The great thing about working the red carpet at the GLAAD Awards is you get enough interviews to last for weeks! I've got quite a few more still in the can but have to be stingy and put them out at a rate of about one a day - hope you don't mind.

One of the people I spoke with was Jeff Lewis of Bravo's "Flipping Out." I had only seen the first episode of the show, admitted that to Jeff, and just had to wing my way through our conversation. I know he's a house flipper who is always a bit on edge shall we say.

Here is our little chat:

Q.There's a second season of the show coming up I hear. What has it been like to be yourself on TV and to have that be embraced by viewers. People think you're interesting at the very least, right?
A. Well, I think I've become the poster boy for OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and I actually am proud of that because I think it has shown the general public that you can still - I don't like to use the word suffer because I don't feel like I'm suffering from OCD - but because I do have this disorder, I still have been able to channel it into a very positive and lucrative field. I don't really view it as limiting because in a way it has been such an asset for me and it's helped me take my product to the next level because I see things that people don't see because of the OCD.
Q. Do you ever watch the show and cringe, just say, 'Oh my God!'
A. There has been several moments where I wish I could hit rewind and take it back. And usually - and this again is one of the symptoms of OCD and ADD (Attention Deficit Disporder) - I do sometimes have trouble controlling my temper but I've been working on that. I'm in therapy every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and I really feel like at this moment, I have much more control over my reactions and my anger. So it's really been very beneficial, the show.

Q. You're able to see yourself.
A. Absolutely. Unfortunately, it had to be that dramatic, to see myself in front of that many people and cringe like you say in order for me to want to improve myself. Which I've been doing.

Q. Are you already filming the second season?
A. We are already filming it, i think we have another 6-7 weeks. It's supposed to air in the summer.

Q. Anything different from the first season?
A. Yes, this one actually is a little different. I think this will, believe it or not, top last season because it's been difficult. We;ve had to adjust to a changing (real estate) market and I have employees and I still have to generate business so we are branching out into other forms of business. We have been forced to find other ways to survive and I think the viewers are really gonna enjoy watching it and going along with us on this struggle.

Q. So how's your love life?
A. Uh, it's been a little slow to be honest. I've been working a lot. It's a little slow.

Here is a bio of Jeff from the show during which he talks about his background:

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Good thing Jack Mackenroth is a good sport. I had what seemed to be one of those Joan Rivers red carpet moments at the GLAAD Awards when I said, "Here's Jack from 'Workout." He chuckled and corrected me. In my defense, I knew which show, it just came out wrong.

Jack, 39, got as much attention for his design skills as for his studly body during his time on the show which was sadly cut short when he had a health crisis (a potentially dangerous staph infection). But he's fine now and looking as terrific as ever.

I asked him what he's been up to and what life has been like for him post-"Runway: "I have so many projects going on, it's been a great experience overall.Any exposure on TV is amazing. I'm designing, I'm here in LA meeting with networks and pitching show ideas and seeing where it all goes."

What kind of show, Jack? "Can't saaaaay."

Jack filmed a scene for the "Sex and the City" movie that has him kissing another guy on the streets of New York. This is where he met star Sarah Jessica Parker who did a guest-stint on "Runway" this past season.
"I've actually seen her at an event since then and chatted with her a little bit," he said. "She's great. We're BFF's!"

Jack has not yet seen the movie, out May 30, and doesn't know if his cameo made the final cut.
"It took 12 takes," he confessed.

So, did he keep messing it up on purpose?
"No, he was straight so he kept messing up. It was good, By the time we were done, I told him, 'Now you've officially kissed a boy.'"

Does he enjoy being a TV heartthrob?
"I don't mind. No. I don't think I am but thank you for saying so. Hey, in a few days I'll be 39 so I'm just rocking it out."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Oh well.
Dick won "Big Brother 8" over his daughter, Danielle by a score of 5-2. I found out tonight while I was at the 40th Anniversary Gala for The Advocate and bumped into Marcellos Reynoilds who had come straight to the party from the taping of the finale at CBS.
"I knew he was gonna win," Marcellos said. "A girl cannot win 'Big Brother' unless they get to the end with another girl. There has to be two girls at the end for a woman to win 'Big Brother.' If Danielle had put guys into the sequester house instead of mostly women, she might have won. Guys can kind of let go of things. But she put miostly girls in there and at the end you get the 'Mean Girls' syndrome."
He says he thinks Daddy Dick will give his daughter some of the $500,000 he won but "she made $50,000 for three months. That's quite a nice chunk of change."
Here are some photos from the final show including the seven evicted houseguests who made it to sequester house and onto the jury. The finale also featured all of the houseguests from the entire some including 'Out In Hollywood' faves Nick and Mike...

I know it's all hugs and kisses etc. but I still feel that Dick's behavior was so rude and obnoxious that the hoiuseguests were fools for not voting him out. And his burning Jen with a cigarette should have either gotten him out of the house or suspended from HOH and POV competitions for a week or two,
Instead, CBS and 'Big Brother' producers did nothing.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

OK, Evil Dick and his spawn of the devil daughter Daniele (did I just really write that?) are the final two. More on that nauseating development later. First though, I gotta say that watching Zach last night on "Big Brother 8" as he was hanging on to that key under the pouring water, I thought, "He looks HOT!" And the way he got all ferocious on Dick was so cool, he shut the chain-smoking, tatooed, pierced pain in the a** up for once!

But the high of Zach winning part one of HOH was short-lived as he stumbled in part three when he and Dick were asked six questions and had the choice of A or B. They guessed just about every time and it turned out that Dick guessed right just one question more than Zach. That resulted in...

...the duo being in the final two. Dick proclaimed them the best team in "Big Brother" history and blah, blah, blah, blah. The truth is, the other houseguests were complete morons in letting this pair remain week after week. When it comes time for the final vote (I assume the Dicks are going to split the prize money), I think Danielle will win the game because she is the less loathed of the two and won a total of seven competitions. Dick was obnoxious to the point where he should have been disqualified and has damaged the "Big Brother" franchise, in my opinion.

Meanwhile, GuyTVBlog has compiled another Nick/Mike photo essay that you can enjoy after the jump and remember better times in the "Big Brother" house...

Continue reading ""Big Brother 8" recap: A final two worth jeering about..." »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It was a pretty sweet episode of "Big Brother *" tonight. It started out in nauseating fashion with the father-daughter duo of Dick and Daniele jumping around and giggling like they had won the entire game already because they had made the final four. They shut Zach out so they could whisper and giggle about him in the next room.
Well, payback's a bitch.
Zach goes on to win the HOH compeition and suddenly, Daniele and Dick are vulnerable. Zach nominates daddy and daughter. They are indignant that he would dare to do this and vow revenge. Whatever does happen, it was awfully s-weet to see them squirm. Daniele made a strategic error when in stating her case pre-nominations, she told Zach that he would lose against her dad in the final two because Dick played the game best.
But the jury votes on the winner and there are likely plenty of former houseguests who probably think his bullying tactics were out-of-line rather than brilliant. What the little blonde waitress should have said was: "Zach, everyone loves Jameka. She does not have an enemy in the house. She will win if you are in the final two with her. She's gotta go."
Oh well.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Now this is how I like it. It was a double-eviction night on "Big Brother 8" with Jessica out on the first vote then her little boytoy Eric out on the second. Jameka was up both times against them as Evil Dick, Daniele and Zach pulled all the strings. Eric is funny but he was also a little worm. On his way out he said to the the evil trio: "Just keep in mind, you sent the Phliadelphia lawyer to the jury house."
As smart as they think they are, I gotta wonder if they were a little foolish in keeping Jameka. If she's in the final two, there's no way she won't win the whole thing. She has no enemies in the house and has managed to survive despite not being able to compete for HOH for five weeks.
Anywho, I gotta give the evil daddy-daughter combo their due: they have manipulated everyone and come back from the brink more than once and they have won clutch competitions when they needed to. That is why they are in the final four and Jessica and Eric - who made a deal with these devils a few weeks back - are not.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Yawn. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Oops, sorry. I was about to write a little "Big Brother 8" recap and the thought of it made me a little sleepy. I just want this show to limp along to its conclusion. Let's face it, whoever makes it to the final two opposite evil Dick or mean girl Danielle will win the money. If they make it to the final two, they deserve the money.
Zach, as HOH, nominated nice girl Jameka and mostly nice girl Jessica who put him up last week. I can't pretend to care but I will say that I'd like to see Jessica go because she made a deal with the devil (Dick) a few weeks back and betrayed her friends.
She should find out what it's like to be double-crossed.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So ABC announced the celebrity line-up for the next season of "Dancing With the Stars" this fall. Wayne Newton: Will his face move AT ALL? Jane Seymour: Dr. Quinn doing the tango? Marie Osmond and Jenni Garth: nothing snarky - i like 'em both. Mark Cuban: He should liven things up!
But let's get real: the real draw for this viewer is the hot guys and this season there are two sizzlers: "All My Children" star Camerson Mathison (right) who has caused hearts to race for several years as Ryan Avery. Those eyes, that body, that smile. Good call ABC.
Then there is someone I've never really heard of but look forward to learning more about...and watch dance! His name is Helio Castroneves (pictured, below) and what a dish, huh? The rest of the "celebs," I don't much care about but maybe that will change once we see them each week.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I sure hope Amber doesn't show episodes of "Big Brother 8" as home movies because each week, she seems to make an even bigger jackass of herself. After she was nominated tonight for eviction, she was next seen in the diary room - in tears, of course - saying: "God, I don't want you to think I'm mad at you."
Earlier, she is seen talking to Jameka who for some reason was telling Amber that she envisions her on the cover of a magazine. Amber takes it and runs with it, getting lost in a fantasy about being a model, bragging about her body (big mistake) and personality etc. She really has NO idea how badly she comes off.
I think she will be voted off on Thursday and it will not be a moment too soon! It was also very smart of Jessica to nominate Zach who has really been able to slide by week after week after week. He acknowledged for the first time that he will have to work to stay in the house.
And in a shallow note, the luxury competition involved the houseguests taking off all their clothes and being covered with suds as they tried to figure out various word puzzles. WHY did they not play this game when Nick and Mike were still in the house? Instead, all we had was tattoed Dick, increasingly annoying Eric (the eyebrow thing he does while in the diary room makes him seem insane), leaving Zach as the hunk of the group - by default.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I sure hope Amber doesn't show episodes of "Big Brother 8" as home movies because each week, she seems to make an even bigger jackass of herself. After she was nominated tonight for eviction, she was next seen in the diary room - in tears, of course - saying: "God, I don't want you to think I'm mad at you."
Earlier, she is seen talking to Jameka who for some reason was telling Amber that she envisions her on the cover of a magazine. Amber takes it and runs with it, getting lost in a fantasy about being a model, bragging about her body (big mistake) and personality etc. She really has NO idea how badly she comes off.
I think she will be voted off on Thursday and it will not be a moment too soon! It was also very smart of Jessica to nominate Zach who has really been able to slide by week after week after week. He acknowledged for the first time that he will have to work to stay in the house.
And in a shallow note, the luxury competition involved the houseguests taking off all their clothes and being covered with suds as they tried to figure out various word puzzles. WHY did they not play this game when Nick and Mike were still in the house? Instead, all we had was tattoed Dick, increasingly annoying Eric (the eyebrow thing he does while in the diary room makes him seem insane), leaving Zach as the hunk of the group - by default.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I haven't watched much of "Survivor" since the Colby Donaldson season but I'm glad to know that CBS has unveiled the cast for the next season of the show and it includes 22-year-old gay flight attendant Todd Herzog. Apparently he's a Mormon but I've seen "Latter Days" so if he's out, he's probably an ex-Mormon.
Todd is the only gay contestant that we know of but wasn't it just last year that J.P. Calderon came out AFTER he was on the show.
Herzog lists his hobbies as "traveling, shopping, and drinking coffee."
OK, Mormons don't drink caffeine either, just ask Donny and Marie.
Well, not to be superficial (imagine that!), but he's a lot easier on the eyes than first season champ Richard Hatch who liked to walk around naked...and should not have. He's in prison now, but not for walking around naked - for failing to pay his taxes.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The "Dick and Daniele Show," er, I mean 'Big Brother 8' is wearing thin only midway through the game. I initially thought it had the makings of a summer-long guilty pleasure with lotsa eye candy and fun. But I watched tonight and just felt bored. I mean, give me a break: there was actually an entire sequence on how stupid Amber is, asking for the definition of the most basic words and phrases. Said Evil Dick: "I'd be surprised if her vocabulary exceeded that of her 8 year old daughter."
Good one Dick...still can't stand the sight of you.
So Daniele is back in control as HOH and she is plotting away, planning to backdoor Jen. She nominated Jemeka (now my favorite player since Eric has become a little worm) and Amber. Funnily enough, Amber - who has cried buckets over so many ridiculous things - did not even shed a tear in the diary room later. By the way, Daniele's HOH room included a birthday card from Nick that was pink and full of glitter etc which Eric described as looking "like something a 13 year old girl would have concocted."
So, Nick remains an enigma.

Anywho, Eric seems to be as cocky as Dustin was last week and look what happened to him. So that little worm better watch it. Speaking of Dustin, he gave an interview to AfterElton.com that you should read. Here are a few nibbles:
On Nick: “Nick is a great guy. He's straight. His flirtation strategy worked with Joe though.”
On Dick calling him a princess last week: “Honestly, he was calling Carol a princess and Jessica a princess in Weeks One and Two for the way that they didn't do anything around the house. And he just decided to attack my sexuality in a low blow, and you know, I didn't really take it offensively. Him calling me a princess, I could have really cared less. Him attacking Jameka's religious beliefs and Amber's motherhood — those are the attacks that I took personally.”
On representing gay men on national television: "...I try to be just me. If I come across as a gay man, I hope I did the community justice. I represent me in life and in this game. It's not in my nature to hold back my opinions and feelings and I'm sure I offended the community as well. It wasn't until I was in the house did I think, 'Oh God, the gays are watching me.'”

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gabbed up a storm with Marcellas Reynolds last night at a DVD release party in West Hollywood for the hot flick "Boy Culture" (more on that later). I was dying to know what this two-time "Big Brother" contestant and busy TV personality had to say about the goings on this season.
As usual, Marcellas did not hold back!
"They voted off the two custest guysx back-to-back! Mike goes and I thought, 'Well, we still have Nick.' Then he goes the next week and I'm like, 'What the hell are you thinking?' I can't even believe it. I was so upset the night that Nick went and also because it was really poor strategy on the houseguest's part ot get rid of Nick and not Kail. But now there's nobody cute. Zach isn't that cute, Eric isn't cute at all - I'm not into piercing - and I'm over Dustin."

"The thing that's amazing this season is how racist everyone is. Amber is crazy. The other night I was watching the live feed and Dustin, the gay guy, was talking about a black dog that he named [n-word]. I was shocked because you know me, I always want to screw the gay guy every season - except for Joe who had gonorrhea."
So who does he think will win? "It's really going to be a battle of mediocrity. If Dustin dolesn't go this week - and it's smarter for them if Dustin than to choose Dick - because if you are playing the game strategically, you would want to keep Dick in the house because he's a complete a**hole. And you take that bitch to the end, and you're $500,000 richer. So I would keep Dick like it was my job. Dick and Jen, I'd be like, 'We're in an alliance, we're going to the end.' That's who you keep. I hope that they will be smart enough to get rid of Dustin. I think this will be a double eviction week. I don't know that for sure but that's what usually the way it goes the first week someone goes to sequester so they're not in sequester alone."

Continue reading "Marcellas Reynolds weighs in on "Big Brother 8"" »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Did it just seem too good to be true?
Andy Baldwin, the best "Bachelor" ever, and his chosen one, Tessa Horst, have called off their engagement but have not broken up. I guess they realize that reality really isn't a reality show. (That's a weird sentence but I'm gonna leave it).
According to In Touch Magazine, Andy reportedly said: “When the fantasy wore off and the reality set in, we both realized that we weren’t ready to be engaged. We’re taking things much slower.”
Tessa has postponed her plans to move from San Francisco to Hawaii where Baldwin, a Navy doctor, is stationed.
They said in a statement: “We are very much in love and committed to our relationship. With the possibility of reassignment to a new location, we decided it was not the ideal time for Tessa to uproot herself and move out [to Hawaii] right now. Our relationship continues to deepen, and we’re very hopeful about our future together.”

I wish them both well since they came off as very appealing people on the show...but I'm thinking this isn't gonna go the distance...

Related post: ">Face-to-face with Andy Baldwin: 'I'm definitely straight'

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I was just reading Daily Variety's TV ratings story and almost lost my lunch when I read that Dick Donato (aka Satan) and his name-calling and intimidation strategy has boosted the ratings of "Big Brother 8" to their hghest all summer. Damn! Why can;t we credit the spike to cutie pie Eric and his very entertaining role as "America's Player"?
The insults and tantrums had all three of the week's televised segments on CBS in the top 10 among veiwers 18-49.
Writes Variety: "It will be interesting to see if the ratings stay strong if Donato, up for eviction this week, is kicked to the curb on Thursday's live results show."
He has just been too vile, especially on last night's show where he mocked religion, sexuality and motherhood, among other things. He should be kicked to the curb and left there.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Are CBS executives glad they chose this sick, twisted "person" named Nick to be on "Big Brother *" for entertainment value? He has been nominated for eviction along with his manipulative daughter, Daniele, and on tonight's broadcast, did his devil best to get under the skin of all other houseguests at one point saying, "I have to get them to despise me."
That task had already been accomplished but for good measure, he went on a rampage calling Amber "a disaster on two legs" (well, that IS true) but he did not have to add: "You are one ugly b*tch. I promise on the life of your daughter I am going to make your life miserable."
CBS did not see fit to air Amber's anti-Semetic remarks made previously and caught on the live-feed, but the network had no hesitation in airing Dick's homophobic taunts toward gay contestant Dustin, whom he repeatedly called "Princess."
Even if it's strategy, it's so vile and only a vile person could say the words with such conviction. And coming from a 44-year-old man wearing nail polish and earings, it was pretty ridiculous.
Of the Christian Jameka he said: "You can't even save yourself!" and after Dick won the POV competition, he mockingly said: "Thank you Jesus!" I think Jameka spoke for anyone stupid enough (me included) to still be watching this annoying show when she said: "He is Satan in this house."

Continue reading "Big Brother recap: Dick the devil hits new lows..." »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's not even my birthday and yet this happened on tonight's episode of "Big Brother 8"...
Jessica nominated Dick and Daniele for eviction. Dick is going down swinging, picking fights with Jameka and Amber. Meanwhile, Daniele is left to scrounge around for allies.
Good luck with that.
I don't know what Dick hoped to accomplish being such an a**hole. He not only lose the game but along with Amber, is the most loathsome person on this or any season of this show.
My interest in the show is waning...but I do want to see that nutjob voted off followed by Amber the next week. I find them boith so offensive. Jen doesn't even bother me in the least now...

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

My mind was so much on politics yesterday that I'm just now catching up on what happened last night on "Big Brother 8." And it is great news! Eric survived in a 4-3 vote that sent Kail home and, I think, ends the reign of terror that was Daniele and Dick.
Jessica won HOH and my bet is she puts this twisted father-daughter duo on the block then thjey can go another few years without speaking. Can you imagine having to spend your holidays with that manipulative bully?
Nowe here's my hope: A showmance between Eric and Dustin! That would be cool. Is this just a pipe dream or does anyone know of any real flirtations between these two?

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I don't spend many of my summer nights watching game shows but last night, flipped on CBS in preparation of "Big Brother" and the new game show "Power of 10" was still on. There was the most adorable contestant named Jamie Sandler on in a wrinkled blue shirt. He's just 19 but he was so poised, had a great way about him, and the best smile. And best thing: he won $1 million!!!
He's gonna use the money (well, part of it anyway) to go to pay for med school. He also plans to buy a car.
p.s. The show had some strange questions, don't you think?

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The site BuddyTV has a terrific interview with Nick Starcevic about his stay in the Big Brother house. I wonder if Nick has heard of YouTube and the 24-hour live feed. That makes it kinda hard to rewrite history Mr. Muscles.
But, he seems to be trying to. Here are some excerpts:
On Daniele: "I legitimately have feelings for Danielle. I went in the house with one way of playing the game and I met Danielle and found out that I didn't have it in me to hurt someone's feelings like that. You know, I'm a very emotional person, and I fell for Danielle, and everything I said to her is real, and that's why I kind of cozied up beside her and sidled up, and we tried to start our own little alliance there."

On the speculation abvout his sexuality: "Yeah, I've gotten asked that question a couple times today about homosexuality. I am definitely one hundred percent straight, I don't know if something was taken out of context or anything like that. It was something with like Joe and I in the hot tub, somebody said. Definitely one hundred percent straight, had nothing to do with men ever. But I am a very comfortable guy with my sexuality, and I do find men attractive, and I can say that because I'm comfortable with my sexuality."

On the story he told Joe in the hot tub about performing oral sex: "Uh... yeah that's what was told to me before, I never said anything about performing a sexual act before. I said that I kissed one of my buddies on the lips in a bar because of a bet, I don't know if that's what you're talking about."

So, before he keeps lying, maybe Nick should watch this clip:

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

OK, that's it. Dick has GOT to go. He has surpassed Amber, Jen and everyone else as not only the most annoying houseguest on "Big Brother 8" this season, but for ANY season. I mean, Jen is a moron but should Dick be allowed to dump iced tea on her head without repercussions? His verbal abuse to her and other houseguests is so unpleasant and has rendered most of them into his little soldiers. They need to turn the tables and get rid of this dude! I like what Eric did on last night's show: he got into a verbal showdown with Dick and kept his wits about him and turned things back at him. It was clever. You don't often see someone outmatching this loudmouth.
But, with daddy's little girl Danielle HOH, Dick appears to be safe while Jen and Kail are on the block for the third week in a row.

It appears Daniele wants to backdoor Eric but there might not be the support in the house for that plan.I watched last night's show and just feel like it's sinking to new depths. Having the houseguests hanging upside down while birds crap (I think it was fake crap but still) on them is disgusting.
I will say this though: even though she is Dick's daughter, Daniele is a much better player than he is: gritty and able to win competitions. I say she goes much further in the game than daddy dearest.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is Nick, voted out of the Big Brother house by a score of 6-2. I missed the episode in favor of a party on the rooftop of The Standard Hotel in Dowtown LA. Gabbed with lotsa celebs and will share some w/you tomorrow...So, what do we think of Nick's departure? Why do these gorgeous dudes who don't seem very bright keep getting shown the door when someone like Dick is a bigger threat? Amber is a weeping fool, Jen is a space cadet and Kail is so calculating. Maybe it was the Mohawk?

Or maybe Nick (pictured above with his showmance Daniele) chose the wrong side of the bisexual fence or whatever he was sitting on in the early weeks. He clearly should have been snuggling up to Dustin more than Daniele if he wanted a strong ally. Her attempts to save him were sincere, but feeble. Nick feels betrayed so I guess we won't be seeing that showmance becoming a romance.

Here is Nick pictured (above) with some of the friends he thought he had...

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Between live feeds, blogs and readers emailing me, it's not too tough to keep up with what is going on in the "Big Brother" house. Nick, the last remaining musclehead (Mike was voted off last week ):) is being back doored! He shoulda kept flirting with everyone and not focused so much on Daniele. She can't save him now.
Meanwhile, annoying Jen has been taken off the chopping block and Nick put on. He knows he's a goner so he shaved his head into this not-very-attractive mohawk. I figure Kail, a much bigger threat, is safe for another week since she didn't go and shave her head...
Fortunately, Nick's hot body remains intact....

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Just weeks ago, "Big Brother 8" was a fun diversion with all kinds of gay drama and eye candy to spare. How did it all go so wrong, so fast? We had ex-lovers Dustin and Joe to deal with, hunky Nick flirting with them both and throwing out all kinds of hints that he swing both ways. Then there was hunky Mike who was just nice to look at, especially when he lifted weights with Nick.
Ah, the good old days.
On Sunday, I tuned in to see Dustin as head of household and fully enjoying his power - even dressed as a king for the food competition. I like that Dustin, as a gay man, is in charge and trying to be strategic. What I don't like are his v-neck t-shirts. He's gotta lose those.

Dustin has targeted Kail who I was SURE would go home last week instead of poor, cute Mike [pictured above, leaving the house on Thursday] who, I'm sure, would not hurt a fly or ever tell a lie. He was just a there to be eye candy, not cause trouble! Kail, she's trouble. I actually felt a little sorry for Jen who was also nominated and who cried about it (at least she wasn't crying over her horrible picture again.).
So all that is well and good but what's really apparent is that this is not an interesting group of people. Nick has reverted to total hetero (gee, what a surprise) and grown a little mustache that does not please me. I don't like him anymore. I'll still post shirtless pics of him, sure, but I don't like him.

Then there is the crybaby that is Amber: she sobs when Dustin wins HOH then gets into a really idiotic discussion with Evil Dick over her love for her dog vs. her love for her child. The tearful one actually said they are equal (If I was the kid, I'd be the one crying now). "I love my dog as much as I love my daughter," Amber told an incredulous Dick. "Love is love...I love them both...they're like both my kids."
I love Dick's response: "Are you a mental case? What is wrong with you?"
Dick's got plenty wrong with him tough. He is trying to mend fences with daughter Daniele and you can see she has clearly been wounded by him in her life. So here he is, trying to get close again...cameras on the whole time. Kinda gross. Then later, he is asking Jen point-blank if she has had a boob job. She dodges the query but it's clear she's had one.
Dick could also benefit from some plastic surgery: on his FACE!
Anyway, unless she wins power of veto, looks like Kail is a goner on Thursday...But who knows? This crowd is so dense they'll probably send home one of the few rays of light in the house: the funny, cute and mischevious Eric who has really grown on me.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I don't mean to become unglued over a reality show, but, pardon me: "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!" Studly Mike was voted off tonight by a scoire of 7-2 with Kail living to stay another week. How this happened, I just don't know sin ce I've been working all day. But I am shocked. Kail would seem to be more of a threat while Mike just seemed kinda passive...and studly. I'm completely off Nick now and quickly losing interest in this entire show. Dustin won head of household so let's see what he does. It must be nice to have his ex, Joe, out of his hair.
Poor Mike. It's just not right....

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Nick, Nick, Nick. You really were too good to be true. Watch this Youtube tape of our muscular, tattooed tease and you will pretty much see him for what his is: a jackass. He has a heated conversation with Dick and at one points spits this out: "I had a plan and a game. I was gonna f****n play stupid f***ers like that so I could look out for certain people - now I'm just gonna be the f***en bad dude that I am - that's how I am in the real world."
Take a look:

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 7:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

God, I hope not! Nick was my first crush in the Big Brother House but now I've moved on to Mike (What Can I say? I'm fickle..) so I was not pleased to see that he had been put up on the block by Dick after idiot Jen won the power of veto and saved herself from possible eviction. So that leaves Kail as the most-likely-to be voted off on Thursday. I don't think she has enough allies in the house to save herself and it doesn't seem Mike has a lot of enemies at this point. So, I'm hoping for the best.

Also, I've had several readers asking for more pictures of Nick. I'm so over him! But, he's still good eye candy so here ya go:

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

My television viewing time has been nil since Outfest began (closing night is today!) so I'm way behind on "Big Brother" posts. But I have leaned that Dick, the single most unnattractive man in reality show history, has as head of househoid put Kail (pictured above with hunky Mike) and Jen (looking like a dim bulb, below) up on the block. Great move! At first, you think Jen should be voted out because she is so beyond annoying. But then I think Kail's gotta go because the queen bee of the first three weeks has fallen off her throne. She double-crossed Dick and her alliance of young hunky dudes - Nick, Mike and Zach - has pretty much fallen apart. Sorry Mrs. Robinson.

I wish I had more time to watch the show because I would so enjoy it more now that Joe is voted off. I do not miss him. As for the gorgeous and flirty Nick, I think he's gonna have a big target on his broad, muscular back.


Kail and two of her rebellious boys...


And I save the least attractive for last...

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Joe didn't even bother to hug Dustin on his way out of the Big Brother house...here is his eviction interview with Julie Chen:

Missed "Big Brother 8" last night but got these cool images from GuyTV.com which give you a nice snap shot of what transpired. Drama queen Joe was voted out (yeah!) while Dick goes from being on the block to Head of Household. We KNOW he will put up Jen because he HATES her...and frankly, so do we.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've been trying to catch up on "Big Brother 8" via YouTube because I refuse to watch the 24/7 feed. Here are a few clips I found interesting, the first has Joe, who is on the block tonight, talking votes with Eric...

The second clip is a hot tub scene with Joe, Jen (in a ridiculous swimsuit) and the hunks: Nick and Mike. Nick's hair is wet and slicked back and he looks so much more attractive that way...really handsome. But, I'm all about Mike (pictured above with Kail) now.

So is tonight bye-bye Joe??? I hope so.

Or is Dick the chosen one??? I wouldn't shed a tear. He is single-handedly the most unnattractive man to ever occupy the Big Brother house...

Tune in tonight!!!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I sure hope so. A little of him goes a long way and I'd like to see his ex, Dustin, be able to stay in the house awhile without the toxic force that is Joe. I missed last night's show due to Outfest commitments but Danielle got herself off the block so now Joe will be up against her dad, Dick.
Anywho, did find this amusing clip of Joe doing his impersonations of verious houseguests and am posting it because a shirtless Nick is in it too...Did I mention yet that I do not like Nick's tatoo?

...and if you REALLY care, here is a clip of Joe and Dustin in the hammock having a heart-to-heart. Dustin looks really cute in it. I still don't know what he ever saw in Joe...

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

What is going on over at NBC? They hire Isaiah Washington to guest on their "Bionic Woman" remake just weeks after he gave a series of finger-pointing at every but himself interviews to Larry King and others. Then I hear they are bringing back the bore that is Donald Trump in some kind of celebrity version of his dying "Apprentice" franchise. I'd begin a personal boycott of NBC right now except that I never watch it anymore anyway - except for the odd "Law & Order" episode here and there.
So fame whore Trump, who showed even less class than Washington in his running feud with O'Donnell, wants Rosie for his new celebrity-infested "Apprentice."
"If Rosie would like to do it, she would be treated very fairly," Trump tells PEOPLE. "Don't forget her show got the highest ratings in December and January when she and I went at it. So I think it would be very good for Rosie. And she would be treated very fairly."
The nerve!
Rosie said through her rep: "It will not happen in this lifetime or beyond."
Duh.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

So I watched the CBS hour of "Big Brother 8" last night and after seeing YouTube videos etc. of what went on in the house, the network show is kind of a snooze. And to have to endure the hideously annoying Jen is more than I can take. I'd rather stick needles in my eyes! And then there's the squeaky Jessica weirdo who is carrying on a silly grudge against her high school rival who is on the block. If these two don't get voted off in the next few weeks, I'm gonna have to start drinking while watching the show...
But making it all better is the strapping, gorgeous Nick who has a strategy I have never seen before on the show: he is flirting with absolutely everyone, females and gay males, and it is working...so far.
(YouTube Clip after jump)

Continue reading "Nick is making "Big Brother" must-see TV..." »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Muscle-head Nick is certainly into same-sex confessions. In the latest clips from the show's 24-hour live feed, Nick tells two of his straight male housemates about a top five list of guys he would get physical with. They make fuin of him a bit and he backtracks slightly: "I wouldn't do anything with any guy unless they were on my five list at that moment." Hmmmmmmmmmm. So it looks like this list is ever-changing. I wonder if Dustin or Joe will make the list soon...

Then later, Nick discusses his top five list with one of his female housemates and lists Matthew McConaughey at the top of his list ("He's a great looking guy, great individual, got a killer bod, he's really personable." Following Matthew is Ryan Reynolds, another Out In Hollywood fave. And third is Brad Pitt. Says Nick: "Have you seen 'Snatch' or 'Fight Club'? Wow."
Great taste ya got Nick...

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, well. It looks like muscle-head Nick is an equal-opportunity tease! Following his hot tub confession to Joe, he then allows Joe's ex, Dustin, to rub sunblock all over him for what seems like forEVER.

I get the feeling there is gonna be a steady stream o YouTube clips coming out of the Big Brother house in the weeks to come and I feel it is my blogging duty to post them!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hey, I'm into the new season of "Big Brother" but I'm just committing to the one hour three times a week. I'm not watching the HBO three-hour nightly thing or the 24 hour live raw feed thing. C'mon! Gotta have a life.
But thank God someone is watching! How else would we know that hunky Nick would admit to a gay past while in the hot tub with gay Joe and see them snuggling together.
At least he's not as big a tease as last season's Howie who never snuggled or admitted to gay sex. Being such a beefcake helps Nick immeasurably. Why else would Kail, as head of household, bring him into her little alliance with the two other hunks Mike and Zach? Says Nick: "It's Mrs. Robinson and her three boys."
Here's a YouTube video of the hot tub scene where Nick's admission is made...

Anyway, watched last night's show and will share with you some impressions after the jump...

Continue reading "Big Brother's Nick playing both sides of fence..." »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Oh, great.
We finally get more than one gay houseguest on "Big Brother" and they turn out to be a coupla guys named Joe and Dustin. They are ex-lovers who had a bitter break-up and I fear are going to get on my last nerve if they are not voted off immediately. Joe (pictured above, center) is the flamboyant one and would have been fun on his own. For example, when asked what his pet peeve is, he replied: "Straight people!" But he lost me when he blurted out that Dustin had given him gonorreah! Did we REALLY need to know that? Then we have Kail (what the hell kind of name is THAT?) who won the first head of household competition and who, in the diary room, revealed herself to be homophobic. In discussing Joe, she says: "If one of my kids chose the gay lifestyle, I'd be heartbroken." I officially do not like Kail and I'm afraid that the behavior of Joe and Dustin will do nothing to change her views or those of other homophobes who want to stereotype us.
Of all the gay people who tried out for the show, THESE are what they give us? Oh, let's laugh at the gay people. Gawd.
That said, Joe seems to have an ally in the muscle headed Nick, the former football player with the buff bod who doesn't seem to be the brightest bulb in the room. He remarked that Joe had been so happy-go-lucky until Dustin showed up and he became more somber. And then Nick could be seen going over to Joe and giving him a big hug. So, I like him. Got that? Don't like Kail. Don't like the toxic chemistry of Joe and Dustin. I Like Nick.
I also like Mike but for purely superficial reasons. I didn't get much of a read on his personality but I did get a read on his body and it is pretty smokin! It is fortunate that he might be this season's Howie - the houseguest who walks around without a shirt on.
God help me, I think I'm being sucked into another season of Big Brother. When will the madness stop?!!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I had heard through the grapevine earlier this week that gays would be very happy with the new crop of houseguests on "Big Brother 8" which kicks off on CBS July 5. Today I found out how true that is. At least two of the male houseguests are gay: a first!They are 22-year-old Justin from Chicago who is a salesman and says "I'm pretty good at selling things, including myself, to complete strangers." Then there is 23-year-old Joe who looks to be very flamboyant and fun. I'm very intgrigued by
Then there is this 27-year-old cutie named Eric from New York. He's a talent management assistant and on his tape, talks about being sneaky and appearing like a really nice guy - so much so that people don't even see it coming when he stabs them in the back. He could be as straight as Wentworth Miller but he did set my gaydar off a bit...just a little. Then I looked up his profile and nothing really revealing if he is indeed on m,y team except that one of his hobbies is MUSICAL THEATER! I'm gonna keep my eye on that one... To see the full roster of houseguests, go to the CBS.com Big Brother site.

And finally, while this next houseguest, a former football player named Nick, isn't gay that we know of, he is certainly going to be some mega-eye candy for the gay guys and straight girls. And there should be plenty of shots of him working out in the gym since he will most certainly want to stay pumped up for viewers...And of you think Nick looks hunky with the short ON, check out some of these pics of him that I snagged off of GuyTV.com that you will find after the jump:

Continue reading "At least two "Big Brother 8" houseguests are gay... " »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Andy Baldwin and Tessa Horst from "The Bachelor: an Officer and a Gentlemen" are my favorite heterosexual couple right now! Here they are on the beach in Hawaii over the weekend. Aren't they beautiful??? If this relationship doesn't work out, I may have to swear off reality shows forever...except "American Idol," of course, and maybe "Dancing With the Stars." I also have to reserve the right to watch anything on Bravo and "Amazing Race" if they have another hot gay couple like Chip and Reichen. But other than that, I'll be THROUGH!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 6:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gee, was Jordin Sparks' moment of being crowned the season six "American Idol" crammed in at the end of the show or WHAT? Hey, I enjoyed a lot of what went down on "American Idol" last night from the returns of four past champions to performances by Green Day, Bette Midler, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, and Tony Bennett. But maybe those really cringe-worthy Golden Idol Awards could have been done without so we could have given Jordin her moment in the spotlight. I'm sure she will have plenty down the road and become a big star along the lines of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood but also maybe do Broadway too like season three winner Fantasia.

When Jordin closed the two-hour show with "This Is My Now," "I (Who Have Nothing"), I felt good about her winning and remembered how much I loved her version of "You'll Never Walk Alone," and many other songs this season. Melinda Doolittle is technically a better singer but Jordin is a worthy winner of this talent competition that seems to have all of America interested.

Continue reading "Greg's American Idol recap [Updated]..." »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It seems to be the consensus that Jordin Sparks will be crowned the new "American Idol" tonight after nailing her final number in what was kind of a lackluster show last night. Here's where I make a stunning confession: I fell asleep during parts of the show and only saw Jordin and Blake perform one number apiece so I can't make any snarky comments. Dammit. I was tired yesterday but also, I kind of find the whole exercise kind of silly with Melinda Doolittle out of it. It feels anti-climactic for sure. This was the first show all season without Melinda and frankly, she was missed.
But I did wake up and revive myself long enough to watch most of "Dancing With the Stars" where Apolo Ono was the winner...as I had predicted. It's hard to find fault with that result since he and his partner were so good together but I was rooting for Joey Fatone because he was one of the best reasons to watch the show this season - so entertaining yet deceptively skillfull. His positive energy is something I really like in people. As for Alaila Ali, she stumbled in the end a smidge but also was one of my favorites this season. I LOVED what she said when asked how she felt about getting third place: "I'm pissed!"

It was also terrific to see the past champs as well as all the contestants from this season get one last chance in the spotlight. To see Heather Mills do all those great stunts, it was just insane that she was voted off before Cliff from "Cheers" and Billy Ray Cyrus.
I mean, give me a break.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson have been in the bottom two before and Laila Ali and Maksim Chmerkovskiydidn't knock it out of the park last night, I predict that Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough will win the “Dancing With the Stars” competition when results are announced tonight. Personally, they don't really send me but I acknowledge that they have been spectacular all season long and Apolo being a world-class athlete certainly gives him an edge.
I think Joey is the best pure entertainer and I hope his career goes through the roof after this is over. I have enjoyed him so much and think it is so sweet how he has invited his old NSYNC bandmate to be in the studio audience so often this season. Lance was sitting next to the handsome Harry Hamlin last nigtht.
And then there is the sexiest pair of all: Laila and Maksim who are just so hot! She ripped his shirt off last night and I so enjoyed that even if I wasn't crazy about the rest of their free-style dance.

I will miss them most of all (I feel like Dorothy in the 'Wizard of Oz.') because they were a fun pair who sparred due to their strong personailities and that made it all the more combustible.

*********************************************************************
Since all the "Dancing" contestants are already successful in their fields, this show doesn't touch the same cord as "American Idol" which has its final two compeition between Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis tonight. I like them both but the entire thing really lost something when Melinda Doolittle was voted off. It just seemed wrong then and a week later, it seems even more wrong.
I'll be happy for either one of 'em.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Navy Lt. Andy Baldwin showed on the season finale of "The Bachelor" Monday night that he is more than just a pretty face with a killer body: he also has exquisite taste in women. He proposed to 26-year-old social worker Tessa Horst and she said yes! I did predict this a few weeks back simply because while there were plenty of smart and beautiful women vying for Andy - including runner-up Bevin Powers - the regal and reserved Tessa just had a way about her. She was the only woman to question whether a reality show was the proper way to meet the love of your life and she considered bolting. I'm sure this made Andy want her all the more. And you felt that if Andy did not pick her, she would have been heartbroken but not broken because she knows who she is.

Andy Baldwin is one lucky guy and by being such a class act, he elevated this really silly show that I have ignored for years now but got interested in again because if followed "Dancing With the Stars."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'd like to believe that I am posting these photos of gorgeous Andy Baldwin because tonight is the season finale of "The Bachelor" and he proposes to one of the women on the show. But really, I'm posting these pictures because Andy is absolutely stunning and I don't have any fresh beefcake shots of Daniel Craig or Matthew McConaughney.That said, it would be so cool to have a gay reality show like "The Bachelor" where one lucky guy gets to date a coupla dozen guys and try and pick one to spend his life with. No gimmicks though like making some of the guys straight and forcing the dude to figure out who is who. When I think about the path that Bravo's "Boy Meets Boy" series took, it makes me kinda furious. We deserve our own dating reality show!!!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wow. Three songs in one night by each remaining contestant. I'm still trying to sort it all out. I took some notes as I watched just to keep track and I found Melinda Doolittle to be the real standout and the most likely contestant to remain unitl next week. When she was singing Whitney Houston's "I Believe In You and Me," what was coming through was that she was feeling the song, not just belting it out. I watched her do that number and thought, "She deserves to win." The judges were back on form last night after being ridiculous last week and were unanimous in their praise of Melinda who followed her first song with the rowdier "Nutbush City Limits" which was solid and rocking then she changed it up again with the third number 'I'm A Woman." The three numbers showed her range and skill and why she should absolutely win this competition.

Continue reading "Greg's American Idol recap..." »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

"Dancing With the Stars" is some of the best television right now because the four remaining couples are, while all very different from each other, absolutely top-notch. Last night. Layla Ali and her partner were absolutely flawless and the way she shimmied across the stage to Tom Jones' "She's A Lady," it was enough to make a gay man's heart skip a beat. I LOVE her presence and could watch her dance all day. While Layla got a perfect combined score of 60 for her two dances, so did Joey Fatone and his partner who were simply dazzling. I think Joey brings so much life to the show with his personality, enthusiasm and his willingness to really go for it.
This is why I think Ali and Fatone should be in the finals.

As far as Apolo Anton Ono and his partner, no one would complain if they made the finals and even won the whole doggone thing. I think they are superb. But I give Ali and Fatone the edge on intangibles. This leaves us with Ian Zeiring who has worked just as hard if not harder than anyone this season. He had his best night yet this week and yet, I don't think it will be enough. If he is voted off tonight, I think he still comes out a winner with his profile higher than it has been since the days of "90210" and his body as fit and buff as it was when Steve Sanders was playing beach volleyball with Brandon!

In the end, my heart belongs to Layla.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've got a problem with ABC's "The Bachelor" for several reasons: it's turning falling in love and possibly getting married into a reality show and it really dehumanizes the people involved - especially the women. I have only caught an episode here and there. But tonight, I saw the last half-hour so I feel fully qualified to spout off.

First of all, I have NO problem with this season's bachelor, Andy Baldwin. He's pretty much a dreamboat if you like that clean cut, perfect smile, gorgeous body Navy kind of thing. I think choosing him gave the show some new life because he's also a smart guy who seems to have a lot of character. You figure any guy who agrees to do this show is probably just doing it to lauch an acting career or something but with Andy, I kinda believe he is looking for true love. (I'm such a sucker!)

One of the reasons is the way he narrowed down the field by eliminating the annoying catfight kind of girls right away and being able to see who was of real quality. So this brings me to Tessa, a social worker who I, from several episodes back, have believed Andy would choose. She's just got a way about her and he seems to see that. She was also the only woman that I am aware of who questioned the whole reality show concept and if she could really fall in love under these circumstances.
And so, next week is the finale and I predict it will end with a proposal to Tessa and, against all odds, I think this pair could really make it!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Poor Heather Mills. First she breaks up with Paul McCartney then she gets voted off "Dancing With the Stars" after dancing, with an artificial leg, far better in more ambitious routines than some of the other remaining contestants.
The vote can't be about dancing when Cliff from "Cheers" gets more votes for barely moving during his routines and Billy Ray Cyrus who, while awfully cute, can't dance to save his life!
I gotta say, I LOVE this stage of both "Dancing" and "American Idol" because for the most part, the cream has risen to the top. And the men on "Dancing" are so damned sexy!

Joey Fatone, with all that charisma and those sexy moves, is basically my dream man. Ian Zeiring is a stud with a killer smile, and Apolo Ono is awesome! I think Ono will wiin but if not him, it might be Laila Ali who is a sensation week ater week. I love her moves, her personality, and her hunky dance partner!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's what Rosie O'Donnell said this morning on The View as reported by AfterEllen.com:
"It's Wednesday, April 25th, and you know what that means? It's the day after Barbra Streisand's birthday. [giggles and murmurs; Barbara Walters puts her head in her hands] And there's also breaking news. I've decided ... we couldn't come to terms, so I've decided I'm not coming back next season, but I will co-host [etc. etc.] and don't be sad because I'll still be here, just not every day."
Rosie explained that she wanted a one-year deal, while ABC wanted three years. She insisted that she wasn't fired by ABC or Barbara Walters -- "They're not kicking me out!" she said. She added that she'll be on the show frequently next season as a guest-host after she makes her exit in June, and will participate in special episodes as well.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck: Once a week?
Rosie: Maybe.
Barbara Walters: You told us to be upbeat, but I'm not, I'm sad.
Barbara makes it clear that she had nothing to do with the negotiations and that they haven't thought about a replacement because they thought Rosie was coming back.
Rosie: Will you miss me, Joy?
Joy Behar: I'll tell you who's really sad. Donald Trump. He's on a ledge right now.
Rosie asks Elisabeth how she's feeling about the news.
Elisabeth: I think I'm in denial.
To her credit, Elisabeth says that Rosie has been a great catalyst and has really sparked conversation.
After the break, Elisabeth accidentally says she thinks Cheney would be a good candidate for 2008 (she meant to say McCain) and Rosie dramatically falls off her chair. And that, Rosie, is why we'll miss you.
Joy: He's coming live. He was gonna do a phoner, but we said no.

TMZ.com has the video. Click HERE to see it.

Also, here is a statement from GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano on Rosie's departure: "From her first day on The View, Rosie put lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues front and center in America's living rooms. "By telling stories about her own family, her wife and children, she brought unprecedented visibility to our lives and significant cultural change during a time when we are fighting every day in this country for equality. While always opinionated and sometimes controversial, Rosie used her national platform to tell our stories, and for that, gay people and our straight allies will always be grateful."

And finally, HERE is a clip of Joy Behar bagging on the moron that is Donald Trump. The combover king is gloating, of course, and on Wednesday said: "Rosie's a loser and she continues to be a loser. ABC fired her and I'm proud to say that I probably had a part in it."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sanjaya Malakar continued his post-"American Idol" media blitz yesterday by reading off "The Late Show with David Letterman’s" Top Ten list on Monday. This followed an appearance on Ellen's talk show and a weekend in Washington D.C. for the White House correspondent's dinner (huh?). Today he was on "The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet" whatever that is.

Anyway, here are the “Top Ten Things I’ve Learn from American Idol” list from 10 to one:

– The camera adds 10 pounds to your mohawk
– Work hard and make sacrifices, you can finish in seventh place
– It’s very important to “keep it real, dawg”
– I should have gone for the Immunity Idol — oh wait, that’s “Survivor”
– On camera, Simon is a bit nasty, but off camera he’s a total jerk
– Voting for yourself 100 times an hour causes some wicked carpal tunnel
– When you forget the words, just do this … “OHHHHHHHHHH”
– Honestly, I thought I was auditioning for “Are you Smarter Than a 5th Grader”
– Nothing
– America loves performers with bad hair — right, Dave?

Also Monday: Makalar’s infamous hair goes from shiny to soaked after having buckets of slime dropped on him on Nick’s ME:TV on Monday in New York City.

Photos from JustJared.com

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There is a new issue of The Advocate out so I finally feel like I can share with you the rest of my recent cover story on "American Idol." I've provided the first two links for you so you can start from the beginning then you can read to the very end. It's interesting to me: since the article appeared, the gay baiting between Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest (detailed in this third installment) seems to have diminished. We still have not heard a peep from Mario Vazquez who the editors put on the cover and, of course Clay Aiken has been busy on goodwill missions to Afghanistan.
Anyway, here is the rest!
Click HERE to read Part One
Click HERE to read Part Two

Damon Romine, media director of the Gay and Lesbian Association Against Defamation believes that American Idol contestants are no different from other aspiring stars who don’t want to give themselves any kind of perceived disadvantage in achieving success.
"By and large, many gay and lesbian performers have felt some pressure — either internal or external — to keep their private lives private as they strive to achieve some level of stardom," he says. "But as we’ve seen, when celebrities do come out, their lives ultimately change for the better as they are able to live openly and honestly."
Many point to Elton John and the Scissor Sisters as a few examples of international success while others can’t help but bring up the case of season two runner-up Clay Aiken, whose sexuality has been widely speculated upon. But Aiken, in various interviews where the subject has been broached, has chosen to neither confirm or deny whether he is gay. He also has refused to respond to aggressive bloggers and others who have tried to force his hand.
"It really actually makes me sad that he feels that he can’t be himself," season one out finalist R.J. Helton says of Aiken. "Maybe he’s just not comfortable with his own skin yet. I think he’s got so much clout that he could do a lot for other gay artists."
Adds fellow season one out finalist Jim Verraros: "Clay’s got a lot more invested in him than I do, millions of dollars on RCA. We don’t know who in his camp might be saying, ‘We will drop you so fast your head will spin.’ He has more to lose. I think it’s sad because I don’t know how much more obvious you can get."
Neither Aiken or his representatives had any comment for this story.

Continue reading "Greg's American Idol Exclusive: Part 3..." »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is the week where the rubber hits the road on "American Idol."
Melinda was dazzling, Jordin and Blake top-notch, Lakisha and Chris were better than the judges gave them credit for and even Phil Stacey, who I have never liked, was damned good.
That leaves us with Sanjaya.
With his curly hair partly hidden by a red bandana, he showed all the limitations he has as a singer as he struggled to sell "Something to Talk Åbout." Simon deemed it "uttterly horrendous" and I have to agree. I didn't have a problem with Sanjaya staying in until this week because the six other singers still in the competition are clearly in a different league than him. I expect to see this kid voted off tomorrow night and I'm sure he will go on to a nice career as a teen idol.
That is unless the stupid Internet campaigns and Howard Stern efforts to tilt the voting toward Sanjaya succeed. Really people, get a life. This is a fun show that really gives a lot of people in this country something in common. We can't agree on our politics or social issues but we can agree on who can sing and who can't.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bravo has announced that fashion guru Tim Gunn will be back to mentor young wannabe fashion designers for the fourth season of Bravo's hit show 'Project Runway.' Since Gunn will also headline his own show, "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style" for the network, there was rampant speculation that he would not return to "Runway."
"I am thrilled to make it official that I will be back in the workroom for season four of Project Runway," Gunn said. "We are in the midst of casting the designers now, and I can already see that it will be another amazing season."
Gunn will once again work with host Heidi Klum and fellow judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia. The casting process for the fourth season of 'Runway' kicked off last week in Los Angeles. Auditions for the show will then move to New York, Miami and Chicago.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Interior designer Thom Filicia is going through major separation anxiety. That's what happens when you've finished shooting one groundbreaking reality series, Bravo's "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy," and started another, the Style Network's "Dress My Nest," airing Wednesday nights at 11 p.m.
"It's baby steps," Filicia tells the New York Post. "Leaving 'Queer Eye' is like meeting someone that you think you're going to be spending the rest of your life with and then deciding that you really love each other but you have to move on."
Filicia, who got the news last year that "Queer Eye" would take its final bow in 2007. The remaining 16 new episodes will air this spring and summer.
Taking its place in Filicia's life is "Dress My Nest," an intriguing show that lets him riff on an individual client's favorite outfit as the basis for making over an important room. If you like khakis and topsiders, that will be reflected in Filicia's design. If you're more into pearls and cashmere, the makeover will reflect that elegance. Primary vendors are Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn and West Elm.
"We get up every day and dress ourselves, and we're pretty proficient at pulling ourselves together," says Filicia. "So if you don't have a handle on interior design, it's a great place to start answering some questions: Do I like color? Do I like texture? It's a great springboard, a fundamental roadmap."
Click HERE to read the entire NY Post piece on Filicia.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Glad I held off on the provocative pic of American Idol finalists Blake and Chris lookin cozy on a love seat. They would make a terrific-looking couple but, it was photoshop that brought them together. TMZ has posted the real deal:

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Somebody send me to a clinic. I get home from a nice dinner with an old friend at Water Grill in downtown L.A, and the first thing I do? Not flip through the mail or check the answering machine. I fire up the computer to see who got voted off "American Idol." I could just visualize the headline:
"Phil Stacey voted off Idol." So what a shock to see that it was Gina Glockson voted off! I never thought she'd win the thing but figured she was safe a few more rounds with Phil and Haley Scarnato more likely to go first. Well, what do I know. i liked her version of "Smile" and think Simon's crappy comments after she sang helped sink her as they did Stephanie Edwards a few weeks ago.
Haley and Phil had the next-lowest vote tallies in the phone balloting, which drew about 33 million calls and text messages. And yes, Sanjaya lives on another week...deal with it!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is such a cheap ratings stunt on ABC's part. And God bless 'em for it!
Andy Baldwin, the latest and perhaps best yet to headline "The Bachelor" will be shirtless in much of next Monday's episode, reports JustJared.com. I think the whole premise of the show is ridiculous and someone demeaning but, hey, I like watching Andy who has completed the Iron Man Triathlon six times!
So here is the circumstances that lead to him being shirtless: Seven women strip down to bikinis and short-shorts to show Iron Man Andy their athletic side, as they passionately compete in a mini-triathlon, including swimming, biking and running events in Santa Monica. The winner scores a romantic stroll on the beach with Andy, as the losers can only look on with envy. Then one lucky bachelorette is singled out to spend a romantic evening aboard the Bachelor’s private yacht.
Lucky bitch.

ABC reports that 9.8 million people tuned in to watch Andy and gave the the show its biggest premiere since 2004. This season also scored 19% better than fall’s The Bachelor.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Blake, Lakisha and Melinda continue to lead the pack but this week, I think you have to put Jordin right up there with them with Chris Richardson close behind. I thoroughly enjoyed "American Idol" last night with the contestants being mentored by the great Tony Bennett.
Most of them seemed to reject Tony's advice when it came time for their performance except for Blake who did in fact slow down "Mack the Knife" as Bennett suggested. He was first up and he was sexy and smooth. He's got such great moves, terrific stage presence and confidence and has a terrific voice. Whatever happens, this kid is a star.
Melinda Doolittle did her usual sensational job with "I Got Rythm" and I agree with grumpy Simon that the second half of the song really did elevate the performance to magnificant. But how will be ever choose between Melinda and Lakisha when both are so high-caliber. I prefer Lakisha ever-so-slightly because she's sassy and her own woman. She sang a steamy "Stormy Weather" and ignored Bennett's advice on how to end the song and I agree with what she went with.
Jordin was first-class with "On A Clear Day" which Randy rescribed as "simply the bomb." Randy was the bestg judge last night - he gave credit where credit was due and was fair. Paula was bordering on inarticulate again after a run of solid weeks, and Simon is just a cartoon sometimes. He was especially a jerk to the rocker chick Gina who i thought did a solid version of "Smile."
Then there's Sonjaya. I think all this bull about him ruining the show is ridiculous. I mean, we got a woman going on a hunger strike, we've got Howard Stern leading this voting drive to ruin "American Idol" by having Sonjaya win. I say: grow up! Get a life!
Ironically, Sonjaya was solid tonight. His voice doesn't have the range of Phil Stacey, obviously, but even Tony Bennett said he was a fan of his and said "I think you're terrific. [You] dare to be different." No weirdo ponytails this week and a solid work-the-crowd performance of "ICheek to Cheek" including a brief dance with Abdul) that actually drew praise from Paula and Randy. Randy said: "You've turned into a terrific entertainer while Paula said "you've got this charm about you." Simon, just a toad last night, sarcastically said: "Incredible!"
So, bottom line: Phil Stacey has got to go. He has a great voice but he just leaves me absolutely cold and his performance of "Day and Night" was a dud after he ignored Bennett's advice to speed it up a tad. I think he is voted off tomorrow night to be followed next week by Haley. Yes, that means Sonjaya makes the top seven at the very least. I'm coo, with that. But if we see a Mellinda or a Lakisha or a Blake voted off before him, there's gonna be hell to pay!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With no Mario Lopez to watch this season, my interest in ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" was minimal. But I did watch it last night and realized this: while the only hot male celeb is Ian Ziering (I also find Joey Fatone completely adorable) who is paired with Cheryl Burke (pictured with Ian, above) , the male professional dancers are beautiful. I am particularly enamored with Jonathan Roberts paired with Heather Mills and the sizzling Maskim Chmerkovskiy, paired with Laila Ali.


As far as the women, all are beautiful and I think Heather Mills is an inspiration for doing all the dances, and doing them quite well, with an artificial leg. But Leeza Gibbons, uh boy. Is it me or is she just plain wacko? She's gotta calm down and just dance. During the interview, I found her so annoying that wanted to throw my water bottle at the television.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm watching "Brothers & Sisters" last night, the first new episode in weeks, and ABC keeps showing this hot guy with his shirt off during the commercial breaks. Turns out he's Andy Baldwin and he's been chosen to be "The Bachelor" which makes its season premiere tonight after "Dancing With the Stars."

I have to admit, I didn't even know "The Bachelor" was still on. You'd think I'd pay attention to these kinds of things but I think the whole thing is stupid. Two dozen girls vying for this one guy and so OK, he picks her, then what? None of these couples seem to go the distance (I know, Trista the "Bachorlette" seems to be but she's the exception). So, I've sorta felt like the show was past its time and not really something worth investing in. But then again, look at Andy Baldwin! I may have to sneak a peak at the show here and there as a dutiful blogger.

Andy is an officer in the Navy and a triathlete and, apparently, a gentleman. We shall see. To ABC and to Andy, want big ratings? Keep your shirt off as much as possible.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Somebody's gotta say it: Why don't Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell just get a room already and get it over with!
The gay-baiting that so often (too often) takes place between these two grown men on "American Idol" is just baffling. Do they think it is funny to act like 12 year old boys on the playground? Are they secretly in lust with each other? What is the deal?
On this week's live performance show, Melinda Doolittle came out to perform wearing four-inch heels.
Ryan asks Simon if he had any advice for her wearing the high heels. Simon, thinking he's oh-so-clever, replies: "You should know, Ryan."
Then Ryan throws Simon a pitch that he probably not help but knock out of the park: "Stay out of my closet!"
To which Simon says: "Come out!"
Ryan ends the flirtation with this line: "This is about the Top 12, not your wishes!"

Like I said guys, get a room and give us all a break!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

TMZ.com is reporting that "American Idol" is retaliating against Rosie O'Donnell and "The View" by forbidding the gabfest from showing "Idol" clips, after Rosie slammed the world's biggest TV show one too many times.
Rosie, Barbara, Elizabeth and Joy started to talk about "Idol," but had no video to go with it. Rosie explained the lack of footage was because "Idol" was unhappy over her slamming of the judges, her suggestions about Paula's "possible inattentiveness," and her accusations of racism and sizeism. If ya ask me, since Rosie's comments, Paula has been far more coherent and focused as a judge. She is actually doing her job and doing it well. I can't say that has always been the case.
Walters said of the "Idol" flap caused by Rosie: "You don't insult them with your left hand and ask for favors with your right." Joy Behar suggested a solution for the problem -- putting an on-screen Ro-Screed disclaimer that warns, "Rosie's views are Rosie's."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rang up Jim Verraros the other day for a freelance piece I'm working on and took the opportunity to get some material for Out In Hollywood on the first openly-gay "American Idol" finalist who is now making movies and recording anothber CD. Jim, 24, was among the final 12 during season one of the show and came out publicly after the show and the Idols tour that followed. Since then, he has released a CD, starred in "Eating Out" and "Eating Out 2" and will begin filming a horror film next month ("I play a straight guy!").
Jim tells me that "Eating Out 2," which made its debut at LA Outfest last summer, is coming out on DVD in May but first will be the opening night movie at a gay film festival in London this month.
“The reaction to the sequel has been mixed for some reason," he says. "When I read the script, I thought it was 10 times better than the original. But some people like the simplicity of the first one which was donhe in such camp."
He heads into the recording studio for his new CD soon and hopes to have it complete by mid-April for a summer release. "It's shaping up to be the makle equivilant to Kyle Minogue," he explains.
Jim didn't win on "American Idol," Kelly Clarkson did. But he draws inspiration from another losing finalist: Jennifer Hudson.
"It's amazing that she's achieved what she has. Simon [Cowell] was like, 'You have no talent, no style or look and then she comes back and gives that ["Dreamgirls"] performance. She's given the show some hard-core cred."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You had to know this guy had too much personality not to get his own show at some point" "Queer Eye" fashion expert Carson Kressley to host the pilot of "How to Look Good Naked," the U.S, adaptation of a UK series.
I think Kressley didn't always dress so expert himself and some of the get-ups he put together for people could be kinda scary! But he really is funny, naturally funny. I wonder how funny he will be allowed to be on this new show which aims to transform people and help restore their self-esteem without the use of plastic surgery. Great idea! Too bad it's too late for the cat lady in NYC!
The pilot will air on cable network Lifetime in April with an option to produce an eight-part series later in the year.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This sounds like some kind of LGBT "Bg Brother" in the works which I think sounds promising. I mean, if the CBS "Big Brother" can't provide with more than one gay person per season, if that, then why not just do something like "The Great Gay Escape" set to air Fall 2007.
The new series is scheduled to tape this summer and will bring together 12 engaging strangers, spanning the diverse spectrum of the LGBT community, under one fabulous roof to live and work together for two months in one of the hottest gay vacation destinations.
I'm already HOOKED! What a great idea!
Executive Producer Mark Grove says: “We are seeking to cast gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, ages 21 – 40 from diverse ethnicities and backgrounds. Whether you’re a party boy, surfer girl, businessman, drag king, drag queen, fraternity guy, sorority girl, model, jock, ex-military, sporty-femme, femme fatale, or just plain curious, we’d love to see you at an audition. If you are looking for a unique adventure this summer or you just want to get away and be yourself, this show is for you.”
Open Auditions will be held in Los Angeles on February 16,17and 18; in Chicago on February 22 and 23; in Austin on February 24 and 25; in Miami on February 27 and 28; in New York on March 1 and 2 and finally, in Boston on March 3 and 4. For the most up-to-date audition information visit stilettocasting.com. If you cannot attend the open casting call, apply now at www.stilettocasting.com or call 310-967-7786.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I had already read J.P. Calderon's interview with "Instinct" magazine and he was brutally honest in that interview, exposing his fears and insecurity about being accepted. It reminded me of myself years ago and all I can say to him is that it will get better - much better.
But for now, this is where he is at and it is where many of us have been. On this week's episode of "The Janice Dickerson Modeling Agency," it was part 2 of an episode in which Calderon, a castaway last season on "Survivor," has a very public coming out as he agrees to pose for the cover of ":Instinct."
On the show he said: "A real big reason why it’s so hard to come out is you’re scared of losing the people that are so closed to you, your best friends, your close friends, and most importantly, your family. And I don’t want to be considered a disappointment...I hate hating myself. And I truly hate myself, I truly don’t like who I am. Maybe this is my way of letting go and finding out who’s gonna to accept and me and finding out who’s not. … I’m in a daze right now. I’m happy, I’m excited, I’m scared, I’m apprehensive, and I’m not really sure what the hell I’m doing right now. I’m just tired of living this facade of something that I’m not, and I just want to start living as something that I am. I better go home and start telling people."
A supportive Dickinson said to him: "I just wanted to tell you how fucking proud I am of you. Coming out yesterday must be really hard, and then being on the cover of a national magazine the next day? … It’s really, really good...Live for yourself, not through other people’s eyes and the way you think you should be in their eyes, otherwise you would be a very unhappy old person. Trust me."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When the lovely Jaclyn Smith walked onto the stage at last fall's Emmy Awards to pay tribute to "Charlie's Angels" creator Aaron Spelling, the audience went wild to see her, Farrah Fawcett and Kate Jackson together again - 30 years after they made their debut as the prettiest detectives in the history of television. All three looked terrific but it was the ageless Smith who most were marveling over. I was thrilled when she came backstage to meet the press on Emmy night and most of the questions were about how she manages to look so good. Her answer: "Good living."
Her awards show appearance did not go unnoticed. It has led to her return to weekly television for the first time since her recurring role on CBS' "The District" several years back. The age-defying Smith, 61, will host Bravo's "Top Hair" which will pit stylists against each other to see who can do the best 'do.'
"Bravo saw her on the Emmys and thought she was great, which she is, a stylish woman — and she has great hair. She's gorgeous. She's A-plus. She totally wanted to take it on right away," "Top Hair" producer Ben Silverman tells Marilyn Beck.
I had the good fortune of meeting this beauty three years ago at the premiere of "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle," a film in which she had a cameo. I told her that when her scene came up, the audience cheered (we had been sitting in separate auditoriums at Graumann's). She was so gracious and asked her husband to snap a picture of us. It's my favorite picture ever with a female celebrity. I have shots with Ryan Reynolds, Sean William Scott and Keifer Sutherland that top the male list. Anyhow, I am glad to have a reason to share this picture of me with a very classy lady. And just for comparisons, check out below a picture of Smith, Jackson and Fawcett taken 30 years ago. When you compare it to the Emmy photos, it really is as though time has stood still.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Get back from breakfast and see this email from Marcellas Reynolds who I met last month at a National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Assn. Christmas party at East West Lounge in West Hollywood. We chatted a bit and he even bought a raffle ticket from me (I'm on the NLGJA board). I knew i had written some unkind things about his days on "Big Broither" but I didn't tell him that there, not during the holidays! But he's no fool, he just found the blog and wrote me the following:

"So I get to your site through my friend and blogmate, Clay's. I look @ your pic and realize we met at an event. I start reading through things you've written. Good. Funny. And then I get to things you said about me. It's not often you meet your detractors face to face. I was nice to you when we met. It's a bit unsettling to see that you weren't very nice about me in your coverage of Big Brother.
I find it interesting that this is the year that GLAAD chooses to nominate Big Brother. When I look @ the season I see cast mates who were homophobic. I see the only gay cast member to make the show willfully edited poorly. I see a lack of inclusion of gay cast members on a production scale. I also see a show I was not proud to be a part of.
I'll say this, I wasn't happy to be there. For me Big Brother All-Stars was a bad experience all around. Do I think I deserve a bit of latitude for that? I don't know. I do think that in the future you should try and be nicer about the House Guests. We are human. And on a show like Big Brother, that is so heavily edited for a desired outcome, viewers don't get the truest measure of who we are. And who knows? You may one day meet us."
M. Reynolds

From Greg to Marcellas: 1. Please don't throw a drink in my face next time we meet. 2. I'm sure you are a far more pleasant person than what was portrayed on television. 3. I feel terrible that you were edited so poorly. 4. Thanks for buying the raffle ticket!

To my readers: I sure hope I never run into Donald Trump!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Was so busy running around yesterday getting credentialed and doing a walk-through for Monday's Golden Globes that I missed some big news! Maybe you've read it elsewhere but I'm gonna put the official Out in Hollywood stamp on it: 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" will be gone from the airwaves after Bravo airs the remaining episodes of the show this summer. The last show aired will be the show's 100th episode.
I think the show featuring the Fab Five deserves so much credit for bringing straight men and gay men together and it did so with such humor and fun. Their presence on the airwaves has had such an impact on pop culture. Carson Kressley, obviously, is who made the show really work with his bigger-than-life personality, Kyan Douglas, the grooming dude, was the hunk with a heart, and the others complimented them well. Ted Allen the food guy was very self-assured and we all learned a lot about food from him and Jai Rodriguez the culture guy didn't ever have a really clear role much of the time but he made it work! And, of course, Thom Filicia, the decorator, who I wish would come over and help me with this Feng Shui thing I'm struggling with the last three weeks.
I wish them all the best and look forward to seeing the remaining episodes which have already been filmed.
In related news,. Bravo announced Friday that "Project Runway's" motto-spouting mentor Tim Gunn will host "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style" in which he will personally shepherd one poor schlub's journey from fashionably awful to awesome. Using the book "Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style" (co-written with Kate Moloney) as a manual, Gunn will tutor everyday people on his style philosphy and how to "make it work" - from finding the right fit and revamping closets to proper grooming and selecting a fashion role model.
"I'm practically delirious that Bravo has given me this incredible opportunity and together, we vow to redefine "makeovers,"' Gunn said in a statement. "This series aims to be one-part education and two-parts fun, and you'll see me being a fashion therapist, not a svengali."
Not sure what this means for his future participation in "Project Runway." The press release was a little unclear and since it is Saturday morning and I gotta go get a new cell phone (dropped it in West Hollywood last night! Damned thing is broken!) I can't investigate this mystery.
But promise to keep ya posted.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, a new dating show on Lifetime has a woman going out with three different men - one straight, one gay, and one in a relationship. She's gotta try and pick the single and straight guy in order to get a free trp with him. I watched the first episode awhile back and it was fine, nothing thrilling. I'd rather see a gay dating show, personally, and see how that goes. After all, we've got so many of those ElimiDATE shows on the air with some not-always very broight people.
AfterElton.com had a thoughtful piece on the new show exploring whether it is something that is good o0r bad for gays. To read it, click HERE.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I'm sure jealous Jan Brady would be thrilled to know that her perfect big sister, Marcia, has gotten a little plump. Too many of Alice's home cooked meals? Marcia! Marcia! Marcia! had too many Carbs! Carbs! Carbs! Just how plump Marcia (Maureen McCormick) is, we're about to see when VH1 kicks off a new season of "Celebrity Fit Club" next month - again hosted by out personality Ant who himself has lost 43 pounds ("I'm small as a bug!").
Ran into Ant at an event a few weeks ago and am finally getting around to sharing what he told me about the new season which will also include Dustin "Screech" Diamond, Ross the intern from "The Tonight Show," rapper Da Brat, and former teen pop star, Tiffany.
"I love it. It's going to be different this year because there are a lot of race and gender issues going on, there's a lot of drama. It's off the hook!
He explains how the beautiful and previously slender McCormick, the fantasy of generations of teen boys and lesbians, packed on the pounds: "It was emotional. She had a lot of personal problems and she ate her way through them. She's the nicest person I've ever met. My boyfriend met her and she ran right up to him like she had known him for years. I hate her! She's so sweet. How am I going to be argumentative and combative with someone who I want to take home to meet my mom?"
McCormick, now 50, has never stopped working since her sitcom days. She had the title role in 1997's "the Barbara Mandrell Story," had a recurring role on the NBC soap "Passion," and has had scores of guest spots on various television shows. She's also worked on the stage and released an album of country music.
Diamond is best known for his long-running role as Screech on the "Saved By the Bell" series which he remained on long after original castmates Mario Lopez, Mark-Paul Gosselar, Tiffani Theissan and Elizabeth Berkley all moved on to bigger and better things.
Says Ant: "All he does is tak about penis and how big it is. And he's trying t get me to buy his T-shirt to save his house and buy his porno movie. I bought it and he said he was so large. I'm watching it and I'm thinking, 'How did you measure, from the small of your back?' It's not all that or a bag of chips. It's not even a Twinkie. But he's making about 30 grand a month off of the porno tape! I'm about to say, 'Let's go invest in a video camera!"
On "Celebrity Fit Club," participants like Ross the intern (pictured, left) are enticed to lose weight with cash and prizes. They are divided into two teams and participate in unique challenges and each week, they are publicly weighed on a pair of giant scales.
What would Alice and Mrs. Brady think of all this?

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Talked to both Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez from "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" earlier this week at the premiere of A&E's "Wedding Wars," a nice event sponsored by GLAAD at the Arlight Theater in Hollywood.
Carson, the show's fashion expert, is wicked funny, so quick and playful. But ya know, I think he's an awful dresser sometimes! He looked like he just grabbed something off the floor and threw it on! Am I a bitch? Maybe.
Anyway, here is some of Carson's red carpet material where he answered any question thrown at him with great humor and enthusiasm.
He had this to say about John Stamos kissing a guy in "Wedding Wars" twice: 'Why can't I be in this movie? I have fresh breath and everything!"
Carson, plenty busy with a new fashion line and a show promoting it on QVC on January 25, says fresh episodes of "Queer Eye" will begin airing sometime in 2007: "We are having a new season of "Queer Eye" this spring/summer. We're like one of those special shows that gets saved until whenever there's room."
He said the new season has already been filmed but as far as filming any new ones he said: 'I don't know, they haven't told us yet They always wait around until the holidays to let you know - keep you on you on pins and needles, wondering if you can buy Christmas presents or not!"

Carson's favorite show is "Project Runway" because "I love to see people yelling at each other while they are actually operating a sewing machine and "Grey's Anatomy" iks always good. I'm a McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey) man and I just saw T.R. Knight last night at the Trevor Project and he is looking cute as ever. I'd be happy to welcome him to the gay community, if ya know what I mean. I'm single!"
He says he's going home to Pennsylvania and "you know, liquor and tears like every other holiday."

Caught up with the show's "culture expert," Jai, at the afterparty and he told me he was still on a high from his run on CBS' "Celebrity Duets" which gave him the opportunity to sing with, among others, legends Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle as well as Taylor Dane and Brian McKnight.
"The night I got kicked off I sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with Patti LaBelle and it was one of more overwhelming and emotional experience. I didn't even feel like I was in my skin. I was just overcome with all kinds of emotion. She's great."
Jai recently moved to Los Angeles from New York and said he just finished filming 14 episides of a series called "Style Life" for the new SiTV network which caters to an English-speaking Latino audience.
"I want to get back to acting and live performance which is what I did before ("Queer Eye"). I played a young dad on "All My Children" and on Broadway and it was all great but now I'm here in the television capitol of the world I'd like to go in for some scripts and sort of show what I can do."

I asked Jai, who just turned 27, if "Queer Eye" has been a blessing or a curse as far as his acting career goes: "It's a double-edged sword because you do have that notoriety no matter where you go. The show's been syndicated in over 113 countries. But, it is a blessing because it does open doors that wouldn't have ordinarily been open to you."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am curious about a new show set to debut on the Lifetime channel (television for women...and GAY MEN!) on Jan. 8. It's called "Gay, Straight or Taken?" Each episode follows a woman (ineligible to play are McGreevey's ex-wives, Ted Haggard's wife and Liza Minnelli) on a series of dates with three different guys: one gay, one in a relationship, and one single and straight. She will try and figure out who is who (it's just getting SO more difficult these days. If she picks the straight single dude then she gets to go on some kind of exotic trip with him (to quote Shirley MacLaine in "Postcards from the Edge," I hope they use CONDOMS!"). If she picks the gay guy or the involved guy, then he and HIS significant other get to take the trip. Here is the line-up for the debut show: Chris, a personal trainer (I pick him! i pick him!), Luciano, a bartender (hmmm, he sounds good too!) and Mike, a club promoter (I dunno). It's worth a view before I give it a thumbs up or down
...And speaking of gay, straight or taken?, I think we should all give thanks on this day after Thanksgiving that Matthew McConaughey and his "bro-mance" buddy Lance Armstrong like to go around shirtless so much of the time and that cameras follow them wherever they go. It is such a beautiful thing.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

From Norm (New York) to Pedro (San Francisco) to Dan (Miami) to Danny (New Orleans), gay men (and lesbians) have almost always been a part of the cast of each season of MTV's "The Real World." The new season debuts on Nov. 22 and takes place in Denver, Colo. The gay cast member is Davis, a 23-year-old from Marietta, Ga.

The blond-haired Davis spoke with Advocate.com writer Daniel Blau about his stint on the reality show, now in its 18th season. He sounds like one of those people Lance Bass describes as a SAG (Straight Acting Gay): "I'm a real straight-acting kind of gay guy. I'm in a fraternity, I've barely been to any gay bars. I hardly even went when I was in Denver. Most of my friends, if not all of them, are straight. I have a few gay friends. And so, for me, I thought maybe I was being cast for being more like the "straight gay guy." They hadn't really cast a ton of those before. But I didn't want to have to come in and, like, come out immediately to everyone. 'Cause I felt like the guys would immediately label me as "the gay character." And I just came out a year ago."
Once all the castmates found out he is gay, the reactions were predictably mixed: "The girls had no issues. In fact, one of them was craving a gay character. Some of the guys had issues with it, homophobic issues. I mean, that¹s probably why they were chosen. I'm from a really strong Christian family, so we had a lot of talks about, like, "Is this a choice?" And, what are my views about, you know, if you condemn drinking in the Bible, how is that any different from condemning being gay in the Bible, when my Christian friends are drinking, you know? So it was things like that. "

Davis only came out a little over a year ago to some of his friends but after getting picked for the show, he made a list of about 25 people to tell so they wouldn't hear it somehwere else. Still, there are many people who will find out by watching the show.

"I got really great feedback from my Christian friends. The next thing you know, it was like, Wow, my Christian friends aren¹t really responding the same way I thought they would. They were like, ³I love you, Davis. This is an issue I¹m starting to change my mind about, and maybe I don¹t think that it¹s a choice. Maybe I don¹t think it¹s condemnable to hell,² and all these sort of things that I was afraid I would be getting when I was in high school. My brother had known for a couple years; he¹d overheard me and my mom fighting about it, and that¹s how he found out. And I told my mom and dad when I was in early high school, late middle school."

He's not too concerned about what people in his hometown will think and hopes to become an example for young kids strugglinjg to come out: "I have gotten to the point in my life where I just want to be happy. I want to be in a relationship with a guy because that makes me happy, and I want to just be proud of who I am and not ashamed of anything anymore. I don't really care what my friends from my school who may not be my friends anymore think...
I just think, once you come to terms with your sexuality, once you come out of the closet, it's an amazing experience. It's like a new day for you. This is day one for me for the rest of my life. I would love to be able to talk to people about that experience and make them feel more confident."
Click HERE to read the interview in its entirety.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 6:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I haven't watched very much of "Survivor" since the Outback season when hunky cowboy Colby Donaldson almost won the whole darn thing (and the world was intorduced to the annoying Elizabeth Hasselbeck). But AfterElton.com reports today that Brad (pictured), the only openly gay contestant this season, was called a "nancy boy" in an effeminante, lispy voice by fellow contestant Nate. Of course Nate did this in one of the interview segments and not to Brad's face.
Well Nate, when the tribe speaks next week with their votes, I do hope your torch will be extinguished.
Grow Up!
BTW, does anybody know what happened to Colby Donaldson? I think I'll just put a few pictures of him here so you all will remember who he is...

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

"Big Brother All Stars" is history but I wanted to provide you with some excerpts of an article that the show's only openly-gay houseguest, Marcellas Reynolds, wrote for AfterElton.com. Marcellas says his image as a bitchy whiner was created by selective editing and that he was much lighter than the moments they chose to show. I was pretty turned off by Marcellas during the show but the truth is, reality show editors, who are fighting to be recognized as members of the Writers Guild oif America, do shape episodes in the same way writers shape scripted TV.

Here is some of what he had to say:

"I wish we could have just played the game instead of play “acting�? with some other ulterior motive driving our actions. But why should I expect realness from my cast mates? The show is not real. There are writers, producers, directors and continuity people. The end credits read like a major motion picture. For every episode, a story is being created and each one of the houseguests is a character.

And this season my role was first gay sidekick to the blond bombshell, Janelle. That's not the role I wanted. I didn't go into the game to be Will to anyone's Grace.

Unfortunately for me, the producers didn't much care what I wanted. My relationship with Janelle, who was the biggest target and the deadliest sexpot to play the game, made me a target. The straight boys were after me very early on. What's a gay guy to do? Well, this one fought. I wasn't there to make friends. I was there to get respect, give respect, and play to win.

A game like Big Brother is about making moves that get you to the end. Much like chess, you must think about your moves in advance — in this case weeks in advance. This season I was quieter, more reserved than Season 3's Marcellas. I didn't want to be the over-the-top gay male. We've seen him before on shows from Will & Grace to The Real World to Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. He's done. This time I wanted to be silent and deadly. Shrewd. A threat, but not a villain.

The producers picked up on this and ran with it. Gone was the jovial Marcellas with a penchant for gnomes and hanging with the gals from Season 3. Enter the surly, in your face, adversarial, slightly cutthroat Marc. This guy didn't want to be called Marci, had no tolerance for ignorance, and didn't have a problem telling you the truth. He was a new spin on the gay reality show contestant. He wasn't a crier and he wasn't a victim. In all honesty he didn't fully exist, but thanks to a bit of creative editing, a new star was born.

I was shocked when I saw the final edit of Big Brother. Yes, I wanted a new image, but even so I was so much lighter in the house than I was portrayed on the show. However, I knew that in the end I had little control over the final version of “Marcellas�? from Big Brother All-Stars. He was a character I provided the raw materials for, and the editors did the rest. "

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well, "Big Brother All Stars" finally ended last night with Mike "Boogie" winning the grand prize over Erika. Marcellas Reynolds, the only openly-Gay contestant this season, was part of the jury and the only one to vote for Erika to win the grand prize.

The terrific Website, AfterElton.com, had an interview with him. I've excerpted some of the stuff about being a gay man in the house and stuff about Howie, the studly and often obnoxious member of the house who is a flirt with men and women:

AE: I've got one more question about Howie, then we'll be finished with him. For a while Howie was really flirting with Will, really coming on to him. How did it feel seeing him use gay sexuality as a strategy?
MR: You know, Mike Boogie thought I was basically a bitch in the house because I wouldn't talk about sex and I wouldn't play that game. I think that when you're a gay man, gay people are sort of thought of as these hedonistic, sexual, crazy, do it to me, sock it to me, I'm going to have sex all the time people. So for me, I can't play that game because I don't want that image out there of us and, specifically, of me.

So, yes, there was a night that Boogie got pissed off at me because I wouldn't make out with him so that two girls would make out. Somebody was like, well, if you kiss Marcellas then Diane – I think it was Diane and Erika – if you kiss Marcellas, then we'll make out, and Boogie was like okay, Marcellas, you can kiss me on the cheek and blah blah blah. I was like, I'm not kissing you! First of all, I don't want to kiss you, and secondly, that's... no, I'm not going to do that. He was like, why are you being so...? And I was like, you know what? Why would I kiss you? Why would I make a spectacle out of myself in that way?

Okay, without pulling any punches, I think that Howie (pictured with crush, Will, above) would go there. I'm not saying that he's gay, but Howie seems like the kind of person that's a swinger. You know how swingers would do anybody? They'll just take sex from where ever they can get it. I was on the receiving end of a lot of inappropriate comments from Howie, a lot of inappropriate touching and that phony kissing that he does and I didn't like it. Those are the kind of things that I don't find funny and I don't think should be played with.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

When whiny Marcellas, the only openly-gay housegust on "Big Brother 7," was voted out of the house last week, I thought that would be the last of him. WRONG!!! I forgot the remaining contestants voted out will be sequestered in a jury house located at an exotic oceanfront location.

So there's a bitchy Marcellas, the most annoying member of this or any season, griping as he arrives. He feels like he's in banishment and he is enduring the worst experience of his life. Gee, he must have had a pretty cake life if staying at a beautiful oceanfront pad is such torture.

He talks to the camera and vows to spend his first week along trying to regroup so he can be pleasant to the next person voted off. But when it turns out to be goofy Howie, he cannot contain his disgust. Marcellas is downstairs playing solitaire when Howie arrives and startles him. Marcellas shouts out "Nooooooooooooooo! No No No!" He later says he if he could swim back to the U.S., he’d brave the shark infested water to do it.

Howie is annoying but Marcellas has only himself to blame. He was a floater who didn't strategize one bit. He left it to others to determine his fate and got what he deserved.

There is a bright spot arriving soon though: hunky (and straight) James was voted off Thursday night and will arrive at the jury house next. Unlike the unbearable Marcellas, James was philosophical about it and left the house with his head up and wits about him.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 8:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For those who are addicted to "The Real World," the latest cast, including gay member Tyler (left), will get together for a one-hour special on MTV at 10 p.m. tonight. The show, "Fun, Sun & Totally Done: The Real World Key West Reunion" brings together Tyler, Svetlana, Paula, Janelle, John, Zack and Jose to relive the show's more memorable moments.

Tonight's reunion made me think about how much "The Real World," by consistently including at least one gay cast member almost every season, has done to help foster understanding and love. When I think back to more than a decade ago when Pedro Zamora was on the San Francisco season, what I remember most other than his eloquence about having AIDS and his falling in love with partner Sean, was the rock-solid friendship he had with Judd and Pam (now married). They loved him like family, better than a lot of families, and it showed. Pedro died not long after that season aired, but it was a gift that he lived long enough to be on it and to impact so many lives.

The show's very first (and many say still the best) season was in New York and included a gay housemate: Norm. In the following 17 seasons, there have been many gays and lesbians. Since I haven't watched the show regularly in several years (I have other addictions now), I can only mention the houseguests I remember well: Miami had Dan Renzi who has stayed on the radar as a reality star, then there was Danny Roberts from the New Orleans season whose boyfriend was in the military but still had the guts to visit him with cameras rolling (face blurred though).

My favorite season was with gay man Chris and outrageous lesbian Aneesa in Chicago. While Chris got all the attention with his model good looks, it was Aneesa who was one of the most memorable characters ever. Her emotional conversations with her mother, the fights with girlfriends, her walking around naked and just her general outspokeness. Aneesa (pictured below) was a hoot but balanced it out well with how articulate and thoughtful she was in the diary room sessions. Somehow, the seasons I watched without a gay or lesbian cast member aren't as memorable to me, like London and Las Vegas.

Anyway, I hope the show lasts forever and always includes a diverse cast. I believe it has made a huge difference in people's lives and their attitudes.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The terrific Web site AfterElton.com has a cool Q&A today with "Project Runway" designers Kayne Gillapsie, 27, and Robert Best, 37. I don't watch the show regularly but thought some of their answers were good in this interview.

Here are some excerpts:

AE: You've both been pretty honest about your sexuality on the show. Do you think it's important for gays and lesbians to be open when they're on reality shows like Project Runway?
RB: I think the important thing is to just represent themselves. If that's not something you want to represent, then that's a personal choice. I can respect and understand that, because people have different reasons for putting themselves out there in the public eye. I think, for me, I just consider it a facet of my life like any other facet, like I have salt-and-pepper hair. I'm not going to make it an issue, and I'm not going to deny it. It's part of who I am, and I'm just like, “This is me. This is all of me. Take it or leave it. I don't really care.�?

AE: There's been a lot of talk recently about gay role models, with George Michael claiming to be one and Lance Bass saying he didn't want the job. Do you see yourselves as role models?
RB: If that's what people want to perceive it as, I have no problem with that. I'm proud of who I am. I think I'm an accomplished, intelligent human being, and if people want to see me as a gay role model, I'm comfortable with that. I'm sure there are people who I don't represent. I can't speak for everyone. At the same time, I'm happy for someone to look up to me or whatever.

AE: Do you think there's any truth to the stereotype that most male fashion designers are gay?
RB: Yeah. I would argue it, but it seems to be true for the most part.
KG: You'll find a lot, just like with hairdressers and makeup people, anything that's creative or has to do with glamour or fabulousness, it's just something that we tend to excel at. I think the numbers are definitely higher. I haven't done any studies, but from what I've experienced, there're a lot more homosexuals in fashion design, than say, farming. [Laughs.]

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)