The Column of Life

On the surface Andrew Sullivan is not unappealing. He is an intellectual in the tradition of William Buckley except that he is an openly gay man. In fact in the last election he supported Kerry-Edwards. He also accepts and openly promotes legislation to legalize gay marriage. As a political animal there is no doubt that he accepts individual rights. The politics espoused here also accept and encourage the rights of the individual. The conclusion was reached that among the rights of individuals to be supported is also the right to be stupid, even if one is an intellectual. People have every right to be stupid. Here is what Mr. Sullivan recently wrote: Not Dead Yet An Apology "People are in such denial about how serious HIV is. Unfortunately, the best prevention is seeing people die." - Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. I¹m sorry. It has taken me a long time to say this, but it's time: I'm sorry. It's been almost 12 years since I beca...

Those who inherited the mantles of the 50s teen idols during the Beatle Era 1963-1970 were three very talented young men with a very eclectic approach to music. All three had some connection to Country in varying degrees but could cross the river into more or less soulful territory in varying degrees. All three have a connection to Burt Bacharach’s music in varying degrees. All three endure professionally to varying degrees. During the 60s Gene Pitney, B.J. Thomas and Bobby Vee carried on in spite of Beatlemania or, as some might say, because of it. The adage goes something like: huge record sales for one artist or band are good for everybody in the business. Is that why the 60s are a kind of Renaissance for Popular Music? It probably began in 1956, but the message here is that technological advances coupled with new musical advances gleaned from an artistic reservoir for who knows why gave the World something new that enriched its cultural life. It may be a very long time before s...

The inclusion of Ilene's recipe for Salmon in the most recent Soap Opera Digest might have at least made mention of the food for the soul that she served up at the Triad. The first person that evening to jump to her feet for a standing ovation was none other than Robin Strasser. The room was filled with people who were obvious fans of this worthy entertainer. It was a performance full of life even when Ilene sang a song she wrote in honor of her lovely departed colleague and friend Nancy Addison-Altman. Kristen is all about life and going forward with life. "Heat Wave" has never been rendered in the way that Ilene Kristen renders it. But that doesn't happen until you are treated to a genuine mini concert from someone who knows music and can move like nobody's business. Thank you, Lovely Ilene! Oh, and here's to a long and continued creative existence. Happy Birthday on July 30th!

…rarely sleeps, especially if one's bedroom is on the street side. There is a diverse population there now, but it seems that Italians, Irish and Greeks make up the early immigrant population from the last century. Around the corner from Steinway St. there's an Irish Pub, The Rover, where there are bartenders who speak in brogue. Apparently, that wave of immigration continues. Down the street there's a Mosque which attests to a new wave of immigration. There is also Rizzo's in the other direction where they make something very similar to what real Sicilian square pizza is all about: delicate and the cheese is kept to a minimum. Watching two male descendants of Sicilian immigrants behind the counter validates that working pizza dough keeps the biceps in the shape that pleases. Enjoying the wonderful taste treat they create while Bonnie Raitt is singing, “Mighty Tight Woman" is a unique experience before topping it off with the drink at the Irish Rover. Astoria is ...

1961 Broadway at 66th Philip Chaffin is an accomplished artist and Tower Records Lincoln Center has got him for Any Wednesday, the in store Cabaret created by Tower’s impresario Bart Greenberg. Greenberg has provided showcases for other quality performers., namely Ann Hampton Calloway, Bobbie Eakes and Boulevard East. Like the above, Mr. Chaffin's music is everything a grown up New Yorker could want. Mr. Chaffin will be accompanied by his spouse,Tommy Krasker but perhaps it is better to hear from them. Before that, however, let it be said that these are attractive, talented men. You can learn to appreciate them by coming out Wednesday at 6 PM. It's everything you could want in accomplished, grown up music: We were in Los Angeles in late September meeting with our distributor, Image Entertainment, and one of the newer members of the sales team, after hearing about our plans to record The Frogs, asked how long PS Classics had been around. And we did the quick calculation in our h...

Furnished with disarming charming honesty, Ilene Kristen is at once childlike and worldly. The actress, who is a Soap Opera Superstar via the unique character of Delia Reid Ryan Ryan Coleridge she helped create on Ryan’s Hope and the equally entertaining Roxanne on One Life to Live will be bringing another aspect of her multi-talented personality to the Triad Theater on Thursday, her music. Believe it or not, Johnny Pacheco and Tito Puente are part of Ilene’s musical pedigree which started to reach fruition when at the age of 19 she began to write songs. Laura Nyro and Kenny Rankin are also part of the same musical family tree she has created. Kenny Rankin has a special place in her heart for when she was a troubled teen his music touched her and inspired her so much that she eventually made it a point to seek him out. One can only imagine Rankin’s reaction when confronted by the sprightly Kristen. Ilene is inviting and without wax. She is a pleasure. There is so much to this dimin...

This week promises to have at least two very interesting performances from two very interesting women both of whom seem eternal: Lesley Gore and Ilene Kristen. Both are blessing the Big Apple with their presences. More reasons to remain committed to New York . Both were born here and both have a lot of talent to expend. Later on this week a story we did with Ilene will be published prior to her appearance at the Triad. In the meantime we will wax on about Ms. Gore. “You Don’t Own Me” was actually written by two men but it would take a woman to give it the proper send off and very well Ms. Gore did indeed. With the advent of that song to her repertoire gone were the adolescent humiliations of “It’s My Party” and the weeping that ensued. There is a new version of “You Don’t Own Me” on her new album, Ever Since which has been critically acclaimed. Her shows at Joe’s Pub 425 Lafayette St in New York are sold out. They are adding two more there in August. When the m...

There was a time when the Gossip Forum on Datalounge was a particularly entertaining cyberspace, much like a funny Joan Rivers routine. In the last two years it has become painful to read some of the posts there. There is, however, one rather entertaining thread that has been kept alive off and on since February, it is entitled: What gossip-related things do you actually know from first hand experience (here are some edited entries)… Dani el Travanti is still known as Miss Hoo-hoo by members of the Hill Street Blues crew. Kevin Bacon is totally straight, sweet, and has the thinnest body west of Biafra. Robert Blake is guilty. Paul Newman has had his share of men. His wife has had her share of women. … Keanu Reeves is great in bed--with anyone. …I dated Craig Sheffer once (now on One Tree Hill). He talked alot about how spiritually unenlightened Sam Champion was... Craig had some interesting beliefs about how DNA double helixes in humans were mutating in a way that would allow us to c...

There are great singers it has been said, and then there's Darlene Love. As if Hairspray needed another shot in the arm, it has acquired one of the greatest and most acclaimed vocalists in Rock 'n' Roll. Darlene's voice will become that of Motormouth Mabel until December 31st of this year. Ms. Love has achieved respect in the music business almost through no fault of her own. Her talent is easily equal to that of Aretha Franklin's and but for lack of an appropriate production team or record company there but for the grace of Aretha's gods she has not gone. However, those who know and care about these things know and care about Darlene. Visit "Column's" music section to read more about her. Interesting that the press today connects her to "Da Doo Ron Ron" which actually has the lead vocals of the very talented Lala Brooks, Darlene's were over dubbed by the controlling malevolent Phil Spector. In My Name is Love she recounts how Spector...

1975 on Polk Street in San Francisco , perhaps at Buzzby’s, Cal Culver (aka Casey Donovan) Peter Berlin or Jack Wrangler might have made an appearance. All were well known as being especially gifted porno stars which meant a bit more in the days before the vhs/dvd crazes. Those who met Cal or Jack generally described them as very nice, unassuming guys. Cal married, in a way, out gay actor/author Tom Tryon. Jack shortly thereafter “married” singer Margaret Whiting 22 years his senior. Research has turned this up: After attending Northwestern University, John Stillman had some early work on the stage and as a model and dancer, before appearing in a male strip show in the mid-70s under the name "Jack Wrangler … His autobiography, "The Jack Wrangler Story" ... was released in 1984. In 1976 Jack met 1940s singing sensation Margaret Whiting when she attended one of his one-man erotic shows in New York , and a relationship developed which became marriage in 19...

If you look hard enough you can find a theme running through the recent posts on the blog - Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Meloni, and a little bit further back, Matt Battaglia. All straight actors who have taken on gay roles and, equally as important, have done so without apology. Time was when playing gay could have meant the death knell to an acting career. That's not to say that there may not be risks, but truly talented actors know that if you don't take risks you stagnate. And that brings me to Daniel Petronijevic (petroh - NEE- vic). A name most of you will be unfamiliar with, but, trust me, one you should get to know. Daniel is only in his early twenties, but he has been in the business a while. Probably best described as a journeyman, he hasn't had many big roles – except a standout as Thad Guerwitcz in Playmakers , the one-season football drama that ran on ESPN in 2003 (if you're in Canada, it's running on Showcase now). The Guerwitcz chara...

From the premature to the retrograde: hearing Emmy Lou Harris sing “If I Could Only Win Your Love” today at the Lincoln Center Tower was to return to Northern California 1975 the time and place that was the site of Nude Gay Beaches on the Russian River, Champagne brunches that followed rough riding Tequila soaked Saturday nights , relatively safe sex and the sounds of what was then Cool Country, mostly from Emmy Lou and the Outlaws, viz. Waylon, Tompall, Willie, Jesse Colter and Dianne “Mountain Mama” Davidson. The skies and the music were more than just the background and the soundtrack, often they were the goal of creative fun.

A favorite BLOG in these parts "Towleroad" initiates today with Brokeback Mountain and related links. Go visit --->>>>>>> link to the right. Premature as it may be, let's make a fuss and keep our fingers crossed. Thank you, Heath. There is much gratitude that Mr. Gibson didn't rub off on you, so to speak.

Emmylou Harris Live at Lincoln Center! - 7/19/2005 12:30 PM Tower Lincoln Center (1961 Broadway, New York, NY ) Spend lunch with Tower Records as we welcome Emmylou Harris to a special afternoon acoustic performance! The legendary singer/songwriter will play songs and sign copies of her new greatest hits collection- Heartaches & Highways: The Very Best of Emmylou Harris. Don't miss your chance to see one of the true icons of alternative country up close and personal! Ms. Harris has blazed more than one trail down the musical highways. Many will point to 1995’s Wrecking Ball as her capolavoro , but most will agree that from the very beginning with Pieces of the Sky she made her mark.

While there is much ado about the Killing Club killer on One Life to Live and the prospect of Ron Walsh being Hayes’ accomplice looming large from internet rumours, it comes to mind how sorely underused Timothy Adams has been since his character, the fetching Mr. Walsh, the older brother of the shrill Marcie showed up in Llanview. There were a number of slots that Mr. Adams might have filled on the canvas, but at that point in time fleshing out Marcie’s history was welcomed. There were intimations that he might have been paired off with various female characters and many were looking forward to seeing him more often. Rumours abounded concerning a co-worker who brokered to keep his appearances to a minimum. The political maneuvering and the missed opportunities, not to mention the constant revelation of what is going to happen in the “press” only made the viewer the loser. At the very least, Mr. Adams would have provided a welcomed distraction to the relentless ennui that is ...

Any television show that refers to the “asshole in the White House” within the first three minutes of an episode can’t be all bad. As a matter of fact it might be more than not bad. It certainly can draw the viewer in above and beyond political commentary. Actually the thread of political issues woven into the fabric of the lives of the community of fictionalized Pittsburgh has made this a more than worthy Soap Opera. Homosexuality as a societal scapegoat is nothing new. Terrorism is more than a timely topic. Rampant homophobia depicted in Senator Rick “Forrest Gump with Attitude” Santorum’s home State is more than appropriate. It can only be hoped that it gets the message across that religious and political rhetoric can lead to violence. Let's hope that people actually care that this kind of violence is very possible. The ghost of Timothy McVeigh should teach the same lesson. All the elements were there and, for the most part, well done. Subplots that seemed unnecessary...

Annie Proulx's captivating short story is coming to the screen. Brokeback Mountain click for a larger image is set in the beautiful, wild landscape of Wyoming where cowboys live as they have done for generations. Hard, lonely lives in unforgiving country. Jack Twist and Ennis del Mar are two ranch hands – 'drop-out country boys with no prospects, brought up to hard work and privation, both rough-mannered, tough spoken' – glad to have found each other's company where none had been expected. But companionship becomes something else on Brokeback Mountain, something not looked for, something deadly. In twenty years they grab just a few desperate meetings, grace only in the memory of 'that old, cold time on the mountain when they owned the world and nothing seemed wrong.' The film stars Heath Ledger & Jake Gyllenhaal. The premiere is scheduled for the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Wider release in the US is scheduled for December. It should...

When Barry Levinson and Tom Fontana were filming their short lived, albeit excellent, television series, The Jury Mr. Levinson had to step into the judge’s shoes when the original portrayer, Sidney Lumet, had to step aside. Well, if anyone could possibly fill a top notch director’s shoes it would be another top notch director. Once again it seems that Mr. Levinson is going to fill Mr. Lumet’s shoes by taking on Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge . Anthony LaPaglia will reprise his theatrical triumph from 1998 as Eddie Carbone in Mr. Levinson’s upcoming film (2006). In the meantime theater goers in Dublin, Ireland at the Gate Theater on July 28 will experience Mr. Christopher Meloni in the impassioned role. Mr. Lumet’s 1961 film with Raf Vallone was a study in working class sexuality and male identity. The right actor with the right intensity and control just might be able to pull all those elements together. Those who are familiar with Mr. Meloni and his work find this a stro...

There are more than enough reasons to watch Footballers’ Wives when BBC America airs it on Sunday at 9PM without making reference to the Desperate ones of the same time slot. David Bianculli in today’s Daily News may have been fair in saying that BBC is taking advantage of the inevitable comparisons and the mutual demographics but there was no mention that FW predates DH by three years. Trio TV gave a great preview last year of the first series/season. One definite reason to tune in is for Cristian Solimeno and his bad boy – very bad boy – footballer, Jason Turner. Another reason, especially for fans of Eastenders , is Gillian Taylforth as Jackie Webb, who is actually a footballer’s mother among other things. Ms. Taylforth brings naturalness to her interpretation that makes it easy to watch her whether she’s being good or bad . Footballers’ Wives is one great, bawdy TV show. The desperation here emphasizes camp. Another Daily News article last Sunday gives us this...

There was a time when Arianna was the wife of a conservative Republican candidate for the Senate. She was married to Michael Huffington who lost his California Senatorial bid to Dianne Feinstein by a hair in 1994. Four years later he declared himself a bi-sexual (why do people have to come out of the closet in increments?) Mr. Huffington is now a gay activist, while Mrs Huffington, often thought to be the "brains behind the man" when they were married, is now a progressive political pundit with quite an interesting BLOG, "The Huffington Post." This once ambitious conservative Republican political wife is relentlessly attacking Mr. Rove, aka turd blossom. This may mean that there is hope that people can change positively. Of course, Michael simply revealed his true identity with some drama but certainly with good effect. Perhaps he should have applied for consulting jobs in New Jersey or on One Life to Live .

In Tuesday’s Daily News it was reported: FIELDS OF NIGHTMARES? Star Jones has acquired a scary lawyer. She was so ticked off about Philadelphia shock jock Patty Jackson's recent column claiming that Al Reynolds visited L.A. gay bars after the BET Awards that she sicced Hollywood pit bull Bert Fields on the hapless Jackson - who immediately issued a retraction and apology. So are Fields and Jones the new match made in heaven? Yesterday Jones' flack, Brad Zeifman, E-mailed Lowdown: "When Star needs to make important decisions in her professional or personal life, she hires the best people in the business to advise her. There is no question that Mr. Fields falls into that category." This item is simply chock full of information. It really doesn’t put anything to rest about Al Reynolds’ sexuality but reaffirms that Ms. Jones is now scary two times over. Who will she hire to advise her on achieving good taste and erasing people’s memories? It also begs the question: Does...

Back when I Am Shelby Lynne was released in 2000, Out Magazine touted its release by comparing it to Dusty Springfield ’s best efforts. Like Dusty who is much loved in these parts Shelby defies definition. Both artists approach (ed) their material from different perspectives, but both end (ed) up in the same authentic place. I Am Shelby Lynne is a blue-eyed rhythm and blues album with a dash of real blues thrown in for good measure. The music is Dusty Springfield sprinkled with Bonnie Raitt. Lynne's vocals are what makes all of these self-penned tunes special. Her voice suits this material perfectly. She can coo like a kitten on "Black Light Blue" or wail like a blues queen on "Life Is Bad." The latter comes complete with a very bluesy slide guitar and vocal style that indicates she may have listened to early Raitt. "Your Lies," which opens the album, sounds just like a good 1960s Top 40 song by the late Springfield . If released as a singl...

To Queer As Folk for giving its following among other things scenes they'd like to see. The series is going out with style, social consciousness and viewer satisfaction. It respects its audience.

Main Entry: 2care Function: verb Inflected Form(s): cared; car•ing intransitive senses 1 a : to feel trouble or anxiety b : to feel interest or concern 2 : to give care 3 a : to have a liking, fondness, or taste b : to have an inclination transitive senses 1 : to be concerned about or to the extent of 2 : WISH - car•er noun - care less : not to care -- used positively and negatively with the same meaning Soap Opera Weekly has actually put it all in perspective. The news is that story does not matter. If a favourite character dies, no need to worry, they will soon be resurrected. If the so-called Soap Opera Press reports that there was ill will with the departure of a well loved actor, pay it no mind. The news was also served up with Ms. Hinsey’s interview with Brian Frons whose message to the public boiled down to this: if you are uncomfortable with a story, don’t worry we’ll rewrite it for you. If the Network needs to cut back on the Daytime budget, perhaps Mr. Frons’ salary might b...

Veteran's Day on One Life to Live Yesterday’s episode of One Life to Live was noteworthy in that the TV screen was graced with the presence of Ilene Kristen as Roxanne Balsom an occurrence that doesn’t occur often enough. The character of Roxanne is one of the best parts of Gary Tomlin’s dubious legacy, one which bears reevaluation in retrospect in relation to regimes that have followed. When Ilene as Roxanne entered the precinct yesterday it was as if all three of her co-stars became her supporting players. This is not to say that she is not a generous scene stealer, but she is a scene stealer nevertheless. Her presence and recalling Gary Tomlin only serve to remind what might have been if subsequent producing/writing teams had been allowed to serve up with all the fixin's the burgeoning quirky love story between Max Holden, the very talented James DePaiva, and Roxanne. (It also makes one wonder why the entire Holden clan was sent off into that great Soap Opera black hole ...

There were good things to talk about except all the joy went out of the day when daylight began. The sadness is enhanced in that this was done in the name of religion. There is not much more to add that there are those who live by the religious sword and actually turn it on themselves. There is not much difference between God and the Devil in this case. If the God one believes in encourages and desires the death of innocent people then that evil perpetrated is on par with the evil associated with Satan. Disbelief reigns at the end of the day. What makes it even sadder is that political opportunists all over the world will use this to further their own agendas. Those who survive will go on and will very quickly find enjoyment in daily living yet life has forever changed.

Although it is not the first time that Lee Tergesen fans have seen their favourite actor in drag, it was quite fun to observe him in the last episode of Rescue Me all decked out so to speak. While there may not be anything wrong with that it was a welcomed respite from the darkness that this very well done episodic drama can be. Tergesen’s interpretations of Sully gave the viewers a distraction that pointed toward a surprise ending that would bring Tommy back to where he belonged. Tergesen/Sully did not disappoint. It was amusing, but also reminded the audience how flawed the weekly characters to whom they may be attached are.

... is that Tower Lincoln Center has a lot planned this month: Shelby Lynne, Emmy Lou Harris and Tommy Krasker's lover, Philip Chaffin. Next Wednesday the public gets two for the price o' one: Ms. Lynne as well Boulevard East. The bad news is that Any Wednesday is on a sabbatical for this week. This is what New York City is all about: the accessiblity of Art. There will be much more here about the last Any Wednesday and future events at Tower Records' best store venue. It's the most entertaining way to spend your money.

How grand to view the display of fireworks celebrating freedom and independence. There is a lot more to the story and most people who live in the United States live in that very awareness. There are those who consider being part of this Pax Americana as a calling to some kind of global superiority. There are those who consider themselves the messengers of morality not only for Populus Americanus but the rest of the world as well, the good news of the straight and narrow – narrow being the operative word here. The shots of smiling couples watching the skyward show while the orchestra serenaded the viewing public with patriotically inspiring music almost, just almost kept the matters at hand an arm’s length away. Court appointees, insurgencies, and denied rights were more than likely not on the minds of this Republic’s founders. It is to be hoped they were on the minds of some modern day citizens. It is the right to life that should be foremost on all citizens’ minds this day of days f...

Dave Kopay did it in the real world and now Drew Boyd is going to do it in fictional Pittsburgh . What makes Drew Boyd’s story on Queer As Folk relevant is that he didn’t consider himself gay because his sexual activity didn’t involve affection. When he admits to Emmett that he wanted to kiss him and that he had feelings for him, he, therefore, admits that he is gay. Coming attractions indicate that Drew will come out on television news. Would that football players livin’ on the down low in the real world follow suit. Matt Battaglia garnered some positive attention on the pages of our forum last year for obvious reasons when the character he plays, Drew Boyd, took up with Emmett. Happy days for the viewer that Drew has returned to deal with his feelings: he returned to Emmett after being blackmailed and deciding not to give in to the extortion. Emmett exhorts him to be honest with himself. Tune in next week. Same time. Same station. It is obvious for the most part whe...

Gay People have been a part of this Republic since the very beginning and noting that one good soul on Datalounge linked up to the article on July 3, 1981 in the New York Times reporting on the cases of Kaposi's Sarcoma found in young gay men in New York and California. It seems appropriate to reprint an article from Oasis on one Gay American admired by many: Larry Kramer 'Just Says No' to being angry anymore by Jeff Walsh, Oasis Editor Larry Kramer has been a lightning rod for controversy since his fist novel Faggots blazed into bookstores and parodied the way gay men were living their lives. The novel ended up being far too prescient, and a few years after its release the AIDS crisis would begin. The crisis changed Larry Kramer's main role from writer to activist. He founded the Gay Men's Health Crisis, the first agency to help gay men deal with the AIDS crisis in its infancy, and also founded The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (better known as ACT UP), which wou...

A honeymoon in Sunny Spain one of Holy Mother Church’s dearest daughters would do the hearts good of many a vibrant homosexual not to mention having the marriage sanctioned there. The United States’ neighbour to its North and more than one of its neighbours across the ocean seem bent on affording the rights to same sex couples that are afforded to those of mixed marriages. Perhaps the gods – or God as the case may be -- do smile on the alternative brethren from time to time. That being said and accepted, let it also be said that perhaps the Federal Government of any nation has no business sanctifying anybody’s marriage. Yes, if mixed marriages are to be sanctified by a civil government then all marriages should of necessity be sanctified by the Government. However, it is not the Government’s business to sanctify any union whatsoever. It is the Government’s business on the other hand to nurture and encourage households of whatever nature as long as those households in turn nurture a...

If only the Killing Club guy had kidnapped Marcie, then those folks who actually took the time to watch wouldn’t have to be subjected to Kathy Brier’s mugging without it being put to good use. Anymore it seems that One Life to Life is the textbook for how to murder a character. Not all that long ago when Marcie was making the transition from antipathy to sympathy the character had the attention of the viewing audience. That capital seems to be squandered by now. Marcie has gone from insecure camp follower who would do anything for a crumb of friendship to a 4 point student who saves a drug addict to grieving hallucinating "widow" to a failing student who writes a successful novel to a shrieking civil rights activist to a blubbering guilt ridden heroine with no clue, literally. It is impressive that Kathy Brier can weep on cue and has a powerful singing voice and that she can act her way out of a paper bag. She has achieved status because she is every woman and “every woma...