Daily Buzz Bits: Michelle "Breaks The Dawn"; Kylie Minogue Hits The States

Kylie Minogue has entered the building! My true love will perform on Dancing With the Stars tomorrow and went on The Today Show this morning. - RedLasso

"Love Song" singer Sarah Bareilles performed a cover of "Genie in a Bottle." I was surprised; it's actually really good. - ONTD

Remember Michelle from Destiny’s Child? You know ... the other one? She has a new single, and it's shockingly pop-ish. - People

Not surprising: The music Amy Winehouse is working on makes Back to Black sound perky. – The Sun

Check out the scans from Madonna's feature in Vanity Fair: What the press thinks of you "adds up to sh*t!" The reporter describes Hard Candy as spinning-class fare. - ONTD

Get a Lick of the French Kicks

Profoundly fun: the French Kicks.

Complex but accessible. Maybe that’s how you describe your favorite affordable bottle of wine. That’s also one good way to classify New York-based indie rockers the French Kicks, who will release their album Swimming tomorrow via iTunes.

Produced and mixed completely by the band, Swimming is their fourth full-length effort across a decade of work in moody garage rock and post-punk. Listen to the track, “Abandon” to appreciate their sound, which definitely seems inspired by the Washington, D.C. area where most of the band members grew up. Old timers might hear the angular echoes of mid-Atlantic legends like Jawbox and Fugazi.

For a tasteful evening, try to catch the French Kicks throughout their U.S. tour beginning tomorrow.

Tyra Banks Is Fiercee

-- Mollie Mullett from AfterEllen.com

Tyra Banks makes me tired.  A full weekend for me is when I watch a movie and do a load of laundry but Tyra Bank, our favorite supermodel, turned talent scout/reality show star turned talk show host apparently wasn't busy enough this past Friday so she decided to create her own award show to honor past America's Top Model contestants in the first annual "Fiercee Awards" (yes two Es) which will air on an upcoming episode of The Tyra Banks Show.

Tyra Banks is not only the most successful entrepreneur  in the world but she's also a MACHINE!

Idol Chat With Jim & Penny Recap Video Blog: The Top 10

-- Dennis Ayers from AfterElton.com

Last week on American Idol the contestants sang songs from the year of their birth — which means its was eighties week all over again.  Jim Verraros and Penny Frulla talk about the performances and the questionable fashions — including the unfortunate dress that Project Runway winner Christian Siriano designed for Kimberley Locke. They also break out the viewer mail bag.

Check out their video blog after the break!

Watch Bjork Video - "Wanderlust"

Bjork fans: The video for the fourth Volta single is every bit as beautiful and bizarre and disturbing as you could possibly want. I would think, anyway...

"Wanderlust" mixes amazing sets with fluid and seamless CGI - and the image of Bjork struggling with that corpse-ish doll/demon coming out of her back as she rides yak creatures down a river ... um, what can I say? It definitely affected, though.

Watch "Wanderlust" video after the jump...

SHE MADE ME WATCH THIS! Cashmere Mafia's Future; Bionic Woman's End

-- Sarah Warn from AfterEllen.com

AfterEllen.com's managing editor Malinda Lo guest-stars on this episode of She Made Me Watch This!, which is  dedicated to answering the TV and movie questions you left in the comments last week. Questions like:

• Is Cashmere Mafia / Life / The Sarah Connor Chronicles being renewed for another season?
• Why are good pilots sometimes not picked up?
• How could Bionic Woman have been fixed?
• What goes into determining whether a TV show/season is released on DVD?

We also discuss our favorite L Word storylines from this season, and which  shows we're most excited about returning in April.

Celine? Just Calling to Make Sure You're Still Crazy!

How happy am I Celine Dion is still taking to the stage, blowing out speakers and making audiences laugh at how weird she is? She could have totally retired after Vegas, but here she is, all the way in Brisbane, Australia.

She still looks amazing; I don't think many 40-year-old moms could rock that funky little dress. And although I'm still recovering from that remix with will.i.am., I'm pretty eager for another video from Taking Chances. 

Is that for us? More concert pictures after the jump...

Battlestar Galactica Season 4: How Can It End?

-- thelinster from AfterEllen.com

You can always count on at AfterEllen.com to keep you informed about Battlestar Galactica , especially now that the last season is at hand (April 4 at 10 p.m. EST on Sci Fi). Can I get an “oh, frak?”

You also can count on Malinda to share new BSG promotional photos when she finds them. If the women of Galactica don't make you squirm, get thee to the doctor.

Speculation about how the series will end is in high gear, even though we may not see the final 10 episodes until 2009. In an interview with Sci Fi Wire last week, Edward James Olmos (Admiral Adama) said the most appropriate finale for such an innovative show is for the whole crew to die. “If it's true to form, no one makes it,” he said. This Season 4 poster does little to dispel that notion.

And I may be reading too much into it, but this trailer certainly seems apocalyptic.

Watch The B-52s "Funplex" Music Video! Thrill, Thrill!

Fred says: Segway to warp speed! Back to Georgia roots, the new video from loopy "pleasure seekers" The B-52s is all about rampaging your local mall, and it features all the space-traveling psychedelics I'd expect from The Ultimate Party Band. They're still causin' a riot!

Funplex, the band's first studio album in 16 years, is still available for preview on LOGOonline ... and soon enough, The B-52s will join Cyndi Lauper on the True Colors tour. Now enjoy the wackiness...

Daily Buzz Bits: Marc Jacobs Is Single Again; Joss Stone to Play Gay

Although Marc Jacobs ex-BF, Jason Preston, had to walk of shame, he did it in "$2000 f*cking boots, brah!" - Gawker

Up-for-anything singer Joss Stone will play a lesbian in a movie called ... Snappers. - Queerty

Timbaland and Justin Timberlake wined-and-dined the Sugababes in London while recording Madonna's Hard Candy. Cheaters! ... Can't wait for the collabo, though. – ONTD

Now that his dancing show is over, JC Chasez is totally over the gay rumors! - Towleroad

Did you hear Beyonce’s leaked track, "Beautiful Nightmare"? Well, she says it's only a work-in-progress. - ONTD

There’s my Chrissy! What can I say about the perfection? - Buzzworthy

Ryan Phillippe Chats With Ellen, No "Gay Look" Requested

-- snicks from AfterElton.com

Ryan Phillippe appeared on Ellen yesterday, and the result was much less teeth grating than Jay Leno's smug interview last week.

Ryan seemed much more at ease in this interview, even though Ellen ambushed him with a dark secret with his past - he used the Crest Pump in high school. They also talk about his role as Billy in One Life To Live, but unlike the snickering, mocking tone of the "other interview", they discuss how groundbreaking it was.

You can see the clip below, and btw, the Web site that's sprung up because of the Leno interview has really taken off...like a bird.

The X-Files Sequel: Invading Theatres This Summer

-- Karman Kregloe from AfterEllen.com

It's been ten long years since the last X-Files film, based on the hit FOX television series of the same name, came out. In that time, star Gillian Anderson got married, got divorced, had a baby and went back to being a blonde--though not necessarily in that order. (And yes, she also received a slew of award nominations for her acting on stage and screen.) David Duchovny had a couple of kids with his real-life wife, Tea Leoni, donated his movie wife's heart to Minnie Driver in Return to Me (2000) and played a hand model in Zoolander.

Yeah, they really do need to go back to their government jobs.

Below are a few sterile and redundant stills from the film:

Hear The B-52s Funplex ... Plus Kate Pierson on Her Coming Out!

You may have caught NewNowNext.com's interview with Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of cosmic pop-punk party band The B-52s a while back, but check out this mini-revelation: The always queer-friendly group has a new, official gay!

And more news: The band's Funplex album - its first new material in 15 years! - came out this week. Faster, pussycat! We love these gays! And don't miss the "Funplex" music video world TV premiere on LOGO ... on NewNowNext Music Sunday night!

Angry Puppy Video Blog: Gay Lost, Funny Games & Torchwood

-- Michael Jensen from AfterElton.com

In this week's whirlwind episode of Angry Puppy, Marc and Lee review the new thriller Funny Games, the old thriller The Last House on the Left, the two latest Torchwood episodes and Britney Spears' adventures in South Park.

And in the brand spanking new headlines segment, they share some updates on Caprica, Stardust, Mass Effect, Rock Band, Arthur C. Clarke and the recently Dumbledored Tom from Lost.

Check it out!

The Tracey Fragments – Ellen Page Before She Was Juno

-- thelinster from AfterEllen.com

Not surprisingly, Ellen Page's power as a box office draw has skyrocketed since we all fell in love with her as Juno. (Don't tell me if you didn't love Juno because I won't believe you anyway.)

The Tracey Fragments, which captured attention at 2007's Atlantic and Berlin film festivals and garnered Page the Best Actress in a Canadian Film award from the Vancouver Film Critics Circle, finally will have its U.S. release on May 9.

Madonna Does Vanity Fair Cover - Plus New Hard Candy Teaser!

Madonna's got the whole planet in her hands now ... and she's rubbing her booty up on it! Damn, I still love her! I'm sure this isn't true, but she doesn't even look that outrageously Photoshop-ed to me ... hotness.

Madge apparently worked with Steven Meisel, the photographer behind her sex book - remember that? - for her upcoming VF spread.

And I know I complained about the Hard Candy cover art, but I actually think this teaser commercial for the album is totally brilliant and racy!  ...

R.E.M.-Fest! Interview on Accelerate and New Technologies!

With the band's 14th album, Accelerate, due April 1, R.E.M. and gay front man Michael Stipe know how to keep up with the times. Not only did Michael release that blog-y confession - the other members of R.E.M. are, shockingly, heterosexual - the band is also letting Facebook users hear Accelerate before it comes out.

The guys also did an interview with MTV.com, and I embedded the four-parter here - as well as some pictures from arecent performance at The Apple Store in London. In this first clip, they talk about the new rock-ier sound and about re-imagining themselves as a three-member band. ...

The rest of the interview - and more pictures - after the jump...

Daily Buzz Bits: Danny Noriega Judges Drag Idol; Leona Lewis Rules!

Just when I thought Madonna as a person was too weird for me, she gave a really cool radio interview. P.S. Hearing "Holiday" or "Like a Virgin" will cost you 30 mil. – z100

Young, gay Idol-reject Danny Noriega judged the "Suicide Drag Idol" contest in Upland, CA. - Dlisted

OK, I just think Raven herself is really cool, not the new album. She was great on Ellen, and she wants "to be Disney." - ONTD

Consistently-sweet Leona Lewis is the first British woman to top U.S. charts in 20 years with the to-die-for "Bleeding Love." - BBC

Christian Siriano and Nina Garcia will guest on Ugly Betty. You know how Christian will greet Rebecca Romijn. – Gawker

Hear New Beyonce Track "Beautiful Nightmare" ... Not So Beautiful!

-snore- B, what happened? I'm totally disappointed. ... OK, judge for yourself: Listen to "Beautiful Nightmare" here. I read Beyonce's going in a different direction for her new album - supposedly a dance-ier sound courtesy of a collaboration with Freemasons - and I'll give her this track isn't R&B, but it's just not good enough for Beyonce.

We are at the leak phase, though; maybe she'll put out something fit for Rihanna or Kylie soon enough.

Moby Wishes More People Were Like Us

-- snicks from AfterElton.com

Brandon Voss has a terrific interview with Moby in the upcoming issue of The Advocate. Moby has always been one of the biggest gay allies in pop music, even after his very public feud with Eminem in 2001, in which the rapper called him a "36 year old baldheaded fag". In the interview, Moby talks about why he would love to have gay children..

 

You’ve been such an ally to the gay community that you’ve taken some heat for it -- like when you stated in an interview that gays were “superior to straight people.” Do you stand by that?

 Yeah, and I also said that if and when I ever have children, I want gay children, which didn’t really endear me to the Christian right wing of America. There are a lot of people in the world who are virulently homophobic or misogynistic or anti-Semitic, and what baffles me is that if you just look at it empirically, gays, women, and Jews are certainly responsible for far fewer violent crimes than straight white guys. They’ve started fewer wars, and they tend to be well educated, fun to hang out with, and they have nice homes, bars, and restaurants.

 

He also discusses his own sexuality, and the sexual experimentation he's done..

Kimberley Locke Performs on Idol!

There'll be more Idol news coming - Chikezie is gone; Kristy Lee Cook remains... - but I'm just happy Season 2's second runner-up, Kimberley Locke, got to perform ... and she looked amazing! That's my girl; the new bod does look great, but I still kind of wish she hadn't done Celebrity Fit Club. And apparently, Project Runway-winner Christian Siriano designed the dress!

Kim - whose second album sang Based on a True Story track "Fall" (skip to the 2:40 mark); it kind of never lets up, if you know what I mean, but I do love her...

Some Kimberley classics after the jump!

NewNowNext NOISE Pop-Culture Vlog: Gay(ish) Web Sites We Love!

We're back in the office for this week's vlog chat: John and I share our fave gay-related, gay-run or gay-appealing Web sites with each other - and with you! Some legit, some trashy, all very gay ... check it out!

We Are Women, Hear Us Roar, See Us Inspire

-- Dorothy Snarker from AfterEllen.com

God bless women! Can I get an amen? While it may seem redundant   to sing the praises of women on a site for gay/bi women, I say we can never lift our voices high enough when it comes to the truly inspirational women of this world. I’ve always looked to other women, real and fictional, as my role models. Whenever I’m feeling a little down, I use their wit and wisdom to lift me up. Whether on the big or small screen, something about the righteous (or riotous) indignation of a woman is just so satisfying. It practically sizzles.

So in honor of Scribegrrrl’s impending departure (sob, sniffle, bawl!), let’s burn bright with sisterfire today. The Linster and I have assembled some of the best speechifying by fabulous female characters to celebrate the fabulous female that is Scribe. 

Bette Porter (The L Word): No additional explanation required.

Love for Chloe Sevigny: NYLON Magazine Pictures

I don't know the consensus on Chloe Sevigny: I've only seen her in Shattered Glass and in Zodiac - not in Big Love, but I hear I should. She's oddly beautiful, but not someone I'd expect to do loads of modeling, which seems to be her new path - hence the NYLON spread.

Her performance as a model doesn't do it for me - she seems aware of what she's doing, which isn't fashion-y - but she's a good actress, lives in New York and loves her gays, so I'm with her.

More Chloe in NYLON ... after the jump...

Daily Buzz Bits: Tyra Isn't Kissing JC Chasez ... And He's Not Kissing Chace!

I don't want a world in which Top Model does not center around Queen Bee Tyra Banks, OK? What happened to 'If Tyra has a problem with you, you're off the show.'? - Dlisted

I still love her: On her talk show, Tyra asked JC Chasez if he thought she'd be good in bed. - Queerty

And speaking of JC – like anyone's surprised he'd say this – he and Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford are not dating. – Towleroad

The set for Bjork’s upcoming "Wanderlust" video looks nuts-o and amazing. - Pitchfork

I didn't know this was a rumor either, Ian McKellen! But there was no guy-on-guy foolin' around on The Lord of the Rings set. - Towleroad

American Idol: '80s Night Under Another Name

-- carolinagrrrl from AfterEllen.com

After last week’s poor choice of theme on American Idol, I remember thinking to myself, “Self, it can only get better from here.”  I was incredibly mistaken.  It appears as though every theme will eventually repeat itself later in the season under the guise of a different name:  “Songs from the Lennon/McCartney Songbook” became “Beatles Night,” and now “'80s Night” has morphed into “Songs from the Year You Were Born.”  Oh, boy.  (I can only count down the days until Dolly Parton is the mentor!)

Ramiele Malubay kicked things off with a performance of Heart’s “Alone,” prompting the inevitable comparison to Carrie Underwood’s performance of the same back in Season 4.  Who sang it better?  You decide.

Carrie Underwood:

The Raveonettes Perform "Aly, Walk With Me" Live on Letterman

A little somber and psychedelic for the Letterman audience? ...Maybe not - The Raveonettes are undeniably amazing. I can only imagine the pair's energy in person; I need to see them live!

Anyway, I fully recommend this "Aly, Walk With Me" performance (follow that link to watch the official music video); it's so trance-y and mesmerizing. And when they go all-out with the noise and distortion? ... I had no idea so much guitar-abuse went into that!

The Hills in Paris Recap Video Blog: It's The (New) Heidi Chronicles!

Except we hate Heidi this time! We know all you gays out there are The Hills fans, and this new episode was major! Our lives are complete again.

Watch LOGOonline senior producer Jon Mallow and I dish on all the wonderful fake drama / Heidi awful-ness / Whitney amazing-ness here...

We're Getting Nowhere: The L Word Recap Vlog 5.12

-- Karman Kregloe from AfterEllen.com

This week marked the season finale  of The L Word. And for such a grand occasion, we thought it fitting to invite our own posse of troublemakers to join us for our vlog. You can call them our "friends" if you like, but I prefer to think of them as "repeat offenders." (Or maybe both terms are correct.)

Accompanying us on the enchanted sofa this week are actresses Meredith Scott Lynn and Coley Sohn, and comedians Liz Feldman and Bridget McManus. We also had an unexpected visitor, a lovely girl whose car broke down in front of Jill's house. I don't think she knew what she was walking into when she asked to use the phone.

Helen Hunt Returns With Then She Found Me

-- roc from AfterEllen.com

Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress Helen Hunt has emerged from the where-the-hell-have-you-been cold case files! Phew. It's dark and moldy in those little boxes in which Hollywood tosses its female stars of yesteryear. Hunt will soon be seen in Then She Found Me, a comedy with drama and a little romance, also starring Matthew Broderick, Colin Firth and the Divine Ms. M, Bette Midler.

But what's even nicer than seeing Hunt  in front of the camera is that this new film features Hunt  behind the camera, as well. Then She Found Me is Helen Hunt's feature film directorial debut, and it is has received its fair share of positive press from earlier film festivals. The film is at last winding its way to a general release in April.

George Michael's American Tour

-- Craig Young from AfterElton.com

George Michael fans will be happy to know that his career is experiencing a new life.  He recently announced the dates of his upcoming American tour.

George Michael, the talented and amazing artist, was never in doubt. He created a string of hits first as lead singer of Wham! and later in his solo career. This is a guy who took Elton John’s Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me and made it his own.  That’s no small feat.

(After the jump ... along with some classic concert footage.)

Hear New Cassie Single "Thirsty"

I was never an actual fan of 21-year-old R&B singer Cassie; I thought she was trying to be Ciara - who was trying to be Janet Jackson. But I loved that "Me & U" song from back in 2006 ... Yeah, that song was crazy-hot. I can only hope for another one like that from her one day ... I don't think "Thirsty" is it, but I still kinda dig it.

Hear "Thirsty" here via ONTD. I'm guessing this will be the lead single for her upcoming album - due May 20; other tracks will include "Push It" and "My House."

Now how about a trip back to that amazing song I was talking about...

Posters and Trailers: Baby Mama, Ellen Page & Penelope Cruz

-- scribegrrrl from AfterEllen.com

Wow, there are a lot of movies I haven't heard of. And at least a few I'm really looking forward to. It's time for another poster-and-trailer extravaganza!

First, the Baby Mama poster hasn't really been released yet, but I came across this snapshot of the actual paper object. Cute. Is it April 25 yet?

Next, Smart People, featuring the smart and adorable person named Ellen Page  (yeah, and Sarah Jessica Parker, too, but I find her less smart and less adorable, and occasionally less human).

This film debuts April 11. Here's the trailer:

Daily Buzz Bits: Pussycat Dolls Get "Psycho"; Countdown to Hard Candy!

Madonna’s "4 Minutes" – which, after a couple of listens, I officially am obsessed with - is on iTunes, while Hard Candy is ready for pre-order. My gayness is tingling! - Boy Culture

The world is stunned Britney Spears was actually totally fine on How I Met Your Mother - watch the full episode here. - Sweet Escape

Hands off my man, Penelope! Enjoy shameless, grainy pictures of Javier Bardem being all shirtless and romantic. - Just Jared

You know I love the Pussycat Dolls to this day, and Nicole Scherzinger's in the studio for a new song - possibly for the group - called "Psycho." P.S. Did Ron Fair really weep for Ashlee Simpson? - ONTD

A handy diagram of ambiguously-gay duo Chace Crawford and JC Chasez chillin' at their Cabana. ... This isn't a marketing ploy, is it? - Towleroad

That's ANTertainment! Vlog Let's Go Sailing ... On Rosie's Gay Cruise!

-- Dennis Ayers from AfterElton.com

In the latest edition of AfterElton.com's "That's ANTertainment!" video blog, gay comedian/personality/athletic supporter ANT vlogged his recent sojourn on Rosie's most recent gay-packed cruise.

Hear about Ross the Intern's willingness to eat seared Unicorn, but not fish, American Idol alum Danny Noriega's singing performance, tiny staterooms, fruit flies and much more with Cyndi Lauper, Sam Harris, and Susan Powter. 

Mariah Carey Performs "Touch My Body" and "We Belong Together!"

The return of The Hills last night was a big eff-ing deal, and don't try to tell me it wasn't just because you don't watch the show or because it's not actually real.

We'll talk about the show later - our vlog will be up tomorrow morning! - but a highlight of MTV's live premiere party - for which it seemed like they were getting paid every time someone said "glamorous" - was definitely Mariah Carey's post-show performance...

And watch her classic "We Belong Together" after the jump!

Dolly Parton: Better Get to Listnin'

-- Ace from AfterEllen.com

It's a big political year in the U.S., and after the Democratic Convention this summer, I'll be stumping for either Hillary or Obama. But in the meantime, I'm stumping for somebody else — Dolly Parton. Now, Dolly is not running for President — or any political office, for that matter — but she does have a campaign to get back on country radio, and she needs our support.

Dolly's certainly doing her part. After 10 years with no major label support, she decided to release a mainstream country album, Backwoods Barbie, on her own label, Dolly Records. As she put it, “I'm looking at it like an investment. I thought, 'I've made enough money. I can afford to invest a little in myself.”