Idol Chat Recap Vlog With Jim & Penny: The Top 4

-- Dennis Ayers from AfterElton.com

After a week's absence, Jim & Penny return to talk about the most recent performances on American Idol ("Neil Diamond week" and "Classic Rock week").

They open up the reader mailbag and name their picks for most talented, most improved and most personable contestants from this season. Also, Penny asks Jim about recent comments made by Season One co-host Brian Dunkleman that the show's producers and certain judges were "mean-spirited and targeted specific contestants in an effort to break them." 

 

Co-hosts Ryan Seacrest (left) & Brian Dunkleman
from American Idol Season One

 

Check out their video blog after the break!

 

NewNowNext Design: Jono’s Fun Summer ’08 Fashion Picks

A must for summer? Suntan Oil! Ouch!!!!

Summer is near. You’re already shopping for new trunks, cool shades—the basics, right? Well in the interest of keeping you clued in we’re going to consult some experts every Monday this month to get their take on what’s cute style-wise this season.

First up, consumer guru Jono, a stylist who’s appeared on a zillion TV shows, is here to offer his expertise on trends and tastes. He visited us back in November during our “Thanksgifting” shopping extravaganza and he’s back with some cool summer tips on what’s what and what’s hot!

As timely as ever (ka-ching!!!), here’s Jono’s 6 Things to Pick Up with your Stimulus Check:

LL Bean’s Perfect Tote

Make Al Gore happy by greening up your summer with this simple yet stylish LL Bean Canvas Tote. Roomy and with strong handles it’s just what the eco-fashion doctor ordered. Perfect for lugging groceries from the supermarket or popping away for sun-filled weekend. Say “no” to plastic bags!

$44 for the large bag from LL Bean

Five more fun styling, gifty ideas after the jump!

"S-T-A-M-P Your Feet" for the New Donna Summer Video

She works hard for it, honey.

Okay, so I have my own confession on the dancefloor to make. In the burgeoning Duel of the Maturing Divas, I'm much more excited about the new Donna Summer album, Crayons, than I am about Madonna's Hard Candy. In my opinion, the nearly 50-year-old Material Girl has sweetly secreted loads of what's disappointing about commercial pop these days, while Summer, who reaches her own milestone of 60 years old this December, injects some soulful authenticity into her first original music in 17 years.

Judging from readers' reactions to news about the new Summer album last month, my humble assessment might find some supporters here. For more proof, check out the new video for Donna's "Stamp Your Feet," a smash that ought to handily become this season's Pride anthem.

No doubt Summer's going to be busy soon with her tour, but wouldn't it be interesting if the Queen of Disco shows up at a pier dance in June?

Cynthia Nixon: I'm Not Getting Married. But I'd Like To!

Cynthia Nixon and Christine Marinoni: Not married or engaged... Yet!!!

So, remember a month or two ago with the press was abuzz that Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon and her partner, Christine Marinoni, were making plans for their wedding this fall? Lies, all lies!!!!

Here’s the deal: The pair are interested in getting hitched (as was reported today...) In fact, Nixon is kind of eager to wed Marinoni (moreso than she’s been with the males in her life apparently). It’s just that it ain’t legal. Here in New York where she lives. Yet.

I attended the Sex and the City press junket recently and you can read the conversation I had with Nixon about it after the jump!

Suck It Up & Dance! The Step It Up Recap Vlog With Guest Dwayne/Milan!

We've got another special guest this week, Step It Up fans! It's Dwayne (a.k.a. Milan - that's his fierce drag persona, a downtown NYC star)! Dwayne's currently working it in the Broadway production of Hairspray. Not only do John, Colin & Dwayne discuss the most recent ultra-mod Step It Up episode, Dwayne - attempts! - to teach us some signature Hairspray motions of the ocean - and gives us his personal takes on Jerry Mitchell and Lance Bass!

As Milan, Dwayne has also rocked NYC as one of the pop/dance group Da Lipstyxx. Expect more from them soon! But today he's talking about dancing! And we all discuss that uncomfortable man-on-man mattress romp between Cody and Nick. Dudes, relax!

That's Milan, front-and-center with Da Lipstyxx (left). And this week's "Dance" castaway: Michael!

Check out NewNowNext's post-elimination interview with Michael after the jump...

Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship: NewNowNext Interview!

 

How did Cobra Starship get so darned gay-friendly? Could it be the influences of Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy, Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes or William Beckett from The Academy Is...? Probably, but we're all about front man Gabe Saporta from the gay end.

As a total fan of Cobra's party-pop-rock sound, I was psyched to speak with Gabe after the band's TRL showing last week. Oh, yeah - with two albums, sold-out tours and VMAs performances, Cobra's gotten more legit than its off-shoot britches.

And P.S. Gabe's beautiful in person and, like, 6'4". I'm just sayin'...

 

Read the Q&A after the jump! We chatted about Cobra's gayness, Gabe's occasional guy-on-guy make-out, his love for Madonna and his views on keeping sexuality open.