Ask the Flying Monkey! (April 15, 2008)

Now before you flame me, let me acknowledge that, yes, “Once More, With Feeling” (2001), from the sixth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is considered the “gold standard” of musical episodes. And I do like Tara’s lesbian love song “Under Your Spell” and a few other songs. But I find the rest of the music forgettable and, apart from Anthony Stewart Head and James Marsters, the cast can’t sing. I adore most things Buffy, but I find this musical episode to be over-rated.

For the record, in addition to Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives is considering a musical episode for next season.

The gayest sequence in any musical episode? That might be “Guy Love” from “My Musical” (2007), the admittedly terrific musical episode of Scrubs. Again, the musical episode felt necessary to the show, which basically exists in J.D.’s head anyway, and this sequence perfectly captured and expressed a series-long story arc about the relationship between Turk and J.D. (and yes, that’s Avenue Q’s Stephanie D'Abruzzo listening in):

Q: Why hasn't there been any media buzz regarding the straight guy on Big Brother 9 who has been 'gay for pay' in porn movies? They have tossed off houseguests for lesser offenses. — Patrick, San Francisco, CA

A: Yes, James did appear in online videos for a company called DirtyBoyVideo.com. So why hasn’t this been the scandal du jour? I think it’s a combination of things. What do they say about news stories? “Dog bites man” is not news, but “man bites dog” is? The fact is, everyone on the show is so thoroughly unpleasant that one more shocking “scandal” isn’t really all that newsworthy. But I think the bigger reason is that, with that Mohawk, James is just not very attractive. Does anyone want to think about him in porn?

Q:I heard through the grapevine that the book, Geography Club, was being made into film. Is this true? I REALLY hope this is true, this was an amazing book, Brent did a wonderful job writing it. When I bought it, I read [it] in one sitting, I couldn't put it down! I literally read it through the night! So I'm hoping what I read is true; this was an incredible book! — Greg, San Francisco

A: Greg, I’m assuming you’re aware that the Flying Monkey is the author of the lil’ ol’ book in question, right? Either way, you just made my day.

Here’s what I can tell you. My gay teen novel was optioned by some producers right after it came out (in early 2003). It supposedly came very close to being filmed last fall, and there was a high-profile director attached. But it didn’t happen, and the deal finally expired (which is probably just as well; the screenplay, which I didn’t write, was literally nothing like the book).

Fortunately, in the meantime, we’d been approached by lots of other producers, and we’re choosing between them now. The good news? I plan to be more involved this time around.

Incidentally, I’ve also written a stage version of the book, which has had a number of very well-received productions. Oh, and my latest Geography Club sequel, Split Screen (2007), was just named a Finalist for a Lambda Award.

Okay, that’s it. End of blatant self-promotion.

Q: I've been living under a rock for the past 15 years, and I recently discovered Kristin Chenoweth on YouTube. I really enjoy her clips, especially "Glitter and Be Gay", but I have read that she is a born-again Christian and performs on The 700 Club. Is it okay to list her as a favorite singer on my AfterElton.com profile? Also what are your feelings about self-described born-again Christians who say they are gay friendly? Are they merely placating us to get design tips and roles in Broadway shows, while describing us as devil's spawn in their place of worship? — Terry, San Francisco, CA

A: There are certain celebrities — Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Keanu Reeves — that are so talented and cast such a large presence that it seems literally impossible to imagine them not becoming huge stars.

Chenoweth, who broke through in the 1998 revival of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, who proved she was “popular” in Wicked, and who can now be seen on TV’s Pushing Daisies, is one of those stars.