Madonna Madonna: Double The Fun

November 30, 2006

No matter the age, you have a Madonna. If you're 30+, maybe "your Madonna" is Like-a-prayer madonna, or Like-a-virgin... very Valley Girl, '80's pop princess. Love to dance and vacuum the living room floor naked listening to the hits, or watching them (endlessly) on MTV. Just look at our photo gallery. It was impossible to narrow the choices down to only 20 and still capture her endless sense of invention. http://www.outzonetv.com/photos/

The truth of the matter is that she's too much of everything: and that's what's so great.

And why we're going to be watching her TWICE! tonight on Bravo... at 8 pm and then the replay at 12 midnight.

Really. http://www.bravotv.com/Schedule/

Or maybe you're younger, and you're "American Girl" Madonna. Austin Powers. Guitar-strumming, love her Kaballah loving mommy-dearest-doing-yogo-having-babies.

And if you're older, there's Greatest Hits Madonna, the one who reminds you of different times in your life. "Holiday" send you back to college. "Papa Don't Preach" reminds you of your rebellious youth. "American Pie" from that movie you didn't like still makes you tear up. She's post-modern Madonna to you: all over the place and always touching a piece of your past.

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How Much is Nicole Kidman Worth?

November 30, 2006

After her breathless performance as the wife of Tom Cruise. We mean … After her heartbreaking performance in The Hours she’s worth whatever she can get.

But even we are shocked that the darling lady make $17 million per movie. One word. Wow.

The Oscar winner tops the fifth annual list of highest-paid actresses released Wednesday by The Hollywood Reporter.

Kidman, 39, ranked second on last year's list behind four-time top-earner Julia Roberts, who didn't make the list this year. She spent time with her 2-year-old twins.

What about the upcoming Charlotte’s Web? That’s Miss Julia at Templeton? Didn’t she get paid for that? Or was it one of those projects where the actress says to herself: What can I actually show my kids?

In second place, with $15 million per movie, was Reese Witherspoon, 30, who won the best-actress Oscar this year for her performance in Walk the Line.

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Fly, Fly, Fly on World Aids Day

November 29, 2006

The friendly skies are getting charitable. And for AIDS, no less. To participate in World AIDS Day, Delta, United, British Airways, Lufthansa and Air Canada among others will screen a documentary about the disease in Africa called "Beat the Drum."

And then they’re going to donate the licensing fees to a handful a charities. Expected amount of cash: $300K.

''Beat the Drum,'' is a 2003 film depicting the impact of AIDS on African children. The goal is to screen it on 40,000 flights on 34 airlines to coincide with World AIDS Day. Screenings will continue through December.

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Beyonce Likes Acting (!!!)

November 29, 2006

Surprise, surprise. Wonders never cease. Sit down. Take a breath. Shocking news coming at you: Beyonce Knowles says she enjoyed working with Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and director Bill Condon on Dreamgirls, and is looking forward to doing more film roles.

Can you believe it? Working with Oscar-winning talent was “enjoyable.”

The sky may be falling.

''I got to work with the best actors. They are so polished and so supportive. Usually, when you have Oscar-winning actors, sometimes they are not so supportive. But I could just watch and learn,'' the 25-year-old singer said in an interview published in the December issue of Prestige Hong Kong magazine.

Okay, so maybe that was it. It was because she was talking to a Hong Kong magazine and she thought jaded Americans would never read her nonsense?

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ABBA -dabba-terrific New Museum

November 28, 2006

The band we all love to hate, or hate to love. Yes, definitely hate to love especially when “Supertrooper’s” hook gets stuck in your head and you can’t stop humming it.

Anyway, now ABBA is getting it’s own museum. Another reason, after Ikea, to love Sweden.

Bad news: it won’t open until 2008. Then again, that gives Americans plenty of time to book tickets to the opening.

Organizers are still searching for a suitable location for the museum, but said Tuesday it will open somewhere in central Stockholm in 2008.

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Tony Danza is Nathan Lane

November 28, 2006

On stage, at least. Mr. Danza is becoming Max Bialystock, the crazy-as-a-fox theater producer in the Broadway production of “The Producers.” And he’s co-starring with Roger Bart.

Danza, best known for his roles on the TV sitcoms ''Who's the Boss?'' and ''Taxi,'' will star in the Broadway production of ''The Producers'' beginning Dec. 19.

He will be joined by Bart, who will play mild-mannered Leo Bloom in the Tony-winning Mel Brooks musical at the St. James Theatre. Danza will be in the show through March 11, while Bart's engagement will end a month earlier -- on Feb. 11.

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Concert for Princess Diana

November 27, 2006

In the new (and genius, wonderful) film The Queen, the sons of Princess Diana are kept in the dark about their mothers’ death.

But the reality may be somewhat different. Really, how could they not have known and understood what was happening?

Regardless, Britain's Princes William and Harry plan to stage a concert to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of their mother Princess Diana, a newspaper reported Sunday.

And oh what a gay affair it will be. Headlining will be Elton John and Kylie Minogue!

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Elton John Was Sick…Briefly

November 27, 2006

He left the stage briefly during a weekend concert in Brisbane after being struck by a bout of nausea, according to a news report Monday.

John left the stage without a word about two hours into his Sunday concert. He was gone for about five minutes, the Australian Associated Press reported.

When he returned, the 59-year-old pop star used an Australian colloquialism to explain that he had left the stage to vomit.

''I thought I'd better chunder in the toilet (rather) than all over the front row,'' he was quoted as saying.

Apparently feeling better, John closed the show about 45 minutes later.

Trannies Take on All My Children

November 27, 2006

We jest, but seriously. How cool that once again, ABC's ''All My Children'' is breaking ground. This week the soap will introduce a transgender character who is beginning to make the transition from a man into a woman.

And she’ll be played by awesome actor, Jeffrey Carlson (who appeared in Boy George/Rosie O’Donnell’s musical “Taboo”).

The character, a flamboyant rock star known as Zarf, kisses the lesbian character Bianca and much drama ensues. The storyline begins with Thursday's episode of the daytime drama.

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Happy Gay Thanksgiving

November 22, 2006

A lot of things to be thankful for this year. And OUTzone contributors eloquently chimed in… Check out Daniel V., Dennis Hensley, and Top Chef Dave Martin.

And in the newsroom, we’re thankful for Mike Jones outing Ted Haggard. John Cameron Mitchell sexy-as-hell non-porn porn, Shortbus. The coming-out stories of T.R. Knight, Neil Patrick Harris, and Lance Bass.

So many other things, but we don’t enough time to list them all (‘cause we’re heading home to start drinking).

Cheers.

Early Buzz: Stephen Sondheim's Company

November 22, 2006

We got a chance to see a preview of the new Broadway revival of George Furth and Stephen Sondheim’s musical Company last night. Our verdict? It was actually incredible.

Quick rundown on the show: this is the Sondheim musical about people in New York, who are in various states of couple-dom. The songs include “Being Alive,” “Here’s To the Ladies Who Lunch,” “Barcelona.” You’d know them if you heard them. George Furth wrote the book. And it’s filled with serious wit.

We’re still humming!

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Kelly, Clay Aiken, and Rosie

November 22, 2006

Clay put his hand over her mouth on television, and that's just poor form.
But then this happened:

On yesterday's "The View" Rosie O'Donnell took Ripa to task for saying that Aiken was being disrespectful. But Rosie said this: "Now listen, to me that was a homophobic remark. If that was a straight man, if that was a cute man, if that was a guy that she didn't question his sexuality, she would have said a different thing," O'Donnell said.
Now, lets keep in mind -- Clay Aiken has never said that he's gay. But Rosie defended the lad as if he were out n' proud. Uhm…did Rosie just try to out Clay Aiken?

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Carol Channing: Adorable?

November 21, 2006

We saw an odd and confusing little piece on The Advocate's website this morning: Carol Channing wants to be clear that she isn’t homophobic. Oh. Kay.

Apparantly, she gave an interview to a Cleveland-based gay publication where she claimed she was “knee-deep in the Bible." She continued: "and you know what it says about that." The article also claimed that Channing said that gay rights were “not her problem.”

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The Los Angeles Times in Pink

November 21, 2006

Big day for gay news in the LA Times today. First, an article from Scott Collins, that we think you should check out.

"Does coming out of the closet hurt an actor’s career?" Check it out here.

And second, an article from Robin Abcarian, on an obscure guy named Mario, who has this to say: "In American culture, a lot of people still think that being gay is bad, and that being gay will hurt your career. I generally don't think that."

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More Gay TV Coming Soon

November 21, 2006

This morning we've gotten a lot of questions about what's next in the world of gay TV.

TVWeek.com is reporting that Logo has ordered a new series about lesbian surfers. The series, “Curl Girls” will follow the lives and loves of six friends who surf their way through LA, while trying to start their own surfing competition.

Says Logo President Brian Graden, "Surfing is a way of life (for these women), their friendships are strong, no doubt, but they thrive on competition and that makes for some interesting television."

Also reportedly coming soon is a new dating show on Lifetime that's...sorta gay. Or possibly offensive, we're not sure.

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Paul Rudnick Play Regrettable?

November 20, 2006

We love Paul Rudnick. How couldn't we? The guy wrote “Sister Act” and “Jeffrey”… He’s written books and plays and oh, yeah, that one about “Adam and Steve” had us in stitches.

So it’s a bummer to see that his latest theatrical foray – even one starring our fave actress Christina Baranski – is receiving lukewarm reviews.

“The evening, despite the work of such expert actors as Christine Baranski, George Grizzard, David Rasche, Sian Phillips and Jackie Hoffman, suffers from a stop-and-go script that lurches from joke to joke. Some of them admittedly are quite funny as the play dissects the world of New York's upper crust and the folks who make them beautiful,” says the Associated Press.

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Buy Whitney Houston’s House

November 20, 2006

Atlanta is a nice town. Has it’s ups and downs – too many streets named Peach Tree this and Peach Tree that, but…

So why not pick up Whitney Houston’s old casa.

The five-bedroom Alpharetta home had been advertised for sale earlier this fall, but the foreclosure was not carried out, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in a correction of a story published Friday. The earlier story said the house had been sold in a foreclosure sale.

It’s a $1 million home, so regular folk need not apply.

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Joe My God And Mike Jones

November 19, 2006

Finally, a horn-dog blogger (and we mean that affectionately) is coming to the rescue of Mike Jones. Readers of OUTzone know that we love Mike ... think he's a hero.

And you know how we were disgusted by his exploitation in NYC this week by theater queens posing as publicists trying to get publicity for their lame Broadway play. It was all a bit creepy and surely a sign of the apocolypse no matter how many conservative Democrats were elected to the House and Senate.

But now this is getting off topic.

Mike Jones needs money and help and since all the pseudo-gay rights organizations haven't stepped him to help (not even Lambda Lega)... Joe My God has helped start a fund.

Check out the story HERE.

And to send money, click HERE and use Mike's email, "massageandmuscle@aol.com."

Thanks!

Gay Penguins in Hot Water

November 17, 2006

Just when the box office was being made safe for Happy Feet (opening today), Shiloh, Illinois is blasting a cute kids book about real life gay penguins.

“And Tango Makes Three” is a childrens book about two male penguins who adopted an egg and raised the chick themselves.

Gay? Well, it’s queer. Ain’t straight.

And best part: It’s True. Read story HERE.

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Gays Wet the Bed

November 17, 2006

Remember the flap a few months ago about the army still listing homosexuality as a mental disorder? There was a tremendous outcry from the psychiatric community -- since they'd changed that "categorization" decades ago. So now it seems the the army has revised it’s stance. They’ve taken it off that list. Hooray!

But… they’ve put it on another list. This one is a list of “conditions” that includes things like “bed-wetting.”

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Gale Harold Labeled "Merely a Prop"

November 16, 2006

A couple weeks ago a contretemps broke out on OUTzonetv.com over the acting ability of Gale Harold. While acting is one of the most subjective of arts … a lot of people agree that Gale Harold may be better off as a model than an actor.

More evidence: The reviews for his new show are terrible.

Dr. Sugar is “played by a wooden Gale Harold,” says >The Associate Press.

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Mario Lopez is NOT a Loser

November 16, 2006

In case you missed it –and we’re not sure how you could have – the hot guy was robbed. We’re talking about the finale of “Dancing With the Stars.”

We couldn’t avoid it. The darn thing was on every television at the gym.

Teddy-bear Emmitt Smith (or was it George Foreman, younger) won beat younger, cuter, cooler Mario Lopez.

Don’t die. We didn’t. But hottie Mario Lopez was robbed.

Mario Lopez was good. But folks voted with their football loving, give-me-some-burgers-hearts. And that meant Emmitt.

Oh well. We never really understood the show anyway.

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Outing Divides Gay Community

November 16, 2006

When the comedian Bill Maher went on ''Larry King Live'' and alleged that some top Republican operatives were gay, it was too much detail for CNN.

They edited the remarks out of later broadcasts and off the transcript on its Web site.

But it was too late. Blogs like ours, and YouTube shared the love (info).

Now the gays are fighting over what's fair in love, war and gay-ness ... in the Internet age.

Our favorite love it/hate it comment comes from Matt Foreman, usually a reliable source of politcala acumen. But this quote is weird.

''When someone is in a position of power and they are using that power to hurt gay people ... it's perfectly appropriate that they be outed,'' says Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. ''We don't do it, but we have no problem with it.''

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Andy would be so Proud and Rich

November 16, 2006

His Mao Zedong picture, considered one of his most sensational pieces of the 1970s, and something we chatted about yesterday…sold for $17.4 million, a world auction record for the artist.

The portrait was offered by the Swiss-based Daros Collection and in a classic bit of international irony sold to Joseph Lau of Hong Kong.

It brought in about $5 million more than expected, Christie's said.

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Gays & Glam at 007 Premiere

November 15, 2006

The list goes on and on of the celebs both gay and glamorous, gay OR glamorous, at the premier of Casino Royale yesterday.

Queen Elizabeth II, Elton John, his hubby David Furnas, Scissor Sister frontman Jake Shears, crazy-cool Sharon Osborne, Paris Hilton and the biggest queen of all: Queen Elizabeth II.

All donned black tie to be among the first to see Daniel Craig make his screen debut as the suave secret agent OO7.

Craig, 38, was every inch a James Bond as he walked the red carpet in a tuxedo and black tie while hundreds of fans called his name.

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Joan Osborne Goes Country

November 15, 2006

GLAAD award winner, bisexual, lesbian icon… Call Joan Osborne what you wish. But her new album is simply “great.”

''Pretty Little Stranger'' (Vanguard) is getting great reviews from critics, too. “Robust, earthy, sultry, bluesy, Joplin-esque” and now “twangy,” says the AP. The new album is “a gem.”

Osborne resists any temptation to go hillbilly with her delivery, but the genre suits her big voice, and the results recall Linda Ronstadt, Rosanne Cash, Bonnie Raitt and even Patsy Cline. Bottom line: Osborne has never sounded better, y'all.

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Andy Warhol’s $12 Million Mao Print

November 15, 2006

Did you hear the one about the flaming gay artist who met the communist leader of China? Well, they didn’t actual meet, as far as anyone knows. But Andy Warhol sure made a killing off the killer, er, dictator.

And if Andy was alive, he’d make even more. A lousy print (not even an original painting) of Mao Zedong is being offered for sale by Christie’s this week for an estimated $8-$12 million.

''This work has the most prestigious provenance, staggering wall-power and is literally an icon of the 20th century,'' said Brett Gorvy, the head of postwar and contemporary art at Christie's.

The silk-screen portrait, measuring 81 inches by 61 inches and showing Mao in a dark blue jacket against a light blue background, is set to be auctioned Wednesday at Christie's Rockefeller Center galleries.

Okay, size queens. So it’s a very big piece. It has that going for it.

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Gay Blood in Canada

November 14, 2006

Who has not tried to give blood and been rejected for being gay? Or not even "gay" but just a “man who’s had sex with another man since 1977.”

Well, the cool kids at McGill University (in Montreal, Canada) have been in such a place and are not going to take such homophobia anymore.

According to Canadian Broadcasters, the student union at McGill says no more blood drives until gays can contribute.

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Hustler Hero in NYC

November 14, 2006

Readers of OUTzone news know that we think Mike Jones is awesome. He’s the hustler-turned-hero who outted the religious bigot, Ted Haggard, as being his client, and not the married father of five he pretended to be.

The guy, this haggard-Haggard, had to resign his fancy position as part of the religious right’s mass conspiracy of organizations, but oh well. That’s what you get for not admitting you like sucking, er, hugging men.

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Laura Bennett Makes Maternity Clothes

November 14, 2006

Julie Bowen of “Boston Legal” fame (if one can be famous for being on that show…) hired OUTzone Blogger (and “Project Runway 3” star) Laura Bennett to make her maternity clothes.

"I called her up,” Bowen explains, “and asked her to make me a dress. I love her style, she dressed herself very well pregnant. So I asked her to send me a dress. [Finding maternity clothes] definitely is not my favorite thing in the world, because you're stretching around a whole new body. What's up with that? It's like I'm 14 and have to figure out how to dress."

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Color My Pubic Hair Now

November 14, 2006

It’s true. Folks want the hair down there to match. And AdAge Daily is writing about the “buzz” around the hair dye, a new product called quite simply, Betty.

Remember Norelco’s Bodygroom for shaving your nuts? Well, this is for guys who don’t shave their nuts, but would like their nut-fuzz pink.

The crazy part of the whole story is not that men are using a product called Betty, but that Betty is even making any money based only on buzz. The company bought one advertisement in an industry book. The rest is gossip.

"Men can be betties, too," Ms. Jarecki told AdAge. She says men have been responding enthusiastically to surveys by the company. But are they dye-ers? Or admirers?

Elton John Thinks Religion is Stupid

November 13, 2006

Elton John gave an interview to the London Observer over the weekend, claiming that organized religion fuels anti-gay discrimination and other forms of bias.

He’s a man of strong opinions.

Said Elton: ''I think religion has always tried to turn hatred toward gay people. Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays. But there are so many people I know who are gay and love their religion. From my point of view, I would ban religion completely. Organized religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate.”

Really? Hateful lemmings? While many churches remain at odds with the larger doctrine of their denominations, some lefty gay-friendly churches have started to pop up. We’ve even reported on some here at OUTzonetv.

John also criticized religious leaders for failing to do anything about conflicts around the world, by asking: ''Why aren't they having a conclave? Why aren't they coming together?” He went on to say that his fellow musicians should be more involved in the process.

"It's like the peace movement in the '60s. Musicians got through to people by getting out there and doing peace concerts, but we don't seem to do them any more,'' he said. ''If John Lennon were alive today, he'd be leading it with a vengeance.''

Our feeling is that you're all free to pray as much or as little as you wish, despite what Her Highness Elton says. You can belong to an organized religion, or an extremely half-assed disorganized one. It's really up to you.

Big Gay Party

November 13, 2006

The December issue of OUT magazine will feature the annual ranking of the most exciting/influential/important gay people of the year. OUTzonetv.com got dressed up all fancy-like and dropped by the party on Friday night to catch up on the all the goings on.

We were beaming with pride as Claire Danes presented Michael Kors with “Stylemaker of the Year.” (Claire Danes totally did a Heidi Klum impression!) Michael Kors is one of our favorite people, and not just because he’s a Runway judge. We find ourselves in rooms with him a lot lately, and he is, hands-down, one of the best storytellers we’ve ever met. He gave an incredible acceptance speech, thanked his partner, Lance LePere, and was as gracious as could be.

Other highlights included the part where we all got a little teary eyed watching Terence McNally present Rufus Wainwright with “Entertainer of the Year.” There is something so nostalgic and beautifully poetic about the two of them, honoring queer history by paying tribute to Judy Garland. (Rufus famously performed her evening at Carnegie Hall this year).

The entire evening made us proud to be gays, even if we aren’t the 100 most important ones.

Bill Maher Outs Republican Party Chair

November 10, 2006

Ariana Huffinton, web guru (Huffington’s Post) and former wife of a gay man (Michael Huffington) has a fascinatig story about Bill Maher outing Ken Mehlman.

Yes, Mr. Mehlman, the soon-to-be-former head of the Republican party.

Maher announced his intentions live on Larry King Wednesday night. Or at least he tried to.

During the taping Maher said that one of the people he was outing was Ken Mehlman, chairman of the RNC. A target of outting we can support since he’s done more to set back gay rights than any man-lover we know.

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Dems Win, Gays Win, Pinch Us!

November 10, 2006

Gays did not win everything. We lost a lot of marriage proposals on state ballots. But gay men and lesbians did score some serious victories, many of which are just becoming clear now that the dust has begun to settle. (Such as Patricia Dunn, the first elected gay official in Alabama, pictured here.)

Thanks to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a cool group that funds out gay candidates (as opposed to closeted “gay” candidates, of which we learn there are more and more every day).

The Fund reports unprecedented success in electing openly gay candidates this year, some winning historic races that make them the first openly gay or lesbian candidates ever elected in their states or legislative bodies.

"This is the tipping point election for openly gay candidates," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. "We're proving that qualified, well-prepared candidates matched with committed donors means gays and lesbians can move from having a stake in policy to actually making policy. There's no reason to sit on the sidelines with our fingers crossed anymore."

10 Key victories in 2006:

--Patricia Todd, above, will represent District 54 in the Alabama State House. Todd is the first openly gay person ever elected to any office in the state.

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Against All Odds, Israeli Celebrate Gay Pride

November 10, 2006

Another reason to be proud of gay men around the world. Israeli’s gay and lesbian community defied the threats of attack and held a rocking Gay Pride parade/rally in Jerusalem November 10.

Of course, the story wasn’t reported much in America. We were busy “thumping” the Republicans out of congress.

Israel's gay community braved vehement opposition from religious fundamentalists and held a large happening in Jerusalem on Friday, complete with live music, dancing and proud merry-making.

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James Bond & The Very Big Gun

November 09, 2006

Daniel Craig is under a lot of pressure stepping into the incredibly lucrative shoes of James Bond. But who knew he was afraid to slide on (or off) his character’s underwear.

Word from London is that Craig didn’t do his own stunts … in bed. According to London tabloid The Sun, Craig was so nervous over his sex scenes that he used stand-ins.

“I had stunt men all the way. Stunt penises? I’ve got four or five.”

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Jeff Gordon: Just Because He's Hot

November 09, 2006

Our big gay hearts go out to hunky Nascar driver Jeff Gordon who got married, again. Could this mean that he’s not cut out for straight marriage, and is really a gay catterpiller waiting to turn into a butterfly?

The four-time NASCAR champion wed Belgian model Ingrid Vandebosch on Tuesday in a private ceremony in Mexico, Jon Edwards, Gordon's publicist, said Wednesday

The 35-year-old Gordon, the sport's most marketable driver, and Vandebosch have been together since 2004. They appeared in the movie ''Taxi,'' in which the 37-year-old model played a bank robber and Gordon made an uncredited cameo appearance at her invitation.

We missed that flick, but it’s now on our Netflix cue!

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Could (Should?) K-Fed Become a Gay Icon?

November 09, 2006

Probably not. The guy is just not cute. In any sense of the word. But the gays have a soft spot for folks under duress, who come back, who get back after a huge crash.

So maybe we need to wait and see if he can get back. When? How? We’ll have to wait and see.

A good start is that he wants to get custody of the kids. A big cool dad: big plus. If he drags out the divorce trying to get a lot money. Kudos to him, but be cautious. Nobody like a gold digger.

Backstory: After two years of marriage, Federline, 28, went from K-Fed to Fed-Ex on Tuesday when Spears filed for divorce in Los Angeles, citing ''irreconcilable differences.'' The 24-year-old pop princess is seeking custody of their two young sons, with visitation rights for Federline.

Federline counter-filed court papers Wednesday seeking sole custody and spousal support. The backup dancer-turned-rapper made only a brief reference to the impending split during a nighttime performance in Chicago.

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Will Stonie’s Wanker Cost Russia Borat

November 09, 2006

The top-grossing film in America may be banned in Russia.

A government agency said it would refuse to grant permission for Sacha Baron Cohen's controversial comedy 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan to be shown in theaters in Russia, its distributor here said Thursday.

The Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography said the film could offend some viewers and contained material that ''might seem disparaging in relation to certain ethnic groups and religions,'' according to Vadim Ivanov, theatrical sales director at Twentieth Century Fox C.I.S.

What about Stonie, gay porn star extraordinaire?

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More Bad News for Boy George

November 09, 2006

He’s been called a “nightmare ex-wife.”

Why?

Not sure of all the details, but only days ago he received an award for Culture Club without telling his bandmates. They were pissed. And now Culture Club is postponing a reunion tour.

Three founding members of the '80s pop band -- drummer Jon Moss, bassist Mikey Craig and keyboard player Phil Pickett -- had been due to start a British tour Dec. 7 with new singer Sam Butcher replacing George.

A statement issued Wednesday by Culture Club's manager, Tony Gordon, said the tour was being postponed until next year so the band could finish recording tracks for a new album.

No new dates were announced.

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Doc About F-word Missing Gays

November 08, 2006

So there's a movie called “The Aristocrats.” And it's chalarming (charming + alarming) in a hilarious way.

Now there’s a flick called “F___,” by director Steve Anderson.

The movie exhaustively explores the origins of the word and its many uses, from Lenny Bruce on stage to Dick Cheney on the Senate floor. (And he dispels the commonly held conception that the F-word is an acronym for something like ''Fornicate Under Command of the King'' or ''For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.'' It is not.)

And loads of comedians are interviewed, actors and celebs. But no gays. What, we stopped cussing? Hasn’t anyone been to a drag show lately? Or to a coffee-klatch/Oscar party with gays ripping the F-word and then some?

Even Ron Jeremy is in this movie. The sex pig everyone loves ... appreciates?. But no gays!

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Stonie is Bigger than Borat

November 08, 2006

Didja do a ouble take during Borat but not sure why? When you saw his “son” on screen did you got an itch in your Fast Forward-finger?

Well, that’s because the 25-year-old actor who plays Borat's son is a gay porn star named "Stonie."

In Borat , starring Sacha Cohen, the main character shows a photo of his son who looks about 13 or 14 but has a very large …uh … "member."

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Okay, Reichen. Now Stop!

November 07, 2006

Next thing you’ll say you invented the Internet.

What’s the beef? Reichen is telling people that Neil Patrick Harris was “lanced,” as is Lance Bassed.

That's his new term to describe celebrities who have been forced to reveal they're gay, said Reichen Lehmkuhl, boyfriend of 'N Sync star Lance Bass.

''It's to be outed by someone in the public media and to a celebrity, and Neil Patrick Harris, I understand, has been 'lanced,''' Lehmkuhl told AP Radio News in a recent interview. The term was coined, he said, after Bass revealed earlier this year that he is gay.

Why does this story make us ill?

''They're calling it a 'lancing.' It's to be 'lanced,''' Lehmkuhl said of Harris, who said last week he is ''a very content gay man living my life to the fullest.''

Harris, who played the namesake doctor on the TV series ''Doogie Howser, M.D.'' as a teen, made the disclosure weeks after Perez Hilton, the self-proclaimed ''Queen of All Media,'' posted an item on his Web site, PerezHilton.com, pleading with the 33-year-old actor to come out. Bass, one of Hilton's favorite subjects, disclosed his sexuality in July.

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Gay Rights Today

November 07, 2006

No one at OUTzone is going to tell you to vote. It feels like telling you to “not smoke crack.” Just too obvious.

But it is Election Day, and gay issues are on the ballot in many states. The gay issues are front and center in many congressional and senate races, too.

If you live in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin … bless you, as we can only imagine how grueling and frustrating it must have been to watch your state fight over your personal life.

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Tennessee Williams Rolls in Grave

November 07, 2006

Lindsay Lohan is cast in a never-before-produced screenplay by the gay playwriting icon. The title is gorgeous, The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond. But Ms. Lohan cannot act her way out of a VW Bug. (Cue Herbie joke.)

The best she’s ever done was sulk through Prairie Home Companion. Lohan should thank Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin for saving every scene the little party girl was in.

As an OUTzone reader said last wee HERE in regards to Gale Harold in a Tennessee William’s play in NYC. [“Gale couldn't act his way out of a paper bag. Shame on Roundabout for disrespecting the memory of Tennessee Williams.”]

Well, the comments fit the production company behind this film. Shame!

Imelda Marcos, Fashion Designer

November 07, 2006

Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos – the lady with all the shoes -- is embarking on a new project. She’s auditioning for Project Runway.

Well, in her own privileged way. She’s actually skipping the competition and just starting her own fashion line.

The 77-year-old widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos told reporters Monday that she planned to launch ''The Imelda Collection'' of fashion jewelry and accessories on Nov. 18.

Marcos became notorious for her shopping trips to ritzy shops in New York while her country wallowed in poverty under martial law declared by her husband.

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Neil Patrick Harris Comes Out

November 06, 2006

Between the gay pastor outted on Friday, and Saddam’s sentencing on Sunday: Doogie Howser slipped out of the closet on Saturday.

Maybe because so many people already knew he was gay. Or maybe because the guy has been singing and dancing to rave reviews on Broadway in the last few years. Or maybe because Neil Patrick Harris has been at events and auctions and benefits for gay causes.

But many people, not just New Yorker’s, thought NPH was Anderson Cooper-gay. Out, but not out. Gay, but not screaming it to the world.

And that was okay.

But...really, it’s not ok. In this day and age where being gay outside of NYC, SF, and L.A. will get you attacked, fired or worse, gay men and women need to come out no matter how famous, or not-famous, they are. The old adage that if you know someone gay, then you're less likely to be a homophobe: is true!

So, OUTzone salutes Neil Patrick Harris for having the balls—yes, the balls, to come out once and for all. May all quasi-out gays follow his lead.

The rumor first surfaced on Canada.com that Harris, who currently plays a womanizer on How I Met Your Mother, was queer and dating “longtime sweetheart” David Burtka. Unfortunately Harris’ publicist first denied the gossip, saying the hot young actor “is not of that persuasion.”

Pursuasion? I hope he fires that outdated publicist.

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National Treasure for Gays

November 04, 2006

There is probably nothing better in the world than Amy Sedaris, unless it’s David Rakoff.

The book tour for Amy’s “I Like You: Entertaining Under the Influence” has included a few quirky stop-overs. Last night, she and David Rakoff performed a live stage version of her book at the Symphony Space in upper Manhattan, and the OUTzone staff had the honor of attending.

The ushers had asked the entire audience to please write down our questions, and hand them in. There were many, and throughout the show she read them all aloud, but refused to answer a single one, except to accuse her audience (“gay gay gay”) and avoid the obvious references to her brother (“The real David." David Sedaris.)

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Pappa Don't Preach (in Colorado)

November 03, 2006

And if the allegations are true, Rev. Ted Haggard won't be preaching anywhere ever again -- not just in Colorado.

But there are other layers to the still-developing story about the mega-church pastor outted days before the election. Haggard has been an outspoken propenent of an anti-gay marriage law to be voted on on Tuesday.

Then last night, his so-called "secret life" came out.

A man named Mike Jones went public with the fact that he has been having sex with Haggard for three years.

Jones is a massage therapist/escort in Colorado. (See his ad HERE. "Massage by Mike, CFPT") He's been on TV, on the radio, all over the Internet explaining that he's not giving secrets away about what they did, or blackmailing him, but just trying to show the world what he didn't realize: that the anti-gay pastor is pretty-darn gay.

Until we know more, a few things can be said; questions can be asked.

First, could Ted Haggard look any more gay? The lips, the big friendly smile. Gay, gay, gay, gay, gay. (Watch the video interview with him HERE.) And why does he look like Mike Jones? They have the same beefy body and fleshy faces. It would be so easy to see them as boyfriends in some dreamland where no one hid in the closet. A cute couple, many would say.

Why does Mike Jones story sound so believable?

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Return of Gay Sitcoms

November 03, 2006

The way things work -- and the way gays have become so "missing" on network television -- it may be forever before a new gay sticom hits the air.

But Reuters is reporting that "Will & Grace" creators have teamed with CBS for a new comedy project. And yes, it's a gay-themed storyline based on their own relationship.

David Kohan and Max Mutchnick are creating a pilot. Not a commitment for an entire series, or really much of an investment at all. Yet in these scarce days, it's something to talk about.

Token Gay on Melrose Place

November 02, 2006

Watching MP was not as much fun as an hour with “Beverly Hills 90210.” And the show was not as deliciously tawdry as “All My Children” or “Passions,” our favorite daytime soaps.

But we watched “Melrose Place” because of Matt Fielding, real name, Doug Savant. He was an early, adorable, yet limited gay character on network television.

He was gay. And he was on television.

Remember when that was reason enough to watch? Maybe it's reason enough to re-watch him on the new DVD out Tuesday.

Gays Should Dance With Stars

November 02, 2006

When will ABC put the first gay or lesbian couple on "Dancing With Stars?"

It’s about time, no?

First, after last night’s results show: it’s obviously a battle of the biceps. Joey Lawrence vs. Mario Lopez (both hunks) vs. footballer Emmett Smith.

Not that we love the show, it’s super-cheesy. But fun in a Xanadu kind of way.

And, second and most importantly: Do the folks at ABC know that “ballroom dancing” is mega-super-popular at the Gay Games and the Out Games. Gay men and lesbians LOVE to dance.

Come on ABC, beat America to the top of civil rights mountaintop: Put Gays on “Dancing with Stars.”

Barbra Streisand v. Bush, Again

November 01, 2006

By now everyone knows that as part of Bab’s concert, she has a comedic/satiric interlude involving a George W. Bush impersonator.

And along the way, the crowd has not really understood, enjoyed her humor, or agreed with her politically.

In NYC, some fans booed. Now, in Florida(!) a cup of something was thrown at the diva.

And yet she perseveres.

Streisand's publicist, Dick Guttman, said a paper cup filled with some sort of liquid was thrown onstage, but apparently did not hit Streisand during her second performance in this Fort Lauderdale suburb.

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Confessions of a Baywatch Watcher

November 01, 2006

The classic lifeguard show – AKA beautiful-people-in-swimwear – is finally coming out on DVD. We don’t like to admit how much we liked the show. But in the dead of winter, there’s nothing like an hour of sunny froth to keep ya’ warm.

BAYWATCH DVD

Do We Care About Ricky Martin?

November 01, 2006

That’s a complicated question that unfortunately is the least of Martin’s worries when it comes to his gay fans. At least the gay fans that want to know who Martin sleeps with.

Why “The Gays” don’t just worry about his pop songs, is unclear. But they like to know who celebs are sleeping with as much as everyone else.

Anywho! Martin is going to be in the news, a lot, this month. He’s got a new CD; receiving an award; and in the running for Latin Music Grammy awards.

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