Ask the Flying Monkey (July 15, 2008)

Have a question about gay male entertainment? Ask the Monkey!

Q: I already watched the Discovery Channel for hotties like Bear Grylls, Mike Rowe, Jeff Corwin, and Dave Salmoni, but now I've become aware of Josh Bernstein who hosts Into The Unknown With Josh Bernstein. I know Bear, Jeff, and Dave are all straight, but I can't find out anything about Josh. And if that doesn’t work out, what about Mike as a back-up? Don’t break my heart, Mr. Monkey! – Myron, Austin, TX

A: The Flying Monkey looked up the qualifications for a job as a program host on the Discovery Channel. All it says is “Must be smokin’ hot!”

But the Monkey has some bad news. Discovery Channel publicists have confirmed that both Josh and Mike are also straight. Let’s just hope that the job qualifications for a host on the Discovery Channel are not really, “Must be smokin’ hot — and straight.”

Clockwise from top left: Dave Salmoni,
Josh Bernstein, Jeff Corwin, Mike Rowe, Bear Grylls

Q: Waaaait. Tori’s best gay friend on Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood — is that the real-life version of the character played by Zachary Quinto on her previous scripted series So NoTORIous? – Dennis, Kansas City, MO

A: Indeed it is! Tori and Mehran Farhat, age 33, met in high school, but he didn’t formally come out to her until age 23 when they were pool-side together and both found themselves checking out the same hot guy.

What did Mehran think of Zachary’s portrayal of “Sasan,” his So NoTORIous alter-ego? “I thought Zach’s performance was spot-on,” Mehran tells the Monkey. “Obviously the character wasn’t reflective of all of me. The show was meant to caricaturize certain aspects of my persona, and Zach definitely delivered. But just for the record, I don’t spend all day obsessing about fashion and hot guys – only about half the day.”

Zachary Quinto (left) and Mehran Farhat

As a gay guy, how does Mehran explain Tori’s appeal to other gay men? “I think the gays have always had a strong connection to Tori for two reasons,” he says. “On one level, they’re fascinated by her celebrity, upbringing, and glamorous life. But on a deeper level, they’ve recognized her determination to gain the respect and acceptance of her fans and peers. In many ways, she has always represented the underdog. I think most gays, including myself, can relate to this struggle navigating through today’s society.”

Well put! Apparently Mehran’s next big appearance on Oxygen’s surprisingly watchable Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood is tonight, when Tori starts to have contractions just as she and Mehran are planning to promote the line of jewelry they’ve created together. Later, he’s a shoulder to cry on when Tori learns that her mother Candy Spelling has read her new tell-all-ish book, sTORI Telling.

“The show is really about Tori and Dean’s life together,” says Mehran, who occasionally blogs for the show. “But the limited interaction that we do have on camera does accurately reflect our friendship. We’ve been tight for almost twenty years, and now we also have a growing business together. We’re apart of each other’s support systems and daily lives, and I’m enjoying that very much.”

Next page! A gay After School Special, favorite gay shorts, and Gayliens!