Angry Puppy Video Blog: Quick & Dirty Edition

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

In this week's abbreviated episode, Marc and Lee bring you a report on the Queer Media and Entertainment Conference (two words: Dawn. Wiener.), updates on the latest episodes of Lost, Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica and details on voting for the Angry Puppy Hot Geek 10.

Oh, and there's a painting dog.

 

Check it out after the break!

 

Homophonic Gay Musicians Vlog: Get Naked!

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

This week on Homophonic, Alex takes a spa day with queer electro/rock group Naked Highway. Lead singer Sy dishes the good stuff with tales from their European tour, his strong belief in hardcore-burlesque, and the unusual bond he shares with his partners in crime.

But wait!  There's more!  Buckle your seat belts in that lowrider, 'cause we've got the world premiere of Naked Highway's newest video, "Shorty the Pimp". So put your headphones on, pop some bubbly, and get Naked!

 

Check it all out after the break!

 

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!

 

New Gay Music Vlog! Homophonic: Going Deep With Deepa Soul

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

We're excited to be bringing you a new weekly video blog that focuses on the world of out gay musicians. The aptly-titled Homophonic series, brought to you by the Angry Puppy vlog's Lee and his Archy and Mehitabel bandmate Alex, will take you behind the scenes and into the recording studios of some of the freshest queer musicians out there. I'll let Lee tell you what's in store for the maiden voyage...

How awesome is this?!  Fresh from her first live show in over 3 years, LGBT music goddess Deepa Soul sat down with Alex in our studio last week and dished deep. From her not-so-humble beginnings dancing go-go in San Fran to her epic collaborations with Junior Vasquez, Deepa kept our jaws hanging open with one legendary tale after another.

 

The Only Pitter-Patter of Little Feet T.R. & Mark Will Hear Will Come From Their Dogs

-- snicks from AfterElton.com

Out Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight may be ready to take a huge step with his boyfriend, the ... slightly younger UCLA student Mark Cornelson. Or it could be just tabloid innuendo.

T.R. tells OK! Magazine that he's looking forward to raising children in the future:

 

“I wouldn’t rule [adoption] out at all. I think it would be adopting versus any other route. But yeah. I mean, there are a lot of kids who need homes.”

 

Voting for AfterElton & AfterEllen Hot 100 Celebrities Begins!

 

Don't keep these poor celebrities in suspense any longer! They're (maybe not so) secretly dying to know who the gays and lesbians are sweating over. We are the taste-makers, after all.

AfterEllen.com and AfterElton.com are both gearing up for their second annual Hot 100 lists, as chosen by you gay blog-junkies. Voting has begun and will stay open until May 15; the sites will publish the results June 2. Last year's lists were pretty crazy: Tina Fey even gushed about her spot on AfterEllen.com's list on Conan O'Brien.

I didn't actually vote for AfterEllen.com's hot women - since I'm not a lesbian, and all - but I'd love me some Natalie Portman, some Jackie Warner, maybe some Sarah Silverman... I'm sure Tina Fey will knock out anyone and everyone, though. Last year, Leisha Haley from The L Word won, followed with Angelina Jolie and then with Kate Winslet. Not bad ...

 

 

But I did vote for my top 10 hottest guys on AfterElton.com - so check out my picks after the jump (only two are gay, though ...).

 

Heath Ledger Owns the Dark Knight Trailer No. 2

 

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

Folks who braved the multiplexes this weekend (with Iron Man raking in over $200 million in just four days, it must have been like a mini Comic Con at every concession stand across America) had the chance to catch the brand new trailer for The Dark Knight in all its creepy, explosion-happy glory.

The trailer is now online, and it's both reassuring to see that the Warners haven't tried to bury the performance of late, great Heath Ledger and undeniably disturbing to see the apparently troubled actor playing it convincingly unhinged in his final (and biggest) role.

How do folks feel about this one?

 

Comedian Demetri Martin to Play Gay Lead in Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock?

-- snicks from AfterElton.com

Last week, I blogged about Taking Woodstock,the upcoming biopic of Elliot Tiber, the gay man who was instrumental in bringing the music festival to fruition. Well, it seems that Academy Award-winning Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee has chosen a leading man, and in a surprising decision, it's stand up comedian (and Beatles-tressed) Demetri Martin. (Martin is currently in negotiations, so nothing's signed yet.)

 

Angry Puppy Vlog: Compound-Raiding Edition

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

Lee and Marc got a sneak peek at the upcoming Speed Racer live-action movie and headed out to the Brooklyn Museum for the Murakami exhibit. They also find out what Battlestar Galactica, Lost and Margaret Cho's blog have in common.

Check it out after the break!

 

Don't Put Away Your Skates Just Yet: Xanadu Leads Sign on Through 2009

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

Yes, the Little Gay Rollerskating Musical That Could, Broadway's insanely camp Xanadu musical, has secured all of its leads through January of aught nine. Out lead Cheyenne Jackson, impossibly Newton-Johnny Kerry Butler, Tony Roberts, and bookend divas Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman have all renewed their contracts through next year.

 

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!

 

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!

 

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."

 

 

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...

 

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.

 

Idol Chat with Jim & Penny: The Top 7

-- Dennis Ayers from AfterElton.com

Mariah Carey was on board this past week as guest mentor, and the male contestants seemed to have a better time of it than the women. Jim Verraros & Penny Frulla dish the dirt on the best (and worst) performances, open up the reader mail bag, and offer up some sound advice for Britney Spears!

 

 

Check out their video blog after the break!

 

Viva Homophobia! VH1's Telenovela Reality Show Same-Sex Kiss Challenge

Walter Mercado

 

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

We've mentioned VH1's newest reality offering, Viva Hollywood!, a few times because of its colossal camp value: in this competition, a handful of aspiring telenovela stars suffer through the Seven Deadly Sins of hilariously over-the-top Spanish-language soaps for the chance at a television contract with Telemundo, with the help of a bizarre assortment of camp icons ranging from Charo to Walter Mercado.

But last night's second installment was anything but hospitable to gay viewers. When the "Lust" challenge asked two of the men to act out a same-sex love scene, one of the stupidly macho contestants, Vicni, flew into a hissyfit of epically childish proportions.

 

Vinci would probably have a vaca if he saw his picture on a gay site

 

Angry Puppy Vlog: Torchwood Finale, Grand Theft Auto IV & Jenna Jameson

-- Michael Jensen from AfterElton.com

In this week's episode, find out what Karl Lagerfeld is doing in Grand Theft Auto IV, what Jenna Jameson is doing in a comic book and what John Barrowman is doing on a game show with a bunch of kids.

Lee and Marc also review the latest episodes of Battlestar Galactica and Torchwood and give you an exciting preview of Torchwood's season finale. Last but not least, they list their ten favorite gay geeks.

 

Alan Tudyk Cast as Gay Lead of New Mutchnick/Kohan Pilot

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

Michael got the good news (in our opinion, anyway) late last night that Firefly and Death at a Funeral star Alan Tudyk has been cast as the gay lead in the new pilot that Mutchnick/Kohan (the guys behind Will & Grace) are producing for ABC. We're excited because Tudyk is a great comic actor and isn't afraid of taking risks (as his extended comic nude scene in Funeral can attest).

Another plus to Tudyk's casting, purely from a visibility perspective, is that he's got an enormous built-in fanbase of folks who might not otherwise be inclined to tune into a gay/straight buddy comedy: sci-fi geeks.

 

Cheyenne Jackson Joins Shifting the Canvas Cast

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

Boy, this project just keeps sounding better and better!

The other day we reported that out cutiepants Matthew Montgomery had joined the cast of the upcoming gay indie Shifting the Canvas as Scott Thompson's lover, and now the news has hit that local favorite Cheyenne Jackson will also appear in the film as a "straight Ivy League type". Sign us up!

 

Bravo's Top Design Returns for Second Season

-- snicks from AfterElton.com

A lot of people were surprised to learn that the reality competition Top Design had been renewed for a second season by Bravo. When it comes to Bravo's cashcow of homocentric reality shows, Top Design was the runt of the litter. Unlike Project Runway, Top Chef, and Shear Genius, it suffered from tepid ratings and even worse reviews. We even stopped recapping it before the finale, because all of the gay competitors had been eliminated, and because the show was, well ... suckish.

 

Grey's Anatomy Casts High School Leatherhead & Road Rules Vet as Gay Soldiers

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

Ever-scooptastic Michael Ausiello has learned who will be playing the two gay soldiers who are set to share a steamy kiss on an upcoming episode of Grey's Anatomy: Benny Ciaramello (who plays Santiago on Friday Night Lights) and David Giuntoli (best known as a castmember of Road Rules: South Pacific).

It's good to see that Grey's is bringing a gay storyline to the screen (with a "very romantic kiss", even), especially given that they haven't done much in the way of gay inclusion since, oh, winning a GLAAD award for their "Where the Boys Are" episode forever ago. Huzzah to them.

 

Luke MacFarlane of Brothers & Sisters Comes Out Publicly as Gay

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

Canadian actor Luke MacFarlane, who plays the character of Scotty on Brothers & Sisters, has come out in an interview with the Canadian Globe and Mail. Regarding his decision to come out after years of speculation in the press regarding his sexuality, Macfarlane comments:

"I don't know what will happen professionally ... that is the fear, but I guess I can't really be concerned about what will happen, because it's my truth. ... There is this desire in L.A. to wonder who you are and what's been blaring for me for the last three years is how can I be most authentic to myself - so this is the first time I am speaking about it in this way."

 

Work Out Season 3 Preview: Bravo's Tricep Opera Returns Tonight

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

Last season we found ourselves sliding into a love affair with Bravo's gym-based reality soap, Work Out, against our own will. Tonight the show returns for season three with a slew of new trainers on board, as well as gay massage therapist JD Jordan (if you haven't read the new tandem interview we posted with JD and returning gay trainer Jesse Brune, definitely check it out).

Enjoy the trailer below ... anyone else excited about this one? Has it been too long since season two to get back into training?

 

Will As the World Turns Reality Web Series Out-Gay the Actual Show?

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

Not like that's really too hard, these days. But fans of Luke and Noah (and their real-life counterparts, Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann) and the mechanisms of daytime television might want to keep an eye on the web show InTurn, which awards one lucky aspiring soap star with a 13-week contract on As the World Turns. (Get it? In Turn?)

While it doesn't look like any of the four male contestants is openly gay (three of the guys mention girfriends or wives in their bios), the preview video suggests that they'll be asked to do a guy/guy love scene in one of the challenges, as screencapped above. (From what I can tell, that's Peyton on the left and Michael on the right.)

 

 

Angry Puppy Vlog 22: Greatest TV Show Opens of All Time?

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

In this week's episode of Angry Puppy, Marc and Lee talk about breaking movie news (keywords: Jake Gyllenhaal!), George Takei's Secret Talent, Jack and Ianto's Weevil-hunting clinch, some new X-Men books, and much, much more.

Check it out!

 

Bravo Battles Lifetime Over Project Runway

-- Lyle Masaki from AfterElton.com

If you heard a collective gasp Monday afternoon, that was the sound of TV reporters learning that Lifetime had picked up the rights to air five seasons of Project Runway, snatching the popular show away from Bravo. Bravo, meanwhile, is suing, saying that they weren't given the chance to beat Lifetime's offer, even though that's stated in Bravo's contract with the show.

Idol Chat Recap Vlog With Jim & Penny: Dolly Parton & The Top 9

-- Dennis Ayers from AfterElton.com

Gay icon Dolly Parton was on board this week as guest mentor, and the contestants had to choose from her extensive songbook. Jim Verraros & Penny Frulla dish the dirt on the best (and worst) performances, open up the reader mail bag, and put out an open call for martini recipes.

Check out their video blog after the break!

OUT Reeeeeeeally Wants Anderson Cooper to Come Out, Don't They?

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

Out magazine has released their second annual "Power 50", their rankings of the 50 most powerful gays and lesbians in the country. It's pretty much a by-the-numbers list as far as those things go, but one name close to the top of the list is not like the others:

3. Anderson Cooper

This is nothing new, considering the mag tried to nudge (shove? bum-rush?) the foxy newsman out last year in the first annual list. (Last year's controversial issue also featured pics of Cooper and Jodie Foster - who appears on the list again this year - on the cover. Foster has notably inched out a smidge in the year since.)

Angry Puppy Vlog: It's All Esperanto to Us! Plus Gay Sci-Fi Fests!

-- Brian Juergens from AfterElton.com

In this week's episode of Angry Puppy, Marc and Lee talk about breaking television news, gay sci-fi film fests, Buffy season Eight, the Doctor Who spinoff The Sarah Jane Adventures, and much, much more.

Oh, and they speak Esperanto. Wanna know why? Check it out!

Who Are The People on Gayborhood.tv?

-- Lyle Masaki from AfterElton.com

Is there not enough gay TV for you? Then maybe you should check out Gayborhood.tv, a site that features a variety of web series focused on different views of gay life, with discussion being heavily encouraged.

My immediate favorite so far is The Box, which started as a collection of gay people speaking their mind at various gay events. However, the tone of the series changes in the third episode, where people talked less about issues and more about the event they were attending. I remember when I was a kid, CBS used to mix little educational segments titled "In the News" amid the commercials -- The Box reminds me of that, giving you a quick view of The Folsom Street Fair, The Gay Rodeo Finals or The White Party in Provincetown.

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

-- Dennis Ayers from AfterElton.com

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

Check out their video blog after the break!

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

-- Michael Jensen from AfterElton.com

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

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

Check it out!

Moby Wishes More People Were Like Us

-- snicks from AfterElton.com

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

 

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

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

 

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

George Michael's American Tour

-- Craig Young from AfterElton.com

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

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

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

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

-- Dennis Ayers from AfterElton.com

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

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

Idol Chat Recap Video Blog with Jim & Penny: The Top 11

-- Dennis Ayers from AfterElton.com

Last week on American Idol the contestants were forced to dip into the Beatles catalog again - with very mixed results. Jim Verraros and Penny Frulla talk about the performances and also why they think a closeted gay contestant would benefit by coming out while on the show. Jim and Penny also open up the viewer mail bag. It's a fun week on Idol Chat.

Check out their video blog after the break!

Can Christian Siriano Out Fierce Joan Rivers?

-- browne from Afte