Olivia Broadfield (Photo: Andrew Robert Fox)

Every Friday our friend Colin over at NewNowNext helps off kick off the weekend early with some great new music tips. Plug in your earbuds and pretend it's Saturday!

Video of the Week: Olivia Broadfield – “Silence”

This U.K. singer-songwriter definitely has a little Feist-iness in her. Check out her dreamy stop-motion video, complete with wall-crawling outfits. See it all after the break.

Duffy NewNowNext Interview

Before taking to the TRL stage this week, the young, Welsh soul singer chatted with NNN about the only gay in her village and her sudden rise to stardom.

R.E.M. “Hollow Man” Video

The second single from the queer-fronted band’s Accelerate album is a raw plea for salvation - and flashy graphics take the place of the band itself.

Metro Station “Shake It” Video

The just-plain-fun Cali rock band hosts a dance-crew battle for their catchy number’s video.

The Ting Tings

The Ting Tings Debut Album Stream and “That’s Not My Name” Video

Katie and Jules of this British electronic project make their way to the States with debut We Started Nothing, as well as an iPod commercial and some funky, stripped-down music videos.

New Donna Summer “S-T-A-M-P” Video

The diva is approaching 60, but she still has an album, Crayons, on the way, as well as a new music video!

Laura Linney and out Tony nominee Ben Daniels (Photo: Sara Krulwich for the NY Times)

In a continued effort to bring you all that is important in the world of gay entertainment and ensure that you are being spoon-fed images of gorgeous, commoditized manflesh, we present the newly-minted AfterElton Briefs. Following the usual assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

• If it weren't on video, I wouldn't believe it: an old clip of Anderson Cooper reporting from Chelsea BDSM shop The Noose. (Now that's what I call "Headline Noose"! Bah-dum-bum.)

• We're not the only ones who find it interesting that As the World Turns is the only soap to post an increase in young viewers in the months since the Nuke storyline was introduced - The New York Times does, too.

• The Times also profiled gay actor Ben Daniels (Beautiful Thing), who recently snagged a Tony nomination for his breakout performance in Les Liaisons Dangereuses opposite Laura Linney. Though the sexuality of his character is center-stage, the piece fails to mention that the actor has been out since forever.

• here! Tunes (the music publishing arm of the gay television network) has announced their debut release for their first signed artist, NYC musician Stewart Lewis. To hear some samples of his pop/folk melodies, check out Lewis's Myspace page, and look for the album, in formation, in early June.

• Out in Hollywood has compiled some notable (and heartwarming) responses from celebs and such to repeal of the California same-sex marriage ban. My favorite has to be Governor Terminator's comment: "I will respect the court's decision." Brings a tear!

And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

To herald the arrival of NewNowNext Design, mama Logo's new style and fashion site, we thought we would look back at some of the most dubious fashion trends perpetrated by TV, movies, and music. Now, keep in mind that I'm one of those gays who has absolutely no fashion sense myself, so instead of calling these "bad" fashion trends, let's just call them ... "memorable".

Aerobics chic
As perpetrated by: Flashdance

The 1983 hit Flashdance gave us plenty to squeal about: the classic soundtrack, with Giorgio Moroder at his most 80's, the introduction of future L Word icon Jennifer Beals, and a fashion statement that would soon have millions of women showing up at the aerobics studio in leg warmers and ripped sweatshirts. Even Snoopy was a maniac on the floor, starring in the Peanuts special It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown.

$400 shoes
As perpetrated by: Sex and the City

They're just shoes. They perform the same function as my Payless Clearance Special, but for some reason they cost $400. I'm talking, of course, about Manolo Blahniks, the Holy Grail of Carrie Bradshaw and thousands of other sexy single girls. Who needs things like heat, and food, and shelter when you can spend a week's paycheck on an ugly, uncomfortable piece of plastic?

Men in pastels
As perpetrated by: Miami Vice

Pastels. I still see them in my nightmares. Miami Vice taught us that men can look like "Party Mints" and still be macho and tough! And that rolled up jacket sleeves never lead to permanent wrinkles, and no one ever has sweat stains in South Florida.

See more memorable fashion trends after the break!

This week on Homophonic, Alex takes a spa day with queer electro/rock group Naked Highway. Lead singer Sy dishes the good stuff with tales from their European tour, his strong belief in hardcore-burlesque, and the unusual bond he shares with his partners in crime.

But wait! There's more! Buckle your seat belts in that lowrider, 'cause we've got the world premiere of Naked Highway's newest video, "Shorty the Pimp". So put your headphones on, pop some bubbly, and get Naked!

Check it all out after the break!

Spring has awakened, the flowers are in bloom and the boys jogging are wearing less and less! I like to call springtime "the battle of the bulge" ... or at least my battle to not get caught staring at them as they run by. It's like follow the bouncing ball, how can I not want to play along? 

Obviously I've got hotties on the brain and that could only mean one thing... 

The AfterElton.com Hot 100! There's still time to vote, so stop working (come on, the sun it out, no one expects much of you today) and vote for your Top 10!  If you're in need of a little inspiration or eye candy to get you started, check out these other Top 10's (Brian, Frank from !! omgblog !!). 

Here are the Top 10 guys I'm currently obsessing over.  It's really hard to come up with a list of just 10 because there are so many different reasons for picking each person (some intellectual, some musical, some just for being hot business...). The list could go on and on so I beg of you to not be all judgy-judge on my picks but rather to share yours in the comments section.  Happy viewing, boys!

Brad Neely

10. Brad Neely (Animator/Artist, Wizard People, Dear Readers)

9. Joel McHale (Comedian, The Soup)

8. Tom Ford (Designer, Hotness)

7. Chris Carrabba (Musician, Dashboard Confessional)

Chris Carrabba
 

6. John Hamm (Actor, Mad Men)

5. Lee Pace (Actor, Pushing Daisies)

Kyle Chandler

4. Kyle Chandler (Actor, Friday Night Lights)

3. Jamie Bamber (Actor, Battlestar Galactica)

Adam Levine

2. Adam Levine (Musician, Maroon 5)

And my current #1 Hot Guy is...

Gay musician Dan Gillespie Sells and his band The Feeling rock Radio 1's Big Weekend in the UK

In a continued effort to bring you all that is important in the world of gay entertainment and ensure that you are being spoon-fed images of gorgeous, commoditized manflesh, we present the newly-minted AfterElton Briefs. Following the usual assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

• "The password is ... gay!" CBS is running six primetime eps of Million Dollar Password with host Regis Philbin over the summer, with celebrity guests including Neil Patrick Harris, Rosie O'Donnell, and more.

• Sad: John Barrowman's dog Lewis died last week, after twelve happy years with John and Scott.

• There's a comedy show about off-duty superheroes called No Heroics in the works for British TV, and an eagle-eyed reader tipped us off that one of the heroes is gay. The character's name is Time Bomb, and he's played by James Lance. (t/y Ben Weldon!)

• Above, adorable gay actor Eric Millegan dishes to Michael Ausiello about the fate of his character (Zach) in the much-hyped Bones finale. Good news: he doesn't die. Bad news: he becomes well-acquainted with hospital pudding.

• Speculation abounds regarding the blind-item-outed figures in the forthcoming Hiding in Hip Hop gay tell-all.

And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

Black Kids

Every Friday our friend Colin over at NewNowNext tips us off to what's hot in popular music. Yet again, we got slammed on Friday and hogged all the music dish for ourselves all weekend. Sorry!

Video of the Week: Black Kids - “I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You”

Lead singer Reggie Youngblood recalls the days when he was “a little girl” – hm? – meanwhile, his Jacksonville-based band somehow blends cheerleading, powdered wigs and lasers into one chaotic debut music video. Check it out after the break.

Mariah Carey “Bye, Bye” Video

Perfect timing, huh? Fresh from her surprise wedding to Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey released her second E=MC2 video, complete with home videos of the newlyweds.

Buzz on Jay Brannan’s Upcoming LP

Out musician and Shortbus star Jay will finally release his full-length debut. Find out the details – as well as his tour dates – here.

New Cobra Starship Video & Making-Of Clip for “Guilty Pleasure”

After performing at TRL this week, the tongue-in-cheek pop band released a remake of its Viva La Cobra video – which features a reenactment of the group’s manager forcing them to remake its video…

Deliver us from Nagle ...

KYLIEX2008 is going on in Europe – here are some pictures

While this no-doubt amazing show won’t hit the States, Kylie Minogue’s new tour in support of her X album can still offer us Americans some entertainment.

New Panic at the Disco Video – “That Green Gentleman”

The second ballad from new album Pretty.Odd features the Panic boys popping out of Russian dolls and frolicking in surreal parks.

You didn't think we'd go into Mother's Day weekend without paying tribute to those wacky ladies (real and otherwise) that gave birth to our fabulousness, did you?  If you can't surprise your Mom with Sunday brunch or a T-shirt with your face on it, be sure to call her/them and express your love and gratitude for raising such a fierce child. 

It is, after all, Mother's Day so just remember, kiddies ... without Mothers there'd be no frakkers; without Mamas there'd be no Mia's, and the most important lesson of all: those lovely ladies that brought you into this world can take you out just as easily (sorry, I had to), so celebrate them!

Sit back and relax as I honor some of my favorite real-life Moms, as well as those from television and movies that represent the good, the bad and the ugly of memorable mamas.

THE NEWBIE
Lily Van der Woodsen (Gossip Girl)

Gossip Girl's Lily Van der Woodsen is a complex character who wants to be a better woman, Mother and lover than her upper crust gal pals and family will allow and I currently heart her. Sure Lily will marry any Tom, Dick or Bart for their money and she'll go to great lengths to save face amongst the Upper East Side elite and yes, she had a mini-meltdown when evil Georgina outed her son Eric at the dinner table but she came around in the end! Kelly Rutherford has taken what could have been a one-note rich bitch and made her a woman to root for. PFLAG will never be the same.

THE SEMI-OLD PRO
Nora Walker (Brothers & Sisters)

Nora Walker meddles and occasionally messes with her children's lives but she's always best friend and supporter to her gay son Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys) on ABC's Brothers & Sisters.  Sally Field is a powerful presence on screen and she can dominate the drama like no one else but she always let's her character live and breathe the world of her children (often to a fault) and she's really embraced Kevin's relationship and soon to be marriage to Scotty (played by Luke MacFarlane).  Nora could teach Lily a thing or two about patience and acceptance.

THE TRUE OLD PRO
Debbie Novotny (Queer as Folk - US)

Debbie (or PFLAG The Clown as my friend Armando likes to call her) could school all other Mother's on how to support your gay child and every fey friend that makes up his/her gay gang.  She's been crazy involved in her son Michael's (played by the adorable Hal Sparks) social and sex life so if you have questions on which gay clubs to haunt or which lube works best she's your go-to-gal.  Debbie does the gays proud and I salute her efforts and enthusiasm in grounding the sometimes outrageous Queer as Folk.

THE LEGEND
Anne Bancroft (Torch Song Trilogy's Ma Beckoff | Home For The Holiday's Adele Larson )

Anne Bancroft played two of the most memorable Gay Movie Moms from two of my favorite films with gay characters. In the classic Torch Song Trilogy she was the conflicted, confused, and sometimes pain in the ass Ma to Harvey Fierstein's Arnold Beckoff. In the end she realized that no matter how you raise them, sometimes kids really do "come that way."  In Jodie Foster's Home For The Holidays, she was the Mom most in need of a Silkwood shower and a neurotic nag to her gay son Tommy (Robert Downey Jr.) but she was never anything but amazing.  Rest In Peace Anne Bancroft (1931-2005).

THE ASS KICKER
Sandra Gangel (Beautiful Thing)

Sandra's the kind of woman that's not afraid to stand up to an abusive Father, knock out a whacked out Mama Cass lovin' neighbor, and encourage her gay son to make his own kind of music. Linda Henry's multi-layered performance in Beautiful Thing has always forced me to stand up and cheer.  She's funny, intense, and ruthless but encouraging and nurturing to not only her gay son Jamie but his teenaged lover Ste.  The final scene of the film is one of endless hope and utopia made even more amazing by Sandra's fearless efforts to accept her son.

We're excited to be bringing you a new weekly video blog that focuses on the world of out gay musicians. The aptly-titled Homophonic series, brought to you by the Angry Puppy vlog's Lee and his Archy and Mehitabel bandmate Alex, will take you behind the scenes and into the recording studios of some of the freshest queer musicians out there. I'll let Lee tell you what's in store for the maiden voyage...

How awesome is this?! Fresh from her first live show in over 3 years, LGBT music goddess Deepa Soul sat down with Alex in our studio last week and dished deep. From her not-so-humble beginnings dancing go-go in San Fran to her epic collaborations with Junior Vasquez, Deepa kept our jaws hanging open with one legendary tale after another.

Oh yeah, and as if that weren't enough to keep Alex giggling with glee, Deepa even played a fresher-than-fresh track from her soon-to-drop 3-disc release in our very own studio! Tune in this and every week, all you homophones, for interviews, backstage to-do's, and live performances from the coolest out musicians out there.  

Check it all out after the break! 

Naommon

Every Friday our friend Colin over at NewNowNext tips us off to what's hot in popular music. School us, Colin!

Video of the Week: Naommon & Human Body - "Allnighter”

Harlem-based Parisian gay Naommon characterizes his debut album, Allnighter, as “electro-purple-fluoro-plastic-sulky-acid-soul-clashy-disco-sequin-pop.” Whew! We heard electro and sequins, so we’re happy. And the dark scenes of New York clubs actually have us ready to party. Check it out after the break!

Watch Madonna Roseland New York Concert

What we would have given to be one of the 2000 Madonna freaks crammed into her intimate Hard Candy show Wednesday night. At least we can enjoy some pictures and the video stream from MSN...

Scarlett Johansson “Falling Down” Video

Looks like Scarlett is still going for that music career - ‘cause the video from her album of Tom Waits covers has arrived – and it even has a Salman Rushdie cameo.

Katy Perry Interview with NewNowNext

California singer Katy’s ode to her ex features the lyrics,“You’re so gay ... and you don’t even like boys” … but we gays love her! Check out the video interview.

Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy “Beat It” Cover Video

From the band’s new concert CD/DVD, this Michael Jackson cover video features quite a few comical nods the pop legend.

Duffy “Mercy” Acoustic Performance

The Welsh soul singer is making her way to the U.S., so check out her unique voice in prep.