Miami Beach Exhibits Poop

October 31, 2006

Meadow muffins. Guano. Feces. Solid waste. Caca.

The words for poop are endless, but the Miami Metrozoo has another term to add to the list: educational.

Now on display is a 5,000-square-foot exhibit on excrement titled ''The Scoop on Poop,'' which invites visitors to explore the science of scat. The exhibit is filled with photos of animals in some of their most indelicate moments. Stool sample models abound: haylike football-sized balls (elephant), kidney-bean-looking pellets (porcupine) and coallike lumps coated with fur (black bear).

No, this story has nothing to do with gay people. But it’s damn funny. And so many gays love Miami Beach, so…

Beyond the ''ick'' factor, however, zoo officials and the exhibit's creators say there is a lot of information being imparted. Visitors can smell the stench of flowers that mimic dung to attract flies for pollination. Videos include one of a hippo spreading its droppings around to mark its territory. Simple games include ''Who Dung It?''

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Boy George: From Trash to Class

October 31, 2006

Oh what an exciting year for the former Culture Club frontman. First he was busted for calling the cops and reporting a robbery that he likely imagined. They found coke, and busted him.

His punishment was public humiliation picking up garbage in NYC. (And we Americans think we are so civilized. Public Humiliation should have gone out of style in the Middle Ages!)

But, now he’s won an award. An here we didn’t even think he was singing anymore.
Along with Oasis, the Arctic Monkeys, and U2 Boy George was among the artists who picked up honors at the Q Awards for music.

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Kenny G. is #1

October 31, 2006

Some gays golf, certainly. But do any gays read Golf Digest magazine? If so, they’ve got some ‘splaining to do, as Lucy Ricardo would say.

In the mag’s new issue, Saxophonist Kenny G was picked as the “best golfer among music-makers.”

The Grammy winner beats out country stars Vince Gill, Marty Roe and Steve Azar, and No Doubt drummer Adrian Young, who round out the top 5. The list also includes Bob Dylan (No. 63), Snoop Dogg (No. 44) and fellow sax player Branford Marsalis (No. 29).

The list will be published Tuesday on the magazine's Web site, as well as in its December issue, on newsstands Nov. 7. Celine Dion and Justin Timberlake are also on the list of rockers who golf.

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Gay Gets Second Chance With Superman

October 31, 2006

Turns out $390 milllion may be enough in Hollywood. Variety is reporting that Warner Bros. has hired openly gay director Bryan Singer (who rocked the X-Men movies before sinking the Superman franchise).

Okay, so it didn't exactly sink. $390 million is a lot of cash. But the movie was ... boring.

The sequel is slated for summer 2009.

Bush will be out of office! Hoo-ray!

No script or budget has been announced. But basically this means that Wbros. Want Singer. (We want him, too, he’s cute.) But, will Brandon Routh pout through another flick? Will they write a script before shooting? Will he get laid? Superman, not Singer. With his paychecks we’re pretty sure Singer gets laid.

Queer As Folk Fans Outraged

October 30, 2006

OUTzone readers were more than upset by the posting last week dismissing Gale Harold as a mediocre actor, and “Queer as Folk” as lame. (They will be happy with the next story, below.)

Most difficult for readers to hear was that the writer thought Harold was uncomfortable with being straight, that he navigated the gay/straight divide difficultly. (Read original posting HERE.)

Readers were convinced that the writer (me) mistook Harold for Hal Sparks.

One OUTzone visitor wrote: “Who is the 'WE' that you are referring to? If you have an opinion you should own it, not try and give the impression that others share your view.”

“We” is the staff at OUTzone, but in this particular case, the author was me, Aaron Krach.

Who the hell is Aaron Krach and why does he matter? Well, in the scheme of 4.5 billion years of Earth’s history, he doesn’t matter. But for now, Aaron is an editor, writer, journalist and novelist, photographer and artist … He’s also a TV watcher, movie addict, and pop culture connoisseur.

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Gale Harold on Broadway

October 30, 2006

Maybe Gale Harold's "death" on the TV show "Vanished" was planned all along. Because he's currently in previews for the Roundabout Theatre production of Tennesse Williams classic drama, Suddenly Last Summer.

Gale Harold stars on Broadway (meaning he's eligible to win a Tony) with the inimitable Blythe Danner (Gwyneth Paltrow's lovely mother), already a Tony winner.

Harold plays Doctor Cukrowicz, the ever-important fulcrum between mother and perhaps crazy cousin sparring over the death of Danner's son. The rest is, not history, but damn good drama.

Limited run, visit the website for more information: http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/pels.htm

Six Inches & Six Feet Under

October 27, 2006

Fireman calendars are so old. And those French rugby players coyly posing in black and white is just cheesy. (And old.)

This year, OUTzone is going “Six Feet Under”-style and buying a Men of Mortuaries calendar for all the desks in the office.

It’s for real. It’s for a good cause – the money goes to the KAMM Foundation, a group that raises money for women suffering the effects of breast cancer.

And hell, the animation on the website, of the guys dressing and undressing: is amazing.

Queer As Folk Actor Fired

October 27, 2006

Excuse us while we snicker -- we didn’t like him on the American version of “Queer as Folk” and we didn’t like him flaunting his straight-ness in interviews. Actually, he rubbed us the wrong way from day one.

We’re talking about Gale Harold who it was announced today was fired from the Fox show “Vanished” after he “annoyed everyone.”

All we’re saying is ... Karma’s a bitch.

Andy Taylor Quits Duran Duran

October 27, 2006

I just CAN quit you, the guitarist told his band-mates last weekend. But the remaining four members -- singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor -- plan to continue recording and performing as a group.

Oh, are we breathing a sigh of relief. What would we do in a world without Duran Duran. We’re hungry like all wolves. We went astronaut with them. We like girls on films (even if we don’t like them in our beds … very often).

''We have reached a point in our relationship with him where there is an unworkable gulf between us and we can no longer effectively function together,'' the band said in a statement on their Web site.

They apologized to fans for not making the announcement sooner, saying they realized that speculation had been running high about Taylor's future.

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Laura's Runway Dress Breaks Piggy Bank

October 26, 2006

Watching the “Project Runway 3” finale inspired reactions from “Ooh!” and “Aahhh!” to “Where can I buy that … now?!”

Intrepid shoppers, and just because it was women's wear, we know that a lot of men were bidding, too. Halloween? Or for their "wives"?

Anyway, shopper found a way to get the goods. They visited the PR3 online store and scored the designer outfits in an auction that closed yesterday. The results are filled with record prices for the contestants’ work.

Laura's green beaded dress, the one Michael Kors couldn’t believe Ms. Bennett beaded all by herself, sold for a whopping $4,500, the highest price of any garment by any designer.

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Mariah Carey: Cancelled!

October 26, 2006

The diva’s weekend concert in Hong Kong was canceled Thursday because of poor ticket sales and what promoters said were the pop star's ''unreasonable demands.''

Carey was to perform Saturday at an outdoor space near Hong Kong's Central financial district. Promoter Concerts Asia said it had only sold 4,000 tickets, despite a ''substantial'' advertising campaign.

''We have decided to cancel the event effective immediately due to both the poor response of public ticket sales and also due to specific last-minute demands which we find wholly unreasonable and not with the best interests of Hong Kong, us and also the fans,'' said a statement posted Thursday on the promoter's Web site.

Concerts Asia declined further comment, and contact information for Carey wasn't immediately available.
Hits by the 36-year-old Grammy-winning singer include ''We Belong Together.''
___
On the Net:
Mariah Carey: http://www.mariahcarey.com/

Gay Marriage: The Morning After

October 26, 2006

What a strange day to be gay in America. Yesterday was thrilling. And today seems even more exciting.

After losing court cases around the country -- including New York(!) – an undeniable win came from the New Jersey Supreme Court.

The seven members unanimously decided that same-sex couples deserve every right and responsibility as opposite-sex couples.

A minority of three decided “gay marriage” should be instated now. A thin majority sent the issue to the state legislature, but forced them to grant equal rights now.

Wow.

Some days it feels like the whole world hates us. Other days, it feels like everything is going to be okay.

The court in NJ consists of Democrats and Republicans, old and older. These are not liberal youngsters trying to change the world. The decision was made by adults who spent several months crafting a 90-page decision that came down squarely on the side of progress over fear. Movement over indecision.

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Lypsinka: Southern-Fried Greek

October 25, 2006

Super-gay lip-synching phenom John Epperson (AKA Lipsynka) is also a playwright.

And we're glad because let’s face it, a man cannot lip-synch forever unless he's going to start impersonating characters like Nancy Reagan.

Ewww!!!

Anyway, today we’re happy Epperson's new play,My Deah (a pun on Euripedes “Medea”) opened to rave reviews.

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Gay Marriage (almost) in New Jersey

October 25, 2006

Gays in the Garden State are celebrating.

Today at 3pm, the New Jersey State Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny the same rights to gay couples that straight couples have.

I know, obvious to us. But the rest of this country is sooooo far behind.

The court did not grant gay marriages because they can’t; they’re a court. Instead, the Justices instructed the New Jersey State Legislature to remedy the situation – make things equal – within 180 days.

So by March, maybe Spring Break, Easter, or April Fools' Day (fools being the conservatives), New Jersey will either have gay marriage (like those available to Massachusetts citizens) or civil unions (which is what you can get if you live in Vermont). Those, unfortunately, are the only two states – and damn small ones! – to move gays from the back of the so-called bus.

Word of warning before gay men and lesbians start buying tickets to New Jersey to tie the knot. This is a very similar situation to what happened in Massachusets a few years ago, and the state legislature responded by legalizing gay marriage AND by trying to pass a constitutional amendment to outlawing gay marriage.

No word yet on what New Jersey lawmakers will try to do, but if they were to attempt passing an amendment, it would have to pass a three fifths majority in both the state house and the state senate, plus a vote by the public: all of which will take a long time, more than 180 days.

Take away: the State Supreme Court of New Jersey said “Everyone should have the same rights when it comes to marriage.”

Amen. Now, let's all sit back and wait for Pat Robertson to say something hilarious.

Dirty Disney Dancing Yuck!

October 25, 2006

Disney’s High School Musical, the inexplicably crap television hit, is hitting the road with a nationwide concert tour. And Dirty Dancing is taking London by storm.

Again, we weep for the great American tradition of musical theater.

Cast members including Monique Coleman and Lucas Grabeel will take part in the 40-city tour that is scheduled to begin Nov. 30 in San Diego. High School Musical: The Concert expands the Disney Channel franchise that has already produced a triple-platinum selling soundtrack and a planned movie sequel.

Tickets for High School Musical concerts go on sale Nov. 4, with one Canadian stop, in Toronto, planned. The schedule for the tour that concludes Jan. 28 in Las Vegas:

In other musical tragedies: Dirty Dancing opened in London to record box office dollars.

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Stupid Madonna Blames Media

October 25, 2006

We don’t want to talk about Madonna. She is the most overexposed-woman-we-love in the media today!

But we gotta use the wise words of Joan Rivers: “What about the poor kids in America?”

But any adoption is a good adoption, we know.

So why did Madge have to screw it up and get a kid with a dad! And go to a country that has laws AGAINST adoption by foreigners.

Is she so self-centered and naïve that she thought it would go off without a hitch?

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Reichen Reports Sexual Abuse

October 24, 2006

This is a Piss-Us-Off! ... Complete Horror story on abc.com.

It's a must-read by anyone who ever kidded themselves into believing that Don't Ask, Don't Tell did anyone any good. The "compromise" has only made it worse for gay men and lesbians serving in the armed forces.

Reichen Lehmkuhl, ex-"Amazing Race" winner and current Lance Bass-boyfriend, tells ABC News about being sexually assaluted while in the Air Force.

"There was definitely an institutionalized acceptance of people being homophobic and telling gay jokes and making homophobic remarks — really, really mean homophobic remarks to the point of, 'Kill gay people,' " he said.

"A bag was put over my head," he tells ABC. "I was stripped of my clothes. I was forced to do things sexually with two other male cadets."

And then he considered killing himself.

"That's when you start having suicidal thoughts, and that's when you start saying, 'Oh my God. I am so stuck in this situation. I can't go to anyone,' " he said.

He did not, obviously, and somehow found the strength to finish out his term. And more impressively, to turn into such an out-and-proud role model. He's a grade-A, new school, openly gay celebrity.

Dolly Parton in Denmark

October 24, 2006

Move over Little Mermaid, there’s a new statuesque lady coming to your town. Ms. Dolly Parton will kick off her first major European tour since the 1970s –- the age of ABBA -- in Denmark next year.

The 60-year-old country singer will begin her eight-stop tour in Horsens, 125 miles west of Copenhagen, on March 7, said Horsens Ny Teater, a theater company organizing the Danish concert.

An editor here at OUTzone who lived in Denmark said, “That’s in the middle of nowhere. WTF?”

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Jackie's Back!!

October 24, 2006

Finally, the news we've been waiting for: "WorkOut" is coming back to Bravo.

Why they waited so long to seal the deal, to tell us, etc. is a mystery. But we're going to put on our happy face and just be happy that a show we like (genuinely like) is coming back in 2007.

A second season of "WorkOUT" will begin filming next month! That means more episodes of your favorite gang of LA hotties! Oh the drama! Oh the flesh!

PS: Did you know that we have a new blog by "WorkOut's" Jesse Brune!

In other Jackie Warner News:

The gal was in town last week and we sent our field reporter Amy Hundley into the throes of New York Lesbiana. She came back with a doozy of a story on the goings-on at GO NYC magazine's fourth anniversary party.

Here's her take on the evening:

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This Queen Continues to Surprise

October 24, 2006

Not the queen (of England, or of West Hollywood), but Queen the classic rock band fronted by gay-fantastic-super-cool Freddie Mercury.

But this isn’t about him; it’s about his bandmate, Queen guitarist Brian May. May is co-author of a book about the origins of the Universe.

Yes, he’s starting small.

May, who abandoned doctoral studies in astronomy to play guitar with '70s rock legends Queen, has returned to his first love as a co-author of the book ''Bang! The Complete History of the Universe,'' which was launched Monday.

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George Clooney Asks Men

October 24, 2006

Well, actually he doesn’t. And the website, askmen.com is kind of weird. But then again, we like russel sprouts and Almodovar films. So shoot us for what we consider “good taste.”

And we love George Clooney. The man is h.o.t. and smart. Has anyone ever had anything bad to say about the guy?

Okay, there was the time he was a bit defensive at the Oscars when Chris Rock was dissing Hollywood. But oh well, a minor misstep.

Today, the Oscar winner tops the Web site's list of what it calls the 49 best representatives of the male gender. Rap mogul Jay-Z, adventurer-entrepreneur Richard Branson, cyclist Lance Armstrong and designer Tom Ford make up the rest of the top five, in order.

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Etheridge Has Twins

October 23, 2006

Double-chocolate, double-Dutch, double-mint gum. We love doubles … doubles like Melissa Etheridge’s new twins.

Yes, queer icon and rock starr extraordinaire Melissa Etheridge and hottie actress-wife Tammy Lynn Michaels have just had twins!

Etheridge’s website reports that the boy and girl are in “excellent health” and named Miller Steven (boy) and Johnnie Rose (girl).

Oh, how we love a gender-queer naming system!

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Love! Valor! Terrence McNally!

October 23, 2006

Fantastically talented and wonderfully gay, playwright Terrence McNally has scored two of the finest actresses working today for his new play “Deuce.”

Angela Lansbury (winner of 4 Tony Awards) and Marian Seldes (5 Tonys!) will play two retired tennis players who meet again at the U.S. Open.

It will premiere May 6 at the Music Box Theatre in NYC. Preview performances will begin sometime in April.

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Grey's Star: I'm Gay ... Whatever

October 20, 2006

So the cool, young doctor is gay. And the not many people care. Except for T.R. Knight's co-star on "Grey's Anatomy" who might lose his job because he called him a faggot.

Knight is a veteran of not only “Grey’s” but also “C.S.I.” and “Frasier.” He told People magazine: "I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there. While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."

No, the most interesting part is the back-story.

US magazine is reporting that Knight’s coming out is further fallout from the Patrick Dempsey v. Isaiah Washington brawl, and that the incident may cause Isiah Washington to lose his job.

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Net Censors Madonna

October 20, 2006

Forgive us for not getting too excited. Watching her concert on TV would never have been half-as-much fun as being there in person was. And anyway, it should come as no surprise that the whole cross-motif was gonna get cut. We’re talking about the segment in Madonna’s concert that will now be edited out before the show airs on NBC, November 22.

Backing away from a confrontation with religious groups, NBC said Thursday it has decided not to show pictures of Madonna mounting a Crucifix when it airs a concert special with the pop star next month.

The concert, which lists Madonna as an executive producer, is scheduled to air Nov. 22.

Our question: Why didn’t Madge just go for Pay Per View or sell the rights to cable?

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Gays Pissed Jeffrey Wins PR3

October 19, 2006

Around OUzonetv.com headquarters this morning: Sad Faces.

Jeffrey! The mean guy? No way!

Yes, the gays are pissed that Jeffrey won. We feel duped by the producers, misunderstood by Bravo producers as an audience, and frustrated.

Now, we understand that the gays and gay icons were not up to snuff on “Project Runway 3.”

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Calling All Hair Stylists!

October 19, 2006

Psst. Our brothers and sisters down the hall just told us about this:

The producers of “The Office,” “Blow Out” and “The Biggest Loser” (that’s a damn strange group) are casting for “Top Hair” to air on Bravo, a hair stylist competition show with a grand prize of $100,000.

It's contest reality for hair stylists.

So if you’re a professionally trained or self-taught stylist who is creative, skilled and ready to compete: apply.

Interviews can be scheduled by emailing: tophaircasting@yahoo.com. In addition, open calls will be announced in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago and Miami and more information can be found at www.bravotv.com/contestants.

Ellen as Nemo on Stage?

October 19, 2006

Unfortunately, not. But we can dream. Hell, she shills for American Express. Why not Broadway!?

What’s the buzz? Nemo, that rebellious fish from the 2003 animated film Finding Nemo, , along with his overprotective clown fish of a father Marlin and the movie's other aquatic characters are being turned into a ''Broadway-caliber short-form'' stage musical.

Preview performances of 'Finding Nemo-The Musical' are set to begin in November and the premiere is set for January 2007 in the 1,500-seat Theater in the Wild at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

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Justin’s Gay Threads

October 18, 2006

Or should we call it Justin Timberlake's gay crowd? Homo Street Cred? Or what? But the pop singer called in A-list gays for the debut of his fashion line, William Rast.

Rather than stage his first fashion collection at the official Los Angeles Fashion Week site, Timberlake took over one of Hollywood's hottest nightspots on Tuesday night. Timberlake started William Rast less than a year ago with his childhood friend Trace Ayala. They named the brand after their grandfathers.

A runway and scores of bleacher seats were added to a section of Social Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard. Another part of the massive club was reserved for the exclusive after-party, including a performance by Timberlake, the 25-year old Grammy-winner whose second solo CD, ''FutureSex/LoveSounds,'' was released in September.

Because Justin is cool, mature, and has so many gay friends. He’s a true A-lister in our books. Just check out his impressive, er, guest list: Lance Bass and Reichen, J.C. Chasez, Wilmer Valderrama, Eve and Timberlake's girlfriend, Cameron Diaz, who gave interviews and posed for pictures before taking their front-row seats. Other A-list attendees included Paris and Nicky Hilton, Maroon 5's Adam Levine and Patrick Dempsey, aka Dr. McDreamy from TV's ''Grey's Anatomy.''

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Whitney Files, Bobby Cries

October 18, 2006

After a tumultuous 14-year marriage marked by drug arrests and stints in rehab, Whitney Houston is divorcing Bobby Brown.

No, this isn’t just the separation we’ve been wagging our tails about for so long. The couple wed in 1992, with Houston at the height of her fame as a Grammy-winning superstar known for such hits as ''I Will Always Love You.''

Now that was a good song!

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Chris Rock v. Cracker Barrel

October 18, 2006

Rose Rock, the mother of comedian Chris Rock, claims she was racially discriminated against when she was seated but ignored for a half hour at a Cracker Barrel restaurant along the South Carolina coast.

Yes, the same Cracker Barrel that gay men and lesbian have been fighting for years!

Rock said Tuesday she planned to sue the Lebanon, Tenn.-based company. A Cracker Barrel spokeswoman said the restaurant chain was investigating and taking the complaint ''very seriously.''

Cracker Barrel has in the past faced numerous lawsuits and a federal inquiry over complaints of refusing to serve black customers, discriminating against minority workers and firing gay employees. The company has taken steps to rebuild its folksy image and reach out to minorities.

Yeah, that’s all the work that gay men and lesbians have been doing. But apparently, and we knew this, homophobia takes a very long time to eradicate.

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Hot, Hot, Hotness at Nip/Tuck

October 17, 2006

"Nip/Tuck" stars make out and more, tonight.

Julian McMahan and Dylan Walsh have been flirting with their gay audience (Us!) ever since “Nip/Tuck” went on the air. There's something about their overt sexuality, their flirtatiousness, their outright non-stop horniness. Hell, the gleam in their eyes: it’s just so gay.

Thus the growing gay fan base and the placement of the stars in provocative poses on the cover of gay magazines.

Well, now they’ve gone soft-core and are making us sweat. Check out this clip HERE. A religious boycott of FX Network should follow any minute. Then again, “Nip/Tuck” is on cable. Where all the good, hot Gay TV lives.

Long live cable.

ps: OUTzone's sister site, BrilliantButCancelled.com reported a similar story about gay content on "Nip/Tuck" and the comments are shocking, a little sad, maybe inspiring (a few gays fight back), and a quick reminder that just when we thought that television, at least, was safe for gay men and women: it's not.

Madonna and Child Fly British Airways

October 17, 2006

Publicity stunt for the English airliner? Or was that the only non-stop flight from Malawi to London?

No answer to these crucial questions: Instead, reports that police officers escorted the African child being adopted by Madonna off a British Airways flight Tuesday.

Like a star, they reportedly "whisked him past photographers hoping to get a glimpse of the boy as he made his way to the pop star's home."

One-year-old David Banda was carried off the Boeing 747 and into the arms of a woman who covered his head with a light gray coat.

Damn, another question: Who is the head-covered woman?

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Spidey and The Hulk Were Born Queer

October 16, 2006

If comic book characters like the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man seem a tad different -- queer -- their creator Stan Lee says that's the point.

''The thing I had in mind was to make it a story against bigotry of all sorts, because here were people who were certainly different than everybody else, but they were good, they were trying to do the right thing,'' Lees tells the San Francisco Chronicle in Sunday's editions.

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Priscilla, Queen of the Musicals

October 16, 2006

Twelve years have passed since the Australian film, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, hit the big screen. (And that awesome costume designers won an Oscar for their fab outfits, one of which was made from American Express Gold Cards.)

No more replaying the DVD! BBC.co.uk reports that the movie is being made into a big, brand new, musical!

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Religious Freaks Want Sympathy & Stardom: Now

October 16, 2006

They were raised Jehovah's Witnesses in Montana's Big Sky country. They’re L.A.-bound pop-star wannabes. And they’re gay.

And they have a terrible name: Nemesis.

But the singing duo does have a good agent because now they’re the subject of a reality show on Gay Cable Net’ LOGO called ''Jacob & Joshua: Nemesis Rising.''

The premiere is tonight at 10pm.

“It starts as the twins are at a critical crossroads: They need a hit record or they face being dropped from their label, which wants to market them as openly gay artists. Confronting their family with the truth will be particularly difficult: The church will instruct their parents never to speak with them again. The lads will make their revelation -- on camera, of course -- before taking the steps beyond that, en route to their dreams.”

Good luck, boys. And see you on the Telly!

Top Gays on Top Chef 2

October 16, 2006

So, as we’ve said a million time, the folks Bravo don’t tell us sh#t. But we're nothing at OUTzone if not resourceful.

We have analyzed the bios of the contestants on ''Top Chef 2,'' premiering Wednesday night at the finale of “Project Runway.” (Go Laura! or Uli or Michael or Jeffrey! Actually, Go Tim! He's our favorite.)

And two contestants are openly gay (as opposed to a few that we assume play on our team but aren’t out of the closet…yet).

Super-awesome-lesbian Josie, is our first favorite. She’s from Berkeley and we just want to have a beer with her. Laid-back. Introduces her girlfriend ASAP. And just so California-cool.

Then there’s Carlos, who has a restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale. He’s kind of like Ft. Lauderdale, an allegedly new-great-gay-destination but one that we found dull. Let’s hope he loosens up and that his personality matches his good looks.

Remember: “Top Chef” is the craziest of reality competition shows where the contestants really have to work. The show follows 15 aspiring chefs as they gather in Los Angeles to vie for their shot at culinary stardom and the chance to earn the Top Chef title. Each episode holds two challenges for the chefs which test their kitchen know-how, as well as their skills with customer service, management and teamwork. Then, each week, someone is asked to ''pack up his or her knives'' and go home. Actress Padma Lakshmi is the new host of ''Top Chef,'' which begins its second season on Bravo beginning Wednesday at 11 p.m.

Dynasty Star in Real Life Drama

October 13, 2006

We loved "Dynasty," and we love, present tense, "Dynasty." Has there even been a better night-time soap?

Thus it’s particularly disheartening to read that John Forsythe is being treated for colon cancer. But, he is recovering at a hospital, his spokesman said.

The ''Dynasty'' star, 88, was found Sept. 28 to have colon cancer and was taken to a hospital, where he underwent treatment during the past week, Harlan Boll said Thursday.

''He seems to be in good spirits,'' Boll said. ''They hope to have him home this weekend.''
Boll would not provide further details about Forsythe's condition.

Forsythe is best known for playing Blake Carrington on the hit TV soap and for being the voice of Charlie in both the TV and film versions of ''Charlie's Angels.''

Go Red 2 Fight AIDS

October 13, 2006

Two people we love: Oprah and Bono. A) Writing about them saves us all that unnecessary typing of last names and B) The stuff they do is so darn nice.

Sure they both can be annoying at times with their obsessive beneficence … but it’s better than being repetitive maid-bashers or drug addicts like many of the other stars clogging the blogosphere.

“O” and “B” have teamed to promote a new line of “clothing, accessories and gadgets” to raise money to fight AIDS in Africa.

Pretty cool, actually.

The plan is called “(Product) Red” and it’s turning out to be a gargantuan success. Every company under the sun from Amex to Emporio Armani is on board. $12 million dollars has already been raised in Britain where the campaign began this spring.

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Anti-Gay, Anti-Everything: No More Mel!

October 13, 2006

Ms. Sawyer scooped her nemesis Barbara Walters for the first interview with anti-Semitic, anti-gay freak show- “star” Mel Gibson.

Takeaway: his anti-Semitic tirade last summer may have been set off by criticism of his 2004 movie The Passion of the Christ that began before the film’s release and by Israel's war in Lebanon.

Money quote: ''Now even before anyone saw a frame of film, for an entire year, I was subjected to a pretty brutal sort of public beating,'' he said. ''And during the course of that, I think I probably had my rights violated in many different ways as an American, as an artist, as a Christian, just as a human being.''

In the interview broadcast Friday Gibson also said he was ''ashamed'' by his remarks about Jews after his drunken-driving arrest, explaining that ''when you're loaded, you know, the balance of how you see things -- it comes out the wrong way.''

Uhm, sorry Charlie, er, Mel. Too late. Years ago you dissed feminists. Then he extolled homophobia. And you supported the repeal of Vatican II.

You live in a twilight zone of your own making. Which is fine. Just stay there and leave the rest of us alone.

Scarlett Johansson is Gay

October 12, 2006

We loved her in Lost in Translation. She was us -- the lost little lovetorn bird fallen out of the nest. And we identified. (Don't ask us to explain what that means. Ask our therapist?)

And we loved her in Scoop, if only because she got to sidle up to Hugh Jackman's tan, dripping chest.

Now, we REALLY think Scarlett Johanson is a gay man. She thinks monagamy is not natural.

''There does seem to be a mistaken belief out there that I am sexually available somehow -- which is not to say that I'm not open-minded about sex,'' she continues. ''Yet I wouldn't say I'm a serial monogamist, either. I mean, I went through periods of time when I was, ah, single. But when I'm in a relationship, I'm in a relationship.''

''Josh (Hartnett, her boyfriend) is very sweet,'' the 21-year-old actress says in an interview in Allure magazine's November issue. ''He's a good boy. A great person. I'm very lucky and I'm very happy. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not promiscuous.

Is Google Good For The Gays?

October 12, 2006

So Google bought YouTube. BFD (you remember what that means). But it is a BFD. And not just 'cause it cost a zillion dollars.

First Google was cool. It was as plain and simple as a clear spring day (when you're on vacation). Then it got all big for its britches and got lame. Don't even get us started regarding those cheesy illustrations in the name, let alone the ads. The ads! Everywhere.

And the search results are not great. Froogle is a mess.

And now YouTube. We admit, at OUTzone, we're part of the twisted-few that use YouTube every day. For fun or for work. Doesn't matter. And every once in a while we found something so delicious such as this that we sent it to all our friends. And we watched it again. And again. And laughed and it made us feel like the world was just a bit smaller, a bit warmer.

Now that the site is "worth" billions of dollars, it's only a matter of time until it's boring. And to us, that is a crime.

Boring is a terrible thing.

The Devil Watches Telly

October 12, 2006

Fur real. The queerest diva-esque flick of summer 2006 may become a TV series for Fox

The net’s studios has picked up the TV rights to the film The Devil Wears Prada, according to Variety. The project will be developed as a half hour sitcom, written by Robin Schiff. Prada opened in theatres last summer and to date has drawn in $124 million at the domestic box office.

And $123 million of that was from gay men. (The theater this reporter was in - - albeit it was a theater in Manhattan, was 90% men and 10% teenage girls.)

But wait: isn’t “Ugly Betty” the new Devil Wears Prada?

National Coming Out Day

October 11, 2006

Wha? When? ... Why? This is OUTzone, we're already out. No?

Yes. Sort of. Mostly. Not everyone. Not yet ...

For every Ellen or Lance, there are hundreds, maybe thousands of us still testing the waters of openness.

And so we think something like National Coming Out Day is important. For one day, we remember and encourage others to come out of the closet. Because coming out and telling the world that we're gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirited, questioning, or queer is integral, crucial, and vital to the expansion of civil rights.

To celebrate, and hopefully inspire OUTzone readers, we've collected a group of moving, hilarious, and touching real-life coming out stories from folks we love.

Check out Jesse's tale:
...or Alex's, or Jackie's ... they're all here :

Christopher Bram
Jackie Warner
Alexander Chee
Blair Fell
Perry Brass
Jesse Brune
Rachel Kramer Bussel
Robert Best
Dennis Hensley

And then click over to a new photo gallery we just set up to commemorate a few of the most important, or at least most memorable coming out events in the news.

Then click over to Andy's Blog and read an in-depth interview with the Out-est Bravo star, Jackie Warner.

Then, if you're still interested in where this day came from (It's the anniversary of the March of Washington) visit the Human Rights Campaign website.

Have an Awesome day!

Coming Out Resources

October 11, 2006

So you want to come out. You're tired of that nervous, kinda-sweaty feeling that sweeps over you every time you think the subject of your sexuality is about to be broached.

You think your family and friends will be shocked. Or maybe not. Maybe they’ll be mad at you for not telling them what they already assumed, and that will be embarassing. Either way: the longer this goes on, the worse it gets.

Stop the insanity! (As that insane telemarketer fitness/health guru woman used to say in infomercials)

Coming Out won’t kill you. It might just save your life. To help you out, whether you’re on the verge of telling everyone, or just starting to think about sharing the news: visit these websites for more information.

Knowledge is power. And these websites have enough information and knowledge, strategies and advice to turn you into a Coming Out Superhero.

Read on!

Human Rights Campaign
www.hrc.org

The Bonus Round Gay Youth Page
bonusround.com

Your Family Friends and Neighbors
www.yffn.org

Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
pflag.com

About.com's section on "Coming Out Resources."
gaylife.about.com

Farrah Fawcett: Superstar

October 09, 2006

The original Blonde Ambition, Charlie's Angel, and teenage-bedroom pin-up, Ms. Fawcett, recently found to have cancer, said she is maintaining a positive attitude and expects to recover completely.

''I am determined to bite the bullet and fight the fight while going through the next six weeks of cutting edge, state-of-the-art treatment,'' the 59-year-old actress said in a statement Friday. ''I should be able to return to my life as it was before.''

Now, we know how many men have the picture of Ms. Fawcett in her red-ish bathing suit imprinted on their adolescent minds. But just as strange, that same picture, with the huge feathered hair, is imprinted on the minds of gay men, too. Ms. Fawcett may be the perfect diva. She is as secretly beloved by gay and straight men.

Hmm … maybe there is a way for us to all get along.

Her publicist, Mike Pingel, didn't reveal what kind of cancer Fawcett has but said it was recently diagnosed and involves a fast-growing tumor.

The actress, who appeared with her former ''Charlie's Angels'' co-stars at an Emmy tribute in August to the late TV producer Aaron Spelling, said she has been overwhelmed by the ''outpouring of concern, love, prayers and compassion'' she has received from people around the world.

''I deeply believe in one's own positive will to overcome even the most daunting challenges,'' she said.

Like a Sturgeon: Madonna in Africa

October 09, 2006

Amid continuing speculation about just what the hell Mrs. Guy Ritchie (AKA Madonna) is doing in Malawi, Africa … the singer visited ANOTHER orphanage.

What, she can’t decide which poor baby needs a superstar mom?

Hello. They all need moms, superstar or not.

But before we give any more time to this ridiculous gossip. If you, our dear reader want to help. Check out this website. You might just do more good visiting them online that sitting here reading this story about Madonna!

http://www.raisingmalawi.org

Now, if you want more juice: here we go…

READ MORE > >

Andre + Ellen + Steffi = $$$

October 09, 2006

Ellen is certainly the hostess with the mostess.

Maybe it was practice for her upcoming gig hosting the Academy Awards. But some smooth moves by Elllen DeGeneres playing MC (Hammer?) at Andre Agassi’s fundraising auction helped raise more than $8 mllion.

The $$ goes to Grand Slam For Children, a group that donates money and resources to educational and recreational outlets for kids.

http://www.agassifoundation.org/

The party was at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday.

Ellen thanked those in attendance for giving money to Agassi's cause ''when most people in Las Vegas give hundreds and hundreds of dollars to the Wheel of Fortune and Roulette Foundation.''

Other highlight ...

READ MORE > >

New Lammy Award for Bisexuals

October 09, 2006

No matter what you think of bisexuals, bipeds or bicycles –- The Lambda Literary Foundation thinks they can write. They prestigious organization announced a new category in their annual awards: Bisexual books.

Now this is not, apparently, for books that have sex with both girl and boy books. It’s a real category, not surprisingly its wide open to fiction and nonfiction. If you’ve written or read a book that is balls-out bisexual and think should be recognized: visit HERE.

Deadline for submissions is December 1, 2006.

Madonna Goes Angelina, or Not

October 06, 2006

Her hardworking publicist (Liz Rosenberg has to be a serious trooper, or masochist, to cover Madonna's ass all the time) says the adoption story isn't true.

She says the Material Girl is on a goodwill mission to Malawi, Africa -- not a family-expansion trip. So no adoption.

But she is giving away copies of her book, “The English Roses.”

WTF?

That book sold enough copies. And hello, Madge! The needy children of Malawi need food, water, medecine and a maybe a hug. Not your stupid book.

Sidenote: We don’t blame Madonna. We see what Africa did to resurrect Colin Powell’s career after he sold out to Bush; and Angelina when she became a crazy Mia Farrow-esque diva; and Anderson Cooper even visited the continent to boost his own career.

We know visiting Africa is the new celebrity makeover.

But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

READ MORE > >

Queer Comedy in Vegas

October 06, 2006

What happens in Las Vegas can stay in Las Vegas because in our experience, it’s the damn straightest town west of the Mississippi.

And that’s okay, the gays have other cities which are rather more picturesque.

But from November 14-18, a few of our favorite gay comedians will perform at the Vegas Comedy Festival including: Mario Cantone, Kathy Griffin, and although he’s straight, we consider him a brother: Bob Saget.

Bob Saget? Well, first off, what self-respecting gay man didn’t have a crush on him during “Full House” (Daddy! Daddy!) and lust after him during “American Funniest Home Videos” when fluids of all types often flew across the screen?

And finally, who did not get a twinge of Saget's queer and wonderful perversity in the documentary The Aristocrats. Bob Saget stole that movie and turned us on, in a queer, embarrassing, sexy way -- all at the same time.

Chorus Line Returns

October 06, 2006

Is CL, the gayest show ever? Arguably, yes: Because it’s anthem, “What I did for Love” is the theme song for not only show-men the world over, but it also tells the story of gay men everywhere who followed their hearts (and loins) out of the closet.

Oh, the drama we go through for love! (sex and all the good/bad mushy stuff in between.)

Anyway, The Chorus Line reopens on Broadway tonight and not surprisingly, the show is getting mixed reviews. Anytime a show is so-beloved, and really not that old (the show closed just over a 15 years-ago), critics are bound to be harsh. Or are we just jaded to assume such a thing?

The AP tries to be too-cool-for-school and defend its ability to be unmoved: “The story of Paul, the young performer who talks about trying to hide his life dancing in drag, also has lost some of its shock value over the last three decades.”

And the New York Times says: “Since A Chorus Line left Broadway only 16 years ago, to have it return more or less exactly as it was makes it feel like a vintage car that has been taken out of the garage, polished up and sent on the road once again.”

Ouch.

Doesn’t matter. We’ve worn out our CD of the soundtrack and we’ve never even seen the show. So we’re still using our (expensive) tickets for the matinee on Sunday. Critics be damned.

Anderson Cooper: Size-Sized

October 05, 2006

The news from CNN today is not about Korean nuclear tests. It’s that the news net’ unveiled a “panoramic video wall.”

Of course, like all of you, we wonder if that means The Coop will be bigger than life. Not that he already isn’t, but…

The superhuge wall of video will be used for “Anderson Cooper 360” and ''American Morning'' starting next Monday. Dominating one area of the studio is a screen that measures 24 feet long and 9 feet high (almost twice the dimensions of the wall used as a backdrop during the ''Situation Room'').

This screen is fed by a trio of 8,000-watt rear-projection units whose individual outputs are electronically fused into a continuous panoramic spread.

Anything with 8,000 watts is awesome. Isn’t it?

The main anchor desk can swivel in numerous directions, adding to the studio's adaptable appearance.

We know The Coop is very adaptable with his appearance. Sometimes he’s salt-n-pepper up top. And other times, he’s pepper-n-salt. That’s why we love him.

Tony Kushner Rides The Shortbus

October 04, 2006

We may not marry outside of Massachusetts. We can’t get any respect with doofuses like Mark Foley (Republican from Florida) picking up “pages” that work in the House of Representatives.

But we can sure see some damn good gay movies.

This weekend we are going to see self-sucking, er, we are going to see Shortbus, which just happens to have a self-sucking scene. We’re going because director John Cameron Mitchell rocks and his first play/film Hedwig and the Angry Inch was AMAZING.

Then we’re going to see Wrestling With Angels, the documentary about Tony Kushner. Because, well, he’s a genius. And gay. And Angels in America was about the best … play … ever.

And finally, we’re going to go and see Quincenera, again. We’ve already seen the fantastic film that wowed audiences at Sundance. The trailer is all about the girl and her pregnancy/non-pregnancy. But we were blown away by the gay story about the rich white couple who pick up a “cholo” for a three-way, have sex, and then toss him out like old mail. It’s so crazy believable, we thought it was about our own lives. We mean, we thought it was about some people we know. Not us. No, no, we would never do something so crazy.

Not crazy like watching three movies in one day which is what we’re doing tomorrow.

(in case you're new to the site and don't know that different colored words = links. Here they are again.)

http://www.shortbusthemovie.

http://www.tonykushnerthemovie.com/

http://www.sonyclassics.com/quinceanera/

England Loves Straight Porn

October 04, 2006

Oh, come on! Boys in the Sand is not even on the list? Homophobes!

Really. This is war. Gay people need to take to the streets of London and demand gay pornography’s place on the “Radio Times Guide to Films 2007.” The list of supposedly 100 Landmark films includes one porn, Deep Throat.

While we liked the title, the film is ... Blah.

Boys in the Sand is art. When that guy walk into or out of the sea: that’s cine-magic.

So what exactly comprises a “landmark” film for those BBC people who publish the book?

Radio Times' film editor Andrew Collins explained to Reuters: "Deep Throat is not necessarily recommended for everyone -- it's a quite badly made film -- but to deny its influence would be pure snobbery."

"This is not a list of the greatest movies ever made -- we've had plenty of those already -- this is a chronological journey through cinema history pinpointing those films that changed the course of the industry, for better or worse, sometimes seismically, sometimes by smaller increments."

Yeah, whatever.

OUTzone is going to have to make our own list of Most Important Films/Videos/DVDs/and YouTube clips. So why not tell us your favorite.

Why Love George Clooney #83

October 03, 2006

Because he is so cool, smart and confident that he makes jokes like this. And he loves Clive Owen.

''Here is my theory on debunking photographs in magazines, you know, the paparazzi photographs,'' Clooney says in the November issue of Vanity Fair, on newsstands Oct. 10. ''I want to spend every single night for three months going out with a different famous actress. You know, Halle Berry one night, Salma Hayek the next, and then walk on the beach holding hands with Leonardo DiCaprio.

''People would still buy the magazines, they'd still buy the pictures, but they would always go, 'I don't know if these guys were putting us on or not.'''

Then the 45-year-old actor-director, who won a best supporting actor Oscar for his role in Syriana, goes on to give a shout out to Cate Blanchett: “She will win the Oscar for The Good German. She's the best actor working today. Not actress, she's an actor. Intimidating, in a way, to work with an actor that good.''
And Clive Owen is ''the big find in the past two or three years.''

''I think he's a movie star,'' Clooney says. ''He's, like, a man _ there's a sexuality and a masculinity that I think is really interesting.''

We couldn’t agree more.

Vanity Fair

The Advocate Without an Advocate

October 03, 2006

We love it when a PR plan falls apart. Not because we’re bitter (which we can be, ask our boyfriends), but because it's so crazy that companies try to hide the full story in this day and age.

The cover-up is ALWAYS more embarrassing than the crime. Didn't anyone learn from Clinton, Lewinsky ... or Richard Nixon?

The Advocate is looking for a new editor. Big deal, right. Well, except for the fact that they are trying to hide the bit about firing their old editor, the well-respected Bruce Steele.

Why? Only the company knows.

This week, the same recruiters who just filled the Out magazine job (after Brendon Lemon was unceremoniously fired, too) are calling gay journalists trying to entice them into the job.

Unfortunately, as with the Out magazine job, people are not jumping at the chance.

Radar online reports that the company is promising to move its out-of-touch L.A. staff to New York. Although that description isn't entirely true; they've done a lot of great reporting from La La Land over the last few decades. So how is moving to NYC supposed to change things?

If they want a cool EIC, how about cash money!? Throw in a good salary, maybe a smart boss … and folks will be interested.

The PR plan to paint everything rosy began when Advocate.com ran a nice “news release about the “resignation” of their “hardworking” EIC Bruce Steele.

But anyone who can read the release will see two sad things.

One: no one resigns from a company after seven years and gives only 30 days notice. Dude was fired.

Two: the best comment anyone at the company could apparently offer in the release came from the inimitable Anne Stockwell, a legend at the company, but lower on the toem pole than Steele. Do his bosses hate him that much? Why didn't they comment positively as they pushed Steele out the door?

At least Anne was nice: "Bruce is a symbol of professionalism, integrity, and journalistic excellence for our community. The Advocate will always be better for his leadership, and we hope to carry his standards forward."

Contacts inside The Advocate offices say the staff is “freaked out" by the commotion.

We hope they calm down.

The Advocate is an institution that has given so much to the GLBT community. It would be terrible to see it fade away, and just as bad to watch it wallow in irrelevance while they find a replacement editor.

So next time, guys, hire someone new before you fire the man in charge. Please?

OUTzone has Drinks with Tim!

October 02, 2006

We have the coolest job in the whole world. To prove it: we had drinks with Tim Gunn this weekend.

Here's what it's like to go out with Tim: people mob him everywhere. Usually straight guys who say things like "Dude, my fiancé loves you -- can I get a picture?"

We sat at the Bryant Park Hotel Cellar and felt actually famous ... for an hour or two.

He told us all about Parsons School of Design, and how it came to be associated with The New School. He told us stories about the trenches of "Project Runway" and how it's changed his life. He's writing a book!

Several gin and tonics later, and a lot of dish that we totally would get in trouble if we printed -- (we know which contestant Tim hates!) - here's the OUTzone party line: Tim Gunn is the world's nicest guy. Translation: He wouldn't tell or let us pay for anything even when we offered to stick Bravo with the bill.

If you can believe it, Tim is better looking in real life, and a total class act. The fact that we got to hear stories about him, his Mom, and see his gorgeous office at Parsons -- is even cooler than the fact that we work so close to Saturday Night Live.

That's our report. Next week, we're going to do all we can to baby-sit for Laura Bennett.

Wham! Bam! Again

October 02, 2006

Slumped over in his car. Possession of marijuana. George Michael. “He’s fine and I’ve got him a McDonald’s.”

Those are the headlines. These are the questions.

Why do the London police and courts keep letting him off? Not jail, but can’t they send him to rehab? The guy needs help.

Marijuana? How much pot does a man have to smoke before he passes out in his car?

We’re afraid of the answer.

And the boyfriend, Kenny Gross, told The Sun (Brit tabloid) that George is “fine” and that he “got him a McDonald’s.”

Oh man. The whole franchise or just a hamburger? Maybe the boyfriend was speaking British, but WTF? Get the guy rehab. Not a Happy Meal.

Elizabeth Edwards 4 President

October 02, 2006

She's not as “Laura Bennett”-glamorous as Teresa Heinz-Kerry. But Elizabeth Edwards has her own distinct, respectable, and fascinating charm -- which we witnessed during the last presidential election.

Ms. Edwards, of course, is the wife of John Edwards, vice-presidential candidate in ’04 and presidential hopeful in ’08. She’s also the author of a new memoir, ''Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers."

Highlights? Well, the first is a touching "lowlight" about telling her son she loved him the day he died in a car accident. Another low-highlight? Her diagnosis of breast cancer.

''During the campaign, people who knew we had lost a son said, 'You are so strong,' and when I had breast cancer people would say, 'You are so strong,' and I thought, 'They don't know that there's a trick to being strong, and the trick is that nobody does it alone,''' she said in an interview with The Associated Press. ''I wanted, from the perspective of someone going through it, not tell them what to do, but show them what great support I got.''

Chop, chop … or Tip, tip! … or whatever it is one says when you want to tell someone you think they are cool, that they're a survivor and we think that's cool.