By Barb Oates
There are some perks to the job, tonight was one of them as the Playboy Channel hosted a private party for the Television Critics Association (TCA) to promote their TV for 2 series. The non-transferable invite came with some minor restrictions – their predetermined wrists bands needed to be worn on your right wrist only (and they enforced that), and a drivers license needed to be shown to prove your identification (apparently the TCA badges we already were wearing with our names on it weren’t good enough.)
Upon arrival we were greeted by a group of beautiful Playmates all in tight, black knit dresses who offered tours of the Playboy Mansion grounds. I kindly gestured to one Playmate, by making a tug to the top of my dress, indicating to pull up her dress. No biggie, her nipple had just slipped out and was visible for all to see (it just seemed a bit much for this crowd.)
My guided tour was with the beautiful and energetic Miss June 1997, Carrie Stevens (pictured). A personal friend of Hugh Hefner’s whose been a Playmate for years and knows more gossip and behind the scenes information than the majority of bunnies bopping about the grounds. When asked about Hefner’s recent breakup with Crystal Harris, and Harris’ recent interview with Howard Stern, Stevens was quick to defend Hef.
“She’s a lying little bitch,” Stevens says. “And you can quote me on that. I really hope he never lets her up here ever again.”
Stevens thinks Harris used Hef to further her career and be forever known as the woman who bailed on Hugh Hefner just days before their wedding. But good riddance for him, as Stevens considers Hefner a wonderful, honest man who has never lied about who he is and what he wants and likes, and has treated her like family. “He’s very good to all of his bunnies and exes.”
The following are pictures from our private tour of the Playboy Mansion grounds.
As you pull up a long, wooded driveway and pass the sign that says “Brake for Animals,” you’ll come to the front of the Playboy Mansion, which includes the fountain and turn around, as well as a tunnel to the right that will take you further down the drive.
In the back of the house is a beautiful pool that spans half of the grounds. Built into the rock formation on the right is the well-known grotto. On the grounds to the back of the image is where Hef hosts movie nights on Sundays.
“On Sunday nights the cool people are invited to watch movies with Hef,” Stevens says. She brings her 9-year-old son and they enjoy not only the movie but the many bunnies and birds that are released from their cages to roam the grounds. The vegetation on the grounds is lush and provides a paradise-like feel.
The infamous grotto is home to a cave-like setting where guests are welcome to enjoy the whirlpools inside and the love/relaxing mat. Below is an interior image of the grotto, followed by an image of the game room – a separate facility located off the front of the home, along with basketball hoops and four C-band sized satellite dishes that are all hidden behind the lush vegetation. Stevens says the game room is a place where “people come here not be found.”
Below is an image that hangs in the game room. Stevens says that this was a gift from Esquire magazine, where Hefner used to work. The story goes that Hefner asked for a $5 an hour raise but the magazine wouldn’t give it to him so he quit. Years later, in 1977 she estimated, Esquire gave this to Hef.
Also inside the game house are two private bedrooms for “resting,” a few bathrooms and a spring-foamed floor that provides a cozy TV viewing area (below). In addition to the monkeys and bird cages found throughout the grounds, there also is an aviary. To see more photos from our visit go to Channel Guide‘s Facebook page.
While Hef was home, he never came out for the party. According to the security crew, Wednesday is card night and he spends the night playing Rummy with friends. Despite the loud music and the fact that 200 plus people were hanging out in your backyard, the card game seemed to go on. The drapes were drawn around the parlor area, which sits below Hef’s bedroom. The entire inside of the mansion was off limits to guests and security guards were clearly visible through the windows.
So how do you get invited to a party at the Playboy Mansion? Well, you’re going to need to know someone connected to Playboy. Women have the best chance of getting in, as Playmates are allowed to bring their girlfriends (but no boyfriends allowed). Celebrities, too, have an open invitation. Leonardo DiCaprio is a frequent visitor to the house, Stevens says. We’re just glad this time around we we’re invited to the party!
