Battle Royale for AfterElton.com's Man of the Decade Escalates On Twitter
Both men want victory
We told you earlier in The Morning Meme that the battle for Man of the Decade was close, with Neil Patrick Harris and John Barrowman only separated by 20 votes. Neither of these men is used to losing - each is top man in their respective country, and each has a huge cross over appeal.
But we never expected them to actively campaign, like Mike Bloomberg trying to buy a mayoral race. This morning, Neil took to his Twitter account, and made a low-key appeal to his 190k followers to drop by and vote for him to be atop Barrowman. And, boy, did they turn out in droves! Let's just say the difference is now a lot more than twenty votes.
Yes, we know these top jokes are getting old. We can't help ourselves.
But this evening, John got wind of the fact that Neil was trying to stuff him at the ballot box, and he took to his Team Barrowman account, with a personally signed battle cry that he was joining the battle.
He seems to have a problem going down to NPH.
John may be biting off more than he can chew right here though - he only has about 4,500 followers. Still, Captain Jack always finds a way. You can still vote, but choose wisely; we don't get to do this again for ten long years.
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Comments
The only true winner here is
Bad link...
oopsie
We should all
this is awesome!
although they both seem serious with wanting to win this thing, it also seems like they're having a lot of fun with it... this is awesome! : )
cheers,
Shauna!
"My name is Harvey Milk and I'm here to recruit you!"
NPH all the way!
the vote
the vote
I voted for John despite the fact that Captain Jack couldn't save Ianto. I like Neil, don't get me wrong, I've liked him since his Doogie days, I mean, I can't help myself, there's just something about geeks that just... well, ya know. I'm a geek myself, but John has my vote. I'd vote more if I could.
(I'd enter something cool here, but I have no original thoughts on this night to go into this space, so i inserted my old signature just to fill some space.)
k
hater of capital letters; abuser of some
now stand back and let me have my WHIP!!!
This
John is only the actor, not the writer
Team Neil!!!
Girls, girls!
Proud Member of Team NPH!!!!
Gotta be NPH!!
Oh John B, I adore you, and your cute kilt, and your lovely husband, and your glorious singing voice ("I Won't Send Roses" on YouTube--*SOB!*), and your devil-may-care sci-fi derring-do on "Torchwood." I also appreciate that you're about to step into the size-11 pumps (with 8-inch heels) to play Zsa Zsa in the remounting of "La Cage Aux Folles." You are dashing, you are gorgeous beyond words, your being out is an inspiration to all of us, and you will always own a piece of my heart.
However, NPH, bless him, has kicked butt on film (even surviving disasters such as "Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay" and "The Next Best Thing" with his dignity intact), triumphed on Broadway ("Cabaret" "Assassins"), created an equally indelible TV character for the ages on "How I Met Your Mother" ("Suit up!"), guested on "Sesame Street," and hosted--without breaking a sweat--both the Tonys AND the Emmys. He's mastered the online world via "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog." He has an equally adorable spouse. He's also casually, confidently Out, making it look effortless. And, most miraculously of all, he's even managed to make his love of magicians and magic seen cool.
John Barrowman, you are the gay prince of the decade--but NPH is indisputably the king.
Hmm, indisputably? I don't think so :)
John Barrowman has done everything you've listed for NPH, and Sesame Street aside (he's read children stories on, I think, "Jackanory"), his credits are slightly more sparkling: triumphed on Broadway AND the West End as a Leading Man of Musical Theate where NPH is but a babe (Sondheim's "Putting It Together", Anything Goes X 2, Sunset Boulevard, La Cage Aux Folles etc.). Barrowman has also done more hosting gigs, from his own Saturday Light Entertainment show, headlining the Royal Variety Performance, to documentaries, charity fundraisers etc. He's also been on the big screen in supporting roles (helping to redress the gay whitewashing of Cole Porter with his duet of Night and Day with Kevin Kline in "DeLovely", handpicked by Mel Brooks to play the Nazi soloist in "The Producers"). He's prolific as a recording artist and concert headliner (Oh NPH, when will you do that musical theatre album, with a duet of Take Me or Leave with Mr Burtka???).
Granted, USA vs UK, NPH has a larger captive audience but for sheer variety amd volume, Barrowman can't be beat.
JB Absolutely!!!
While I do not argue with
While I do not argue with your reasoning, you seem to miss the fact that the person you've replied to has only citied a small number of NPH's actual credits. (If you bothered to look them up on Wikipedia – that's only a small excerpt.)
Aside from his countless tv and film gigs, both his theatre and Broadway achievements are way more versatile and much-lauded than you give him credit for, as are his hosting experiences (aside from big gigs as the Tonys and Emmys this year, he's hosted numerous events off-screen, however, never leaving his genre to keep credibility). And while he may not be a recording artist – aside from his Sondheim gigs –, he's actually contributed his voice in terms of reading, voice acting and children entertainment, which I personally admire him for, especially because he still (!) enjoys doing such minor gigs when he clearly does not need to do them. (Mind you, a musical theatre album by him would be on top of any of my musical wishlists, but as far as I understand, Mr. Harris does not perceive himself as that kind of entertainer.) He's also been directing and producing in film, tv and theatre.
It is disputable, and to my mind hard to compare both men's variety of entertainment, but what eventually had me vote for Mr. Harris is, beside being 6 years younger than Mr. Barrowman, that he is right now in a position in his career, which not only could take him anywhere in this business, but which has given him the chance of having an indisputably positive influence on the community and business on a international level. (Granted, latter is because he's That One in Hollywood. But that's just how it is.)
If we're being honest, there are probably plenty of fab gay men out there with equal talent and levels of variety – but in the end visibility is what makes a change.
Indeed, but I only cited a small number of Barrowman credits
I'm a big fan on NPH (though I can't make myself sit through HIMYM), but from what I know of both men's careers (and I'm aware of NPH's live x-mas/kids readings, voice work etc.), I think Barrowman outpaces him in terms of sheer volume and variety of achievement.
Let me be clear, I'm not being dismissive of NPH's theatre credits, but John Barrowman has built a career in musical theatre over 20 years.
Visibility is an interesting subject. NPH as a US star has the advantage of geography/population, but I would argue that Barrowman has been more visible as a gay celebrity in the UK than NPH has in the US (and again, I'm not badmouthing NPH, I'm just comparing the two). Every YT interview of NPH, or non-gay blog post, there's always numerous comments of "OMG, he's gay?". Every person and their dog knows Barrowman is gay in the U.K. He's even hosted a London Gay Pride and brought out his partner for an on-stage kiss, not to mention the gay genetic documentary for the BBC, his gay acting roles etc.
I'm not trying to do a disservice to NPH's achievements (he's awesome), I'm just saying that generally, anything "gay visibilty" NPH has done, John Barrowman has done to the nth degree.
Don't worry, I know that
Don't worry, I know that you're not bad-mouthing; neither am I. :)
I would argue that Barrowman has been more visible as a gay celebrity in the UK than NPH has in the US (...)
This, I would never disagree with. However, let's face it – you cannot possibly compare the UK to the US in terms of entertainment and their perception of public figures. Especially of gay ones. Any positive impact on the industry in the US is probably a bigger improvement on the business worldwide than any impact on the UK one, considering how Hollywood, sadly (!), still rules every facet of it.
And I tell you this from a middle European view, that before I became a regular reader of AfterElton, I have never heard of John Barrowman before. (I know, shame on me.) Granted, Neil's sexuality is not included in the first paragraph of his biography and credits, either, but of him, I had actually heard before I got involved with the international gay community.
However, I do see what you refer to with those "omg, he's gay?!" comments. But you know, I think the reason behind those is the fact indeed many more people, who are *not* part of the gay community are confronted with NPH way more often than they are confronted with JB, and hence eventually, with the fact that he is openly gay. And it's most effective to present a community outside of it.
Actually, if you take all this into consideration, it's probably a very personal decision, which is being made here, rather than an objective one. Because most of us are perceiving it from a different angle anyway. (Which is, mind you, a good thing, I'd assume.)
Despite his huge international popularity...
Despite his huge international popularity, I'm still a little surprised to hear that John doesn't go down easily.
I have to say that this is a tough battle. Both are hightly skilled competitors. Neil is funny and charming and charismatic. John is funny and charming and charismatic. Both sing, dance and act. Who will win? For myself, I think the Captain edges out Dr. Horrible by the tiniest margins, but both are wonderful.
NPH is my Hero
They are both amazing people, and they don't deserve to win, but I have to vote for NPH, he's made me proud to be a gay man in the USA. I know that's a feat that would have been difficult for Barrowman to acomplish, being in the UK and all that, and I'm sure he's done the same thing for people over there, but I'm here, and I need my American Heroes, and NPH is it.
I love them both so much
NPH vs JB - Confrontation!
I want NPH and JB to sing "Confrontation" from Les Miserables, just like NPH and Jason Segel did once on the Megan Mullally Show.
What do you say guys? Forget the wimpy Twitter campaigns - how about you battle it out mano-a-mano like REAL men? After all, since we're talking about Gay/Bisexual Man Of The Decade, what could be more fitting than a musical duel to the death?
I approve.
Or perhaps "Anything You Can Do"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJvPjelxxj0
But which of them would be versatile enough to play Annie Oakley ;)
Team Barrowman forever !
I love them both but John will always have my vote, he's my idole !
When are they gonna have their own show ? The Barrowman and Harris show ! Or the Harris and Barrowman show ! Whatever ! They neeeed to have a show together !
The Lovely WHAT?
I love them both!
Does Sir Ian know this is going on?
I hope someone's let Gandolf know about this. Surely he'll want to be rallying some votes. And if Sir Elton weren't too busy helping Eminem get off drugs, you know he'd want in...
I've been watching...
I see, as the author of this
I see, as the author of this blog, you are clearly not very impartial on this matter. ;) You might as well just forge the results? :D (I'd do it.)
... just kidding. As long as people don't start to get rude (some fans are really scary!), all is far in twitter war and love.
Actually, we're impartial
Actually I'm pretty impartial as to the results, it's just me taking on the case of the underdog a little because NPH has a larger online following.
But all kidding aside, we're the bastion of credibility, because I don't have access to the results - only the Head Chimp In Charge has them. And I'm just a lowly pygmy marmoset.
I honestly get and
I honestly get and understand that, really. :) And I appreciate that JB has such a loyal fanbase on here. (Which makes NPH, in comparison, well, not really an underdog on AE, no, but it gives JB certainly an advantage on here in general. Not that I mind. Just my impression. :) )
Also, I appreciate your usage of Head Chimp in Charge. I've been trying to get my boss use this label for a while, yet sadly, in vain.
I'm the only one who knows and all I'll say right now
He might have?
Twitter war
That’s too funny. Maybe we should get Felicia Day and here 1.6millions to tweet about it for Neil ;).
And I don’t think John has more fans here since Neil won the Hot100 and John came in second.
Felicia Day
Its already happened
Does Sir Ian know this is going on?
I hope someone's let Gandolf know about this. Surely he'll want to be rallying some votes. And if Sir Elton weren't too busy helping Eminem get off drugs, you know he'd want in...
Big love for the Cap'n.
Feelin the love
Hey, if you're the Wossy I think you are; good job on Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2009, you woz robbed. Hope you got through it without being sued!
I've already voted for JB, can't do it twice dammit!
No dog?
Why no dog in your profile picture?
Love your AE profile bio though! Funny! I would have voted for you! Or Graham Norton.. Hmm, now I'm undecided..
John Barrowman
I voted for John
OMG!!
This innuendo MUST.......
CONTINUE!! =)
"Fate won't compromise"
Icon Love
Team Barrowman or Team NPH???
The Battle of the Tops!!!
hell yeah!!
I casted my vote and it went to.....
uh........
um........
er.......
eh, lets just say one of them stars in a show on television =)
"Fate won't compromise"
Team NPH just got bigger
Nathan Fillion just tweeted
Attention. We all know @ActuallyNPH deserves Gay of the Century. Let's make it happen. Browncoats! Castillions! Unite!! http://tiny.cc/6RSeA
to his 400k followers.
Barrowman will need a miracle at this rate.
~Q
...and bigger!
Felicia Day just found the post on Nathan Fillion's account and she re-tweeted!
Surely Barrowman can't pull back from this one...
as if i needed another