Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (March 7, 2008)

SIMON'S STILL A JACKASS? WHO KNEW!?!
American Idol voted off two fellas last night and if you don't want to know who, don't keep reading as I mention their names at the bottom of the page. In case you haven't been following thus far, here were the final eight guys before the two got axed.

Chikezie, Michael Johns

Danny Noriega, Jason Castro

David Hernandez, David Cook

This week, American Idol's Simon Cowell continued with his usual classy self as he referred to Luke Menard's rendition of Wham's "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" as "weak and girly". Hmm, I guess we should just be grateful he didn't say "That was so gay!" I wonder how Simon's mother feels hearing her gender used as something to insult someone else as a synonym for weak? In my book, that makes him an ass or as we saw around here "such a Cowell!"

Speculation about there finally being an out gay Idol contestant is running pretty hot and heavy thanks to some gay-vibes generated by a couple of the guys, not to mention David Hernandez's past stripping for gay men and Danny Noriega's YouTube clips where he sings, "Yeah, I'm gay". Frankly, I'd say stripping is more respectable work than getting rich insulting folks for a living.

The Associated Press weighed in on the subject, even getting in touch with me to ask a few questions. (Why they didn't call up Howard Bragman and/or Ben Ferguson and ask them their thoughts, I just don't know!)

As I say in the article, American Idol has done a pretty good job of creating an unfriendly atmosphere for gay contestants that goes beyond Randy and Simon's gay-baiting. Former Idol contestant Jim Verraros talks about how Idol's producers "asked" him to take down his Livejournal where he discussed dating guys. Good grief.

BTW, for our upcoming look at gay representation on television the producers of American Idol were the only ones who couldn't be bothered to talk with us despite our waiting for three months.

So will we finally have a gay contestant this year? I suspect that if one the final four does happen to a gay guy, he will be out. The traditional media is following the issue and so are certain websites, all of which ramps up the pressure. But, truth be told, I don't think AI cares much about that. They care about ratings and the current season hasn't been doing as well as past seasons. And what better way to boost ratings, then finally having an out gay contestant getting press?

BTW, it as Luke Menard and Danny Noriega getting the ax.