Chris Garneau announces sophomore album, 'El Radio'
Out indie darling Chris Garneau is slated to release his second album, El Radio, on July 7. The follow-up to his 2007 debut, Music For Tourists will be released on Absolutely Kosher Records. The album is said to be "a dramatic seasonal change, an event horizon, perhaps a carnival or even a birthday." Great. So, basically we're all going to Chris Garneau's birthday party? Did I get that wrong? Whatever, it's exciting news, regardless.
El Radio may promise to be a bit more upbeat than Music for Tourists, but as long as Garneau's soothing, Sufjan Stevens-like voice stays the same, I don't think anyone will mind.
Let's get excited for summer by watching his video for "Relief." He really knows how to pull off an apron, doesn't he?
Bob Mould Interview & Acoustic Performance! Exclusive!
Bob Mould is a rock 'n roll legend. Head honcho of Husker Du and Sugar, and a scorchingly good solo artist, he's also sort of the gay godfather of punk. Or maybe I'll think of him as the Gandalf of punk, queer artists (if punk queer artists were hobbits, that is). Whatevs.
Bob's got a new album which is a kickass blend of acoustic-tainted and guitar-driven rock that's by turns slamming and punky, or tender and melodically sweet. Gutsy, smart music has always been his forte, and he delivers brilliantly with Life and Times, out next Tuesday (April 7th).
Bob's touring right now (he's in Philly, Charlottesville, Alexandria and NYC in the next week!) so go see him.
And please watch the interview above, where he talks about his music, but also his first rock concert, his first kiss (!), how life in D.C. has changed post-Obama, and about his blue cheese meatloaf. (But argh... He won't give us the recipe. Not fair!!!!)
Bob also discusses his new gay-punk-rock tune "Argos" written about Amsterdam's legendarily sleazy gay leather bar of the same name. I've been. It's serious.
If you're not the talky type, just skip forward to the 14:45 mark of the interview and hear a live acoustic version of "I'm Sorry, Baby, But You Can't Stand in My Light Anymore" from the new album. It's wrenching and lovely! Just like Bob.
Hey, Xena: Warrior Princess fans, haven't you missed Lucy Lawless kicking butt while wearing ridiculously skimpy, but simultaneously bad-ass outfits? Well, don't worry, Lawless is set to star in a new series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, from Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert (who were behind Xena).
This is great news, right? Sure, we just saw her as the Sgt. Duffy on The L Word (who killed Jenny, anyway?!) but what was up with that blazer? That's not the Lucy Lawless we all know and love. Luckily, for us, she'll play Lucretia, one of Spartacus' owners, in the Starz series, slated to begin in January 2010.
NYC-based troubadour Jay Brannan's got a new video for you. It's "Can't Have It All" from his recent release goddamned. It' got just what I like about Jay: heartfelt, smart and honestly raw lyrics; sure-handed guitar strumming and simply delicate melodies (and some nice strings, too); and lots of romantic Jay looking out over a dreamy night-time cityscape as the stars play the sweetest game of Pictionary ever.
Could some TV magnate put Jay's tunes into an episode of Gossip Girl so he can become uber-famous already? The guy deserves some attention!
Jay's touring around Europe this spring. His Paris shows are selling like crazy... Frenchie fans better snatch up their tix!
Up-and-coming British actor Jamie Campbell-Bower has just been confirmed to join the Twilight cast for the sequel, New Moon. The 20-year-old actor, who's appeared in RockNRolla and Sweeney Todd, confirmed the rumors with the BBC today.
Campbell-Bower will play Caius, the Volturi leader in the film, which is due to hit theaters in November, but he doesn't think he get the same attention as Robert Pattinson.
"I doubt I'll get the same sort of adulation as Robert," he says. "But it's
always nice when people recognize you for your work."
Campbell-Bower will also appear in the remake of The Prisoner, along with Sir Ian McKellan and Jim Caviezel, due out on TV this year.
Did you miss out on the NKOTB bigreunion? Well, you're in luck, because Jordan, Joey, Jonathan, Danny and Donnie will be "Hangin' Tough" all summer on their Full Service Tour, which starts May 28 in Atlanta. Tickets go on sale this Friday.
VIP packages will also be available, which will get concert-goers access to backstage barbecues with the fellas. (All this time, you probably only dreamed you could ask them to pass the buns.) There will also be $10 lawn seats available for a limited time, so you can pretend you're not that into it, but still get to go. You know you can't deny "Step By Step."
In a video blog on the group's website, Donnie promises: "Full service! You want it, you're gonna get it." Well, we'll see about that. More information and the complete list of tour dates is available on the NKOTB website.
Sacha Baron Cohen's highly-anticipated docu-comedy,Bruno, is apparently too graphic for the kids, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. The Borat follow-up is expected to hit theaters this summer, but the MPAA wouldn't give it an R based on its first submission.
Apparently, there are a few somewhat inappropriate scenes involving the flamboyant Australian fashionista being in some compromising positions with other men (including hunters and wrestlers). Would we expect anything less from the man who introduced us to the "banana hammock"?
To date, the highest-grossing NC-17 movie was Showgirls, which earned more than $20 million; but Universal has already paid $42 million for the English-language rights to Bruno. This begs the question: who's more popular: Bruno or Nomi Malone? Tough choice, I know.
Check out the new video from Kellie Pickler, featuring her BFF Taylor Swift . Considering what happens to Pickler's ex-boyfriend in this video, I'm guessing no one will think to cheat on her again. But perhaps getting hit by a bus is too harsh?
GLAAD served up a third of its annual Media Awards in NYC on Saturday night. Tyra Banks and Suze Orman were the night's big honorees, with Ty-Ty getting the Excellence in Media Awards for all the gay goodness she delivers on her talk show and on America's Next Top Model. Yep, you can debate how hard of a stretch it is for La Banks to put gay folks on TV when she's producing a show about fashion and the modeling industry and a daytime talk show, which has long been a showcase for LGBT issues, if often for the sensationalistic nature of how the topic is featured ("Gasp! My husband is GAY!" or "Men who want to be Women!!"). But still, Tyra's a big star and a gay icon, so... There ya go!
Clay Aiken appeared to introduce Tyra. Do with that what you will. It's good that Clay's out gaying it up openly. And evidently he guest stars on Top Model this week, so thus the Tyra link. And... That's about it, thanks.
Finance and money-advice guru Suze Orman is a goddess, however, so it was fun to see her get praise (she won GLAAD's Vito Russo Award) for being a longtime lesbian and outspoken media queen. Onsage, Orman was all enthusiasm and energy, calling on the big gay GLAAD audience to only spend money on corporations who support the LGBT community, calling out those who've supported her, like CNBC, GE, Random House, Avon, Oprah and such. Suze thanked her long-term partner, KT Travis, and the two were all over the event, hugging and talking and posing for photos with anyone who'd approach them. Total delights!!!
Suze Orman and her partner K.T. Travis. Yay!
More on the stars and a zillion pics after the jump!
Kelly Clarkson's album All I Ever Wanted is still No. 1 on the Billboard charts, and she just finished shooting a video for her next single, "I Do Not Hook Up," which was written by Katy Perry.
The video, Clarkson tells Access Hollywood, is all about fantasy.
"So the girl that's
a good girl, in her fantasy, she's always hooking up," she says. "I'm throwing guys
around."
Clarkson, of course addressed the incessant lesbian rumors, saying, "I didn't kiss a girl, I didn't do anything like that. I'm not a
lesbian." Well, either is her song-writer, and look how things turned out for her.
Clarkson will be touring over the summer. I will be there to try to change her mind.
Can Neil Patrick Harris get any more adorable? Seriously, I need to know. The How I Met Your Mother star graces the pages of GQ this month with a fantastic photo spread to show off his ability to work a spring cotton suit.
If this doesn't make you want to go out and buy a whole new spring wardrobe ASAP (or try to find NPH himself), I'm not sure what will.
Let's take a look at some of the photos. Which suit looks best? Are you even paying attention to the suits?
Lookin' pretty snappy.
Sort of has a Clark Kent thing going on, minus the glasses.
Jennifer Hudson will be going back to American Idol ... at least, for one episode. The 26-year-old Grammy- and Oscar-winning singer/actress is to tape a performance on April 1, after the live broadcast, and the appearance is slated to be used in an upcoming segment.
No word yet on what the performance will entail, but it's likely to be a song from her self-titled album, which won her the best R&B Grammy award last month.
Idol must be glad to have her back, even if for just one night, as are we.
Lady Sovereign does The Cure!!! Well, sort of. With her new tune "So Human" she snatches Robert Smith & co.'s "Close to You" and lays down her grime on it, and the results are downright spiffy!
I have to admit, in the chorus I kept thinking she's saying "feels so gay" over and over, but she's saying "it's okay." Either one works, of course. Plus, since Sovereign's rocking a slightly femme/butch look in this one, and spending much of the video flirting with a pretty female showbiz reporter and then a sexy lady therapist, I couldn't help but get a serious lesbian vibe. Which I like!!
It's all very Sovereign channeling Pink-meets-M.I.A.-meets-Sporty Spice (yep, she still looks like her). Which works, too!
Anyway... Lady Sovereign's full-on new release, Jigsaw, comes out in the U.S. on April 7th; in the UK on April 13th. This peppy, festive, crunchy "So Human" romp may be my new springtime happy song! Thanks, Lady!
Don't fret, everyone: It was announced today thatRuPaul's Drag Race has been renewed for a second season. Whew! The hit reality show, which just aired its season finale, will make its way back to LOGO in early 2010. It's a long time to wait, but totally worth it, right?
Also, now is your chance to become more than just a spectator to all the glam and drama. Casting for the second season begins May 1. Go to RuPaulCasting.com for more information on taking your chance to win the title of No. 1 "lady who just happens to be a gentleman." Work it, girls!
Did you miss the finale? Read our recap and watch the video clips to get caught up. Don't worry, we won't tell your friends you missed it.
Check out Franz Ferdinand's new video for "No You Girls," off their new album, Tonight. Not only do these Scots make great, dance-y music, but they're also probably the best-dressed straight men (sad, I know) in history.
Seriously, cannot get enough of this song. It's fun to sing along and swap out the pronouns for whichever apply (Not that I do that. OK, maybe I do.) The whole album is pretty terrific, too.
Jenny Lewis is quite the multi-tasker. The singer/actor/musician is about to add filmmaker to her already impressive repertoire. The Rilo Kiley front-woman has made a pretty successful alt-country/folk solo career for herself and will be putting put a documentary film called Welcome to Van Nuys, which focuses on the making of her album Acid Tongue, which was released last September.
Welcome to Van Nuys will include behind-the-scenes footage of recording the album at Sound City Studio (in Van Nuys, California, of course), as well as loads of live concert footage. And, as though putting out a film wouldn't keep her busy enough, Lewis has just announced new tour dates including a headlining tour and appearances at Coachella, Bonnaroo and Telluride Bluegrass festivals.
For all of Lewis' tourdates, check out her website.
Hollywood's DJ duo LMFAO specialize in funky hip-hop/electro-thumping tunes, crazy-bright fashions (zebra prints! plastic sunglasses!) and a relentless dedication to getting the party started. And their tune "I'm in Miami, B*tch!" (or the more radio/TV-friendly "I'm in Miami, Trick!") has been buzzing all over the place for the last month.
We sent them some interview questions via email, and they respond by sending back audio files, so take a listen above! Fun sh*t! They riff on Kanye West, their fashion sense, not being whores, and their love for big gays like Chris Crocker & Jeffree Star!
LMFAO's RedFoo and Sky Blu are relentless poon-hounds and partymakers, but they're also super homo-positive and inclusive. They're also psychotic bloggers, posting a video snippet of every move they make. Right now they're--where else?--in Miami (B*tch!) for the Winter Music Conference and you can see them eat, drink, spin and hug up with big-boobed fans at their LMFAOnews.com site!
Their Party Rock album drops on April 1st. And for the next month and a half they've got gigs almost daily all over the U.S. After the jump, watch their video for "I'm in Miami, Trick!"
MTV's got up previews for the next (and Lauren's final???) season of The Hills, which begins on Monday, April 6th. The first one above is cut like a thriller movie trailer. I was hoping Brody was gonna bust through a door with a chainsaw and lop off some heads as Lauren stumbles around blindfolded. But instead you get Lauren looking puffy and glaring while Heidi cries, with lots of freaky swimming pool light reflected on her face. Gaaaah...
This sh*t is deranged. But even better is the preview below, highlighting the long and tedious meltdown of Lauren and Heidi's friendship. It's hilarious and preposterous. But Heidi is the best actress in the world ever. Watch more of this insanity at The Hills' site. There's even a clip of Spencer punching somebody. Eww.
If you couldn't cram in to NYC's Therapy bar on Monday night for the big RuPaul's Drag Race finale party (and for all I know you were there, it was so damned packed) have a look at the lil' video above to get a sense of the vibe.
The crowd was rabid and the evening's hostesses, the estimable Eve Starr and the thrillingly hilarious Mimi Imfurst, were pretty damned fantastic. And they had the big winner Bebe Zahara Benet on hand, serving her with her big fat Absolut prize money check at show's end. (Actually, Absolut's Jeffrey Moran did the official hand-off.)
Gorgeous bad girl Rebecca Glasscock was in the house, too. Both Drag Racers performed for the crowd, and all around it was mayhem and bliss.
Hosting tonight's PopLab is gonna be the Pussycat Dolls' very own Nicole Scherzinger. She's in Slumdog Millionaire drag talking about their big "Jai Ho" video (watch it after the jump). And Nic also discusses gays, Diana Ross, her weakness for food, and how growing up she wanted to be Whitney, Mariah and Cher (um... so far, so good!!!). Watch a little bit after the jump!
Anne Hathaway to Play Judy Garland on Stage and Screen
Anne Hathway's taking it over the rainbow. Good luck, Honey!
In a few short years, Anne Hathway's already established herself as a blossoming gay icon. She got her start playing princesses (like we all do, in our minds), then broke out big-time sparring with a legendary movie diva in a movie filled with fashion, attitude and drama about "finding yourself" (The Devil Wears Prada), then she even scored an Oscar nomination playing a addict struggling to find redemption (Rachel Getting Married). Along the way, Anne's graced the cover of Out Magazine, gushed about how awesome her gay brother's wedding was, and even starred in the most gay-beloved and truly important gay-themed film of the last decade, Brokeback Mountain. She even sang and danced with studly Hugh Jackman onstage at the Oscars. Get it? She's already a gay icon...
But now she's bringing out the big guns. Hathaway has just signed on to play the mother of all gay icons (literally and figuratively), Judy Garland. Yep, Hathaway is going to star in the film version of "Get Happy," Gerald Clarke's biography of the screen legend and history's greatest tragic homo icon. As if that weren't enough, a stage version of the project is in the works, too.
Um, wow. Can we just go ahead and give her the Oscar? And the key to gay-land? And our undying devotion?
Bebe Zahara Benet, Rebecca Glasscock & Nina Flowers rock Night of 1,000 Gowns in NYC this past weekend!
SPOILER ALERT: Click on after the jump if you want to hear all about who won RuPaul's Drag Race. Plus, PHOTOS from the BIG FINALE EVENT IN NYC!!!! And video and drama galore from the Reunion Special!
Toronto's rocktastic troubadours, The Cliks, have a new album coming in June. And you can check out the first single/title track, "Dirty King."Click on the image above for a listen!
Morgan, Lucas & Jen: Still Clikkin'!
The Cliks, headed by trans-tastic frontman Lucas Silveira, are still as rough and ready as always. And the band is now a trio (Morgan Doctor & Jen Benton flank Lucas above) and they're hitting the road for a bunch of shows in the first half of April, including rocking the GirlBar shindig at Dinah Shore.
Tonight's the big finale of RuPaul's Drag Race, so here's a little more RuPaul love for you. It's an interview that music artist and gay-land celebutante Ari Gold did with Ru recently. These two have been pals for years (Ari even pops up in Ru's freaky/trashy/fabulous film Starrbooty), so this is very much a gal-pal lovefest.
Ari and Ru take a mini-tour of the RuPaul-inspired drag art show at the World of Wonder gallery in Hollywood, then share tales of Diana Ross!
And both Ari and Ru have hot music videos out now. After the jump, watch Ari's Click List-topping single "Human." It's all very lush and twinkly and something of a tribute to queer art legend James Bidgood (shot by Aaron Cobbett).
Then go watch the crack-a-lackin' new video for Ru's "Jealous of My Boogie" which is sort of NSFW, with its mash-up of some straight porn star doing dirty stuff with twitchy Japanimation visuals. It's completely bizarre and sort of genius.
Good morning! Want some jolly dorky music to start your day? How about a random quartet of British ladies playing a cover of MGMT's "Kids" on their iPhone apps!!??? (Via Subterranean blog.)
RuPaul's Drag Race Finale Is Monday! Cazwell Guest Judges! Plus: Bebe, Rebecca & Nina Live in NYC!
RuPaul and Cazwell: Big queens for a big finish!
AAAAAUUUGHHH! Monday night is the big finale of RuPaul's Drag Race. Who's gonna snatch the crown? Cameroon's own Bebe Zahara Benet? Puerto Rico & Denver's dainty devil, Senorita Nina Flowers? Or the Fort Lauderdale feline known as Rebecca Glasscock?
Who knows? I do know that NYC's own fantastic rapper/party-maven Cazwell is a guest judge on the big finale. FUN! What does Cazwell know about drag queens you might ask? Well, he's hosted nightlife events in the Big Apple for years, working closely with the likes of Amanda Lepore, the legendary Misstress Formika, Linda Simpson, Lady Bunny and more... So yes, Mr. Luke Cazwell knows his way around some tucked taquitos, OK?
Plus, if you've ever seen Cazwell host a live event you know he's funny as hell. So this oughtta be good.
Wanna sneak peek at Monday's big finale? Watch it here.
Of course, you don't really get the musical numbers this way, but maybe that's a good thing? Do you really want to watch Adam Lambert's "Middle-Eastern" spin on "Ring of Fire" during the Grand Old Opry week challenge? (Well, yes, of course you do. So just go visit Joe.My.God and see it again, complete with the creepy Randy Travis interview portion included. Thanks, Joe.)
The big new revival of West Side Story opens on Broadway tonight. Big stars like Steve Martin, Bobby Cannavale, Sarah Paulson, Lauren Bacall, Vanessa Williams and her little Ugly Betty costar Mark Indelicato, Cheyenne Jackson and others are gonna attend. But I saw it this past Tuesday (Lucy Liu was in the house!). And the show? Really, really wonderful!
Don't get me wrong, some moments worked better than others, but I'd only seen my wonky high school production of the show and to see it get a full-on Broadway treatment was pretty fantastic. In fact, I'm gonna rattle off what I liked about it... So brace yourself for that, now!
And guess who's starring in the show? Our old NewNowNext pal Cody Green, winner of last year's Step It Up & Dance reality show and a visitor here! He's the second male lead and leader of the Jets, Riff. Yay, Cody!
Cody Green = Riff, a jet all the way
After the jump, more of what I loved about this new big splashy revival of West Side Story!
That nice, waifish, mild-mannered, arty, young, queer/bi British singer (and sometimes-Burberry-model) Patrick Wolf has a dirty new music video!!! It's for his single "Vulture," from his new album, The Bachelor, due on June 1st.
OK, maybe the video's not "dirty" exactly; it's more suggestive. But it does feature Wolf writhing around in leather harness-y gear and little black briefs while being cuffed or gagged or wearing a gasmask-like apparatus. Saucy!
Watch it (and view bits of Wolf's nice bum) after the jump!
MTV's new reality series "Taking the Stage" premieres tonight, and it's looking kind of good. Following students at Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts, the show is giving me a vibe that's very much Fame meets The Hills meets Save the Last Dance For Me meets that very first season of The Real World.
The show trailer above plays up a possible romance between dancer Tyler and songwriter/singer Mia, added with some intrigue from dancer Jasmine (love triangle?) but you know there's gotta be some gay kids dancing in the halls of this showy school. In fact, in the preview below, it's impossible to gaydar-ify and figure out who's straight or gay. Looks like at this school, even the straight boys vogue!
A sneak peek at the show -- including a dance battle in the lunchroom, hello! -- after the jump!
You can watch the divine Lil discuss her career, her new album "It's Not Me, It's You" and other sassy stuff. But above, we've got some online exclusive quips from the mega-starlet.
Watch her riff on what she loves about her job, what she hates about it and get her own personal advice on how NOT to become a hot mess like her London neighbor Amy Winehouse! Ouch!!!!
This one's soooo good. It's "Daniel" from Bat for Lashes, and their new album Two Suns, out on April 6th. In the video, Natasha Khan engages in some freaky tussles with black-clad art-ninjas. It's delirious and gorgeous. Sort of like the song!
And how can you not love a tune about the Karate Kid protagonist? (Thanks, Stereogum!)
Natasha Richardson at an AmFAR benefit in NYC last month.
As you've no doubt heard, actress Natasha Richardson was injured in a seemingly minor ski accident outside of Montreal on Monday, which has turned serious. She now in NYC's Lenox Hill Hospital with her family -- including husband Liam Neeson, mother Vanessa Redgrave and sister Joely Richardson -- gathering at her side.
The NY Post is reporting that she's brain dead, and People says it's not looking good, but other reports are being more cautious. Let's hope for the best.
A Sinéad O'Connor Classic Gets a Revamp, Re-release!
Still in the St. Pat's/Ireland vibe today: Sinéad O'Connor news!
Next month on April 21st, a new version of O'Connor's brilliant 1990 classic I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got will be reissued in a new double-CD format. The original disc's in there (with its amazing songs like "Nothing Compares 2 U," "I Am Stretched on Your Grave," "The Emperor's New Clothes" and one of my faves "Black Boys on Mopeds"), but a second CD will have rare and b-sides, including "You Do Something To Me" from the killer Red Hot & Blue Cole Porter tribute album, a remix of "I Am Stretched on Your Grave," and live versions of O'Connor gems, too.
And if you never gave it a listen, consider O'Connor's last studio album, Theology. It's about religion (never one to shy away from weighty topics, she) but it's pretty, rich and wonderful, too!
Most importantly, if you've never seen it (or haven't in a while) watch the video for "You Do Something to Me" below. It's beautiful and super-gay! Sailors slow-dancing! Sinéad in a hot platinum wig and gown. And a sharp ACT-UP message at the end. Gorgeous!!!
Gay Leprechauns, Kelly Clarkson & Shamrock Shakes! It's "Sounds Like a Hit" Vlog
AfterElton's current "Sounds Like a Hit" vlog is the perfect antidote to any green-beer hangover you might be experiencing (I know that wouldn't come til later, but who cares...). Kyle and Brian are adorable as they don lots o'green and dish and kvetch about gay Irishmen, hot rugby players, McDonalds' rare-as-a-four-leaf-clover Shamrock Shakes, Clay Aiken, Rosie O'Donnell and Kelly Clarkson's latest album.
And doesn't Brian (in the upper left corner) look he's wearing a gay-leprechaun version of Aretha Franklin's hat?
Marc Jacobs & Lorenzo Martone: Here Come the Grooms?
Serious Man Love in Bloom: Marc & Lorenzo
Blame Spring's approach, but I'm fiending for some nice romantic news. Even better, some nice uber-gay romantic news (for that, blame St. Patrick's Day and it's hetero-parading ways for making feel the need to extra gay, dontcha know). So I like the report that Marc Jacobs and his big sweet Brazilian man-pony, Lorenzo Martone, are daffy in love and chattering about getting married.
Fashion Week Daily reports that they cornered Martone in Paris at Jacob's big show last week and he said, when prodded, that a Caribbean wedding might not be out of the realm of possibility. "...Some things might happen," said Martone, when quizzed about nuptials for he and his beloved MJ. "Maybe a New Year's Eve wedding in St. Barth's would be really fun." And Martone's even planning to take Jacobs down to Brazil soon, for a trip to meet the family!
Awwwww. Nice! Of course, there've been rumors about these two getting committed together before, but they do seem way more stable and lovey-dovey lately. All I know is -- I wanna go! Can you imagine the wedding reception/dance-floor fabulousness? I wanna do the electric slide with Sofia Coppola, Lil' Kim, Kim Gordon and Victoria Beckham!
Below, some recent pics to show Marc & Lorenzo giddy in love. Like all good things, they get big when you click 'em.
Britney Says "Happy St. Patrick's Day!" Well, Not Really... But Watch "If You Seek Amy!"
Begorrah! It's the video for Britney Spears' "If You Seek Amy!" I like, I like, I like. Slutty boys with washboard abs writhing around while Britney prances around a suburban house in her undies. Yes, please! Plus Brit-Brit's hot little preppy housewifey drag at the end is pretty great. And a tweaky little bit of media jokery? Sure... If you insist.
Broadway Preview: Reasons to Be Pretty... Or Petty?
The "Reasons to Be Pretty" cast: Thomas Sadoski, Marin Ireland, Piper Perabo & Stephen Pasquale
Guest Blogger: Bradley Proctor
Want to endure tumultuous emotional relationships but don’t want the trappings of an actual partner? Then you might wanna check out the Broadway show I saw this weekend: Reasons to Be Pretty, in previews now at the Lyceum Theater. It’s Neil LaBute’s Broadway debut, and he is leaving no room for subtlety with his acerbic wit and cutting social commentary.
Bursting out of the New York City bubble, LaBute most identifies with the seemingly simple blue-collar lives of the young people about whom he writes. But the truth is, even if the setting may be less immediate to most New York City theatergoers, the themes are painfully relevant. Who hasn’t felt slighted by an offhand comment about their looks?
So here’s the story: Greg (played by the convincingly vulnerable Thomas Sadoski) made an insensitive comment about his girlfriend Stephanie’s looks - her friend heard it from the other room and immediately told Stephanie. Basically, one simple comment ruined Greg’s relationship and was the epicenter of a chain reaction of relationship woes.
Fox has unveiled the trailer for its new show, Glee, which stars Broadway hottie Matthew Morrison as a newbie high school teacher who takes on the drama-filled task of taking over the reins of the school's glee club. With Jane Lynch as the gym teacher! And Nip/Tuck's Ryan Murphy at the helm!
Looks like they've got a teenaged diva character already lined up; she comes across as a Tracy-Flick-with-Patti-LuPone tendencies. Hurrah!
Morrison (who's also beloved by big Broadway gay Jerry Mitchell) is very easy to watch, and after so many great stage credits (Hairspray, Light in the Piazza, South Pacific) it's great to see him on TV in a leading role.
Glee premieres post-Idol on May 19th! And yep, there's gonna be a nice gay glee clubber to watch, too! What? You're surprised? Glimpse him in the sneak peek above. He's the one with the "Is she gonna diva out after every rehearsal?" line. GAY!
Spring Break Soundtrack: Your (Aussie) Disco Serves Some Classics
These ladies provide your classic gay party beats. Give props!
guest blogger: Jon Mallow
Last weekend's Gay Mardi Gras in Sydney meant lots of parties and dancing and music. Here are my top 5 club classics heard around the way... Trust me, my toes were twinkling.
5) Salt-n-Pepa, "Push It"
Heard in the small nightclub on the Fox Studios grounds during the big post-parade party. Forever a shake-yo-ass anthem across the universe. Clearly one of the best records of all time.
OutKast's fabulous (and adorable) André Benjamin isn't just a sassy rapper and rising actor. He's also a blossoming fashion magnate with his own Benjamin Bixby menswear line. It's sharp and colorful and cheeky, as you'd expect from Andre.
But being a fashion designer ain't easy. Why? The GAYS! They run everything!!! Page Six reports that André claims a big strike against him when breaking into the fashion world was being "not gay." Hmmmm... Ya think, like, really???
Whatevs. André, if you need some coaching about how to be more gay, just give us a call, please.
P.S. André3K has already said he's a fan of short shorts. So getting a grip on this gay thing shouldn't be too tough.
AfterEllen's got a fun update on what some of your favorite lesbians (and almost lesbians) are up to on their Twitter feeds. Their TwitterWatch serves up a peek at what Joan Jett, Ellen DeGeneres, comedian Marga Gomez and others are tweeting about. Fun!
And be sure to scroll down to the comments and get tips on how to hop on the Twitter trains of folks like Lady Gaga, Amanda Palmer, Amy Ray, Margaret Cho, etc.
Spring Break 2009: Jon's Top 7 Sydney Mardi Gras Looks
They're not alone... Hooray for Sydney Mardi Gras!
Guest Blogger: Jon Mallow
Last weekend, as part of a great 10-day trip around Australia, I went to the Sydney Mardi Gras parade. It's kind of like a gay pride parade in NY or LA, but much, much bigger and a national event. It's televised and attended by lots of people from across the sexual spectrum... It's amazing!
At the suggestion of our friend Michael at Qantas (thanks Michael!), we had press passes and got an incredible view. Everyone brought it to the ball, but here are 7 of the top looks I spied among and thousands of revellers turning it out.
Number 7: The Sequin Table Dress
There's never been a convenient place to rest your soda while walking through the city in evening wear...until now.
Number 6: Fly Me To The Moon
This guy had a huge, um, wing-span. Continue past the jump to see it!
Will I see I Love You, Man? Maybe I won't be rushing to the theatres, but I'm sure it's an iTunes or Netflix rental in my future. But I am usually loving anything that involves Paul Rudd or Jason Segel, who I both foster mini-crushes on. (And I do like that Andy Samberg plays a straight-guy-angling gay boy in this film. Nice touch!)
So I really love the sweet chatter that Rudd and Segel serve up in these silly interviews with MTV's Rough Cut (even though interviewer Josh tries a bit too hard). They're smart, cute and funny. Can I take 'em home?
More nice Rudd & Segel ramblings after the jump! Watch Rudd's cute "hangdog face!" And which Jonas Brother is Rudd especially fond of?
Here's to all the gals who didn't make the final nine list of queens who were indeed on RuPaul's Drag Race this season. As you prepare to find out which of the final three snatches the big crown (Nina? Bebe? Rebecca? Will Ongina stage a surprise return for the finale?) have a look above and this sassy montage of girls you could have been watching.
I think Lucky Deepford says it best: "My life in a nutshell -- and it's a BIG-ASS nutshell -- is school, drag, Miami Public Transportation, pilates, cupcakes and FACE!"
Atlanta's been a haven of inventive, important music for years, from the B-52s and OutKast, to folks like the Indigo Girls and R.E.M. And this week, MTV2 is celebrating the new explosion of killer indie talent thriving down South.
In the clip above, filmmakers We Fun dish about their experience in documenting the scene, which includes bands like the queer-fronted Deerhunter and the homo-friendly (if controversial) Black Lips. There are raging underground house parties and pyro-filled shows, as well as a funky sense of community going on.
After the jump, an interview with Deerhunter's Bradford Cox, as well as the band's "Strange Lights" video. Go ATL!
Idol contestant Adam Lambert and host Ryan Secrest.
The LA Times has had it with American Idol's weird policy of not acknowledging (or perhaps actively silencing) its queer singers. It's gotten to the point where it's creepy and downright fascist! Cmon, Idol! Let the gays be gay!
Spring Break Fashion Musts: Does This Suit Go With My Beer Bong?
Maybe it's gray and chilly where you are. Maybe it's gorgeously sunny! No matter... I'm jonesing for a Spring Break getaway, so this week I'm gonna post a tropical batch of posts celebrating that grand American tradition of bolting down south come March or April and behaving badly. Road trip, anyone?
First off, there are some fun fashionable ways to get some spring in your step. Buy cute new summery togs! After all, you've got to wear something while you're channeling your inner Miss Hawaiian Tropic!
Over at Out.com, the fashionistas have whipped up a handy list of Must-Haves for Spring Brights (for the boys, anyway) and the results are a rainbow of ultra-tastic colors. I approve!
Bright spring colors, courtesy of Out.com.
More fun Spring Break fashion fodder after the jump!
Last night's RuPaul's Drag Race saw a rainbow of fruit flavors explode all over the place, a vogue battle, a visit from Charo (who's quip about "forking" killed me), a shocking runway rant from Shannel, and another surprise as to who went home.
Above -- SPOILER ALERT -- you can see the dishy behind the scenes footage of the girls backstage as they're waiting to be judged. Shannel talks and talks about how frustrated she is, and Bebe and Nina give her props for speaking her mind to Ru and the judges. Rebecca, classically indifferent, puts on her head phones and tunes this mess out.
My favorite thing in the above "Under the Hood" clip is Nina cracking up at how Santino read her on the runway for wearing the same pumps for all three of her looks. "Loca! He let me have it!" She's hysterical.
After the jump, find out more about the episode, including the loser's exit interview. And beware there's a bunch of SPOILED FRUIT involved.
Shannel: "I am beautiful, no matter what they say..."
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