You may not be familiar with gay San Francisco trio (imagine that!) Ex-Boyfriends, but you should definitely take a listen to the lead single (called "Situation") for their upcoming album, In With.
The band, made up of Colin Daly, Chris Ohnesorge (both post-band and post-man breakup) and Peter Harb, have been playing together since 2003. They signed to Absolutely Kosher Records early on and released their debut album Dear John. Critics (as well as themselves) have compared the sound to The Cars and The Cure.
In With comes out November 20, and, I have to say, I'm a much bigger fan of the album's "Situation" than I am of their main Dear John tracks (which you can hear on their MySpace page). Don't let the men get you down, boys!
If so, and you live near Burbank, CA, this is your chance to explore strange new worlds — like the set of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movie. Open casting call is this Saturday, November 10, 2:30–5 p.m., at 3108 Magnolia Blvd., across from Pinocchio's Restaurant.
In an interview in the current issue of Instinct Magazine film composer Marc Shaiman (best known for his musical scores to quirky films like The Addams Family, Down With Love, and the brilliant music and lyrics for South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut) and his partner, lyricist Scott Wittman announce that they've been signed to write the long-rumored musical episode of ABC's Ugly Betty for the end of this season. The pair previously won the Tony Award for Best Score for writing the music and lyrics for the musical Hairspray.
This announcement further solidifies Betty's title as "The Gayest Show On TV". As Shaiman himself says in the interview:
"It's great we're talking to a gay magazine, because where else can you say 'How much gayer can it get on TV?' Only with c*cksucking on TV could it get any gayer."
NewNowNext Noise Video Blog! Celine Dion, Amy Winehouse and More!
It's that time again! We've got another fantastic edition of our weekly video blog, NewNowNext Noise, for you! This week John Polly and myself discuss object of worldwide gay affection, Celine Dion's, new album, Taking Chances! We do love her, but how can we not have a little fun with this French-Canadian nutter?
And the second half is after the jump! We have our picks for happy and sad moments in pop culture this week...They involve Amy Winehouse, The Spice Girls, Project Runway and "White Oprah." Don't miss!
Beyonce to Collaborate with Freemasons on Her Next Album!
I’m still shocked Beyonce’s B’Day didn’t sell as well as her label had wanted. I loved that album - and B marketed the hell out of it...come on, a video for every track?
Must have been the alleged alligator abuse...Anyway, Beyonce is looking ahead to her next LP, and she and her peeps have decided to go with less R&B, more dance for her new sound. In fact, she’s supposedly working with dance duo The Freemasons.
The guys have remixed both Beyonce’s “Déjà vu” (actually, I think leading with that track may have been B’Day’s mistake) and her duet with Shakira, “Beautiful Liar.”
Watch the compilation video below to hear Freemasons’ remix of “Beatuiful Liar” – no wonder this got B’s attention...
Earlier this week, the linster blogged about the Mad Money of Katie Holmes, and now fellow Dawson's Creek alum Michelle Williams is getting her own headlines. Williams will star inMammoth, the first English-language feature by Lukas Moodysson (Show Me Love, Together).
The Swedish director describes Williams as relaying "intelligence, poise and presence in every character she plays," and I wholeheartedly agree. I'm happy to see her making news for something besides her recent split with Heath Ledger, and not only because it gives me a chance to post pictures of her looking ridiculously adorable — though that is a decided bonus.
No, the main reason I'm happy about this news is that I admire both director and star. I've been watching Williams' career ever since Dick, If These Walls Could Talk 2 and Me Without You proved that she was headed for life after Capeside (I was a devoted if slightly embarrassed Creek fan, but really, not for the acting chops).
There's Something About Miriam to Show on Fox Reality!
And that “something” is: She’s a man, baby!
So, someone might be able to argue that shows like this don’t do anything for the transgender community, but that’s not going to stop me from watching (actually I’ve already seen clips online; the show originally came out in 2004). And now, the controversial UK reality series is coming to America, courtesy of the Fox Reality Channel.
So There's Something About Miriam (originally titled Find Me a Man) follows (just) six men, as they pursue Miriam while vacationing in Ibiza, Spain - and none of the men know Miriam was born male. Miriam's a 21-year old Mexican model, and the boys are none the wiser until she confesses her secret on the show’s (incredibly drawn-out) finale.
The prize included 10,000 pounds and a week-long vacation on a luxury yacht. What, Miriam wasn’t enough? Maybe that was extra incentive for the winner if he was turned off by the idea of dating a M2F...?
The guys were all into Miriam before the news...but a group of them filed a lawsuit against the show after it ended. (They settled for an undisclosed amount.)
American Music Awards Nominees Are Out! Justin, Daughtry and Beyonce Are in the Lead!
Will there be any surprises at this year's American Music Awards? Not so sure - I feel like it would be hard to top this year's VMAs in pure-entertainment value. But, of course I'll be watching - look who's going to be there: The show already confirmed that Daughtry, Celine Dion, Fergie and Rihanna as performers for the night. Amazing!
The committee announced its 2007 nominees yesterday as well; Beyonce, J.T., Daughtry and Linkin Park all earned the most (three nominations each).
Jimmy Kimmel will host the ceremony, which will air November 18...and I actually didn't know this: The AMAs get their nominees based on record sales, and then they narrow thise down based on national sampling. Hmm...
Check the for the full-list of nominees...after the jump!
LOGO Hits Up Gaylaxicon Sci-Fi Convention in Atlanta!
-- by Marc Leonard, Sr. VP of Multi-Platform programming at Logo
It’s no secret that there are legions of big, homo sci-fi/fantasy/horror and gaming fans out there. And as evidence, this past weekend saw the 19th annual Gaylaxicon—the three-day international LGBT sci-fi, fantasy, horror and gaming convention—take over the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Hundreds of gays were on hand to meet up (and dress up!) for panels, dances, films, live music, and gaming.
Some of the queer and queer-friendly celebs appearing as guests this year included David Gerrold, a veteran sci-fi writer whose initial claim to fame was scribing the famous “Trouble With Tribbles” episode of Star Trek. (John and Joan Cusack will star in an already buzzworthy film based on Gerrold's book about his own adopted son, called The Martian Child.)
Ari Gold is hot. And his new album is cool. Ya dig?
NYC-based pop/R&B singer Ari Gold is no stranger to most of us gays. The out-and-proud performer has been working hard for years, getting his upbeat soulful tunes out to the masses the hard way—by performing in nightclubs and Pride events and always showing up to lend his support and killer talents for good gay causes.
Right now, he’s got a really personal cause he’s pushing: His new album, Transport Systems, which you can listen to, as it's now streaming on LogoOnline, and which you can order from his own website, AriGold.com. The animated video for his new single, “Where the Music Takes You” is currently playing on Logo as well (where his video for “Wave of You” was voted among the top three Ultimate Sexy Videos of all time, besting the likes of Xtina, Janet, Britney and Kylie, even!).
Transport Systems becomes officially available tomorrow (on Oct. 2nd), so now seems like a good time to chat up the foxy performer about his new musical product, his dedication to tackling tough queer-relevant topics in his tunes, and how his family feels about their big gay pop star son. And yes, we get a little dish about Diana Ross, Beyonce and emo-rocker Chris Carabba, too.
Read the full-on Q&A with Gold after the jump. And watch “Where the Music Takes You” right here...
A little Jake recap? Lover graced the cover of the most recent issue of Interview magazine (check out pictures from the Interview photo shoot - I prefer my Jake intellectual and brooding, but outdoors-y works too.) And not quite as recently, Jake jumped on stage with Rufus Wainwright at one of the singer's NYC concerts to perform the spoken word portion of Rufus's "Between My Legs." But could this have only been the beginning of Jake's "singing" career?
A Jake Gyllenhaal blog says that in the Interview article, Jake discusses his plans to release an album; apparently, the "CD will feature several covers of acoustic hits from the Civil War era." Hmmm...so no Jake vocals? Actually, I don't think I could picture that - but could it still be true?
The article isn't online, but if you go to interviewmagazine.com, you can hear David Fincher (who directed Jake in Zodiac) interviewing Jake; they compare their relationship to balsamic vinaigrette.
And you thought you'd heard the last of Rihanna's "Umbrella"? Ha! Leave it to those indie rock twin titans, Tegan and Sara, to serve up a version of this year's monster hit that actually makes us love all parties involved all over again. (Via Spinner)
This version (the sound's a bit wonky at times, but whatevs!) makes me want make out with somebody, as I crash my car during a rainstorm--just so long as someone is filming it. Preferably David Lynch or David Fincher. Okay, I'm making no sense but... Thanks T&S for sexing up this played-out nugget.
Meanwhile, in the "great minds think alike" category, the awesome Dorothy Snarker over at AfterEllen also just posted this. And she amped it up a notch by also posting the Mandy Moore cover of "Umbrella." (And she included the real video for Rihanna's original, too. What? No Lil' Mama?)
All these months later, it looks like it's still the rainy season, y'all.
Gay All-Stars Galore! Jonny McGovern, Margaret Cho & Adam Joseph bring queer 'tude to Brooklyn.
Here’s a quickie: If you’re in New York this weekend--Brooklyn, specifically--there are cute events on Saturday and Sunday to woo you.
On Saturday, September 29th, the winsome women of AfterEllen.com are hosting a shindig at the Park Slope grrrl bar Cattyshack. It's an early affair; they'll be kicking it from about 3pm to 5:30pm. You can meet AfterEllen's Sarah, Lori and Karman (and no doubt a slew of other fab females). Plus, there's a great roof patio at Cattyshack, and it's supposed to be 75 and sunny in the Slope, so... Yay! Bloody Mary's under the Brooklyn sun, anyone?
If you’re up for a sassy night out on Sunday (September 30th) you can head to Williamsburg and catch some of your favorite gay artistes and media darlings performing, signing and shaking their money-makers (as if!) at The D-List All-Star Concert!
Jonny McGovern, Ms. Cho, Adam Joseph and the other "dazzling" kids rockin' the D-List on Sunday after the jump! Some video, too!
30 Seconds to Mars’s Jared Leto told Sienna Miller to try his proven weight-loss strategy: a strict diet of curry powder and lots and lots of sex.
Rosie wouldn’t appear on Oprah to promote her new book, Celebrity Detox. As expected, she wrote a haiku about it on her Web site, calling Oprah a "force of nature."
Reba shines. And she's shining her love on the gays...
Country music legend/TV star Reba McEntire is pretty fabulous. She's an iconic singer, a Broadway star, a sitcom queen, and remember when she starred in that crazy snakes-on-the-plains comedy/thriller Tremors way back? She can do anything!
Tomorrow, her new album Duets comes out, and already her confab with Kelly Clarkson on Clarkson's hit "Because of You" is currently #2 on the Country charts. (And the video is super-glam dramatic amazingness. Basically, it's Reba and Kelly in drag. Reba's glittery eye-shadow is not playin'...) Go ladies!
And it turns out that Ms. M is more than ready to give props to her gay pals, the gays who taught her how to sing back in the day, and she just can't grasp why gay folks aren't allowed to marry. People are people, y'all! And looks like Reba's even got a little crush on Justin Timberlake (um... who doesn't?) And besides, how many drag queens from Tampa to Tulsa have to perform "Fancy" until we make Reba a big ol' gay icon already?
Anyway, after the jump there's a Q&A she did to spread her love to the gay media types...
New Editor, Neal Boulton + Men's Fitness-esque makeover = Lots and lots of male-model crotch shots for Genre! Who wouldn't love that?
Well, apparently the Genre staff. When Window Media appointed Neal Boulton (formerly of Men's Fitness) as new Genre EIC, a chunk of the (admittedly very small) crew bailed. Scandalous!
For some reason, I feel like Neal, who succeeded former-EIC Christopher Ciompi, couldn't care less (I have no basis for it, but ya know)...and he certainly did his thing for the October issue of Genre. It's a gay Men's Fitness!
You know you want to see a picture from the What Your Man's Underwear Says About Him...after the jump!
Gay-TV hating rapper Ja Rule with his bud, Brokeback Mountain's producer James Schamus.
Remember rapper Ja Rule? He's got a new album dropping soon, so he's been doing interviews and pr to promote it, like any performer does. And nabbing all kinds of notice in the last 24 hours are comments he made in a web interview with Complex Magazine, in which he randomly goes off on how gays in the media are contributing to the "f**king up" of America. Huh?
The exchange begins with the reporter asking Ja Rule about the upcoming September 25th Congressional hearing examining the lyrical content and imagery of African-American women in hip-hop.
And Ja goes off:
There's a f***ing black kid right now about to get 25 years for having a fight with some white kids over hanging the nooses over the white tree, lets get to that. Let's get into sh*t like that, because that's what's tearing up America, not me calling a woman a b*tch or a hoe on my rap songs.
And if it is, then we need to go step to Paramount, and f****ng MGM, and all of these other motherf**kers that's making all of these movies and we need to go step to MTV and Viacom, and lets talk about all these f***ing shows that they have on MTV that is promoting homosexuality, that my kids can't watch this sh*t. Dating shows that's showing two guys or two girls in mid afternoon. Let's talk about sh*t like that! If that's not f***ing up America, I don't know what is.
Okaaaayyy... I don't know where this comes from, and yes, issues of racism and hate-based violence against African-Americans is abominable, but... Where's this anti-gay rant come from? And does he really think his sexist lyrics are harmless? Mercy me...
I'm just going to send you to blogger Jasmyne Cannick, who offers up a pretty extensive analysis of all of this, from her point-of-view as a gay African-American woman. Simply put, she calls him out succinctly.
Mya & JoJo Pitch In to Raise $$$ for Homeless Gay Youth!
Mya and JoJo are gonna teach you something about a great cause at next week's SKOOL'D party in NYC.
On Friday, I posted about Wilson Cruz's cool PSA urging you to clue in and help with the cause of gay homeless youth, which is a major problem in our community. And now, more news...
It turns out that Grammy winning R&B-singer Mya is going to be pitching in at a big, sassy fundraiser in NYC for the Ali Forney Center, which is a killer organization that provides housing, resources, job and educational help for homeless queer youth. The event is called Skool'd and will take place on Wednesday, September 19th at Sol. Mark your calendars!
Also turning it out that night for the good cause will be another young pop starlet JoJo (as in "Too Little Too Late" and "America's Got Talent"). Turns out that the Boston-raised teen is also eager to help raise awareness and cash to help get gay kids off the streets and into safe housing and educational/vocational programs.
Queer kids make up about 40% of all of the homeless youth on the streets, and they're usually the most at-risk when it comes to violence, prostitution and drug abuse. And think about how you felt when you had to summon up the courage to come out... What if your family had kicked you to the curb?
Daily Buzz Bits: Jay-Z's New Ventures, Patrick Wolf's Digi EP and Vanessa Hudgen's Picture Woes
Patrick Wolf’s digital EP will hit the spot (eh?) in late September – it will include songs from all three of his albums and, perhaps, a few from his upcoming one.
Jay-Z plans to open another 40/40 club in Las Vegas…and he hinted at wedding plans with B. That hasn’t happened yet?
Keira Knightley will play the Duchess of Devonshire in an upcoming movie based on Amanda Foreman’s biography. The Duchess was apparently into three-ways with her husband and best friend…
Ouch – even though Disney can’t “fire” High School Musical's Vanessa Hudgens, she probably hasn’t heard the last of those birthday-suit pics.
But hey, Natalie Portman’s supposedly going nude in her upcoming movie with Wes Anderson.
Arjan Writes is featuring a club-banger by gay hip-hop artist, Kingdom. "Dance it off, Homegirl!"
Wilson Cruz may be one of the best gays alive. Yes, he’s a totally cute actor who pops up in lots of great gay-themed shows and films (Logo’s fun Rick & Steve and Noah’s Arc, movies like Party Monster, All Over Me...), including his breakout role as Ricky, the gay teen on My So-Called Life with Claire Danes. Remember that holiday episode where it was revealed that Ricky was living on the street after he was kicked out of this family’s house for being gay? It was pretty major.
And it was apparently a scenario Cruz knows well, as the same thing happened to him as a youth. Which is maybe why the gifted actor is also such a tireless activist for queer causes, and it always willing to reach out and help gay teens.
Watch the above video and see Cruz make a pitch to raise awareness about homelessness among LGBT youth. The clip is sponsored by Tylenol PM, and it seeks to clue us all in to this massive problem. And if you go to the Tylenol PM site, it will lead you to two amazing organizations—the Ali Forney Center in New York City, and the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center—which provide housing and resources to homeless queer kids. Both are awesome organizations. Think about donating some money to them... Just a few bucks can really help provide a safe place to live for someone who’s been kicked to the street by their family.
Watch out! It's gonna blow! (Right) Bob Mould and Richard Morel are bringing bald, butch dance/rock tunes to NYC. Sir, yessir!
Summer’s over. Ready to party like it’s fall yet? Gay fans of great rock and indie-flavored dance music have a reason to celebrate this weekend in New York as the DC-based music moguls Bob Mould (the seminal out rocker behind such legendary alty bands as Husker Du and Sugar) and DJ/producer Richard Morel (who’s been mixing up the Pet Shop Boys, The Killers, Yoko Ono, Cyndi Lauper, Deep Dish, New Order and others for eons) are bringing their successful BlowOff party to town.
This Saturday night (September 8th) at Highline Ballroom, Mould and Morel will host this full-on musical smackdown/dance party featuring their meaty signature mix of indie rock, electro and house. The press info promises “fun for all, from alternative music-loving boys (girls welcome!) and burly beer-drankin’ men and leather daddies, to loads of chunky hunks" (like those featured in BlowOff’s smokin’ signature artwork).
What’s not to like, eh?
To celebrate, we lobbed 5 questions at the manly musical tag-teamers to find out more about this mosh-tastic shindig. And yes, if you’re like me you’re like, “Why is prog-rock legend Bob Mould throwing big gay dance parties? Huh?”
Daily Buzz Bits: KT's new video, Britney on the VMA's, Beth & Gossip Take the U.S.A.!!!
KT "holds on" in her hot new clip, Beth is gonna hit the road, and Brit is gonna get back to her VMA roots.
Wanna see K.T. Tunstall’s new video “Hold On” from her forthcoming new disc Drastic Fantastic. Yes you do!!! (Go here for Quicktime, here for Windows Media.) And she’s totally butching it up, and serving up honkytonk twang, breakdance chic and fashionista hotness! All at once!
Those little media-beloved lads in the Klaxons just scored the U.K.’s covered rock award, the Mercury Prize. Meaning they beat out folks like Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys, Dizzee Rascal, etc.
And Devendra Banhart kicked off his North American tour this past weekend. I mention this just as an excuse to post the photo below. Go, Lady!
Devendra Banhart: "Why this old thing? I just threw it on..."
Attention New Yorkers: Pop singer and out, gay superstar Ari Gold is hitting the stage at Joe's Pub tonight for the official release party for his brand spanking new album Transport Systems.
The super-successful performer new release gets officially unveiled tonight, and you can come join the fun as Ari performs around 9:30pm. The entire album won't actually be available until October 2nd... But you can hear the first single "Where the Music Takes You" now on his MySpace page.
Gold himself stopped by Logo-land last week and gave us a great interview about his new music, his life, who he's dating (or not dating) and all of that, and the full interview will be posted closer to his album release. But for now, you can read a bit of dish right here after the jump. Yes, Gold talks about his tradition of singing full-on love songs about guys in his music, being out, and--gasp!--"butt-sex." I'm not playing!
In space, no one can hear you get fierce. Except Ari, when he's wearing that helmet and mic thingy...
Gina sure likes that cat! And that cat like pink feather boas! Joy!
Yes, Cristal Connors is singing! That's not news to any of you who saw Prey for Rock N Roll, but if ya didn't know, the world's foxiest actress, beloved by men and women all over (I think even gay men are hot for Gina Gershon, she's just that awesome) can indeed sing and she's releasing an album to prove it. And it comes out next Tuesday!
The album is called In Search of Cleo and you can download it via Gershon's hot little MySpace page. (FYI: Cleo just happens to be the name of Gershon's cat.) And evidently, there's a stage production of In Search of Cleo in the works, too. She's working on it while shooting a movie in Canada right now, according to her website. I think she oughtta work it all up into a one-woman stage production with music in which Gershon tells her tales of life in Hollywood. Bound and Showgirls must be ample fodder for crazy stories, right?
I like the way Gershon sounds... Kind of like Marianne Faithfull, but softer. Kind of folky and twangy and worldly wise. And she rocks a sort of mellow gold, country-ish, honkytonk thing, too. But more urban and sensitive, too. Oh, just give her a listen and you'll see...
Here’s a totally hot, grainy “in the studio” video with Gershon cranking out a twangy tune that tells “the story of my life,” as she puts it. And she plays the comb!
You can watch another music video after the jump to get an idea.
Video Lunch: Mando Diao – “The Wildfire (If It Was True)”
Since it’s a big holiday/travel weekend beginning today, here’s a cute video from those plucky Swedish lads of Mando Diao. This single’s called “The Wildfire (If It Was True)” and it features a rollicking road trop across what appears to be the great American West. Yee-haw!
These boys have been making music together since 1996-ish when they were wee little things. And they’ve put out three albums since 2002. Their latest, Ode to Ochrasy, has gotten them lots of attention and they’ve rocked out at Coachella and the Live Earth show in Hamburg earlier this summer. Generally, they perform about 150 gigs a year. Yep, they stay busy. They even manage to keep a spiffy photoblog.
This pic (from their photoblog) was taken of Mando Diao's guys (that's frontman Gustaf, right) while on the road in San Francisco. Who doesn't love dinosaurs?
Daily Buzz Bits: Ne-Yo on Britney, Meryl's "Mamma," and Dolly's Broadway Date
Ne-Yo tells tales on Britney, Meryl takes her "Mamma" out in Greece, and Dolly's hitting Broadway--in two years.
Ne-Yo sounds off about the songs he wrote for Britney, then sold to Pussycat Doll Nicole for her solo debut. That’s why they call it the music business, okay?
Work is underway in sunny Greece on the Meryl Streep-led movie version of the Broadway musical Mamma Mia! It costars Christine Baranski and Julie Walters as the best gal-pals, and Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård and Colin Firth as her former lovers who might just be her grown daughter’s daddy. Fun, fun, fun!
That big 9 to 5 stage musical that Dolly Parton’s been hard at work at? It’s headed to Broadway in 2009. Hurrah, Dora Lee!
AND...
Oh, yeah... Ellen DeGeneres picked a new DJ for the new season of her show. It’s L.A.’s Ted Stryker (no, he’s not a porn star) who’s other day job is working at KROQ. Busy!
So if you’re Amy Winehouse and your life is sort of a mess, what would help sort things out? Getting pregnant!!??? Word has it she wants to have a kid.
Fashion vs. Showbiz: Elton John is gonna play for Dior’s 60th anniversary bash in Paris; and Chloe Sevigny’s debuting a line of her own at NYC’s Fashion Week. Oh, the glamour of it all...
And in L.A., you can buy a creamsicle from the ice cream man and then belt out a tune, too? Yep, it’s karaoke on your local ice cream truck!!! Which is either genius, or really annoying...
Which Rick & Steve Character Are You? Take the Quiz!
So the Season 1 finale of Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World is tonight...Yes, sadly, West Lahunga's gay gates are closing - at least for a while.
But before you watch the thrilling season closer tonight on LOGO, why not find out which Rick & Steve character you are?
This Alter Ego quiz, courtesy of Noah Lusky and his new book, Who's Your TV Alter Ego?, will tell you which little, plastic gay you match up with!
I just took it, and - I was afraid of this - I'm Evan: "In constant need of every form of stimulation under the sun, you’re a youthful, brash and bouncy adventurer who’s always the life of the party." Well, it could be worse - at least fag hags want to hang out with me, right?
Justice League Movie! Ryan Reynolds as The Flash? Wishful Thinking?
Please let me at least do the voice of The Flash.
There's lots of frantic, uncorroborated buzz floating around the Internet about a new Justice League movie, (You know, the super friends: Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Batman, Green Lantern, etc.) and even though it's all kind of all speculation at this point, I've got to do a little recap.
First off, the movie's definitely happening - there are just certain logistical issues to work out. Mainly whether or not it will be real-time or CGI and the fact that there are already Superman and Batman movies in the works.
I'd be all for CGI - to me, Justice League always had a over-the-top, campy appeal to it. I think it lends itself more to a cartoon than most other comics. Which is good, since Christian Bale (who plays Batman in the new movies and refuses to play the part under a different director) and Brandon Routh (Superman in Brian Singer's movies) are not going to be in it.
More on the movie and Ryan Reynolds after the jump!
Melissa Auf Der Mauer's Got the Whole Package - New Album, Comic and Short Film in the Works!
Being the sci-fi dork that I am, the fact that former Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur networked at Comic Con to get her new musical project going makes me automatically like her.
But the project the Canadian musician was pitching sounds so cool, I can’t imagine those nerds not wanting in. Well, I should so it sounds cool if you’re into Vikings and time-travel. But who isn’t?
Melissa has recorded her sophomore solo album, called Out of Our Minds, but wants to present it as part of a multi-disciplinary project which includes a short film and a comic book. Today’s marketing is all about multiple platforms, after all.
More on MADM's new too-artsy-for-you package...after the jump!
Daily Buzz Bits: Foxy's Behind Bars, Tyra Drops Her Manager and Marc Jacobs Getting Hitched?
Tyra Banks has dropped her manager, Benny Medina, who she used to tout on ANTM. An exec at TelePictures said Tyra didn’t approve that Benny’s “perc list” was bigger than hers.
FX approved a TV drama by Ryan Murphy called 4 oz. about a married man with two children who realizes he’s a transsexual; Brad Pitt will produce and appear on the show.
Rumors flew that Marc Jacobs is getting married, well "married," to his former-hustler BF, Jason Preston, when Chelsea-residents spotted a rock on his finger.
Amy W officially canceled her fall North American tour due to her health – don’t worry, Amy, take a little "you-time."
Blonde Redhead will open for Interpol (who proclaimed themselves big fans of the trio) during their European tour for the rest of the year.
And the arrests/jailtime stories just keep on comin’…Foxy got sentenced today for violating her probation related to that painful Blackberry incident.
Diane Lane and Chris Evans Star in Upcoming Movie, Fierce People
Last week I got to attend a screening of the movie Fierce People, which stars Diane Lane and Chris Evans. The late-‘70s drama follows a drug-addicted New York mother, Liz Earl (Lane), and her teenaged son, who move to a rural, wealthy suburb to live with the Liz’s sugar daddy when she decides to get her life on track.
The title refers to a tribe in the Amazon called the Ishkanni; the movie parallels the brutal politics of the wealthy community the Earls enter into with the practices of the primitive tribe. Personally, I was most excited to see Chris Evans – since I understood he was taking on a part unlike anything he’d done before – and…he’s Chris Evans.
The film, directed Griffin Dunne, comes out September 14.
Was it fierce? My thoughts on the movie...after the jump!
Daily Buzz Bits: J.Lo Goes S&M, Janeane Garofalo on 24 and Darren Hayes Arrested?
MTV announced its complete performance lineup for the upcoming VMA Awards – Fall Out Boy, Kanye, Nelly Furtado, Common…just to name a few.
London police supposedly arrested Darren Hayes earlier today for a fight with his waiter.
Elton’s headed for DVD! The singer’s 60th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden will be on Disc 1, and rare and archival performances will be on Disc 2.
The music video for Jennifer Lopez’s new single, “Do It Well,” is underway. And, strangely enough, J.Lo plays leather mama!
Daily Buzz Bits: Pete's in the Slammer, Brooke's Gone Bi and Adam's an Audio-Learner!
Petey got arrested…again. After performing at the V festival Saturday with his band, Babyshambles, London police booked Pete Doherty for suspicion of drug possession. I think we’re beyond “suspicion” at this point?
Richer-than-god author J.K. Rowling is back to familiar territory writing in cafes – she’s supposedly got a detective novel in the works.
Brooke from Real World: Denver (“Don’t you ever talk to me like that – EVER AGAIN!") is apparently bisexual now, according to her MySpace. She seems to be “very close” to Fresh Meat’s EV as well.
In a serious low-blow, Maroon 5’s front-man and all-around skeez Adam Levine said he dumped his tennis-star GF Maria Sharapova because she was too… “quiet.”
Get it, girls! Avril Lavigne, Sheryl Crow and Fiona Apple will perform at the first-ever Girlfrenzy music festival, to be held Oct. 27 in Irvine, California.
Buzz Bits: Mika Loves Ugly Betty, Zac Efron's Big-like Role and Dashboard's New Album!
Unlisted singer Mika reworked his “Big Girl” track for ABC’s Ugly
Betty and made a low-budget promo video too – now it’s “Hey, Betty – you are beautiful.”
Warner Bros. is remaking Bruce Lee’s classic from the ‘70s, Enter the Dragon. That’s a tall order…They’re renaming it, Awaken the Dragon.
Zefron will star in New Line’s upcoming romantic movie, Seventeen. The Big-esque movie will involve a 36-year old man transporting into Zac’s body. And while we’re on the subject, High School Musical 2 airs tonight on Disney.
Jordin Sparks, American Idol’s most recent winner, signed with 19Recordings/Jive Records. Her debut will come out in November.
Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional announced an October 2 release for his new album, The Shade of Poison Trees, which will be entirely acoustic.
Check out these pics from the upcoming Batman movie, Dark Knight…they include
shots of Maggie Gyllenhaal instead of Katie Holmes (Thank god) and a
freaky Heath Ledger as The Joker!
The love isn’t dead! My Chemical Romance bassist Mikey Way has rejoined the band after a six-year hiatus.
George W. Bush’s daughter, Jenna, is engaged to UVA student, Henry Hager.
Remember that book, He’s Just Not That Into You? Well, it’s a movie now – with Jennifer Aniston (probably a good movie for her...), Jennifer Connolly and Drew Barrymore!
Indie Musicians Indulge In Some Dreaded Pop...Guilt By Association!
Don't look at me!
All right, you Indie people, at least you're getting less pretentious. (Although this album cover art makes me think you're not quite ready to..."come out of the Top 40" closet.)
I love the idea of this: Engine Room Records recruited a bunch of indie musicians to cover their secret, favorite pop songs for a compilation album called Guilt By Association.
The album won't come out until next month, but you can hear a few tracks on the CD's MySpace page right now.
Definitely listen to Petra Haden's (the violinist who used to play with The Decemberists) cover of "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey. It's hard to compete with The Voice, but I liked Petra's re-working.
More on these secret pop indulgences after the jump!
Timbaland Reveals Some Deets On Madonna's New Album!
Ditch the leotards, Mo.
I kind of worship Timbaland – but regardless of that, he does give some good quotes. On his collabo with Madonna on her upcoming album, he said Madonna “really cracks the whip.” Nice image. He also said Madonna’s new work would have “no ‘80s disco tracks” and “no purple leotard.”
I loved Confessions On A Dancefloor, but yeah – I’m fine with not seeing Madonna in that sort of outfit ever again...
VMA 2007 Nominations Are Out - Beyonce And Justin Take the Lead!
MTV's Tim Kash and Lily are so short! Did they dress alike on purpose?
MTV announced its 2007 VMA nominees yesterday, and the committee’s choices are pretty understandable - although the picks for one category do confuse me.
The big show will take place in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas next month and will surely feature some A-list, high-budget performances (probably why I'll be watching, as opposed to acceptance speeches).
J.T. and Beyonce dominated throughout; they each got seven nominations.
I don’t quite get the Best New Artist nominees, though; Amy Winehouse and Carrie Underwood aren’t “new” anymore, right?
OK, so I actually do really care about who wins...more on nominations after the jump!
The Musical Greats Meryl, Glenn and Barbra Battle It Out For Sunset Boulevard!
OK, this is my last ABBA-related post (for a while), I promise, but this is a battle of the greats!
Well, the greatest has already won when it comes to ABBA. And I'm talking about Meryl as she’ll be playing the lead role of Donna in the upcoming movie version of the Broadway musical, Mamma Mia!
Now this is one of the few Broadway shows I’ve actually seen, and although I couldn’t really go to bat for the plot, the musical numbers are fantastic, thanks to ABBA! So I’m totally excited for the movie.
Meryl’s actually rarely sung on camera, but I hear she’s got a fantastic voice, and she’s not going to stop after Mamma. Apparently, she’s in the running for the upcoming movie version of Sunset Boulevard (the musical), along with Glenn Close and Barbra Streisand.
Vanessa Carlton Hosts Listening Party For Her Upcoming Album, Heroes And Thieves!
Vanessa was ready to see that "1000 Miles" piano get hit by a Nolita cab.
Vanessa Carlton dreamily plays the last few notes of “Hands On Me,” a track from her new album, Heroes and Thieves, on the piano in her Manhattan loft. Her 20-something audience she's invited to this listening party all applaud, but are definitely quieted by the mood of the song.
Then, smiling, Vanessa busts out that immediately-recognizable first snippet from her 2002 mega-hit “1000 Miles,” but she quickly stops and says, “Remember that song? Yup, that was me.”
Vanessa then goes on to describe filming the music video for her album's lead single, “Nolita Fairytale,” in which a cab runs over the piano from her “1000 Miles” video. She shrugs, “But I can play that song too. I like that song.” I still wonder if I was the only one who desperately wanted her to – now I love that song, Vanessa.
“Nolita Fairytale” (you can watch her perform it here) refers to Vanessa’s neighborhood in Manhattan, around the NoHo – Chinatown area. She said long walks in those New York streets inspired most of her third studio album, due Oct. 9, this time with label The Inc.
More on Vanessa's party and her new album...after the jump!
Scarlett Johansson Scores Yeah Yeah Yeahs For Her New Album!
When Scarlett Johansson says come to a 600-person town in Louisiana, you don't really say no.
So when Scar-Jo wasn’t recording her new album, she was hanging out at Wal-Mart? That’s got to be different from what she’s used to.
But apparently Scarlett Johansson’s been hard at work in the studio in Maurice, Louisiana, of all places (Home of the Turducken!), under the supervision of TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek. Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Celebration also went down south to record guest spots on Scarlett’s upcoming album.
I knew Scarlett sang at Coachella, but I never thought she had an album in her. Maybe it’ll be good...? It sounds like she’s in good company, after all. Although, I’m not sure why she went to Maurice, Louisiana (I’m from Louisiana, and I’ve never heard of it); maybe they have the best recording studios.
The Dockside Studio owner, Wish Nails, said, “When I tell you she went to Wal-Mart and Albertsons, she went a lot.”
More on Scarlett's new album and her Louisiana visit...after the jump!
Simon Cowell Takes On American Idol-Style Movie, Star Struck!
Simon gives the "carry on" to Star Struck, which will, thankfully, include him verbally abusing singing hopefuls.
I really think Simon should just call this American Idol: The Movie and stop comparing it to Fame. What could be better than American Idol: The Movie, anyway?
Simon Cowell took time away from producing X-Factor, America’s Got Talent and American Inventor (and Idol’s starting soon, right?) to take on a movie project, Star Struck.
Not too catchy if you ask me, but the premise sounds pretty fool-proof (and pretty familiar): Ten young, aspiring singers enter a reality TV singing competition and crazy drama ensues.
More on the reality-show-turned-movie after the jump!
Bloggers Call Racism on New Resident Evil Video Game
Zombie racism? All right – that’s a new one.
Well, it’s not really the zombies who are racist in this situation...and does it make you racist if you're only killing zombies of a different ethnicity?
These are the questions we need to be asking ourselves as responsible gamers...Well, actually no. But I myself am a little torn after watching a new zombie-slasher video game trailer that created a stir in the online world.
Kym Platt posted on her blog on Blacklooks.org that the game was "problematic on so many levels, including the depiction of Black people as inhuman savages, the killing of Black people by a white man in military clothing, and the fact that this video game is marketed to children and young adults. Start them young… fearing, hating, and destroying Black people."
Catch the (violent) trailer here...
More on the Resident Evil series and reactions to the blog post...after the jump...
Kelly Osbourne Goes (Not So) Matronly For Her New Role in Chicago!
Whoa! I don't know what to think!
This picture came out yesterday to promote Kelly Osbourne's new role as Matron Mama Morton in Chicago...and I must agree with many commentators that she looks quite airbrushed (or else that's one tight corset).
I've only seen the Chicago movie, but why did she have to look thinner to play Mama Morton? I kind of like the picture, though...maybe Kelly could totally rock it.
More on Kelly's previous work, and is she right for the part? After the jump...
I’ve missed you, Natalie! So this is what you’ve been doing.
This picture for the upcoming movie and current novel, The Other Boleyn Girl, just came out, and I’m really hoping this movie is good, because, to me, it has an all-star cast. I’m not the Number 1 Scar-Jo fan, but there’s something about her that fascinates me, and I have complete love and devotion for both Nat and Eric Bana.
This pic is also the new cover for the novel on which the movie is based, written by Philippa Gregory. Natalie and Scarlett will be playing Anne and Mary Boleyn, respectively, and Eric will take on the Henry VIII role.
More on the scheming sisters...and a gay character! After the jump...
Mya Shows Her Love For the NYC Gays at Club Therapy!
Mya basks in a little homo-worship.
R&B singer Mya showed her gay fans some love last night, stopping by club Therapy in Hell’s Kitchen to chat on stage with Next magazine Managing Editor Keo Nozari and have a few cocktails with the gays. What could be better?
But guys, I have to tell you - I’m such a dork. I really love Mya, and I got so nervous when I actually met her...Sitting six inches away from her - she is so unbelievably beautiful, first off, and it didn’t help that guys were staring me down, clearly asking, “Who the f*ck is this guy talking to Mya for so long?”
But she was actually so nice to me and very chill and soft-spoken, so I loved getting to talk with her.
And even though she was just there to chat and hang, the crowd wasn't letting her leave without one little song. Mya asked the gays what they wanted to hear, and, (I was a little surprised) "Ghetto Superstar" won out. Check the clip!
I would have chosen "Lady Marmalade," but that's cool! The gays really ate this one up.
On-stage with Keo, Mya discussed Liberation, her fourth studio album, this time with Motown. Mya wrote or co-wrote every track on the CD and called it her most personal and vulnerable album to date.
She also chatted about modeling for Heatherette, enjoying the single life and her roles in her upcoming movies (including Metrosexual, which she called a male version of Sex and the City and Cover, about HIV in women trying to get into the entertainment industry).
More on my talk with Mya and her new album...after the jump!
Hey guys, LOGO's weekly audio podcast Oh God I'm Gayhas launched - and for the spiritual among us, you have to check it out!
Host Alicia Ross discusses her own experiences as well as LGBT-relevant social issues. She also introduces a variety of community and spiritual leaders, including Larry Grimaldi, the co-producer and director of the documentary Camp Out, and Tom Kam, a former priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
Heroes Has A Spin-Off And A Video Game In The Works!
It's the gift that keeps on giving!
Heroes just won't quit...and the second season hasn't even started yet.
NBC recently announced that not only will Heroes be made into a video game, it will also have its own spin-off. There's also the Heroes graphic novels, mobile game and 360 Web site on the way. Milk that success!
The video game, led by game-maker Ubisoft, will add depth to the cast members' storylines, but will remain apart from actual plot of the show. Heroes writers said they wrote the series' script all along with a video game tie-in in mind.
More Heroes buzz, including the spin-off and the next season...after the jump!
Tyra's Got A New Man, A New City And A Renewed Contract!
It's about time Tyra snagged a (straight) man fierce enough for her!
It’s the good life for Tyra…Well, not that she doesn’t work 24-7, keeping girls' panties off of toilet seats and such, but its looks like her TV career, as well as her cash flow, are pretty squared away.
The CW’s president confirmed they were renewingAmerica’s Next Top Model (their Number 1 show, not surprisingly) through 2009-2010. That means they’ll be on at least Cycle 15 before the contract’s up! And who says they’ll stop there?
I hope she’s not tired of that gig yet!
ANTM will also for sure move from Cali. to NYC for the next season. I’m cool with that, but I never knew what was behind the decision. However! I read today Tyra has a new man who’s New York-based, so theories are flying Tyra just wanted to be closer to her guy.
More on Tyra and the next season of ANTM after the jump!
Oh, hell yes. The Backstreet Boys are staging a comeback - with or without you, Kevin!
First the Spice Girls and now Backstreet? Ah, my childhood's coming back - I feel like listening to "I Want It That Way" (I should say, the BSB have only been inactive for two years - why do I think of them as ancient history?).
The now four-member BSB plan to release an album October 30 through Jive Records. The first single, "Inconsolable," will officially hit the radio August 27.
OK, I should say I was happy about this - but then I actually heard "Inconsolable." I think it totally blows...
Well anyway, what have the guys been up to? After the jump...
Exclusive M.I.A. Interview! On Jamaican "Boyz," New Music, Old Love & Gays!
M.I.A. sees her new album, KALA, out next month. And she visited MTV earlier this week. And we nabbed an interview!
On Monday, I had a chance to grab a quickie ten-minute chat with M.I.A., the international rapper/singer/hot mama and just all-around supercool music artist, who combines crazy beats, political messages and irresistible goofy/jerky/fierce dance moves as she cranks out music that’s as colorful as an acid-trippy rainbow. Her work has been described as having elements of “grime, hip-hop, ragga, dancehall, electro and baile funk.” And it’s always energetic and loopy fun stuff.
She burst onto the public awareness in 2005 with her debut album Arular (hot on the heels of one of the best bootleg mixtapes ever, Piracy Funds Terrorism) and suddenly was on the lips of every savvy musicphile on the planet. She dated her collaborator Diplo, then split and she’s performed all over the place, been in magazines and basically become a representative of a contemporary, strong unique, genre-busting female artist.
Born in London and raised in Sri Lanka, she faced visa issues while working on her second album, Kala (due on August 21st), and wasn’t able to enter the U.S. until recently. Her family history is turbulent, having grown up in war zones and London projects. You can read more on all of this in press clips on her site, or on Wikipedia.
But the main deal is that she’s had two videos released recently—for “Bird Flu” and “Boyz,” both shot in far-flung locales (India and Jamaica) and both utilizing the residents of those place as their stars. She describes this process in our superbrief chat, as well as discussing gay boys, her love life, being a female in the music biz, and how she stealthily tricked the men in homophobic Jamaica into dancing and singing about “Boyz.” (Watch the video after the jump!)
“Please excuse me,” she laughed when we sat down. She’d just gotten her make up done for an MTV photo shoot. “I just had these big eyelashes put on and I can barely see you!” She speaks in a dry but lilting London accent, and she was rocking these crazy colorfully patterned tights, heels, and a big purple “Darfur” T-shirt cinched at the waist with a wide belt. She’s gorgeous! And chatty—and super nice. And here she is...
Looking fresh on the set of the "Boyz" shoot in Jamaica. Holla!
Nikki Blonsky Has Another Movie And An Album On The Way!
Nikki gets back to her roots as a former Cold Stone employee.
As much as I enjoyed her in Hairspray, I'm so happy to know Nikki Blonsky won't always be known as Tracy Turnblad.
Although that was definitely the Great Neck, Long Island native's breakout role (and she's been nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance), she already has new work beyond Hairspray on her agenda. And she's only 18!
Supposedly, Nikki will begin filming for a new movie as soon as Hairspray promotions are done. Wow - when did she even have time to audition? Also, this role won't involve any singing or dancing, so it does look she's saying goodbye to Tracy, at least for now.
But that voice couldn't go to waste forever - Nikki said she also has an album coming out and still hopes to do Broadway someday since that's always been her dream.
Zachary Quinto Will Play Mr. Spock in New Star Trek Movie!
Zach will make pointy ears and relentless logic look very appealing.
Oh, Zachary Quinto – you’re so dreamy. I’ll just look at these pictures for a while...Oh, and these ones of you making out with a guy when you played Tori Spelling’s gay BF too.
Anyway!…In actual ZQ news, the Heroes star has officially been cast to play Mr. Spock in the upcoming Star Trek movie! Yup, they’re making a Star Trek XI – and this one’s a prequel, featuring a re-cast Original Series crew...as in Kirk, Spock, Bones, Uhura and so on (well, only Kirk and Spock are confirmed to be in it right now).
J.J. Abrams, who created Lost and directed Mission Impossible: III, will direct the movie; it's scheduled to come out December 25, 2008 as of now.
More buzz for the Trekkers, such as myself, after the jump!
"Cruising" Brings Killer Leather Queens Back! For Better or Worse...
Al Pacino goes undercover as a 1980 gay to catch a gay killer. But watch out for the gays! And Al's gay dancing...
Back in 1980, gays were free and easy. There was no AIDS, and NYC was a big horny playground where men would wear their teensiest Daisy Dukes and mustaches and party without a care in the world. That is, until a serial killer starting chopping them up! EEEK!
Yep, therein lies the premise of the controversial 1980 Al Pacino movie, Cruising, in which Al goes undercover as a "gay" (and yes, as a gay into leather) to find the killer terrorizing the homo community. Of course, as all cinema fans know, the result was a laughably bad, stereotyped-filled, somewhat offensive look at the gay scene. Gays are victims! They're killers! They're swishy and pervy! Now, I could debate on all of those things (on boths sides, most likely), but having it played out in ineptly onscreen ain't cute.
All that said, I've never seen the film and I'm dying to. So I'm excited to find out that Cruising is getting a theatrical re-release on September 7th here in NYC (in Chelsea, naturally). And it's coming out finally on DVD on September 18th. Frankly, I'm gonna go fetch a harness, strap it on, and go watch it in person. I love bad cinema and I'm eager to see what the fuss is all about.
Ummm... Will Al pass for gay with that old lady hairdo? And where's his mustache for gay's sake?
Presidential Dems Debate! YouTubers Sound Off! Anderson Cooper Looks Good!
ASK? TELL? The Dems gathered last night in Charleston, SC for the big CNN/YouTube Debates. Was your question on air?
Last night’s Presidential Debate was a step in the right direction. Allowing real people to make video questions that then got aired was a cool move toward getting the general populace more engaged in the Presidential campaign. And having Anderson Cooper on hand, working to call the candidates to account and keeping things moving was a nice touch, too. Nice work, Coopie!
And any debate that features lesbians from Brooklyn works for me! And a pro-gay African-American minister from North Carolina, too? Now that’s the America I like to see...
Of course, not all folks were fans. Kevin Naff of the NY Blade(who's becoming quite the rabble-rousing gay crank; and frankly, we can always use more of those stirring things up...) was not amused at the tone. And he did point out that YouTube is being celebrated by Presidential candidates even while it faces lawsuits (including one from Logo's parent company, MTV Networks and Viacom) for copyright infringement. Hmmmm...
You can judge for yourself how it all went. CNN has tons of video to keep you busy. And so does YouTube, naturally.
More on the debate, including video links, after the jump!
Sorry Laguna fans, but the party's over....Don't feel bad for Talan, though; he's dating a Pussycat Doll.
I always found something so strangely fascinating and endlessly entertaining about Laguna Beach...and I know I just lost everyone's respect.
Ah, well. That show was amazing and everyone knows it. I also really liked Season 3 with its new cast, even though it led to a serious ratings slump - which may have played into the decision to move the chronicles of bored, rich teenagers from Laguna to Newport.
MTV just announced Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County will premiere on August 15 with a cast from Newport High School to replace the Laguna kids.
Changes in the next season after the jump! Everyone's doing it - come on...
Jake oughtta be smilin'... He's the man most beloved and lusted-after by all of the gays!!!
Who’s the fairest of them all? Who’s the hunk that gets us funky? Who do gay men really loooooooove? Dither no more with such queries. Those media-obsessed gays over at AfterElton have whipped up a man-jammed rundown of the Hottest 100 Men as chosen by their readers and staff, so yes, the world can finally know who gays lust after most of all!
#1 is no big gay shocker. Jakey rules! Yep, the men who love men love Brokeback cowboy Jake Gyllenhaal more than any other male in the whole wide world. I’m down with that... Jake’s sweet, talented, always good to his gay fans and got a savvy sense of humor. What’s not to like? And he bent over and took it in a pup tent on the big screen! Surely that’s worth some kudos, eh?
Rounding out the top five are #2 flame-worthy hottie Chris Evans, studly double agent Daniel Craig is #3, Queer As Folk alum Gale Harold is #4 and movie/TV/Broadway star Taye Diggs is in at #5.
Jake G. and Chris Evans: Our #1 and #2 men...
A buff spy and a gay TV veteran take number 3 & 4: Daniel Craig and Gale Harold.
Taye Diggs is soaking up your love in the #5 spot.
Hot gays show up on the list, too. Dr. Who’s John Barrowman is #10, Robert Gant is #14, and Wilson Cruz is #72 to name just a few.
Gays like Wilson Cruz and Robert Gant made the Hot 100. And so did newshound Anderson Cooper, who even piped in a response to getting your votes. Awwww... Sweet!
And even those who don’t like to publicly comment on their private lives still got nods. Anderson Cooper ranked as #34, and even sent in this comment to AfterElton when he heard he made the list: "I'm flattered to be on the list. Clearly, they have not seen my pale skinny chicken legs. It's nice to know there is a market for pale, skinny, grey-haired people."
Oh, Coop. You’re so coy...
Check out the entire Hot 100 list... It’s fun and full of smokin’ pics. And then let ’em know who you love, and who got left out!
J. Lo and Marc Anthony Are Going To Tour Together!
J. Lo and M....Ant seem to keep it quite professional.
I'm kind of sad I'm so bored by J. Lo and Marc as a couple - they never do anything interesting. Maybe she's learned her lesson from Bennifer?
But I actually thought this was cool - the couple's planning on touring together! "Jennifer has never toured," Anthony told Billboard. "I've toured all my life. This is where I can step in and say, 'Oh, my God, this could be fun,' and introduce her to that world."
The combined tour is supposed to happen sometime this year. That sounds like a relationship kiss of death to me, for some reason - maybe I just don't have faith in Hollywood couples. I also think doing a movie together (once they're already together) only spells trouble as well, as these two are doing. But what do I know? They've lasted this long.
But what have the two been up to career-wise since there's not much to gossip on? After the jump...
Daily Buzz Bits: Introducing Kate Nash, Harry Potter Review & More!
You'll be jumping too when you hear Kate Nash's killer tunes. Hurrah! And the NY Times dissects the new Harry Potter. Can you take it?
Ready for this summer’s next big Brit female pop star? Move over, Lily Allen. Back up, Ms. Winehouse... Here comes Kate Nash. And she’s got a song called “D*ckhead.” Har! Disconap explains it all...
Michiko Kakutani reviews the new Harry Potter book for the NY Times. Kakutani says it ends the series “with good old-fashioned closure: a big-screen, heart-racing, bone-chilling confrontation and an epilogue that clearly lays out people’s fates."
Next Harry Potter Movie Casting Buzz! Joseph Fiennes, Naomi Watts and Stuart Townsend!
Joseph and Naomi will most likely join the witch and wizard brigade, but don't tell anyone.
Ohhh…the Harry Potter excitement just won’t stop! What am I going to do with myself when it’s all over? My Deathly Hallows pre-order is set to come this Saturday, and I’ve been doing my best to avoid reading leaks during my blog-browsing.
Anyway, let’s talk about the next Harry Potter movie! Yes, yes, Order of the Phoenix was fantastic, but I’m already onto obsessing about the next one. And today I read about three major castings for the Half-Blood Prince installment!
Naomi Watts, Stuart Townsend and Joseph Fiennes have (supposedly) been cast for the sixth movie. But who could they be playing?
I only put Stuart by himself because, to me, he could be one of the most beautiful humans on the planet. But only for that reason.
And now I'm going to seriously dork out speculating who these three might be playing after the jump (so, not for the faint of heart)...
Steven Spielberg Will Direct Upcoming TinTin Movie...But Not The Racist One.
TinTin's a bit more of an icon in Europe than he is here, but he'll be on the big screen soon enough.
I’m a hugeTinTin fan. I know the comics are often considered kid’s books, but I don’t just love them because of nostalgia. I still think they’re great now - I’ve even been TinTin for Halloween, since he's a fellow redhead.
I also think TinTin was gay, but that’s another story.
I couldn’t really defend the original comics Herge wrote in the 1930s through the '70s, though, as I’ve never read them. I’m only a fan of the ‘90s cartoon that aired on Nickelodeon, which is supposedly a loyal adaptation.
And even though the comic is over 70-years old, the stories of the mystery-solving Belgian reporter are causing controversy today.
This week, Borders stores moved one, just one of the 24, TinTin comics out of the children’s section because British groups accused the edition of containing, ''imagery and words of hideous racial prejudice.''
More on TinTin's not-OK depictions of Africa...and the TinTin movies after the jump!
Get Ready For Another Paris Album And a Paris Cartoon! Is That Hot?
Paris out! And Stan wants in. She's not going away.
Now that Paris has jail-house cred, she's ready to drop another album. Paris says she's been working, "working,' with Scott Storch, the producer behind her first album who's also worked with Beyonce, X-Tina and 50 Cent.
Does anyone even remember that album? I kind of remember "Stars Are Blind"...
Well if that doesn't work out, Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee signed on to create a cartoon series about Paris (kind of like that Pam Anderson show, Stripperella); no word yet as to how much it will be based on Paris's life or if she'll just voice her animated self.
Paris has a connection with the Smashing Pumpkins? After the jump...
Amy or Dizzee could dominate, but is Mercury for the underdogs?
It’s time for The Mercury Awards! The winner will get $40,000 and international bragging rights! Who’s got what it takes to be...The U.K.’s Next Mercury Winner?
Wow, I watch too much reality TV....But anyway, at The Hospital in London today, the Nationwide Mercury Awards gave the shortlist for its 2007 Album of the Year nominees.
The Mercury Prize began in 1992, and each year it awards British and/or Irish musicians with its increasingly relevant prize.
Favorites for 2007 are Arctic Monkeys’ Favorite Worst Nightmare, Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black and rapper Dizzee Rascal’s Maths + English.
More on The Mercuries and the full list of nominees after the jump!
Prince was showing his fans, well anyone, actually, some serious love this Sunday. As you may know, Prince ruffled a few record label exec's feathers by deciding to give away a number of copies of his new album, Planet Earth.
On Sunday, Prince gave nearly three million CDs out with copies of the British newspaper, The Mail. Prince will also give out copies to concert-goers during his 21 London shows next month.
Some retailers have called the act "an insult" to record stores, as it supposedly de-values music to give it out like a leaflet. I love this quote from Paul Quirk, co-chairman of Entertainment Retailers Association, "The Artist formerly known as Prince should know that
with behavior like this, he will soon be the Artist Formerly Available
in Record Stores."
More on Prince's giveaway controversy after the jump!
Britney's New Album Has A Confirmed November Release Date!
You think we're just going to take you back, Britney?
The Britney Saga is far too massive for me to tackle in one post, but I have to report that a Jive rep confirmed her new album’s November release date! I’m excited, but I actually thought Britney would give herself a little bit longer to...lose her baby weight - or at least to let her hair grow back.
But that’s cool; supposedly she’s focusing on the music now, anyway. The confirmation aired on ShowBiz Tonight, written at the bottom of the screen, of all places.
I also read rumors Britney wants to perform at this year’s VMAs, but who knows if that'll happen (she was supposed to perform with True Colors too, but we all know how that turned out).
As of right now, Britney’s first single is called “Get Back” (fitting, I guess); it will come out some time in September, although bits have been floating around online already, so I think we’ll be hearing it before then.
Is Brit really ready for her comeback? And why does Vogue gotta hate on Brit? After the jump...
Dodd & Kucinich Sign On for Logo/HRC Presidential Forum!
Big heads, big Presidential dreams... Dodd and Kucinich agree to talk the gay talk at the Presidential Forum on Logo on August 9th.
Hey Folks! A bit of a news update. Ya know that Presidential Forum that Logo and the HRC are hosting on August 9th, wherein candidates (Democratic ones, anyway) who are campaigning to be the next President are going to meet and discuss issues relevant to the LGBT world-at-large? Well it’s just announced that Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Dennis Kucinich have signed on. They'll join Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards at the event.
Kucinich buds it up with Stevie Wonder; Dodd makes his day with Clint. What? No one hangs with Kylie Minogue? These guys have their gay work cut out for them...
To get to know more about Dodd or Kucinich you can go their MySpace pages. Dodd has a little video introducing himself, and Kucinich has a music video wherein bits of his speeches are remixed into a little groovin’ number.
Anyway... Just an update! Happy Friday! More to come about this big event on August 9th...
The Show's Stoppin' For Danity Kane - Thanks, Aubrey!
Is self-proclaimed "pretty, pretty Aubrey" too "pretty, pretty sloppy" for the Pussycat Dolls? Just asking.
So a somewhat weathered-looking Aubrey O’Day from Danity Kane got loose-lipped outside of Teddy’s in Hollywood this week. I like where this is going!
Check out her (I’m theorizing) less-than-sober interview with TMZ here, but if you just want to know the highlights, Aubrey says she knows nothing about Danity Kane’s future and has no contact with Diddy. She then does a bad job of denying that the Pussycat Dolls are interested in recruiting her.
God, I hope she’s just doing the Vegas show like Kim Kardashian, because, not to be harsh, I think Aubrey is pretty ridiculous-looking, well, -acting too. Did anyone else see her on Celebrity: Exposed on MTV with Melissa S. from The Next Pussycat Doll?
I thoroughly recommend it: Aubrey is a complete mess and tells her suitors she’s had enough of men being intimidated by her success and rails on one of them for illegally downloading Danity Kane...
The PCD have love for Europe...but not Asia! (Sorry for that one...) New Asia-getting-the-axe rumors after the jump!
Katharine McPhee's "Love Story" Video Is Here! And An Adam Sandler Movie?
Kat pulls off a pretty difficult look in her video - how many people could rock a beret?
I never had "The McPheever" during American Idol since I missed Katharine's season - but I guess it caught up with me, because, now, she can do no wrong! I just love her for some reason! Maybe stuff like this plays into that.
But I also love Kat's album, even if she wasn't a fan of all of her pop-ier tracks, and now the video for her second single, "Love Story," is out, and Kat looks smokin'!
Check her video here - she's totally leggy and, as usual, I love her voice (even though this wasn't my favorite track of the album). Here's hoping that "Not Ur Girl" is the next single!
More McPheever buzz...including yet another movie role - after the jump!
And in West Lahunga... Er, I mean West Hollywood, the totally lovely and foxy new bar and restaurant Eleven played host to Logo’s much anticipated premiere of Rick & Steve and its posse. Yep, pretty much most of the cast and crew attended, including totally fab out superstar Wilson Cruz (who lends his voice talents to the show’s twink druggie daddy-dater Evan) and Queer as Folk alum Peter Paige (squawking as title character and resident cute/dumb jock Steve), while male-hater Dana’s voicer Taylor Dooley kept the boys in line. Also in the mix were future episode guest star Mitch Morris and the show’s creator/writer Q. Allan Brocka, who all came out to support Tuesday night’s gala launch.
The "Rick & Steve" cast, including, (l to r) creator Q. Allan Brocka, Mitch Morris, Wilson Cruz, Peter Paige and Taylor Dooley. Cute!
A sneak peek at next week's "Rick & Steve" episode after the jump!
A close relationship with Samantha would explain Lindsay's DJ wannabe-ing, among other things.
Poor Lindsay – who can she trust these days? Everyone wants a piece, and now someone even sold out her MySpace account!
Potential culprits? Only 75 people have access, including Lauren Conrad of The Hills (I didn’t even know they were friends…), Nicole Richie and Lindsay's little sister, Ali. Hmm...
But now to the juice! While in celebrity rehab at Promises in Malibu, Lindsay apparently communicated with her friends and fam via MySpace - and she really communicated, as today, someone released her correspondance with DJ Samantha Ronson, entitled “Lindsay’s Lesbian Love Letters.”
Excerpts from The Lindsay Papers...after the jump!
Glad to see Lauren will have a run-in with "newly-enhanced" frenemy, Heidi.
The wait’s almost over: The Hills Season 3 is on the horizon!
MTV just premiered the new trailer (the show will premiere August 13), and Season 3 looks amaaazing.
I hope after this season I’ll finally understand what everyone's favorite couple, Spencer Pratt and Heidi “too-busy-backstabbing-me-to-be-my-friend” Montag’s bogus engagement was really about.
My list of Things I'm Looking Forward To and Things I'm Not Looking Forward To...after the jump.
Which is cool. And if he's smart, he'll bring his wife, Elizabeth Edwards along for the festivities. We already know that's she's supportive of gay marriage. Maybe she can talk some sense into the rest of the crew...
Frankly, I think it might be more fun to hang out backstage with the candidate's spouses. Just think of all the fun you'd have with Mrs. Edwards, Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama. At least with Bill on hand, you know there'd be some killer food.
Munch!
I'd vote for any of these three: Elizabeth Edwards, Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama... What's not to like, eh?
Devoted thespian Aaron Eckhart... You'd make that face too if you had, er... Oh, just read the post.
Buried like a sweaty, pinched hidden treasure beneath the news about Madonna demanding eye contact from her interviewers at Live Earth came this fun nugget about stud-muffin actor Aaron Eckhart...
Turns out the strapping blond guy is serious about getting into his roles. So much that for his turn in the film Bill (opposite Jessica Alba) he put clothespins on his privates (not his schlong, but his balls, y'all... er, can I say balls?) to fully appreciate his character's discomfort.
Sez the committed Eckhart: "“I had to pretend that my nuts hurt, so I put a clothespin on my nuts,” Eckhart told Men’s Journal. “...Because that’s what I do for a living.”
Whoa. You gotta admire a man who'll work that hard for his craft, eh? Um, somebody cast him in a big, trashy gay role, fast!!! Please???
Logo Hosts Clinton, Obama (And Others?) for a Presidential Coffee Klatsch
Who's confirmed so far to chat up the gays in the first-ever LGBT-sponsored Presidential Forum on Logo? You'll get two guesses...
Head's up you political minded gaysters! Logo's just announced that on August 9th(9pm EST/6pm PST) its gonna co-host (along with those civic-minded minions over at the Human Rights Campaign) the first ever all-gay, all-the-time live Presidential Forum, wherein those candidates jockeying to become the next leader of the free world will come and sit down for a sassy gab-fest about queer issues.
So far, the two leading Democratic contenders, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (that's listed alphabetically for you sensitive types) have signed on. (UPDATE: John Edwards has confirmed and will participate, too!) And I guess we'll wait and see if others like Dennis Kucinich (who actively supports same-sex marriage) or Bill Richardson or John McCain or Mitt Romney (not bloody likely) or Rudy Giuliani end up participating. And what about Law & Order and Curly Sue star Fred Thompson? Bring on Mr. Showbiz! I say, the more the merrier!
John Edwards should come. We could talk about the importance of fierce haircuts. Kucinich can school the other candidates on gay marriage. And Rudy... Er, can offer makeup tips? Or not...
More on this historic LGBT-centric political wing-ding, after the jump.
Evidently, Mariah Carey’s next flick Tennessee is, like, totally gonna win her the Oscar. Which would be amaaaaazing. I thought she should have won for that catfight with herself in the ladies room in the “Heartbreaker” video. Bitch was robbed!
That's Feist and Grizzly Bear's Ed hitting the Bonnaroo scene last month.
I do have a soft spot for indie bands led by out gay frontmen. So, here's some new stuff by two of the year's hottest and loveliest.
Grizzly Bear is headed up by tall and smart Ed Droste, who lives around the corner from me in Brooklyn, and whose band just finished a string of shows with Feist, and is currently touring (this weekend, they're in Denmark; next weekend, they're in Chicago for the Pitchfork music fest). They're busy boys; yesteday AfterElton featured an interview with Ed. And today, the band has had their arty/freaky/lovely new video for their song "Central and Remote" debut on MTV's Subterranean blog.
The clip is a dreamy and strange photo/animation mix involving lots of flowers, autumnal meadows, a guy who looks like a WWI solder with a big faded flower for a face, and a spooky tall hair creature with a creepy fleshy crater mouth/face. Like I said, it's weird. But rather compelling... And the music is classically melodic, moody ambient Grizzly Bear esoterica.
After the jump, dish on the new tune from Deerhunter, another indie band ya oughtta know...
Speaking of Madge, you can still get to London for Saturday’s big Live Earth show to catch her onstage. And here’s the set list of who will be playing when there... And what they’ll play! (“La Isla Bonita?” Really? Urf.)
Wanna see some gritty women who kick butt and lez it up, noir-style? Check out the rockin’ GirlTrashseries now up on AfterEllen. Pow!
Kelly Rowland and Lil Mama Go Virtual for Stage Z of Zwinktopia!
Who needs Live Earth when your avatar could be shaking its virtual ass with Kelly and Lil Mama?
It’s not enough for just us to care about the environment anymore - our avatars need to get in on the movement too!
While most of the world will be watching the Live Earth concertSaturday, the virtual world will enjoy its own environmentally-conscious music fest. That’s right, the Internet community of Zwinktopia, with its seven million Zwinky avatars, cares about the environment too, so they've come up with the Stage Z concert to air on Saturday as well.
Stage Z will feature performances by Kelly Rowland, Lil Mama, Teddy Geiger, Scott Ian, and a few more, as well as appearances by Amy Sedaris, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. And you and your avatar can watch them all from your computer.
I have to wonder if these concert appearances are like the Live Earth runner-ups…Madonna’s at Wembley Stadium, Teddy Geiger’s at his computer...
Well, not exactly. These are actual stage performances that are just broadcast online. The Zwinkys are partners with Live Earth, actually, so it sounds like this is just a way of appealing to teens who have no interest in most of the Live Earth performances.
The Zwinkys promise not to hurt you...
More on the Stage Z concert and Zwinktopia after the jump!
Darren Hayes' New Video: Graphics, Tron & Janice Dickinson
Former Savage Garden star Darren Hayes is seeing his new video debut on the information superhighway today. The openly gay pop singer's latest, "On the Verge of Something Wonderful," is the first single from his forthcoming album, This Delicate Thing We've Made, and the video is a animated, graphic bonanza of imagery, retro-props and computer animation. As Arjan (thanks for the tip!) points out, it's got a nod to Tron in there, amid all the video gamey, technoid antics. Personally, I kind of think it's more Max Headroom-y (which is sort of retro-retro-futuristic. Ish.).
And yes, that animated wonder Janice Dickinson appears toting shopping bags and looking excited. Because... Why not?
Hayes feeling "Wonderful": Kind of like Max Headroom meets a "Just Jack" sort of thing here... But cooler.
Gotta admit, I'm not totally in love with the song, but I give Hayes kudos for exploring some ambitious territory in the tune. It seems to be a rumination on the heady, hyper whirl of modern life. And I do like his black suit and red tie combo. Check it out, why don't ya!
Emma Watson's Gone Diva...Plus New Harry Potter Footage and Interviews!
Emma Watson a.k.a. Hermione Granger at the Order of the Phoenix premiere Tuesday at Odeon Leicester Square Tuesday in London.
When did Emma Watson become such a fox? Oooh…she’s only 16. Well, she certainly will be a fox. And that Chanel dress she has going on? Nothing but good things!
But apparently Emma’s getting a bit diva-licious in her old age. Emma has considered dropping out of her role as Hermione for the last two movies, but signed on after reportedly securing a four million dollar paycheck. I read she was having issues with the director, insisting she shouldn’t have to go through as many takes as the other actors do.
Just-released interviews and clips from the upcoming movie after the jump!
Whitney serves up the "Star-Spangled Banner” back in the day... Happy 4th, y’all!
Good morning, America! (And beyond...) We’re off today for the 4th of July holiday (hot-dog eating contest anyone?), but here’s something to get your patriotic fires stoked. Or not... Basically, it’s a batch of videos for songs that have “America” in the title (or almost). I’ll kick it off with Whitney (Because can you beat Whitney in her prime?); but I won’t include Madonna’s “American Pie” or “American Life.” Ouch. Not cute.
Enjoy! And don't blow your fingers off with any firecrackers, okay?
After the jump--Green Day, David Bowie, Cher, Prince... And Kate Smith!
Will the Doctor be able to resist Kylie's cyborg-hotness? I'm assuming Kylie's character will be hot, of course.
Dr. Who is the longest-running science fiction series in the world - over its 40-year running, 10 different actors have played the leading man. And now the show can add a Kylie Minogue appearance to its impressive history!
Kylie will join the British sci-fi drama as a sexy cyber-woman for a special Christmas episode; shooting will take place in July. I sure hope she seduces lead actor, David Tennant.
I read that Kylie’s stylist, who I am assuming is gay, encouraged her to take the part. Dr. Who is actually very gay-friendly; one of the show’s characters, Jack Harkness, is bisexual and flirts with everyone. He was also popular enough to earn his own spin-off, Torchwood.
It actually turns out Jack is from the 51st century, making him an “omnisexual,” who views categorizing sexual orientation as “quaint.” I need to start watching this show!
David Tennant and Freema Agyeman (who plays The Doctor’s
friend Martha Jones) at the Dr. Who screening to promote Season 3. The Daleks
are out to “Exterminate!”
More on Kylie's acting career and what Dr. Who's actually about after the jump.
Queer Artist Interview: Logan Lynn on Moody Dance Pop, Tori Amos & God
"Ain't that America?" Logan Lynn's electro-fueled music merges God, country, queer love and gloomy artsy-ness! Put that in your firecrackers, folks!
What’s more American than being raised by super-religious Midwestern parents, home-schooled, pumped full of Amy Grant tunes, then coming out at 14, becoming a musician and moving to the crunchy West Coast to make your own kind of music (and lots of arty videos and collage-y visuals)? Yep, out musician Logan Lynn’s life sounds like a queer-tinged John Cougar Mellencamp song, and he’ll be the first to tell you (see below) how his tightly wound Christian upbringing influences his artfully electronic tinged mope-pop sound. As it’s been put, Lynn’s music puts the “disco” back into discomfort.
These days, the Portland-based redheaded songsmith is seeing his video, “Burning Your Glory,” cruise nicely along on Logo’s weekly Click List Top Ten, and he’s playing gigs all around the Northwest, as his forthcoming album, From Pillar to Post, is slated for a fall 2007 release. Give his new single “Feed Me to the Wolves” a listen if ya wanna.
You can watch and hear his videos and tunes on LoganLynnMusic.com (or via MySpace), but since he was in NYC last week for a show and some Pride fun, I chatted him up. After the jump, you can hear about his musical ethos, frisky fans, his Tori Amos devotion and how redheads do get more action.
Live Earth Is Getting A Documentary...And Plenty More Promoting
Al puts it in writing - pledging to plant trees and push for change in environmental laws.
So here's what I knew about Live Earth: I knew it was going to be big, I knew Bravo was covering it live on Saturday (thanks to my constant Bravo-watching), and I knew Al Gore was behind it.
But I had no idea it has an expected audience of over two billion, making it one of the largest global events in history! As you probably know, the eight-concert event to fight global warming will begin this Saturday.
So what's been up as the big day approaches? Well, on Thursday, Live Earth organizers Al Gore, Cathy Zoi and Kevin Wall presented the "7 Point Pledge," which demands of whoever signs it they cut their country's global warming output by 80 percent.
Concert-goers will be encouraged to sign the pledge, and Al, Cathy and Kevin already have - I'm not sure how the contract will hold someone to changing their entire country's level of pollution...Well, whatever - nice gesture/promotional effort.
Madge and Melissa will be two of many to join in the Live Earth concerts.
Live Earth's documentary and crazy, international lineup...after the jump!
From now until then, at the revamped convenience stores from Seattle to Orlando (including one here in NYC; “Woo-hoo!” as Homer might say...) you can even go in and get a box of Krusty-O’s cereal and some Buzz soda (and other legendary Simpsons goods). Pink donuts anyone?
That’s all well and good, but how about some dive bars getting rebranded as “Moe’s,” eh? I know more than a few folks who’d line up for a taste of some real live “Flaming Moe’s.”
Daily Buzz Bits: HIV Cure News & Other Less Life-Saving Info
I'm forecasting a great summer weekend! Go to the beach! Get outside! And check out the news below about HIV, Streisand, Romney, the Diana Tribute Concert... And swimsuits. Splash!
The Video Game World Gets A New Sound With Madden's Playlist!
Timbaland and Queens of the Stone Age will now be singing to the football gamers of the world.
The video game industry is not about to be outdone with all this modernizing and digitizing that's going on in the music world. Video games, at least the more mainstream and sports ones, have started integrating contemporary music into many of their titles, allowing gamers to download special tracks if they so choose to be played while...playing.
Electronic Arts (EA) just announced its music lineup for the upcoming Madden NFL 2008 game, which will include music from Timbaland, Queens of the Stone Age and Justin Timberlake. Madden will come out in September for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii.
The Madden soundtrack (consisting of 29 tracks) will even feature original music from Atreyu, Murs, The Hives and Yellowcard; EA also considers exposing new artists one of the goals of their video game soundtracks.
More on the gaming trend and the full Madden lineup after the jump!
Daily Buzz Bits: Amanda Lepore, The Store! Plus New Gossip, "Umbrella" Updates & More...
Amanda Lepore is a famous celebutante! So, of course, she's got some stuff to sell you at her new online store... And more is coming at Xmas-time. Shop early, maybe?
Amanda Lepore isn’t just the world’s most famous transsexual with—as she puts it—“a fully functional vagina”—she’s a store!
One Little Scientologist Won't Stop German Filming of WWII Documentary After All
Tom's financing the project, so it's not like he had much choice, but director Brian Singer can now stand by his lead actor and his Scientology ways.
So I read some reports that German officials planned to ban director Brian Singer from filming his upcoming World War II documentary, Valkyrie, in German government facilities because the movie's star, Tom Cruise, is a hardcore Scientologist.
Rumors flew that Germany's defense minister feared even the presence of a Scientologist on German soil because, as Variety reported, Germany "does not recognize Scientology as a religion and sees it as a dangerous
cult with totalitarian aims as well as an exploitative, profit-based
business." Hmm. Well, you guys said it.
I'm glad the movie's moving forward, though; it sounds interesting and it has some nice gay representation, mainly Stephen Fry, Eddie Izzard (who's actually straight but loves cross-dressing) and director Brian Singer. I think Brian's a great director, and he's totally open about his sexuality (he even added a little gayness to the wonderful X2). And...did I mention Tom Cruise is in it too? Cool.
What is this Valkyrie movie anyway?...After the jump.
Ladies of the EVENING: Redgrave, Streep, Danes & Gummer...
If they were fighting, I'd call this photo "Evening Shade." But Danes and Gummer like each other... Which is cute.
The movie with this summer’s most mega-Oscar-caliber-female-star-packed cast, Evening, opens tomorrow. Vanessa Redgrave, Claire Danes, Glenn Close, Toni Collette, Natasha Richardson, and Eileen Atkins all are in it. And yes, Meryl Streep turns up, too. And so does Mamie Gummer, Streep’s real-life daughter, who plays the young version of her mom onscreen. Man-props Patrick Wilson and Hugh Dancy also bring some guy action to the festivities.
The film’s written by gay Pulitzer-Prize winning author Michael Cunningham (The Hours), and based on the novel by Susan Minot. And yep, there’s a gay plotline in the film, but this one’s really all about the ladies... The story is a dying woman flashing back to a weekend decades earlier that changed her life. There was a wedding, drama, love lost, lives changed. And some regrets and memories that must be sorted through by mothers and daughters. All done in lovely New England locales with bracing coastlines and airy houses and nice florals prints everywhere.
More on the movie, and it's cast of superwomen, after the jump.
Fashion Rocks Announces A-List Lineup, But Anna's Got Some Competition
Jeremy Piven better not disappoint Anna Wintour as host. She's in competition mode now.
I think I have some sort of Devil Wears Prada fantasy complex, as I always eat up any sort of hard evidence that Anna Wintour really is a hugely controlling, rampaging, scary dragon lady - to make me feel I know it first-hand, I guess, which I definitely don't.
So I started scrounging when Conde Nast announced its lineup for their fourth-annual Fashion Rocks event. On the list are host Jeremy Piven, along with performances by Fergie, J.Lo, Aerosmith, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Fallout Boy and Avril Lavigne, among a few others. I'm impressed!
What is Fashion Rocks anyway? And yes! There is Anna gossip...after the jump!
iPhone mania has even struck amid those stoic types at The NY Times. Hillary wants to woo the gay voters; hanging with S-Jess is always a smart tactic. And Tocarra's gonna have her "Cake" and eat it on BET.
iPhonehype is all over! The NY Times weighs in! And gets cute about it with a fun video. But why does their tech dude have an Aaron Carter album on there? Whatevs. It looks pretty killer.
It’s hot and gross in NYC today, so I thought I’d post pics of two folks looking cool as cucumbers. Their from the world’s most elegantly stylish photoblog, The Sartorialist. He’s in Milan for the fashion shows at present, and just shooting super-dashing folks over there. Don’t these two look sharp? Can I be them when I grow up?
Lily Allen: Loving the ladies? Only in her dreams, maybe...
Does anybody get more music blogplay these days than Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse or Kelly Clarkson ? I don't think so. That's 'cuz each killer pop lady makes for fun press... And they speak their minds.
Take Lily Allen today, for example. She just spent a nice day romping around the Big Apple with a writer and photographer from New York Magazine, and it's a hoot! She goes off on the press, her horny father, dresses (she goes to a fitting at super-gay, super-fab Heatherette) and she even says that she's now thinking she might be GAY! Well sort of...
The exchange is pretty jokey, but it's cute: "I have been having a lot of lesbian dreams lately. I think I might be gay! Don't tell my boyfriend. I have guy dreams and girl dreams, but the girl dreams are much dirtier."
Arpad brings a bit of old school macho to the gentrified shops of St. Mark's Place. And yes, that is a CBGB boutique in the background. Oy... Photos by Richard J. Rothstein.
As usual this past Pride Week, there was lots of reflection about the Stonewall riots and the history of the gay movement in New York's West Village. Which is as it should be... But the blocks surrounding Christopher Street aren't the only chunks of the Big Apple steeped in queer folklore. On the other side of downtown, NYC's East Village boasts its own legendary gay past.
Esteemed writer Richard Rothstein of QueerSighted has put together a pretty fierce stroll down memory lane through the streets of this always cool neighborhood, and reveals the amazing gay places that used to be. Follow in the footsteps of Warhol, Ginsberg and old-school drag pioneers, and find out where circuit parties were born, where the notorious bathhouses were, and where queers and punks started revolutions that still influence our culture today.
Plus, Rothstein included some beefy pics to keep you clicking. Well done!
Maybe we should all meet in Tompkins Square tonight and reflect? Or there's always beers at the Phoenix, eh?
Ratatat's all about the music - but they could work on letting me hear it sometime.
I feel like Ratatat is too cool for everyone. In fact, I think they're almost cool enough that they can get away with that unfortunate band name. Oh, how I wish they had a different name. I still love them, though. Ratatat is also too cool to set a release date for their next album beyond "sometime this year."
So, I’ve been waiting patiently for Remixes Vol. 2, but now I read they’re selling the album for five dollars at their live shows! They’re selling them now? Five dollars? This seems so wrong.
My little sister (oddly enough) actually introduced me to Ratatat, and now I totally love them. Had someone described them before I heard them, though, I probably wouldn't have given them a chance.
Along with their amazing remixes of rap and hip-hop songs, Ratatat does electro, synthesizer-y instrumental, if that makes any sense. I love their album, Classics, and it's all instrumental. Yeah, I never thought I'd see the day.
More on what Ratatat have in store after the jump.
Daily Buzz Bits: Mo'Nique's Award Show, Rodney vs.Wendy & Moz's New Music
Mo'Nique brings it to the BET Awards tonight; Rodney Chester (with onscreen bf Gregory Kieth) brought it to Wendy Williams; and Moz brings it to Letterman this Friday. Busy, busy, busy...
Finally, a truly embarrassing reality dating show for lesbians? Oh my... Not sure if it’s insulting (or any moreso than Boy Meets Boy), or just weird... It’s called Venus Envy.
Record Labels and P2P Programs Are Moving Up Online
They're the wave of the future, so prepare for the battle of the P2Ps!
So record companies are finally accepting that people do not want to pay for music anymore and that suing file-sharing programs isn't going to stop them – thank you! And overall, it’s a big week for online music and for those peer-to-peer (P2P) programs, so let’s see what’s up:
Qtrax, a former illegal-file sharing network, is going legit as a legal P2P service; their parent company, Brilliant Technologies, decided there’s no money to be made in selling music anymore and that courting advertisers is the way to go.
Downtown Records seems to be on the same wavelength, as they just announced the launch of an online-only record label, RCRD LBL, that will give away its music for free, using advertising revenue to support itself.
More on Qtrax and its followers and how it could beat out iTunes...after the jump.
New Big-Haired Amy Winehouse Video: "Tears Dry On Their Own"
Is Amy Winehouse housing refugee families in her beehive? Bottles of schnapps? Lily Allen? Not sure, but she's bringing the high hair out in full force in her latest video for "Tears Dry On Their Own" which popped up online today. Yep, it's right there, above.
The clip is directed by uber-photographer David LaChapelle, and features the Wine-maiden strolling through Hollywood as she sings. She also hangs in a little motel room, sitting restlessly. (And yes, I think she already finished the mini-bar. Ouch!) And since this is LaChapelle-land you get to see lots of colorful folks prancing around the background: shirtless dudes, hustlers, drag queens, trannies--a delicious bevy of tarty folks! And you can check out behind-the-scenes photos, also.
So, it's a nice video that gets better as it ambles along. And if you're in the mood for more high hair, Rolling Stone offers its take on the "Top Five Beehive Anthems." All this almost makes me wanna go see Hairspray! With some of my best hooker friends...
Small-Town Teen Angst Is Put To Song in Colma: The Musical!
This Colma dive may be small, but how many bars have regular breaks for musical numbers?
I'm not the biggest musical guy, but I was a pretty puzzled/kind of intrigued by the premise of Colma: The Musical; it's a low-budget movie about small-town, high-school grads who don't know what to do with themselves...but it's a musical. Definitely not like any movie I've seen recently.
The movie opened on Friday in San Francisco and opens in New York July 6; I was able to see a screening last night, and I'll give Colma this: It wasn't what I expected (although I didn't really know what to expect).
Colma is a small town outside of San Francisco known for its many graveyards (the dead outnumber the living 1500 to one), and this movie follows three friends, Billy, Maribel and Rodel. Rodel is gay and is played by the movie's writer and music-composer, H.P. Mendoza, and he and his friends kind of putz around their hometown after their high school graduation, bursting into song now and then.
Maribel has the least ambition of the three; she just enjoys dragging the two guys to college parties and ends up scoring them some fake IDs. Billy, an aspiring actor, lands a part in a local summer production and is the only college-bound one of the trio. Finally, Rodel just kind of hangs out and gets really drunk and belligerent since he has so many emotional problems and a crackhead ex-boyfriend.
My take on the hometown movie-musical after the jump!
Daily Buzz Bits: Britney to Join True Colors Tour?!!
Britney's gonna show her "True Colors" onstage in L.A.!!! And Cyndi and Rosie are sure excited!!! Meanwhile, Wentworth Miller's got his own showbiz concerns...
And you thought America had all the talent? Hah!!! Let Nevena, the delightful songbird from Bulgaria prove otherwise. She just won the first-ever season of Bulgaria's Music Idol, and somehow I feel like her take on "I Will Always Love You" might sound like something that spools through Whitney's head during her cloudier moments; if Whitney lived in a drunken Balkan nation in 1953.
Frankly, I feel like a fierce oompah band improves any pop standard! Plus, Nevena wishes you joy and "the happiness!" And she totally turns out the key change for the big finish. Brava! (Props to Stereogum, too.)
But are people supposed to be laughing audibly in the audience?
Amy Winehouse Rumored To Sing The New James Bond Theme!
Is Amy introducing Daniel Craig's newest 007 endeavor? Seems that way.
So, I have to say I’m so excited for the next James Bond movie that I need to do a little buzz recap – and I’m not even a James Bond fan. The only one I ever really liked (of the ones released in my lifetime, anyway) was the most recent one, Casino Royale.
But along with Daniel Craig, who I think is so amazing, still being on board for the next movie, I’ve heard two more developments that, in my book, are working in the movie’s favor.
First off, Amy Winehouse will supposedly sing the theme song! That would be so cool, right? I remember reading a few months back that producers were allegedly interested in her as a Bond girl – I never bought that rumor, but her singing the opening sounds totally legit.
Amy hasn’t confirmed she’s got the theme job (only that she had been approached about it), but I’ve read many a rumor that it’s only a matter of time before she signs on. The Bond composer for the past four movies, David Arnold, is supposedly rooting hardcore for Team Amy, as he was in love with her Back to Black album.
The Ultimate Queer Music Video? Keo Nozari Answers the “Question”
Keo cleans up in the "Ultimate Queer Video" poll. Who doesn't love a good soapy video, eh?
Hey queer music listeners! This past Friday, Logo’s The Click List music video countdown show unveiled what got voted as the “Ultimate Queer Video” by its audience and the result may surprise you! The big winner was Keo Nozari, whose video for “Question of Monogamy” features the NYC-based songster dealing with a slippery boyfriend -- and some slippery shower action, too. Mac users: You can watch it on his MySpace page.
Nozari’s saucy video bested efforts by other legendary music icons like George Michael, Elton John, k.d. lang, RuPaul and Melissa Etheridge. And he also scooted atop a list of cool fellow grass-rootsy out artists like Ari Gold, God-des, Deadlee and Jonny McGovern. In fact, the #2 spot was filled by Ari Gold's "Wave of You," which also features scantily clad folks getting splashy (on a beach however)... Looks like Click List viewers respond to skin. Gay shocker!
So, go Keo! You can check out the list of the top 20 vote-getters and see which of your faves made the cut (or not). Leave a comment if you’ve got thoughts about the results; or just go and spend the afternoon watching vids...
Here's Keo in a shirt, just in case you're into that. Buddhists Punks??? Who knew?
Network TV Greenlights Trangender Cavorting, Viriginity-Stealing and Monkey Sex For Fall Lineup
Network TV will allow a transgendered character into Dirty Sexy Money's crew. I wonder which one does the "cavorting"...
Network censors - it's a new mother-f***ing day.
Well, sort of. For its fall lineup, a network channel, for the first time ever, is allowing "male characters on a TV series cavorting with transvestites."
Doesn't this seem so ridiculous? I forget how puritan and backward network TV (and a good chunk of the country, I guess) can be, as apparently this never would have been allowed before, and writers had to really "push the envelope" for such a scene to air.
So upcoming ABC shows Big Shots and Dirty Sexy Moneyboth have scenes with trannies in them. That's all I've heard - I don't really know how they will be written in, but I'm scared their scenes are going to be offensive (especially since Big Shots is about, to quote their own Web site, "greedy, horny and competitive yet sexy and likable CEOs").
Oh, and Dirty Sexy Money doesn't sound like a great platform for the transgender community either, as its premise is a straight-shooting lawyer who comes into absurd wealth after the death of his blue-blood father. I guess I shouldn't pre-judge; maybe they'll surprise me (Dirty Sexy Money does have Brian Singer on as a producer, and I love him).
Those progressive censors allow two more scandalous scenes in upcoming shows...after the jump.
Rodeo men on the road, from the NY Times Magazine. Photos and video by Collier Schorr. The cowboy way looks pretty good indeed...
A quick Saturday morning post that I had to share... I was just perusing the New York Times site and came across a video feature (which is a sidebar to a style feature and a gorgeous photo essay by Collier Schorr in tomorrow's Sunday Magazine) that chronicles the lives of young rodeo cowboys on the road.
Now, these fellas certainly seem straight, but you can't help but be charmed by their "aw shucks" demeanor, their scrappy good looks and sweet dispositions. And yes, they all share hotel beds, talk about bareback riding (ahem! it's actually almost jarring and refreshing to hear that term used in it's traditional sense), getting into "pickles," and living in a "world without women." And they sure like to show off their belt buckles.
Video Interview w/Mika: On Gays, Big Girls & Not Talkin' About His Sexuality
Emerging pop star Mika’s undoubtedly talented and folks love his peppy, happy, showbizzy music! And man, is he milking this “I won’t talk about my sexuality” thing like crazy! The gays love it. It’s the best shtick anyone’s come up with in a while! Just imagine if he and Anderson Cooper were to chat. Pink elephants everywhere!
But who needs the Coop? We’ve got Jason Bellini who asks Mika about his refusal to discuss who he sleeps with, and about whether or not gay artists have a responsibility to be open about who they are! It’s a great chat. You can watch the short version above, but go to Jason’s Here & Now vlog and watch the long version. It’s chock full of smart talk. And you get to hear Mika's charming accent. It's like marmalade!
Pride Soundtrack: "Mighty Real," Dolly Parton & Bright Eyes
Get revved up for Pride with some classic videos, gay icons and super-inclusive love songs... See below.
Okay kids! It’s Gay Pride Weekend in New York. And I feel like the city’s just ready to burst forth with rainbow-tinged love, lust and all-around sassiness. And hey, I understand that it’s easy to be critical of frivolous gay self-congratulatory celebrations, especially when we’re all still fighting for so much (marriage, protection from hate crimes, heck—the right to just exist in some places), but I’m all for taking over a weekend wherein we can remember our past struggles and celebrate our gorgeous, fun, creative and loopy gay selves.
That said I’ve got a few musical offerings to toss your way. As you can see, each of us today on the blog are offering up our favorite Pride dance jam, an artist who inspires us, and a video pick that just serves up a nice message that we’re feeling this Pride. Ambrose and Julie have served up theirs; here's mine.
Fave Pride Dance Jam: Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)"
This tune just makes me smile and wanna twirl! And it’s steeped in historical gay fabulousness. "Mighty Real" may be a cliche, but it's a big, sequined, flamboyant gleaming one (and I’m all for that!). I think I remember hearing the song as a kid, but it was the way Sandra Bernhard paid tribute to Sylvester, the original San Francisco diva in her show (and film) Without You I’m Nothing in the early ’90s that cemented my appreciation for this track.
Sylvester brings the classic disco heat, defining some Pride soundz for generations.
But you don’t have to theorize or analyze it. The song just soars with giddy gayness. And a lifetime of props to the courageous and fierce Sylvester, who was not afraid to be a big, glamorous, dress-wearing, wig and make-up festooned African-American gay superstar publicly way before our time. You paved the way for us, and we can only thank you!
And fyi, my 2 runners-up for Pride Dance Jam were “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls (some cliches are classic) and Franz Ferdinand’s sweaty boy-love dance rocker “Michael.” Sooooo hot...
If you’re lucky, you’ll hear this immortal disco nugget sometime this weekend. When you do, serve it up for the late, great Sylvester.
After the jump, more musical Pride with Dolly Parton & Bright Eyes!
Kevin Aviance: Standing tall again, and in the Pride Parade last year, just weeks after his assault.
It was just over a year ago the NYC nightlife star and dance music artist Kevin Aviance was brutally assaulted during a gay bashing in Manhattan's East Village. The attack made headlines and shocked gay New Yorkers... This was in a largely gay friendly neighborhood, Kevin's well-known and a tall, built guy. How could this happen?
This week (as part of its queer issue) The Village Voicegets an update from Kevin a year later. And they tell much that's not known about the beating's aftermath, including info about Kevin getting threats (in person) from his attackers' family members, as well as get-well wishes from Janet Jackson and Tyra Banks. Plus, the article's a great portrait of a self-made performer. And a survivor of drugs of the raucous nightlife whirl.
Congrats, Kevin! We're glad you're still here--and still fierce!
Pride Soundtrack: Coming Out = R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion"
"Losing My Religion" -- The video seems way gayer watching it now. See for yourself!
Hey Pridesters! Today on the blog each of our lovely contributors will offer up a little personal post about a tune that sort of signifies what it was like when we came out, or the tune that was playing in our heads and hearts when we were each going through that ritual recognizing that yep, we’re not only just as cool as all the other kids, we’re even moreso. (Um... ’cuz we’re all gay, fyi).
My choice is a wee bit obvious and old, but here goes... It's “Losing My Religion” from Out of Time by R.E.M.and it totally told my story as I was living it. (Watch the video above!) Michael Stipe wasn’t officially out then either (this was 1991—yep, I’m old), and this tune and video may have well been his own coming out party. The song is a gorgeous plea and rumination on identity, coming to terms, revealing yourself (“that’s me in the spotlight...”) and casting aside stale comforts and choosing a different path.
"Out of Time" was right on time for me, thanks. And here's R.E.M., still a foursome in the late 1990's.
More "Losing My Religion" and gay-ish R.E.M. stuff after jump!
Ben Stein, "Salt" of Salt 'n Pepa and Danny Bonaduce will be adding some celebreality to VH1's newest shows.
I love my reality TV, so my life would be a whole lot sadder if it weren't for VH1. If for no other reason than the wonderful gift that was The Flavor of Love and its many, many spin-offs, I am forever in their debt.
So I was very excited to hear about the seven new shows VH1's signed off on (other than the total Flavor of Love wanna-be, Rock of Love - just keep milking the Flava Flav franchise, guys!).
Let's see...I think I'm most excited for this one, America's Most Smartest Model. Not only am I happy they got Ben Stein to co-host (I absolutely loved Win Ben Stein's Money and miss it terribly), but seeing models attempt to actually express an emotion or convey a complete thought could be endlessly entertaining. Not to suggest that models aren't bright, intelligent individuals but... Anyway, seven male and seven female models, who believe they are smart as well as beautiful, battle each other in intelligence tests for a $100,000 prize. Sounds like heaven!
Who are the Hottest 100 Men? Jake, Taye and Mr. Meloni are just the tip (yes, just the tip) of the iceberg...
Following AfterEllen’s lead, the guys over at AfterElton want you to nominate your picks for their Hot 100 List of the, well, hottest men around. Jocks, movie stars, pop icons—even politicians! Sound off! I did. The hard part? Keeping your list down to 10!
True Colors Tour: Shiny Behind-the-Scenes TV Special! Tomorrow!
I've posted lots here about the totally fun True Colors tourthat's currently charging around the U.S. with Cyndi Lauper, Erasure, Debbie Harry, Margaret Cho, the Dresden Dolls and other cool artists like The Gossip, Rosie O'Donnell, Rufus Wainwright and The Cliks. Heck, maybe you've seen it already!
No matter. Either way, you'll dig Shining Through: Behind the Scenes at True Colors, a special airing tomorrow on Logo that takes you backstage during the tour, chats up the stars and offers fun interviews with everyone involved. Margaret Cho hosts and, like I said, it's crammed with fun conversations and concert and rehearsal footage, all shot backstage in Vegas as the tour launched. Dresden Doll Amanda talks about costumes, Erasure talks about being gay pop stars, Debbie Harry talks about fighting for civil rights and Cyndi's just all-around awesome.
Get some video tastes of it above (the teaser/trailer) and below (exclusive excerpts with Cyndi!), and check it out on TV tomorrow night at 8pm EST.
New Order of the Phoenix Pictures, Interviews and Buzz on Potentially Scarred Children Everywhere!
The Hogwarts students enter their fifth year. And yes I could list the names of each of the characters off the top of my head, but why give away all of my mystique?
I apologize to the non-Harry Potter dorks in the audience, but I need a little check-in. And you know what? You haters can listen too, since it's just a $3.5 billion industry and all.
First off, I just found this picture of the Hogwarts students who follow Harry into the D.A. And I have to say, it looks like the casting directors got Luna Lovegood, the blond on the right and my personal favorite from the books, just right!
And please enjoy some fun interviews with the supporting cast we never really get to hear from (I've seen enough of Daniel Radcliffe nude), including little sister Ginny, love-interest Cho, spacey, newbie Luna and soft-spoken Neville.
Rumors of Harry Potter's death in the final book and producers turning the Paris subway into Hogwarts Express ...after the jump!
