lazy circles

Beyond Beyond The Candelabra

2013-05-16T07:36:00.000-05:00

Scott with Liberace in 1982.

Did you ever wonder what happened to Scott Thorson, Liberace's young lover whose Beyond the Candelabra served as the basis for this Sunday's HBO movie? First of all, he's no longer Scott, he's Jess and he won't be watching on Sunday because the Washoe County Jail in Reno doesn't get HBO. He was a teenage foster kid who was thrust into a life of luxury and just as suddenly had it taken away. Life since then has been anything but a fair tale. Liberace kicked him out in 1982 because of his cocaine habit and Thorson's retaliated with a palimony suit that was quite the scandal at the time. Since then he has bounced around the country from Vegas to Florida to Maine to Palm Springs to Reno. He's been in and out of trouble for drugs and identity theft, he's lived in homeless shelters and he's been shot three times. The money he made from the book and movie were quickly blown before his current unfortunate incarceration. Read all about life after Liberace in The New York Times.

Jess today.

SmashCaps: The Transfer

2013-05-14T10:37:00.003-05:00

Ivy and Karen agree to be nice and professional during awards season. You know this won't last. Ivy is in her Broadway Star, Go-to-Hell Red coat while Karen is in a painfully hip cap she borrowed from a Rastafarrian.

I feel a little guilty about writing my usual SmashSnark since the show has just been cancelled. It's sad that a show with this much potential has crashed and burned so spectacularly.

But I don't feel that bad, Hit It:

This episode began "in progress" because of some sports something or other. I hate the tyranny of sports on TV. Don't they know Broadway divas are waiting?  Anyhoo, we're in the middle of a totally improbable scene in which Ana is "screwing up her cross" in Hit List rehearsal. The actress who has been totally spot-on every moment she's on stage is suddenly staggering around like a three-year old at a ballet recital. Subtle, this show ain't.

Cut to Eileen who is planning a tribute to Tom and Julia and their oeuvre.  "Lindsay" is going to sing, which is apparently a real big deal. Hopefully, they don't mean Lohan. This tribute is all about the Bombshell Tony campaign. Eileen wants Tom and Julia to sing a duet at the tribute and Daphne Ruben-Vega agrees.

Hit List has magically moved to Broadway and Ana has been sidelined for the night for "screwing up her cross." She's pissed and sees the handwriting on the wall. Derek wants to replace her!

Good little Karen goes to Derek to go to bat for Ana and discovers that Derek is testing Daisy for Ana's role. Daisy is the gal who sued Derek for screwing her. Then he screwed her again.

Ivy does a Ford Fusion ad in Times Square wearing a cute little sundress even though it's freezing in New York.  As soon as it's done, she pulls on her killer red coat. I am obsessed with that red coat which is clearly the best thing about this episode.

The gossip blogs are suddenly all about Ivy and her sinful past, including sleeping with Derek and Karen's boyfriend (remember hot Raza Jaffrey from last season?). Therefore, she doesn't want to play a stripper in the Tom and Julia tribute.

Tom and Julia's split has hit the blogs also. Who could have leaked it?  This will make the tribute oh so poignant.

Now that Hit List is on Broadway, Julia and Jimmy are trying to recreate that Downtown feeling. Julia finds one of Kyle's index cards with "Twitter" or something written on it and decide the answer is to text and tweet the audience during the show. OMG, Broadway discovers social media! So hip! So now! So Downtown! Never mind that theaters usually discourage the use of phones during performances, not encourage it. They set out to make this brilliant idea happen for tonight's performance. I guess they're going to get every ticket holder's mobile number or something.

At the Tom and Julia tribute, Megan is still ambivalent about doing her big stripper number. Eileen gives her a pep talk and she goes out there and knocks them dead.

This is as undressed as Megan gets during her stripper number. She totally kills it.

Karen finds out that Daisy is one of the dancers who sued Derek. She confronts him and he immediately admits that he screwed her a month ago and he's giving her Ana's role to keep her quiet. Brilliant idea, Derek. Way to set yourself up for another lawsuit.

It's the Hit List opening night at The Barrymore, which is way too classy a theater for this dreck. We're subjected to another dumb Hit List number. Ana's watching from the back, pissed as hell that Daisy's going on instead of her.

Cut to the Tom and Julia tribute at The Oak Room. Julia shows up really late because she's been working on the Hit List social media stunt. Tom is pissed, but what else is new? Julia sings. Cue the Tom and Julia montage from the past two seasons. Awww, they really do love each other.

OMG it was Eileen who leaked the Tom and Julia breakup! Now they have to give them the Tony because it's their last show! Daphne Ruben-Vega admires her knack for publicity.

Derek fires Ana and hires Daisy. Really dumb move.

Karen tells Ana that Ivy screwed Derek for the lead in Bombshell, Ana tells Ivy, Ivy confronts Karen. It's on, bitches, just in time for the Tony nominations.

The episode's last moments:

Ring Ring.

"Hello?"

"Ivy Lynn? Congratulations, you're pregnant."

Boom! Show's over.

You gotta be fucking kidding me.

Quote of the Day

2013-05-14T06:49:00.001-05:00

"I choose not to keep my story private because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer. It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options.

Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of."

--Angelina Jolie, in a powerful and brave editorial in The New York Times, coming out about her decision to have a preventitive double mastectomy after doctors estimated that she had an 87% risk of breast cancer.

Minnesota Makes 12!

2013-05-13T20:29:00.003-05:00

Sen. Dibble (on the right) applauds passage of his bill.

The Minnesota Senate today passed a marriage equality bill, which has already passed the House. Governor Dayton has pledged to sign it into law tomorrow! Openly gay Sen. Scott Dibble of Minneapolis introduced the bill and it passed 37/30. Sen. Dibble had this to say:

"Minnesotans, when given a chance, understand that the values that unite us are stronger and so much more important than those that divide us. I am proud to be a Minnesotan today. Today good hard-working Minnesotans playing by the rules, trying to live a good life, contributing in so many ways to their communities will be treated fairly. For thousands of families, life will be better. We will be removing the barriers that they have had to the full joys that life has to offer. In doing so, we strengthen ourselves and we strengthen our democracy. When this is over, we will have left Minnesota a better place. That is why we’re here."

Just last year, fair-minded Minnesotans fought back an ugly, anti-gay constitutional Amendment and that victory undoubtedly spurred equality activists to go for it all. Those mean little people who pushed the constitutional amendment had no idea they were providing the spark necessary for today's big event.

The first anti-gay constitutional amendment in Minnesota was introduced by none other than then-state Senator Michele Bachmann, no doubt inspired by LadyBird's miraculous heterosexuality.

Joe.My.God posted this picture, but it's such a perfect expression of today's events that I couldn't resist.

Monday's Man: Joel Edgerton

2013-05-13T06:37:00.000-05:00

I saw The Great Gatsby in 3-D over the weekend and I must say it was better than I expected. It was quite Spectacular Spectacular, I half expected to see Nicole Kidman drop down in a swing. I've never been much of a Leo DiCaprio fan, but he looked good in the gorgeous suits meticulously tailored for him. I can't say he achieved any particular depth with his characterization of Gatsby, he mainly treated the audience to his patented smile and scowl. No matter, because whenever Joel Edgerton was on screen as Tom Buchanan, I wasn't paying Leo, or anyone else, a bit of attention.

From the moment he literally galloped into his first scene in a form-fitting polo outfit, he dominated the picture. He was the alpha male. Silly Daisy for wanting the man in the ice cream suit across the bay.

Here he is throwing a punch in an earlier film, Warrior, that I somehow missed. Is this on Netflix streaming so I can freeze-frame?

Unfortunately, he had to shave his sexy beard for Gatsby.

MN Lawmaker Cries On House Floor Because Gays Might Get Married

2013-05-11T11:39:00.002-05:00

Minnesota state Representative Peggy Scott (R-Peroxide), cried over the prospect of sodomites getting married in her state. Rep. Scott, who clearly does not have a gay hairdresser, had this to say:

"My heart breaks for Minnesota. It’s a divisive issue that divides our state,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes as she stood on the House floor after the vote. “It’s not what we needed to be doing at this time. We want to come together for the state of Minnesota, we don’t want to divide it." She said this without a hint of irony.

Honey, here's a tip - after you take out the Kindness 20 hot rollers, you're supposed to brush it out.

via Towleroad.

Smashed

2013-05-11T11:19:00.001-05:00

It was a dark day at 30 Rock as NBC announced it's cancellations including Smash , The New Normal, the Reba McEntire show Malibu Country, Happy Endings, and almost every freshman series. Smash wasn't a surprise since it was moved to Saturday nights last month, but The New Normal was thought to be in better shape as the network had ordered a full season shortly after its debut last fall. But when The Voice took a break, nobody tuned into NBC and Normal's ratings took a plunge. It's too bad. I liked the show and thought it had real potential. This is the first time that a Ryan Murphy show has failed to make it past one season. His shows Glee and American Horror Story were both renewed, Glee for two more seasons.

Does this mean Andrew Rannells and Megan Hilty are free to do a spectacular new Broadway musical?

David Sedaris Talks Dessert

2013-05-11T09:15:00.000-05:00

Who knew gay men and straight men were so different when it comes to pie? David Sedaris explains it to Jon Stewart. Watch this all the way to the end.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,The Daily Show on Facebook

Minnesota House Approves Marriage Equality

2013-05-10T05:26:00.001-05:00

The state of Minnesota is one step closer to achieving marriage equality as the House of Representatives approved a bill by a vote of 75-59. Four Republicans voted yes with the Democratic majority while two Democrats voted no. The Senate plans to consider the bill on Monday and passage is expected. Governor Dayton has pledged to sign it. It's looking very likely that Minnesota will be number 12!

Just six months ago, there was a battle in the state to ban same-sex marriage by constitutional amendment. When that effort failed, many cautioned marriage activists not to move too fast warning that there is a big difference between voting no on a constitutional amendment and supporting full marriage rights. But the times are changing fast. Just one year ago, President Obama came out in support of marriage equality and since then, we've had major ballot box victories in Washington, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, and Iowa (where a pro-equality Supreme Court judge was retained). We've had legislative victories in Rhode Island and Delaware and now, Minnesota. Illinois could very well be next. Then there's this:

This is from the latest ABC News/Washington Post polling on gay rights issues.

Bryan Fischer Reveals Himself

2013-05-09T16:50:00.001-05:00

Bryan Fischer, the "Director of Issues Analysis" for the American Family Association, and the ugliest anti-gay mouthpiece of all the so-called "family" organizations, went on Alan Colmes' radio show and said a little too much. Colmes tried to get him to admit that he's had attractions to men and he refused to answer:

Everybody experiences sexual impulses that, if acted on, would destroy them? Really? Have you ever had a sexual impulse that would "destroy" you? I haven't. But Bryan has. Interesting.

SmashCaps: The Phenomenon

2013-05-09T13:06:00.000-05:00

Tom and Kyle share a tender moment. No really, it was nice.

This episode was all about mourning the tragic death of Kyle, the brilliant and cute book writer for Hit List. Granted, a few episodes ago, his book was panned as weak so the show was re-written as a sung-through production, but forget that. He rearranged some index cards with Julia and voila! A bright new talent is born. He was given one big song to sing (that the talented Andy Mientus totally nailed) and then he was killed off in a cheap and derivative bit of lazy soap-opera drama. Cue the tears:

The show opens with Derek and Karen killing a bottle of wine at Karen's place and preparing for a romantic moment.

"You don't have to go."

"Are you sure?"

Karen gives Derek her best come-hither stare, but with K. McPhee's tranquilized acting style, it's more like "the Lunesta's kicking in."

Jimmy wakes up in a nasty drug-house with addicts passed out all around. Jimmy starts serenading himself about regret or whatever. He's totally going to clean himself up this time. How did this show manage to take a likable actor like Jeremy Jordan and turn him into such a thoroughly unlikable character? I just don't give a shit about Jimmy.

Jimmy wanders the freezing, snow-covered urban landscape in a wife beater and open shirt. He must have some serious nipple erection. He knocks on Karen's fire escape window only to see Derek putting his shirt on. Jimmy dashes off in anger. Golly, what a fresh take on a love triangle. It's not like this scene has been repeated a thousand times on Days of Our Lives or anything.

Tom keeps leaving phone messages for Kyle because he has growing feelings for him.

Bernadette, Daphne Ruben-Vega, and Eileen meet to "Talk Tonys." Eileen says that "Imitation of Life is closing, Harold and Maude has lost the magic, and if Roadhouse gets a nomination I'll kill myself!" Nothing really comes of this scene, I just mentioned it because it's such a fabulous threesome.

Tom is suing Julia to dissolve the partnership and Karen realizes she can't move forward on Gatsby because she and Tom share the rights. Jesse L. Martin will loose his job if he doesn't produce Gatsby in the fall!

Tom meets Karen and Derek at the Hit List theater to tell them Kyle is dead. He was calling Kyle's phone and got the police. Karen buries her head in Derek's chest because she can't act grief.

The Hit List cast finds out and basically, everyone spends the rest of the episode wallowing in this cheap bullshit cliche of the young artist killed tragically on the cusp of glorious success.

The show launches into a series of flashbacks of Kyle's charm, brilliance, and cuteness. There's one very nice one with Tom and Kyle kissing at the piano. Kyle suggests a change to Bombshell, but of course Tom can't possibly do that because the show's already opened.

Julia confronts Tom about dissolving the partnership. Tom says he's only doing it to get it out of the way ASAP so Julia can get on with Gatsby. She feels like a shit for thinking he was trying to screw her, even though he's been a total shit since loosing his directing gig for City of Angels.

Eileen's ex Jerry took out a full-page ad in The New York Times for Bombshell and she's pissed. Yes, I realize this makes no sense. Just go with it.

Will Hit List go on tonight or will they cancel? Derek, Karen, and Jesse L. Martin go back and forth on this forever until I scream at the TV, "MAKE A FUCKING DECISION!"

Mercifully, it's back to Bombshell for a thoroughly charming number with Bernadette and the young Marilyn at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Tom has made a major change to this scene based on Kyle's suggestion. Think of it as a memorial to Kyle. Never mind that the show has already opened.

Karen finds Jimmy about to jump into the river and unfortunately, talks him out of it by telling him she loves him. Strangely, this doesn't make him more suicidal.

Big crowds of hipsters show up at the Hit List theater because they've all heard about the tragic death of the brilliant Kyle. Jesse L. Martin decides the show must go on, although only as a stage reading. Julia finds out and decides, for no apparent reason, that Jesse is only doing this for the money and publicity. She tells him off and he acts guilty which is total bullshit because it was completely appropriate for the show to go on. There was no logic in this scene and it only existed to create more cheap drama, as if we don't have enough already with Kyle's absurd sudden death.

Of course, Jimmy isn't there as the show starts because he's off ~~being a self-absorbed asshole~~ grieving Kyle's death. He shows up in the middle of the show, disrupting everything and just starts singing. It's supposed to be very moving, but really it's just rude.

Eileen's ex, Jerry is in the audience and decides he's taking Hit List to Broadway.

The Bombshell theater dims its lights for Kyle.

The End.

Neil Patrick Harris To Host Tonys

2013-05-09T10:53:00.001-05:00

NPH will be back to host the Tony Awards again on June 9th. The ridiculously talented and oh-so-cute Mr. Harris had this to say:

"I'm very excited to be back hosting the Tony Awards at the legendary Radio City Music Hall. It'll be more impressive than ever - if my math is correct, it will be 267 times bigger than last year," said Neil Patrick Harris. "Oh, wait. No, that can't... hold on... carry the one... I'm awful at math. But rest assured, the show will rock!"

The Tony Awards show is by far the most fun awards show to watch, in my opinion, and that is doubly true when Harris is at the helm.

via Towleroad.

Don't Cry For Me South Carolina

2013-05-07T21:05:00.000-05:00

Mark Sanford has been returned to the United States Congress by the voters of Mount Pleasant and Charleston, South Carolina proving conclusively that Republicans will vote for absolutely anyone with an "R" by his name.

And Charleston is the most progressive city in the state. By far.

Equality in Delaware!

2013-05-07T19:02:00.003-05:00

Delaware makes 11! Today, the Senate passed a marriage equality bill and Governor Markell signed it immediately saying "I don't intend to make any of you wait one minute longer." Congratulations to Lazy Circles readers Ron (pictured) of Retired in Delaware who testified before the Senate and really made a difference, and Mark of Tales of the Sissy. Congratulations also to my friend James of Bear, Delaware who was my husband's roommate at the Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth! What a road he's traveled.

Let's tally up, shall we? Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Maine, Washington, Maryland, Rhode Island, and now Delaware. Plus the District of Columbia! Coming soon to Illinois and Minnesota.

Monday's Man: Ben Foden

2013-05-06T08:15:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the late posting today, but I'm just back from my trip to the east coast to check on my dad. He's much improved, by the way.

By way of apology for making you wait for Monday's Man, I present a major hunk of British manhood, rugby player Ben Foden:

Bam!

Ben is on the cover of the British gay magazine Attitude giving us plenty of it.

This guy just can't seem to keep his shirt on!

Off For The Weekend

2013-05-03T05:15:00.002-05:00

I'm going to check on my dad who is back home after a month in the hospital. I'll update LC when I return. Have a great weekend!

Rhode Island Makes it Official!

2013-05-03T05:08:00.002-05:00

Governor Chaffee signed Rhode Island's marriage equality law yesterday, moments after passage by the House. All of New England now has marriage equality! On to Delaware!

SmashCaps: The Producers

2013-05-02T09:31:00.002-05:00

Last week's episode of Smash was possibly the best of the season so far, mainly because it focused on Bombshell and Megan Hilty. This week's? Not so much. The focus was on the ridiculous Hit List and the somnambulant Katharine McPhee. Spoiler alert! This episode ends with an incredibly cheap bit of cliffhanger drama that made me want to thrown something at the TV. Hit it:

The show opens with Kathie Lee Gifford in a Marilyn Wig. Not kidding. She's playing herself on Kathie Lee and Hoda (minus Hoda) learning "The 20th Century Mambo" with Megan Hilty and the Bombshell cast.  Megan's yawning because she just got off the red eye after doing last night's Leno.

Eileen tells Tom that Julia's doing Gatsby by herself. He's pissed even though he was totally willing to toss her aside when he thought he could direct City of Angels.

Cut to Hit List. Ugh, do we have to?  There's a photo shoot but where's Jimmy?  Off on one of his increasingly tedious drug binges, no doubt. Without Jimmy there's no cover, says the edgy, hip photo shoot guy for no reason other than to create drama. Jimmy falls out of a cab wasted, they loose the cover and Derek's pissed.

Daphne Ruben Vega as Bombshell's publicist tells Eileen "Marisa Tomei just broke her leg so Moonstruck won't make it to Broadway."  This means Bombshell has clear sailing to that Best Musical Tony.  There's no other big show that's opening. I mean, it's not like Hit List is coming to Broadway or anything.

What do we think of Marisa Tomei starring in Moonstruck, The Musical?  Brilliant idea? Snap out of it?

Sam auditions to be Jimmy's understudy in Hit List and Jimmy creates a scene because he's an asshole and that's what he does.  Apparently he don't need no stinking understudy. Derek hires Sam on the spot.
Karen, watching the scene, says "I don't want the show to get screwed up because I broke up with him." What an egomaniac.

Tom and Julia bicker over Gatsby like the Bickering Bickersons.

Tons of Broadway producers are going to Hit List tonight because Jesse L. Martin has put out the word. Even Eileen and Daphne Ruben Vega are there! Jimmy gets loaded before curtain and screws up everything. At the big dramatic moment when Ana shoots Karen and he's supposed to be there to catch her, he's jacking off somewhere and the fragile Karen hurts her shoulder. All in all, tonight's performance of Hit List totally blew because of Jimmy. All of the Broadway producers pass.

Derek fires Jimmy from his own show!

After the show, everyone gathers at a hipster bar and Jimmy grabs a mike and makes an ass of himself. He announces that Kyle fucked Tom like three times (or was fucked by Tom, he wasn't clear although I'd like to know). Kyle's cute new boyfriend huffs off.

This is the last straw for Kyle and his friendship with Jimmy so he starts walking the Brooklyn streets, singing Jeff Buckley's "The Last Goodbye."  You may be aware that Jeff Buckley tragically died a sudden, unexpected death.  This is called foreshadowing. Smash-style sledgehammer foreshadowing. Just as he finishes the song, Kyle steps in front of an on-coming car or truck or bus or something and boom! Show over.

Here's Andy Mientus performing "The Last Goodbye." I think he's terrific::

Deanna Durbin: 1921-2013

2013-05-02T05:45:00.001-05:00

Deanna Durbin, the major Hollywood child star of the 30s and 40s has died at the age of 92 in Paris. The death was confirmed by her son, Peter H. David, who did not release the cause or even the exact day. She had been a very private person for decades and he honored that.

If you're surprised that Ms. Durbin was still alive until this year, you're not alone. She retired in 1949 at age 29 when she was the highest paid actress in Hollywood and perhaps the highest paid woman in the world. She traveled extensively, called herself "the traveling recluse" and moved to Paris in 1950.

As Edna Mae Durban, MGM signed her in 1935 to play a young opera singer but the film was never made. Instead, she made a short with Judy Garland. The studio decided to drop her in favor of Judy who they felt was more modern. For a while, MGM probably regretted that decision as Durbin was signed by Universal and became a big star with her first film, Three Smart Girls. After only four films, she was presented with a miniature Academy Award for “significant contribution in bringing to the screen the spirit and personification of youth.” Her string of hits are credited with saving Universal from bankruptcy. She was a huge star and the focus of a major marketing blitz and her dolls and other merchandise continued to sell well into the 40s. My mother once talked about loving her Deanna Durbin paper dolls.

Enjoy her extraordinary talents in this clip, Watch it all the way for a classic Hollywood ending:

Tweet of the Day

2013-05-01T06:52:00.001-05:00

And with that, all of New England will have marriage equality.

Meanwhile, in Texas, the Attorney General just issued an opinion stating that municipalities' domestic partner benefits are unconstitutional. One step forward, one step back.

Tony Nominations!

2013-04-30T17:16:00.001-05:00

The Tony Nominations are out and let's just say if you're anywhere near Bette Midler between now and June 9, ixnay on the onytay.

Kinky Boots garnered the most nominations with 13, including one for Best Musical and another for Cyndi Lauper's original score. As usual, there are gays galore on the list including Nathan Lane for The Nance, and David Hyde Pierce for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. I would also like to note that dreamy Santino Fontana is nominated for being typecast as Prince Charming in Cinderella. Here are the major categories, and for more go to the Tony Awards page:

Best Musical
A Christmas Story

Bring It On

Kinky Boots

Matilda

Best Play

Lucky Guy

The Assembled Parties

The Testament of Mary

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Best Revival of a Play

Golden Boy

Orphans

The Trip to Bountiful

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Best Revival of a Musical

Annie

Cinderella

Pippin

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Best Leading Actor in a Play

Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy

Nathan Lane, The Nance

Tracy Letts, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

David Hyde Pierce, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Tom Sturridge, Orphans

Best Leading Actress in a Play

Laurie Metcalf, The Other Place

Amy Morton, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Kristine Nielsen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Holland Taylor, Ann

Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Leading Actor in a Musical

Bertie Carvel, Matilda

Santino Fontana, Cinderella

Rob McClure, Chaplin

Billy Porter, Kinky Boots

Stark Sands, Kinky Boots

Best Leading Actress in a Musical

Stephanie J. Block, The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Carolee Carmello, Scandalous

Valisia LeKae, Motown: The Musical

Patina Miller, Pippin

Laura Osnes, Cinderella

Quote of the Day

2013-04-30T07:37:00.000-05:00

"Well, I didn't get a phone call from Ronald Reagan."

--Martina Navratilova, when asked the difference between her coming out in 1981 and Jason Collins' coming out yesterday. Collins received a call from President Obama.

Talking Head Speaks for God

2013-04-29T16:18:00.000-05:00

I was in the waiting room of the car wash today and ESPN was on the flat screen and I saw self-righteous windbag Chris Broussard, who writes for ESPN Magazine take the opportunity of Jason Collins' brave coming out to tell us who is and who isn't a Christian:

Broussard's openly gay ESPN colleague, LZ Granderson, was live on the air as Broussard flapped his gums and immediately shot back "I really don’t need Chris or anyone else telling me if I’m a Christian because Jesus tells me I am." LZ also said "I would love not to have pre-marital sex but in this country I'm not allowed to get married." Read more about it here.

Cue the "if anyone was offended" non-apology from Broussard within 48 hours.

UPDATE: Broussard had this to say: "Today on OTL, as part of a larger, wide-ranging discussion on today's news, I offered my personal opinion as it relates to Christianity, a point of view that I have expressed publicly before. I realize that some people disagree with my opinion and I accept and respect that. As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement today and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA."

The First One's Out!

2013-04-29T16:01:00.000-05:00

For the first time, an actively-playing professional male athlete has come out. Martina did it in 1981 and a mere 32 years later, NBA free agent Jason Collins has has thrown open the closet door. From Sports Illustrated:

"I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.

I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.

My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons.

I've played for six pro teams and have appeared in two NBA Finals. Ever heard of a parlor game called Three Degrees of Jason Collins? If you're in the league, and I haven't been your teammate, I surely have been one of your teammates' teammates. Or one of your teammates' teammates' teammates.

Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful."

Monday's Man: MIchael Nicklin

2013-04-29T01:30:00.000-05:00

I just saw the charming indie gay flick The Men Next Door starring handsome Michael Nicklin.

In the film, Eric Dean plays Doug, a pilates instructor who finds himself dating two men: a man of 50 played by Nicklin (totally typecast as a silver fox) and a cute young thing of 30 played by handsome Benjamin Lutz. It turns out the two hotties are father and son. Hijinks ensue.

Doug the pilates instructor (center with the tattoo) is torn between two lovers: Father at left and son at right. After lots of gratuitous nudity (my favorite kind) including some extended dick shots, Doug makes his decision. Sadly, none of the full frontal was Michael Nicklin's.

I won't reveal who Doug chooses, but my heart belongs to Daddy.