Ask the Flying Monkey! (August 17, 2009)

Have a question about gay male entertainment? Ask the Monkey! (Please include your city and state and/or country.)

Q: Do celebrities read what we write about them on AfterElton.com? – Eddy, Boise, ID

A: They do, they really, really do. The Flying Monkey spent the last two weeks at the Television Critics Association conference in Los Angeles, the place where the networks roll out their new fall shows and showcase their acting talent, and I was pretty surprised by how many actors mentioned something they’d read on our site.

Kathy Griffin and the Monkey at this year's TCA

Now I’m not stupid: I know that some of this is plain old sucking-up on the part of the celebrity in an effort to get good press (although the concept of a celebrity sucking up to me is a little surreal).

But some of what the celebrities told me was so specific that I realized that they couldn’t possibly be snowing me (unless they have amazingly adept publicists). Kathy Griffin definitely reads what we write about her (hi, Kathy!). And at least one celebrity who shall not be named referred to an article I’d written that ended up inspiring a debate on the beauty that is his ass.

Yes, moments like that are a little awkward, especially if they’re not gay.

Does knowing that celebrities – not to mention all the writers and producers of the shows and movies we cover – read what we write affect what we write? In truth, it probably does cut down on the number of cheap shots or catty insults I might write. Then again, I think the Internet already has far too much of that kind of thing anyway.

But sincere, thoughtful criticism? It’s literally my job to write what I think, whether or not an actor or writer likes it (and sometimes whether anyone else on the site likes it!). Real actors know that being on the receiving end of legitimate criticism is part of their job.

Finally, some involved with shows have even thanked us for brutal criticism because it’s helped them make a point to a wayward actor or clueless network executive.

Q: Does Scott Evans have a boyfriend? – Via Text

A: Yes. The brother of Chris Evans, and the out star of One Life to Live is happily partnered with … me. Well, in my mind anyway. Are you reading this, Scott? It’s true I have a partner of 18 years, but, well, into every life a little rain must fall.

That said, at the time of this writing, Scott has not yet contacted me, so he is still single.

Scott Evans

Next page! Russell Tovey's sensitive skin.