Morning Meme: Betty Bowers' History Lessons, Which Ryan Has Better Abs, and Jon Stewart is Braving Fox News Again

ABC intends to keep playing with big red balls – Wipeout has been renewed for a fifth season, but with Vanessa Minnillo as the host. I still think the course should be an attraction at Disney.

For reasons that I can only imagine, the small town of Juzcar in Spain has been repainted Smurf blue in honor of the upcoming movie. Sony has promised to restore everything after the promotion, but from the images, I think it looks kind of neat.

There’s a rumor going around that girls are so into getting Justin Bieber’s used Underoos that when he takes them off, a security guard issues him a new pair and takes the used ones to an incinerator. It sounds like an episode of Dirty Jobs, except Mike Rowe wouldn’t even go there.

Five out authors including John Waters, Edmund White and Michael Cunningham name the best gay books in the world.

The man with the world’s best name (and best cheekbones), Benedict Cumberbatch, has picked up a second role in The Hobbit, voicing the dragon Smaug. He’s also playing the character Necromancer.

I never thought I’d have a reason to watch Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, but since Jon Stewart is stepping into the lion’s den, I may have to record this week’s episode.

In possibly one of the most tone-deaf political jokes ever, after sitting and listening to a group of long term unemployed folks in Florida tell their stories, the $200-million net worth Mitt Romney says “I’m also unemployed.” That folks, in a nutshell, is the Republican party. Well, that, and hating gay people.

Larry Flynt has made a job offer to the newly unemployed Anthony Weiner. No specifics were given by the Hustler publisher, but he swears it’s not a gimmick.

Lady Gaga released the video for “Edge of Glory” last night, and honestly, it’s a simple, understated video. It’s a nice change of pace from the high concept productions she’s known for.

Bilerico has a list of the Best Nude Beaches in America. I’ve only been to two of the eight, and found them to be great, if difficult to access, and currently nowhere near me. How I never visited Haulover Beach while I lived in Miami is a mystery.

This coming season of Glee will be very different behind-the-scenes: they’ve hired a full writing room, including former Buffy scribe Marti Noxon. Maybe they can hold the storylines together for an entire episode.

The Voice (which was surprisingly watchable) is not cheap: Bob Greenblatt got some extra money for the show to be what it is, and each episode costs north of $2.3 million, including paying Christina Aguilera $225,000, as much as the other judges combined.

I don’t now what is emboldening these people in public venues to try and enforce Biblical law, but it’s got to stop. First kicking the developmentally challenged gay men from a government pool on Biblical grounds, and now a security guard scolding a lesbian couple for quick kiss at a Twins game, saying they must follow the Ten Commandments while in the park. And where is “Thou shalt not kiss your hot girlfriend” in the Ten Commandments?

I’d like you to think about this concept for a moment: Lou Reed and Metallica have recorded an album together.

Finally, Facebook is prepping a iPad app. Not that I use Facebook. I think my last post was back in February. I’m much more of a Twitter guy.

Did you hear about the principal who chose to retire two years early so that the money saved from his salary could keep two music teachers employed? I think everyone should hear about it.

Take a minute to read My Ex-Gay Friend by Benoit Denizet-Lewis. It’s not what I was expecting. The players aren’t who I was expecting. Regardless of how you feel about the concept of “ex-gay” this is a good read.

It's official: Days of Our Lives is starting a gay storyline, and it's a familiar face bringing it to the screen. Freddie Smith, recently seen opposite Trevor Donovan on 90210, will play Sonny, a good natured guy who returns home to his family in Salem. Even Smith doesn't know who his relationship is with though - they haven't filmed it. "There are a lot of guys on the show, so it’s going to be interesting to see who I end up falling for. Someone new? Someone on the show?  We all make jokes, `who am I going to make out with first?’ It’s going to be fun to see.”