Ask the Flying Monkey (August 11, 2008)

Q: I caught the new show Million Dollar Listing. The gay/bi/pansexual guy, Madison, is handsome. Is it true he’s appearing in Playgirl? – Daniel, Eugene, OR

Madison Hildebrand

A: It’s definitely true that real estate agent and reality show star Madison Hildebrand is appearing as the centerfold in one of the last print issues of the soon-to-be-online-only Playgirl. But he tells AfterElton.com, “I do keep my tighty-whities on. The shoot was fun. The theme was Risky Business. They actually waxed the entire wood floor, and I’m running down the hallway, like, a hundred times sliding into the frame.”

How did the shoot come about? “Through someone who knew someone,” Madison says. “I had to digest it and ask my mom. My mom’s Mormon, so I had to clear that. But it all worked out.”

Is Madison worried about all his newfound, er, exposure and how it might inspire over-eager fans? “I just got a new Doberman pinscher who lives at home,” he cautions, “and she’s a mean son of a bitch!”

Q: I love the song “Passenger,” which is a song off the White Pony album by the Deftones, an alternative rock band. It was written for them by Maynard James Keenan (of Tool and A Perfect Circle), and Maynard and Chino (lead singer of the Deftones) sing a duet on it. It's obvious that this song is about two people having sex in a car, but I have always been so curious, whether this song was supposed to be Maynard and Chino singing through the perspective of a girl, or if it's supposed to be Maynard and Chino singing to each other (you know, in a gay way, hahaha). Was it supposed to be gay or not? – Lindsey

A: “Sounds like it, doesn’t it?” says Arjan over at Arjanwrites.com. “Or is it intended as a metaphor for something a lot more esoteric?”

The Flying Monkey thinks it’s one of those songs written in a deliberately ambiguous way, so you can find lots of different interpretations — all of which are valid. Even the songwriters may not know the truth!

Chino (left) & Maynard James Keenan

"I did this song with Maynard from Tool,” Chino has reportedly said. “Basically, I told him I wanted to create a scenario of being in a car and being taken for a drive when you don't really know what's going on. I wanted him to create a lot of imagery. He wrote a majority of the lyrics and left blanks for me to fill in. It seems like you're being held captive, but enjoy what's going on."

Q: Why is there so much censorship on Logo? Words are bleeped out and fuzzy circles cover even a hint of nudity. Isn't Logo a channel for adults? – Robert, San Francisco, CA

A: Logo is a commercial-supported network, like TNT and Comedy Central — unlike subscriber-supporter networks like Showtime, HBO, and here! TV. Since few advertisers want to be associated with anything too risqué, there are limits to what they can get away with broadcasting. Basically, when viewers directly pay for a network’s content, the network can show whatever they think viewers will want (and only those viewers will have access). When advertisers pay for the content, well, you have to please the piper — and make sure you avoid offending unsuspecting eyes.

“Our editing decisions are based on the same standards that are used by other MTV Networks channels geared towards adult audiences, such as Spike TV or Comedy Central,” says Marc Leonard, Logo’s Vice-President of Multi-Platform Programming. “Programming containing stronger adult themes is sometimes shown later at night, usually after 10pm and sometimes after midnight depending on the program.”

The interesting news is that Logo may soon start experimenting with even edgier content late at night.

Next Page! When exactly did Jaclyn Smith sign her deal with the devil?