Penthouse: Pet of the Year & Friends

The fact that 'Playoffs 1998' didn't turn out very good made me feel the follow-up 'Pet Of The Year and Friends 1999' was gonna be much the same. I don't gain any satisfaction in being right. This is certainly not the worst of Penthouse - they sank much lower, trust me - but it's also not a scorching hot time or the company at their best.

"Intro" starts off with Nikie St Gilles - Pet Mar 1997, PoTY 1999 - talking and only the smallest montage, but a moment of bad comedy (groan) as she continues to set things up lead straight to the first scene (2.5 mins). "Too Much" is Alexus Winston - Pet Nov 1997 - getting wild & crazy on a set with flames, chain-link fence & attitude for days. The issue is the camera, lighting, shots bounce around like insane. Jessica James - Pet Jan 1997 - is here briefly to make out. Not a complete waste as Alexus gets oiled up which is hot, but it's not enough (7 mins). "Mother Nature" is Nikie outside, nude on a blanket. Again the camera moves too much leaving a few decent shots stranded (5.5 mins).

"Getting Physical" has a pointless setup for a later scene, Nikie chat and brief nudity. Then Jessica in a martial arts dojo (poorly lit) hits a heavy bag. Cheesy, lame and I felt bad for her being stuck with this concept. Some models have legit skills and others just look pretty. PH should know their limits and know viewers aren't here to watch 2+ mins of setup. Eventually her karate gi comes off, but it's not hot and takes it's time to move past topless. Not that the vibe, energy weren't already ruined (7.5 mins). "All About Men" wastes time as all the Pets talk about what they like in a man (1 min).

"Little Princess" continues the all over the place feel, lack of theme here. Nikie in a fancy dress near a water fountain combines all the elements I've mentioned disliking so far. Wasting time, slow pace. She ventures inside to finally get naked, but I honestly checked out (8.5 mins). "Summer Fun" has Aimee Sweet - Pet Aug 1998 - naked outside on a sunny day typically laying in a lounger. I'll give credit where it's due and say the sights of her oiled up or wet aren't bad and it gets right to the "good stuff". A ton of quick cuts deliver the action (4.5 mins).

"Girl Talk" leads with Nikie talking to the camera yet again this time about Aimee's previous scene. You can readily tell it's gonna lead to a girl/girl between 'em which it naturally does in bed. However the visuals aren't great (8.5 mins). "Bubble Bath" leads with more pointless chatter before she gets into a bathtub. Way too slow, artsy & the visuals ... meh. Even when Jessica & Alexus become involved there's very little real heat (7.5 mins). I wonder if they watched back the footage they shot & thought "this is great".

What's the problem with 'Pet Of The Year and Friends 1999'? My guess ... Nikie had too much say, control. You see she's more than just a PH Pet. She also married the founder's son Nicholas. A "program conceived & written by" credit at the end speaks to this not that the abundance of her talking didn't already. Bottom line is the visuals don't cut it. Pass.