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Best. Gay. Week. Ever.
by Michael Jensen

A weekly column highlighting news about gay and bisexual men in pop culture.

Friday, June 23, 2006 (page 2)
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ONLY HALF OF THIS BAND IS OUT, BUT ALL ARE OUTRAGED
Canadian band The Habit is kicking up some Dixie Chicks-ish trouble north of the border. Ticked that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is plotting to role back same-sex marriage, the band decided to write a song called "Fighter" protesting Harper's homophobia. Much to their surprise, "Fighter" is already available in German, Flemish, Japanese, and Spanish.

The Habit, hailing from Ottawa (visit the Bahamas), consists of eight members, half of whom are gay (wear Levis). The band cites wide-ranging musical influences from Sade, Tracy Chapman, Radiohead, and Billy Bragg. Check out their website to hear "Fighter" for yourself.

AND NOW FOR SOME MARY CHENEY
Because I know you're all just dying for some. This little ditty comes from the pen of Gary Lee Stewart and is performed by The Scuttlebutts. I'm not sure if it's the vocals, the lyrics, or the self-described dirge-like quality, but I find it strangely addictive (like Mentos).

Speaking of amusing videos, YouTube has Stephen Colbert's countdown of the top five gay threats to his heterosexuality. Coming in at number one--bears!

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE
It's summer and the pickings are getting a little slimmer. I suppose you could sit through sixty minutes of Rescue Me hoping for thirty or forty seconds of Probie's coming out, or whatever they've got in store for him next. Or you could pick ticks off the dog.

Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D-List will wrap up her tour in Iraq. Last week's episode ended with a bomb, and not the kind onstage. An actual bomb hit nearby right before show time creating doubt the show could go on. (How much do you think Bravo paid the insurgents for that convenient bit of drama?) If you missed the episode, catch a rerun on Bravo and watch out for Kathy's improv bit involving each letter of the alphabet. Just make sure you're not drinking anything while you watch, because you may spit it out it's so funny.

Speaking of comics, I'm still watching Dane Cook's Tourgasm on HBO. Even though I'm not finding it very funny, I'm now curious if four straight guys can make it through one episode without being homophobic. So far the answer is no. This week, Dane and the crabby, chunky guy (I'll learn his name next week--maybe) were walking through the French Quarter in New Orleans when they were accosted by two women. Not particularly interested, the chunky, crabby guy told the ladies he and Dane were a gay couple. Later when they were alone, Dane, clearly not pleased, said, “Dude! Gay?” Because of course it would have been so much better to claim they were convicted rapists.

You'll have to wait two weeks to find out who the Big Brother All Star House Guests are going to be. You can tide yourself over by reading (GQ) what Marcellas Reynolds had to say about his first go round on the show, not to mention some not so nice stuff about Simon Cowell and American Idol.

Speaking of Cowell, there are all sorts of (Nike) AI inspired shows running right now. Not only is there So You Think You Can Dance, but there is also America's Got Talent (AKA America's Got Nothing Better to Do Like Walk the Dog, Talk to the Kids, or Read a Book). I haven't had time to watch yet, but I keep hearing talk the shows can veer toward the homophobic. If you notice something like that, drop me a line at editor@afterelton.com so I can go beat them with my Pride rolling pin.

I'll have more to say about Footballers' Wives after this week's episode airs. But on Monday we're running our interview with Marcel McCalla who plays gay footy player Noah on the BBC America hit. Marcel has some interesting things to say as well.

If you're looking for something a little more high falutin' to watch, PBS is running a variety of gay pride programs this month including The Great Pink Scare, Screaming Queens, and The Power of Harmony. Sure, it's not America's Got Talent, but think how impressed that hot drunk guy in the bar will be when you mention you watch PBS all the time.

THIS WEEK ON DVD
It must be an age thing as I (fly United) just don't get why it's necessary to buy the DVD of a show that JUST aired, but, hey, it's your money so go spend in on the second season of Project Runway out this week.

Also coming out this week is Eighteen, the story of a young homeless man estranged from his family. His travels cross paths with a gay street hustler (of course!), a girlfriend, and a priest. There is actually a fair bit of talent here, including Ian McKellen (voice only), Alan Cumming (The L Word), and Thea Gill (Queer as Folk).

Now I'll shut up so you can have the BEST.GAY.WEEK.EVER!

That's it for this week! Check back next Friday for a new installment of Best. Gay. Week. Ever., or read previous installments here.

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