Ask the Flying Monkey (August 27, 2008)

But just how ironclad are those Nickelodeon acting contracts? Former nerd Peck, now age 21, definitely does have a hot acting career, with a supporting role in the recent Judd Apatow-penned Drillbit Taylor and the lead role in this summer’s solidly buzzed The Wackness. Meanwhile, the swoon-worthy Bell, now 22, has a burgeoning music career, and even directed episodes of the series, not to mention the last Drake & Josh TV movie.

Filming on Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh was supposed to begin last month, with a release date this Christmas, and since both Drake and Josh are listed as “co-producers,” it’s a good bet it’s coming to pass. But should Peck’s acting career reach more dizzying heights, the Flying Monkey wouldn’t be surprised to see him, and Bell, try to leave their teen sitcom past behind them.

The Monkey contacted Nickelodeon for more information, but the network never got back to him, and he can’t help but wonder if the words “website for gay and bi men” had something to do with it, which is just too depressing for words.

Q: Where can I get DVDs of the German (English language dubbed!) Forbidden Love? -- Paul

A: Nowhere. The show, like most soap operas, is unavailable on DVD. And since the network that airs it is a public broadcaster, they’re not legally able to spend much money on their website or make it available for download.

So what are your options? Keep coming to AfterElton.com, where we feature all the “Ollian” storylines, subtitled for us by Nanna, a 45 year-old woman living in Germany who was inspired by, yes, As the World Turn's kissing ban.

"While I was in college, I had a number of gay friends and I've always been very passionate about gay rights," Nanna tells us. "After reading about the 'no kiss' policy on ATWT, I got very angry. So when I found out about Verbotene Liebe [Forbidden Love], I decided that more people should be able to watch this wonderful gay romance. I started translating the episodes when I read on some fan board that English speaking people wanted to know what they were saying. I had some free time on my hands, so I subbed one episode, people were delighted so I subbed the next one as well and so on. At that time, I had no idea how popular all this would become."

Nanna is quick to point out, however, that her video clips are group effort. "Ivan from Switzerland edits the videos, I translate and sub them and then AE user Tihkon2 proof-reads the translations and helps me get the American right (no "rather", "bullocks" or "daft"!)," she says.

And the Monkey can't believe how good a job she and the others do and how much we appreciate her hard work so we can watch Ollian every week!

Verbotene Liebe's Christian & Olli - dubbed

Q: Okay, this isn't really gay related, although it's movie musical related, so it's kind of gay. I've read that Keira Knightley has signed on for a remake of My Fair Lady, but I haven't heard if they have a Higgins, yet. I'm wondering if the Monkey knows? My brilliant casting idea is Colin Firth. – Carl

A: Not gay? What, are you nuts! Of course it’s gay! The Monkey isn’t sure why, but it is.

Yes, Keira Knightley is in talks to play Eliza in a remake to be written by Emma Thompson that will supposedly include the famous Lerner and Loewe score, but will also borrow more elements from Pygmalion, the George Bernard Shaw play upon which the musical is based.

Keira Knightley (left) and the original Eliza, Audrey Hepburn

And the Monkey is tempted to say, “Why not remake Casablanca while they’re at it?” He’s never understood the point of remaking movies that were great the first time around and, except for that God-awful dubbing of Audrey Hepburn with Marni Nixon’s creepy, Stepford Wife-like vocals, My Fair Lady was pretty darn good. So what exactly is the point? To update the fonts on the opening credits?

No word yet who is in the running for Henry Higgins, though you can bet that plenty of actors are angling for the part. But Firth? While I love Firth, the man is 47 years old; Knightley is 23. Is it asking for the moon that Hollywood cast someone who is merely old enough to be her father, not her grandfather? What about Hugh Jackman (age 39)? Ewan McGregor (age 37)? Better still, why not James Franco (age 30), Patrick Wilson (age 35), James Marsden (age 34), Jude Law (age 35), or Neil Patrick Harris (age 35)?

Next Page! Gay teen novels worth checking out. Plus, who the #&!@ bleeped Alec Mapa?