What the gays are watching. Submitted by Craig Jordan.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Chat Avec Ennui
What the gays are watching on youtube. Submitted by Thomas C Smith.
The tri fecta. A cat video, a send up of french film and ennui.
The tri fecta. A cat video, a send up of french film and ennui.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sex and the Way We Were
In honor of Mr. Sydney Pollock and the upcoming opening of SEX AND THE CITY this Friday, here is our favorite gaggle of NYC girls talking about The Way We Were, why they love it, why they cry and how Carrie feels when it comes to Mr Big. The scene ends with an homage to the last scene of The Way We Were.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sydney Pollock dies at 73
Iconic film director/producer/actor Sydney Pollock died today at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 73 of cancer.I am a filmmaker, I have my filmmaking heroes, he was one of of them. When I get to my top five directors, there really is no ranking and I'll list them here: Bob Fosse, Pedro Almodovar, Sydney Pollock, Billy Wilder and Ridley Scott.
Pollock won an Emmy and an Oscar for directing, and helmed over 40 films in his career. He was also a prolific producer and actor.
One of his last roles as an actor was in the Oscar nominated MICHAEL CLAYTON, a film he produced with George Clooney and Anthony Minghella, also one of my heroes who passed away last year.
Minghella directed Truly, Madly, Deeply, The Talented Mr Ripley and The English Patient. Pollock was also one of the producers on The Talented Mr Ripley.
Most people would also recognize Pollock as Will Truman's father on WILL & GRACE.
As a director, he is best known for TOOTSIE, OUT OF AFRICA and for me, THE WAY WE WERE.
Other classic films he directed included THE FIRM, THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR (brilliant! if you haven't seen it go rent it now!) and THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY (a term I still use frequently).
First of all, if you don't have the dvds of TOOTSIE and THE WAY WE WERE on your shelves, I don't even know how we could know each other or be friends!
One of his last roles as an actor was in the Oscar nominated MICHAEL CLAYTON, a film he produced with George Clooney and Anthony Minghella, also one of my heroes who passed away last year.Minghella directed Truly, Madly, Deeply, The Talented Mr Ripley and The English Patient. Pollock was also one of the producers on The Talented Mr Ripley.
Most people would also recognize Pollock as Will Truman's father on WILL & GRACE.
As a director, he is best known for TOOTSIE, OUT OF AFRICA and for me, THE WAY WE WERE.
Other classic films he directed included THE FIRM, THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR (brilliant! if you haven't seen it go rent it now!) and THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY (a term I still use frequently).First of all, if you don't have the dvds of TOOTSIE and THE WAY WE WERE on your shelves, I don't even know how we could know each other or be friends!
NURSE CHARLES, NURSE CHARLES!!!
TOOTSIE is a stellar comedy that also blows the roof off of women's rights when a misogynistic actor played by Dustin Hoffman, assumes the role of a woman to land a role. Hoffman was the one that insisted that Pollock play the role of his agent. This marked Pollock's first acting gig in twenty years.
The scenes between those two were rock solid in a film that displayed film making at it's best, each scene tight, deep, funny and masterfully done. When I teach screenwriting, I urge people to look at this film. In the first five minutes we know everything about the main character we need to know to go forward.
The film also stars Bill Murray, Teri Garr and Jessica Lange along with knock out supporting performances by George Gaines, Dabney Coleman and Charles Durning with a script by Larry Gelbart (who also wrote for MASH and YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS) ripe with one liners that...I still use lines from this movie constantly!!!
Here's the first scene with Pollock and Hoffman:
Pollock was known for working with the best actors in the business. Look at the folks he's worked with: Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman and George Clooney. None of them slouches to say the least.
I could just cry now thinking about this quality of work and story telling compared to what my sensitive eyes have to ingest turning on the television any night of the week.
If I can bare it now, I will discuss another one of my all time favorite movies...The Way We Were.
Schmaltz, you say? Streisand vehicle? Phew on you.
IN A WAY, HE WAS LIKE THE COUNTRY HE LIVED IN - EVERYTHING CAME EASY
When the script, by out gay writer Arthur Laurents landed with Pollock, he went to work on it. The first task was convincing Robert Redford to star. He refused several times saying there was no depth to the character and he didn't want to play Streisand's pretty boy flunky. They added a scene in the atrium (which I love) and together added some depth, and the result is really the best film about the Hollywood blacklist ever made.
Pollock also managed to piss off Streisand to this day by cutting a scene from the 1930's section, but once again, it's these decisions that make a great director, and I believe you can see that scene on dvd.
It's considered one of the all time best love stories of all time, and landed on AFI's most loved list (how many lists have they had now?) at number 6. It is the quintessential story of doomed love and politics.
I am also constantly quoting this film as well. It's romantic, it's political and I dare you not to cry at the end!! It's like ORDINARY PEOPLE, I cry no matter how many million times I've seen it.
I'll be honest with you now, really honest. I watched LIONS TO LAMBS the other night, and being aghast at the current state of Redford's visage, I went to itunes and watched the trailer for THE WAY WE WERE. Twice. Okay, fine, three times. In a row.
When I try to think of just one scene from both these films to show you now... I can't. There are TOO many good scenes.
As a tribute to Mr. Pollock, let me know your favorite scene in a Pollock film. Was the hair washing scene in OUT OF AFRICA? Streisand's delicate lifting of Hubbell's blonde hair? Was it Dorothy being seduced by Charles Durning? Or belting out, "You macho shit head"!
They always say there is one scene in each movie that tells the whole story. Here, I'll include my favorite from THE WAY WE WERE. If you love this film, get the dvd and watch the extended version - it includes this wonderfully touching story that Hubbel tells K-k-k-Katie from his grade school days, which comes right after she asks him "do you always smile". The cut segment is so sweet and so explains his character.
In this scene I also love the line, "You never quit" because at the very end of the movie he says it to her again on the streets of New York, to which she then responds, "Only when I'm absolutely forced to." Of course, this scene also sets up the "See ya, Katie"/"See ya, Hubbell" which keeps popping up through out the years.
In this scene I also love the line, "You never quit" because at the very end of the movie he says it to her again on the streets of New York, to which she then responds, "Only when I'm absolutely forced to." Of course, this scene also sets up the "See ya, Katie"/"See ya, Hubbell" which keeps popping up through out the years.
A List of People/Companies that have given money to take away our Rights.
As you know, the Supreme Court revoked the ban on same sex marriage which was passed on a vote as Proposition 22 about eight years ago.
Even though the Supreme Court gave us the okay, our "opponents" collected over a million signatures to put yet another initiative on the California State Ballot this November to vote on a constitutional amendment to overrule that.
The battle is on!
Meanwhile here is some information on donors giving money to FOR THE BAN on
marriage.
These people don't want us gays having civil rights.
SOS Bowen has, as required by law, posted contributors to the anti-gay
marriage amendment. Here's the list so far:
http://www.2015place.com/2008/05/california-marriage-opposition-names.html
JOSHUA BAKER, MANCHESTER, MO, 63011, BIOCOLD ENVIRONMENTAL, $50,000.00
LARRY SMITH, NEWPORT BEACH, CA, 92660, MHI REAL CO., $25,000.00
JUSTIN CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, ACTOR, $9,100.00
BRIAN CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $9,100.00
BRIAN CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $10,000.00
CHA CHA CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
CRAIG CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,FAMILY DISCIPLECHIP MINISTRIES, $9,100.00
CHRISTINA CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, ACTOR, $9,100.00
(her facebook is at: http://www.facebook.com/people/Christina_Caster/588157926 if you'd like to drop her a note)
NICK CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES, $9,100.00
BARBARA CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92021,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
CANDICE CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
TERRY CASTER*, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92120, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES,
$10,000.00
TERRY CASTER*, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92120, CASTER FAMILY
ENTERPRISES, $62,500.00
TERRY CASTER, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92120, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $100,000.00
GARY DAVIDSON, ESCONDIDO, CA, 92029, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES,
$9,100.00
MECHELE KREMENSKY, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
KENNETH KREMENSKY, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
CALIF. STATE COUNCIL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, FONTANA, CA, 92335, $25,000.00
KELLY BURT, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92128, TRES-DAC, $10,000.00
MARGOT KYD, POWAY, CA, 92064, SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC, $5,000
TOM KYD, POWAY, CA, 92064, CATHOLIC EXCHANGE, $15,000.00
GERALD SIMONSEN, POWAY, CA, 92064, RM PROPERTIES, $50,000.00
DANIEL MULVHILL, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92186, PACIFIC SOUTHWET MORTGAGE, $20,000.00
ROBERT HOEHN, CARLSBAD, CA, 92009, HOEHN MOTORS, $25,000.00
RITA SOLOMAN-DAVIS, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, SOUTHLAND ENVELOPE, $5,000.00
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HEADQUARTERS, NEW HAVEN, CT, 06510, $250,000.00
ROGER BENSON, LA JOLLA, CA, 92037, NOT EMPLOYED, $50,000.00
MICHAEL FARGUSON, LA JOLLA, CA, 92037, FARGUSON INVESTMENTS, $5,000.00
T.B. PENICK & SONS, INC., SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121, $20,000.00
INSTITUTE FOR MARRIAGE AND PUBLIC POLICY, MCLEAN, VA, 22102, $15,000.00
LAW OFFICES OF CHARLES S. LIMANDRI, RANCHO SANTA FE, CA, 92067, $10,000.00
ADAMO CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CO., LAKESIDE, CA, 92040, $25,000.00
DOUG MANCHESTER, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92101, MANCHESTER FINANCIAL GROUP,
$125,000.00
PETER LEPARULO, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121, NOVATEL, $10,001.00
1 call 1-916-445-2841
2 press 1, 5, 1, 1
After you've done this send it on to all supporters you know.
It couldn't be easier to vote...it's automated...please take 15
seconds right now to do it!
_____
*As you can see CASTER has given alot. They own and run A-1 Storage.
THese are the buildings they own, so if you are storing there, pull your shit out NOW and let them know you will not let them store your gay stuff with your gay dollars!!!
They have so far donated as a family $255,300 against us.
San Diego, CA
Stadium Industrial Park
299,570
Caster Center
29,984
Hotel Circle A-1 Self Storage*
130,000
La Mesa A-1 Self Storage
126,000
La Mesa II A-1 Self Storage
124,000
Lakeside A-1 Self Storage
65,000
Fashion Valley A-1 Self Storage I&II
214,000
Mission Valley Business Center
62,261
El Cajon A-1 Self Storage I&II
164,000
Mission Valley A-1 Self Storage I&II
193,000
Oceanside A-1 Self Storage I&II
188,600
Chula Vista A-1 Self Storage
94,668
W. Morena A-1 Self Storage
91,199
Kearny Mesa A-1 Self Storage
91,786
Vista A-1 Self Storage*
75,000
Mid-Town Mesa A-1 Self Storage*
110,000
Orange County, CA
Anaheim A-1 Self Storage
94,731
Fullerton A-1 Self Storage
131,864
Cypress A-1 Self Storage
68,990
Huntington Beach A-1 Self Storage
86,359
Santa Ana A-1 Self Storage
48,883
Los Angeles County, CA
El Monte A-1 Self Storage
70,000
Torrance A-1 Self Storage
83,850
Glendale A-1 Self Storage
136,332
Paramount A-1 Self Storage
117,399
La Habra A-1 Self Storage
98,780
North Hollywood A-1 Self Storage
130,000
San Jose, CA
Monterey Road A-1 Self Storage
111,000
Old Oakland Road A-1 Self Storage
83,000
Capitol/Baroni A-1 Self Storage
68,679
Bascom Ave. A-1 Self Storage
124,508
Contra Costa County, CA
Concord A-1 Self Storage
66,000
Oakland A-1 Self Storage
135,000
High Street A-1 Self Storage
141,000
TOTAL
3,886,443
_______
One final thought:
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis
Even though the Supreme Court gave us the okay, our "opponents" collected over a million signatures to put yet another initiative on the California State Ballot this November to vote on a constitutional amendment to overrule that.
The battle is on!
Meanwhile here is some information on donors giving money to FOR THE BAN on
marriage.
These people don't want us gays having civil rights.
SOS Bowen has, as required by law, posted contributors to the anti-gay
marriage amendment. Here's the list so far:
http://www.2015place.com/2008/05/california-marriage-opposition-names.html
JOSHUA BAKER, MANCHESTER, MO, 63011, BIOCOLD ENVIRONMENTAL, $50,000.00
LARRY SMITH, NEWPORT BEACH, CA, 92660, MHI REAL CO., $25,000.00
JUSTIN CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, ACTOR, $9,100.00
BRIAN CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $9,100.00
BRIAN CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $10,000.00
CHA CHA CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
CRAIG CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,FAMILY DISCIPLECHIP MINISTRIES, $9,100.00
CHRISTINA CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, ACTOR, $9,100.00
(her facebook is at: http://www.facebook.com/people/Christina_Caster/588157926 if you'd like to drop her a note)
NICK CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES, $9,100.00
BARBARA CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92021,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
CANDICE CASTER*, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
TERRY CASTER*, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92120, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES,
$10,000.00
TERRY CASTER*, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92120, CASTER FAMILY
ENTERPRISES, $62,500.00
TERRY CASTER, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92120, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES, $100,000.00
GARY DAVIDSON, ESCONDIDO, CA, 92029, CASTER FAMILY ENTERPRISES,
$9,100.00
MECHELE KREMENSKY, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
KENNETH KREMENSKY, EL CAJON, CA, 92019,NOT EMPLOYED, $9,100.00
CALIF. STATE COUNCIL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, FONTANA, CA, 92335, $25,000.00
KELLY BURT, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92128, TRES-DAC, $10,000.00
MARGOT KYD, POWAY, CA, 92064, SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC, $5,000
TOM KYD, POWAY, CA, 92064, CATHOLIC EXCHANGE, $15,000.00
GERALD SIMONSEN, POWAY, CA, 92064, RM PROPERTIES, $50,000.00
DANIEL MULVHILL, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92186, PACIFIC SOUTHWET MORTGAGE, $20,000.00
ROBERT HOEHN, CARLSBAD, CA, 92009, HOEHN MOTORS, $25,000.00
RITA SOLOMAN-DAVIS, EL CAJON, CA, 92019, SOUTHLAND ENVELOPE, $5,000.00
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HEADQUARTERS, NEW HAVEN, CT, 06510, $250,000.00
ROGER BENSON, LA JOLLA, CA, 92037, NOT EMPLOYED, $50,000.00
MICHAEL FARGUSON, LA JOLLA, CA, 92037, FARGUSON INVESTMENTS, $5,000.00
T.B. PENICK & SONS, INC., SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121, $20,000.00
INSTITUTE FOR MARRIAGE AND PUBLIC POLICY, MCLEAN, VA, 22102, $15,000.00
LAW OFFICES OF CHARLES S. LIMANDRI, RANCHO SANTA FE, CA, 92067, $10,000.00
ADAMO CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CO., LAKESIDE, CA, 92040, $25,000.00
DOUG MANCHESTER, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92101, MANCHESTER FINANCIAL GROUP,
$125,000.00
PETER LEPARULO, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121, NOVATEL, $10,001.00
______
To vote in support of the Supreme Court's decision on LGBT marriage:
To vote in support of the Supreme Court's decision on LGBT marriage:
1 call 1-916-445-2841
2 press 1, 5, 1, 1
After you've done this send it on to all supporters you know.
It couldn't be easier to vote...it's automated...please take 15
seconds right now to do it!
_____
*As you can see CASTER has given alot. They own and run A-1 Storage.
THese are the buildings they own, so if you are storing there, pull your shit out NOW and let them know you will not let them store your gay stuff with your gay dollars!!!
They have so far donated as a family $255,300 against us.
San Diego, CA
Stadium Industrial Park
299,570
Caster Center
29,984
Hotel Circle A-1 Self Storage*
130,000
La Mesa A-1 Self Storage
126,000
La Mesa II A-1 Self Storage
124,000
Lakeside A-1 Self Storage
65,000
Fashion Valley A-1 Self Storage I&II
214,000
Mission Valley Business Center
62,261
El Cajon A-1 Self Storage I&II
164,000
Mission Valley A-1 Self Storage I&II
193,000
Oceanside A-1 Self Storage I&II
188,600
Chula Vista A-1 Self Storage
94,668
W. Morena A-1 Self Storage
91,199
Kearny Mesa A-1 Self Storage
91,786
Vista A-1 Self Storage*
75,000
Mid-Town Mesa A-1 Self Storage*
110,000
Orange County, CA
Anaheim A-1 Self Storage
94,731
Fullerton A-1 Self Storage
131,864
Cypress A-1 Self Storage
68,990
Huntington Beach A-1 Self Storage
86,359
Santa Ana A-1 Self Storage
48,883
Los Angeles County, CA
El Monte A-1 Self Storage
70,000
Torrance A-1 Self Storage
83,850
Glendale A-1 Self Storage
136,332
Paramount A-1 Self Storage
117,399
La Habra A-1 Self Storage
98,780
North Hollywood A-1 Self Storage
130,000
San Jose, CA
Monterey Road A-1 Self Storage
111,000
Old Oakland Road A-1 Self Storage
83,000
Capitol/Baroni A-1 Self Storage
68,679
Bascom Ave. A-1 Self Storage
124,508
Contra Costa County, CA
Concord A-1 Self Storage
66,000
Oakland A-1 Self Storage
135,000
High Street A-1 Self Storage
141,000
TOTAL
3,886,443
_______
One final thought:
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Be Scene 205: My Friends and I Doing the L Word at Dinah Shore
The Lesbian Mafia? Maybe not, see below...
So you know, my friend Canned Heat arranged for and talked us into doing a scene from THE L WORD in front of some tough judges including Ilene Chaiken, Kate Moening, Leisha Hailey, Elizabeth Keener, Alex Hedison and Rachel Shelley.
I was nervous as hell, but I was proud of my buddies, who I thought did a valiant job considering there were like 1000 women watching us!
Here's the video.
And as far as that comment Alex made about thinking the L WORD girls were the real lesbian mafia...
...might I direct your attention to the following list seen here at left, from Amazon.com
It's looked pretty much like this for 3 months, and SHELTER (my film) has been sitting up there at number 1 even though we haven't even come out on dvd yet (this week we do).
I did a one-on-one interview with Ilene Chaiken and Rachel Shelly in their private suite just a few hours prior.
That video, which also includes an interview with Jane Lynch and Dani Campbell, can be viewed here.
Too bad the interview didn't happen AFTER, I would had a few things to say!!
So you know, my friend Canned Heat arranged for and talked us into doing a scene from THE L WORD in front of some tough judges including Ilene Chaiken, Kate Moening, Leisha Hailey, Elizabeth Keener, Alex Hedison and Rachel Shelley.
I was nervous as hell, but I was proud of my buddies, who I thought did a valiant job considering there were like 1000 women watching us!
Here's the video.
And as far as that comment Alex made about thinking the L WORD girls were the real lesbian mafia...
...might I direct your attention to the following list seen here at left, from Amazon.com
It's looked pretty much like this for 3 months, and SHELTER (my film) has been sitting up there at number 1 even though we haven't even come out on dvd yet (this week we do).
I did a one-on-one interview with Ilene Chaiken and Rachel Shelly in their private suite just a few hours prior.
That video, which also includes an interview with Jane Lynch and Dani Campbell, can be viewed here.
Too bad the interview didn't happen AFTER, I would had a few things to say!!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Ellen confronts McCain on Show Today. Watch video here
I was seriously wondering how Ellen could sit across from her guest today, Senator John McCain and not strangle him. Really what I was thinking was why are you giving him air time? Ellen was recently voted the #1 star on tv (beating...gulp...Oprah!) so with her casual, girl-next-door bit and all, she weilds a lot of power in this country.To cut to the chase, Ellen called McCain out on the marriage issue with gays. When he responded, she likened his opinion to be akin to asking her to sit in the back of the bus. Our #1 television sweetheart in the back of the bus?! How dare you, old man.
Anyway, enough of my opinion, you can watch it here yourself:
Lesbian Tivo Alert: Grey's Anatomy
Hello Darlings,Well I didn't want to report on this too soon because in my lifetime lesbian kisses on primetime have historically been the stuff sweeps ratings stunts are made of, but now the hopeful part of me is thinking, "Yes, Shonda Rhimes*, please have a lesbian couple as part of the revolving drama of doctors' lives on Grey's Anatomy please?"
Tonight is the two hour season finale of Grey's Anatomy, where American audiences will definitely see the culmination of the quasi-lesbian arc that has been building up between two female doctors on the show.
So set your tivo's and cross your fingers.
Why it matters?
This is a prime time television show that is extremely popular and widely viewed and - as you probably already know - it's a good thing in these turbulent times to help open the hearts and minds of Americans by way of entertainment to show us in a positive way.
What's the story?
The hot shot and slightly arrogant Dr Hahn (Brooke Smith) blew into town last season, and a fast friendship was formed between she and Dr Torres (Sara Ramirez).Meanwhile, resident hunk/slut Dr McSteamy (Eric Dane) immediately went on the fast track to bedding Hahn. She repeatedly slapped him down using taste as an excuse. Instead of bedding the hunk, Hahn was content having late night wine-and-gab fests with her new female buddy.
When another doctor told Torres her bond with Hahn looked like a happy "lesbian" relationship, it sent Dr Torres on the fast track to the "on call room" with said lothario plastic-surgeon Dr McSteamy to make sure everyone knew she was on the straight - albeit slutty - and narrow. Including mostly herself.
Here's a shot of McSteamy really just for you boys if you've even managed to get this far in an article about lesbians.
Several glances between the women continued for a few episodes before Hahn asked Torres, "Hey buddy what's up with the cold shoulder and the man-whore?" and Torres came clean with the "well folks think we're dykes" thing. I'm paraphrasing.Since then, the Torres/McSteamy sex has continued but now the women are openly joking about the "lesbian rumours".
Meanwhile, even McSteamy who has been trying to change his man-whore ways, has noticed the "special" bond between the two women.
Then last week, the following kiss happened in the elevator (if you watch this show, you'll know most of the fun stuff happens in elevators):
Which leads us to the season finale, where I'm seriously hoping they both buy a copy of "The Well of Loneliness", order dvd's of "Desert Hearts", "Bound" and "Loving Annabelle" from Wolfe Video then pack that up with some tofu and acoustic guitars and take off for a romantic weekend to Dinah Shore.
Kidding. It would be nice to see gays without stereotypes, but you know what I mean.
The background on Grey's and Shonda Rhimes...?
This is not the first time there has been an lgbt story line on the show. Two weeks ago, they showed two male soldiers kiss and the show won a GLAAD Award in 2007 for an episode called "Where the Boys Are" involving a character having sexual reassignment.If you've been living under a rock, I'll also mention that this was the show where the infamous "fag" exchange happened, uttered by an actor who was a few months later not on the show.
Also, if you have eyes, the great thing about this show has always been it's cultural diversity. I don't know if you noticed how many shows are littered with white, rail-thin hotties, but this one always maintains a diverse cast and revolving guest roster of folks of different colors, shapes, accents and sizes which you know, is really the American way.
Why I Watch?
I have to admit, the soap opera ramblings (clever as they may be) of a bunch of drama filled doctors is not my idea of entertainment, but I absolutely got hooked because of out actor TR Knight.TR Knight came out of the closet publicly and I was - and continue to be - so impressed by his involvement in the community, and his open nature on talk shows like ELLEN and OPRAH. I can't help but watch the show. I even go to the ABC web site most of the time to click on episodes there, just so my vote is counted.
Knight is a wonderful role model and I admire and applaud his choices. I also think he is quite the actor and look forward to seeing him do good work on the big screen.
Knight is a wonderful role model and I admire and applaud his choices. I also think he is quite the actor and look forward to seeing him do good work on the big screen.
I was also extremely impressed by his co star Katherine Heigl and her statements of support of community including the now infamous Emmy interview, "He (Washington) should just keep his mouth shut." I also liked her calling her break out hit KNOCKED UP misogynistic in Vanity Fair, because really, it was.
So here I am watching the soap opera every week in support, and subsequently (because they is a dearth of hour long dramas on television) becoming a regular viewer.
To Kiss or Not to Kiss?
What we're hoping for here is an actual storyline involving lesbians. A few years back I had the opportunity to interview the executive producer Dee Johnson of ER about the lesbian storyline on that show.
I was quite impressed with her. She pitched the idea of the lesbian storyline and even named Dr Weaver's first girlfriend after her own. She told me how much hate mail the network got from conservative viewers and religious groups, but was proud of the show for holding it's ground. Needless to say, a few months later the storyline petered out which basically left me with the conclusion that they caved to negative response.
Last year, an ad for Grey's Anatomy played during the Super Bowl involving a fantasy lesbian shower scene by TR Knight's character, George. It spurred the highest ratings yet for their premiere episode. As we all know, the lesbian kiss as a ratings booster is a tried but true tactic (check out DIRT last season for the one time lesbian kiss between former Friends costars Courtney Cox and Jennifer Aniston).
Also please note all the hate mail for AS THE WORLD TURNS last year because of the boy on boy kiss of Luke and Noah.
Also, please note Grey's Anatomy is ABC which is owned by Disney. Can this show have a regular lesbian plot line, or will the hate mail and advertiser boycott nip it in the bud?
ABC did meanwhile have two season finales this year that involved a gay marriage (BROTHERS & SISTERS and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES). And they have the gayest show on television UGLY BETTY.
What We Can Do
Well, watch the show tonight or check it out on ABC.com and take note of the advertisers of this episode. Then over the summer months, when you get your tax rebate check maybe think about buying those products in your shopping regiment.
We can see if they actually go through with the storyline, and then if they do, an email to the network and supporting the advertisers is really the best way to keep it going. It's the least we can to support a producer and show who is really trying to make a difference. It's deserving of our support because believe me, it is extremely difficult if not impossible to do something like this without the religious right mobilizing and starting boycotts and letter writing campaigns to the advertisers.
I mean, check this out if you'd like to see what people who don't like us do when something like this comes up:
or go directly to this link, but make sure you don't have any break-ables around or cups of hot coffee:
CitizenLink (our friends at Focus on the Family)
Meanwhile, I'll be humming the tune of the original MTV ad from the 1980's all day and changing the words just a bit: "I want my.... I want my... I want my lesbian storyline on primetime televisioooooon!"
Until we meet again, this the lesbian diarist signing off.
*Shonda Rhimes is the show's creator and Executive Producer. Although the decision to have a gay storyline will really rest on ABC and it's parent company Disney.
Meanwhile, I'll be humming the tune of the original MTV ad from the 1980's all day and changing the words just a bit: "I want my.... I want my... I want my lesbian storyline on primetime televisioooooon!"
Until we meet again, this the lesbian diarist signing off.
*Shonda Rhimes is the show's creator and Executive Producer. Although the decision to have a gay storyline will really rest on ABC and it's parent company Disney.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Tickets still available. A TASTE OF Los Angeles celebrates its 3rd year with a grand food and wine festival celebrating L.A.'s hottest restaurants and noted chefs. A Taste of Los Angeles will present more than 20 restaurants and vendors representing the city's diverse culinary traditions, food crafters, wineries and breweries. A bazaar-style party will feature exquisite tastings, gourmet foods, specialty wines, artisanal and organic products and more. The event features ArtSeen 3 - highlighting celebrity, contemporary and emerging art for viewing and purchase.
Join us for a delicious evening.
http://www.artseen.org/TasteOfLA.html
Benefiting
AIDS Research Alliance
Saturday May 17, 2008
6.30 PM - 10.30 PM
@
8549 Higuera Street
Culver City, CA 90232
General Admission Tickets purchased at the door are available for $125
Here's the video from last year's event hosted by Gayle King, you know, not Oprah's lesbian lover.
Gay Marriage Ban Lifted by Supreme Court in CA - What does it all Mean?
Hello Darlings,Just because I love you, I dragged my very tired, overworked body down to West Hollywood on May 15th - a day that will live in infamy for the religious right*- to ask the questions we all want answers to.
That morning at around 10 am, the predominantly republican California Supreme Court could not find any reason to keep lgbt folks from getting married.
In this video, I found folks that can fill you in on all the details. In 5 easy minutes you can get all your questions answered, and sound really smart at cocktail parties this weekend because you know so much about this issue!
I'm here for you."When can I get married?"
"What's this November initiative I keep hearing about?"
"What does the decision mean?"
Also, as an added bonus, you can also find out all about Hilary Clinton's visit to Los Angeles the very same night!
An update since this video was made. Our enemies have now put a motion a request to the Court to postpone the implementation of this ruling until the November elections. Have I mentioned how much I hate the religious right?
That's right....this means if this ruling is passed, we WON'T be able to get married in this state until the November election.Friends, I am going to have SO MUCH more coverage on all of this very soon, including the home address and phone number for James Dobson.
Get this...they are calling it The California Marriage Protection Act.
To this, I only have to quote Hurley from LOST this week: "Jesus is not a weapon".
WHAT DID SOME POLITICIANS HAVE SAY ABOUT THIS?
Here's what some of our favorite people had to say about all this today:
"President Bush has always believed marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman. Today's decision by the California Supreme Court illustrates that a federal constitutional amendment is the best way for the people to decide what marriage means."
-White House Press Secretary Dana Perino
"I respect the court's decision and as governor, I will uphold its ruling."
-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
*"What an outrage. It will be up to the people of California to preserve traditional marriage by passing a constitutional amendment. ... Only then can they protect themselves from this latest example of judicial tyranny."-James Dobson, chairman of the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family
"I welcome the California Supreme Court's historic decision. I have long fought against discrimination and believe that the state constitution provides for equal treatment for all of California's citizens and families, which today's decision recognizes."
-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco
*"This is what the California Supreme Court has said: Children have a new role model - homosexual marriage, aspire to it. This is a disaster."
-Randy Thomasson of VoteYesMarriage.com, a campaign to amend the California Constitution to ban gay marriage
"We won. Today is the day we've been working for - a watershed for basic fairness and human dignity. Profound social change starts in California, and does not end here. It influences the rest of the nation."-Maya Harris, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California
WHO HATES US?
Meanwhile, if you would like to kill time at work Monday, here's some really interesting reading. I mean, I'm sure you've read and seen what WE have to say....check out what THEY have to say:
PUBLIC ENEMIES:
http://www.alliancealert.org/
http://www.protectmarriage.com/
http://www.nationformarriage.org/site/c.omL2KeN0LzH/b.3836955/
HOW CAN I HELP?
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO GET INVOLVED:
The large coalition of organizations leading the movement is Equality for All - www.equalityforall.com
Equality California - www.eqca.org
National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) www.nclr.org
Lambda Legal www.lambdalegal.org
The Taskforce www.thetaskforce.org
Liberty Hill Foundation - www.libertyhill.org/lgcf/
ACLU Southern California - www.aclu-sc.org
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Pride Brunch 2008June 29, 2008 - 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join us for summer cocktails and brunch as we watch the Pride Parade from our air-conditioned Production Studio. General Admission $75.00 ($100.00 after 6/1/2008
Location
IN THE LIFE Production Studio
184 Fifth Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10010
For more information:
Phone: 212.255.6012 ext. 305
Gay Marriage Now Legal in California
At 10:00 am this morning, the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing same-sex marriages in the state. The court handed down the decision on Thursday morning which basically overturns the state’s ban on gay marriage.
California only the second state in the U.S. to grant equal marriage rights to same-sex couples.
The good news is we can now get married here. The better news, every homosexual in the fly-over states will move here. The bad news...you think traffic is bad now?!
Wedding planners and divorce attorneys are so happy about this since it means they can now tap into the mighty gay dollar. Meanwhile, Focus on the Family, The Catholic Church and The Mormon Church are now trying to figure out a way to dislodge California from the US land mass and push it out to sea. They are considering cutting out Nevada as well.
In a 4-3 decision, drafted by Chief Justice Ronald George, the court ruled: "In light of the fundamental nature of the substantive rights embodied in the right to marry — and their central importance to an individual's opportunity to live a happy, meaningful, and satisfying life as a full member of society — the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all individuals and couples, without regard to their sexual orientation."
The justices ruled that California's thousands of gay and lesbian families should have the same rights and benefits as their straight friends, family members and neighbors. The ruling will have national implications and will attract international attention.
If you live in Los Angeles, come down tonight to celebrate when Lambda Legal, L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center, NCLR, Equality California, ACLU - the advocacy groups that have been fighting for our rights - hold a vigil at the intersection of San Vicente and Santa Monica Boulevards.
California only the second state in the U.S. to grant equal marriage rights to same-sex couples.
The good news is we can now get married here. The better news, every homosexual in the fly-over states will move here. The bad news...you think traffic is bad now?!
Wedding planners and divorce attorneys are so happy about this since it means they can now tap into the mighty gay dollar. Meanwhile, Focus on the Family, The Catholic Church and The Mormon Church are now trying to figure out a way to dislodge California from the US land mass and push it out to sea. They are considering cutting out Nevada as well.
In a 4-3 decision, drafted by Chief Justice Ronald George, the court ruled: "In light of the fundamental nature of the substantive rights embodied in the right to marry — and their central importance to an individual's opportunity to live a happy, meaningful, and satisfying life as a full member of society — the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all individuals and couples, without regard to their sexual orientation."
The justices ruled that California's thousands of gay and lesbian families should have the same rights and benefits as their straight friends, family members and neighbors. The ruling will have national implications and will attract international attention.
If you live in Los Angeles, come down tonight to celebrate when Lambda Legal, L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center, NCLR, Equality California, ACLU - the advocacy groups that have been fighting for our rights - hold a vigil at the intersection of San Vicente and Santa Monica Boulevards.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
PAUL NICHOLLS + JEFFREY SANKER: DESTINATION
invites you to Get Carried Away...
SEX AND THE CITY
RELEASE PARTY
SATURDAY MAY 24
8 to 10 pm
HERE LOUNGE
696 N. Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA
HOSTED KROL Cocktails from 8 to 10 pm.
The celebration continues at Here Lounge Saturday Destination all night!
ENTER TO WIN A TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY with HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AT MARITIME HOTEL!
GIFT CERTIFICATE TO JIMMY CHOO SHOES!
EXCLUSIVE SEX AND THE CITY GIVEAWAYS and much more!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Tony Nominations Announced
TONY AWARD NOMINATIONS
The Tony Nominations were announced today. In honor, here is Triumph the insult dog on the red carpet of the Tony's two years ago:
PLAY
"August: Osage County"
"Rock 'n' Roll"
"The Seafarer"
"The 39 Steps"
MUSICAL
"Cry-Baby"
"In The Heights"
"Passing Strange"
"Xanadu"
BOOK OF A MUSICAL
"Cry-Baby" - Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan
"In The Heights" - Quiara Alegr a Hudes
"Passing Strange" - Stew
"Xanadu" - Douglas Carter Beane
ORIGINAL SCORE
"Cry-Baby" - Music & Lyrics: David Javerbaum & Adam Schlesinger
"In The Heights" - Music & Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
"The Little Mermaid" - Music: Alan Menken, Lyrics: Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater
"Passing Strange" - Music: Stew and Heidi Rodewald, Lyrics: Stew
REVIVAL OF A PLAY
"Boeing-Boeing"
"The Homecoming"
"Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
"Macbeth"
REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
"Grease"
"Gypsy"
"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
"Sunday in the Park with George"
PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Ben Daniels, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
Laurence Fishburne, "Thurgood"
Mark Rylance, "Boeing-Boeing"
Rufus Sewell, "Rock 'n' Roll"
Patrick Stewart, "Macbeth"
PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Eve Best, "The Homecoming"
Deanna Dunagan, "August: Osage County"
Kate Fleetwood, "Macbeth"
S. Epatha Merkerson, "Come Back, Little Sheba"
Amy Morton, "August: Osage County"
PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Daniel Evans, "Sunday in the Park with George"
Lin-Manuel, "Miranda In The Heights"
Stew, "Passing Strange"
Paulo Szot, "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
Tom Wopat, "A Catered Affair"
PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Kerry Butler, "Xanadu"
Patti LuPone, "Gypsy"
Kelli O'Hara, "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
Faith Prince, "A Catered Affair"
Jenna Russell Sunday in the Park with George"
PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
Bobby Cannavale, "Mauritius"
Raul Esparza, "The Homecoming"
Conleth Hill, "The Seafarer"
Jim Norton, "The Seafarer"
David Pittu, "Is He Dead?"
PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Sinead Cusack, "Rock 'n' Roll"
Mary McCormack, "Boeing-Boeing"
Laurie Metcalf, "November"
Martha Plimpton, "Top Girls"
Rondi Reed, "August: Osage County"
PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Daniel Breaker,"Passing Strange"
Danny Burstein,"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
Robin De Jesês,"In The Heights"
Christopher Fitzgerald,"The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"
Boyd Gaines,"Gypsy"
PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
de'Adre Aziza,"Passing Strange"
Laura Benanti,"Gypsy"
Andrea Martin,"The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"
Olga Merediz,"In The Heights"
Loretta Ables Sayre,"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
DIRECTION OF A PLAY
Maria Aitken,"The 39 Steps"
Conor McPherson,"The Seafarer"
Anna D. Shapiro,"August: Osage County"
Matthew Warchus,"Boeing-Boeing"
DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Sam Buntrock,"Sunday in the Park with George"
Thomas Kail,"In The Heights"
Arthur Laurents,"Gypsy"
Bartlett Sher,"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
ORCHESTRATIONS
Jason Carr,"Sunday in the Park with George"
Alex Lacamoire & Bill Sherman,"In The Heights"
Stew & Heidi Rodewald,"Passing Strange"
Jonathan Tunick,"A Catered Affair"
CHOREOGRAPHY
Rob Ashford, "Cry-Baby"
Andy Blankenbuehler, "In The Heights"
Christopher Gattelli, "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
Dan Knechtges, "Xanadu"
SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY
Peter McKintosh,"The 39 Steps"
Scott Pask,"Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
Todd Rosenthal,"August: Osage County"
Anthony Ward,"Macbeth"
SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
David Farley and Timothy Bird & The Knifedge Creative Network,"Sunday in the Park with George"
Anna Louizos,"In The Heights"
Robin Wagner,"The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"
Michael Yeargan,"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY
Gregory Gale,"Cyrano de Bergerac"
Rob Howell,"Boeing-Boeing"
Katrina Lindsay,"Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
Peter McKintosh,"The 39 Steps"
COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
David Farley,"Sunday in the Park with George"
Martin Pakledinaz,"Gypsy"
Paul Tazewell,"In The Heights"
Catherine Zuber,"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY
Kevin Adams,"The 39 Steps"
Howard Harrison,"Macbeth"
Donald Holder,"Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
Ann G. Wrightson,"August: Osage County"
LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Ken Billington, "Sunday in the Park with George"
Howell Binkley, "In The Heights"
Donald Holder, "Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific"
Natasha Katz, "The Little Mermaid"
SOUND DESIGN OF A PLAY
Simon Baker, "Boeing-Boeing"
Adam Cork, "Macbeth"
Ian Dickinson, "Rock `n' Roll"
Mic Pool, "The 39 Steps"
SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Acme Sound Partners, "In The Heights"
Sebastian Frost, "Sunday in the Park with George"
Scott Lehrer, "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
Dan Moses Schreier, "Gypsy"
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Stephen Sondheim
REGIONAL THEATER AWARD
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
SPECIAL TONY AWARD
Robert Russell Bennett (1894-1981), in recognition of his historic contribution to American musical theatre in the field of orchestrations, as represented on Broadway this season by Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific.
The Tony Nominations were announced today. In honor, here is Triumph the insult dog on the red carpet of the Tony's two years ago:
PLAY
"August: Osage County"
"Rock 'n' Roll"
"The Seafarer"
"The 39 Steps"
MUSICAL
"Cry-Baby"
"In The Heights"
"Passing Strange"
"Xanadu"
BOOK OF A MUSICAL
"Cry-Baby" - Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan
"In The Heights" - Quiara Alegr a Hudes
"Passing Strange" - Stew
"Xanadu" - Douglas Carter Beane
ORIGINAL SCORE
"Cry-Baby" - Music & Lyrics: David Javerbaum & Adam Schlesinger
"In The Heights" - Music & Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
"The Little Mermaid" - Music: Alan Menken, Lyrics: Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater
"Passing Strange" - Music: Stew and Heidi Rodewald, Lyrics: Stew
REVIVAL OF A PLAY
"Boeing-Boeing"
"The Homecoming"
"Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
"Macbeth"
REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
"Grease"
"Gypsy"
"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
"Sunday in the Park with George"
PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Ben Daniels, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
Laurence Fishburne, "Thurgood"
Mark Rylance, "Boeing-Boeing"
Rufus Sewell, "Rock 'n' Roll"
Patrick Stewart, "Macbeth"
PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Eve Best, "The Homecoming"
Deanna Dunagan, "August: Osage County"
Kate Fleetwood, "Macbeth"
S. Epatha Merkerson, "Come Back, Little Sheba"
Amy Morton, "August: Osage County"
PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Daniel Evans, "Sunday in the Park with George"
Lin-Manuel, "Miranda In The Heights"
Stew, "Passing Strange"
Paulo Szot, "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
Tom Wopat, "A Catered Affair"
PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Kerry Butler, "Xanadu"
Patti LuPone, "Gypsy"
Kelli O'Hara, "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
Faith Prince, "A Catered Affair"
Jenna Russell Sunday in the Park with George"
PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
Bobby Cannavale, "Mauritius"
Raul Esparza, "The Homecoming"
Conleth Hill, "The Seafarer"
Jim Norton, "The Seafarer"
David Pittu, "Is He Dead?"
PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Sinead Cusack, "Rock 'n' Roll"
Mary McCormack, "Boeing-Boeing"
Laurie Metcalf, "November"
Martha Plimpton, "Top Girls"
Rondi Reed, "August: Osage County"
PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Daniel Breaker,"Passing Strange"
Danny Burstein,"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
Robin De Jesês,"In The Heights"
Christopher Fitzgerald,"The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"
Boyd Gaines,"Gypsy"
PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
de'Adre Aziza,"Passing Strange"
Laura Benanti,"Gypsy"
Andrea Martin,"The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"
Olga Merediz,"In The Heights"
Loretta Ables Sayre,"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
DIRECTION OF A PLAY
Maria Aitken,"The 39 Steps"
Conor McPherson,"The Seafarer"
Anna D. Shapiro,"August: Osage County"
Matthew Warchus,"Boeing-Boeing"
DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Sam Buntrock,"Sunday in the Park with George"
Thomas Kail,"In The Heights"
Arthur Laurents,"Gypsy"
Bartlett Sher,"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
ORCHESTRATIONS
Jason Carr,"Sunday in the Park with George"
Alex Lacamoire & Bill Sherman,"In The Heights"
Stew & Heidi Rodewald,"Passing Strange"
Jonathan Tunick,"A Catered Affair"
CHOREOGRAPHY
Rob Ashford, "Cry-Baby"
Andy Blankenbuehler, "In The Heights"
Christopher Gattelli, "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
Dan Knechtges, "Xanadu"
SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY
Peter McKintosh,"The 39 Steps"
Scott Pask,"Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
Todd Rosenthal,"August: Osage County"
Anthony Ward,"Macbeth"
SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
David Farley and Timothy Bird & The Knifedge Creative Network,"Sunday in the Park with George"
Anna Louizos,"In The Heights"
Robin Wagner,"The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"
Michael Yeargan,"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY
Gregory Gale,"Cyrano de Bergerac"
Rob Howell,"Boeing-Boeing"
Katrina Lindsay,"Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
Peter McKintosh,"The 39 Steps"
COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
David Farley,"Sunday in the Park with George"
Martin Pakledinaz,"Gypsy"
Paul Tazewell,"In The Heights"
Catherine Zuber,"Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY
Kevin Adams,"The 39 Steps"
Howard Harrison,"Macbeth"
Donald Holder,"Les Liaisons Dangereuses"
Ann G. Wrightson,"August: Osage County"
LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Ken Billington, "Sunday in the Park with George"
Howell Binkley, "In The Heights"
Donald Holder, "Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific"
Natasha Katz, "The Little Mermaid"
SOUND DESIGN OF A PLAY
Simon Baker, "Boeing-Boeing"
Adam Cork, "Macbeth"
Ian Dickinson, "Rock `n' Roll"
Mic Pool, "The 39 Steps"
SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Acme Sound Partners, "In The Heights"
Sebastian Frost, "Sunday in the Park with George"
Scott Lehrer, "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific"
Dan Moses Schreier, "Gypsy"
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Stephen Sondheim
REGIONAL THEATER AWARD
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
SPECIAL TONY AWARD
Robert Russell Bennett (1894-1981), in recognition of his historic contribution to American musical theatre in the field of orchestrations, as represented on Broadway this season by Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Upcoming Events
PAUL NICHOLLS + JEFFREY SANKER: DESTINATION
invites you to Get Carried Away...
SEX AND THE CITY
RELEASE PARTY
SATURDAY MAY 24
8 to 10 pm
HERE LOUNGE
696 N. Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA
HOSTED KROL Cocktails from 8 to 10 pm.
The celebration continues at Here Lounge Saturday Destination all night!
ENTER TO WIN A TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY with HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AT MARITIME HOTEL!
GIFT CERTIFICATE TO JIMMY CHOO SHOES!
EXCLUSIVE SEX AND THE CITY GIVEAWAYS and much more!
ONE NIGHT STANDJoin us May 22nd for another smashing ONE NIGHT STAND, this month with none other than In LA Magazine's Courtney Jackson.
Miss Jackson is responsible for steering the lesbian content in SoCal's hugely popular LGBT publication, IN MAGAZINE.
Join us early for our meet and greet with complimentary featured cocktails from 9-10, meet the stunning Ms. Jackson, learn about the fab new section in In LA Mag called "L in LA," and meet fab new people.
Dance from 10-2 to the sounds of DJ Saratonin and Kathy Valenti.
ONE NIGHT STAND is located at The Standard Hotel in the Purple Room. Outside patio, inside chic.
SARA FELDER in OUT OF SIGHTWednesday, May 21, and Friday, May 23, 8:00 p.m.
Skirball Cultural Center
Solo theater artist and world-class juggler and out lesbian Sara Felder presents a bold new play about a nearly blind woman and her adult lesbian daughter. As they struggle for balance in their relationship, their differing views of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis underscores intergenerational differences that they must overcome in order to find common ground. Felder's unique integration of circus arts, shadow puppetry, and personal narrative invites viewers to explore the big questions of life, laughing as we recognize ourselves in her stories.
"Out of Sight is a charming night with a charismatic performer." —Philadelphia City Paper
$18 General, $15 Skirball Members, $12 Full-Time Students
Advance tickets available on site at the Skirball, by phone at (877) SCC-4TIX or (877) 722-4849, or online at www.skirball.org.
COFFEE WILL MAKE YOU BLACK!!At The Celebration Theatre
7051-B Santa Monica Blvd.
Thursdays-Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 3pm
COFFEE WILL MAKE YOU BLACK is adapted from the award-winning novel by April Sinclair, traces the coming of age story of Jean "Stevie" Stevenson, a black teenager on the brink of sexual awakening during the turbulent and politically charged late 1960's.
A story of strength, discovery, and acceptance, this "Coffee" will have you craving a second cup!
Starring
Aasha David (South of Nowhere), Colette Divine and Sonia Jackson.
For more information call 323-957-1884
Here's a links to our very cute myspace page: (Aretha Franklin will grt you!)
http://www.myspace.com/CoffeeWillMakeYouBlack
For tickets, visit the Celebration Theatre's website:
http://www.CelebrationTheatre.com
June 5, 2008
First Thursday at East|West - 6 - 8 p.m.
East|West Lounge
8851 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
Come join the LAGLCC for our new mixer series - First Thursdays at East|West! This is the networking event of the year! Join us the first Thursday of every month to mix, mingle and network with other Chamber members. Bring a Business Guest and your Business Guest gets in Free!!! Free appetizers! Drink specials! Raffle prizes! And More! Members and guests- $5. For more information, call 888-5LAGLCC or email kylemgibson@gmail.com.
Be a part of the biggest gay event of the year! Come sit at TheSmokingCocktail.com table and be near Janet Jackson, TR Knight and every gay person and gay loving person in the business.
Buy tickets here and click on THESMOKINGCOCKTAIL under host to sit with me.
Click on any of the above invites to enlarge.
GAYS R US at the Famous Hollywood Improv
This is my favorite night of the month. For more info go to http://www.myspace.com/queerontheirfeet
First Wednesday of every month!!!
8 pm Show time
June 4, 8pm
Hollywood Improv
Gays R Us
10 bucks with attached flyer
www.improv2.com
The Hollywood Improv
8162 Hollywood Boulevard
GAYS R US at the Famous Hollywood Improv
This is my favorite night of the month. For more info go to http://www.myspace.com/queerontheirfeet First Wednesday of every month!!!
8 pm Show time
June 4, 8pm
Hollywood Improv
Gays R Us
10 bucks with attached flyer
www.improv2.com
The Hollywood Improv
8162 Hollywood Boulevard
A major Los Angeles theater event!THE LOST PLAYS OF TENNESSEE WILLIAMS
Mister Paradise, The Palooka, And Tell Sad Stories of the Deaths of Queens
Last fall the Actors Studio workshopped the L.A. premiere of recently discovered one-act plays by the American theater master Tennessee Williams. Now the Center is continuing the premiere with the same brilliant cast and one new play.
The casts include: Chris Carver, Brian Foyster, Jack Heller, Melissa Lechner, Jason Lopez, Timothy V. Murphy, Jonathan Runyon and Chris Rydell.
March 21-June 8
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm
Sunday, May 18th, 2008MOLLY MALONES - http://www.mollymalonesla.com
9pm sharp!
575 S. Fairfax Ave. (just north of Wilshire)
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-935-1577
Price: $5
LAYNE is:
Laurie Geltman: Guitars, Vocals, songs
USA Mike: Bass, Baritone Guitar, Vox
Aaron Tap: Guitars, Oh So Sweet Harmony Vox
Jamie Vavra: Drums
Check out Laurie's LA band LAYNE on Myspace at
http://www.myspace.com/LayneMusicUSA
and our official site http://www.LayneMusic.com
Thursday, May 8, 2008
In Memory: Reluctant Activist Mildred Loving
“I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs over others.”Mildred Loving on the 40th anniversary of Loving v Virginia
Mildred Loving's challenge to Virginia's ban on interracial marriage led to the landmark 1967 Supreme Court ruling striking down such laws nationwide. Loving died May 2 at the age of 68.
From the Los Angeles Times
By Jocelyn Y. Stewart, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
May 7, 2008
For marrying the only man she ever loved, Mildred Loving paid a price: She was arrested, convicted and banished from her home state.
In the 1950s, the Commonwealth of Virginia handed down such punishments to couples whose love the state did not sanction: She was black. Her husband, Richard, was white. Their union was prohibited by law.
The marriage could have collapsed under the hammer of Jim Crow. Instead, the Lovings' challenge of the law led to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1967 that toppled bans on interracial marriages nationwide and opened the door for mixed race couples to marry without prosecution.
For Loving, a soft-spoken, gentle woman who eschewed the limelight, the issue was always simple: "I think marrying who you want is a right no man should have anything to do with," Loving said in 1967 segment on ABC News. "It's a God-given right."
Loving, 68, died of pneumonia Friday at her home in Central Point, Va., said her daughter, Peggy Fortune. Loving's story was turned into a 1996 Showtime movie, and her case resonates with supporters of same-sex marriage.
The case of Loving vs. Virginia took place against a legal landscape altered by the demands and victories of the civil rights movement.
From MajorCox.com
Early on the morning of July 15, 1958, Richard and Mildred Loving awoke in their bed with three flashlights shining in their eyes. A voice behind the lights demanded, "What are you doing in bed with this lady?""I am his wife," Mildred answered. Richard pointed to their five week old Washington DC marriage license hanging on the wall.
The marriage license did not impress Sheriff R. Garnett Brooks. "That’s no good here," he informed the couple. The Caroline County sheriff, along with two deputies, who had entered the house through an unlocked door at 2:00 a.m., arrested Richard and Mildred Loving. The lawmen charged the couple with violating Virginia’s law prohibiting interracial marriage, Richard was white and Mildred was "colored."
The arrest and conviction of the young couple…Richard, 24 and Mildred, 18…is similar to the arrest four years earlier, of civil rights heroine, Rosa Parks. Whereas Rosa Parks refused to obey Montgomery’s ordinance requiring colored people to sit in the rear of city buses, Richard and Mildred Loving refused to obey Virginia’s anti-miscegenation law, prohibiting marriage between individuals classified as being of different races. Writing about the case in Emerge magazine, Victoria Valentine says the Lovings "didn’t start to make history, they just wished to live as husband and wife."
Okay, I'm finally going to do it...
Okay, I've been debating this for a while, but I'm finally going to do it. Seriously, I'm going to finally - I can't believe I'm actually saying this at the age of 42 - but I'm going to start cooking for the animals.
The pathetic state of the dog and cat food industry was brought to everyone's attention last year during the pet food recall, where thousands of domestic animals in America suffered kidney failure due to a protein additive from China. Meanwhile, it's not like I haven't seen the "making of dog food" on PBS and the internet, and really, it's enough to turn your stomach.
On the flip side, I've had animals my whole life and they've alway eatten the crap from bags. My childhood dog and cat both lived to be 21. Although come to think of it, when they did die, it was of kidney failure and the last five years of my dog's life, my mom made her food from a vet's recipe.
Anyway, I've already started mixing carrots, flax and oatmeal into Charlie's food and I guess I'll get the vitamins and recipes and be cooking a week's supply every Sunday night.
Okay, that's off my chest. Now onto gay news.
Last night, as always, was the best night of gay in Los Angeles at the Gays R Us at the Hollywood Improv. I laughed so hard, my face and stomach actually hurt!
Cortney Jackson from IN MAGAZINE with writer Kid Rock Barnes and Jenny enjoying drinks and conversation after the show.
Me with Jason Dudey whose bit about his mom is absolutely hysterical.
Comics Jennie McNulty and Erin Foley. Erin regailed us afterwards with tales from her appearance on LAST COMIC STANDING - so look for that later this year. In addition to performing in P TOWN, Jennie can also be seen on LOGO and has performed for the troops in Iraq under the lesbian exchange program.
Joey with Page Hurwitz. She killed. I especially loved a bit she did that I had seen before. During the writer's strike, she couldn't (wouldn't) write anything for her shows so she just read letters to the editor from the OLIVIA lesbo cruise line site. HYSTERICAL.
After the show we all piled into the bar of course to drink and chat. Biggest topic: Will Hillary withdraw.
Meanwhile, on this past Sunday I went to the Instinct Magazine's 10th Year Anniversary Party at the Standard.
The Lair's David Moretti and Brian Nolan, with Outfest's Jeff Mack who is afflicted with that disease many gays over 30 have in LA - refusing to smile so wrinkes won't show.
Me with two of the Janice Dickeson models from the fashion show. They were both in SHELTER!
Hot guy soup. All the models jumped in the pool. Some were nice enough to take their skippy little trunks off before doing so.
I watched the fashion show with these guys - cover boy Brandon, Ant and Ross.
Dominick was afraid I'd show his penis, so he's covering it. Maybe you recognize him from all the SHELTER photos?
Management telling them they can't be naked in the pool and making them put trunks on.
The guy receiving I guess is Marc Jacob's boyfriend. This is right after they forced him to put clothes on.
There was a room on the bottom floor with a video of a cat running for hours. Ant said it was probably tweekers, but one other man queeried, "Is that the lesbian VIP room?"
Poppy and I with Mr. Jones from Instinct.
The pathetic state of the dog and cat food industry was brought to everyone's attention last year during the pet food recall, where thousands of domestic animals in America suffered kidney failure due to a protein additive from China. Meanwhile, it's not like I haven't seen the "making of dog food" on PBS and the internet, and really, it's enough to turn your stomach.
On the flip side, I've had animals my whole life and they've alway eatten the crap from bags. My childhood dog and cat both lived to be 21. Although come to think of it, when they did die, it was of kidney failure and the last five years of my dog's life, my mom made her food from a vet's recipe.
Anyway, I've already started mixing carrots, flax and oatmeal into Charlie's food and I guess I'll get the vitamins and recipes and be cooking a week's supply every Sunday night.
Okay, that's off my chest. Now onto gay news.
Last night, as always, was the best night of gay in Los Angeles at the Gays R Us at the Hollywood Improv. I laughed so hard, my face and stomach actually hurt!
Cortney Jackson from IN MAGAZINE with writer Kid Rock Barnes and Jenny enjoying drinks and conversation after the show.
Me with Jason Dudey whose bit about his mom is absolutely hysterical.
Comics Jennie McNulty and Erin Foley. Erin regailed us afterwards with tales from her appearance on LAST COMIC STANDING - so look for that later this year. In addition to performing in P TOWN, Jennie can also be seen on LOGO and has performed for the troops in Iraq under the lesbian exchange program.
Joey with Page Hurwitz. She killed. I especially loved a bit she did that I had seen before. During the writer's strike, she couldn't (wouldn't) write anything for her shows so she just read letters to the editor from the OLIVIA lesbo cruise line site. HYSTERICAL.
After the show we all piled into the bar of course to drink and chat. Biggest topic: Will Hillary withdraw.Meanwhile, on this past Sunday I went to the Instinct Magazine's 10th Year Anniversary Party at the Standard.
The Lair's David Moretti and Brian Nolan, with Outfest's Jeff Mack who is afflicted with that disease many gays over 30 have in LA - refusing to smile so wrinkes won't show.
Me with two of the Janice Dickeson models from the fashion show. They were both in SHELTER!
Hot guy soup. All the models jumped in the pool. Some were nice enough to take their skippy little trunks off before doing so.
I watched the fashion show with these guys - cover boy Brandon, Ant and Ross.
Dominick was afraid I'd show his penis, so he's covering it. Maybe you recognize him from all the SHELTER photos?
Management telling them they can't be naked in the pool and making them put trunks on.
The guy receiving I guess is Marc Jacob's boyfriend. This is right after they forced him to put clothes on.
There was a room on the bottom floor with a video of a cat running for hours. Ant said it was probably tweekers, but one other man queeried, "Is that the lesbian VIP room?"
Poppy and I with Mr. Jones from Instinct.
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