Some coincidences are too similar to be accidental. Granted, the fact that Playboy and Penthouse both release tapes with lingerie themes isn't cause to initiate a Wall Street panic and call in Larry the Liquidator. A lingerie theme is a coincidence (or perhaps a head to head marketing strategy). However, let's examine some prima facie evidence to suggest there's more underfoot than an identical pair of size 5 satin boudoir pumps.

Conspiracy theorists, are you ready? Check out some of the "themes" explored in both tapes and see if there isn't some kind of pattern extant.

I may have counted at least four (and after that, stopped counting) crossover lingerie scenarios in both tapes. Each pursues a "safari" vignette, an "oriental" theme, a "Cleopatra" costume skit and, the most obvious one of all, a 19th century painter sketch involving an artist who tosses away his paint brush to tongue brush one of his live models.

Then, there's an elevator setting for a pretty explicit girl-girl scene in the Penthouse tape that's repeated (toned down, though) almost visually verbatim in Playboy's recent centerfold release featuring Pamela Anderson. Only difference is, Anderson plays out the sketch with a handsome guy.

This is getting too close for comfort and suggests, at the very least, a paucity of fresh material for these T & A interludes. Comparatively speaking, Penthouse's format is unabashed snatch, and the visuals are pretty risque for the mainstream audience. Playboy, on the other hand, continues to distance itself from its audience by capturing nudity from an almost art gallery perspective. I think both formats continue to miss the point about what's a visual turn-on. (Check out some of the old tease sketches on the Playboy Video Magazine tapes).

Style and production value-wise, I think you'd have to give the edge to Sexy Lingerie IV. A person could comfortably retire on its shooting budget.