2008 ThanksGIFTing Holiday Gift Guide: In a Gentlemen's League of Their Own
Good distinctive design is hard to come by. And when it's presented to you in gift form... Does it get any better? New York's newest rising design pair, designer Seth Stevens and artist Adam Razak, have created a line of goods under the moniker The Gentlemen's League, and they're definitely ones to watch. Right now the big buzz is all about their new line of bags, just like the one in the video clip above. Oh, that lucky Jono...
Seth and Adam have taken the classic form of the Mason bag, and updated it brilliantly into their "Signature Bag." (Vogue has taken notice, putting the pair and their wares in the December 2008 issue.) And adding to the luxe angle, each bag is created personally for the buyer, the decorative artwork drawn to capture your personality. So no two are alike! A sitting is required where you can meet with artist Razak, so he can create imagery on your bag that speaks to you. Fancy, right?
See more of The Gentlemen's League after the jump.
2008 ThanksGIFTing Holiday Gift Guide: Malin + Goetz Give Good Face
Product, product, product! Is there any better gift item? Especially when it's fierce quality goods, like the cosmetics and grooming goods from the NYC-based duo of Malin + Goetz.
That's why it's extra festive to have Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz (whose flagship store in Chelsea has basically become a city landmark for savvy shoppers) at your holiday gift-giving soiree. They might just bring goodies with them! And their extensive line of skin care, fragrance and home accessories are made on a small scale, so they can take the time to carefully craft every item personally.
After the jump, find out more about this dynamic duo, and get a glimpse at the goods that Inge scored at our party (watch above!).
2008 ThanksGIFTing Holiday Gift Guide: Inge's Music Picks
Inge Colsen isn't just a killer NYC-based DJ; she's also a music marketing expert (based at the firm Girlie Action)! So when she gives CDs, pay attention!
Project Runway alum Jack Mackenroth is the lucky gift-getter in the party video clip above. He gets some choice sounds from Inge... Maybe her picks can inspire you, too!
After the jump you can peruse more of Inge's music recommendations. Cheers!
2008 ThanksGIFTing Holiday Gift Guide: Jingle Bell Rock Band
There's a rock star inside each and every one of us. So it's no wonder that as gift-giving season rolls around this year, the sly Harmonix folks behind Rock Band have unleashed a new and improved version of the killer game upon us. Rock Band 2 is better than ever, and a blast to play (though personally, I suck at the drums) on your XBox, Wii or PS3. You can round up three friends (or play solo) and slam out tunes by the likes of Beck, Blondie, Weezer, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, the Hives, Iron Maiden, Blink 182 and on and on...
You can battle other bands online, change up your avatar, play the bass or the guitar (made possible by the cool wireless Fender guitar that comes with), and Rock Band 2's drum set is quieter to play, so all the slamming noise you create is for the song.
To get even further into it, you can create merch for your band, go on tour, and even create action figures of your band. It's crazy. It's a phenomenon.
2008 ThanksGIFTing Holiday Gift Guide: Jono's Techie Treats
NYC's own Jono is a techie product maniac (in a good way) and he's always clued in to the hottest new gadgets out here. Watch him bestow upon Nadia and Myriah (the pair behind Brooklyn's furniture/textile firm Nightwood) some gift-worthy gizmos that you might want for yourself.
After the jump, get the skinny on Jono's techie wonders. You could be groovin' Bluetooth-style in no time!
2008 ThanksGIFTing Holiday Gift Guide: Noah's Arc DVD & Soundtrack
If you watch Logo at all, chances are you're familiar with Noah's Arc, the series which follows four gay African-American men through their lives and loves in Los Angeles. And if you're a Noah fan (and you know who you are!), you've probably already been to see the big new movie, Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom or are gagging to!
Well, here's more good news: You can go ahead and pre-order Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom on DVD. Like, now! It won't arrive until February, when it's officially released, but at least you'll be at the head of the line. Just like Tiffany in the video above.
Til then, get your de-ga-ga groove on with the Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom Soundtrack, which is a fierce little compendium of tunes from the TV series and the film, and features the likes of Solange Knowles, Michelle Williams, the legendary Phoebe Snow, out singer Matt Alber, Bob Sinclair and even the musical stylings of Noah's Arc creator Patrik-Ian Polk himself!
Sarah McLachlan is a lesbian icon. And a gay icon. And a feminist. And a pet lover. And a master musician who's cranked out some pretty iconic tunes in her time. ("Possession" still makes me swoon a little... and "Adia" still haunts me.)
Tonight she's hosting the music video show NewNowNext PopLab on Logo, and throughout the episode she gabs away about her lesbian fans, making music, and her new and totally killer greatest hits CD entitled Closer: The Best of Sarah McLachlan.
And above we've got an exclusive mini-chat with Sarah, in which she talks about her classic all-female music roadshow, Lilith Fair, which united generations of women in a way that had never been done. Plus she serves up shout-outs to Queen Latifah, the Indigo Girls and Feist. Bust out your sandals. This is gonna get good!
Happy Thanksgiving! How about a big "merci" for Sarah!?? And after the jump, get a glimpse of Sarah's newest video for "U Want Me 2." And something special for the holidays...
Now, pass the yams, my two-spirited sorceress sisters!
Val Emmich is no stranger to this blog. I've posted about him, gushed about his cuteness and recommended his lovely latest album, Little Daggers. So imagine how happy I was to sit next to him and gab away! Thanksgiving came early for me this year! Praise!
Val visited Logo recently and we talked about Ugly Betty, his 30 Rock appearance (which inspired Judah Friedlander's "gay crush"), making music, his novel, and which studly celeb he might turn gay for. Okay, Val's just kidding, but he's more than game to tell us about his occasional guy obsession. Hint: He must be a big fan of Y Tu Mama Tambien and The Science of Sleep.
Val also talked about how he likes to cook. Hmmmm... Is it wrong of me to foster dreams of snarfing on turkey and cranberries through the holidays with Val?
After the jump you can see a totally lovely acoustic version he did right here of his latest, "Get On With It." Plus, I've got you the official video for the tune, too.
2008 ThanksGIFTING Holiday Gift Guide: Reincarnated, Handmade Gifts from Nightwood
Thoughtful gifts are always the best. And I love handmade pieces that come with a story and also have various uses. (Multi-tasking is good, right?) Like the cool box/pillow/artwork gift that Nadia Yaron and Myriah Scruggs of Nightwood gave to Adam in the Thanksgifting party clip above. These women are thinkers, as well as gifted artisans.
After the jump, have a look at more of the great pieces that Brooklyn-based Nightwood crafts. A trademark of their work and their pieces is the fact that they re-use, repurpose and recycle found pieces with just about everytyhing they create! Very cool indeed...
2008 ThanksGIFTing Holiday Gift Guide: The Year's Top 10 Audio Books
Better read than dead, the saying goes. But finding time to read, really read, seems more difficult than ever. But if you spend half of your time with little earbuds sticking out of the sides of your head anyway, maybe you should mix it up and tune into a good book instead of letting Rihanna warble at you yet again.
And chances are your pals need to catch up on their reading/listening, too. So after the jump you can check out what made the list of the Top 10 best LGBT books of 2008. Meaning, these are the books by LGBT authors that caused a stir. See if you agree... And see where the latest Tales of the City tome from Armistead Maupin (above) ended up on the list.
To snag them for yourself, your friends and your iPod, go to Audible.com and order away!
NewNowNext NOISE Interview: Tanner Cohen & Zelda Williams of Were the World Mine
The indie film Were the World Mine opened in NYC, SF and Berkeley this past weekend, and it's already selling out majorly! The movie is the musical story of cute high school guys putting on their production of Midsummer Night's Dream, and after some romantic trickery, end up turning the whole town gay. In this fun film, rock-n-roll meets fantasy, along with studly jocks, sensitive drama kids, and even a love potion gone haywire tossed in!
Above is a great interview with two of the film's leads: Tanner Cohen & Zelda Williams. Tanner is a NYC boy currently enrolled at UCLA; he's tall and dreamy, and absolutely fantastic in the film. Zelda is great up-and-coming actress who just happens to be a big LGBT activist and Robin Williams' daughter!
Hear them riff on making this gay fairy tale, about their parents' reaction to the film (Robin cried!), their devoted fans, and "fairy orgies!" The film's opening all around the U.S. this month and next. Check it out!!!
2008 ThanksGIFTing Holiday Gift Guide: Jack Mackenroth Serves Up Some Fashion!
It's officially a party when Project Runway alum/style maven Jack Mackenroth comes dashing in! And he's here now to kick off this year's batch of ThanksGIFTing video spots, hyping up Logo's gift guide mania which is going to flurry across the channel this entire holiday weekend.
Of course, Jack gives fashionable goodies in his own inimitable manner. With sass, style and, well... More sass! Get more dish on the goods he's delivering after the jump!
I will venture to say Hercules and Love Affair's debut, self-titled album will make many a critic's top albums of '08. And the band's core trio is adorable. You've got (from left to right in the above interview) hot singer Nomi, DJ/producer/main-man Andy Butler (he's partnered, grr!) who's majorly cute in his sweatshirt, and singer/musician/jewelry designer Kim Ann Foxman.
In this chatty clip, the trio discuss the crazy touring life, transitioning from party-throwers and DJs to full-on performers ... and the fascinating question: if H&LA were a food, what would it be? And check out the group's latest video for "You Belong" ...
More MILK Interviews: James Franco & Diego Luna Talk Sex & San Francisco
Oh, the MILKtrain just keeps chugging along! This may just be the biggest gay movie we've seen since Heath and Jake got frisky with that handful of spit up on Brokeback, and it's certainly the most directly, full-on politically-minded gay film EVER. So, can we help it if the promo tsunami just keeps roaring on?
In the above interview clip, Diego Luna talks about his sex scenes with Sean Penn. I love Mr. Luna, but really... Do you really think he needed tequila to man up for his kiss with Penn? Seen Y Tu Mama Tambien, much? Anyway, I like Luna and I liked him in the film. He's got the best insanely poofed-up movie hair since Lainie Kazan starred in, er, anything!
And because he's everywhere now, delicious James Franco pops up again to ramble on adorably about how filming in San Francisco helped give the movie an extra-special vibe. Whatever! Franco can say anything he wants... He had me at the first moment in Milk when he shows up in his own kinked-out wig and hot porn 'stache.
Anyway... MILK hits NYC, SF & LA tomorrow. Get ready to be recruited!
2008 ThanksGIFTing Needs for The Video Game Lovers / The "Gay-mers"
Holiday shopping still a work in progress? ...or maybe one not begun? Not to worry - just don't forget the gay-mers on your list. You know gays are big on the VGs (seriously! like how we all have a thing for Buffy). Ah, but buying a video game for a discerning player can be tricky, can't it? I know I have felt the killer combo of awkwardness and disappointment upon opening a telltale-shaped gift only to discover a copy of Jack Nicklaus Major Championship Golf. The right video game can make you the hero of any gift-giving fest, but don't be out of touch, civilians!
I've got some totally sick recs for all three systems, if I do say so myself: buzz-y and state-of-the-art, but with some real quality behind them. Check 'em all out after the jump...
Hey, here's a question. Does this look like a police lineup to you?
Showtime has released a second promo for the final season of The L Word and it left me wondering how the show had turned into an extended game of Clue.
Britney Spears Tell-All For The Record Will Air on LOGO Sunday Nov. 30
With the release of her sixth studio album, Circus, just days away, my pop love Britney Spears has finally gone on the record in the way (I hope; I haven't seen it yet) I've been craving. My girl owes me an explanation after that VMAs performance! As you've probably heard, Brit's documentary, For The Record, will hit TVs right before Circus comes out (watch the trailer below), and the 90-minute tell-all will premiere exclusively on MTV and on LOGO - but you should probably watch it on LOGO, yeah? - this Sunday, Nov. 30, at 10 p.m.
Camera crews followed Brit around for three months - how did she ever get used to that? - as she attempted to get her career back on track. As a major Britney fan, I hope this whole project helps her out, and some of the leaked quotations really make me feel badly for her. At one point in the movie, Britney compares her life to jail:
"Even when you go to jail, y'know, there's the time when you're gonna get out. But in this situation, it's never ending."
And on people in her life she regrets trusting:
"I had totally lost my way. I lost focus. I lost myself. I let certain people into my life that were just bad people ... because I was lonely. I really paid the consequences for that. Big time."
After the jump, watch an odd clip from For The Record in which Britney imitates her father, who, by the way, has permanent conservatorship over Brit.
And to refresh why Britney is who she is - head over to her Click List video page to see all of Britney's greatest works in one place and vote on the gay favorite. The Top 10 videos will then air Friday Nov. 28 in a special edition of The Click List.
Last night, kicking off this season of irrelevant awards shows, ABC aired the annual American Music Awards. While the honors seemed a bit random in who received them - Chris Brown as Artist of The Year ... really? - the AMAs ceremony featured over a dozen performances, which relieved the strain of the usual awards show bore.
With actual performances from the likes to Beyonce (or maybe Sasha?), Pussycat Dolls, Xtina, Rihanna and Mariah, pop music of 2008 was covered across the board. Below is a (gay) look at the AMAs in pictures...
It's redundant to say that 'tis the season of giving... But seriously, don't most of your friends already have enough stuff? It's not like you can spring and give them a new MacBook or a trip to Belize in this economy, right?
So, why not give something that you can all feel good about? Something that benefits a charitable cause, whether it's a gay group, or helping to save puppies or improving the environment, or just helping your neighbors... You can pitch in and still pass long a present.
Great green and charity-minded gift ideas after the jump!
In the category of “Is this a good thing?” Twilight actresses Kristen Stewart and Nikki Reed will shoot another movie together, starting in January. They'll reportedly be playing men.
The movie, K-11, takes place in the section of the Los Angeles county jail that holds gay inmates, keeping them segregated from the general prison population. (“K-11” is the official classification for a gay inmate.) Stewart, who stars as Bella in Twilight, will play a boy and Reed, Twilight’s Rosalie, will play a 30-year-old man. Stewart’s mom, veteran script supervisor Jules Stewart, will direct.
As I understand it, "Come Over" is only the second single from U.K. singer Estelle's Shine album... which can't be right. But OK: second only for the U.S.; I forgot the label only marketed the Kanye collabo our way.
And our next Estelle video also requires a male partner, this time in the form of none other than the illustrious Sean Paul. Ugh. I really hate Sean Paul, sorry ... and I tried to keep an open mind with his presence, but I caved the second he walked into Estelle's bedroom - Estelle working the bed in her usual breathy, sultry style - and, um, broke the spell, if you will.
And Estelle is all about the structured clothes, huh? She should work with Petals Marshall! Watch Estelle turn into a kite for her 2008 MTV Euro Awards performance with Kanye West after the jump...
Great news for fans of gay fave Kathy Griffin! After months of speculation whether she would return to Bravo for another season of her two-time Emmy award-winning reality show My Life On The D-List, we get word that she's just inked a one-year deal with the cable channel.
The deal includes a fifth season renewal of D-List, hosting duties once again for the insanely gay Bravo A-List Awards, and two hourlong standup specials to air in 2009.
Above you can see Kathy rocking the red carpet at this year's GLAAD awards, and if you're like me, you will be anxiously awaiting the fifth season of D-List until it arrives next spring.
Unless you're a 12-year-old girl who hates "losers who don't shave!!" it's easy to see American Idol 7 winner David Cook is the latest genuine talent to come out of that show. With his cute-rocker image and surprising renditions of Mariah's "Always Be My Baby" and Dolly Parton's "Little Sparrow," David won over the whole country, and undoubtedly his share of gays. The winner kind of has to! Maybe it was that Guitar Hero commercial in his undies...
David's self-titled debut album hit stores this week, and his first single, "Light On," is playing on LOGO's NewNowNext PopLab. (You can also watch it after the jump.) In recent weeks, David's also performed on SNL, as well as for Sen. Hillary Clinton at the '08 Glamour magazine Women of the Year awards.
When David stopped by the MTV studios, we asked him about his music career post-Idol, his love of graphic design and his thoughts on Prop 8.
Gossip gay Michael Ausiello is reporting that actor Connor Paolo, who plays gay teen Eric on Gossip Girl, has been offered "regular" character status by the show and has refused the contract offer.
It might amount to nothing more than an actor not wanting to be hemmed in by a role that hasn't been giving him too terribly much to do, but of course the Ghost of Gay Teens Past rears its ugly head whenever this kind of thing happens.
I for one hope that Eric isn't going anywhere regardless and that there are no Dekkerian underpinnings to the news.
More Hard News From Planet Unicorn Star Krayon Brooks: "Homosexuals Love Margaritas"
Get into it... Time for more of my newfound obsession: Krayon Brooks - the voice of ... Cadillac, maybe? on Planet Unicorn - and current correspondent for Atom.com. For his latest piece, our girl voices more anger about Prop 8 - even donning a tuxedo and abstaining from margaritas in protest! We gays mean business this time!
Krayon also congratulates the New King of Buddhism. Enjoy!
The MILK Cast Talks! Sean Penn Blasts Prop 8. Emile Hirsch Talks Bathhouses. Plus, Madonna!
The entire MILKcast, director Gus Van Sant and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black all hit NYC this week to host screenings and shindigs in honor of the powerful biopic which opens in NY, LA and SF this coming Wednesday (Nov. 26th), and then wide on Dec. 5th.
Among the many events was a press conference at the Regency Hotel where they a lined up and fielded questions from reporters. Throughout the event Sean Penn sneezed and sniffled, and studly Josh Brolin cracked jokes and James Franco looked cute. They’re a lovable bunch! And they all truly adore this movie...
After the jump, get all the quotes: Sean Penn goes off (in a good way)! Josh Brolin recalls getting teary! And Emile Hirsch learns about gay sex, 1970s style! And somebody even brings on the first Mrs. Penn, aka Madonna.
The L Word has never billed itself to be anything more than a lesbian soap opera; however, it looks like the promo staff of The L Word took a cue from MTV and fully embraced the “sex sells” doctrine.
As queer women, we are often in a bind as to how to react to overtly sexualized images of queer women in the media. We are sexual beings, so part of us may react with some level of excitement, yet we are also put in the position off wanting to portray to the general public that we are not the type of sex hungry deviants that right-wing muckrakers claim that we are.
The brand-new Brit trio - Ed, Edd and Jack of Friendly Fires - was in New York not (too) long ago for that CMJ music bash, and NNN got in a chat with the indie-pop, clank-y, glow-stick-waving, nu-rave band. FF's debut album came out in September, and you can check out videos for its first two singles, "Jump in The Pool" and "Paris," after the jump.
The guys were very proper and sweet and talked about club culture - and about condensing that love into palatable three-minutes tracks - along with gay nights near and dear to their hearts - including one called "Cock Soup" ... !
Caution! Cuidado! Vorsicht! The following post is fraught with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince spoilers. Hang onto your hats, or your Amortentia (love potion, Muggles) or your 3-D Spectrespecs.
Raise your hand if you are going to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Keep your hand raised if you've read the book. Keep your hand raised if you waited in line at midnight to get the book. Keep your hand raised if you cried while reading the book. OK, now, keep your hand up if, after finishing the book, you wore sackcloth and ashes and mourned like Albus Dumbledore was your very own grandfather.
Everyone with their hands still in the air, come sit by me and watch the new trailer. I'll hold you close.
Hilary Duff Samples Depeche Mode, But Did Jamelia Do It Better?
-- by NNN.com contributor Ryan McNally
Sampling is nothing new in pop music, and it can certainly be used to great effect. Sometimes it can make an old classic sound new again, and other times it can, well…be used by Hilary Duff.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Hilary’s post-Disney career, and I even bought her electro-lite masterpiece, 2007’s under-appreciated Dignity - but that was then and this is new. For the lead-off single of her newly-issued (as well as second) Best Of, Lizzy McGuire is back with “Reach Out,” sampling Depeche Mode’s ‘80s classic, “Personal Jesus.”
Former Cycle 11 America's Next Top Model contestant Isis King visited The Tyra Banks Show Tuesday and was surprised with news that Tyra will help her get her long-awaited sex reassignment surgery.
Isis, the first transgender contestant to ever appear on ANTM, was originally scouted for the show when she appeared in the background of an ANTM photo at a homeless shelter (where she was living at the time). She won a spot on the current cycle of ANTM, but was ultimately eliminated in the fourth week.
On Banks, Isis talked about growing up feeling like she was born in the wrong body, and how getting sex reassignment surgery has been cost prohibitive.
Below is a short clip of Isis on The Tyra Banks Show:
For anyone who has been reading superhero comics, complaining about the abundance of comics tied to the X-Men franchise is a familair pastime. However, for gay readers, there just may be reason to pay attention to one new series, Young X-Men.
Young X-Men is the latest X-book to focus on younger mutants and one of the heroes featured in Young X-Men is Anole, a gay character whoseouting was nixed in 2003 but was eventually outed in 2006. Anole isn't the only gay mutant in Young X-Men, however.
A new trend is spreading among celebrities — they want to quit being celebrities. Or at least to quit acting. The latest to announce her intention to leave Hollywood is our favorite BBB (Bisexual Before Brad), Angelina Jolie.
Last Thursday, in an interview with the BBC, Jolie said: “I don’t plan to keep acting very long, I’m ready to do a few things now and fade away and get ready to be a grandma one day. … maybe it [acting] will be once a year and then maybe it will be once every three years, and then just naturally … I like being home a lot these days.”
This came on the heels of a similar comment she made recently in an interview with the Italian edition of Vanity Fair.
Leona Lewis Performs "Run" on X Factor, Looks Fierce in i-D Magazine
Oh, Leona, "I can hardly speak!" I'm so happy the ridiculous voice / perfection that is Leona Lewis gave me the gift of some new material. For the re-release of Spirit, Leona recorded a cover of Snow Patrol's "Run" - and, no surprise, I find it insanely good. I can't figure out how to embed the video (legally), but you must check out Leona's performance of "Run" on The X Factor from this weekend.
I understand Leona only covered Snow Patrol as part of a visit to Live Lounge Radio 1, but her "Run" was so popular the execs decided to do a proper recording. I'm not sure if it will be released as a single (mistake if it's not!), but "Run" will for sure be a part ofSpirit: Deluxe Edition, due Dec. 2.
This picture of Leona is at some event unrelated to The X Factor - I just like it. Hottt... And speaking of, check out Leona's ridiculous spread ini-D magazineafter the jump:
An "Underlying Feeling" ... Sylvia Tosun Interview With NewNowNext!
New York-based, Juilliard-trained performer Sylvia Tosun may be a self-proclaimed gay man trapped in a woman's body - the fact that her whole image is shaped by power-gay fashion stylist, Carlos Davis and couture designers Phillipe and David Blond pretty much hammers that home - but Sylvia's got a lot more going for her than some drag-y fierceness and a few gigs at gay clubs (although we always love those).
In addition to Sylvia's single "Underlying Feeling," which is currently in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart, the singer's performed all over the world and can bust out an opera in 10 different languages. But our girl Sylvia keeps coming back to the gays and her true love: dance music...
Alexi's Closet goes mobile this week, as Alexi jets off to Memphis, Tenn. to visit family.
During her visit, she learns rather quickly just how different a small town in the South is, fashion-wise, compared to a big city like New York. And, before she leaves, she gives us a segment on packing made easy.
Everyone wants a Greatest Hits album lately, huh? X-Tina, Hilary Duff … and now Enrique? I guess Enrique has been working for over 10 years; I can't forget "Bailamos" came out in English in 1999. Both the album release and the video premiere for Enrique Iglesias were last week, but I can only take in his big bag of sexy drama in a certain state of mind - so I waited.
This Anthony Mandler-directed video is set in the desert – he likes those, I’ve noticed – and it's one of those tear-y ballads Enrique likes so much. "Away" also has a guest in Sean Garrett - and the album's other new track features Ciara.
Last Saturday, as Lindsay Lohan and DJ Samantha Ronson were walking into the VIP Room Theater in Paris, an animal rights activist approached the couple and dumped a bag of flour on Lohan's dress and fur stole.
Lohan and Ronson hurried into the club to pose for red carpet photos, while the woman fled the scene. Just before she ran away, she told reporters that she doused the actress with flour because Lohan is a "fur hag."
2008 Holiday Gift Guide: Colin’s ThanksGIFTing Music Needs
Those heartwarming, gift-getting, bird-packing days are skidding ever closer,
NNN readers, so now it's my turn to give out some holiday music suggestions to add to your lists. For all your gay gift-giving needs - I know, that part totally sucks - there's nothing quite like the gift of song ... although, isn't it kind of quaint to get an actual CD these days?
...Quaint?! Biker B says click on through the jump for five fierce CD picks or she'll run you down, then crush you with her metal hand! Yes, this is all very serious - especially since these albums just came out (or are about to come out), which will make you seem cool and hip to your friends and fam ... and that is pretty crucial.
Come the apocalypse, weaves and 808s ... after the jump!
This week, Brian and Kyle "express themselves" about Madonna's latest concert, the Sticky and Sweet tour, and they really get into it. From Paula Abdul and MC Skat Cat to Natalie Cole's "ghost duet" with her late father, these two plow through a mountain of pop culture on their way to their final verdict on the show. Can Madge earn five cone bras out of five from our guys? And an added bonus: Brian's list of words that make him uncomfortable!
Also mentioned this week: Aretha Franklin, whose voice was declared a natural resource in the state of Michigan.
UPDATE: Kim Stolz Responds to "Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy Weighs in on Prop 8"
UPDATE: Kim Stolz herself has responded to my earlier comments about her brunch video. Here's what she had to say:
Thanks for including our clip in your post. I find it interesting though that you left off the following clip, given it was the true substance and meaning of the day.
At a time when the majority of one of our "blue" states voted to take away equal rights from the LGBT community, I find it interesting that you, a writer for virtually the only "gay" channel choose to insult and tear apart a member of the community who is fighting to get those rights back.
Anyone who knows me would tell you that I'm a fan of snark, sarcasm, and the like (see http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/10/10/kim-stolz-responds-to-tyra-banks-dis-on-americas-top-model/), but there is a time and a place for it. During a critical moment of the gay rights movement (this generation's civil rights movement), why take a jab at someone who spent the weekend speaking at a gay rights rally so that you, me and every other LGBT person around us, can enjoy the same rights as our straight counterparts.
So Colin (with no last name, I add), who are you? Are you gay? Are you secretly supporting proposition 8? I'm not quite sure who you are, but I am sure of who I am, and I have been open about it for 10 years, and on national television. You might call that "self-involved." Others see it as being an active member of society -- fighting for the rights of those who are afraid to stand up themselves.
Perhaps if our community stops tearing each other apart and starts supporting each other's efforts, we will see the furthering of the gay rights movement, rather than the hindering of its members' efforts.
-- Kim Stolz
[Thanks for the response, Kim. I'm really flattered you took the time. And I think you're totally right in this instance: when members of my community take a stand against something like Prop 8, it's not really the time for me to be making jabs. But if you need any proof of my gayness, just watch that clip; it should clear any questions up.]
(And now for the original post, see below)
The Fall Out Boys stopped by Total Finale Live on Sunday - minus Pete Wentz; Ashlee will never have that ef-ing baby! - and even performed right on the Times Square streets. Now FOB is a gay-friendly band if there ever was one - Pete's totally OUT and The Advocate's favorite cover boy - but the whole crew is just as progressive and outspoken in support of the LGBTs. In fact, after the band's set I got in a question with lead singer Patrick Stump on his thoughts on Prop 8:
"Prop 8 is a load of crap, and I'm really bummed that it passed. It's in the hands of some people who are going to decide if it's constitutional, with the constitution of California, and hopefully they find in favor of civil rights.
The thing is, obviously we're heterosexuals - nothing negative is going to happen to us - but any threat to anyone's civil rights is a threat to everyone's civil rights."
You said it, Patrick! Ah, what a cool, intelligent guy. Check out Fall Out Boy's TRL performance and the rest of my Q&A after the jump. And for now, watch Kim Stolz of America's Next Top Model and awkward MTV news correspondent fame prepare for her speech at a Prop 8 protest.
Hmm... For some reason, watching an incredibly self-involved Kim have brunch with 15 people and pretending to care what they have to say isn't as exciting as I thought it would be. Oh, well.
Breasts! Nuns! Strippers! Guns! Wait, sorry, I feel a little woozy after watching the new trailer for Bitch Slap. Please distract yourself with this shot of the women of Bitch Slap pouring water on each other so you can feel as woozy as I do.
Since our first breathless reporting on what is shaping up to be the mother of all post-modern B-movie exploitation flicks back in August, the ladies (and gentlemen – but let’s face it we just care about the ladies) of Bitch Slap have released a new red-band trailer (for mature audiences) with more fights, explosions and cleavage than you can shake a stick at.
America’s No. 1 drag queen Sasha Fierce (you gotta snap your fingers when you say it) unleashed herself and her new weave at TRL’s funeral last night, and, of course, Ms. HOV danced around and sang (and screamed like she was in church trying to get some demons out of her or something). Even though this was B's first performance of her I Am… era without that Michael Jackson-esque gold hand thing, Beyonce turned out “If I Were A Boy,” “Single Ladies” and “Crazy In Love.”
For Good Girl Gone Bad single No. 17 (or something like that) Rihanna got in front of the camera and did what she does best: standing there looking hot in a bunch of wacky outfits. Meanwhile Justin Timberlake takes his best shot at being brooding and seductive, and I just need to thank whoever added the shower scene! As you can maybe tell - this track could certainly have been on FutureSex/LoveSounds - J.T. wrote "Rehab" for Ri-Ri's record. Whether or not he had himself in mind for the subject? ... I'm leaning toward yes.
I will say one of Rihanna's getups is pretty great - the one with the sunglasses? - but it only makes a brief appearance. And I'll also say I still prefer my "Disturbia" - which you can watch after the jump...
As though having Paul Rudd and Beyonce on as guests weren't enough, SNL pulled out all the gay-adjacent stops this weekend with an episode that referenced gay people, gay sex or gay cartoon lions in some way or another in nearly every segment of the show.
Things started off innocently enough with a skit about a family who kisses one another a lot, including father/son and brother/brother, which ended up with Fred Armisen trying to swallow Andy Samberg's face. Fair enough, been done before. But as the night wore on the skits got weirder ... for more (and for more video), click on through the jump.
Labelle Unites After 30 Years at OUT 100 Party in NYC!
OUT magazine held its 15th annual OUT 100 Awards Friday night, and while the evening at Gotham Hall was a glam, drunken, power-gay affair to be sure, we hadn't see nothin' till Patti Labelle came to the party stage ... after three hours of open bar and after Nikka Costa destroyed everyone's eardrums. So let's say it would take someone like Patti to get the gays' attention at this point.
And it wasn't just Patti: Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash of the original Labelle joined in for the group's first performance together in 30 years! Patti even teared up at one point ... and then - I thought this was kind of weird - Wilson Cruz got on stage and started singing, "singing," "Lady Marmalade" with them - definitely fulfilling some kind of lifelong dream, but not necessarily enjoyable for everyone else.
Check after the jump for lots of glamor-gay pictures - like this one of winner Cheyenne Jackson, who was all cute and gracious - and my overall take on the evening's festivities, which included host Chelsea Handler, an OMFGPadma! moment and the magic of Katy Perry via satellite.
Sometimes what happens in Vegas goes global. And the LGBT media world got sassier when fab comedian and actress Wanda Sykes came out at Las Vegas' Join the Impact/Anti Prop 8 rally this past Saturday. AfterEllen.com has the full scoop.
But it turns out that Sykes also got hitched to her wife in California back on October 25. Nice!
Sykes talking to the crowd rallying in Vegas on Saturday. Welcome, Wanda!
Sykes was just one of many celebs who spoke at Join the Impact rallies nationwide, uniting thousands of LGBT Americans and their friends and families all gearing up for the boiling battle over gay marriage.
After the jump, watch the video of the proud and kick-ass Sykes talking about how the current same-sex marriage issue turned her personal issue into a public fight. She's calling on us all to unite and "go get our damn equal rights!"
And a funny side note: Who are lesbians saying they wanna see come out next? Read the comments on AfterEllen. All hail the Queen!!!
Not long ago, we told you about a lesbian-themed episode of MTV's half-hour show Sex...with Mom and Dad. The premise of the show is that "Loveline's Sex and Relationship Expert Dr. Drew [helps] a teen and their parents work through their problems about sex, dating and relationships." An AE reader (thanks Michelle!) tipped us off to yet another lesbian-themed episode of the show.
Two great videos of the talented folks behind Milk speaking about the film, gay rights and Harvey Milk's legacy have surfaced that deserve a look.
First (above) there's a series of MTV interviews with the movie's young cast speaking at length about the film's parallels with the current battle against Proposition 8.
And after the break, check out ET's footage of the men of Milk on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere, which features the stars and director speaking eloquently about the film's inspiration (Emile Hirsch says it best when he simply comments that Harvey Milk was "an American hero").
2008 Holiday Gift Guide: John’s ThanksGIFTing Music Needs
Holy Jingle Cats! Like it or not, the holidays are upon us! I’ve already heard Xmas tunes in my local C-Town grocery store, and Times Square is full of 40-ft-ads for yuletide albums by the likes of Enya ("And Winter Came..." Eeek!) and Harry Connick, Jr. (who's chestnutty tan in the ads). There’s even a full-on Broadway stage version of the ancient White Christmas musical hitting the boards. And it’s not even Thanksgiving yet!
To kick off our two-week long series of posts about cool gift ideas for this holiday season, I’m gonna rattle off a few of my CD wants of right about now. Most of these discs are due in the next few weeks, though a couple are out already. They also make for spiffy gift items. (Do people still give actual CDs as gifts? Let’s pretend...)
Hot rockers, soul divas, indie art-fags, and more fun music messes after the jump!
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