Kasey with a K

The Queen of the United States

2010-04-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

So in a recent poll taken, the results showed about half the United States as being "fine" with a gay president. Somehow I think those statistics are a bit skewed. Although it did remind me of a little tidbit I heard once...

A gay president? We've already had one, ladies!

15th President of the United States, James Buchanan, is the only president in history to remain a bachelor... OR WAS HE???

*cue dramatic music and thunder clap*

Her Royal Highness Buchanan was engaged to Ann Coleman, daughter of a wealthy iron manufacturer. But the poor lass died "of hysteria" while the two were still engaged. Buchanan sent a letter of sorrow to the girl's Father which basically stated that he'd never love again.

OR WOULD HE????

For 15 years prior to his presidency, Mme. Buchanan, lived with his very close friend and fellow bachelor William Rufus King, an Alabama Senator. Buchanan and King's nieces destroyed their uncles' correspondence, leaving some questions as to what relationship the two men had, but the length and intimacy of surviving letters illustrate "the affection of a special friendship" and Buchanan wrote of his "communion" with his housemate.

"Communion." Is that what they called snogging then?

In May 1844, during one of the interruptions in Buchanan and King's relationship that resulted from King's appointment as minister to France, Buchanan wrote about his social life: "I am now 'solitary and alone', having no companion in the house with me. I have gone a wooing to several gentlemen, but have not succeeded with any one of them. I feel that it is not good for man to be alone, and should not be astonished to find myself married to some old maid who can nurse me when I am sick, provide good dinners for me when I am well, and not expect from me any very ardent or romantic affection."

Buchanan and King's close relationship prompted Andrew Jackson to refer to King as "Miss Nancy" and "Aunt Fancy," while Aaron V. Brown spoke of the two as "Buchanan and his wife."

Miss Nancy and Aunt Fancy! And I've just figured out what I want my nieces and nephews to call me and my partner should I happen to find the poor bastard.

Ready for a gay president? The question is are we ready for the next one?

You go, Miss Nancy!

The Witches of Oz

2010-04-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Someone on writer/director Leigh Scott's PR crew needs to be fired.

I just stumbled upon the info the other day that a movie entitled The Witches of Oz is coming out with one of my all-time favorites, Christopher Lloyd, portraying the Wizard of Oz himself!

This news lead me to the Official Witches of Oz website, whereupon I learned that this film is set to be released on April 16th!

WHAT?! How have I not heard about this film at all?!

Upon inspection of the website and cast, and viewing the teaser trailer and mini-making-of, I am so excited to see how this movie comes out. It's quite an ambitious undertaking for a budding director and a small independent studio, which means it could be the underdog victorious or it could be "pursed lips"... Catastrophe.

I'm a longtime fan of both The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Disney's cult classic Return to Oz (1985), so I have my fingers crossed that I can add this little gem to the Oz film lineup of favorites.

Along with Christopher Lloyd, the cast also includes Mia Sara, Jeffrey Combs, Lance Henriksen, Ethan Embry, and LOTR alumni Sean Astin and Billy Boyd! Newcomer Paulie Rojas will be portraying our heroine Dorothy Gale who, in this rendition, is all grown up and living as an author in New York City. But old familiar faces (and some new ones) from her childhood visit to the Land of Oz start popping up! Some of them friendly. Others... not so much.

Click the key above to view the trailer and see the making-of featurette!

Follow the yellow brick road, betchez!

Ellen DeGeneres: The Comic Book

2010-04-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Ellen DeGeneres is now a comic book hero! Okay, not exactly. Though she is the subject of the latest issue of Bluewater Productions' "Female Force," who will be telling her life story (thus far) in a comic book style.

The comic will apparently revisit big moments in her life from the episode of her sitcom in which she came out to her invitation to join the "American Idol" judging panel. The book hits the shelves today so any die-hard fans can run out immediately to get their copy. I might get it if there's a single cell that just has her yelling "The bangs!"

The issue will also explore her gay advocacy. Issue writer Sanda C. Ruckdeschel says, "It is part of who she is and any telling of her story without acknowledging the importance she places on her identity would be disrespectful to her accomplishments."

Previous subjects of FF include Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin. Now I think they should've made that a joint issue and told their stories in a Spy vs. Spy way. I'm not gonna lie, the mental picture of Clinton and Palin standing back-to-back, wearing huge-brimmed hats, and holding bombs tickles me pink.

The comic should be an interesting read and visual, even if it is sans Ellen wearing a mask and having the ability to fly.

Ghostbusters III

2010-04-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

There has been talk about a third Ghostbusters film probably since the interwebz first came crashing into living rooms around the globe. Though whenever asked about it, most of the parties who were originally involved would react nonchalantly at best.

In the case of the films' lead, Bill Murray, it would often be met with an eye roll and has been referred to as his "nightmare."

However, the release of the film looks to finally be making some headway, though Murray may not be far off from referring to this as his nightmare.

Columbia has made an official announcement and the film is set for a 2011 release. Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson have signed on, while my platonic celebrity crushes Sigourney Weaver and Annie Potts are presumably going to be joining in on the reunion as well. Ivan Reitman stated in an interview that Rick Moranis is considering coming out of retirement to reprise his role as super-nerd Louis Tully, though no confirmation as of yet.

Also no word on whether Annie Potts will be reviving her outrageously stellar glasses and hair from Ghostbusters 2.

The film's story was written by Aykroyd, though the final screenplay has been penned by Lee Eisenberg (of "The Office" fame).

Veteran director and producer Ivan Reitman, who helmed the first two Ghostie films, is all fired up to direct this one as well... Here's where some of that aforementioned nightmare comes into play.

Apparently the studio is trying to oust Reitman from the director's chair in the hopes of getting a new, hot, young, sexy director in his place. As the old coot has already signed on to romantic comedy Friends With Benefits the studio thought he would relinquish his duties on Ghostbusters. No dice! Reitman has stated he intends to do both, which has also allegedly created some friction between the producers and the stars.

There are also stories flying around that the real holdup on this project is Bill Murray himself. Rumor has it that Dan Aykroyd had to put his foot down with Murray who has script approval in his contract and had requested that his character be killed off early on.

However, in an interview on "The Morning Show," Murray stated for the first time that he considered the story and script promising and met the question with as positive an air as the notoriously deadpan actor could muster.

Provided all the stars align, the juices flow, and the shit gets cleaned off the fan, I think this could potentially be one amazing sequel. I am excited to see what happens. It could also be the biggest disaster of the 21st century. Oh the suspense!

Personally, I just wish they could get Harris Yulin back to play Judge Wexler. His was probably my favorite scene out of both Ghostbusters films.

Man Candy

2010-04-05T00:00:00.001-07:00

Jai Rodriguez.

The boy just keeps getting sexier with each passing year.

Um... Yeah, he needs to call me.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Toy Story 3

2010-04-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

My level of excitement over the Summer release of Toy Story 3 is about on par with a kitten receiving his first dose of catnip.

Typically I'm vocally anti when it comes to Disney sequels, but I absolutely loved the first two Toy Story films and the third installment is shaping up to be no let down!

There are no less than fourteen new characters in this epic comedy from Disney/Pixar! Not to mention a slew of additions to the voice cast that have me near orgasm.

Aside from nearly the entire original voice cast returning, we've also got Michael Keaton, Timothy Dalton, Whoopi Goldberg, Kristen Schaal, Ned Beatty, Charles Adler, Gilbert Gottfried, Bonnie Hunt, Cheech Marin, Jeff Garlin, and Frank Welker (who is probably the busiest voice actor in the history of everything)!

The only actor not returning to voice his character is of course Jim Varney (famous for his creation of the character Ernest P. Worrell) who died in 2000 of lung cancer at the age of 50.

Although, at this time there is no confirmation as to whether or not Annie Potts will be bringing her sultry sass back to the character of Bo Peep. I sincerely hope she is. Annie, don't ruin the magic!

Click the image above to see the trailer and check out Pixar's Facebook page to see images of all the new characters!

EPIC!!!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T00:00:00.001-07:00

That's all.

Get a "Clue" Remake

2010-04-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Remake has been unleashed and running amok. And the beast is not slowing its roll one bit.

Now, thanks to a contract signed between Hasbro and Universal Studios, the brilliant piece of film comedy gold known as Clue is at risk of being overshadowed by a new film which Blind Wink Productions VP Jonathan Strauss describes as "A global thriller and transmedia event that uses deductive reasoning as its storytelling engine." ... Gross.

Universal has attached Gore Verbinski (of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Ring fame) to direct and produce under his Universal-based Blind Wink Productions banner, according to Variety.com. The film is set to be released in 2011 and no other official details have yet been revealed.

Clue, the 1985 comedy from Paramount, has been one of my favorite movies since I was about six years old. The brilliant ensemble cast they assembled were complete comedic dynamite.

Who could forget Madeline Kahn's famous "flames on the sides of my face" routine, which is still quoted constantly? Or Michael McKean slapping Eileen Brennan in the face to stop her screaming? Or Tim Curry's whirlwind recap of the night's events, sprinting from one end of the mansion to the other? Or even our beloved Singing Telegram Girl?

Kahn, McKean, Brennan, Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren, and Colleen Camp, under the direction of Jonathan Lynn, made this film a classic.

I shall delete Universal from my Facebook friends for this! Unlike! Veto, Veto, Veto!

Sigh... Whatever, I'm getting cheese fries.

Glenn Beck Is On To You!

2010-03-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

Case closed! He knows who you are!

OH NO!

Click the link below. Watch the video. Thank me later. You'll need to input your Facebook info to view. I've done it, it's totally safe. It's the same process as when you "allow" an application on FB.

Glenn Beck: On the Attack!

You can also thank the progressive forces at MoveOn.org who funded this video and all of its pursuant hilarity. MoveOn.org is "a way for busy but concerned citizens to find their political voice in a system dominated by big money and big media."

Whatevs, the point is this shit's hilarious.

"Jesus wrote the constitution...!"

Gaga Telephone Murder Death Kill!

2010-03-11T21:06:00.000-08:00

Just in case anyone else hasn't already seen this yet, click on the photo of Sasha Fierce there to see Lady Gaga's "Telephone" music video in HD!

It's bizarre, dirty, gritty, plot driven, and I LOVE IT!

Also note Gaga's lovely product placement with the Polaroid camera. For anyone not aware, our Lady is the new creative director for Polaroid. And keep your eyes peeled for my boy Jai Rodriguez who makes a fun little cameo toward the end.

I also like how she tackles the hermaphrodite rumors. Well played.

Telephone Music Video

2010-03-11T13:17:00.000-08:00

So I think I'm a little too excited for tonight's official premier of Lady Gaga's music video for "Telephone." I mean, how can I possibly be expected to not be creaming my jeans over this? I practically permeate glitter when I walk down the street, and this video has all the elements that a nelly 'mo like myself craves. Lady Gaga. Beyonce. Crazy elaborate costumes. And there's even an appearance by my pretend-lover Jai Rodriguez.

Can. Not. Wait.

Candy Land: The Movie?

2010-03-09T20:46:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, I was rather in love with the Candy Land board game. So much so in fact, that I not only made up my own character to add to it but also imagined it as an animated movie for which I cast every character.

What seemed genius as a child, I have long since recognized as ultimate nerdy lameness. The character I made up was named Larry Strawberry and he simply lived in a field of sugar-coated strawberries. Wow, Kasey. Brilliant.

Although I will give myself a gold star for my imaginary voice-over cast which featured Christina Ricci, Wilford Brimley, Frank Welker, Tim Curry, and the now-deceased John Ritter and Maureen Stapleton, among others. Hey, not too shabby of a casting job considering I was about ten years old!

But apparently Universal Studios decided not to hire me as casting director even though they have officially announced that the Candy Land film is underway!

According to Variety.com, this is the first film to emerge from the deal Universal made last February with Hasbro, whose properties are the basis for the summer tent-pole films G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Now when I first heard about this project, I was immediately dreamy-eyed and hopeful that the plan was to take the characters and plot, and give them a dark, American McGee-esque twist.

I envisioned Jolly of the Gumdrop Mountains to be a dirty, red-eyed goblin!

Queen Frostine turned into the tyrannical goddess of the ice cream sea, complete with iridescent skin and solid white eyes!

I saw the villainous Lord Licorice as a cloaked, monocled, sunken-faced pedophile!

But once again Universal and I are at odds. The director attached to this project is not Tim Burton. Nor is it Terry Gilliam. Nor any other director who would keep my dream of a dark and twisted land alive. The director shall be none other than Kevin Lima, whose directing history includes Disney's Tarzan, 102 Dalmatians, and his biggest success of all: Enchanted.

But perhaps Lima will be taking things in a darker direction since he is now under the helm of Universal instead of Disney? I'm gonna guess not so much. For whom does the studio have writing the screenplay? Etan Cohen, whose major film credits include Tropic Thunder, Madagascar 2: Escape From Africa, as well as what I'm sure was a tremendously insightful and poignant film entitled My Wife is Retarded.

So while I am still likely to go see Candy Land when it's released in 2011, it would've been nice to keep that macabre dream alive at least a little bit longer.

Alas... Parting is such sweet sorrow. (Pun unabashedly intended).

But who knows? Perhaps Lima and Cohen will yet surprise me. The tiny optimist inside me apparently endures.

Teddy Thompson

2010-03-06T19:42:00.000-08:00

So Teddy Thompson is not exactly what you'd call fresh on the scene (he released his first album in 2000), but sometimes I'm not exactly quick on the uptake when it comes to current music.

I'm sorry, I mostly listened to the Carpenters and musicals when I was growing up... And occasionally still do. Ahem.

Anyway, I first heard Thompson in 2005 when he recorded a track with his close friend Rufus Wainwright for the soundtrack of Brokeback Mountain ("King of the Road"). And being the least curious cat in the alley, it wasn't until today that I bothered to check him out.

Not only did I learn that this 33-year-old British musician is completely dreamy, but I also love his 2008 album A Piece of What You Need.

He is the son of British folk-rock musicians Richard and Linda Thompson and moved from England to Los Angeles at the age of 18 to pursue his music career. His first album, Teddy Thompson, was released in 2000 and achieved great critical success, but minimal commercial success. This album was followed by Separate Ways (2005) and Upfront & Down Low (2007).

A Piece of What You Need is considered by many critics and fans to be his greatest album to date. The album ranked #10 after its first week on the UK Charts during August 2008.

I have also unwittingly been listening to him sing backup and guest vocals for years on Rufus Wainwright's Want albums. Thompson is good friends with both Rufus and Martha Wainwright. The three have toured and recorded together multiple times.

Thompson's song "Love Her for That," from his debut album, was featured in the 2002 film 40 Days and 40 Nights. He currently resides in New York City.

Thompson is a great musician and a gay-friendly British babe to boot. In an interview with GaydarRadio.com he was asked who he would date if he were to be gay for one weekend. Thompson responded "Who is to say I’m not gay? It’s tempting to say something obvious like James McAvoy but everyone fancies him, so probably Johnny Depp as it seems I could have fun with him."

Thompson went on to say that his ideal woman would be Johnny Depp with tits, so who can say?

The point is he delights me and I sincerely hope that he continues to delight more people as time rolls along.

Below is the official music video for what is probably his most popular song to date, "In My Arms." The song is sweet, the video is adorable, Thompson is a cutie patootie, and the video features a cameo by Rufus Wainwright who inexplicably spazzes out on a pair of roller skates and then plays the organ. I love it.

New Header!

2010-03-01T23:31:00.000-08:00

Kasey with a "K" has gotten a little face lift! That glorious new header was done courtesy of the very woman who squeezed me out into this horrid world to begin with. My mother, Debra Dickerson.

Everyone may now praise her.

And you may also hire her. She's a freelance graphic designer. She is also available to sing at parties and does perfect impressions of both Liberace and Shakira!*

♥ Gracias, Mamacita! ♥

*Preceding sentence may not actually be the truth.

Unhappy Hipsters

2010-03-01T18:29:00.000-08:00

Unhappy Hipsters: It's Lonely in the Modern World

This site has had me legitimately LOL-ing for about the past hour and I intend to get back to it as soon as possible.

The blog author of Unhappy Hipsters has taken photos from other credited sources which show seemingly tortured and lonely individuals living in exceedingly trendy and modern homes. They have added their own supremely witty captions to accompany them and the combination is an unmatched chuckle fest.

At this time, I am not sure who the author of this blog is, but I offer him or her a tremendous number of the kudos I currently have in stock.

Suffice it to say, "The octopus was full of judgment" is only one of the many phrases which had me giggling uncontrollably. I encourage everyone to take a look! Truly priceless stuff.

The Octopus was full of judgment.

Jai Don't H8

2010-03-01T09:34:00.001-08:00

Hey, remember li'l Jai Rodriguez from "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"?

I know I do. ♥♥♥

He has been a longtime inclusion on my short list of honorary celebrity boyfriends. I used to think he was cute as a button, but in recent years he has segued into looking outright dreamy.

Which reminds me, I need to workout.

I stumbled across this yummy photo of Señor Rodriguez the other day, which is a portrait from Adam Bouska's fantastic No H8 campaign.

The No H8 Campaign is a photo project and silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8.

The campaign started with portraits of everyday Californians who support Marriage Equality and soon rose to celebrities, military personnel, brothers and sisters, law enforcement, lesbian mothers, directors, politicians, newlyweds, and more. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths symbolizing their voices not being heard and "NO H8" painted on one cheek in protest.

If you want to support or learn more about the campaign, check out the Official Website or become a fan of No H8 on Facebook.

But coming back to my dreamy Puerto Rican-Italian lov-ah for a moment... He's remained quite the busy bee since QE. He's appeared on multiple television shows, live performances, and a few films. I kinda wanna see this little gay movie he was in last year. It looks cute!

Who Is That: Christopher Plummer

2010-02-28T14:45:00.000-08:00

Name: Christopher Plummer
Occupation: Actor
Genre: Film/Television/Theater
Birth: December 13, 1929

It's difficult to determine where to begin when discussing an actor whose career has spanned over five and a half decades. His numerous award wins and nominations date back to 1959 and still haven't stopped!

Fifty years ago Plummer was nominated for both an Emmy and a Tony in the same year. This year, at age 80, he is nominated for his first Academy Award for his supporting role as Leo Tolstoy in the Michael Hoffman film The Last Station. If he wins the Oscar, he will tie the record with George Burns for oldest male Academy Award winner!

Born in Canada, Plummer started training as a classical pianist at an early age, but developed a love for theater and began traveling with the Canadian Repertory Theater. About fifteen years later, Plummer was cast in the Broadway play J.B. for which he was nominated for his first Tony Award. Among other nominations, Plummer went on to win Tony's for the the musical Cyrano in 1974 and for the play Barrymore in 1997.

After multiple television appearances throughout the 1950s, his film career was launched by Sidney Lumet in 1958 when he cast Plummer in the film Stage Struck. From that time on, his film career spanned from one end of the spectrum to the other. He has appeared in films such as Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic The Sound of Music as Captain von Trapp as well as films like the cult classic Dragnet (starring Tom Hanks and Dan Aykroyd) as the villainous Reverend Jonathan Whirley.

His other outstanding film credits include The Man Who Would Be King, The Fall of the Roman Empire, Jesus of Nazareth, The Return of the Pink Panther, Battle of Britain, Waterloo, The Silent Partner, Shadow Dancing, Inside Daisy Clover, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Malcolm X, Dolores Claiborne, Wolf, Twelve Monkeys, Murder by Decree, Somewhere in Time, Syriana, The Inside Man, A Beautiful Mind, Alexander, National Treasure, and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

Plummer has also lent his distinctive voice to several animated features including Rock-a-Doodle, 9, and Up.

He was married to Tony Award winning actress Tammy Grimes for only four years. The couple's daughter, Amanda Plummer, is a multiple Emmy Award winner and has gone on to gain a great deal of fame and critical acclaim. Christopher Plummer lives with his current wife, Elaine Regina Taylor, in a 100-year-old converted farm house in Connecticut.

Plummer's memoir, In Spite of Myself, was released in 2008. He remains busy with two more films in the works. Beginners starring Ewan McGregor, and Priest starring Paul Bettany and Karl Urban.

Good luck to Christopher in the upcoming Academy Awards!

Below is the official trailer for the film in which Plummer is nominated, The Last Station.

Brit Brief: Ginch Gonch's "I Love London"

2010-02-24T08:53:00.000-08:00

Those unstoppably naughty forces in Montreal have successfully executed another attack upon my weakness for wacky skivvies.

Ginch Gonch is continuing the launch of their "I Love" Collection, a series which got off to a supremely successful start with the "I Love Boys" and "I Love Girls" styles (almost all of which are currently sold out on their website)!

The latest release was "I Love London". And I do love it! The Burberry-esque waistband, along with the pop art graphics depicting Big Ben and double-decker buses, have this poof feeling sixpence short of a shilling!

Pictured above is the lowrise style entitled "Skid Vicious". Brill! I need that in order to live. As well as the sister style called "London Baller".

The London addition to the "I Love" collection already appears to be selling out quickly! So hurry up and buy me a pair before it's too late!

Up next from those nutters up in Canada: I Love Tokyo! Arigato, Ginch Gonch!

Shag-a-licious...

DJ Earworm: United State of Pop 2009

2010-01-01T17:13:00.000-08:00

I've been a fan of mash-up king DJ Earworm for several years now. I don't remember what song it was that first turned me on to his fantastic remixes, but some of my favorites are the pieces entitled "Promiscuous Lola" (Sarah Vaughan vs. Nelly Furtado) and what I refer to as the Gayest Mash-Up in History "Believe Somebody" (Whitney Houston vs. Cher vs. Madonna).

For the last several years, Earworm has brought us the United State of Pop, an annual year-end mash-up of all of the Billboard Top 25 for the year! No easy task!

Well the United State of Pop 2009, entitled "Blame It On the Pop", is nothing short of staggering. He has brilliantly intertwined these fantastic songs to bring us a piece that is both celebratory and heartwarming.

This amazing mash-up features the likes of Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Jason Mraz, Justin Timberlake, The Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, and many others!

You can listen to the song and watch the accompanying video below. If you love it anywhere near as much as I do, you can download the mp3 completely free by Clicking Here!

United State of Pop 2009 ("Blame It On the Pop")

Another Auld Lang Syne...

2009-12-31T03:16:00.000-08:00

2009 was a year to be reckoned with. This should come as no surprise though. As Ogden Nash once wisely inquired, "Every New Year is the direct descendant, isn't it, of a long line of proven criminals?"

For many of us, the previous year may have seemed mostly to be just that. An ever-present dark angel with a wicked sense of humor and a bottomless bag of tricks. Always there listening to our thoughts as they would ask "Could it get any worse?" There would be the angel, with his cruel laugh and pointed finger, to show mercilessly just how much worse it can get.

But for all the mirth that dark angel enjoyed throughout the year, or throughout the years rather, there have been a great many more angels of light to silence his cackle and leave him sulking in a corner.

Angels of light in the form of family, longtime friends, an abundance of new friends, and the consistent faith, support, and generosity of them all. Angels of light allowing us to laugh, allowing us to dance, allowing us to grow, to learn, to love, and to hope. Angels of light allowing us to take pride in our accomplishments and pride in who we are.

Angels of light who will not allow us to give up.

So as we approach the dawn of the New Year, with both light angels and the dark in tow, let us march bravely and merrily into the new day. Even if 2010 should prove to be yet another in a long line of proven criminals, we shall face it armed with equal amounts of humor, determination, logic, and idealism.

Let us go forth fearlessly and unabashedly holding to the hope that the future exclusively holds. Always keeping with us the memories and the lessons we've learned, but never looking back with regret for a single moment of life.

"For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning."
- T.S. Eliot

With all the love and appreciation in the world, I wish a Happy New Year to you all!

Cheers and have another!

	Mairi Campbell And Dave Francis - Auld Lang Syne .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Pogo Treats "UP" and Returns to "Wonderland"

2009-12-30T20:44:00.000-08:00

Well it appears that my would-be Australian lover, Pogo, has been a busy lad as of late!

He has most recently put his magic touch to use on a track entitled "Upular" composed using chords, bass notes, and vocal samples from the smash hit Disney-Pixar film UP. The video to accompany this track is featured below!

While working on that project, he also returned to Wonderland with the tracks "Bread and Butterflies", "Lost", and "Unbirthday". These are of course branches off of his initial success which was a track simply entitled "Alice". You can listen to all of Pogo's amazing work by going to his LastFM page where there are also a wealth of free downloads!

Here is the video for his latest track "Upular"! Enjoy!

Pee-Wee Returns

2009-12-30T00:52:00.000-08:00

Comedic actor Paul Reubens has resurrected his wacky, childlike alter ego and will be unleashing him full force in 2010!

Pee-Wee Herman, a character Reubens first developed as a routine with The Groundlings, is back! Herman was catapulted to national fame in the 1980s with performances across the U.S. as well as multiple appearances on late night shows. The character's vast success was taken even further by films such as Pee-Wee's Big Adventure and Big Top Pee-Wee as well as the smash hit series "Pee-Wee's Playhouse".

The Pee-Wee Herman Show will officially begin its four week run at Los Angeles' Nokia Theater on January 12th, 2010.

Director Alex Timbers states that this is not just a comedy show, but a "90 minute theatrical extravaganza." An extravaganza, no less! Timbers went on to state that the show is based on the five-season run of "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" and will feature "eleven actors, 20 puppets, 7 puppeteers, and Broadway scale production values throughout."

There has already been talk surrounding this project in regards to a tour of the show and a new Pee-Wee's Playhouse film is already in pre-production.

Sign me up!

R.I.P. Brittany Murphy

2009-12-20T18:58:00.000-08:00

Born: November 10, 1977
Died: December 20, 2009

5'5" actress Brittany Anne Murphy died today in her West Hollywood home just a little over a month after her 32nd birthday.

Thus far authorities and reports state that Murphy died of "cardiac arrest" and even "natural causes". Natural causes at age 32? I find that hard to believe. A good friend of mine summarized my thoughts pretty concisely: "Anyone ever hear of Karen Carpenter?"

Time will tell what the official cause of death was. An autopsy is scheduled for the next couple days.

However, what is official is that audiences have lost a great entertainer with a lot of talent, energy, and charm. Another great talent lost far too soon.

Moving with her mother to California, Murphy started her career in the early 1990s appearing on shows such as "Blossom", "Murphy Brown", "Kids Incorporated", "Frasier", and "Party of Five".

Her major breakthrough came with the role as Tai in the hit comedy Clueless alongside Alicia Silverstone. From there, Murphy went on to gain major audience and critical acclaim with her appearances in films such as Drop Dead Gorgeous, Riding in Cars With Boys, Just Married, 8 Mile, and Uptown Girls, among many others.

Two of my personal favorite film appearances of Brittany Murphy's were as Daisy Randone in Girl, Interrupted and as Shellie in Sin City.

Murphy also had a busy voice over career having voiced Luane Platter in 231 episodes of "King of the Hill", for which she won an Annie Award in 2005. She also provided voice over work for Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs and Happy Feet.

This well-loved actress who stated that "home is where my Mom is" will be greatly missed by many.

Below is a scene with Brittany, Angelina Jolie, and Winona Ryder from Girl, Interrupted.

Carrie Fisher's "Wishful Drinking"

2009-11-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

Anyone living in NYC should do all they can to see Carrie Fisher in the Broadway run of her one woman show (based on her book) entitled Wishful Drinking. The woman is a riot and I am amazed at not only her fantastic stage presence, but also her unabashed honesty and willingness to laugh at herself. Not to mention her memory! The woman dishes out for two hours on that stage! And nearly every moment is dynamite. She is, at heart, a true entertainer and enviously intelligent.

I had the great fortune of being taken to this show (which is playing at the iconic Studio 54) by a dear friend of mine. I was completely elated from the first moment, when Fisher saunters out on stage in pajamas and a silk robe, singing "Happy Days Are Here Again", while pelting front row audience members with confetti.

The woman is crazy. And I love her all the more for it!

I have long been a fan of Fisher's, not just for her iconic role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy (which she talks about in depth on stage), but also for her fantastic comedic performances in films such as The 'burbs, When Harry Met Sally, and Soap Dish. She was also recently nominated for an Emmy for her memorable guest appearance on Tina Fey's "30 Rock".

Her show is endlessly entertaining. Go see it!

Click Here for tickets!

Pogo: Bangarang!

2009-11-08T10:37:00.001-08:00

So a while back I had posted regarding the apparent battle that was sprung over Pogo's latest track, entitled "Bangarang", which was made using sound clips from the classic Steven Spielberg film Hook.

It would seem that the battle between my Aussie boyfriend and Sony has been resolved since the video is, to my delight, back online!

So for those of you who haven't already seen it, here is the video for this fantastically fun track!

My talented love has left some hints on his MySpace Music page as to what we might expect from him next and it would appear that his magic touch will soon be put on Disney's Winnie the Pooh. Be still my heart.

Who Is That: Henry Gibson

2009-11-08T08:06:00.000-08:00

Name: Henry Gibson
Occupation: Actor
Born: September 21, 1935
Died: September 14, 2009

I had been meaning to write an article about one of my all-time favorite actors and comedians, Henry Gibson, for quite some time. Sadly, I now write this as a memorial since he passed away just a few months ago. I was greatly bereaved to hear of his death. The tremendous talents and versatility of this outstanding man, best remembered for his work on the TV show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" and for films such as Nashville, The 'burbs, and The Blues Brothers, will be long remembered.

Born James Bateman in Germantown, Pennsylvania, the actor donned the name Henry Gibson as a take on the famed playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen. Though he began performing on stage and in films as early as 1963 (in Jerry Lewis' The Nutty Professor), Gibson first gained major national success and a Golden Globe nomination for the hit television show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" which featured other rising stars such as Jo Anne Worley, Arte Johnston, Ruth Buzzi, and Goldie Hawn. Gibson's famously simplistic poetry recitations on the show have been much quoted and often imitated over the decades.

He set one of his poems, "Keep a Goin'", to music which he performed in Robert Altman's film Nashville, one of his most highly acclaimed film roles (Golden Globe nomination and National Society of Film Critics Award). He also appeared in the Altman films The Long Goodbye, HealtH, and A Perfect Couple.

My initial admiration for Gibson came along with his performance as the polite and subtly crazed serial killer Dr. Werner Klopek in Joe Dante's The 'burbs, in which he starred along Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, and Bruce Dern. His performance alone put this movie toward the top of my favorites list.

Gibson's talents and versatility were also utilized by director John Landis who cast him as the leader of the "Illinois Nazis" in the iconic film The Blues Brothers starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, a role many still remember him for.

He has also been seen in the films Inner Space, The Incredible Shrinking Woman, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, The Luck of the Irish, and Tune in Tomorrow...(an under-appreciated comedy alongside Peter Falk and Keanu Reeves). More recently, he made memorable appearances in films such as Magnolia (as eccentric barfly Thurston Howell, another favorite of mine), Teddy Bears' Picnic, and Wedding Crashers.

The actor also put in a wealth of television appearances including shows such as the "The Dick van Dyke Show", "Bewitched", "Tales from the Crypt", "Sabrina the Teenage Witch", "The Dukes of Hazzard", "Fantasy Island", "Magnum P.I.", "Malcolm in the Middle", "Charmed", and many others. As recently as last year, Gibson appeared in a total of 24 episodes of the hit series "Boston Legal" as Judge Clark Brown.

In addition to this vast body of work, Gibson also put in a slew of voice over work for such hit cartoons as "The Wuzzles", "The Wild Thornberrys", "King of the Hill", "Smurfs", "Rugrats", "Hey Arnold!", "The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy", etc. He also did some of his most famous voice work for the hit animated movie Charlotte's Web in which he provided the voice of Wilbur.

Henry Gibson's wide range of roles and performances in almost every genre imaginable have allowed him to reach audiences of all ages the world over. I will never forget this man who stood a mere 5'3" but whose talent dwarfed many in his field.

Below is a fan-made video collection of Gibson reciting his poems on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In". The collection includes appearances by Sammy Davis Jr., John Wayne, and Ruth Buzzi. R.I.P. Henry!

When Two Passions Collide: Disney and Underwear

2009-10-14T20:53:00.001-07:00

So according to sources, these images have been around for quite a while. I, however, just came across them earlier today. I have to say, I might be more entertained by these than is considered healthy.

Everyone should be aware by now that I ♥ underwear. And everyone should know that I ♥ Disney. Did someone say Aladdin in a jockstrap? Sign me up!

Apparently an imaginative individual at Deviant Art named David Kawena decided it was a good idea to torment me with some original artwork depicting a collection of Disney men posing in nothing but their skivvies and some interesting accessories.

I find these images hilarious... But am also a little turned on by them. And to think I had a therapist tell me he didn't feel I was in need of therapy!

What say you now, doc?

Official Trailer for Doctor Parnassus

2009-09-18T20:07:00.000-07:00

I have been anticipating the U.S. release of this film for ages! The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, after a long period of turmoil and the possibility of no U.S. theatrical release, will be in theaters October 16, 2009!

Directed by the brilliant Terry Gilliam, the film not only boasts the final performance of Heath Ledger, but also features an all-star cast including Christopher Plummer, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law, Verne Troyer, and Tom Waits!

Below is the official trailer. My excitement over this film is almost sinful.

Man Candy

2009-09-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hey... Remember Jonathan Bennett from Mean Girls?

I know I do.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

La Coacha - "Gaydar"

2009-09-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

This is a hilarious parody of the Britney Spears song "Radar" brought about by Latina comedienne and gossip blogger La Coacha. The video was executive produced by Perez Hilton and, I have to confess, legitimately made me LOL.

Some of the jokes and references made in the lyrics may not make sense to those who have not lived or spent time in Los Angeles / West Hollywood, but nonetheless, it's still highly entertaining in my opinion.

Pogo vs. Sony

2009-09-11T12:06:00.001-07:00

I was going to share something new here, but apparently my Australian lover Pogo hit a snag with his latest (and ultimately fantastic) track entitled "Bangarang". The piece and the accompanying video, made using clips from the film Hook, have been pulled from the web at the insistence from Sony Pictures Entertainment that he is violating copyright laws.

While Pogo proclaims that he simply wants freedom of creative expression, others argue that Sony should embrace his work since similar YouTube videos have proven profitable for other studios and artists by which the pieces were inspired. Most notably, the forces behind Monty Python encouraged clips and segments on YouTube, noticing a significant sales increase in their DVD's thereafter.

Pogo and his fans also argue that Sony is ignoring the United States Fair Use policy which "allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders".

Fans are making continual attempts to re-upload the video, but each gets taken down with the same copyright claim. If you go to YouTube you might just be able to find one posted that's yet to be sniffed out and taken down.

Hopefully this pans out in favor of my honorary Aussie boyfriend. Meantime, here's another favorite of mine entitled "Scrumdiddlyumptious" which uses bits from the classic movie musical Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Michael Urie Should Ask Me Out: Reason Eight

2009-09-11T08:46:00.001-07:00

Reason #8: Because he'd be hard-pressed to find someone as enthusiastic as I am about his performance last February for Broadway Backwards 4. Broadway Backwards is an annual benefit concert put on by New York's LGBT Center. The always star-studded event takes the most well-known Broadway songs and changes the gender for whom the song was originally written.

In this case, my would-be lover Michael sings Sondheim's "Getting Married Today" from the musical Company, along with Becki Newton and Christopher Kale Jones.

Now I've seen legendary comediennes like Carol Burnett and Madeline Kahn kick this song's ass with their comedic force in the past. While Michael may not quite be on that pedestal, I still think that he has brought his own unique style to this piece and really sold it with everything he had.

If I'd been at the concert, I totally would've put out just for this performance alone.

Hey, Michael! Meet me in the green room after your performance so I can properly reward you for it!

A Gay Moment: Gerard Butler and Michael C. Hall

2009-09-11T08:46:00.000-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by the film Gamer.

Gerard: Why didn't you return my calls?! Why?!

Michael: Because I knew it would make you mad which is when I find you the most irresistible, you sexy fuck.

Concerning Underwear

2009-09-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

My friend Brandon maintains a site aimed at sex education for the "inquiring queer" (TheInqueery.com). As part of that education he asked me to write an article about one of my passions: Underwear!

Check out the article I wrote for him by Clicking Here!

And read everything on his site henceforth. You'll thank me later.

As a reminder, you can shop for the best fashion undies at the following sites:

www.FreshPair.com

www.UnderGear.com

www.TopDrawers.com

Dirty Sanchez - Give Head

2009-08-30T09:44:00.001-07:00

The music video for Dirty Sanchez's fantastic song "Give Head" is arguably one of the best videos in the history of all mankind. I love it.

If you haven't already seen it, here it is. Headless go-go dancers. The detached heads of band members Jackie Beat, Mario Diaz, and Barbeau all singing from a mantle. It's magic. Give head.

Unforeseen Obsession: Pogo

2009-08-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

In previous posts, I have mentioned both Pogo's "Alice" track which I loved as well as my enjoyment of the main theme from the classic film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Well, this little genius Pogo has brought the twain together! And I couldn't be happier about it.

Below you can watch the video made by a fan to accompany his track (titled "Drunk in the Mat Mobile") using excerpts from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I have been listening to this track on my iPod obsessively the last several days. Along with his piece entitled "Scrumdiddlyumptious" which was made with sound clips from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Pogo's work brings me endless delight. You can hear more of his music and download it by Clicking Here!

Enjoy!

Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy Dies at 77

2009-08-25T23:29:00.000-07:00

WOW.

I honestly never thought it would happen.

Ted Kennedy, the last surviving brother of the famously tragic political family, has actually passed away at the age of 77 after a year-long battle with a brain tumor.

Kennedy served in the United States Senate longer than all but two Senators in history, starting in 1962. He was a major champion of civil rights, including women's issues and gay rights.

His family, as well as former First Lady Nancy Reagan, have released statements regarding the death.

Kennedy's family stated: "We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever."

Nancy Reagan said: "I was terribly saddened to hear of the death of Ted Kennedy tonight. Given our political differences, people are sometimes surprised by how close Ronnie and I have been to the Kennedy family. But Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another... My heart goes out to Vicki and the entire Kennedy family."

Rest in peace, Ted Kennedy. Regardless of anyone's opinions or political beliefs, I don't think I'm alone in saying that it feels odd being in a world without you in it.

Cher & Chaz: Episode 2

2009-08-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Well, obviously I was a bit behind with my first post about the hilarity of this series brought to you by Roseanne Barr and Jackie Beat.

Episode Two is already here!

3'10" Selene Luna joins in this time... Three guesses as to whom she portrays.

Happy Birthday Tim Burton

2009-08-25T02:57:00.000-07:00

On this day, August 25th, fifty-one years ago, a mad genius was born in the quiet, Eisenhower-reflected suburbs of Burbank, California.

Timothy William Burton had entered the world.

Little did his parents, Bill (a former minor-league ballplayer turned Parks and Rec employee) and Jean (who ran a cat-oriented gift store), know that their detached, horror film-obsessed child would go on to be one of the most original, quirky, and successful film directors of his time.

Since my childhood I have been continually entranced by Burton's films all the way back to his first full-length motion picture Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (which also marked the first union of Burton and Academy Award-nominated composer Danny Elfman, of whom I am also an avid admirer).

Tim Burton's dark, fairy tale-esque films never fail to bring me joy and inspiration. All of them. Batman, Beetle Juice, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Mars Attacks!, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc. And his short films such as Frankenweenie and Vincent. Over the years I have grown unconditionally biased when it comes to this man and his work. He can do no wrong in my eyes.

So Happy Birthday, Tim Burton! Thank you for your amazing work which continually brings me great joy.

Can't wait to see Alice in Wonderland! March 5, 2010. Day of reckoning.

Below is Tim Burton's first short film, a stop motion animated piece entitled Vincent. The short is narrated by the late and great Vincent Price, of whom Burton is a lifelong fan.

Cher and Chaz

2009-08-24T16:15:00.000-07:00

When two forces of nature come together, the results are either catastrophic or unparalleled magic.

Fortunately, the combination of the forces known as Roseanne Barr and Jackie Beat have brought something hilariously magical to the worldwide interwebz.

Below is the first episode of an online series entitled "Cher and Chaz" executive produced by Roseanne Barr, written by and starring Jackie Beat and Nadya Ginsburg, and also starring Selene Luna.

The series already has some in the Trans/Queer community up in arms, stating that the parody, as well as Beat's song "He/She Chastity", is wrought with trans-hating sentiments. Most of the people griping, however, have no idea who Jackie Beat is nor that the comedic careers of Barr and Beat are hardly known for their reputations of being polite.

Enjoy and stay tuned! Roseanne is supposed to make an appearance in upcoming episodes!

Michael Urie Should Ask Me Out: Reason Seven

2009-08-20T01:34:00.001-07:00

Reason #7: He and I are both actors, with the obvious difference that he gets paid for it and I, as of yet, do not.

Be that as it may, two actors in a dimly lit bedroom could be quite an interesting dynamic. Role playing anyone?

Okay, Michael! Let's do it again, this time with feeling... And this riding crop.

A Gay Moment: Dennis Quaid and Cast

2009-08-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by the film GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra.

Dennis: Okay guys, Folsom Street should be just around this corner...

Love and Juice

2009-08-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

Ginch Gonch has announced the titles of their 2010 collections!

First there's the "Fruit Juice" collection which will apparently be an array of "punchy solids". Juicy!

And then there's the "I Love" collection... No official images or details have yet been dished out but based on this promotional ad, I just might be in love with "I Love"...

Ginch Gonch Underwear + I ♥ Bacon???

Love, Love, Love!

Who Is That: Crispin Glover

2009-08-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

Name: Crispin Glover
Occupation: Actor
Genre: Film
Born: April 20, 1964

Let's call a spade a spade, when your middle name is Hellion you're bound to lead a life of eccentricity met with raised eyebrows. And thusly Crispin Hellion Glover is one of the most unique personalities in history to appear on the big screen.

While his commercial success as an actor has been up and down for most of his career, Hollywood directors always come back to him before too long. Tim Burton is the latest to utilize Glover's talents, having cast him in the upcoming films 9 and Alice in Wonderland.

Beginning his career at the age of 13 in several films, sitcoms, and television movies, Glover's breakthrough came with his unforgettable performance as George McFly in Robert Zemeckis' timeless classic Back to the Future. This film's release came just after, and completely overshadowed, Glover's work in a short film entitled The Orkly Kid which he has said was one of his favorite performances.

Always opting for the more artistic and alternative paths, Glover turned down the offer to reprise his role in Back to the Future II (and successfully sued the producers for using his likeness in the second film). He would instead go on to win critical praise for his performance as an ever-stressed murder witness in the indie film River's Edge alongside soon-to-be superstar Keanu Reeves.

Over the next fourteen years, Glover's film appearances would be few and far between, though he would put forth memorable work in films such as What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Little Noises, The People vs. Larry Flynt, and as Andy Warhol in Oliver Stone's The Doors. He would also focus on writing books which he self-published under his Volcanic Eruptions publishing company.

Commercial success and mainstream audiences would be reintroduced to Crispin Glover in 2000 when he appeared in the smash hit film adaptation of Charlie's Angels. His performance as the "Creepy Thin Man" would win over audiences and even land him a revival of the role in the sequel Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.

In recent years Glover has made appearances in films such as Crime and Punishment, Incident at Loch Ness, Epic Movie, and was reunited with Robert Zemeckis for the huge-budgeted Paramount Picture Beowulf.

Glover also appeared in a supremely dark and disturbing remake as the title character in Willard, a macabre story of a man who befriends the inhabitants of his mouse and rat infested basement. The film earned him critical praise for his performance, but the movie did not do well in the box office.

Aside from his upcoming performances in Tim Burton's highly anticipated releases of 9 and Alice in Wonderland, Glover is also set to star alongside Judd Nelson in the horror film The I Scream Man, as well as the comedy Hot Tub Time Machine with John Cusack, Lizzy Caplan, and Chevy Chase.

When it comes to Crispin Glover, he's somewhat like receiving a birthday present from a stranger. You have no idea what to expect, but you simply must unwrap that present and find out.

Below is the richly bizarre music video made for the film Willard in which Glover sings to an over-sized rat named "Ben".

R.I.P. John Hughes

2009-08-07T10:14:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest Hollywood talents of this generation has fallen. John Hughes, the quintessential writer/director of heartfelt teen and preteen comedies, died of a heart attack here in New York on August 6th. He was only 59 years old.

Hughes directed only a handful of films, but they would all be some of the most successful and continually beloved films to come out of the 1980s. The mere eight movies guided by his great directorial hand are Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Planes Trains and Automobiles, She's Having a Baby, Weird Science, Uncle Buck, and Curly Sue.

His credits as producer and (primarily) as a writer are much more numerous, but still include some of the most memorable films of the last 25 years. He wrote the screenplays for all the films he directed as well as the screenplays for Home Alone, Pretty in Pink, National Lampoon's Vacation and its sequels, Mr. Mom, The Great Outdoors, and Disney's live-action 101 Dalmatians starring Glenn Close.

Macaulay Culkin, who worked with Hughes on Home Alone and Uncle Buck, said, "I was a fan of both his work and a fan of him as a person. The world has lost not only a quintessential filmmaker whose influence will be felt for generations, but a great and decent man."

Ben Stein, who appeared in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, stated, "He made a better connection with young people than anyone in Hollywood had ever made before or since. It’s incredibly sad. He was a wonderful man, a genius, a poet. I don’t think anyone has come close to him as being the poet of the youth of America in the postwar period. He was to them what Shakespeare was to the Elizabethan Age."

Steve Martin, Matthew Broderick, and others have released similar statements praising Hughes not only for his tremendous talent at penning complex characters, but also for his humility and genuine nature.

The unique gifts that Hughes brought to the world will be greatly missed, but always within our reach to visit through his fantastic works.

Toy Story 3: Michael Keaton as Ken

2009-08-04T12:41:00.000-07:00

That's right. It was confirmed at Comic-Con by director Lee Unkrich. The world's most beloved closet case in doll form, Mattel's Ken, will be making his big screen debut in Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 3.

He will be voiced by a man of limitless talent, a personal favorite of mine, the great Michael Keaton.

I am completely ecstatic!

Not only do we have the return of Barbie voice actress Jodi Benson, who of course is best known for voicing everyone's favorite mermaid Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid, but we now get the delight of hearing Ken brought vocally to life by the man who brought us Batman and Beetlejuice!

Keaton worked for Disney/Pixar previously in the hit Cars, in which he played the race car Chick Hicks.

A longtime fan of Keaton's wide range of comedic performances, I am now anticipating the release of this film even more than I already was!

Let's also add to this that one of my favorite character actors, Oscar-nominee Ned Beatty, will be joining the voice cast for this film! Rumor has it that Beatty will be voicing a character named Lotso, a villainous pink teddy bear. Rad.

I ♥ Disney!

A Gay Moment: Alan Rickman, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint

2009-08-04T11:00:00.001-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Snape: Stop snogging!

I ♥ Tim Burton

2009-07-29T11:32:00.000-07:00

Everyone should already have seen this by now, but as I am a Disney zealot, Tim Burton's slave, and a lifelong fan of Alice in Wonderland, I have no choice but to post it again.

I will be watching this on repeat like a madman until March 5, 2010.

My level of excitement and anticipation is beyond words.

Click the image below to see the official HD teaser trailer for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.

Ships Passing

2009-07-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

It appears that, unbeknownst to me until now, Michael Urie and the rest of the cast of the successful Off-Broadway show The Temperamentals made an appearance in New York City's Gay Pride parade this year.

Obviously Michael was either oblivious to my presence or failed in his frantic search to find me further back in the parade, otherwise I'm assuming he would've seized the opportunity to finally ask me out on that date.

Better luck next time, Michael! You looked great!

I really want this song now.

Michael Urie Should Ask Me Out: Reason Six

2009-07-13T12:17:00.001-07:00

Reason #6: Because I'm a Taurus and, should our date come to this, I am apparently the best lover he'll ever have.

"Those lucky enough to snare this lover will find that the best, amazingly, has been hidden from view! In private, the Bull is an intense partner, and one quite happy to have sensual encounters go on all night long. The Energizer Bunny of the Zodiac has arrived! These days and nights of play should be punctuated with conversation, fantasies, seduction, even a few edible treats, the better to create the perfect mood. Sex as a release from the more practical aspects of life is often all the Bull wants."

Hey Michael... Got six hours to kill?

A Gay Moment: Johnny Depp

2009-07-13T11:59:00.001-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by the film Public Enemies.

Johnny: Come and get me boys...

Thank You Ginch Gonch!

2009-07-10T12:14:00.001-07:00

There are some kind of wonderful psychic women using their powers for good up in Montreal.

Ginch Gonch's head of Schmoozing and Carousing (Media Coordinator), Rebecca, and her partner in crime, Cristina, not only graciously added my blog to the Ginch Gonch Blogroll but they also sent me two pairs of underwear!

And clearly they have psychic ability because one of the pairs they sent, the Marvelous Meow, is a pair I had my eye on for a long time. The brief features a fun jungle print and one sassy black panther!

They also included a brief from their Load'n and Dump'n collection called the Engineered Big Rig, which is also totally adorable.

I would like to say that the photos here are of me, but alas my workouts haven't taken that kind of effect just yet.

So thank you, ladies! I promise to drop trou all over town so that everyone in New York City will see and appreciate the delight you've brought me. I'll let you know if bail needs to be posted.

Long live Ginch Gonch!

Unforseen Obsession: Lady Gaga's Paparazzi

2009-07-09T23:09:00.000-07:00

I don't know how it happened. I'd heard the song a handful of times. I liked it, but didn't really think twice about it.

I saw the video. I thought it was very intriguing and unique. Didn't think about it much after that. Though it did prompt me to download the song.

Then the other day, while sitting at home listening to my iPod, "Paparazzi" came on. And the next thing I knew an obsession was born. I've legitimately gone insane. I've been listening to the song almost non-stop for 24 hours.

I can only assume that Lady Gaga has employed some kind of subliminal message in the song to alter my mind and heart, because this song now makes me emotional every time I listen to it.

Even now... I can't stop!...

Promise I'll be kind,
But I won't stop until that boy is mine.
Baby, you'll be famous! Chase you down until you love me.
Papa-Paparazzi...

Michael Urie Should Ask Me Out: Reason Five

2009-07-07T10:47:00.001-07:00

Reason #5: Because I'll buy him a Build-A-Bear of his choice.

And one for me while I'm there. I've always wanted the turtle, but I don't think they make him anymore.

Hey Michael! Let's build a bear!

Lost in Translation

2009-07-07T08:43:00.001-07:00

I am not a fan of the word "faggot" used as slang for a homosexual male. I think it is an offensive, negatively weighted, and all-around ugly word. Friends have "lovingly" or "jokingly" used this term in reference to me or someone else, and each time I have to issue a verbal slap on the wrist.

However! This sign, shared with me by my dear friend Jo, was in a fish and chip shop in Porthcawl, South Wales.

It made me laugh hysterically.

Apparently, faggots are a traditional dish in the UK, especially the Midlands of England. It is a kind of meatball. It is made from meat off-cuts and offal, especially pork. A faggot is traditionally made from pig heart, liver and fatty belly meat or bacon minced together, with herbs added for flavoring and sometimes breadcrumbs. The mixture is shaped in the hand into balls, wrapped round with caul fat (the omentum membrane from the pig's abdomen), and baked.

The end result would be something like what you see below, served with mashed potatoes, peas, and gravy.

*Of course, the image search for this dish also brought up a lot of photos of a teary black-eyed Perez Hilton.

A Gay Moment: Shia LeBeouf and John Turturro

2009-07-05T08:32:00.001-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Shia: Lube, condoms, massage oil, jock strap, butt plug. I think we've got everything.

John: Okay, but whatever we do, please, do not tell my mother.

Who Is That: Zelda Rubinstein

2009-07-05T06:02:00.000-07:00

Name: Zelda Rubinstein
Occupation: Actress
Genre: Film/Television
Born: May 28, 1933
Died: January 27, 2010

"This house... is clean."

One of the most unique entertainers in Hollywood, Rubinstein has become an iconic staple in the sci-fi / horror genre. With her light, airy voice and 4'3" stature she has earned memorable roles in films such as the Poltergeist trilogy and had a recurring role on the hit television series "Picket Fences".

Having attended both the Universities of Pittsburgh and California, Rubinstein started her film career late in life after living in Europe for many years. Her first role was in "The Flintstone Comedy Show" in 1980, followed by a role in the comedy Under the Rainbow starring Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher.

In 1982 she was catapulted into stardom when she was cast as the eccentric medium Tangina Barrons in the classic horror film Poltergeist, written by Steven Spielberg and directed by Tobe Hooper. That year she was given a Saturn Award (the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films) as Best Supporting Actress for the role. According to Rubinstein, "Tobe was the nominal director, but this was a Steven Spielberg film."

Over the next two and a half decades, she would secure memorable roles in films including Poltergiest II and III, Sixteen Candles, Teen Witch, Southland Tales, Little Witches, The Wild Card, Cages, and Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon. She also filmed a cameo scene for the film Casper, but the scene did not make the final cut.

Another surge to her career came in 1992 when she was cast as regular character Ginny Weedon on the Emmy and Golden Globe winning series "Picket Fences". Having done a wealth of television work as well, Rubinstein has made guest appearances on shows including "Tales From the Crypt", "Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre", "Mr. Belvedere", "Martin", "The Pretender", "Hey Arnold!", "Caroline in the City", and "Darkwing Duck".

She later provided the voice behind the Skittles commercials ("Taste the rainbow") and as the narrator of the ABC series "The Scariest Places on Earth".

A longtime advocate for gay rights and AIDS awareness, Rubinstein has a relatively strong gay following. She stated that she lost work for a year as the result of her involvement in a 1984 ad campaign in which she played a mother figure in the ads, which predated Elizabeth Taylor's and Madonna's AIDS involvement by at least a year. You can Click Here to watch the short interview at Advocate.com.

On December 29th, 2009, it was announced that Zelda Rubinstein had been officially taken off of life support after being hospitalized for a month due to organ failure. News spread quickly that Rubinstein was on death's doorstep, however a few days later a friend of hers stated "She’s okay. Vitals are good. She’s apparently doing better. Internet sources exaggerated the story."

Unfortunately, just under a month later, Rubinstein died on January 27, 2010, of "natural causes" at Barlow Respiratory Hospital in Los Angeles, said Eric Stevens, her agent.

The exceedingly talented, educated, and proudly outspoken actress will be long remembered and sincerely missed.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

2009-07-04T13:21:00.000-07:00

As a longtime fan of the films of Terry Gilliam, and also one who was greatly aggrieved by the death of the tremendously talented Heath Ledger, I have been intensely anticipating the release of the film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

The film's wildly imaginative and bizarre storyline, as well as the rich imagery, resembles some of my all-time favorite Gilliam work (especially The Adventures of Baron Munchausen which was co-written by Charles McKeown who also co-wrote Parnassus). Aside from the draw of being Ledger's final film role, I am greatly enticed by the rest of the cast which includes Christopher Plummer, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, Verne Troyer, and Tom Waits!

This film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2009, with reviews praising its stunning visuals and calling Ledger "a marvel" in his role. The film was also released in Germany at the Munich Film Festival and has release dates secured for countries including Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, etc.

Despite the huge publicity and big-name cast, negotiations with several prospective commercial partners are ongoing and no United States release date has been set. If Gilliam cannot find a distributor willing to pay the going rate for rights to screen it in cinemas, Heath Ledger’s final film, The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus could go straight to DVD!

No! Keep your fingers crossed that this film gets a release in the States, otherwise all of us miss out on a golden opportunity to see a treasure trove of creative greatness on the big screen!

Michael Urie Should Ask Me Out: Reason Four

2009-07-04T08:31:00.001-07:00

Reason #4: He is currently appearing in a highly acclaimed run of an Off-Broadway show entitled The Temperamentals. To date, he has not done any shows on Broadway.

I've never been in a Broadway show either! ... We have so much in common.

Hey, Michael! Let's get some coffee, go for a walk in Central Park, and talk about not being on Broadway.

That doesn't sound fun to you???

A Gay Moment: Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton

2009-07-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by a promotional still for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Tom: Have you been getting my messages?

Daniel: Yes... I don't want to admit it, but your YouTube videos are a bit irresistible.

Tom: So may we change our Facebook from "It's Complicated" back to "Relationship"?

Daniel: Shut up and kiss me.

R.I.P. Karl Malden

2009-07-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

Academy Award, Emmy Award, and SAG Award winning actor Karl Malden passed away in his Brentwood home at the age of 97 on July 1.

Malden was a tremendous talent and made an extraordinarily successful film career for himself despite his plain looks. Beginning his film career in the early 1940s, his dedicated and memorable work quickly earned him large roles in what would become some of the most iconic films of the 20th century.

His resumé, consisting of 70 roles in films and television shows, included such classics as A Streetcar Named Desire (for which he won the Oscar), On the Waterfront (another Oscar nomination), One-Eyed Jacks, How the West Was Won, Patton, and the highly controversial Baby Doll which was condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency for what was termed its “carnal suggestiveness.”

Malden was awarded an Emmy for what is probably his most widely memorable work as Detective Lt. Mike Stone on the hit series "The Streets of San Francisco" in which he starred with a young Michael Douglas.

Douglas said of him, "Karl ‘The Mentor’ Malden was a great actor, father and husband. I admired and loved him deeply."

Malden also appeared in 21 Broadway plays, was President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences from 1989-1992, was given a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Screen Actors Guild, was the spokesperson for American Express (being the first person to utter the famous slogan "Don't leave home without it"), and served on the United States Postal Service advisory committee on which he helped create the "Hollywood Legends" commemorative stamps.

I personally first became aware of Malden growing up watching the Disney film Pollyanna. This may seem inconsequential work compared to some of his other credits, but I still admire and love his performance as the over-zealous, fear-instilling, and conflicted reverend of the town Pollyanna comes to. His work in that film is genuinely one of a kind.

Malden and his wife, Mona, a fellow acting student of Chicago's Goodman Theater, had one of Hollywood’s longest marriages, having celebrated their 70th anniversary in December 2008.

“That was sort of the last goodbye,” said friend and actress Eva Marie Saint, who attended a party in the couple’s honor. “His wish was, ‘After I die, I don’t want you to do anything but have a party.’ So another party is coming up.”

No More Tighty Whities!

2009-06-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

One of my all-time favorite, and now officially most bizarre, underwear manufacturers has launched an all-out attack on undies of a mundane nature.

Those crazed Canadian anarchists cry out "No More Tighty Whities!"

Ginch Gonch "openly denounces any and all forms of boring tighty whities, blah-boxers, and granny panties" with their new ad campaign and melodramatic website touting the extreme measures they will go in order to end the reign of banal undergarments.

All of GG's designs have steered well clear of the average and generic since their inception in 1984, always with a wry sense of humor, a sexy fit, and holding to their slogan "Live like a kid!"

Being the proud owner of at least a dozen (probably more) pairs of the fun and funky designs by the Montreal-based company, I openly join my comrades in their mission to end the centuries-old oppression of plebeian skivvies!

Cry Ginch Gonch! And let slip the briefs of war!

Below is an original video by one of our brothers in arms who bravely shares his vision of what use, or lack thereof, tighty whities have in this ever-evolving and fashion-forward world!

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T00:54:00.001-07:00

Completely surreal is the subject. The very idea. It sounds preposterous.

Michael Jackson is dead... But it's true.

He was the source and constant companion of so much joy, growth, and learning for millions.

The King of Pop. Undisputed. The key-holder to an entire generation of people all over the world. His music, his unique and addicting vocalizations, his unsurpassed dancing style, his entire existence... It's difficult to imagine the world without it.

Yet here we are.

Yes, he was eccentric to say the least. His life was constantly the target of gossip and rumors. Unending speculation and an ocean of stories about surgical procedures and pedophilia.

But through it all, his rule over the kingdom of music held firm.

All one has to do is listen to any of the many songs that Jackson made famous by pouring his heart and soul into every note and every word. From his beginnings with The Jackson Five to his last album.

I don't have to give a rundown of his life, career, nor his death. We all know it.

All I ask at this time is that you take a moment. Ignore the crassly altered photos all over the internet, ignore the mockeries, let go of the rumors, the eccentricities, the scandalized media clips.

Listen to his song. Understand why he is immortal. Know that the world will, in fact, never be without his music. And remember why he was king.

Goodbye, Michael Jackson. How can we ever thank you?

R.I.P. Farrah Fawcett

2009-06-25T23:52:00.000-07:00

After a public and documented battle with cancer, the legendary angel Farrah Fawcett has passed away at the age of 62.

The Emmy, Golden Globe, and Independent Spirit Award nominee started her career in the 1970s with small roles in such iconic television shows as "The Partridge Family", "The Flying Nun", and "I Dream of Jeanie", as well as in films such as Myra Breckinridge (with Mae West).

But it wasn't until she came skateboarding onto the scene in 1976 as Jill Munroe in the smash-hit TV series "Charlie's Angels" that Fawcett's career began to soar.

She quickly became an international star and sex symbol throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Her hairstyle was emulated by millions of young women and her poster sales broke records (her famous pose in a red bathing suit sold over 8,000,000 prints).

She would go on to work on films such as Logan's Run, The Cannonball Run, Dr. T and the Women (directed by Robert Altman), Extremities (Golden Globe nominated role), and The Apostle (Independent Spirit Award nomination), among many others.

In a career that would span 40 years, Fawcett appeared in more than 100 television shows and films. A feat that also earned her a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Married to Lee Majors from 1973-1982, Fawcett then entered a memorable 17-year relationship with Ryan O'Neal (with whom she remained very close up to the day she died).

Farrah Fawcett was an entertainment treasure. An always optimistic and determined individual who continued to grow and challenge herself for the entirety of her life. While I am grateful that her suffering is over, I know I speak for many when I say how much we'll miss her.

Farewell, angel.

R.I.P. Ed McMahon

2009-06-25T23:04:00.000-07:00

Ed McMahon. He was a one-of-a-kind talent and the greatest sidekick who ever lived. This unique comedian and television superstar was loved across the U.S. for decades and was known among his peers as having one of the biggest hearts in the industry.

Born March 6, 1923, McMahon began making television appearances as early as 1952 as the announcer for "American Bandstand". Over the next 50 years, he would go on to appear in over 150 television shows and presentations, appearing with stars such as Bob Hope, Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis, Flip Wilson, Rowan & Martin, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, and a wealth of others.

But America remembers him best as the iconic sidekick to the King of Late Night on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson". For more than 30 years, McMahon introduced the Tonight Show with a drawn-out "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!" His booming voice and constant laughter alongside Carson earned him the nicknames the "Human Laugh Track" and "Toymaker to the King".

He was also host of the successful weekly syndicated series "Star Search", which began in 1983 and helped launch the careers of numerous actors, singers, choreographers, and comedians.

I personally was tickled during the time McMahon played a character named Charlie Dickerson (my last name) on Tom Arnold's short-lived "The Tom Show".

At the age of 86, after many health problems and financial strain, McMahon passed away on June 23, 2009 in Los Angeles.

I like Joan Rivers' sentiments in regards to McMahon: "Ed McMahon always, whenever he would come in a restaurant or see me anywhere, would make it his business to come over and say hello," Rivers said. "And that was going against, quote-unquote, 'boss' orders.' He went beyond the "Tonight Show" and had his own identity and America liked him very much. When you needed him, he was a rock."

Don Rickles and Dick Clark stated similar stories.

Ed McMahon was a giant talent, a giant personality, and had a giant heart.

Rest peacefully, Ed. You did great work.

Michael Urie Should Ask Me Out: Reason Three

2009-06-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

Reason #3: I can help him master the interwebz! Michael has confessed to not being incredibly internet proficient, a qualm evidenced in the (still adorable) video below where he refers to his vlog as a "video email". He has also made light of the fact that he had no idea what Twitter was until his friends advised him to join.

Hey, Michael! Let me help you master the interwebz and improve your site. All it'll cost you is a cocktail and a kiss. Best deal in town. *wink*

So cute...

Who Is That: Alan Rickman

2009-06-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

Name: Alan Rickman
Occupation: Actor
Genre: Film
Born: February 21, 1946

This tremendously talented actor has not only continually won critical acclaim for decades (including BAFTA, Golden Globe, Emmy, and SAG Awards), but also continually wins over audiences the world over with his unique style and outstanding versatility in films ranging from Die Hard to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Rickman is set to star in the final Potter films as well as in Tim Burton's highly anticipated take on Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland!

With a background in Shakespeare studies at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, as well as a dresser for the likes of Sir Nigel Hawthorne and Sir Ralph Richardson, Rickman soon launched his own acting career with rave reviews and prizes right out of the gate. He appeared in the stage production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses in London as well as in New York where he received Drama Desk and Tony Award nominations.

A few years later he was cast in his first major film role as Hans Gruber in the smash hit film Die Hard. Shortly thereafter he was cast in another box office smash as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves for which he won the BAFTA Award.

His career since has spanned the entire gambit of film genres with movies and characters all over the map! The major highlights of his career include Sense and Sensibility, Rasputin (for which he won the Emmy and Golden Globe), Dogma, Galaxy Quest, The Search for John Gissing, Love Actually, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and of course as Severus Snape in the groundbreaking success of a saga known as the Harry Potter films.

Rickman returned to the stage in 2002 in the play Private Lives for which he once again was nominated for Drama Desk and Tony Awards. He was chosen by Empire magazine as one of the "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History" (#34) in 1995, ranked number 59 in Empire's "Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list in October 1997, and was voted number 19 in Empire's "Greatest Living Movie Stars Over the Age of 50".

He became Vice-Chairman of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 2003.

Rickman's dedication and joy toward his work are ever-present, and we the audience continue to reap the benefits with his wonderful performances.

"I do take my work seriously and the way to do that is not to take yourself too seriously." Please do continue to work, Mr. Rickman. Your work is our ongoing pleasure.

Below is a clip from Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd in which Rickman and Johnny Depp perform Stephen Sondheim's beautiful piece "Pretty Women".

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

2009-06-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

I am and have been for ages now SO excited for this effing movie!!!

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland has had me filled with anticipation since the rumors first started floating around years ago.

I am a major Tim Burton fan, a Disney zealot, as well as a lifelong fan of the Lewis Carroll classic and its many film incarnations. So this movie can in no way fail as far as I'm concerned.

Below are some truly jizz-worthy photos from the production (Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter, Anne Hathaway as The White Queen, Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen, and Matt Lucas as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum).

Be still my heart!

A Gay Moment: Vin Diesel and Paul Walker

2009-06-22T18:12:00.000-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by Fast & Furious.

Vin: Just do it, no one's around. *zip*

Paul: We're so bad.

The Players Club

2009-06-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

I recently received a generous invitation to spend an evening at the legendary Players Club which is located in Manhattan's Gramercy Park.

This place is phenomenal and overflowing with film and theater related history. Founded in 1888 by Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth and author Mark Twain (among others), the Players Club housed the formation of Actors' Equity and boasts such famous members as Frank Sinatra, Peter O'Toole, John and Lionel Barrymore, Al Hirschfeld, and Helen Hayes (to name just a very, very few in a lineup of film and theater royalty).

I was invited by the ever-generous and talented actor Robert Davi and was given the "Five Cent Tour" by Lee Pfeiffer, also an incredibly generous and intelligent man who was a delight to get to know.

Being in this place and being in such fantastic company was definitely a highlight of my time living in New York thus far. It served as a great reigniting of my passions and goals, the reason I moved to this great city to begin with.

I sincerely hope that one day I may be so fortunate as to include myself in the list of members of this truly phenomenal place whose purpose is "The promotion of social intercourse between members of the dramatic profession and the kindred professions of literature, painting, architecture, sculpture and music, law and medicine, and the patrons of the arts."

I would truly consider myself privileged to one day be inducted into this prestigious club, especially considering the fact that Orson Welles was denied. (That tidbit did tickle me).

Many thanks to Robert and Lee, as well as the other entertaining and intelligent individuals I met, for a truly enjoyable evening. I'll be looking forward to the next one.

Michael Urie Should Ask Me Out: Reason Two

2009-06-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

Reason #2: He has tendencies toward being a bit of a Vogue-ham, as evidenced by the photo and the video clip below. I can be a bit of a Vogue-ham myself at times... Ahem...

Hey, Michael, let's go out for a ham sandwich. Ba-da-boom!

Further hammery evidenced below in this interview with Kelly Ripa and Anderson Cooper as well as a preview of what the end-of-date goodbye kiss will be like.

A Gay Moment: Carl Fredricksen and Dug

2009-06-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by the Disney/Pixar film Up.

Carl: Don't worry, my angel. Once the gays are allowed to get married, according to my pastor, we're next!

Tony Awards!

2009-06-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

While I was acting like a lunatic on a small stage in Chelsea for my classes at The PIT, Neil Patrick Harris had his hands full hosting Broadway's most anticipated night: The Tony Awards!

Broadway's best and brightest came out to celebrate and vie for the coveted trophy dished out by The American Theatre Wing.

I wish I could've seen it live! But I will have to content myself with offering my sincerest delight and congratulations to iconic stars Liza Minnelli and Angela Lansbury (whom I had the privilege of seeing in Blithe Spirit at the Schubert) on their wins this evening.

I was also thrilled to see wins by Marcia Gay Harden and Geoffrey Rush. Very exciting!

For a full list of winners visit the Official Tony Awards site!

Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners!

Nice work if you can get it... And if you get it... Won't you tell me how...

Who Is That: Jill Sobule

2009-06-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

Name: Jill Sobule
Occupation: Singer/Songwriter
Genre: Alternative
Born: January 16, 1965

"She's gonna sing! You're gonna listen!"

There are not enough adjectives to accurately describe Jill Sobule: Talented, intelligent, witty, educated, pretty, ambitious, quirky, opinionated, personable, relatable, vulnerable, hilarious, empowered. Her outstanding career and staggering output as a singer/songwriter spanning the last two decades has blurred the boundaries of musical genre and has made successful forays into film, television, and live theater.

Sobule is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

She began playing guitar in junior high and went on to release her first album entitled Things Here Are Different for MCA in 1990. The fates of success, however, would not smile on her until several years after the release of this album, when Atlantic Records released her MTV staple and national Top 20 hit, "I Kissed A Girl", which was featured on her self-titled album, Jill Sobule.

"That song was a double-edged sword for me," said Sobule. "It was perceived as a novelty hit, but on the other hand it was the first song with an overtly gay topic to be aired on Top 40 radio. I am quite proud of that." The album also yielded another hit song, "Supermodel", included in the Clueless soundtrack.

Since then, she has made four more critically acclaimed albums, Happy Town, Pink Pearl, Underdog Victorious, and 2009's California Years, which Jill released on her own record label, Pinko Records, after collecting over $85,000 from fans who funded the project.

Sobule is a prolific collaborator, writing and performing both with other musicians and with artists from non-musical disciplines, including blogger Ariana Huffington, television producer Sue Rose, and comedienne Julia Sweeney.

She has also served as songwriter/composer for the hit Nickelodeon network show "Unfabulous" during that show's three-season run. She composed the music for the off-Broadway show Prozak and the Platypus and co-starred in the Eric Schaeffer film Mind the Gap.

Sobule toured twice with the late Warren Zevon, whose penchant for sardonic storytelling she shares. She, like Zevon, despite a deep well of great works, is best known for a single fluke hit (Zevon's being "Werewolves of London", a personal favorite of mine).

And speaking of personal favorites, if you haven't already, I recommend listening to the following Sobule gems: "Resistance Song", "Margaret", "A Good Life", "San Francisco", "Houdini's Box", "Mexican Wrestler", and "Manhattan in January". These songs are, of course, only a small sample of the vast talent and originality that this amazing woman brings to this world on a regular basis.

I sincerely hope this self-proclaimed "hopeful cynic" continues to grace us with her unique brand of magic and all around awesomeness.

I also hope she continues sharing photos of her neighbors' gay cat. That delights me.

Below is some fun footage of Jill singing the wonderfully tongue-in-cheek song "Manhattan in January". The song was written in a matter of days in response to Al Gore's depiction of the current and potential state of global climate disaster.

R.I.P. David Carradine

2009-06-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

Television icon and film star David Carradine brought a lot of joy and fascination to people the world over, starting with his star-making cult classic TV show "Kung Fu" and more recently with his intriguing performance as Bill in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films, of which I am a big fan.

As I'm sure everyone is already aware, he was found hanged in his hotel suite in Bangkok, Thailand. He was 72 years old.

Carradine successfully carried on a legacy started by his father, legendary film star John Carradine. David was well loved not just by his many fans, but also by his family, friends, and colleagues.

His friend and Kill Bill costar Michael Madsen said, "David was one of the first actors I ever worked with when I started my career and the closest person to a brother that I ever had in my life. It is shocking to me that he is no longer with us. I had been thinking about calling him for the last several days, and advise anybody who has been thinking about reaching out to a loved one to do so."

Carradine's niece, actress Martha Plimpton, writes, "My Uncle David was a brilliantly talented, fiercely intelligent and generous man. He was the nexus of our family in so many ways, and drew us together over the years and kept us connected. I adored him as a child, and as an adult I admired and respected him."

To read updates as to Carradine's cause of death, check out msnbc.com. The latest suspicion (at the time of this post) is accidental death due to auto-erotic asphyxiation.

Regardless of how or why David Carradine died, he leaves behind many fond memories, a strong message of perseverance, and an obvious love for his life and everyone in it.

To quote David directly, "You can't quit; even coming in dead last has honor."

We'll miss him.

A Gay Moment: Christian Bale and Sam Worthington

2009-06-01T20:25:00.001-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by the film Terminator Salvation.

Christian: We've been fighting a long time. We are out numbered by machines. Working around the clock,without quit...

Sam: Okay, relax. I'll suck your cock.

Christian: Cheers, thanks a lot. **zip**

Michael Urie Should Ask Me Out: Reason One

2009-06-01T18:26:00.001-07:00

A while back, a few friends of mine told me that I resemble actor Michael Urie who is best known for his role as Marc St. James on ABC's hit series "Ugly Betty".

Being the apparent narcissistic bitch that I am (even though I personally think our resemblances are minimal), I have since become rather keen on Michael based on his UB performances and a few of his interviews I've seen. I think he's intelligent, witty, talented, and, obviously, way cute.

I have come to the conclusion that Michael Urie should ask me out, and thus begin my semi-regular posts as to why.

______________________________________________________________________

Reason #1: He's dorkaliciously cute. I like that. Who wouldn't like that? And people say we're similar which means I am also dorkalicioulsy cute. Again... Who wouldn't like that?

We should go on a dorkalicious date Michael. Think about it.

Who Is That: Edward Asner

2009-05-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

Name: Edward Asner
Occupation: Actor
Genre: Television / Voice Over
Born: November 15, 1929

Ed Asner is a longstanding favorite of mine. This fantastic character actor, and former President of the Screen Actors Guild, won over the hearts of millions with his Emmy Award winning portrayal of Lou Grant on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and is currently winning over audiences of all ages with his vocal talents as the lead in the Disney/Pixar smash hit Up.

His credit list is incredibly vast with a career spanning over 50 years! This is just a small list of some of his more well known credits.

Before landing his star-making role as Lou Grant in 1970, Asner appeared in guest spots on some of the top television shows of the 1960s including "Gunsmoke", "Mission: Impossible", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "The Outer Limits", "Outlaws", and "The Untouchables".

Asner won multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his portrayal of Lou Grant, not just on "Mary Tyler Moore", but also in his own spin-off series "Lou Grant" which ran from 1977-1982. This makes him the only actor to win an Emmy in both Sitcom and Drama categories for the same role.

He also won a Golden Globe and Emmy for his work on the television film "Rich Man, Poor Man", and won the Emmy for his supporting role in "Roots". He has since had guest spots on such hit television series as "Mad About You", "Arli$$", "The X-Files", "The Closer", "Dharma and Greg", "The Practice", "Touched By an Angel", "ER", and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" among many, many others. He is currently appearing on a semi-regular segment of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" entitled "Does This Impress Ed Asner?"

Asner has also appeared in the films JFK, The Bachelor, and Elf, as well as Broadway productions of The Threepenny Opera, Face of a Hero, and Born Yesterday. He is set to appear in the upcoming films Trim (with Bruce Dern) and Stride (with Danny Glover).

The bulk of Asner's work since portraying Lou Grant has taken place in the recording studios, providing voices for some of the most successful animated series of the past three decades including voicing Hudson in Disney's "Gargoyles", J. Jonah Jameson in "Spider-Man", Master Vrook in "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic", Roland Daggett in "Batman: The Animated Series", and Hoggish Greedly in "Captain Planet and the Planeteers".

He has also done guest voice work for series such as "The Simpsons", "Recess", "Animaniacs", "Hercules", "Superman", "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command", "King of the Hill", and much more!

An avid comic book fan, Asner is a member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a free speech organization that's dedicated to protecting comic book creators and retailers from prosecutions based on content. He is also listed as an adviser to the Rosenberg Foundation, an organization founded by the children of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg which provides benefits for the children of political activists, and as a board member for the wildlife conservation organization Defenders of Wildlife.

He was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Screen Actors Guild and has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Model and television personality Jules Asner is his former daughter-in-law and 42nd Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom is his nephew.

The man has had (and continues to have) one amazing career and a very full life. He is, to put it far too simply, an amazing human being.

Below is a brief interview, along with footage and photos from his various films and television shows. Don't miss Edward Asner's memorable voice work in Up!

Happy Birthday Danny Elfman!

2009-05-29T06:22:00.000-07:00

On this day, May 29, 1953, Daniel Robert Elfman was born in Los Angeles, CA.

This man would go on to lead a band of unlikely stars into the spotlight of alternative rock with Oingo Boingo, as well as becoming one of the most well known and loved film and television composers of all time with his scores including iconic successes such as Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Batman Returns, Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Men In Black, Good Will Hunting, Spider-Man, Milk, and the theme music for the hit television shows "Tales from the Crypt", "The Simpsons", and "Desperate Housewives". He has won a myriad of awards and is both a Grammy and Academy Award nominee.

His music has brought much joy and inspiration to my life since I was a child. I look forward to the continuation of his magnificently original work and wish him the happiest of birthdays!

Long live Danny Elfman.

	Music by Danny Elfman - Main TItle

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

A Gay Moment: Zachary Quinto

2009-05-29T05:44:00.000-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by J.J. Abrams' Star Trek.

Zachary: I will not allow you to lecture me about the merits of "marriage protection"!

R.I.P. Wayne Allwine

2009-05-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

Disney fans (and cartoon fans in general) received some sad news last week. A man whom most people would never recognize in a crowd and whose name rings no bell in their memory, yet he was an international entertainment star, has passed away. This man is Disney Legend Wayne Allwine. The talented and charismatic artist who had been bringing the immortal and beloved character of Mickey Mouse to life for the past 32 years.

He was the third person to voice the most famous mouse in history, in line following Walt Disney and Jimmy MacDonald. He was 62 years old. He was multi-talented, kind, humble, and had a great zeal and appreciation for life.

______________________________________________________________________

Name: Wayne Allwine
Occupation: Voice Over / Sound Editor
Genre: Animation / Film
Born: February 7, 1947
Died: May 18, 2009

Longing to work for Disney since childhood, Allwine got his start with the entertainment empire in the mail room of the studio in Burbank shortly before Walt's death in 1966. After working for extended periods in the mail room as well as a brief stint in wardrobe, Allwine left the company only to be called back two months later to "learn Jimmy MacDonald's job".

At that time, Jimmy MacDonald was the head of sound effects at Disney and one of the most innovative foley artists in the business. Allwine learned the artform from MacDonald and went on to have a successful sound editing career in the decade to follow, including winning an Emmy for it in 1985. MacDonald was also the current voice of Mickey Mouse, but due to his advancing years and naturally baritone voice he was unable to sustain the falsetto for the duration of recording sessions.

Allwine took over voicing Mickey Mouse in 1977 for "The New Mickey Mouse Club" and made his theatrical debut as Mickey in the holiday featurette Mickey's Christmas Carol in 1983. He went on to star as Mickey in films such as The Prince and the Pauper, Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, as well as the TV series "Mickey Mouse Works", "House of Mouse", and "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse".

He also provided Mickey's voice for nearly every entry in the popular "Kingdom Hearts" series of video games. Allwine had already finished recording for the Nintendo DS game "Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days" before his passing. He had voiced the character longer than either of his predecessors.

He was married since 1991 to Russi Taylor, the Emmy Award nominated voice over actress who has been voicing Minnie Mouse for the last 23 years. The pair were named Disney Legends in 2008. Allwine died in Los Angeles of complications from diabetes with Russi at his side.

Below is a very interesting excerpt from an interview with Allwine and Taylor conducted by film historian and Disney enthusiast Leonard Maltin.

Who Is That: Karl Urban

2009-05-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

Name: Karl Urban
Occupation: Actor
Genre: Film
Born: June 7, 1972

This New Zealand born actor and dreamboat's career started in the early 1990s with guest spots as Julius Caesar on the television show "Xena: Warrior Princess". He has steadily made his way into the spotlight (and late night fantasies) with pivotal roles in films such as Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and this Summer's smash hit Star Trek.

Urban started his pursuit of acting near his home in Auckland, New Zealand, where he began to receive various theater and television roles, including roles with the Auckland Theater Company, and the shows "Xena" and "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys". He was nominated for the New Zealand Film and Television award in 2000 for the film The Price of Milk.

In 2002 Karl did a collection of cerulean gowns... Okay, no he didn't. But in 2002, he did get his big Hollywood break when he appeared with Gabriel Byrne and Julianna Margulies in the horror film Ghost Ship.

Almost every year since then he has appeared in a major motion picture event.

Peter Jackson cast him in the role of Eomer in two of the Lord of the Rings epics. He starred alongside Vin Diesel and Judi Dench in the film The Chronicles of Riddick. He was out to take the life of Matt Damon's Jason Bourne in The Bourne Supremacy. Starred with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in Doom. Won the New Zealand Film and Television award in 2006 for Out of the Blue.

And of course, Urban brilliantly revived the role of Dr. Leonard McCoy (a character so artfully created by the great DeForest Kelley) in this year's smash hit from J.J. Abrams: Star Trek. He is also starring in the anticapted film Black Water Transit due out later this year.

Below is an interview conducted by Australian super geek Nate Burr. Enjoy this fantasmagorical display of Karl Urban's nerdalicious sexiness as he reveals the true Trekkie he really is. Delicious.

A Gay Moment: Tom Felton and Daniel Radcliffe

2009-05-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by the upcoming film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Announcer: On July 15... The divorce... Becomes final...

Marriage Equality Rally

2009-05-18T23:24:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, May 17, I had the privilege of attending a rally in support of Marriage Equality. It was a fantastic experience and I was so glad to be there in support of the New York LGBT community to which I belong. The rally was organized by Broadway Impact, HRC, and Broadway Cares - Equity Fights AIDS. The turnout was amazing with well over 1000 supporters (spanning several blocks) showing their enthusiasm and hope that the Senate passes the Marriage Equality bill.

There were many fantastic speakers including politicians, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and church leaders. Their words were so adament, intelligent, and encouraging. I was so awestruck to be in a crowd just a stone's throw away from the likes of actors David Hyde Pierce, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Cheyenne Jackson, John Tartaglia, and Audra McDonald, along with Governor David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator Tom Duane, and Speaker Christine Quinn.

It was truly an awesome experience and I maintain my hope that New York will be the next state to usher in a brighter future for me, my friends, and the rest of our community who are long overdue for complete equal standing as human beings living in this world.

If you live here in New York, I once again ask you to visit BroadwayImpact.com and contact your local Senator to urge them to vote in favor of this bill!

Below are some highlights put together by one of the many demonstrators there that day (though he put the wrong date on the video). If you have an eagle eye you can spot me in the crowd toward the very, very beginning!

Giant Gay Repellent Umbrella

2009-05-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

So for anyone who hasn't seen the delightfully funny Jane Lynch parody of NOM's (National Organization for Marriage) ad opposing Marriage Equality, there is a reference toward the end about visiting www.giantgayrepellentumbrella.com.

You can view the whole video below. I find it hilarious.

As it turns out, a viewer took the initiative to register the domain (since the Funny or Die Team did not) and continue the parody in the form of blog posts and fake news articles.

There's not much going on there at the moment, but I do think it has some potential to be a fun site. As such, I submitted my own "news" article with a photo which the site author liked and used (with some of his own expansion on the story).

Check it out!

And here's the parody the site is based on:

A Gaythering Storm from Jane Lynch

p.s. When did Lance Bass steal the body of Zeus? Humminuh humminuh.

Heart-On Your Sleeve

2009-05-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

As most of you are aware, I work for the Pleasure Chest in New York City's West Village. A company I started working for at the West Hollywood location back in 2006.

I occasionally write articles for my dear friend and coworker Lucy Vonne who created and maintains the site SexyBlogtime.com. I write these articles under the pseudonym Phineas K. Rimmington only because that name makes me laugh. It was a toss up between that and Rimmy le Hound!

The most recent addition to these articles is my review of Golden Triangle's Stretch Masturbation Sleeve.

Check it out!

More articles to come soon, but in the meantime you can get caught up on Lucy's postings or on my friend Brandon's postings at TheInqueery.com!

Play safe and play often!

Who Is That: Toni Collette

2009-05-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

Name: Toni Collette
Occupation: Actress
Genre: Film/Stage/Television
Born: November 1, 1972

This stunningly talented and unique actress received rave reviews practically right out of the gate in her career. The Australian-born beauty is a BAFTA, Golden Globe, Emmy, Tony, and Oscar nominee! She has won a slew of Australian and Film Critics awards as well as a SAG award. She most recently starred in a television series for Showtime entitled "The United States of Tara".

Starting out at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Australia, Collette dropped out of the school after 18 months to accept a role in the 1992 film Spotswood alongside Anthony Hopkins and Russell Crowe. Her first film role earned her a nomination as Best Supporting Actress from the Australian Film Institute. Shortly thereafter, Collette made her professional stage debut with the Sydney Theater Company as Sonya in the Chekhov play Uncle Vanya. For this performance, she was awarded a Critic's Circle award for Best Newcomer. She went on to appear in another play under the directorship of Geoffrey Rush.

In 1994, Collette gained 40 pounds in seven weeks for her role as the title character in Muriel's Wedding, for which she was awarded the Australian Film Institute's Best Actress award. Upon transitioning to Hollywood, she continued to win praise for her significant roles in the films Emma, Clockwatchers, The Boys, Velvet Goldmine, and 8 1/2 Women.

Her breakthrough into major stardom came with her memorable, Academy Award nominated performance as Lynn Sear in the M. Night Shyamalan film The Sixth Sense. Collette continued to wow audiences and critics alike with her performances in successful and acclaimed films including Shaft, Changing Lanes, About a Boy, Dirty Deeds, The Hours, In Her Shoes, and The Black Balloon.

In two of my personal favorite films of hers, Collette can be seen giving a hilarious and sincere performance beside Nia Vardalos in the comedy Connie and Carla, and as the cheerful but frustrated mother and wife to Greg Kinnear in the award-winning film Little Miss Sunshine.

In 2000, she was nominated for a Tony award for Best Actress in a Musical for her outstanding performance as Queenie in the Michael John LaChiusa musical The Wild Party. She also is the lead singer of a band called Toni Collette & the Finish who released their first album in 2006 entitled "Beautiful Awkward Pictures".

Toni Collette is a true artist who is constantly trying to stretch and grow beyond what she and others might expect of her. I hope that I and audiences the world over will continue to be captivated by the work of Toni Collette for a long time to come!

Below is a clip from the 2001 Tony Awards in which Collette, Mandy Patinkin, and the legendary Eartha Kitt perform pieces from the Broadway musical The Wild Party.

A Gay Moment: Emile Hirsch and James McAvoy

2009-05-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by photographer Art Streiber for Vanity Fair's "Hitchcock Classics" photo shoot.

James: Fancy a quickie up the arse?

Emile: I'm intrigued.

Pogo on Alice

2009-05-09T10:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, so typically I'm not really a fan of this type of music. I appreciate it but it tends to put me in a mood or mindset that doesn't exactly coexist with productivity for me.

However, throw in a Disney element (especially Alice in Wonderland) and this little fairy is sold! An electronic music artist from Australia who goes by the name Pogo has won me over with this track and the accompanying video.

Watch the video made below to go along with this trippy little Alice remix. If you love it, you can download it from BeeMP3.com.

R.I.P. Dom DeLuise

2009-05-05T22:29:00.000-07:00

Name: Dom DeLuise
Occupation: Actor/Comedian
Genre: Film/Television
Born: August 1, 1933
Died: May 4, 2009

If nothing else can be said about this phenomenally talented comedic actor, it's that he definitely lived out his life to the fullest extent. He was an actor, comedian, producer, chef, husband, father, author, singer, and director. He was also a Golden Globe and Daytime Emmy Award nominee, and has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

He rubbed elbows and continually brought tears of laughter to the likes of Johnny Carson, Dean Martin, Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, and his longtime friend Burt Reynolds.

Graduating from Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts, DeLuise started his career as a regular performer on the short-lived television show "Tinker's Workshop" in 1954.

DeLuise worked regularly in films and television shows throughout the 1960s, most notably on "The Dean Martin Show" in which he made famous his character Dominick the Great, a failed Italian magician. His career thrived throughout the 1960s and 1970s as he appeared on "The Entertainers", "The Flip Wilson Show", and "The Carol Burnett Show". He was also a frequent guest host of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson". DeLuise twice had his own short-lived TV series and, in the early 1990s, was the host of "Candid Camera".

Aside from his steady television appearances, which continued through the end of his career, DeLuise began landing roles in a myriad of successful films in the 1970s including Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?, Sextette (Mae West's final film), The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother, and The Muppet Movie.

His team-up with Mel Brooks (beginning with the film The Twelve Chairs in 1970) was a match made in Heaven. DeLuise's film career was catapulted to a whole new level in 1974 when he was cast in Brooks' classic film Blazing Saddles. Brooks would go on to cast DeLuise in the films Silent Movie, History of the World, Part I, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

He was also directed by Brooks' late wife, the great Anne Bancroft, for the fantastic (and in my opinion vastly underrated) film Fatso in 1980.

The 1980s brought another great surge to his career with his popular performances in the films The Cannonball Run, Cannonball Run II, Smokey and the Bandit II, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Johnny Dangerously, Loose Cannons, and (one of my all-time favorites) Haunted Honeymoon.

DeLuise was also highly beloved among audiences young and old for his voice-over work in some of the most memorable animated films of that time including An American Tail, The Secret of NIMH, All Dogs Go to Heaven, Oliver & Company, and An American Tail: Fievel Goes West.

Dom DeLuise died in his sleep at the age of 75 in Santa Monica, California, after being hospitalized for respiratory problems due to high blood pressure and diabetes. He battled a weight problem for most of his life, sometimes weighing 325 pounds or more. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Carol Arthur, their three children, and three grandchildren.

Frequent costar Gene Wilder said of Dom: "He was the funniest man, in person, that I've ever known."

And Mel Brooks was quoted to say: "Dom DeLuise was a big man in every way. He was big in size and created big laughter and joy. He will be missed in a very big way."

I have long been a fan of Dom's superb comedic timing and overall charm. Below is one of my dearest and most longstanding memories of him from the film Haunted Honeymoon in which he performs the song "Ballin' the Jack" with the late comedienne Gilda Radner.

Who Is That: Madeline Kahn

2009-05-04T15:47:00.001-07:00

Name: Madeline Kahn
Occupation: Actress
Genre: Film/Stage
Born: September 29, 1942
Died: December 3, 1999

An absolutely astounding, Tony Award winning, Emmy Award winning, and Academy Award nominated, comedic actress of stage and screen who made famous the song "I'm Tired" from Mel Brooks' classic film Blazing Saddles and who brought deadpan to a whole new level with her portrayal of Mrs. White in one of my all-time favorite films Clue. To this day, I hear people quoting the "flames on the sides of my face" line which she so brilliantly delivered.

Born in Boston and primarily raised in New York, Kahn graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in Queens and went on to obtain a degree in Speech Therapy from Hofstra University. According to Kahn, "I was going to get my doctorate but acting got in the way. Pity, I always thought I'd like to do something dignified."

She also studied operatic singing which lead to her roles in the operetta Candide as well as the musicals Two by Two (starring Danny Kaye and with music by Richard Rodgers) and Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1968, among others.

Her film career launched with a bang in 1972 when she was cast in the Peter Bogdanovich comedy What's Up Doc? alongside Barbra Streisand. The following year she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her second film Paper Moon.

In 1974 she was released from her role in the musical film Mame to do the Mel Brooks film Blazing Saddles, in which she portrayed the character Lili Von Shtupp and garnered another Academy Award nomination. This would be the first of four films in which she was directed by Brooks. The others would be Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, and History of the World, Part I.

Kahn also did some well-loved voice over work for the Don Bluth classic An American Tail and later for the Disney/Pixar film A Bug's Life.

The first time I personally became aware of the greatness of Madeline Kahn was in the 1985 film Clue in which she portrayed Mrs. White. That movie, along with its brilliant ensemble cast, was one of my biggest inspirations and has remained at the top of my list ever since.

Kahn won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Gorgeous Teitelbaum in the Wendy Wasserstein play The Sisters Rosensweig in 1993. She also won a Daytime Emmy Award for her work in the ABC television movie Wanted: The Perfect Guy. She also appeared in the films The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother, The Muppet Movie, Mixed Nuts, City Heat, Betsy's Wedding, and Nixon.

Madeline hosted "Saturday Night Live" three times and also appeared on several memorable episodes of both "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show".

She also had a recurring role on the sitcom "Cosby", as Pauline the eccentric neighbor, and won some of the best reviews of her career for her turn as Alice Gold in the film Judy Berlin, which would be her last.

In December of 1999, just two months after marrying her longtime companion John Hansbury, Madeline lost her battle against ovarian cancer. She passed away at the age of 57.

I remember living in Chicago when the news of Kahn's untimely death reached me. At that time, Judy Berlin, was playing in a movie theater down the street. I looked at the poster as I walked past and immediately felt my eyes begin to well.

I was and am, to say the very least, a big fan of hers. To this day I miss her dearly.

Mel Brooks said of her: "She is one of the most talented people that ever lived. I mean, either in stand-up comedy, or acting, or whatever you want, you can't beat Madeline Kahn."

Below is a wonderful moment from the televised celebration of Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday in 1988. Kahn sings the song "You'd Be Surprised". She always did and always will bring me great joy.

A Gay Moment: Ian McKellen and Christopher Lee

2009-05-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by the film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Christopher: YOU NEVER LOVED ME!!!

Ian: D'OH!

April 30, 1981

2009-04-29T23:53:00.000-07:00

On this day, April 30th, in the year 1981, Kasey was born.

28 years of life have been successfully survived.

So far, it's been a good time.

Who Is That: Sam Rockwell

2009-04-27T23:14:00.000-07:00

Name: Sam Rockwell
Occupation: Actor
Genre: Film
Born: November 5, 1968

Rockwell is one of the most versatile and unique actors working today. His original, unabashed, and quirky approach to every character he has played on the screen has won him both major critical and audience acclaim. His talents have won him both Montreal and Berlin Film Festival Awards as well as multiple other award nominations.

Growing up and training as an actor in both San Francisco and New York, he began his film career in 1989 with the movie Clownhouse. He won roles regularly from then on, including a small part in the 1990 hit film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But it wasn't until about ten years later that he gained major notice by playing a very wide range of characters in the films A Midsummer Night's Dream (as the lovable Francis Flute), The Green Mile (as the psychotically evil "Wild Bill" Wharton), and Galaxy Quest (as the completely buffoonish actor Guy Fleegman).

Rockwell's career skyrocketed as he went on to appear in the successful films Charlie's Angels, Matchstick Men, Heist, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Piccadilly Jim, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Frost/Nixon, among many others.

He has also appeared in multiple episodes of the TV shows "Law & Order", "NYPD Blue", and the short-lived "Prince Street".

His career continues to soar ever higher as he is appearing in many highly anticipated movies due out this year and next, including Iron Man 2, Betty Anne Waters, and providing a lead voiceover for the Disney film G-Force.

Sam Rockwell has a style and charisma all his own. Combine that with his tremendous talent and versatility, and we'll continue to see a lot of him for years to come.

p.s. I also happen to think he's sexy as hell. He can have his way with me whenever and if ever he chooses. Hotness displayed full force below from the film Lawn Dogs:

Humminuh, humminuh...

A Gay Moment: Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, etc.

2009-04-27T22:56:00.000-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you by Fast & Furious.

[No dialogue necessary here... I mean really.]

R.I.P. Bea Arthur

2009-04-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

Somehow I never thought I'd see that phrase in print. "R.I.P. Bea Arthur". It didn't make sense to me when I saw it. I've only cried over a handful of celebrities' deaths and those were the ones that were gone before their time. The ones where we didn't see it coming.

Heath Ledger dead from an overdose at 28. John Candy dead in his trailer after suffering a heart attack at 43. Madeline Kahn dead at the age of 57 after a very secretive battle with ovarian cancer.

I was just as shocked and just as saddened by the news of Bea, who died of an undisclosed type of cancer. I think that, even though she was 86, Bea had such a vibrancy, wit, and strength about her that she seemed like she had another 86 years to dish out.

Well, she may be gone, but I was never wrong when comfortably thinking of her as immortal. She will obviously live forever through her amazing work, her successful television shows, and a legacy of independence, education, and originality.

____________________________________________________________________

Name: Bea Arthur
Occupation: Entertainer
Genre: Stage/Film/Television
Born: May 13, 1922
Died: April 25, 2009

This Emmy and Tony Award winning actress and comedienne had a successful and well respected career spanning seven decades and all three major entertainment mediums.

Starting her stage career in New York in the late 1940s, Bea was part of the original cast in many great stage musicals including The Three Penny Opera, Fiddler on the Roof, and her Tony Award winning portrayal of Vera Charles to Angela Lansbury's Mame. She was nominated for another Tony nearly 40 years later for her amazing and widely loved show Bea Arthur: Just Between Friends. In 1981 she appeared in the Woody Allen play The Floating Light Bulb.

She is without argument best remembered for her pioneering roles in the iconic television shows "Maude" (as the title character which she landed after a guest appearance on "All In the Family") and "The Golden Girls" as the beloved and razor tongued Dorothy Zbornak. Bea won Emmy awards for both. She more recently appeared on highly popular episodes of "Futurama", "Curb Your Enthusiasm", and "Malcolm in the Middle".

Her handful of film credits include the film version of Mame (in which Lansbury was replaced by Lucille Ball), Mel Brooks' History of the World Part I, and For Better or Worse directed by Jason Alexander.

She was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 2008.

Below is a little televised gem she performed alongside Rock Hudson. The song is called "Everybody Today is Turning On" and is from the musical I Love My Wife.

Bea never missed the chance to sing.

Who Is That: Richard Griffiths

2009-04-24T14:42:00.000-07:00

Name: Richard Griffiths
Occupation: Actor
Genre: Stage/Film
Born: July 31, 1947

Best known by current audiences as the film incarnation of the mean spirited Uncle Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter film series.

The celebrated British actor has appeared in a wide array of both box office hits and critically acclaimed films including Chariots of Fire, Gandhi, Withnail and I, King Ralph, The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear, Guarding Tess, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Venus. Most recently, Griffiths worked in the Disney film Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler and will be making an appearance in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

My personal favorite screen appearance of Griffiths' was in Tim Burton's successful and popular realization of the classic tale Sleepy Hollow.

His stage credits are numerous, but most notable is his recent win of the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Laurence Olivier Awards all for his work in The History Boys (a role he revived for the film version). He most recently appeared on the West End and Broadway stages alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Kate Mulgrew in a revival of the Peter Shaffer play Equus.

Below is a brief interview with Griffiths at the premier of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. No hiding Richard's rather off-beat but very educated sense of humor. He continually delights me.

A Gay Moment: Val Kilmer, Tom Cruise, and Anthony Edwards

2009-04-21T23:50:00.000-07:00

This Gay Moment is brought to you from the iconic film Top Gun.

Tom: I took a fisting class! Care to learn a few things?

Val: I've got the Elbow Grease if you've got the time.

Anthony: I am so hard right now.

Fantasmagorical!

2009-04-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

I am a sentimental old gay nerd.

There are a lot of times in my day to day life where nothing succeeds at making me feel happy and energetic like a song or piece of music from my childhood. Typically these songs would be Disney or a Broadway musical.

But today brought a completely unanticipated longing for some Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. A lot of people are under the impression that this is a Disney film but in fact it was released by United Artists in 1968 with the tagline "The most fantasmagorical musical entertainment in the history of everything!"

I intend to incorporate fantasmagorical into my lexicon as often as possible henceforth.

I loved this movie as a kid, although ironically enough my favorite characters were the Child Catcher (played with pinpointed creepiness by Robert Helpmann) and Baron Bomburst (German actor Gert Fröbe) who is on a continual mission to kill his Baroness.

The music and songs are fantastic (as written by Disney legends Richard and Robert Sherman), and on a day as beautiful as today happens to be, the following piece of music has been my anthem all day:

	Paul Mauriat - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Who Is That: Charlotte Greenwood

2009-04-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

"Who is that???"

I've gotten this response from people more times than I can even fathom counting when I talk about an actor, singer, performer, director, writer, or other individual of whom I am a fan.

As pretty much everyone who knows me is aware, I'm a fan of entertainment history, classic film actors, and of current yet relatively unknown (but still talented and hardworking) actors and actresses of both screen and stage. I have an inborn love and fascination with history and the entertainment industry in general, with a special love of the underdog. The supporting players.

I recall at the age of about eight telling my mother, "Someday I'm gonna win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor!" She looked at me with a mixture of amusement and mild confusion and asked, "Wouldn't you rather win Best Actor?" To which I promptly responded, "No. Supporting actors get all the best roles."

To this day I uphold that opinion.

But the real point of this entry as well as the ones I plan to post continually in the future is more about addressing that unending question "Who is that?" I've grown weary of people making a wide array of excuses as to why they know nothing and don't care to know anything.

So here is the first of many planned posts dedicated to an individual whom I especially admire, whose work I thoroughly enjoy, and about whom I have been specifically asked: "Who is that???"
__________________________________________________________________

Name: Charlotte Greenwood

Occupation: Actress
Genre: Stage / Film
Born: June 25, 1890
Died: December 28, 1977

Starting her career in a series of comedic solo performances and musicals in New York (creating a well-loved character known as Long Legged Letty), Greenwood's comedic skills went on to make a big splash in Hollywood musicals and comedies between 1929-1956. She appeared in relatively few films for the era (thirty-four) but was still awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

She is best remembered for her roles in the film version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, appearing alongside Shirley Temple in Young People, as well as a slew of films she starred in with Betty Grable including Springtime in the Rockies, Moon Over Miami, and Down Argentine Way.

Below is not only a display of Greenwood's famous high-kicks (from the 1943 film The Gang's All Here), but also of her unique charm and comedic style.