Jenny McCarthy, New Show Has Playboy Inspiration; Tested Plans On Bradley Cooper
Jenny McCarthy said her new VH1 talk show is inspired by Hugh Hefner's "Playboy After Dark" and she will similarly create the scene of a party for late-night television, according to The Associated Press.
The actress and former Playboy Playmate will host a talk show on Fridays starting on Feb. 8. McCarthy admitted Saturday the best character she could play was herself and that she is happy she can continue to be "that brand of being outrageous [and] outspoken, but fun."
The 40-year-old is entering the genre of talk shows for the first time and said she would interview celebrity guest in a party-like atmosphere. For one segment, she revealed plans for a "groundbreaking interview" in which she talks to the guest while they are both lying on the ground.
"And I've found by doing this, which I've tested - on Bradley Cooper - it works quite well,"McCarthy said. "There's just something that [happens where] the celebrity kind of lets go and has a little bit more of a conversational tone. It's not so scripted."
McCarthy also plans to play the game "Drunk, Dumb or Both," where she asks men outside a bar questions like, "what color is a red boat?"
Hefner's "Playboy After Dark" ran for two seasons and aired 52 episodes from 1969 to 1970. The talk show, taped by CBS, would portray a party at Hefner's house where both Playmates and celebrities present would talk with Hefner. His earlier show, "Playboy's Penthouse (1959-1960), had a similar concept.
"I love that Hugh Hefner did [this kind of thing]," McCarthy said. "[It's a] sexy, after hours party, but he also had great conversations with guests. That was really my goal and that's our goal now as we do rehearsals.
"[We're trying to] incorporate that sexiness with having great conversations with celebrities."
