01/20/2006
Bareback Mountain: You knew the Brokeback porn imitators would arrive sooner or later. Unfortunately, it's sooner.
First metrosexual revealed. Earlier this month I shared with you news of the Clonycavan bog man, who was found well-preserved for 2,300 years after being subjected to the horrific brutalities of the iron age (tied down, tortured, and slain in a ritual sacrifice). What researchers have noted, however, is the evident use of an ancient hair gel. They're calling him the Iron Age David Beckham, but I'd say he more resembles Gavin Henson with that hair.
A group of 50 French mayors, calling themselves the "Mayors of Childhood", have banded together against gay marriage, demanding they be consulted before the government enacts any laws. Limited civil unions, called PACS, have been around since 1999, but do not bestow all the rights of a married couple. The "Mayors of Childhood" claim that 36,000 other French mayors also share their view that same-sex marriage undermines traditional family values.
Bottle nosed northern whale swimming through central London.
American Idol judges up to their anti-gay tricks again, or are they just cruel to everybody?: "Effeminate male contestants often sing at their own peril. 'I don't mean this disrespectfully... shave off your beard and wear a dress,' scowling judge Simon Cowell told rejected 'Idol' wannabe Charles Berry. Fellow judge Randy Jackson had this pointed question for Zachary Travis, another reject: 'Are you a girl?'"
Jared Leto: Before and After
Posted 10:06 AM EST by Andy Towle in Elsewhere | Permalink
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I'm a HUGE 'Idol' fan -- and I've been ok with the "making fun" thus far. This last episode, however, left me with a sick feeling in my stomach... As Zachary met with his folks after the ill-fated audition, they played the theme to the 'Crying Game.' That just seemed really cruel, especially considering his age. It was very "old boys club" -- maybe even "college humour." After the Golden Globes giving the tip of the hat to TransAmerica, this seemed like a huge step back. Really sad.
Posted by: Stephen | Jan 20, 2006 10:30:05 AM
At my job I work with professional singers who have damaged voices, and am a classically trained singer myself. I've never watched "Idol". That's not because I only like opera... I like all kinds of music. But frankly, if someone has the balls to get up in front of a bunch of total strangers and sing ANYTHING, they're deserving of our respect in my book. They may not set the world on fire, or they may not have the stage presence or "look" that seems to be required in pop music these days, but they should be treated with some respect. As far as "Idol" is concerned, count this singer out.
Posted by: Brian | Jan 20, 2006 10:48:40 AM
Always nice to have a little Jared Leto in the morning... heh heh.
The "before" picture, of course.
Posted by: matt f. | Jan 20, 2006 11:48:30 AM
Hey, at least he didn't mean it disrespectfully.
As for myself, I'm awaiting the day a name is given to the disorder/fetish of being an aging Brit, pulling in a cool seven figures, and finding oneself unable to wear anything but a fucking t-shirt on national television.
Posted by: Jacko | Jan 20, 2006 11:48:37 AM
The pathetic thing is that when I first saw "Idol" I was thinking:"That Simon dude is gay!" I know all Brits seem vaguely gay to the rest of the world but seriously my gaydar totally went off! I know he has a girlfriend who now (magically) has her own career but his latest "project" IL DIVO is a group of 4 young very handsome male classical singers!!! THE PEOPLE REST, YOUR HONOR!
Posted by: charlie trainer | Jan 20, 2006 1:28:07 PM
Randy seems like the biggest girl in the world to me, dispite all his urban slang. Idol is bad for singing, the music industry and aspiring performers in general. It is mean spirited and cruel. As someone who teaches kids (10-15) how to play and peform music, I am continually disgusted by the judges on this show. They should be ashamed both personally and professionally, except that Paula is mostly nice.
p.s. did anyone see when Gene Simmons of Kiss was a guest judge? He actually displayed a knowledge of singing styles and gave constructive criticism!
Posted by: busytimmy | Jan 20, 2006 3:12:07 PM
It's so ironic that American Idol is so anti-gay given that just about everyone who works for the damn network is gay. Then again, Rupert Murdock is one of the biggest homophobes around these days. He's a really unpleasant human being, trust me I know...
Posted by: Robert In WeHo | Jan 20, 2006 3:14:22 PM
I saw this show and I usually don't watch much television. The transgender Travis wasn't any good and didn't deserve to be in the competition. And when he/she didn't make it he/she went on a tantrum using accessive profanity saying the judges were bigots. The he/she was pathetic. This was on national television and as far as I'm concern that little transgender needs to grow up and stop claiming to be a victim when the fact is he/she has NO talent.
Posted by: iceman | Jan 20, 2006 3:40:21 PM
Funny that it comes from Simon Cowell. Especially, considering his mother unwittingly leaked pictures to the Daily Mirror in the UK of Simon Cowell wearing a bra, necklace, and full make-up. If I recall he was in his early 20's in the photo. Apparently, he was dressing up and doing "a little ballet dance with his brother."
Couldn't find the photo, but here's his mom discussing the incident:
http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271|77724|1|,00.html
Posted by: RP | Jan 20, 2006 4:05:02 PM
Too bad they used emaciated twinks for the cover of the BBM porn. I would have expected maountain men.
As for the alleged anti-gayness of AI, this must be another one of those anti-gay things that's so sutble another gay person has to point it out to me. Yeah, it was harsh but that's what Simon is paid to do. This is no more an offense than any of his other targeted vicious comments. Without him, the show would have likley not even made it through the first season.
Posted by: Chad Hanging | Jan 20, 2006 7:25:21 PM
OMG, there is just sooo much of Jared to love. That's hysterical!
As for Am. Idol.... What's the difference between AI and The Gong Show, other than the gong? Stupid hosts, cruel judges, talentless contestants, and rigged outcomes. It all seems pretty much the same to me.
Posted by: Jay Croce | Jan 20, 2006 10:49:33 PM
Zachary Travis was gender vague. He was definitely different. I think its better for someone like Randy to ask than for an assumption to be made either way. I feel that being TOO pc is as much a problem as it is being discriminatory.
In any case, AI is there to generate viewership. Get real guys!
Posted by: Nigel | Jan 21, 2006 3:19:11 AM
Bog man looks like a dead ringer for Ronnie Reagan... should do a DNA test to see if it really is him?
Posted by: HisHolynessDPope | Jan 21, 2006 4:48:30 AM
At the end of the day, Zach couldn't sing. The producers trumped it up in the name of shock television. Personally the most chalkboard-grating performance of the night came from the Ukrainian Rhapsody.
Posted by: RDiggy | Jan 21, 2006 5:10:20 AM