November 6, 2009 - 3:06pm

What 'People' are saying: 23 years of Sexiest Man Alive

Though I can’t say for certain, the GGP is pretty sure that People mag is getting ready to reveal their pick for 2009’s Sexiest Man Alive next week. I know it seems like just yesterday that 2008’s top hunk Hugh Jackman was proudly accepting the honour, but such is the fickle nature of sex status. One day you’re the hottest guy on the planet, the next you’re, well, Nick Nolte.

On Monday, I’ll dish on just who does and doesn’t deserve the “Sexiest” title, but for now, let’s sit back, relax and prepare to swoon (or scoff) at 23 years of babe-dom.

1985: Back when People first began anointing the year’s biggest beef cake, Mel Gibson was still a pretty sexy guy. The baby blues, the rugged charm, the sexy Aussie accent (that wasn’t yet famous for reportedly slinging anti-Semitic slurs). Safe to say Mad Mel’s “Sexiest” days are behind him.

1986: For year two, People tapped small screen hunk Mark Harmon. Who? At the time, the NCIS actor starred in two mega-shows, St. Elsewhere and Moonlighting. Think of him as the Patrick Dempsey of the ‘80s. (Because the real Patrick Dempsey of that decade was too busy playing an uber-nerd in Can’t Buy Me Love).

1987: Another TV dude earned the honour this year. Today, you probably know Harry Hamlin as Mr. Lisa Rinna, but back then he was a sexy legal eagle on L.A. Law.

1988: At last! Some serious eye candy. JFK Jr. was the pinnacle of sex appeal – the bad boy of America’s royal family with charm to spare and a face that looks like it was chiseled by Michelangelo himself.