Whoopi will trade her Christian Siriano gown for a toga when she joins the cast of Xanadu

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.

• Goodbye, Yellow Brickle Road: How upset am I that when Ben & Jerry create an ice cream flavor based on my favorite Elton John song that I would actually totally like to taste (chocolate and peanut brittle?!), it's only available in Vermont? Damn hippies!!

• We dug the pilot for Alan Ball's upcoming HBO vampire drama True Blood, and we're digging the viral marketing campaigns even more. Check out this fake vampire-inclusive dating site, Lovebitten. I particularly love the spoof of the "Rejected by eHarmony" ads and the "have you come out of the coffin" question on the registration page. (t/y Kaiser for the tip!)

• ABC News has a story about how gay and transgender youth are coming out at an earlier age, despite the fact that their schools are doing little to support and protect them from bullying.

• Here's a sweet interview (check out the accompanying video above) of out actor Leslie Jordan from The Today Show, in which he discussed his new book about being gay in Hollywood and his new series, Sordid Lives (on Logo).

• Whoopi Goldberg is joining the cast of Xanadu for a few months, taking the role of one of the evil muse sisters (Jackie Hoffman is taking a few months off). She's been a vocal supporter of the Gayest Little Musical That Could for months, and it would be awesome to see her in the production. Miss Celie on skates!!

• And some Wicked good news for you theatre-lovers: The Wizard of Oz-based musical may be coming to the big screen, via Universal.

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

Broadway crossover (and Mrs. Taye Diggs) Idina Menzel

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

Video of the Week: R.E.M. - "Supernatural, Super Serious"

The lead single for the band’s upcoming Accelerate album just hit the Web, and it features a sullen Michael Stipe moving from a dark recording studio, to the Lower East Side streets and, finally, to a happy reunion. Check out the video after the break!

Idina Menzel Interview with NewNowNext

Rent and Wicked star Idina Menzel has a new album and a hot husband – yup, Taye Diggs – so find out about their first date and who the gays love more!

Kanye West “Flashing Lights” Video

Is this how Kanye really meets his end? Or is it just Part 1? Watch the shocking new Graduation video here.

Watch New Panic at The Disco Video - “Nine in The Afternoon”

Panic is back at it with a new Pretty.Odd album, and the video for “Nine in The Afternoon” lives up to the name.

Ferras

Ferras Interview with NewNowNext

American Idol fans, you may already know this season’s new loser anthem, “Hollywood Is Not America,” by newcomer Ferras. Find out how he went from southern Illinois to impersonating Elton John and all the way to Idol.

New Cascada “What Hurts The Most” Video

The German dance group behind the irresistible “Everytime We Touch” has a new album headed for The States - and we’ve got the video for the lead single.