Will "Playboy" Show Become Next "Mad Men"? Who Should Star in the Show?

NBC has ordered a pilot for a show entitled "Playboy", according to Variety. So could it become the next "Mad Men"? And who should star in it?

The "Playboy" series, like "Mad Men", would be set during the 60's, an era when the Playboy clubs featuring women in bunny costumes were extremely popular (so Holly Madison shouldn't get too excited about the possibility of landing a role; breast implants weren't exactly common back then). The show could really help the Playboy clubs make a comeback; there are currently Playboy clubs set to open in London, Cancun, South Beach, and Macao. Right now the Palm's Casino in Vegas boasts the only Playboy club.

There used to be 40 such clubs, with the first opening in Chicago during 1960. Keyholders (who actually possessed rabbit-headed metal keys, got to experience a "Disneyland for adults" with drinks, beautiful women in extremely tight bunny outfits, gaming, and entertainment.

A show set in such a fascinating world and time might be just the drama that NBC needs to match its comedy block, and the show would definitely attract plenty of "Mad Men" fans. However, a big question is: who should star in it?

Of course it's hard not to imagine Christina Hendricks in a "Playboy" bunny outfit or Jon Hamm as Hugh Hefner (it would at least be nice to see Christina Hendricks make a cameo in one of those costumes!). I could also actually picture Christopher Gorman of "Harper's Island" and "Covert Affairs" as Hugh Hefner; he's got the right eyes, ears, and facial structure to portray Hef circa 1960.

As for women (besides Christina Hendricks, of course), I'd love to see her "Mad Men" costar Alison Brie make an appearance as a bunny (she does already work for NBC on "Community", after all); "Gossip Girl" stars Leighton Meester, Katie Cassidy, and Blake Lively would also make adorable bunnies (that can actually act); Alyson Hannigan or Joanna Garcia would have just the right amount of spunk to play the token redhead; Julia Stiles has a 60s-ish look to her; stunner Gugu Mbatha-Raw is going to need a job; Erica Durance of "Smallville" makes one pretty pinup (plus she's already donned a bunny costume); and Dianna Agron of "Glee" would make the perfect Marilyn Monroe knockoff. Of course most of these actresses will likely still be too busy with other shows if and when the "Playboy" show makes it to TV, so I'm not holding my breath.

And of course there will also have to be a cast of men driven mad by these lovely ladies, other than the Playboy founder (who, I suspect, would only make an occasional appearance on the show). Hopefully the casting goes well for this one, because the idea is just way too good to screw up.

34 in 60s
SOURCES:
http://www.palms.com/playboy
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118029795?nstrack=sid:183722|met:102300|cat:0|order:3
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8073495/New-Playboy-club-to-open-in-London.html
http://www.explayboybunnies.com/history/anniversary/anniversary1.html
http://www.ugo.com/tv/erica-durance-women-of-fall-tv-playboy