Penthouse is an American men's lifestyle and entertainment magazine. It is similar to other men's magazine, such as Playboy, in that it features nude female centerfolds (referred to as "Penthouse Pets"), articles and interviews. Though in contrast, Penthouse tends to be more sexually explicit, showing full exposed female genitalia and beginning in 1998, hardcore sex (though as of 2005, it has reverted back to more softcore images, while its digital media division creates hardcore sex videos). Although it was first published a decade after Playboy, it was the first men's magazine to show full frontal nudity and full pubic hair. The magazine is also noted for its letters section, in which readers write in and go into great detail about their sexual fantasies.
On Married... with Children, its magazines were mentioned and seen in several episodes, though not to the extent that Playboy was. A few Pets also appeared on the show.
Penthouse Pets who appeared on MWC[]
- Traci Lords (T.C. / Vanessa Van Pelt) - Pet of the Month, September 1984
- Brandy Ledford (Brandi)- Pet of the Month, May 1990 and Pet of the Year, 1992 (Credited as "Jisel")
- Sandra Taylor (Naomi) - Pet of the Month, March 1991 (Credited as "Sandi Korn")
- Cody Carmack - Pet of the Month, May 1981 and January 1984, Pet of the Year 1986 (appeared via the cover of the January 1986 issue)
References on MWC[]
- "Father Lode" - After Bud was in the basement, he is seen walking up the staircase with the January 1986 issue tucked in the back of his pants. The close up shot of the cover features Pet of the Year 1986, Cody Carmack.
- "Poke High" - Kelly mocks Bud by saying that he spends his nights with a Penthouse, a flashlight and a pillow.
- "And Baby Makes Money" - Peggy tells Marcy that Al went out to buy issues of Playboy, Penthouse and Biker Babes to prepare him for sex, in the hopes that they can conceive a child in order to inherit $500,000.
- "I Want My Psycho Dad (Part 1)" - After Al, Griff and Bob Rooney find out that Psycho Dad has been cancelled, Griff suggests that they write letters. After Al scoffs and says that real men don't write letters, Griff says "They do in 'Penthouse'!". Bob Rooney asks if the magazine actually has letters and Bud reassures him that it does, to give readers something to do, but stops his sentence out of embarrassment after Peg and Kelly give him a disgusted look. Later in the episode, after Miranda Veracruz de la Jolla Cardinal arrives at WHBZ to cover the protest, she notes that the only signs that anyone had been there was "a crumpled copy of 'Penthouse' magazine and the name "Al" mysteriously written in the snow"
- "Torch Song Duet" - Although not explicitly stated, the founder of Big 'Uns, Flint Guccione is a parody of Penthouse founder Bob Guccione, sharing a similar look and also being the first photographer for their respective magazines despite not having any formal training or resources.
- "Breaking Up Is Easy to Do (Part 3)" - Kelly tries to flirt with Peggy's new boyfriend Bruce by hugging him in an attempt to steal his wallet. After Bruce finally pushes Kelly away and Peggy asks him if they are still dating, he assures Peggy that they are, but then suggests that it "...would make a great 'Penthouse' letter!".