05/23/2006
Former Senator Lloyd Bentsen, who delivered one of the best debate one-liners of all time, after rival VP candidate Dan Quayle compared himself to John F. Kennedy, is dead at 85: "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."
Jossip has a preview of today's Anderson Cooper appearance on Oprah: "My brother and I used to wear costumes all the time ... we were obsessed."
Elton John's gay rock star sitcom cancelled.
Posted 11:24 AM EST by Andy Towle in Anderson Cooper, Elsewhere, Elton John, Oprah, Television | Permalink
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Given that Anderson Cooper's mother is Gloria Vanderbilt, I would wager that those costumes were utterly fabulous.
Posted by: Brian | May 23, 2006 11:26:36 AM
my family lived in Aiken, SC when I was younger and the Vanderbilts would winter there. I remember Anderson as being super nice and grounded, albiet abit weird. I guess when you are American royalty that might happen. When the family finally sold their cottage (24,000 sg ft) they had a estate sale. My mother bought a vintage horse hair stuffed velvet chaise. It sits in my Atlanta condo as I type. Nice guy. Side note, the guy who bought the estate (with his partner), is the writer of 'Pollack'. Which of course went on to win an Oscar.
Posted by: Andrew | May 23, 2006 11:36:00 AM
(albeit)
Posted by: Andrew | May 23, 2006 11:37:36 AM
...sorry, can't type this morning. The correct spelling is of course 'Pollock'. My bad.
Posted by: Andrew | May 23, 2006 11:39:45 AM
AC and The Big O: the perfect precious pair, jerking off each other's super engorged Wonderfulness while using none of their fame and power and influence to move gays from the back of the bus. Bet she won't ask him what it was like to have to kiss Heath Ledger. Fuck them both—and not in the good way.
Posted by: Leland | May 23, 2006 12:00:54 PM
Just watched oprah with anderson....she wore her biggest diamonds by the way. It was a great show, Oprah loves her gay men. And the coolest part is that Anderson is so cool with his mom.
Posted by: matt-chicago | May 23, 2006 12:19:28 PM
Rest in peace, Secretary Bentsen. I'll never forget that debate and the crushing look of chagrin on that cipher Quayle's face when the then Senator Bentsen delivered those lines.
Politicians of today, of both parties, so full of ego and palaver, could learn a thing or two from a man like Lloyd Bentsen. How sad that they all seem so disinterested to do so.
Posted by: Liamog | May 23, 2006 12:31:31 PM
I must have missed something, when did Anderson Cooper kiss Heath Ledger?
Posted by: Andrew | May 23, 2006 1:12:42 PM
LIAMOG is so right. But today's DNC would not endorse Bentsen at all. More's the pity.
Posted by: James | May 23, 2006 1:25:33 PM
honey, that's FOUR lines.
Posted by: whitney houston | May 23, 2006 1:26:56 PM
I'm on the fence about Anderson.
On one hand, I admire that he doesn't seem to give a flip who knows he's gay.
But on the other hand, his dreary sob stories about the supposed "hardships" of his climb to the top of the CNN heap seem oh-so trite given that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. What "hardships?"
I'm off two minds with Oprah, too. She'll be all down with the gays when they decorate for her - i.e. Nate - but then be squeamish and strangely appalled by the idea of gay marriage or two men kissing. I guess for Oprah, we're okay if we arrive with swatches yet fully neutered.
Posted by: jjabely | May 23, 2006 2:18:19 PM
Whitney, you are correct-thanks.
Posted by: Andrew | May 23, 2006 2:24:35 PM
Love the conjecture.
Posted by: Andrew | May 23, 2006 2:27:23 PM
If he doesn't give a flip about who knows he's gay then why has he refused to answer the question? Why, without yet having seen the show, can I expect that O played along with his closet and, unlike most Certified Straight celebs she interviews, treated him like a eunuch. Or, if she did dare explore any romance, he, no doubt, ducked and covered. Meanwhile: "Georgia Governor Playing Politics With Gay Marriage Appeal. Conservative Churches Claim Gay Marriage Would Harm Them. Teacher In 'Heterosexual Questionnaire' Furor Placed On Leave. Showdown Looms Between Gov. & Legislature Over Gay Youth Commission. Neo Nazi Thugs Beat Swedish Gays. Pope Assails Gay Marriage In Canada, Spain. Jeb Bush Switches, Now May Support Anti-Gay Amendment. Qwest sued for antigay harassment....." Are AC and O a part of the solution or a part of the problem?
Posted by: Leland | May 23, 2006 3:01:28 PM
Leland, just because Anderson is out does not mean that he has to discuss his love and/or sex life with you or anyone else.
Would you demand the same of Dan Rather? I don't think so.
Posted by: jjabely | May 23, 2006 4:32:23 PM
Since when is Anderson Cooper out? To me he is a coward, plain and simple.
Posted by: jmg | May 23, 2006 6:54:22 PM
I regret the death of Lloyd Bentsen as well, but something he did disturbs me. Having resigned his membership in clubs practicing discrimination on his nomination for Vice President, he quietly joined them again after his defeat.
Posted by: Brian | May 23, 2006 7:40:22 PM
Odd that Anderson Cooper and Oprah Winfrey should be held responsible for gays sitting in the back of the bus. Whenever I've ridden public transportation outside of the Castro or Market street I've never once sat at the back of the bus unless it was completeley full. Never once noticed a large gaggle of gays back there either.
Posted by: Chad Hanging | May 23, 2006 8:48:47 PM
You've filled your stupidity quota for the week, Chad. You can go now.
Posted by: Leland | May 23, 2006 10:55:50 PM
amen to that
Posted by: jmg | May 23, 2006 10:56:38 PM
Leland calling someone else stupid knowing everything he's said on this blog is still up for everyone to read?
That's rich.
Enjoy your dungeon dude. I'm glad you're still around plugging away. I'm just waiting for the next time you post your explanation of why everyone else but yourself is to blame for you behaving like a tired bitter stereotype because of how you've been mistreated as a black/gay man. Hopefully one day you'll be able to take that brave extra step and explain how all the other black, gay and black/gay people who have gone through the same struggles haven't ended up like you blaming the entire world for the hateful bitterness you cling onto tooth & nail.
Bless your little heart. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Posted by: Chad Hanging | May 23, 2006 11:25:40 PM
Isn't Miss O also in the Closet? Inquring minds wish to ascertain.
Posted by: honey child | May 24, 2006 4:08:00 AM
Chad, seriously, you've got to go to your closet, get the gun from the shelf and shoot yourself in the head. Please put all of us out of our misery. Look at each of the threads on this board and you'll see that what you think is cute and witty is actually lame and stupid. We're really tired of you... find another board to bother.
Posted by: Wayne | May 24, 2006 8:32:21 AM
Leland manages to chime in on EVERY Anderson Cooper post here to bitch about him. Anderson's great and owes no one any explanations or declarations about how he lives his life.
Posted by: Ray | May 24, 2006 12:48:09 PM
What's so great about him? That he's cute?
Again here is someone who could do more by admitting he's gay and he won't do it. At least he has a job, unlike Mary C., but I don't see why people adore him.
Posted by: jmg | May 24, 2006 1:07:37 PM