Enjoy this tasty treat designed help to stall the inevitable soul crushingness that is known as the start of the work week. Savor it because as soon as you're done, it begins...
Tragedy resulted when Kermit accidentally glimpsed the Adam Lambert kiss.
Last week we told you about Toronto Maple Leafs and U.S. Olympic Team General Manager Brian Burke, and how his son Brendan's coming out has been handled in the press. Below you can see Brendan and his dad being interviewed on The Sports Network. This comes shortly after former player Justin Bourne's now famous article on homophobia in hockey, which has generated lots of discussion. (big T/Y to reader Madeleine for keeping us updated).
Speaking of Justin Bourne, CBC's Mark Kelley has an interview with him about the article, and he also chats with out former basketball playerJohn Amaechi about homophobia in sports. And speaking of John Amaechi ...
Happy Birthday to the big guy, who turned 39 on Thanksgiving Day.
Ask Amy has some sensible advice for a married woman who likes spending time with her gay bff but doesn't want people to get the wrong idea.
A certain Spurf has a juicy spoiler about an Ugly Betty character who will be disappearing after the new year.
There's something about Jedward
Above you can see X Factor contestants John and Edward Grimes (better known as Jedward) performing at GAY in London. Could one of our UK readers please explain the hysteria to me?
Above you can see Joy Behar chatting with gay comedians Kevin Meaney, Logo's own Jeffery Self and Judy Gold about whether it's a good idea to come out during the holidays.
Cheyenne Jackson at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
guardian.co.uk has an interview with Lady GaGa, who says her relationship with the gay community has been the high point of her year.
In news that makes my blood boil, NBC will be remaking the British classic Prime Suspect for American TV. What makes them think they can do justice to the greatest police drama in the history of television, and Dame Helen Mirren's iconic performance? Did the debacle that was the AbFab remake teach us nothing?
Finally, just a reminder that tonight Broadway Speaks is hosting A Very Mary Christmas and it's not too late to get a ticket!
And here is your sports pics of the week!
And now the work week begins! We're so so sorry...
a.k.a. Jedward, are 17 year old Irish twins from Dublin. They seemed to be the only breakout stars on this season's UK X-Factor despite the fact they really have no discernible talent.
But knowing that most of Europe tuned in every week to see them, regardless or because of how very bad they are, Simon Cowell et al knew it would be ratings suicide to eliminate them early. And admittedly they do have a certain compelling wtf?! quality that one finds hard to turn away from...
There was an American version of AbFab? I never thought one got off the ground in the States. I know there was a AbFab type in the mid nineties called "High Society" that starred Jean Smart and Mary McDonnell and a quasi AbFab-esque one called "Style & Substance" that also starred Jean Smart along with Nancy McKeon but neither had any official AbFab stamp.
There was as US AbFab that went to pilot for Fox this fall but they did not green light the series. These things rarely work out. USA's Touching Evil didn't work. ABC's attempt at Cracker didn't work. ABC's Life on Mars didn't work as the failed pilot nor as the green lighted series.
If it's really made for the all-Leno NBC broadcast network, you can be certain it'll be "sh!te." If it was going to land somewhere else it might be passable but I don't see how the series works remade for the US.
I am trembling in fear! I had the biggest crush on DCI Jane Tennison and her chain-smoking, weathered skin, make-up free beauty, and just cannot imagine how her character's flaws and perfect imperfection be translated to NBC's chosen leading lady! Why a remake??? I can't stand the americanized version of british best television shows simply because it felt wrong. The characterisation didn't feel right, the atmosphere didn't feel right, the dialogue are losing its meaning, and the story felt out of place. They'd better have someone like Glenn Close and find a slum setting bleaker than inner London or Manchester to make me try to watch.
Not that I think it's a good idea, but if they are going to do it, the woman for the job is Melissa Leo. I think between "Homicide: Life on the Streets" and "Frozen River," she's proven she's got the chops. She's also pretty fearless about looking like an actual human on screen. (Imagine someone like Nicole Kidman, in contrast!)
I just read a review in the NY Times of "Shakespeare's R & J" (adapted by Joe Calarco) at Hartford's TheatreWorks. I'd never heard of the adaptation or the venue before, but it makes me want to book a flight to Connecticut. It's about four boys at a Catholic high school who are performing Shakespeare's tragedy--which of course was originally performed with boys in the female parts (does that sound like crotch snorkeling?)--"as a kind of forbidden game." I wonder if they throw in the Lambada! Anyway, here's a link to the review. I envy those of you who are in a position to see this:
I saw it performed in Ithaca about 10 years ago. I couldn't get out of my seat at the end I was so torn up. It's really amazing. It's not an adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet," though, but rather a play about the four boys who were playing with the text and acting parts of it out in their dorm one night.
Anyone who is lucky enough to have the opportunity to see this show should take it!
I tried giving you a five rating, but the ratings didn't work! They always seem to work for the bottom feeders who want to give you a zero or a one, however. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your comments and to assure you that I simply cut and pasted the phrase "adapted by" into my text from the review itself. I haven't seen the play and don't pretend to know it. In fact, I had no idea it was ten years old!
I turned on NBC Thanksgiving morning and thought for a split second I was missing out on Pride Weekend! Cheyanne Jackson, Alan Cumming, AND Cyndi Lauper all got to *sing* so to speak this year! Actually, the lip-syncing wasn't too terrible, besides the guys from "Boys Like Girls" being whisked away while still "playing" their instraments while the music stopped. While adorable, they looked kind of dazed by it all. Probably the wind messing up their emo hair. They should have sang "Love Drunk", since thet country guy sang about how "God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy". I guess its OK to sing about drinking at a kids parade now.
What was the deal with them cutting to commercial when Cyndi was still singing!? Not cool. Also, that float she was on was attrocious. She wouldn't have been caught dead on anything as pink or girly as that years ago. Glad to see her out and about, but she should have been given a better float. She was the biggest star there, IMO, so she should have gotten first dibs.
The Sports Network became my favorite sport network even though I cant watch it. First for tackling this story and then because of the stand it took regarding the viewer response to this video. There is another video out there of the next day and the viewer reactions, and while those were all over the place, the network took a clear stand againts homophobia. It really surprised me, pleasantly so.
Wow, another british remake. Dont US networks have original ideas anymore? Well, that is not the problem really, just that they do a horrible job at it. I cringed at the thought of an US version of PS. To be fair it happens the other way around too, if the forgettable Law and Order isnt proof of that, its only redeeming qualities were Ben Daniels (swoon) and Jamie Bamber speaking in his native accent (double swoon).
I posted the TSN video on Facebook with this commentary:
This is HUGE.
It may not seem all that amazing in a world where more and more people are coming out (and that's a great sign of progress), but the sports world is one of the last areas of society where homophobia stands unchallenged. So for a major sports network to talk about gay athletes in a supportive, positive manner is absolutely huge. Homophobia in sports is rarely talked about, let alone on national television, to a predominantly straight male audience.
Brendan is paving the way for future sports personnel, even players to come out. His dad is acting how any father should; supportive of his son. I am so glad that the Toronto Maple Leafs could be a team with an out gay player. I really think hockey will be the first major sport to have an out player.
Where Jon and Edward can't sing worth a damn they ARE cute and true entertainers. They would make great TV personalities but really should stop the freaking singing.
It was great to see Cheyenne singing in the Macy's day parade, unfortunately the original songs they have in the parade are always terrible--the one Jane Krakowski sang was dreadful as well.
Next year there should be a giant Lady Gaga balloon to go with the giant Kermit the Frog balloon.
I think they passed a law against it. What's worse is that I've got at least a ton of great books and comics that have better ideas than anything that's hit the screens recently, and they're not being adapted either.
Brendan Burke
Thanks for posting the information on his story, I've been following it very closely so it was easy enough to send you guys the links.
And thanks for the link to the TSN interview, it's the one I didn't have.
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
Jonathan & Edward Grimes
a.k.a. Jedward, are 17 year old Irish twins from Dublin. They seemed to be the only breakout stars on this season's UK X-Factor despite the fact they really have no discernible talent.
But knowing that most of Europe tuned in every week to see them, regardless or because of how very bad they are, Simon Cowell et al knew it would be ratings suicide to eliminate them early. And admittedly they do have a certain compelling wtf?! quality that one finds hard to turn away from...
It's all about the "lolz"
Performing "Oops I did it again"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr-p-3CC3AU
Performing "Under Pressure/Ice Ice Baby"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J2_t_9BmAo
AbFab, US?
There was an American version of AbFab? I never thought one got off the ground in the States. I know there was a AbFab type in the mid nineties called "High Society" that starred Jean Smart and Mary McDonnell and a quasi AbFab-esque one called "Style & Substance" that also starred Jean Smart along with Nancy McKeon but neither had any official AbFab stamp.
Maybe it's Kath & Kim, Snicks?
There was as US AbFab that
There was as US AbFab that went to pilot for Fox this fall but they did not green light the series. These things rarely work out. USA's Touching Evil didn't work. ABC's attempt at Cracker didn't work. ABC's Life on Mars didn't work as the failed pilot nor as the green lighted series.
If it's really made for the all-Leno NBC broadcast network, you can be certain it'll be "sh!te." If it was going to land somewhere else it might be passable but I don't see how the series works remade for the US.
AbFab US
This was the second attempt...
at an AbFab US. ABC tried in the '90s to remake the series with Carrie Fisher as Edina.
Roseanne was set to produce it but it never materialized beyond casting.
"Oh please! It's ten days bitching for every two days bliss with these two." Simone on Roman & Deniz "Alles was Zahlt"/"All That Matters"
Prime Suspect Remake in NBC
I am trembling in fear! I had the biggest crush on DCI Jane Tennison and her chain-smoking, weathered skin, make-up free beauty, and just cannot imagine how her character's flaws and perfect imperfection be translated to NBC's chosen leading lady! Why a remake??? I can't stand the americanized version of british best television shows simply because it felt wrong. The characterisation didn't feel right, the atmosphere didn't feel right, the dialogue are losing its meaning, and the story felt out of place. They'd better have someone like Glenn Close and find a slum setting bleaker than inner London or Manchester to make me try to watch.
Det. Sgt. Kay Howard
All-male Romeo and Juliet
I just read a review in the NY Times of "Shakespeare's R & J" (adapted by Joe Calarco) at Hartford's TheatreWorks. I'd never heard of the adaptation or the venue before, but it makes me want to book a flight to Connecticut. It's about four boys at a Catholic high school who are performing Shakespeare's tragedy--which of course was originally performed with boys in the female parts (does that sound like crotch snorkeling?)--"as a kind of forbidden game." I wonder if they throw in the Lambada! Anyway, here's a link to the review. I envy those of you who are in a position to see this:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/nyregion/29theaterct.html?_r=1
"The mountain has wings."
I saw it performed in Ithaca
I saw it performed in Ithaca about 10 years ago. I couldn't get out of my seat at the end I was so torn up. It's really amazing. It's not an adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet," though, but rather a play about the four boys who were playing with the text and acting parts of it out in their dorm one night.
Anyone who is lucky enough to have the opportunity to see this show should take it!
I look pretty young, but I'm just back-dated
I tried giving you a five rating, but the ratings didn't work! They always seem to work for the bottom feeders who want to give you a zero or a one, however. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your comments and to assure you that I simply cut and pasted the phrase "adapted by" into my text from the review itself. I haven't seen the play and don't pretend to know it. In fact, I had no idea it was ten years old!
"The mountain has wings."
A Gay Parade on Thanksgiving!
I turned on NBC Thanksgiving morning and thought for a split second I was missing out on Pride Weekend! Cheyanne Jackson, Alan Cumming, AND Cyndi Lauper all got to *sing* so to speak this year! Actually, the lip-syncing wasn't too terrible, besides the guys from "Boys Like Girls" being whisked away while still "playing" their instraments while the music stopped. While adorable, they looked kind of dazed by it all. Probably the wind messing up their emo hair. They should have sang "Love Drunk", since thet country guy sang about how "God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy". I guess its OK to sing about drinking at a kids parade now.
What was the deal with them cutting to commercial when Cyndi was still singing!? Not cool. Also, that float she was on was attrocious. She wouldn't have been caught dead on anything as pink or girly as that years ago. Glad to see her out and about, but she should have been given a better float. She was the biggest star there, IMO, so she should have gotten first dibs.The Sports Network
The Sports Network became my favorite sport network even though I cant watch it. First for tackling this story and then because of the stand it took regarding the viewer response to this video. There is another video out there of the next day and the viewer reactions, and while those were all over the place, the network took a clear stand againts homophobia. It really surprised me, pleasantly so.
Wow, another british remake. Dont US networks have original ideas anymore? Well, that is not the problem really, just that they do a horrible job at it. I cringed at the thought of an US version of PS. To be fair it happens the other way around too, if the forgettable Law and Order isnt proof of that, its only redeeming qualities were Ben Daniels (swoon) and Jamie Bamber speaking in his native accent (double swoon).
Hello Mr Jackson! and shut it Mr Everett.
More on Brendan Burke
I posted the TSN video on Facebook with this commentary:
It may not seem all that amazing in a world where more and more people are coming out (and that's a great sign of progress), but the sports world is one of the last areas of society where homophobia stands unchallenged. So for a major sports network to talk about gay athletes in a supportive, positive manner is absolutely huge. Homophobia in sports is rarely talked about, let alone on national television, to a predominantly straight male audience.
Brendan is paving the way for future sports personnel, even players to come out. His dad is acting how any father should; supportive of his son. I am so glad that the Toronto Maple Leafs could be a team with an out gay player. I really think hockey will be the first major sport to have an out player.
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
Where Jon and Edward can't
Cheyenne Jackson in the parade
It was great to see Cheyenne singing in the Macy's day parade, unfortunately the original songs they have in the parade are always terrible--the one Jane Krakowski sang was dreadful as well.
Next year there should be a giant Lady Gaga balloon to go with the giant Kermit the Frog balloon.
US networks aren't allowed to use new ideas.