Sexiest Men: Salon Adds Steak to Sizzle

With only the the briefest nod to that other Sexiest Men Alive list, Salon offers its second annual alternative compilation of hot guys—proving that it all depends on what the meaning of hot is. Jon Hamm, Ira Glass, Jacques Pepin, Judd Apatow, and 22 others make the cut. And except for a few obvious throwaways (Matt Damon, Owen Wilson, Britt Daniel), they all come with rather unusual rationales.

Leading the way is Hamm, 36-year-old heartthrob from AMC's Mad Men. But Sean Penn's mustache, Pepin's accent, Kanye West's undying love for his mother, and Glass's glasses are all cited as irresistible attributes. Besotted Salon staffers showcase some hidden gems, like not-too-crunchy environmental crusader Billy Parish, and some straight-up knuckleballs, like New Yorker film critic Anthony Lane. (More awards stories.)