Stars: April 2007 Archives

She's come a long ways from the days of Chrissy Snow.
Suzanne Somers, star of "Three's Company" for five seasons, "Step By Step" for seven seasons and let's not forget the two years of "She's the Sheriff," isn't doing as much acting these days. But that doesn't mean she isn't appearing on television. From the Thighmaster to the Facemaster, Somers can be seen on QVC hawking an eponymous line of food, jewelry, and beauty products and has quite a following - including gay men around the country who are buying up her products at private parties in the best Tupperware tradition.

An Advocate.com article explains the phenomenon. Here is an excerpt:
Hosted by "independent Suzanne consultants" since October 2006, the events are a decidedly contemporary take on the Tupperware and Avon parties of yore. Misael Maldonado, a gay man and longtime Suzanne fan, hosted such a happening at the home of charter consultant Mark Paulk in New York City earlier this year.
The eager queens, fag hags, and the occasional straight couple at the gathering started by sampling various food products, including a pot roast prepared with Suzanne's Beef Bourguignon Simmer Sauce and crudités with a cilantro-and-lime dip. “I'll buy this dip. It's delicious,” said party guest Maria Vaccaro as Paulk looked on proudly. Was Vaccaro at all influenced by Somers's association with the creamy yogurt-based concoction? “Well, I've always liked her—for God's sake, she was Chrissy," she said, picking up an order form. Paulk then demonstrated the creation of La Somers's light and fluffy chocolate mousse. Total prep time: three minutes.
The partygoers were particularly spellbound when Paulk demonstrated the Face Master. Using microcurrents of electrical energy (nine-volt battery not included), the gadget is supposed to stimulate and strengthen by zapping face muscles, thus improving facial tone.
The Suzanne business (motto: "Share the joy") is designed to be an ever-growing entity, targeting freelancers, beauty and food specialists, and stay-at-home moms as ambassadors. Consultants, currently numbering around 1,000, are encouraged to bring others into the fold. Aside from income, incentives include exclusive hostess gifts, such as a Maltese cross cuff bracelet or a hand-painted violet chip-and-dip bowl.
“C'mon, she looks damn good for her age," Maldonado said. “The woman's been around for like 200 years. She must be doing something right.”

Remember a few years back when Paris Hilton was on the cover of Vanity Fair? Oscar winner Shirley Jones was so upset that she wrote a letter to the magazine informing them that she would be cancelling her subscription. Who could blame her? It brought the magazine down a notch and made being on the cover seem less special. I mean, who was next? Kimberly Stewart?
But next month's issue gets it right. In this early peak, via JustJared.com, we see Leonardo DiCaprio, the finest actor of his generation and a genuine movie star, on the cover.
Now that's an issue worth buying...