Kathy Griffin Roasts Joan Rivers!

Two weeks ago, I had a gay ol' time at the Kathy Griffin concert in Fresno. She mentioned that the following night, she would be hosting the Joan Rivers Roast. In old school comic style, a roast is when a performer is really raked over the coals. The roasters say all the things commentators normally stop shy of. Oh yes... they go there!

Roast of Joan Rivers	Sun, Aug 9 10pm / 9c
Preview - Kathy Griffin
www.comedycentral.com
Live Twitter Roast Roast Master Kathy Griffin Zombie Paparazzi Game

I was maybe 11 or 12 years old when I got Joan's LP "What Becomes a Semi-Legend Most?" Some of the jokes went over my head, as I was a sheltered young boy growing up in Visalia, CA. But this record, along with Bette Midler's "Mud Will Be Flung Tonight!" shaped my burgeoning comic psyche. It's a damn funny album!

Back in the day, what happened at a roast stayed at the roast. But fortunately, for us, that's no longer the case! The Joan Rivers Roast airs tomorrow night on Comedy Central... uncensored! Check out this preview:

Roast of Joan Rivers	Sun, Aug 9 10pm / 9c
Extended Preview
www.comedycentral.com
Live Twitter Roast Roast Master Kathy Griffin Zombie Paparazzi Game

Bette Midler on Today & Regis!

Man, I have been a slacking blogger lately! But hey, this is great--a quick interview with Miss M on the Today Show:

And check out Regis & Kelly this morning as the Divine one co-hosts! I'm assuming she's filling in for Kelly, not Regis. Should be interesting!!

It was so great to see The Showgirl Must Go On this past May in Las Vegas (8th row!) and I hope to see her again soon! If you get a chance, go!! Such a spectacle!

Big Brother 11 Cast Revealed!

This morning, CBS' Early Show revealed the cast of Big Brother 11, premiering July 9 on CBS! Pix and bios are posted on the CBS site.

There's always at least one gay person, and this year it's Kevin. A graphic designer from Chula Vista, CA, Kevin grew up Jehovah's Witness but was excommunicated at the age of 21. He's now 29, calls himself "blackanese" (I love it!) and says he can get bitchy. Gurrl, who can't?


Chima, is a journalist from West Hollywood, so I'm pegging her as the faghag. This 32-year-old single gal is "looking for a man who is tall, considerate and has a great sense of humor." Surely she's surrounded by plenty of guys like that, living in WeHo, but Margaret Cho would say, "Girl, you better be more specific!"

CBS has only announced 12 houseguests so far, and there's a mystery HG to be announced July 7. Speculation is that there may be as many as 14 prisoners (uh... I mean... players) in the house. For ALL the latest on Big Brother, check out BBDish. This girl is on top of it! Seriously!

Ross Tours Big Brother House

Wow! Ross (The Intern) Matthews is a bigger Big Brother fan than me! And he gets to tour the Big Brother house. Not just that, but he and his studio, across the street from the BB house, will be the first stop after eviction. Ross' show will officially take the place of House Calls, the now-defunct internet show where evictees would field questions from hosts and viewers.

Michael Jackson: 1958-2009

James Dean
Marilyn Monroe
Elvis Presley
Princess Diana
Laura Branigan
Anna Nicole Smith
Heath Ledger
Farrah Fawcett
Michael Jackson

All gone too soon. I'm still in shock. Just the other day, I was thinking how great it would be to see one of Michael Jackson's upcoming "comeback" concerts in London. Experiencing great entertainers in all their glory, doing what they do best and what they are so loved for is so invigorating for me. Being part of something so magical can really make you feel alive.

I wonder what will become of the children of "the King of Pop," a man so childlike himself. Regardless of all the scandal that tarnished his name in later years, Michael Jackson's contribution to 20th century music and pop culture, and his ability to entertain are undeniable.

Diana Ross was a very special friend of Michael's. Check out this video from Diana's 1981 television special where Michael joins her onstage for Upside Down.

Chastity Bono becoming a man?!

OMG... who knew? Chastity Bono, "Chaz" to family and friends, began the process of gender reassignment earlier this year, according to the Associated Press. If you've seen any of the old Sonny & Cher shows, surely you remember their little blond offspring who appeared at the end of the episodes, often singing along to "I Got You Babe."

Female to male transitioning is much less publicized, or so it seems to me, than male to female. It is probably more misunderstood as well. Aside from Thomas, "the pregnant man" who was featured/sensationalized by Oprah and Barbara Walters, who can you name?  Check out trans comedian Ian Harvie for some witty insight on the topic!

Meet In The Middle

On May 30, celebrities and civilians alike converged upon Fresno, CA for Meet In The Middle.  It was a protest of the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Prop 8, prohibiting same sex couples from marrying. Unfortunately, I was in Las Vegas seeing Fleetwood Mac and Bette Midler, so I was unable to attend.

Wouldn't you know, I missed seeing my old pal T.R. Knight from Grey's Anatomy.  T.R. and I go way back!  (I met him at the GLAAD Awards, which will be televised soon on LOGO.)  T.R. joined Eric McCormack, Charlize Theron, Dustin Lance Black and many others in the largest gay rights gathering Fresno has ever seen.  We've got a long way to go, but hopefully soon California will join the 6 other states that have already come to their senses and legalized gay marriage.