Morning Meme: "Kneel Before Zod," "SNL" Gives Us Perspectives, and First Peek at Cheyenne Jackson's Return To "Glee"

So the big news since the last time I wrote one of these things is that Britney Spears is going to sing on a remix of Rihanna’s “S&M.” And I’m not trying to be mean, but is there any evidence that Britney sings on her own songs anymore, much less someone else’s?

Kneel before Zod! Michael Shannon has been cast opposite Henry Cavill in Man of Steel. I know absolutely nothing about him beyond the fact that he has an Oscar nomination.

In the UK, they’re preparing to lift the ban on blood donations by gay men, but only if they’ve been celibate for ten years. I suppose those men exist, but this just seems like pandering.

I have nothing against Jennifer Lopez, but what kind of voodoo is she practicing? She’d completely dropped off the map, and now she’s back with a hit single, judging American Idol, and she’s going to be the cover girl on People’s annual “Most Beautiful” issue?

Time has a rather bizarre essay by a man who wonders if it’s even possible to become a true gay icon, like Elizabeth Taylor these days. He got input from Kathy Griffin and Dan Savage, but I just don’t think his heart is in it. Besides, I don’t think you can set out to become an icon.

For me, Cyndi Lauper comes close. She’s a personal hero to me, and as she says “I have had a very long and enduring love affair with the LGBT community.” She’s in our causes, and she’s in our corner. She plans on opening the apartment building in New York City later this year dedicated to GLBT youth.

Friendfactor operates on the concept of bringing straight allies to work on GLBT causes as advocates. But I really can’t imagine a stranger group to work on this than Clinton architect David Mixner, unpopular gay conservative Ken Mehlman, and Chelsea Clinton herself.

From the “I need a raise” files, the cast of the Jersey Shore have shaken down MTV for $100k/each per episode. And in more instances of the parent company tossing around big money, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman is the highest paid CEO in the United States, earning $84.5 million in just nine months last year.

 Binational socialites Alan and Andy have been together for 50 years. They never had any desire to get married, but that didn’t make their love any less. They’ve been huge supporters of charity causes (and jewelry stores) for decades, and have a story that makes you go “Aww!”

I’m fascinated by this profile of how the Muppet brand was nearly destroyed over the last 30 years, despite holding a cultural significance right up there with Woody Allen, The Simpsons, and Saturday Night Live for comedians. And I can talk about this now, because Neil Patrick Harris is in the movie, so it’s relevant. And the Muppets are going back to their roots: its written for adults, the Muppets live in the real world, and think they’re alive. Remember, the original title for the first episode of The Muppet Show was The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence.