Daily Buzz Bits: Reichen's Gay Dating Tips, Bloc Party's Upcoming Album

 

I don't care about the Prince Caspian movie other than the guy who's playing Prince Caspian. Hello, Ben Barnes. ...Wow, he's like an attractive Zac Efron. – Boy Culture

Jezebel compiled its videos for a Best of Tyra Banks Show post; of course, It's just a vagina! is a must-see. - Jezebel

Power-gay Reichen Lehmkuhl broke up with his boyfriend; he really needs to swear off the blogging when he's upset. His dating tip for the public? Never believe you can fix it by being true or nice. Thanks, Reich! - ONTD

Bloc Party announced its U.S. tour dates: They'll kick off in July in California. They're also working on their new album. - Pitchfork

Kathy Griffin chose to reveal Disney killed her scheduled appearance on Hannah Montana now that 'Miley Cyrus has been flashing her green bra and posing topless.' – Just Jared

 

Paula’s Omnipotence Outshines Idols

Photo credit: Michael Becker/FOX

 

-- carolinagrrrl from AfterEllen.com

Before I get into the mayhem that was last night’s show, I would like to first lament the unfortunate and untimely loss of Carly Smithson. I admittedly didn’t see that one coming. But, such is the life of an Idol fan. 

Plus, I can always find solace in the knowledge that she  will certainly be putting out a record of some sort within the next year or so. And I have faith that this one has to be better than her first one.

Now, let’s get to the task at hand. Last night’s American Idol can best be summed up by quoting Simon Cowell: “This is officially the strangest show we’ve ever done.”

 

The Hills Recap Vlog: The House Warming Party & A Gay Spin-Off?

 

The Heidi Chronicles this week is all about MTV-sponsored move-ins, romantic re-connections with boys who never liked you - and Jon's amazing pitch for his own Hills gay spin-off.

 

 

Madonna Disappoints, But Mariah & Robyn Do Not

-- Malinda Lo from AfterEllen.com

I have to admit that I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Madonna's latest album, Hard Candy, but after downloading it on Tuesday, boy was I disappointed. The reviews have been almost across-the-board positive — or at least thoughtful, referencing Madonna's influence and stature in the pop culture world — but I found myself fast-forwarding through repetitive choruses ("get stupid get stupid get stupid" — argh! — on "Give It 2 Me") and, frankly, not quite getting the album.

 

NewNowNext NOISE Interviews "Ur So Gay" Singer, Katy Perry!

Photo credit: Robin Roemer

 

I have to love anyone whose sings "I hope you hang yourself with your H&M scarf" - and once Katy Perry stopped in the LOGO offices for an interview, I loved her even more!

The Cali singer, whose debut album One of The Boys comes out June 17, talked with NewNowNext about her "Ur So Gay" single (watch the video below), getting a shout out from Madonna and why (real) gay boys love her.

 

 

And watch the video interview with Katy after the jump!

 

Daily Buzz Bits: Desperate Gale Harold, Rolling Stone OMGs for The Hills

 

Gisele Bundchen really loves her Ipanema sandals collection, it would seem. If only Tom could make her feel that way! – Getty

No need to get sarcastic with the sub-headline, Rolling Stone. You put them on your cover. And investigation into The Hills isn't really required. - USWeekly 

Queer as Folk's Gale Harold will guest star on Desperate Housewives starting May 18. – Just Jared

Jim Carrey and Rodrigo Santoro got Versace-d out on the Miami set of I Love You Phillip Morris. – Towleroad

A Las Vegas-based Cher talked with Oprah about dating Tom Cruise when he was 23 - I know - saying, "He said he felt like such a boob in school and nobody talked to him." - Dlisted

 

My Bloody Valentine: Best Festival Reunion of All?

Readers: Don't try this at home.

While the chatter was still pinging about the Portishead reunion at Coachella on Saturday night, the first round of tickets quietly sold out for what looks to be an even more elite event in September. Sorry, desert wanderers of the Left Coast, but that morsel of British good taste, the All Tomorrow's Parties festival, will hold its New York installment from September 19-21, and it will be curated by none other than the elusive My Bloody Valentine.

MBV. The most influential band that some people have never heard of, and the concert equivalent of spotting the Loch Ness Monster.

Find out why you'll need to pack clean underwear for ATP after the jump!

Remembering Special Guests After 200 Special Victims

Photo credit: NBC/Mitchell Haaseth

 

-- carolinagrrrl from AfterEllen.com

While the fate of several of my favorite "young" television shows hangs in the balance, I revel in the fact that some of my other favorites are still going strong. Case in point: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit will air its 200th episode tonight.

SVU will become just the third current network prime-time drama to reach the century mark twice, joining the original Law & Order and ER in that category.

 

Rihanna "Take a Bow" Music Video

 

Umm, wasn't it successful enough? Well, Rihanna's re-releasing Good Girl Gone Bad in May, and the first new single is "Take a Bow." Not you for once, Leona Lewis!

There's not a ton going on in the video other than Rihanna pacing around high-end apartments – but I kind of dig her performance. She has the elfin haircut and that simple, skinny black tank top; it's kind of gender-bendy.

You know what, though? This "plot" reminds me of "Irreplaceable"; I thought Ri-Ri was going to bust out a "To the left, to the left..."

 

New Fall Out Boy "Beat It" Music Video!

 

The F.O.Boys performed a rock-ish cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" for new concert album/DVD, Fall Out Boy: **** Live in Phoenix, but goodies for fans, the group also filmed an official music video. Lead singer Patrick Stump's voice is still amazing, and the glittered gloves and whipping limbs wink just enough at the original.

In his interview with NewNowNext, Pete Wentz said Fall Out Boy performances tend toward the homoerotic, and while there were no major moments in this video, I did enjoy Pete licking is guitar ... and his hair.

 

Angry Puppy Vlog 24: New York Comic Con, Gay Metal Head News & More!

-- Michael Jensen from AfterElton.com

This week, Marc and Lee talk about their visit to Comic Con in New York (which had more attendees than there are survivors on Batttlestar Galactica!), news for gay metalheads, domestic partner benefits for super heroes, Manazon, their final uncensored thoughts on Torchwood's second season and a whole lot more! Watch it after the jump!

 

Augusten Burroughs Talks About His Hot New Memoir (And Mean Dad)

Photo credit: Craig Cutler

He endured grabby mustached men (woo-hoo!), a mental mom and psychotic teen years in Running with Scissors, and he drank all of Manhattan as a boozy ad exec in Dry ... Now Augusten Burroughs, the gay mega-memoirist with the trippy wit and potent pen, is back with a new true-life tale about his early childhood and his real (and real crazy) father in his spanking new book, A Wolf at the Table.

Wanna hear Augusten himself gabbing about the new memoir? Dig our exclusive juicy interview with him right here!!! Plus, he riffs on getting Patti Smith and Tegan Quin (of Tegan and Sara) to write original tunes for the audio version of the book, as well as the state of the memoir (and issues of accountability) in our new, post-James Frey world. (Hey, back off Oprah!!!)

Daily Buzz Bits: Amy Poehler's a Baby Mama, Photo Scandal for Miley Cyrus

 

15-year-old Miley Cyrus says her semi-suggestive Vanity Fair photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz embarrasses her, while Disney says the mag manipulated lil Miley. Hey, it's not like this is MySpace! - Dlisted

OK, now it's just getting funny: The Hills' Heidi & Spencer "photo ops" used to outrage me, but how can I not find comic value in these? – Gossip Girls

Amy Poehler is pregnant - with husband Will Arnett. - People

Rufus Wainwright's upcoming Met-commissioned opera will be a day-in-the-life of an opera diva. - Idolator

Why does Ian Somerhalder from Lost just not do it for me? Of course, I wouldn't turn it down, but these Coachella pictures ain't all that. - Towleroad

Cheryl Cole is Britain's Number 1 lesbian icon, so says a new poll ... and the men love soccer player Joe Cole. Sorry, Beckhams! - ONTD

 

SHE MADE ME WATCH THIS! Vlog: Women in Action Movies

-- Sarah Warn from AfterEllen.com

Gearing up for the summer action movies, Lori and I list our favorite female action heroes of all time, from Bridget Fonda in Point of No Return (1993) to  Halle Berry in Die Another Day (2002) to Michelle Yeoh in three movies, including the upcoming Mummy one.

Along the way, we lament the lack of non-martial arts roles for Asian American actresses, debate whether Harry Potter's Hermione can properly be considered an "action hero," and argue over the value of women in Bond movies.

 

Video Lunch: Duffy's Coming to America! Plus "Mercy" In-The-Studio

 

Welsh soul-singer Duffy officially ruled the April U.K. charts; she had a rival in Estelle's Black & Gold album, but Rockferry cleaned up. By the way, Estelle and the Duff-ster - OK, I'll never call her that again - have a fun little rivalry going on: Estelle said a white girl could never really sing soul. Hmm! Tell us how you really feel, Estelle!

 

 

Well, check out Duffy in the studio and judge for yourself. In other news, Duffy's will be in the U.S. in May for a few talk show appearances and a performance at Harlem's The Apollo. She also has a deal with Starbucks, so get ready!

 

And watch the official "Mercy" music video - along with the "Rockferry" video - after the jump...

 

Idol Chat Recap Vlog With Jim & Penny: The Top 6

-- Dennis Ayers from AfterElton.com

Andrew Lloyd Webber was on hand last week as American Idol guest mentor and Jim & Penny dish the dirt on all the performances – from the highs (Syesha’s sultry number) to the lows (Brooke’s stop and start disaster). Along the way they discuss Lloyd Webber’s uncanny resemblance to Austin Powers, and Penny breaks out her spot on impression of a heavily medicated Laura Bush. Oh yeah, they also open up the reader mail bag, and Jim answers questions about how American Idol contestants select (and pay for) their clothes.

 

 

Check out their video blog after the break!

 

Suck It Up & Dance! Step It Up Cast Interviews & "Thriller" Performance!

 

You're in for it this week, Suck It viewers: John & Colin hit up the Tribeca Film Festival screening of the Making of Thriller documentary last week ... and guess who was there? Why, the entire Step It Up & Dance cast along with series judge - and "Thriller" co-choreographer - Vincent Paterson!

You'll hear all about it in the video - and you'll get to see the cast's own performance of "Thriller!" And we got to chat with everyone: Janelle's a tranny at heart! The Plastics are still in love!

 

 

Of course, we have our very official Stomp challenge recap video as well. Tovah is Ovah ...

 

Saturday's GLAAD Media Awards Ceremony

all photos courtesy Getty Images

 

-- Dennis Ayers from AfterElton.com

The 19th annual GLAAD media awards were held in Hollywood on Saturday, and the the event was impressively heavy on star power.  The ceremony was hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, but Kathy Griffin opened the show — during her act she invited her mother onstage to quiz her about her knowledge of the LGBT community.

The biggest award of the evening, the Vanguard Award, was given to Janet Jackson. Said Jackson in her acceptance speech, "To everyone at GLAAD and everyone in this room, I would just like to say that I hope I can always walk worthy of this award that I have both in my hand and my heart."

 

 

Mark Ronson Gets His Makeup Done ... by Santogold!

 

I knew these two were buddy-buddy, but this is just adorable! The Sun posted a pseudo-viral video - I guess? - of newcomer Santogold on the set of her "LES Artistes" video with Mark Ronson. I'm way obsessed with the Santogold album at the moment, P.S.; you better listen.

In the video, Santi enters her trailer and finds the way-sexy DJ gettin' all done up! Marcia's really a natural at applying that mascara...

 

And watch the latest music videos from Santi and Mark after the jump...

 

Daily Buzz Bits: Hilary Duff for 90210, Mariah Carey's Not-So-Good Morning

 

The Wrath of Mimi: Mariah Carey performed "Touch My Body" on Good Morning America, and, in addition to an ef-ed up track, Mariah called out a backup singer mid-song for singing her part. - Dlisted

The upcoming 90210 remake wants Hilary Duff to play the character Annie Mills. – Just Jared

Um ... good luck: Solange Knowles still wants that unnecessary career! Her album, due August 26, is called SoL-AngeL & The Hadley Street Dreams... – ONTD

Rumor has it Cynthia Nixon and girlfriend of three years Christine Marinoni plan to marry in Vermont. - Dlisted

Apparently Jim Carey and Ewan McGreggor go to gay bars in Miami to research their gay roles in I Love You Phillip Morris. ... And do what? Take notes? – Queerty

 

Watch New KT Tunstall "If Only" Video

 

Acoustic-pop guitarist KT Tunstall has that devoted lesbian following on her resume, but I'm also a major fan of Drastic Fantastic - especially of second track, "If Only." Here's the official music video for the song, which features KT taking on the ski slopes.

Not really what I was expecting ... KT never even opens her mouth to sing in the whole video. And the lyrics for "If Only" never made me think of sports, but I guess I'm just gay like that.

 

 

KT bites it in the end, to give it away for ya. Such a weird idea for the video... Well, the song itself is still amazing. And you can watch another Drastic video, "Hold On," after the jump...

 

The Allure of The Female Form

-- the linster from AfterEllen.com

Angie Harmon is so modest that she won't get pictures developed of her and her husband skinny-dipping – she doesn't want the photo lab folks to see them.

Yet, Harmon is one of five gorgeous women who posed nude for the May issue of Allure, due to hit the stands this week. I, for one, find no reason to object to such inconsistency of thought.

 

 

Hear Full Santogold Album - Plus an Interview With Drowned

 

After Santi White's "LES Artistes" video thoroughly disturbed me (watch it below), I was almost wary of listening to her debut, embarrassing as that is. But the Brooklyn-born Wesleyan alum and friend-of-M.I.A. totally fascinates me for what she did ... so I gave Santogold a fair listen.

MTVu is streaming the Santogold debut, due April 29, and you officially have to try it out; it's totally digital, punk-y and bizarre. In the MTV feature on Santogold after the jump, Santi says she loves analog electronic sounds – which you can hear on tracks such as "Creator." The track reminds me of grimier, crazier M.I.A., and critics have made M.I.A.-Santogold comparisons, but I am hearing something different ...

 

 

I also recommend the track "Shove It," in which Santi sings, "We think you're a joke; shove your hope where it don’t shine" - and I'm all about "Lights Out" and "Starstruck" for its funky, low-fi backing.

 

Daily Buzz Bits: Girlicious Is Ready, Amy Winehouse Is Taking Names

 

A once-closeted MTV music exec is releasing a out-ing memoir May 13, citing an established gay sub-culture in hip-hop. ...Why am I doubtful of the juiciness? - Gawker

The CW's Search for The Next Pussycat Doll Wannabe is over – and the girls of Girlicious already have a painful album cover. - Idolator

The Hills' Whitney Port is never less than stunning, but did OK! have to go for the Ethel Mertz look? – OK!

Top Chef's most recent episode had a "strong lesbian plot line"; Gawker asks, Is Top Chef a lesbian morality play? - Gawker

Amy Winehouse punching and head-butting people on the street? I'm scared just reading about that... - Dlisted

 

Can Natalie Portman Reach Wuthering Heights?

-- browne from AfterEllen.com

A new film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel Wuthering Heights is in the works. John  Maybury — who helms upcoming lesbianish film The  Edge of Love and is openly gay — is attached to direct, and Natalie Portman is attached to star as  Catherine Earnshaw. According to IMDb.com, the project is tentatively scheduled  for release in 2010.

 

MySpace Boots TransAmerican Lover Jim Over Nude Pics! Boo! Hiss!

Don't try this on MySpace, Kids!

Who knew Tom and the nerds/moguls at MySpace were such fussy prudes? They'll kick you off without a warning if they deem your pics too saucy, as our pal Jim Howley -- who you may know as one of the suitors who fought for the love of trans beauty Calpernia Addams on Logo's TransAmerican Love Story dating show -- found out this week.

Jim posted some cool arty pics of himself (nudes, but tasteful and not really crotch-exposing) on his MySpace photos page. The pics had been shot by photog Jen Rosenstein for an art show called "Transcending Boundaries" (opening in late May in L.A.) and you can see them here (above and after the jump). Jim's a trans man himself, so he was more than ready to get sexy and pose to help further the cause of hot transgender folks everywhere.

But then... as Jim tells us: "As far as MySpace is concerned, I did not receive ANY warnings or anything, my page was just deleted no questions asked. I had received 17 comments on one of the standing pictures within less than a day! POOF...my page was gone. I felt pretty sick to my stomach and am actually working to get it back. Screw Tom and his puritanical ways!"

More pics after the jump! And Jim tells us more, too!

Gossip Interview With NewNowNext!

 

The crazy-cool queer rockers of Gossip stopped by MTV studios last week - they're the official Artist of the Week, B.T.W. - and NewNowNext snuck in for a quick chat. Front woman Beth Ditto is, of course, the Coolest Person in Rock ... and Brace and Hannah were just as chill and funny. We love 'em!

 

 

Gossip is probably known most for its insane live shows - I caught them last week in NYC, and it's an experience - so I asked them about concert audiences, as well as their political stances and where they fall on the Kinsey Scale...

 

And watch the official Gossip video for "Listen Up!" & and a live performance of "Standing in The Way of Control" after the jump!

 

Are You Ready for Betty, Ugly Betty, That Is?

All photos courtesty of  ABC/Vivian Zink

 

-- Dorothy Snarker from AfterEllen.com

It’s been three months, to the day, since our last Betty Suarez pratfall. Three months, to the day, since our last Wilhelmina Slater cocked eyebrow. Three months, to the day, since our last Mandy and Marc madness. I think it’s safe to say, we’re all ready for Betty, wouldn’t you? Ugly Betty returns to the air tonight with its first post-strike episodes, and not a moment too soon.

The campiest show on television is back for five all new episodes. The series will pick up on Betty’s 24th birthday. What can we expect? Well, since this season has already seen a death, near-death, near-wedding, baby mama drama, baby daddy drama, artificial insemination, amnesia and Posh Spice, I’d say just more of the same old, same old.

 

New Alicia Keys "Teenage Love Affair" Video

 

I can't forget, Fresh Takes star Alicia Keys still makes music videos. Her third As I Am single is a tribute to the '80s Spike Lee movie School Daze - but if that's not enough, love interest Derek Luke makes the vid worth a watch no matter what.

But ... eh ... Alicia's music is the kind I appreciate but would never ever listen to on my own time. I mean, who would ever really listen to Alicia singing about going to first base? I do like her performance, though; she connects and comes off genuine for her cutesy dance number at the student union.

But why does Alicia keep playing roles far too young for her?

 

Daily Buzz Bits: Tila Tequila's Second Shot; Mariah's "Bye Bye" to Leona

 

It's baaaack ... Tila Tequila's second season of A Shot at Love apparently featured lots of chode-showing - and the lipsticks heavily outweighed the butches. – Remote Control

Speaking of trashy reality TV I love, can this I Love Money New-Rock-Flavor-Love-York mash-up show really be happening? Could it really be? - Gawker

Madonna's intimate April 30 concert in NYC continues to taunt me... Well, there are a lot of gay chances to win tickets, at least: Modern Tonic readers, Perez readers - and VH1 wants a poem...?

Mariah Carey's E=MC2 album – which I'm loving right now – just enjoyed the highest sales week of 2008. Mariah's also over this Leona Lewis character. – Idolator & ONTD 

Before performing at G-A-Y in London, Robyn rocked an AOL performance sesh ... check out the videos. - AOL.com

 

The Top Six "Idols" Sing Show Tunes

The top six contestants with Andrew Lloyd ... Webber Photo credit: Michael Becker/FOX

 

-- carolinagrrrl from AfterEllen.com

We're halfway through the finals on American Idol, and yet I feel as though we've been watching these "singers" for months. Oh, wait. We have been. (It's amazing how much they can stretch out these seasons!)

On our first Kristy Lee–free (thank goodness!) night, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber was the mentor, and his songs were the theme.

Kicking it off in the opening time slot was Syesha Mercado, and she looked absolutely stunning.

 

The Hills Recap Vlog: 10 Reasons We're Mad at Best Show Ever

 

For this week's Heidi Chronicles, Jon and Colin can't lie - they're just not feelin' it! So we count down the reasons why Monday's Whitney-less episode plain pissed us off.

 

 

Angry Puppy Special: What Was Gay at NY Comic Con? Not Enough

-- Marc Leonard from AfterElton.com

From our perspective the most frustrating thing about this year's New York Comic Con wasn't the already-anticipated lack of gay characters in any of the big comic, film, or video game presentations or booths. After all, we weren't expecting much. Sadly, though we were thrilled to have a panel of our own, our biggest frustration was with the gay panel discussion, for which we had higher hopes.

Check out the descriptions of two panel sessions listed in the Con program, and see if you can spot our frustration...

 

Universe to Rachel Dratch: We Love You

-- Dorothy Snarker from AfterEllen.com

Ask and ye shall receive. Or, in Rachel Dratch's case, beg a little and ye shall be gainfully employed again. After she told New York magazine earlier this month that she was "not doing much" and "ready for a job," the out-of-work Saturday Night Live alum got an emphatic answer from the universe.

Dratch has just been cast in the comedic play Scramble! at the Westport County Playhouse, a historic Connecticut theater revived by Paul Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward. She will appear in the production in July. Earlier this week she flew to Los Angeles to shoot a pilot for a new, as yet unnamed, TV series.

 

NewNowNext NOISE: Madonna "4 Minutes" Behind-The-Scenes Clip & Hard Candy Preview!

 

For our latest gay pop-culture vlog, we've got a goofy behind-the-scenes clip for ya from the Madonna-Justin Timberlake "4 Minutes" video ... watch it below.

But not so fast! John and Colin also got to hear the entire Hard Candy album last week - so check our quick rundown/preview of what Madge has in store for all the gays starting April 29!

 

 

Daily Buzz Bits: Gossip Girl's Gay Revealed, Clay Aiken's Love for Tyra

 

Way to ruin it, Mom! Gossip Girl's Kelly Rutherford officially revealed the series' gay character. And yes, Kelly, since you filmed it, it's probably going to happen. – USWeekly

'Cause Ty Ty just loves him: Clay Aiken guested on The Tyra Banks Show's 500th episode. True love! – Just Jared

You kind of have to watch the Riskay "Smell Yo D*ck" music video – but, surprise, it's for mature audiences only. – Blastro

Lindsay Lohan gave the best quote I've heard in a long time when she told an Olsen to back off her main woman, Samantha Ronson. - Dlisted

Pushing Daisies and Soldier's Girl star Lee Pace is hot ... basically. - ONTD

 

Come With Me If You Want a Second Season of Sarah Connor Chronicles

-- Dorothy Snarker from AfterEllen.com

So, I guess we'll find out if Cameron makes it out of that Jeep after all. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles has been renewed for a second season. A whole new season of Lena Headey and Summer Glau running around in tank tops with shotguns while saving the world? Hell and yeah.

 

Neil Patrick Harris Gets Personal on Harold & Kumar Media Blitz

-- snicks from AfterElton.com

Out star Neil Patrick Harris is on a good old-fashioned press blitz this week leading up to Friday's opening of Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. He reprises the role of ... himself (or rather, a Bizarro World version of himself), and so far this week he's made appearances on E!, Regis & Kelly, MAD TV, and The Howard Stern Show. The Stern interview was particularly illuminating, with Neil opening up about his past, and about being an openly gay man in Hollywood.

 

Video Lunch: Jason Mraz - "I'm Yours"

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