Hugh Hefner with Emerson College

Founder, Playboy Enterprises


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About
About this interview

In his forty-five minute interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Hugh Hefner talks about his connection to humor, and his friendships with comedians like Lenny Bruce and Don Adams. He describes having comedians on his early talk show Playboy’s Penthouse, as well as breaking ground by having African-American comedian Dick Gregory perform at his clubs. He discusses the humor of "Playboy" magazine, and early contributors like Jules Feiffer. He speaks of the then-current state of censorship in media, and also touches on humor and repression, as well as fame and celebrity. Bill Dana and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on March 9, 2005 in Los Angeles, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"Humor is the heart of humanity. One of the things that sets us apart from the lower species is a sense of humor. And it helps to give you a perspective. Humor properly understood is a very serious business." 

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Hugh Hefner on his "Playboy Philosophy"
05:20
Hugh Hefner on the cartoons of "Playboy," and on what "Playboy" was all about
03:48
Hugh Hefner on fame and celebrity, and on the importance of laughter
04:31
Hugh Hefner on humor and repression
01:44
Hugh Hefner on having standup comedians at his Playboy Clubs in Chicago, and on his friendships with Lenny Bruce and Don Adams
06:02
Hugh Hefner on the early humor in "Playboy," and on early contributors like Jules Feiffer
05:39
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his connection to humor, on his syndicated show Playboy's Penthouse, and on his connection to Lenny Bruce; on having standup comedians at his Playboy Clubs in Chicago, and on his friendships with Lenny Bruce and Don Adams
On putting African American comedian Dick Gregory on Playboy's Penthouse and in his nightclubs; on his "Playboy Philosophy"
On the early humor in "Playboy," and on early contributors like Jules Feiffer; on the cartoons of "Playboy," and on what "Playboy" was all about
On the then-current state of censorship in media, and on the government's role; on humor and repression; on fame and celebrity, and on the importance of laughter
Shows

Playboy's Penthouse

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Hugh Hefner on his connection to humor, on his syndicated show Playboy's Penthouse, and on his connection to Lenny Bruce
08:39
Hugh Hefner on putting African American comedian Dick Gregory on Playboy's Penthouse and in his nightclubs
04:33
Topics

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Hugh Hefner on the then-current state of censorship in media, and on the government's role
07:06

Civil Rights Movement

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Hugh Hefner on putting African American comedian Dick Gregory on Playboy's Penthouse and in his nightclubs
04:33

Fame and Celebrity

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Hugh Hefner on fame and celebrity, and on the importance of laughter
04:31

Historic Events and Social Change

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Hugh Hefner on putting African American comedian Dick Gregory on Playboy's Penthouse and in his nightclubs
04:33

Television Industry

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Hugh Hefner on the then-current state of censorship in media, and on the government's role
07:06
Hugh Hefner on fame and celebrity, and on the importance of laughter
04:31
Genres

Talk Shows

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Hugh Hefner on his syndicated show Playboy's Penthouse
19:14
People

Don Adams

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Hugh Hefner on having standup comedians at his Playboy Clubs in Chicago, and on his friendships with Lenny Bruce and Don Adams
06:02

Lenny Bruce

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Hugh Hefner on his connection to humor, on his syndicated show Playboy's Penthouse, and on his connection to Lenny Bruce
08:39
Hugh Hefner on having standup comedians at his Playboy Clubs in Chicago, and on his friendships with Lenny Bruce and Don Adams
06:02

Dick Gregory

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Hugh Hefner on putting African American comedian Dick Gregory on Playboy's Penthouse and in his nightclubs
04:33

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