(Thumbnail Image: Oz3D.com/Bigoo.ws)

 

After watching their readership drop from 3.5 million to 1.5 million in four years, Playboy is selling its magazine in 3-D in the hopes that larger proportions will bring a larger circulation.

 

Playboy's first move from 2-D to 3-D will begin with the publication's June issue. On CNBC's Power Lunch, anchor Dennis Kneale thinks the magazine waited long enough.


KNEALE : "Playboy introduces its first ever 3-D centerfold in the magazine's June issue. The biggest thing I'm wondering guys, is well, what took so long?"

Sue Herera: "Hugh Hefner said that he wanted to do it for the very first issue of Playboy..."

KNEALE: "Like 100 years ago?"

Herera: "Yeah, but he didn't have enough money to include the glasses in the magazine."

 

But a writer for The Stir is not impressed. She says 3-D in movie theaters and on TV is great, but on paper — not so much.

 

"I'm having a hard time getting excited about a 3-D magazine no matter how naked it may be. Now, 'How to Train Your Dragon' in 3-D is awesome! You feel like you're flying. But a 3-D piece of paper? Meh."

 

Reporter Chip Yost of KTLA-TV, a CW affiliate in Los Angeles, also wasn't blown away by the issue. He says, just because some things are bigger, doesn't mean they are better.

 

BUCKLEY: "I am curious though, when you wear the 3-D glasses and look at things other than the interviews, is it a different experience?"

CHIP YOST: "Not so much. [laughs] You can see a little difference I guess. There was even an interview with Hugh Hefner, the AP got an interview with him, and he basically said he's more of a 2-D guy. All the same, he still hopes this helps the sales out. He likes it any way he gets it I guess."

 

But a writer for The Hollywood Gossip disagrees. While some think the idea is anything but original, he says it's genius.

 

"Hugh Hefner and company have come up with a novel approach to nudity... three dimensions of nakedness! Give the man credit: he's old, but his brain clearly still works.

 

But as for the bigger picture  a Mashable blogger says the move is just another sign of the current struggles of magazines. While the idea may be interesting in print, it's been done online for years.  

 

"Rich media and video content can be delivered on the web without bar codes or augmented reality gimmicks, so these magazines are struggling to match what web publications already offer."

 

So do you think the 3-D issue of Playboy is a good idea? Can the success of 3-D onscreen transfer to print?

 

WRITER: Victoria Uwumarogie

Entertainment News

Playboy Goes 3D

May 12, 2010
(2:32)
In the hopes of trying to boost their circulation, Playboy is displaying their June centerfold in 3-D. Will it work?
   
TRANSCRIPT

To leave a comment, please log in with Facebook Connect or your Newsy account. Register here to create one.
MOST RECENT|MOST POPULAR|MOST COMMENTED|HIGHEST RATED

Top News Headlines: Afghan Officials: Airstrike Kills Family
More headlines: Four NATO troops killed in roadside bomb attacks; Syrian rebels call for Houla retaliation; rebel groups in Mali join forces.
(1:25)
May 27, 2012
PayPal Extends In-Store Purchasing
PayPal teams up with 15 new retail stores providing users with a new way to shop.
(1:48)
May 27, 2012
Knicks Hire Woodson as Head Coach
The New York Knicks removed the interim tag from now-head coach Mike Woodson. Woodson signed for what is believed to be a three-year deal as coach.
(1:46)
May 27, 2012
Internet Defense League Will Use Cat Signal to Protect Web
The group hopes to build a network that can be summoned to fight internet legislation like SOPA.
(1:48)
May 27, 2012
NASA Warns Lunar Explorers Not to Touch its Stuff
The space agency declared the area around its moon artifacts to be protected zones, asking other explorers to keep away.
(1:49)
May 27, 2012
Controversy Over Erotic Best Seller ‘50 Shades of Grey’
Libraries struggle whether to ban the book, which they say qualifies as erotica but is also one of the most checked-out books.
(2:23)
May 27, 2012
Pope's Butler Arrested Over Leaked Vatican Documents
The Pope's butler is accused of leaking confidential Vatican files to Italian media.
(1:35)
May 26, 2012
Alternate Juror Flirts with John Edwards
A female juror has been outwardly flirting with John Edwards during his trial - and Edwards has actually been responding.
(1:17)
May 26, 2012
Top News Headlines: Obama to Honor Vets on Memorial Day
More headlines: Memorial Day gas prices lower, yet still high; Experts suspicious of Iran's nuke program; Southeast braces for Beryl.
(1:25)
May 26, 2012
49ers' QB Smith Criticized for Cam Newton Comments
Smith downplayed the Panther's QB's accomplishments last year, which wasn't too popular with Newton's teammates.
(2:04)
May 26, 2012
Syrian Crisis Continues with Massacre in Houla
An attack on the Syrian town of Houla killed at least 90 people on Saturday, including around 25 children.
(1:28)
May 26, 2012
New York School Cancels Prom Condom Giveaway
A high school in New York planned to give out 500 condoms at prom to promote safe sex, but the principal changed his mind.
(1:55)
May 26, 2012
10-year-old Regains Hearing with Cochlear Implant
The implant works like a traditional hearing aid, but with higher auditory success.
(1:49)
May 26, 2012
Video from Google's Project Glass Released
Google released the first video from its Project Glass reality headset.
(1:15)
May 26, 2012

Newsy

www3
...