The Top 5 Classes of the Decade

With the decade coming to an end, it's probably most appropriate to take a look back on the 2000-2009 years and reflect on the leading ladies of the Playboyworld: the Playmates. I like to look at each year of Playmates as a "class," and the ebb and flow of any year's class is important in defining how good that year was for Playboy fans. So, without further ado, let's take a look at the top five overall Playmate classes of the 2000's.

#5: Class of 2007

(A) January: Jayde Nicole ~ PMOY 2008

(B+) February: Heather Rene Smith

(B+) March: Tyran Richard

(B) April: Giuliana Marino

(B+) May: Shannon James

(A) June: Brittany Binger

(B) July: Tiffany Selby

(B) August: Tamara Sky

(B-) September: Patrice Hollis

(B+) October: Spencer Scott

(B+) November: Lindsay Wagner

(C) December: Sasckya Porto

The Class of '07 wasn't ridden with big names or huge stars. However, it did stand as one of the most talent-laden classes across the board, as you'll see with many of the top rated classes. The PMOY race was tight and interesting, with an excellent final choice in Jayde Nicole. The class was bookended by major fan favorite Spencer Scott, as well as the exotic Brittany Binger, but the real highlight was the consistency of the ladies, with quality showings from Shannon James, Lindsay Wagner, and Tyran Richard.

#4: Class of 2001

(B) January: Irina Voronina

(B+) February: Lauren Michelle Hill

(B) March: Miriam Gonzalez

(C+) April: Katie Lohmann

(A) May: Crista Nicole

(B) June: Heather Spytek

(B) July: Kimberley Stanfield

(A+) August: Jennifer Walcott

(A-) September: Dalene Kurtis ~ PMOY 2002

(B) October: Stephanie Heinrich

(A) November: Lindsey Vuolo

(B+) December: Shanna Moakler

The Class of 2001 wasn't without its hitches, but some very good singular talents are enough to rank it as #4. Jennifer Walcott is obviously one of my top 25 ladies, as is startlingly wonderful Crista Nicole. Dalene Kurtis is regarded by many as one of the finest ever, and Lindsey Vuolo rounded off the truly seminal talents of the year. Add to that Lauren Hill and Shanna Moakler, and you've got some decent depth in there, too.

#3: Class of 2003

(B) January: Rebecca Ramos

(C+) February: Charis Boyle

(A) March: Pennelope Jimenez

(A+) April: Carmella DeCesare ~ PMOY 2004

(B+) May: Laurie Jo Fetter

(A-) June: Tailor James

(B) July: Marketa Janska

(B) August: Colleen Marie

(B) September: Luci Victoria

(B-) October: Audra Lynn

(B+) November: Divini Rae

(A) December: Teles Twins

The Playmate Class of 2003 was also not the smoothest in terms of year-round talent, but there were girls that truly left their mark. The headliner, of course, was the A+ performance of PMOY Carmella DeCesare, backed up by wonderful debuts by Pennelope Jimenez and the luscious Teles Twins. The depth towards the latter half of the year was provided by the great Tailor James and buxom Divini Rae, with some other assorted ladies balancing out a year without a whole lot of duds, to say the least.

#2: Class of 2009

(A) January: Dasha Astafieva ~ 55th Anniversary Playmate

(A) February: Jessica Burciaga

(C+) March: Jennifer Pershing

(B) April: Hope Dworaczyk

(B+) May: Crystal McCahill

(B+) June: Candice Cassidy

(B) July: Karissa Shannon

(B) August: Kristina Shannon

(A) September: Kimberly Phillips

(A-) October: Lindsey Gayle Evans

(A) November: Kelley Thompson

(B-) December: Crystal Harris

Here's where our most recent 2009 class belongs. As I've said throughout the year, we've got a fine crop of girls this year, and when you stack them up against the competition, it shows. There were no knockout, legendary performances, but Dasha Astafieva's exotic beauty, Jessica Burciaga's sharp sense of style, and Kimberly Phillips' incredible poise rounded off a fantastic set to carry the group. The depth is incredible, with Kelley Thompson, Lindsey Gayle Evans, and several others lending a helping hand. The "Hefmates," including the wasteful double issue involving the Shannon twins, wasn't even enough to derail this special year. Cheers!

#1: Class of 2000

(A) January: Bernaola Twins

(A) February: Suzanne Stokes

(B+) March: Nicole Lenz

(A-) April: Brande Roderick ~ PMOY 2001

(A+) May: Brooke Berry

(A+) June: Shannon Stewart

(A-) July: Neferteri Shepherd

(B) August: Summer Altice

(B-) September: Kerissa Fare

(A) October: Nichole Van Croft

(A-) November: Buffy Tyler

(B) December: Cara Michelle

Still, not even a year such as 2009 could take away from the debut class of the decade, the Class of 2000. I believe it's arguably the best class in Playboy history, but it stacks up well against the girls of the late 90's. Brooke Berry and Shannon Stewart are veritable Playboy icons. Add in the busty Nichole Van Croft, Bernola twins, and Suzanne Stokes, and there is a serious wealth of talent to go around. But not stopping there and having Buffy Tyler, Nicole Lenz, Brande Roderick (who stole away the PMOY title), and the highly underrated Neferteri Shepherd in there, it's absurd how good the year 2000 truly was. Good job to Playboy for ringing in the decade with a bang and letting it go out the same way!

It sure was a great ten years… and it will be an incredible ten years to come!

25 Greatest Playmates of All-Time: a Recap

After going through months of giving lengthy reviews and a countdown of the Greatest Playmates of All-Time, here is a summary of the girls who made it in my Top 25. There should be some heated debate about who was left off, and I want to hear it! I'll have an "honorable mentions" post as I promised. There are plenty of other deserving girls here, but here are a few of the justifications I've made for choosing these lovely ladies...

#25 Carrie Westcott
September 1993

Carrie was far ahead of her time - taking the edgy, rough look to the mainstream and becoming the first true "blonde bombshell" in Playboy.


#24 Cara Wakelin
November 1999

The smooth-skinned Canadian beauty was a much forgotten Playmate whose striking pictorial presence and unique looks were unmatched.

#23 Heidi Sorenson
July 1981

Far ahead of her time, she ushered in the style of the 80's with an constant array of goddess-like poses and epic nude artistry.



#22 Gillian Bonner
April 1996

Gillian's overt sexuality and piercing eyes, coupled with a playful sense of presence, made her one of the most important Playmates of the Golden Era.



#21 Crista Nicole
May 2001

Crista's beautiful curves alone are worth a thousand words. Her tall body and engaging face were curvy and set the bar for Playmates of the new millennium.



#20 Julie McCullough
February 1986

Julie set the tone for the "modernization" of the 90's, complete with a playful, fresh look and a departure from the "big hair, big makeup" look of the 1980's.



#19 Raquel Gibson
November 2005

Raquel, a more recent Playmate, is a testament to Playboy's commitment to diversity. Her Filipino-Italian looks are exotic, and her islander body is extraordinary.





#18 Carol and Darlene Bernaola
January 2000

The Bernaola twins ushered in the new millennium by offering a double dose of South American bodies, their outstanding chemistry being the focal point of each and every photo.


#17 Lisa Dergan
July 1998

Lisa was part of the historic class of 1998, although the lesser known of the bunch. Her unbelievable intimacy in each of her photos was enough to make her a major fan favorite.


#16 Kelly Gallagher
September 1994

A tall, luscious Playmate with legs for miles, Kelly's sophisticated performances and all-natural beauty were both inviting and classically reminiscent.



#15 Heather Kozar
January 1998
Playmate of the Year 1999

Heather was a prolific poser from the most outstanding era in Playboy history, when her curly blond locks and awesome posing talent earned her a number of awards.


#14 Monica Leigh
March 2006
Cyber Girl of the Year 2006

A recent superstar, Monica is an omnipresent star in modern Playboy because of her exceptional ability to strike a vast variety of poses and make her incredible looks work to perfection.



#13 Jennifer Walcott
August 2001

Jennifer took a dash of animal-like sexuality and a buxom brunette body and put it into a spicy concoction that made her a huge star into the new millennium, impacting the edginess of pictorials to come.





#12 Carmella DeCesare
April 2003
Cyber Girl of the Month February 2003
Playmate of the Year 2004

Carmella's unmatched talents made her one of the most viewed Playmates in history, as she became a Cyber Girl and ascended the ladder, eventually becoming PMOY by using her exotic looks and sinewy, sleek body.





#11 Angela Little
August 1998

With a tiny frame and an edgy but innocent posing style, Angela was one of the most underrated stars of the Playmate Golden Era. Her playful, upbeat attitude was palpable in her material, and she shone as a result.





#10 Nichole Van Croft
October 2000

Nichole stormed onto the scene with an outrageously curvaceous body combined with cute, wholesome, subduing looks that were warm and inviting. The ingenious mix of innocence and the body was a bold step that cemented her stardom.



#9 Tiffany Fallon
December 2004
Playmate of the Year 2005

Tiffany is a Playmate of modern times, but stands as an homage to the raven haired starlets of the 50's and 60's. With a curvy and silky smooth body, along with an immaculate set of intangibles that are impossible to teach, she will go down as one of the greatest.



#8 Jaime Bergman
January 1999

With a magnetic personality and breathtaking features, Jaime was one of the most photogenic girls ever to be in Playboy, with platinum blond locks and golden tanned skin. With some of the greatest performances ever seen, Jaime was an instant treasure.




#7 Alicia Rickter
October 1995

Alicia was an instant classic, and the ultimate example of understated beauty: always subtle in her ways, but definitely the archetypical girl-next-door throughout her stint in the mid-90's. Although she never used flashy techniques, she was always modestly complex in her style.



#6 Jodi Ann Paterson
October 1999
Playmate of the Year 2000

Jodi's natural talent comes from her ability to create nuanced and professional photos, which was obviously helped by her exotic Asian background and sizzling, curvy body. Her success was a result of her unique ability to steal a scene with her youthful, cheeky charm.



#5 Elisa Bridges
December 1994

Elisa was a once-in-a-lifetime Playmate, unmatched for her slim, lengthy body wrapped in kinky tan lines. Her girl-next-door attitude complemented her extremely natural body by allowing her to effortlessly create unforgettable scenes with a heavy dose of sensuality that will never again be replicated.

#4 Brooke Berry

May 2000

Brooke was the ultimate definition of Playboy's "girl next door," but never once compromised her strong, sensual presence for her innocence and delicate beauty. With a stacked body and a photogenic appeal directly linked to her outstanding talent, Brooke had legendary looks to go along with her legendary pictorial.

#3 Vanessa Gleason

September 1998

Vanessa took the art of the pictorial to a whole new level, setting a new standard for talent during the Golden Era. With her fluttery curls and wholesome face, the 19 year-old model was breathtaking and multi dimensional. Every single photo told a story, and every pose was absolutely unique; Vanessa had a knack for the camera that few girls could ever claim to have.

#2 Shannon Stewart

June 2000

Shannon took her southern charm and infectious personality to her advantage to create a persona that was unique while still offering a nod to the great Playmates of the 50's and 60's. Her classic look and mature poise and skillful posing set her apart from every Playmate since then. With what is perhaps the finest pictorial in the history of Playboy magazine, Shannon definitely laid the groundwork for a new Playmate archetype which few, if any, have ever matched.

#1 Karen McDougal

December 1997

Playmate of the Year 1998

It is hard to deny that Karen belongs in the very small handful of candidates for "greatest Playboy model ever." In all weights and measures, she has perhaps what is the greatest body in Playboy history, some of the most iconic photos in Playboy magazine, and has one of the largest fan followings of any Playmate, period. With acute posing talent and some of the sexiest, most jaw-dropping looks ever, Karen McDougal is of the same mold that true legends are made of in the nude photography world. After grabbing a PMOY title and being hugely prolific, fans still wonder whether they will see another appearance in the future. Keep dreaming, folks.

#1 - Karen McDougal

It's definitely been a while since I last left my long-running countdown of the Greatest Playmates of All-Time. It's been a thorough and comprehensive list, and although fans may have been waiting for their favorite gal to pop up without any result, there's been speculation about who the number one model would be. She's been identified with lots of accuracy, and for good reasons. The leading lady is a girl who I think is the most complete Playmate, and model, ever to appear in Playboy, on any level. She transcends the norms and raises the bar when it comes to true beauty in the world of nude modeling.

I refer to the late 90's and early 2000's as my "Golden Era" of Playboy. With such consistency in the quality of models, it's no wonder I refer to it in these words. The girls of these years were some of the all-time greats, as is reflected by my countdown, and it all was kicked off at the end of 1997...

'97 was a turning point for Playmates. There were many milestones before the year, but there was something special about this one. The year took the shape of a typical 90's era collection of Playmates - and had its fair share of great Playmates, such as Lynn Thomas, Kalin Olson, Nikki Schieler, and Inga Drozdova. However, this was all just a precursor for December, which brought about a turning point in the way Playmates were perceived and photographed.

I'm talking, of course, about Karen McDougal, Miss December 1997 and Playmate of the Year 1998. She easily won the title after a rather weak class of Playmates, but would have dominated in any other year, easily. She set a new standard for the way Playmates were shot: with a classy but strong presence, with a new standard of curviness and strength, and a sense of bodily conditioning and posing talent that could put any other girl light-years behind. Karen could easily exist in any Playmate era and overshadow the competition, no matter who it could be. That is why she is my #1 - there is no question that she is head and shoulders above anyone in terms of sheer quality. Karen was unlike any other, and it would take pages upon pages to truly describe just how special a Playmate she was.

Karen emerged from blue collar Gary, Indiana, a midwestern schoolteacher who was a smash-hit beauty from the very beginning. With rounded, modest measurements: a 34-24-34 frame and a busty 125 lbs, the numbers on her sheet don't do her justice. Karen's exotic traits come from her Native American heritage and Irish mixed background, and show in each and every photo. Her unique looks are understated to just the right level, and never take over her shots and become the focal point over her pointed, highly effective posing style. Her grace is impeccable, and she doesn't have a single shot that falls short of expectations. Truly a momentous Playmate.

It's hard to peruse Karen's material without going over her centerfold first. Possibly one of the great centerfold photos of all-time, Karen's is an iconic pose that doesn't go all-out with a frontal assault on the senses, but instead holds back just the right amount, showing off Karen's beautifully built backside. Her feminine shoulders shimmer in the soft lighting, and the wintry setting makes for a very memorable sight. With a pretty red ribbon to tie back those lustrous locks, you've got a centerfold that is extremely well-shot, and accomplishes exactly what all centerfolds should do: be something that can stand as a work by itself, aside from pictorial material, taking on a life of its own.

One always has to begin describing Karen with her most eye-catching feature: her body. It was not just another hot and stacked figure that set Karen apart from all the others, but it was the way it became an icon for the Playmate world. Karen's figure is a temple, a shrine to feminine perfection. Not only was it soft and accented in its curviness, which set the bar for voluptuous and sinewy models of the era, but it was also as hard as a rock. She is known for her athletic, muscular build, and it showed in her pictorials, with every single pose being complemented by her tight form and exquisite posture.

Karen's figure was also one of incredible feminine balance: while she had a rough and tough exterior that allowed her to strike contorting, innovative poses, she also had a glowing softness to her skin and face that truly made her cute and endearing.

I always say that the most important asset of a Playboy model is her material, as well as her posing talent. Karen was the consummate professional in this category, providing stunning montages and incredible sights to behold. She had an almost poetic flow to her pictorials, always changing her gaze and shifting through with ease of motion. In the snowy hills, she shot an iconic set, ingrained in the memory of many a fan. Throughout her pictorials, she also boasted incredible production value by her editors, something which has not ever been matched in a model's pictorial. The quality is unbelievable, with thematic layering and a textural feel to each and every one of her pictures.

Her pictorials are almost of a storytelling nature, and the Christmas-tinged wintry themes are spot-on. The sets and lighting cater to Karen's unique skin hue, and her playfulness is never forgotten, and always highlighted when the time is right. The outtakes never even seem as such, often creating a sense of sexual innocence that draws the audience even closer to its alluring nature. All-in-all, Karen was never overbearing in her posing, always taking her time and having a level of patience that I had never seen elsewhere. She always knew how to time her photographs perfectly, never seeming like she was trying too hard to get that perfect pose. She is an example that all Playmates and Cyber Girls alike could learn quite a bit from.

Karen McDougal's ultimate impact on the Playboy world cannot be easily described. To a new generation, she was an icon and a trendsetter. To a legion of dedicated readers, she was a breath of fresh air and an usher for a new era of revival and greatness. Indeed, "revival" is the best word to describe Karen's influence. She created a new image of the Playmate as a strong, intimate woman who was fearless and always in control of the way she would come off.

Karen greatly influenced the way in which Playmates' range of skills were evaluated. In other words, girls were put into "niche" posing styles and categories that would limit their abilities and close them in, but Karen always found new ways to expand and grow her talents. Even when she was selected as Playmate of the Year 1998, Karen found incredible ways to "wow" the crowds, with shots like this unforgettable mountain vista. Her PMOY pictorial, in fact, contains some absolutely breathtaking photos that define professionalism in nude photography, like this silhouette and this follow-up, which truly highlight just how perfect Karen's body was.

Karen was not only a prolific Playmate, but she truly had a sense of quality, and what made a great pose and what did not. She was consistent, had a wholesome presence, and natural photogenicity that is incredibly rare. She stood head-and-shoulders above all others in Playboy's history, and should be remembered as such. In crowd circles, it can be widely debated as to who is the greatest Playmate ever, since there have been hundreds who can qualify and compete. However, a Playmate is something more than just a naked girl. There are three billion women on this planet, and many millions of gorgeous ones. However, it takes a certain intangible to truly be a fantastic nude, and Karen McDougal proved that she absolutely had the greatest body and set of talents in Playboy's history.

#2 - Shannon Stewart

Kicking off the new millennium was what I'd call the turning point of the "Playmate Golden Era" I so often refer to. This was a time that began in the mid-to-late 1990's and went up until about 2002-03, and contained some of the iconic Playmates that really caused a shift in our way of thinking about the Playboy brand. Before the impactful girls of this time, Playboy girls were low-key women who were certainly eye candy, but weren't necessarily the superstars that we see cropping up today. Today's Playmates are figures of statuesque power, and not just women in magazines. They represent a lot more than just women on a page -- they are a sign of the times, and follow trends in fashion and generally show what Americans and men all over the world value in their women. The girls' figures changed with time, mimicking the mentality of the era. As curvier women were more favored, more full-bodied Playmates made appearances, and as more exotic non-blondes were sought out, Playboy followed suit.

The turning point, as I have mentioned, was in the years 1999 to 2000, the dawn of the new millennium, when Playmates were substantially more advanced and were top quality girls all around. 2000 was a great year, with millennium anniversary Playmates Carol and Darlene Bernaola (#18 on my countdown) kicking things off, along with Suzanne Stokes, Nicole Lenz, #4 Playmate Brooke Berry, Neferteri Shepherd, #10 Nichole Van Croft, and Buffy Tyler. That's quite a lineup of lovely women. It really was a year for the fans, with the talent booming and busting out with extremely tantalizing pictorials of sizzling models.

No one, by the turn of the century and throughout the new millennium, epitomized all that is sacred in the Playmate world quite like 2000's Miss June, Shannon Stewart. Shannon took Playboy by storm, gaining a fair following of fans and spreading her beauty for quite some time to come. She had a plethora of photos to share, and posed for quite some time after her Playmate appearance, giving her loyal following a taste of what Playmate perfection looks like. However, I don't think Shannon ever got the love that she truly deserved. This southwestern beauty, making an appearance at #2 on my longtime countdown, is someone I believe to be the "holy grail" of Playmates, and may show outright Playmate sexuality and perfection better than the best of them.

Shannon Stewart's attributes alone are astounding. A young girl from Louisiana with an hourglass 34-24-36 figure at a sparing 112 lbs., Shannon has all the measurements of an archetypical Playmate. Her body was that of a Greek goddess, with all the right curves in all the right places, like you wouldn't believe. And her face! Shannon's face was one you could stare at for quite some time, taking in the beauty that was simply uncanny for a girl of only 22 years. I mean, Shannon looked and posed like a mature, grown woman with loads of experience under her wings, but at only 22 years, she brought a youthful zeal into the picture that took the experience of watching her to a whole new level. I simply rank Shannon so high on my list because of how much of a pleasure it is to take her in. Her Playmate pictorial is perhaps the most comprehensive and well-produced pictorial in Playboy history. That's a bold statement, but I'll try and explain.

The first thing you'll notice about Shannon Stewart's classic pictorial is how extensive her body of work is. Shannon's material isn't just lengthy, but it's also top-shelf stuff. There are almost no bad shots, and Shannon really knows how to work each and every photo. You could start off with her defining pictorial: an "office girl" shot surrounded by mirrors and in some ruby red lingerie. Shots like this classic strip tease can blow your socks off, with every little coreographed move done flawlessly, taking off her pants, and kicking off one of the symbols of Playboy perfection. Shannon continues to flirt with the camera in front of the mirrors, which is a great way of showing different angles of her spectacular body. In Picture 15, where Shannon eyes the camera through the mirror and every glistening curve of her body complements her face, there is a real sense of complete control.

Jumping on top of the bed, Shannon shines in a totally different light. Here, Miss Stewart looks different because of a different approach to production and editing, where a dimmer lighting scheme shows off a more sensual and subtle Shannon. She is a master of posing, getting behind the post in that ragged lacy pink top, and proceeds to unleash her sexual side, laying down on the bed and letting loose. One thing is certain: Shannon is undoubtedly one of the most, and arguably the most, dynamic posers in the history of Playboy. She's always striking interesting shots and never repeats herself with the same old, tried-and-true techniques. This dark photo exemplifies this, giving an idea of some of the exotic looks Shannon could offer. Behind her back, Shannon looks undeniably sexy, with suggestive themes pouring through and letting the audience's imaginations run wild. The pictorial continues by showing side profile vantage points of Shannon's figure, offering details of the hourglass figure and the subtle posing techniques that were employed by this once-in-a-lifetime talent.

One of the finest photographs in Playboy history is this behind-the-back photo of Shannon, with a look that could melt any man and lighting that delicately shadows her perfect buttocks and dreamy arched back. It's textbook posing by a not-so-ordinary model. Other highlights of this pictorial series included the emotional and expressive doggy style photo seen here.

After a radically different, brilliantly executed brighter look at Shannon swinging in a southern country-style setting, we get back to her office bowtie pictorial. The results are chock full of feminine power combined with a slightly masculine charm, slipping off work clothes to unveil a work of art. Fully nude and with a pair of wireframe glasses on, Shannon looks like a goddess, and the pictorial is a brilliant testament to how Playboy used ingenuity and radical ideas to suit models perfectly (something that can't always be said about the company today). She then squares her shoulders, looks to her right, and lets off another glance through the mirror. It's a shot for the ages, and shows a full frontal view of Shannon's tantalizing crotch as well as a view of the tapering quality of her hips. Photo 53 uses the mirrors to perfection, focusing on a bent over Shannon's butt but also exposing her toned frontside amazingly.

Shannon finishes off the pictorial by returning to the purple top, leaning back and just letting her body do the talking. This really shows off the stunning way in which Shannon alternates between "passive" and "active" posing styles, sometimes just laying back and showing off her fantastic breasts and stacked abs. Passive posing can be taken to another level, showing this risque shot as she parts her legs and lets the viewers in on an obviously candid look between her thighs. Shannon finally tops off her pictorial full of big hits with this dreamy look into the camera, penetrating with her amazing gray eyes and her beautiful face.

To top all of this amazing production and quality, Shannon's Playmate centerfold is one of the finest, with a great smile and excellent detail on her curves and a lovely tan without overproduction. As she loosens off those dress pants and tugs on those suspenders, Shannon exudes the ultimate confidence a Playmate can bring, and takes all of the ingredients that make a seminal Playmate and combines them together to perfection.

Perfection is a word I've used often in this reminiscent view of one of the great Playmate beauties in history. Shannon was a young lady from Louisiana who really had the goods to share with the world. Her face was that of eras gone by, when Playboy models were starlets with luscious hair and twinkling eyes. Shannon's glistening smile is something of legends, and does indeed hearken back to the 50's and 60's and girls like the Marilyn Monroes of the classic era. She then takes that winning formula and combines it with a body that is truly of the new millennium, complete with well-proportioned breasts and a body that has been refined and worked on. You can taste the hard work and sweat poured into her Greek goddess-like body in every photo, and every drop of her talent was squeezed out for each photo to make each and every one count.

The greatest Playmates have the greatest photos, and it's hard to argue that Shannon didn't have the goods. With all of her material, it's uncanny how it all was just so incredibly good. Not a misstep here or there, but she really was able to milk it for all it was worth. That's why she's my #2.

After taking care of the second girl in my countdown, it's been a long time coming. I'll reveal the #1 Playmate of All-Time very soon. I started this countdown way back when I selected Carrie Westcott as #25 in October of last year. Now, we'll finally uncover my favorite, and yes, there will be debate. I'll welcome it, and I would like to welcome all of you to debate my entire list as soon as it's over. Until then, look over #2-25, and place your bets...

#3 - Vanessa Gleason

The late 90's comprised some of the greatest years in Playboy's history, complete with a plethora of excellent Playmates who've appeared already on my countdown. I personally view the late 1990's as the "Golden Era" of Playmate history, where the girls were prototypical and influential models who shaped the future and the greatest Playmate entries we have today. During this time, 1998 was one of the strongest years, with beautiful ladies like Julia Schultz, Marliece Andrada, Lisa Dergan (#17 on my list), Angela Little (#11), the buxom Laura Cover, Tiffany Taylor, the Dahm triplets, and Playmate of the Year Heather Kozar (my #15). When you look at all of them, though, there was no one more dynamic and talented than the great Vanessa Gleason, Miss September 1998.

Now, you might think I planned it out, where Vanessa's 10th anniversary "Playmate Xtra" feature has been released in conjunction with me putting her at #3 on my list. I assure you, it's a complete coincidence, but I do plan on sizing up Vanessa's pictorials after they all are out by the end of the month. Vanessa has always been a personal favorite of mine, and I intend to show you why.

When Vanessa came around, she had something amazing that differentiated her from any Playmate before her: a calm sense of effortless elegance. Vanessa was a small package with big talent, a 5' 5" star of great proportions, whom I think never got the true credit she deserved when she debuted as Playmate. The SoCal phenom was one of the most interesting Playmates of all-time, with a huge variety of styles in her breathtaking pictorial, and a nice, natural body to boot. There's a major feeling of confidence in Vanessa's posing throughout all her work, and she never fails to wow with any of her photos. That's what put her at the top of my list: her material. It's something that so many Playmates of today skimp on, and it's something that Playmates of the late 90's did very well.

Kicking off Miss Gleason's masterpiece of a pictorial were sultry views of her sprawled over a bed, in lacy threads and soft lighting, giving it a dream-like feel. The lightly tanned legs, the high heels... a great introduction. Perhaps one of Vanessa's greatest shots was her "pink ribbon" montage, where Pic 06 looks fascinating. I've always thought Vanessa had the greatest locks of hair in Playboy history, bar none, and I'll give some examples along the way.

Vanessa's lace pictorial progresses into the bathtub, where she gets sudsy and puts on one hell of a show. An AMAZING shot of Vanessa is this beautiful vantage point, where she sprays down her genitals and the camera angle is provocative and subtle, showing her sexy, natural profile. Vanessa moves on to this great shot of her behind, where her butt and arched back prove that she's got plenty of curves to go around in addition to that fantastic talent. Here is an excellent clothed shot of Vanessa that shows off how sexy her curly hair is. It's disorganized but feminine at the same time, and looks beautiful.

There are so many great photos of Miss Gleason, this post would go on forever describing their beauty. There aren't enough words to describe the wet, glistening body of Vanessa in a soaked camisole. Probably my favorite pictorial series of Vanessa's was the one in her sheer babydoll, where the level of intimacy was palpable, like in this wonderful photo. Vanessa switches flawlessly between "playful" and "sultry," absolutely pouring it on with the sex and lust. She can shoot a mean look like anyone, and pose in amazing fashion.

And I'm not finished yet... Vanessa was probably one of the most underrated posers in Playboy history, what with photos like this one, which shows off one amazing body coupled with luscious lighting and impeccable photography. Vanessa isn't just a pretty face; you quickly realize that she's absolutely stacked, with a viciously hot body, like in Pic 51, where a suggestive rear pose takes centerstage. Vanessa shows an intimate side in this lingerie series, while not revealing too much but showing an emotional and personal aura. To finish things off, here is the quintessential viewpoint of Vanessa's amazing and sometimes understated body, which really is something when you look at it this way.

There were so many amazing photos in Vanessa Gleason's repertoire, I had little room to list them all. I'd suggest that anyone go over all of them again and see just how breathtaking this model was in the late 1990's. Vanessa was one of the seminal beauties of all-time, and although many may not agree with her #3 ranking because of a perceived lack of popularity among fans or the like, one thing's for sure: Vanessa was vastly underrated throughout her appearance in Playboy. Looking over her photos in her new "Playmate Xtra" she still looks great 10 years later, and I'm glad that Playboy hasn't forgotten about this sensuous and spectacular girl.

Vanessa had talent like no other I've listed here so far, and very few girls since Vanessa have shown me talent like she delivered. That's really what it boils down to in Playboy. That's why Juliette Frette has been so successful with fans, and that's why girls like Vanessa were trendsetters in the past. Talent like her is scarce today, and you can put the most gorgeous girl in the world in front of the camera, but if she can't pose right, she won't strike a chord with fans the way she should be able to. That's what has made up my Top 10: talent. Oh, and a rock-hard body on the side doesn't hurt, either.

So there you are: we've cracked the Top Three at last. Since we began this countdown of the Top 25, we've looked at a wide variety of beauties. The bronze medal goes to the lovely Vanessa, and we'll move on to the 2nd place girl in a little bit. If you haven't seen your favorite Playmate yet, just have patience, and she might just pop up. If not, let me know, and we'll do one big recap and an "honorable mentions" series, as well.

Until next time...

#4 - Brooke Berry

2000 was a fantastic year for Playmates, one I would say is the greatest in modern history. The reasons for this are simple. The Class of 2000 ran the full gamut of Playmate qualities... we saw the year begin with the millennium twins, and #18 on this list, Carol and Darlene Bernaola. Then, a string of influential and beautiful girls, including Nicole Lenz, Playmate of the Year 2001 Brande Roderick, Shannon Stewart, Neferteri Shepherd, and Summer Altice debuted. Not to mention, the year finished off with our busty #10 Nichole Van Croft, as well as hot blonde Buffy Tyler. However, with all the emergence of superstars left and right, there was a girl who truly stood out as a unique and fresh face in the Playboy world: Miss May 2000, Brooke Berry.

Brooke was something of an anomaly when she came about: somewhat of an homage to the Playmates of the 60's and 70's. Brooke was all-natural, tall and leggy, and sported a cute, wholesome girl next door look with a body to boot. Not to mention she was a free-spirited and smart girl, a northern California beauty who backed up her style and sensibility with a liberal outlook on life. It's easy to see how all of this goes together to combine for one of the finest Playmates of all-time. Brooke certainly had a fan base, and was a strong candidate for 2001's PMOY award. While she didn't win it, Brooke still solidified herself as a real superstar in the Playmate world.

What Brooke really did for me was offer a perfect mix of everything you could want in a Playmate. She has a tongue-in-cheek look, able to manipulate photographs to offer an innocent facade, initially. Then, she peels back each one of her layers slowly, exposing a little more of that twisted mind of hers, while she also exposes her sexuality simultaneously. She eventually means to tell you not to forget it -- she's an incredibly sensual girl who loves to be flirty in front of the camera, whether it's overtly obvious or a little more subtle. Either way, she combines the extraordinary posing talent with a natural, innate beauty that you haven't seen before, and she does it through an ample serving of curves... yes, her body doesn't disappoint.

So, to take in her great collection of photos, along with her great talent, let's see her pictorial. You'll notice how readily she shifts gears throughout her pictorial, as she starts off very raw and unfettered, in front of a Volkswagen van. Instead of starting off in soft and subtle mode, she goes all-out and throws in a bunch of suggestive photos in the van, including this steamy and dark shot. One of the best things Brooke does is "pose with motion," where she has a continuous set of shots that flow into each other and give a very realistic feel to the situation. In the front seat of the van, she does this, where she strips off her top, writhes around and flashes her long legs, then goes bottomless and strokes her slender body. This post-magazine shot of her in the car is awesomely lit and incredibly engaging.

In the next section of her pictorial, she shifts gears to her most defining photo series, in the red lingerie. This series defined Brooke's style because of how it mixes her rather innocent and unassuming looks with a strongly sexual, almost porn-star-like role. She's wild in the first shot, showing her scandalous outfit and the sheer panties that expose her pubic hair without going all the way. After she strips off more, it's incredible to see how she moves, clutching her own body and moving her face ever so sexually. The bigger picture is that Brooke does a great job with the "classic college girl" look, where she puts on the intellectual, innocent hat, only to expose herself as a wild partying coed. She does offer plenty of interesting shots, like this one from behind, showing her understated but cute butt. One of my personal favorite shots is Photo 26, which slows down the pace of the pictorial with a more elegant look and softer lighting.

Some of what Brooke does best comes from what she does least. In her "pool table" theme, she climbs on the table and exposes nothing, but seduces the camera in her most feminine way possible. Some of the amazing looks she shoots at the camera, or just the everyday beauty of her perfectly proportioned face, make her incredibly delectable. One of the most interesting photos in Brooke's collection is this clothed, legs-apart shot that is quite a sight to see. Haven't had enough of Brooke's camera presence? Check this photo out, and just see how she takes complete command of every single scene. The truth is, I could link to every single one of Brooke's photos in this post. She's almost flawless in every single one of them, and you just have to see all the awe-inspiring shots towards the end of her pictorial to understand how special Brooke is. She's so intimate and has such a killer body, it's not hard to see why she ranks so high on my list.

Brooke can be summed up this way: she's balanced. She might be one of the most well-rounded Playmates ever, given her amazing body, and notably, her ability to use it to its fullest potential. Throughout the years, Playmates have come and gone. Girls without incredible bodies don't become Playmates, that's easily understood. But not many of them can use their bodies in conjunction with a high level of performance and talent the way Brooke could. Brooke was absolutely laden with talent from start to finish. She knew how to use every inch of her body to her advantage, changing roles from photo to photo from sexy seductress to wild coed, even touching base with innocence, sometimes bringing out the looks of a virgin schoolgirl.

Brooke Berry was a true icon. But, we still have three more to go, the TOP THREE on my list of the 25 best. This list has been a long-running feature on my blog, and it's all coming down to my top three leading ladies, whom I hope at least some of you agree with. If you don't, feel free to post your own opinions, because I know everyone has their own tastes, given the wide range of talent that Playboy brings out all the time.

Here we go...

#5 - Elisa Bridges

Kicking off our top five is an unforgettable and momentous Playmate who was a true fan favorite as well as a revolutionary shift towards new trends that still exist today. In the mid 1990's, Playmates were big-breasted in a time right after the 80's, where big hair and makeup ruled. The ideals from that time were still fresh into 1994, where girls including Neriah Davis, Elan Carter, Maria Checa, and our #16 Kelly Gallagher came out to support a good group of girls. Look at girls today, however, and the one Playmate from that year sticks out: Elisa Bridges, Miss December 1994.

Elisa was important because she marked the first real shift towards Playmates of the modern era. Before her, many Playmates were infused with plastic surgery or chosen based on their bust size rather than their talents and attitudes. Enter the stunning Miss Bridges, a new and interesting Playmate, 21 years of age from Texas. She was quite the personality, immediately grabbing the camera's attention with each and every shot and delighting fans old and new. Elisa was also a different archetype of a Playmate: slim, small-breasted, long hair, exotic looks, and a totally new package altogether. Elisa laid the blueprint for modern Playmates who sport a more natural look, refined with personality and talent. Her extensive collection of photos and unique talent for raw, sexual posing made her a true classic, and worthy of a position atop the Playmate hierarchy as a real, bona fide classic.

Loads of photos were taken of Elisa in different scenes, and each one of them can be seen as a piece of art, because of just how much skill and radiance went into each one. She begins her pictorial with really spicy and physical shot like this one, the kinds of photos that made her a star. One of her best pictorials is her "wet hosedown" series, which starts with this photo, a great vantage point of her long, leggy frame. It then moves on to this awesome sight, where Elisa's unique posing style also shows her hot tan lines and landing-strip pubic hair. You'll immediately notice that Elisa's body is wholly unlike any other you'd ever see, and certainly very arousing.

Skip forward a bit, and you see a different side of Elisa, the cute, wholesome girl-next-door, which is accomplished so well by her unassuming body and soft facial features. This photo is a great example of how Elisa can "mix it up" with intermittent photos that come off as incredibly natural and transitional. She throws in a photo where she doesn't try too hard, and it's more beautiful than ever. In another pictorial set, Elisa jumps in the car, and shows off a pose that gives a sense of her petite frame (107 lbs.) as well as her submissive side. She then goes ahead with this look towards the camera, with a pants-less pose that really perks up the imagination.

If you really look at it, Elisa's body is absolutely perfect. It's so smooth and sleek, like a sports car. It's not outrageous like a Van Croft, but it's fantastic in its own way. Her legs are long, her torso is short, her body is slim, and she's quite tall for her weight (5' 6"). She doesn't have a Jodi Ann Paterson butt or Jaime Bergman breasts, but those girls also can't hit poses this perfectly. Just look at the lighting on those legs! Or those eyes! She can shoot off a look like the best of them. Or how about this simple, classy shot, showing off her fluffy blond locks and those ruby red lips? Look at that smooth skin, almost palpable.

Elisa then starts to close off her pictorial in a very strong way. This hot shot from behind the wheel is softly lit and very hot. Elisa doesn't have to do much to look amazing in photos like that one. Then, in a wet and wild finish, Elisa starts hosing herself down, and looks absolutely stunning in this photo, with the sunset softly lighting up her glistening skin. And when she's tearing off that swimsuit, she leaves us with a sexual, lasting impression that screams passion.

There is, and never will be, another girl like Elisa Bridges. The unfortunate news of her untimely death from a drug overdose in 1992 left many Playboy fans mourning for a girl who truly impacted the perception of Playmates into the 21st century. Elisa signaled a true rebirth in the philosophy of how Playmates are chosen: silicone and makeup do not make a truly beautiful women. It takes true beauty and imagination to build a great Playmate, and that's why Elisa was such a poignant symbol of the times. She did it all without massive breasts or outrageous features... she just took her naturally amazing looks and bared it all, very honestly, in each and every photograph.

Her legend and status was only strengthened by her early demise, but the memories of her beauty still live on, and make her one of the true greats in Playboy lore.

#6 - Jodi Ann Paterson

In the heart of the Playmate Golden Era, the 1999 class was a formidable one filled with instant and future stars, many to be forever remembered as some of the great recent legends of Playboy history. It's hard to believe it's been nine years, but 1999 was, to some extent, the pinnacle of Playmate appearances and quality, and it set the bar for fantastic girls forever afterwards. In 1999, girls like Jaimie Bergman (#8 on our list) turned the tide of sexuality; Stacy Fuson, Alexandria Karlsen, Natalia Sokolova, Tishara Cousino, Kimberly Spicer, Jennifer Rovero, Kristi Cline... the list goes on. Even #24 Cara Wakelin appeared late to finish off one of the most memorable years in Playboy history... one rife with some of the most beautiful and memorable faces ever. But guess who took the Playmate of the Year crown for this year? No, it wasn't any of the Playmates mentioned. Instead, it was Miss October 1999, Jodi Ann Paterson, who won over her fans and also became Playmate of the Year 2000. It was she who stuck out from this pack of amazing talent, and rightfully so... Jodi is one of the greatest Playmates in history because of the plethora of factors that she contributed before the dawn of the new millennium.

Jodi Ann was like nothing ever before her, and will never be matched. She took things in a new direction by bringing about her very unique Indonesian heritage and mixing it in with progressive pictorial posing styles, into a mix that really hit the mark perfectly picture-for-picture. The dynamics of her pictorials were astounding, as well, as Jodi Ann really found ways to innovate and create themes with just her body that no one else did. Not to mention, Jodi's body is fantastic, and her exotic appeal certainly doesn't hurt either. Jodi was one thing above all: a true Playmate superstar. She, perhaps more than any other Playmate of the Year winner ever, epitomized the art and flair needed to be a true superstar of a Playboy model. She has all the presence and confidence to carry her through her numerous pictures with flawless precision.

Miss Paterson's huge collection of pictorials and pictorial themes comes from the fact that she has a "continuation" PMOY pictorial which adds to her original set of photos. The original pictorial starts right off with one of Jodi's greatest photos, which describes her whimsical posing style and takes the edge off of her unmatched style. Her body here is so curvy, her skin so wet, and her costuming so perfect, that the photo comes together with no problem. Even as her thighs are spread and the moisture glistens, Jodi pulls it off effortlessly. As she sheds that pesky lingerie and gets into the shower, her soapy self is a sight to behold. This perky photo of Jodi Ann in the rain with a wet sheer top and no pants is beautiful and artistic. Now, start to look at Jodi Ann's spectacular body as it really is, in Photo #09. This photo shows off the zigs and zags of that great, tanned body, and best of all, it shows immaculate tone in her legs. Those thick thighs and muscular legs running off that perfect butt are all absolutely amazing. Truly appreciating Jodi is appreciating her from behind, but we'll see more of that later.

One of Miss Paterson's most memorable pictorial themes is her "white sheets" background. This is the first in the series, and it's certainly quite a looker. The completely nude, rugged body of Jodi is brilliantly contrasted with the white sheets. If you want to see something truly unique, look at the legendary Picture 15, a fantastic showing of both Jodi's crazy-hot body and her enthusiastic aura of posing prowess. This photo is great because of how well it shows off Jodi's extraordinary proportions: her short torso and extremely long legs give her an almost supermodel-like feel, while her curvy body still retains those Playmate charms.

Jodi's PMOY pictorial gets even wilder, going with this white-sheet continuation photo, giving it all a dose of healthy sexuality. Another one of Jodi Ann's classic photos is this pink babydoll rear shot, which is a great photo of her cute butt, and is an amazingly intimate view of Jodi's approach to sex, taking on a subtle approach that can blossom into wild fantasy. She continues with another awesome butt and leg shot. Let me tell you, very few of the thousands of girls who have posed in Playboy can boast thighs and shins like Miss Paterson. They're strong, sexy, and incredible. One other amazing shot that goes unnoticed is this great "aura" pose, showing an almost goddess-like position where Jodi Ann rises above the usual vision of just a regular model. In this one, she achieves that true 'superstar' status that I mentioned before. A warm look gives way to a very spicy backside doggy-style pose, showing off the tip of Jodi's ample beaver, before dishing out another wonderful rear pose with those muscular legs. Can't get enough of those legs!! To top all of this off, look at Jodi Ann's final PMOY pictorial poses, again showing off her dazzling proportions. The pose is unassuming but perfect, taking a look at a candid shot of Miss 2000, giving a little dark spot where the rear entry is, and showing off those legs that simply seem to run for miles. The very last photo is in similar fashion, but she flips over, uncovering her slim, streamlined body that's too good and steamy for words. It should easily cement to you the fact that Jodi is easily one of the most talented posers in the history of the magazine - bar none.

There's nothing like an exotic, curvy, photogenic, pictorially talented, leggy, outlandishly beautiful model to make our list of the top models in Playboy history. Jodi Ann deserves a top spot, and was voted as the first Playmate of the Year of the 21st century because of all these reasons, and much more. She's the total package. She's a true star, and carries the confident posing ability to be able to take her shots to the next level. Just look at the way she tends to her every move without any sign of trying too hard... it's absolutely brilliant. She deserves the #6 spot, and there aren't enough words in the world to sum up just how breathtaking she is, and just how she's impacted Playboy fans and future models for years to come.

Now, we finally move into our TOP FIVE Playmates in history. We've gone through different decades, from McCullough to Leigh, spanning the spectrum and seeing all sorts of variety along the way. Still, there are still five to go, and these five are the true cream of the crop, and the ultimate revolutionaries that led change and inspiration in every possible direction. So brace yourself...

#7 - Alicia Rickter

In the mid 1990's, the ultimate Playmate movement was on: a shift into better, more vibrant times, with a clear departure from 80's style Playmates with all their flash and pomp, and into an era of refined women with hard bodies and convincing attitudes. These new girls were at the pinnacle of nude posing because they learned to use their sense of emotion and sexual demeanors to convey ideas, not just pictures, to the minds of the audience. One of these influential Playmates of the 90's was our number 9, Alicia Rickter, Miss October 1995. She was a start of a new generation of Playmates, as could be seen from the shift in thinking with a 1995 class including Danelle Folta, Cindy Brown, the classic Rhonda Adams, Rachel Jean Marteen, and Donna D'Erico. But it was Alicia who cemented herself among all of them as a timeless classic, and one whose stylistic qualities and techniques are still followed today, 13 years later.

Yes, it's been 13 years since the dawn of the modern Playmate, and that all started with Miss Rickter, the otherworldly 5'8" brunette Californian model whose impact was one for the ages. Alicia was someone who truly transformed the art of being a Playmate -- not since Kelly Gallagher had such a fine brunette taken the stage. Alicia's style is immaculate and one that is unable to be reproduced: she was vastly expressive, speaking words with every move and every look. Her photogenic appeal was undeniable - she hit poses and had shots taken that go down as some of the greatest in history. Best of all, Alicia was one of the most quintessential "girl-next-door" Playmates of all-time, which is a staple of the Playboy moniker. It is one of the prime reasons people turn to the magazine, to see girls whose artistry might give hope to the same sort of inspiration in any attractive woman on the street. Alicia looked like your average Jill, but moved and expressed herself like only an experienced supermodel can. And the results were dramatic.

Perusing Alicia's collection is not like looking through a small collection, it's like looking through a variety of scenes and moods. This girl has depth that can be really appreciated by looking at what she has to offer. Her slinky, spunky nature shot well in photos like this one, which has her dark lingerie contrasting her light skin, for a shot filled with sexual attitude. Alicia's famed pictorial, "The Librarian," is one of the classics of Playboy lore, and it starts out with this fantastic photo. Each layer of her clothing falls off, and it peels back to a sexual fantasy like no other. As she leans back and makes it more interesting, Alicia's body works perfectly with the natural lighting. Fully nude behind a stack of books, the lighting is intensified here to show her beautiful skin. As we look to another similar pictorial style, Alicia's costume in her schoolgirl photos is sexy, like in this shot, where her innocence is palpable, but only skin deep. Alicia's greatest weapon was knowing how to blend maturity and true innocence into one fantastical package, like here, where her modest clothing gives way to a spectacular body. As "The Librarian" progresses, Pic 29 shows Alicia in a slightly edgier place, showing off her body with little in the way, and exposing the true edginess of her underlying style.

What come next are some of the great photos in Playboy history, shot from behind a bookshelf and cleverly lit to show off Alicia's amazing curves, and enhance her otherwise slim body into something that only a goddess could show. Pic 32 shows Alicia stripping away the rest of her lacy lingerie, and the SPECTACULAR Photo #33 is a testament to her amazing production value. Here, her buttocks are lit perfectly and her truly feminine profile is a sight to behold. The next photo delves further into the devilish sexuality Alicia exudes so well, shooting a stare from behind the books.

Other gorgeous photos of Alicia that make her one of the greatest of all-time are this one (an innocent and sexually reticent photo that really summarizes her posing style), this one from behind (very suggestive and subtle at the same time), and this angelic side shot (a great photo of Alicia's complex face and amazing, large eyes).

Take some time to understand Alicia and browse her numerous photos. You'll immediately understand why she's ranked as our #7 Greatest Playmate of All-Time. Alicia was an amazing talent with plenty to offer. Her body was not that of a buxom bombshell, but it was modest and sexy. Her style wasn't over-the-top and flashy, but she kept it down to basics and offered artistry and beauty with every single picture. She took posing in Playboy to new heights, and many of the photos in her amazing collection might as well be in Playboy's photography hall-of-fame. That's how good she was.

So, a classic enters the top-10, but there's still four to go before we find out who the top three are, and that's something you want to stay tuned to see for yourself.