Three days ago, Hugh Hefner was forced to admit he was dead.
Hard to gauge his influence. The people demand porn, but Playboy was different. Not only did celebrities pose, but it was not just porn. Interviews with new worthy figures, fashion, culture, and quality fiction. Movie and music reviews. Advice on everything. Soft core.
At one point, Suicide Girls actually posed. That did not go over well for the readers of Playboy online, who seemed to want nothing but busty blondes. I have seen absolutely exquisite Suicide Girls and Hopefuls, and thought they could pose for Playboy they were so beautiful. Oh, tattoos. And she does not have large breasts. Spooky himself said that posing for Playboy did not violate the exclusivity clause in the Suicide Girls contract.
Then there was the philosophy. Sometimes incoherent, sometimes inconsistent, but libertine. When asked by William F. Buckley if he wanted to open a string of brothels, Hefner said no. Buckley pushed him, claiming it should be part of his philosophy. Hefner responded "It is, just not my cup of tea."
If Hefner had not done it, somebody else would have. It is essentially Esquire with nudity. Vivid would still have become a legitimate site for porn. Without Hefner, the VCR would still be invented, for people to watch the porn they want. Without Hefner, the internet would still have evolved, so we can watch porn for free.
Most importantly. Suicide Girls would still exist. We would all still be members. Thank you Spooky, Missy, S5, and Olivia.
So, as a cultural icon, he was useful, to an extent. Not necessary.
Hugh Hefner RIP.