The magazine's editors would carefully select pictures from their archives and print them side by side with playful captions that made it seem like they had been snapped at a moment when two people were about to kiss passionately. For example, one set featured an attractive woman in lingerie sitting on a man's lap while he gazes adoringly into her eyes, with the caption "Oh baby, I can tell you're up for something naughty tonight!" Another photo showed a couple embracing in a dark room, with the caption "Just because we're locked down doesn't mean we have to be lonely." The magazine also used dialogue to create a more intimate connection between readers and the models, asking questions like "Who do you think will get lucky?" or making statements like "Can't stop thinking about what she'll look like in these panties." This playful use of language helped make the magazine feel more personal, as if readers were peeking into someone's private life rather than just viewing erotic images. It was common for Playboy to include humor in its captions, such as jokes about being caught in compromising positions or references to popular culture. One famous instance involved a picture of Farrah Fawcett and a caption reading "Hey honey, remember that time we met at the water cooler? Yeah, me neither." These types of captions added a sense of fun and light-heartedness to the magazine's content, even when the photos themselves were quite explicit. Some critics argue that this approach objectified women and reduced them to their physical appearance, but it's undeniable that Playboy succeeded in creating a unique voice and tone within the world of adult magazines.
Playboy's success with caption-based storytelling inspired other publications to adopt similar strategies. Penthouse Magazine, for example, frequently featured fictional scenarios involving two characters who are interrupted mid-coitus by someone unexpectedly entering the room. In one issue, an article titled "The Perfect Stranger" showed a man sneaking up on a couple engaged in sexual activity and saying "I hope you don't mind, I thought this place was empty!" The woman replies "Oh no, it is now." These humorous interruptions made the magazine seem less serious and more light-hearted, while still maintaining its focus on sex. They also allowed readers to fantasize about situations they might never encounter in real life. Overall, Playboy's playful use of dialogue helped create a distinctive voice and style within the world of erotic media. By turning everyday scenarios into steamy encounters, the magazine provided entertainment and titillation without sacrificing depth or emotional connection.