Best Wizard Ever

March 31, 2008

This news bit combines two of our favorite things: hobbits and Ian McKellen.

A fan asked McKellen on the actor's official Web site if he would play the role of Gandalf in ''The Hobbit,'' which is being produced by Peter Jackson, director of the ''Rings'' trilogy.

''Yes, I will, if Peter Jackson and I have anything to do with it, he being the producer and me being, on the whole, a very lucky actor,'' McKellen, 68, said in a reply dated Wednesday.

It's pretty hard to imagine Gandalf as anyone else. The real question is, who will play Bilbo?

Oddest Book Title Award Winner

March 28, 2008

''If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start With Your Legs'' has won the Diagram Prize for the oddest title of the year, The Bookseller magazine announced Friday.

It is odd, but if we had been voting we certainly would have chosen one of the runners up: ''I Was Tortured by the Pygmy Love Queen'' or ''Cheese Problems Solved.'' Our cheese problems are just really out of control.

The title joins a pantheon of past winners, including ''Weeds in a Changing World'' (1999), ''The Big Book of Lesbian Horse Stories'' (2003); ''Bombproof Your Horse'' (2004); and ''The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America: A Guide to Field Identification'' (2006).

"The Big Book of Lesbian Horse Stories" is the most excellent title ever. They should make a movie out of that. And we would hang the poster up so we could look at it everyday.

Thank God It’s Over… Almost

March 26, 2008

Oh, The L Word, why the hell do we feel the obsessive need to watch you even while railing about how much you suck?

The whole season moved at about the pace of daytime soap opera and nothing remotely surprising or interesting happened. Shane did it with some people, fell for a straight girl, then broke up with her because of her insecurities about being a good person. Adele was totally suspicious the whole season and then screwed Jenny over but we never found out what her deal was. Max got like zero lines (but one hot trans dude on dude sex scene). Kit lost the Planet and got the Planet back. Bette and Tina got back together (yawn). Alice and Tasha muddled through their relationship. They all went on a bike ride.

But really… That finale totally blew. It was totally underwhelming. Kit getting her revenge against the Miami She-Bar invaders could have been awesome; but it wasn’t. Shane could have had some type of interesting breakthrough; but she didn’t. Jenny could have gotten revenge or at least got into a fist fight with Adele; instead she gave some lamo speech. Arrgghhh! The one bright point in the last two episodes was the appearance of Melanie Lynskey (Heavenly Creatures) who we are totally enamored of.

The worst part is that we’ll probably tune in again next season, even if it’s just so we can be angry and annoyed all over again.

Warn Your Straight Friends About Cooties

March 25, 2008

It's hard to recall playground politics, but we have a strong memory that cooties were only passed between different genders. But we were still scared of them. Our benevolent friend Ryan Harrison made this important psa that you should pass on to any children (especially straight ones) that you know. Speak out about cooties, before cooties speaks for you.

The B-52's Funplex is Way Cooler Than a Duplex

March 24, 2008

It's been 16 long and tedious years waiting for The B-52's to make a new album. But at last the time has arrived. And it's called Funplex and it is indeed destined to be starting very gay dance parties all over the world next week when it comes out.

It's got a nice electronic modern flare to many of the songs but much of the same pop-sensibility, raucous butt-shaking feel they're famous for. Listen to the album streaming on MuchMusic right now. You can put away "Rock Lobster"... or not. We still love that song.

Michael Stipe on Gay Things

March 18, 2008

Old Perez posted a little tidbit from Spin Magazine’s interview with the ever-youthful Michael Stipe of R.E.M. that contained a few choice quotes like this one, “There are songs I wrote in the past that were gender-specific. ‘7 Chinese Brothers’ was about me breaking up a couple—and then dating both of them, a man and a woman, which is a terrible thing to do, but I was young and stupid….” That’s just the kind of gay admission we like.

He also talks about how he felt like it was obvious and he didn’t need to say anything, until he finally realized that being an out gay musician might help a kid somewhere. Totes, Mike. It was obvious. But it’s still cool that you finally got around to being a role model. Think of the poor gay children.

The GLAAD Awards

March 18, 2008

Well, we had the absolute pleasure of attending the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards yesterday at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. We'll give you the full scoop, including exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage, when the awards air on Bravo in June.

But for now we'll just say that we are basically in love with Graham Norton.

Last night's winners were:
Excellence in Media Award: Judy Shepard

Vito Russo Award: Brian Graden

Outstanding Film - Limited Release: The Bubble (Strand Releasing)

Outstanding Documentary: For the Bible Tells Me So (First Run Films)

Outstanding TV Journalism - Newsmagazine: TIE: "Don't Ask Don't Tell" 60 Minutes (CBS) and "My Secret Self: A Story of Transgender Children" 20/20 (ABC)

Special Recognition: BET J

Congrats to all the winners!

For more info, visit GLAAD.org.

Anne Hathaway: A Nice Gay Ally to Have

March 17, 2008

Andrew over at Queerty interviewed actress Anne Hathaway about getting the HRC Ally Award and some other gay stuff. This quote on why she’s a good ally for the gays really sums it up: “Um, oh gosh. I think because I make no secret of my beliefs - I don’t think love is a political thing. I don’t think marriage is something in which the government should have any say. I think that’s primarily the reason, but also because I love and have total acceptance of the gay community. And, like I said, I’ve never kept that a secret.”

She seems so sweet. Like someone you would want to stay up late eating pizza and gabbing with. Her and Andrew also talk about democracy, the Hollywood closet, censorship and more. If only all our straight allies could be so beautiful, graceful and eloquent.

Amy Poehler Does Christian Siriano

March 12, 2008

Just in case you missed SNL and haven't already seen this clip. Amy Poehler is a hilarious genius. And Christian said that her hair was perfect... and um, fierce. Plus that's a dynamite Heidi Klum.

Bruce LaBruce Zombie Movie

March 11, 2008

For the record, we're big fans of Mr. LaBruce. And zombie movies. So naturally this is ultra exciting news. His new movie Otto; Or, Up With The Undead, screened at Sundance this year and looks like a gay, flesh-eating, social-commentary spectacular. Queerty interviewed Bruce about such topics as: the new film, when he first knew he was gay and his thoughts on the closet.

You can watch the titillating, gruesome, Cocorosie-soundtracked trailer for Otto here. So far Bruce LaBruce has tackled nazi skinheads, terrorists, hustlers and amputees and now zombies. What's next? Gay evangelical mutants?

SXSW and GaybiGayGay

March 10, 2008

It’s a crazy time of year in Austin, Texas in March, when foreigners from everywhere outside of the Lonestar state invade and every place in the city hosts shows and parties. We all know by now indie music isn’t just for straight people, but one might still feel awash in heterosexuality if they don’t know where to go. So we thought we’d help you out with a little guide to the extra gay highlights of the festival.

The gayest place to be in Austin this weekend is GaybiGayGay (um, duh). It’s just a little free show/party in a backyard packed with queers. MEN, Dynasty Handbag, Paradise Island and Nicky Click are just a few of the acts that will be in attendance.

Read on for a totally incomplete list of gay or gayish/gay-interest bands playing SXSW.

READ MORE > >

True Colors, Part Deux

March 06, 2008

Cyndi Lauper’s taking her gay party train back on the road this summer with the second True Colors Tour. Carson Kressley, (queen of the gays), will host the 24-city event, which starts in May and ends in July.

''The tour is a nonstop five-hour music party with a message,'' Lauper, 54, said. ''This year, the party only gets bigger and our message to the fans is to get out and vote in November.''

The lineup includes some exciting additions like The B-52’s, Tegan and Sara, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and comedian Wanda Sykes. And we’re sure a bunch of people will be excited about Regina Spektor. But who won’t bemoan the loss of Erasure and The Gossip? Either way, it’s going to be a very gay summer, folks.

Project Runway Finale Tonight!

March 05, 2008

OMG, are you freaking out about the Project Runway finale or what? We totally are. It’s been such an awesome season with tons of talent and somewhat less cattiness than previous seasons. Which just goes to show that it’s not always about the drama, sometimes it’s actually just about the clothes. We can’t wait to see Christian, Rami and Jillian’s models walk down the runway tonight.

To tide you over here’s a funny Christian vs. Tim Gunn walk-off, which ends for some reason with Tim getting tickled mercilessly by Heidi.

If you want an overview of what the designers have produced all season, Project Rungay has some nicely formatted outfit charts for each of the final three and they compare and contrast their styles. Check back later tonight for our personal recap of the final show.

The L Word Goes For the Record

March 04, 2008

It really seems like they’re trying to beat out Queer as Folk, for most sex scenes… except that they scrunched them all together in one episode. It’s apparently so hot in LA that everyone feels like having sex? Really? Maybe the logic is, if you’re already all sweaty… It’s hard to remember since it’s still cold here in other parts of the country.

Anyhow even if you’re bored by some of the sex on The L Word (Bette and Tina = snore), there’s a little something for everyone. Shane hooks up with the straight girl. That’s hot. Until she essentially calls her stupid. We know hairdressers aren't dumb. You got your Alice and Tasha couch cum. And Jenny and Niki (if you’re into that type of thing). But best of all (and we think we speak for all the slightly more subversives here) we finally get to see Max get some hot man action. Woohoo! Go Max!

Or if you’re not into all of that sex stuff, you can watch Jennifer Beals interview Tobias Wolff about Obama’s LGBT policies. You know, whatever floats your boat.

‘As The World Turns’ Fans Agitate For Gay Lip-Lock

March 03, 2008

Fans of the fictional romance between Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer are baffled about why the two characters haven't kissed on-screen since September, wondering whether it's a sign of squeamishness by CBS or show sponsors Procter & Gamble Co.

The fans have started a letter-writing campaign, posted an online petition and even have a Web site that counts the days, hours, minutes and seconds since Luke and Noah last locked lips. (It’s been 159 days.)

This all begs the question, “If two gays kiss under the mistletoe, but you didn’t see it on TV, did it really happen?” Sanitized, sexless gays are boring. Steamy kisses are fun. Get it together CBS.

Ellen Page Goes Gay on SNL

March 03, 2008

The last skit on Saturday Night Live featured Ellen Page as Andy Samberg’s girlfriend who had just returned from a “unfrigginbelievable” Melissa Etheridge concert. The concert apparently featured the Indigo Girls, Ellen Degeneres, athletic girls in tank tops and a Suze Orman booth for gay mortgages. And it made Page feel like she was, “an oil lamp that had never been lit.” That is exactly how burgeoning lesbians feel! How did they know?

There seems to be a general consensus that the skit was partially in response to rumors about Page’s sexuality. Which would seem to say that she doesn’t care if people think she’s gay or not. Which is cool with us. We like ambiguously gay indie girls.