



WOW what a finish! I was skeptical about user opinions that Jayde, Miss January, would be the final winner, according to my poll. I was almost sure that Spencer Scott was the clear frontrunner, with Brittany Binger a clear contender, what with all their fanfare and all. I never would've figured that the lovely Jayde is our leading lady for 2008!

I applaud the choice, all around. Jayde is gorgeous and memorable, and really is one of the best talents of 2007. She deserves the award 100%. I put her at #3 in my ranking, but I'm definitely not disappointed with the choice.

Revisit my rankings of the Class of 2007

Jayde's body is perfect, her face is really unique and engagingly exotic, and she's just a great and sensuous poser. I love the cover shot Playboy chose... it definite gets me pretty excited for her PMOY pictorial due out soon. I'm sure she'll do a great job with her reign as PMOY, and we're all sure to be looking forward to her pics. With a great pictorial, I think she has the potential to become one of the best PMOYs in years, and may be the best choice since 2005's Tiffany Fallon.

Here are the photos that I particularly love from Jayde. You can enlarge them by clicking on the thumbnail














She's just stunning, especially in that first photo. What an exotic beauty. I think that bust shot also does a great job at showing how amazing the subtle nuances of her face look in full lighting. An excellent smile and an excellent body. CONGRATS, JAYDE!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Up In The Air?

There are always plenty of rumors circulating around about the all-important Playmate of the Year position, but this time it's still the case that there's very little information about the next girl, to be announced next month. Speculation abounds all over the message boards, with many fans following their gut but often allowing their personal choices to get ahead of them.

Many began by encouraging rumors that Spencer Scott will be the next PMOY, because of a hint in the latest Playboy issue:
For those of you dangeling in suspense over who will wear the crown, we'll provide a hint: she already has at least two things in common with PMOYs Jodi Ann Paterson and Jenny McCarthy.
Although the hint isn't so revealing, it cites two Playmates who were both Miss October, so many related it to the most obvious correlation between the three. So far, this is the only leaked hint that Playboy has run about its secretive PMOY selection.

Other rumors exist that the next PMOY won't be a blond, for various reasons, and that either Brittany Binger (my personal pick) or Jayde Nicole will be the next annual winner. These two also have powerful fan bases, but none has a following quite like the young Miss Scott.

If I was to guess right now, I would pick Spencer, since I have a bit of a hunch that she is very well-liked in the Playboy community, among fans and administrators alike. Not to mention that she's young, fresh faced, and definitely a "Hefmate," i.e. the archetype of Hugh Hefner's "ideal girl." He prefers blondes, in case you didn't know, so Spencer would be a prime choice, what with her platinum locks and sparkling smile. I'll admit that I won't be too disappointed if Spencer wins, since I've seen plenty of footage since my rankings of the 2007 class. I did put Spencer low, but I gave another look at her videos and realized that this is a Playmate who'd do a great job with the position. With all that said, Brittany is still my #1, and Jayde my close second. Let's go brunettes!

So, I'll stay tuned to all the news, but my guess is that we'll have to wait it out until next month. If I do know anything, you'll hear it here first, of course.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Update on the Races

New developments on the soon-to-be-announced winners of the Playmate of the Year and Cyber Girl of the Year races occur every day. It's a tight one, and since the girls themselves give input into the status of the races through message boards, etc., we can get an interesting amount of speculation on potential winners and losers.

In the CGOY race, the top 5 in the polls are as follows:

1. Jennifer Hurt (24.86%)
2. Jo Garcia (17.68%)
3. Jillian Beyor (16.57%)
4. Patrycja Mikula (10.50%)
5. Mallory Dylan (8.84%)

Compare this to previous poll numbers:

1. J. Hurt - 22.78%
2. J. Beyor - 17.72%
3. J. Garcia - 17.09%
4. P. Mikula - 10.76%
5. M. Dylan - 9.49%

The numbers are more or less the same in terms of Jennifer Hurt's massive lead. While Jillian Beyor was in 2nd place last time, in a matter of weeks Jo Garcia has caught up and moved into the second slot, but still well off from Jennifer's commanding presence. It's clear that Miss Hurt is a steady fighter and a clear fan favorite. What's interesting is how little hype Jennifer has gotten while still being a major favorite. Meanwhile, there have been major campaigns for Jo and Jillian, but to no avail here.

In addition to poll numbers, there have been some rumors lately of Jennifer being absent from message boards and mysteriously disappearing for a period of time. It might be that she's lost and they don't want her to spill the beans, or it's likely that she has already won and is busy putting together her first spread. That's a very real possibility, since Jennifer has skyrocketed into popularity has certainly garnered her share of votes.

In the Playmates' race, things are a little less competitive, but also less clear. In terms of these girls, Brittany Binger is a major leader in fan polls, with one multiple choice poll showing these numbers:

1. Brittany Binger (62 votes)
2. Jayde Nicole (36 votes)
3. Spencer Scott (30 votes)
4. Lindsay Wagner (29 votes)
5. Tyran Richard (19 votes)

The astounding numbers on this poll are pretty interesting to watch. Brittany's lead of a whopping 26 votes over Jayde Nicole is insurmountable, and considering the once-thought level playing field of this PMOY race, it's very strange to see that so many fans are rallying behind one single model so heavily. It's been a gradual trend, however, that Brittany has gained popularity and acceptance among the community. I think that more and more people, over time, have embraced Brittany as a potential (and potentially spectacular) Playmate of the Year, and have taken to her accordingly.

Many are even starting to turn away from once-formidable Spencer Scott. When we last visited the polls back in January, Jayde and Spencer were tied for 2nd place in multiple choice polls with 27 votes to Brittany's 51. Although Miss Binger's lead was large back then, it was obvious that it was a three-way race. In official polls, Spencer was the clear 2nd place with about 17% to Brittany's 30%. Now, we see a troubling trend for Spencer, with less than half the votes of Brittany and falling behind Jayde, as well.

I believe the trend is due to the same factors that are putting Brittany so far ahead: more fans are moving away from Spencer and into a more mainstream, acceptable candidate. Spencer's lack of material and fight eventually drew fans away from her, that's what happened. Even Spencer herself initiated rumors of her drop and her eventual lack of relevance in the race.

Now, as the races are getting more and more one-sided, we can speculate and project winners in Jennifer Hurt and Brittany Binger. By the looks of the major leads these girls have, it would be highly disappointing to a majority of fans if they lost. Some things have changed since last time, as 2nd place surgers include Jo Garcia and Jayde Nicole, but they have plenty of ground to make up along the way. One thing is certain: both girls will have a lot to prove if they win, as this is certainly an overwhelming endorsement by fans.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Spencer on PMOY 2008

Spencer Scott, the outspoken 18-year old Miss October '07 who's really captured the hearts and minds of plenty of Playboy fans, has lots to say about the Playmate race, and said this about the potential winner of the nomination:
"I do believe the odds fall in the favor of a brunette this year, and my pick is Brittany [Binger]. She is really genuine. There is no other brunette who has the personality to match their looks like Brittany. All of the other brunettes for 2007 are beautiful (it is Playboy), but none have the total package and care about their fans like Brittany does....she is the real deal."
These are interesting words from a real front runner in the race. Spencer is a massive fan favorite and is certainly on pace to challenge Brittany, but the fact that she admits a potential win by Miss Binger gives credence to the fact that rumors of Brittany's nomination are fully circulating. It's been known for several weeks now that Spencer and Brittany are the top two contenders in fan polls, and unless a strong boost has been given to the other girls, it's probably time for one of these two to stand up.

As you can see from the pseudo-advertisement above, Spencer's "campaign" for PMOY is in full-swing, and the internet-savvy teenager is definitely on top of it. It's getting all the more intriguing, let's put it at that. In addition, Brittany is building up a massive lead in the polls. Rumors are flying around that even Jayde Nicole has already been crowned PMOY. It's heating up, and all we can do is analyze the rumors and watch and wait.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Opinion Polls for 2008

I said I'd keep you all posted on the opinion polls for the Playmate of the Year 2008 race, even in the months leading up to the votes. I've looked through several of the early opinion polls in the Playboy community, including a couple of hotly contested ones with strong indicators for a couple of girls. Some polls show a very close race, so let's see how they stack up with my rankings...

Poll #1: 2008 Official Poll
(PlayboyCritic ranking given in brackets [ ] )

January - Jayde Nicole [3] 3rd
11.05%
February - Heather Rene Smith [5] T-9th 4.65%
March - Tyran Richard [4] T-5th 5.23%
April - Giuliana Marino [11] T-5th 5.23%
May - Shannon James [2] 12th
2.33%
June - Brittany Binger [1] 1st
29.65%
July - Tiffany Selby [6] 11th
2.91%
August - Tamara Sky [10] T-5th 5.23%
September - Patrice Hollis [9] T-9th 4.65%
October - Spencer Scott [7] 2nd
16.86%
November - Lindsay Wagner [8] 4th
6.98%
December - Sasckya Porto [12] T-5th
5.23%

This poll was particularly interesting and shocking because of the ranking of Shannon James, who placed last in votes, but was my #2 because of her fantastic pictorial. She's a beautiful woman, and I don't understand why she hasn't mobilized enough fans to get her going at all. One positive concurrence is obviously Brittany Binger, who gathered first place in both my ranking and in this poll. With more than a quarter of the votes, she's even rather far ahead of predicted fan favorite Spencer Scott, who is generating tons of buzz. As you know, I placed Spencer at #7, but the fans are obviously very excited about the young blond model. There are plenty of stalemates in this poll, but another piece of good news is the performance of Jayde Nicole, who placed third in both the poll and my ranking. I'd love to see her win it over Spencer, but it looks like Miss Scott might be at an arm's length by the time the votes are tallied. Also, Lindsay Wagner surprised me by placing 4th, as I didn't realize that she was generating this much buzz in the community.

Poll #2: General Fan Poll
(PlayboyCritic ranking given in brackets [ ] )
Miss January, Jayde Nicole 27 29.35%
Miss February, Heather Rene Smith 9 9.78%
Miss March, Tyran Richard 11 11.96%
Miss April, Giuliana Marino 13 14.13%
Miss May, Shannon James 6 6.52%
Miss June, Brittany Binger 51 55.43%
Miss July, Tiffany Selby 4 4.35%
Miss August, Tamara Sky 5 5.43%
Miss September, Patrice Hollis 10 10.87%
Miss October, Spencer Scott 27 29.35%
Miss November, Lindsay Wagner 20 21.74%
Miss December, Sasckya Porto 3 3.26%


This poll is definitely even more interesting, in that it gives Brittany Binger a massive lead over everyone else, with over 55% of votes! It also has both Spencer Scott and Jayde Nicole tied at 2nd with more than a quarter of votes! This huge gathering of votes by the clear top three makes it easy to narrow down the candidates: we should have Brittany, Spencer, or Jayde as our next PMOY. I was still upset that Shannon James placed at 9th and is doing so poorly in every opinion poll, although not as poorly as in the previous one. The poll was also showing that Sasckya Porto was a clear last-place finisher and an overall disappointment to many fans.

Given these polls, it's clear that we've got three candidates who are head-and-shoulders above all the others. Brittany, Spencer, and Jayde combined for a majority of votes in both polls, asserting their dominance on the field. It's my hope that Brittany or Jayde win over Spencer, but either of the three could prove to be a good candidate for PMOY. I'll keep everyone posted on any further developments.

In the meantime, enjoy the montages of what kinds of girls we might have taking the crown in April. 2007 was a great year of Playmates, regardless of who wins. With so many exotic faces and a markedly changing direction for Playboy, it'll be exciting to see what lies next in 2008.