Music News: Jay-Z Burns Oasis At Glastonbury, George Michael, Annie, Kurt Cobain, Sam Sparro, Labelle

Robbie Daw presents a weekly pop music update here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own site called Chart Rigger.

Jay-Z headlined England's famed Glastonbury festival on Saturday, a controversial move given the rock-heavy bill the event usually touts. Perhaps no one was more vocal about their disdain for Hova as headliner than Noel Gallagher of Oasis: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you start to break it then people aren't going to go. I'm sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance."

In turn, the rapper and music mogul clearly wowed the crowd with his opening song choice: a cover of "Wonderwall."

On a bit more tame note -- well, lately, at least -- George Michael brought his 25 Live tour to The Forum in Los Angeles on Wednesday. It was the first time he's played L.A. since 1988.

Just before the final encore, in which he performed "Freedom '90," Michael was surprised by Bo Derek, who walked on stage to give him a birthday cake as his band played "Happy Birthday." The London-born singer is 45.

Enough about Jay-Z...what were the reviews like for Sam Sparro's appearance at Glastonbury?

Word on the street has it that Norwegian pop blondie Annie, of "Chewing Gum" fame, has got a new EP out. Towleroad vehemently looks down upon illegal filesharing, but something tells me that if you typed in "Annie" and "EP" into a search engine, you might be taking the first step to finding out more information on this bit of noise.

This Delicate Film We've Made, a live concert DVD containing the last night of Darren Hayes' 2007 tour, will be released from his own Powdered Sugar Productions on July 22.

Creole Lady Marmalade! All three original members of seminal '70s funk-glam trio LaBelle are set to reunite for their first album together since 1976. The group will also perform this Saturday during the Essence Festival -- where else -- down in ol' New Orleans.

London's Madame Tussauds Wax Museum will unveil a statue of Amy Winehouse later this year: "We are really pleased to be creating Amy; she is a real icon in mondern British music, a continual award winner and an internationally recognized star widely requested by our guests.

So imagine if a bunch of Alanis Morissette fans got together online and did karaoke to try to win free concert tickets...

Did you know you can now purchase Converse sneakers from Nordstrom with writing from Kurt Cobain's journals on them? This seems like something to get up in arms over, but if Courtney Love says it's ok, then... Oh, well. Whatever. Nevermind.

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler finally admits he checked into rehab to recover from more than just foot surgery: "I don't know about (guitarist) Joe (Perry) but I was off and running and I didn't like the me that was me. This was a month ago, so I just put the brakes on and checked into detox and just pulled the plug on all of it."

TODAY'S NEW RELEASES:

Where The Light Is, a live CD/DVD from John Mayer recorded at Los Angeles' Nokia Theater.

High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens' second solo effort, Identified.

R.E.M.'s iTunes-only set, Live: From London.

Love To Make Music To, from L.A.-based electronica producer Daedelus.

New singles from The Faint ("The Geeks Were Right"), LL Cool J ("Baby") and Lee Ann Womack ("Last Call").

Guilt, a new EP from Sheffield indie band The Long Blondes.

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News: Point Foundation, Beavers, Dr. Drew, Condoms, Peter Pace

Point Foundation announces 2008 scholars.

They're back: First beaver dam seen in England in 800 years!

Dirty boy: Zac Efron reportedly not a fan of showers.

George W. Bush is set to award former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Peter Pace, who last year said that homosexuality is immoral, with the Congressional Medal of Freedom: "The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civil award, awarded to individuals who have contributed to: 1) the security or national interests of the United States, 2) world peace, or 3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." PFLAG has called on people to protest the honor.

In case you haven't heard, somebody got a spiffy new redesign.

NYC entrepreneur marketing John McCain and Barack Obama condoms: "Benjamin Sherman, who created the company Practice Safe Policy, says the Obama condom carries the slogan 'Use With Good Judgment.' The McCain version says 'OLD BUT Not Expired.'"

Dr. Drew forced to issue clarification after this statement about Tom Cruise: ""A lot of people in the public eye who behave strangely have mental illness we can learn from, and much of it is based on childhood trauma, without a doubt. Take a guy like Tom Cruise. Why would somebody be drawn into a cultish kind of environment like Scientology? To me, that's a function of a very deep emptiness and suggests serious neglect in childhood - maybe some abuse, but mostly neglect."

Poll shows New Yorkers agree with Paterson on same-sex marriage but don't think he should have done what he did: "New York voters say Gov. Paterson was wrong to order the recognition of out-of-state gay marriages by state agencies - even as they agree the state should recognize the same-sex unions, a poll yesterday showed. The Quinnipiac University poll found that voters, by 53 to 40 percent, said the governor was right to order the recognition of non-New York gay unions. But they believed, by 55 to 30 percent, that the decision should have been made by the Legislature and not the governor."

More on California's Kern County and its move to end weddings: "The move has prompted prominent opponents of same-sex marriage to travel to Bakersfield in recent days and rally in support of Barnett. It has outraged others, including some local opponents of gay marriage who say her decision also adversely impacts straight couples. Many same-sex couples in Bakersfield who had been planning to marry in the clerk's office starting Tuesday say they are undeterred. Instead of being married inside the clerk's office, they now are planning Tuesday wedding ceremonies conducted by ministers on the shady grounds outside the clerk's downtown office. Heterosexual couples who had weddings scheduled in coming days and weeks were forced to change their appointments to this week." Local news stonewalled...

Happily ever after: What's to come for many same-sex marriages? "It's very easy to get caught up in the moment, in an exciting historical time, and this newfound freedom and opportunity of the revolutionary moment often overrides the personal issues that marriage usually involves."

Dolphins die in mass suicide in England? "Vic Simpson, who has been involved in the postmortem examinations of some of the 26 dolphins that died, said yesterday: "On the face of it, it looks like some sort of mass suicide - but the question is why? 'The dolphins had swallowed and inhaled big chunks of mud from the estuary. Their lungs and stomachs were full of it. That is very bizarre indeed.' Simpson, who founded the Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre in Truro and is examining the dolphins on behalf of the Zoological Society of London, added: 'We have seen strandings on beaches, sometimes with five to seven dolphins, but never on a scale like this.'"

HGH: John Mayer playing with the paparazzi again.

New Alzheimer's drugs called "astonishing".

Homophobic judge "forced" to marry British gay couple: "Alabau claims she is a victim of persecution and is being used as a ‘vehicle for propaganda’. But a disciplinary ruling this week means that she will shortly be forced to carry out a marriage ceremony for a British couple in Dénia court, for the first time since the law was passed."

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News: Gina Gershon, Tel Aviv, Sam Nunn, MTV, Scott McClellan

Missouri joins 10 other states in push to halt California's same-sex marriage law from going forward: "The other states filed a brief Friday asking the court to postpone action pending the results of a November ballot question in which California voters could overrule the decision. The ballot question was certified in California on Monday, prompting Nixon’s action. 'Regardless of how California decides to proceed, Missouri does not recognize same-sex marriages performed in California or any other state,' Nixon spokesman Scott Holste said Tuesday." UPDATE: Court gives green light to marriage.

John Mayer's hot rod.

Openly gay candidates win state legislature seats in California and Montana.

New York State Assembly passes bill banning transgender discrimination: "...the New York State Assembly voted 102-33 to amend the state’s human rights law to include anti-discrimination protections based upon gender identity and expression. The bill (A.6584a), known as the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) bans discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment, credit, public accommodations, and other areas of everyday life."

Airlines contemplating putting passengers on the scales?

Gay days kicks off in Orlando, Florida.

Gay community center opens in Tel Aviv: "A new mezuzah was affixed to the entrance to a building on the campus of the 'Dov Hoz' school in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, one covered in the rainbow flag of the Gay Pride movement. After decades as the home of the 'Workers' children's school' serving the children of the Labor Party elite, and later a local high school, the building is now home to Tel Aviv's first-ever Gay and Lesbian community center. 'The image of God can be seen in every person, and therefore, this building is not only a community center, but a house of God' said Rabbi David Lazar at a ceremony to bless the affixing of the building's mezuzah."

Prison Break's Dominic Purcell shows some insight.

Former Georgia senator Sam Nunn says it may be time to reconsider "Don't Ask, Don't Tell": "I think [when] 15 years go by on any personnel policy, it’s appropriate to take another look at it — see how it’s working, ask the hard questions, hear from the military. Start with a Pentagon study."

Crystal ("you are a whore") Conners denies having affair with Bill Clinton.

More Prince William seamen photos.

Scott McClellan memoir docu-drama in the works?

MTV fined $498,000 by UK regulator for offensive content: "The music broadcaster was fined for material carried on its TMF, MTV U.K., MTV France and MTV Hits channels, including uses of the word 'motherf***er' and 'f**k' in music videos and for airing racist and homophobic texts including such sentiments as 'the white race will triumph' and 'death to all gays' on MTV France."

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John Mayer Hangs Ten

Via Just Jared come these shots of a boogie-boarding John Mayer. I think I definitely prefer this look to the Borat thong. One more AFTER THE JUMP...

More shots at Just Jared...

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News: Georgia, Rauschenberg, Jamaica, John Mayer, Sonoma

First batch of NewNowNext Award winners revealed!

John Mayer gives up on Kristy McNichol haircut, charges fan $10 for photo-op.

Send a personal message of support to Senator Ted Kennedy.

Con man Sonoma County, California attempts to stake claim as same-sex marriage destination.

Who won Dancing with the Stars?

Prayers for Bobby: Sigourney Weaver to play conservative religious mother in Lifetime telepic about gay son's suicide. "In her first telepic role, Weaver will star as Mary Griffith, a devout Christian who winds up becoming an advocate for gay and lesbian youths after her son is driven into a deep depression by his family's disapproval and attempts to 'cure' him of his sexual orientation."

Jamaican prime minister stands behind nation's homophobia: "Jamaica is not going allow values to be imposed on it from outside. We're going to have to determine that ourselves and we're going to have to determine to what extent those values will adapt over time to change, change in perception, change in understanding as to how people live."

Tyler Green on the hetero-normalizing of the late Robert Rauschenberg: "Critics at America's largest publications, including Michael Kimmelman, Alan Artner, Blake Gopnik, Richard Lacayo, and Peter Plagens, mostly avoid the topic. Kimmelman's queasy reference to Jasper Johns, Rauschenberg, and "the intimacy of their relationship" was the closest the Times came to acknowledging that Rauschenberg was gay. The Boston Globe's Mark Feeney, Obit magazine's Phyllis Tuchman and Newsweek's Plagens and others also took the Johns route. The two major papers in Rauschenberg's home state were even more timid."

Court in Malta rules that calling someone "gay" is not defamatory: "Magistrate Michael Mallia ruled that a person’s sexual orientation in the current society was not of social interest bar that of assuring that no discrimination is made. The fact that homosexuality was a criminal offence until 1973, said the magistrate, does not reflect the situation in the 21st century."

Jason Statham has been flogged.

Eric Dane took a few inches off the top.

EU debates sexual preference anti-discrimination guidelines.

Georgia congressman announces plan to introduce federal amendment banning same-sex marriage: "Georgia Congressman Paul Broun announced Tuesday that he will be introducing a constitutional amendment to prevent same-sex marriage in response to a recent decision by the California Supreme Court that recognizes same-sex marriages...'Marriage as an institution exists solely between one man and one woman. Americans have traditionally recognized this definition as being the most beneficial arrangement for the creation of stable family structures and for the upbringing of children. In fact, Americans have repeatedly shown their preference for the traditional definition of one-man, one-woman marriage by passing state and federal laws or by amending state constitutions to preserve the traditional definition,' Broun said."

Hillary Clinton ready for her close-up?

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News: Polaroid, McGreevey Trial, Banksy, Van Hansis

Anti-gay evangelical preacher stabbed to death in Perth, Australia.

Photographers, artists bitter over Polaroid's demise: "'Now what the hell am I supposed to do?' asks John Waters, who’s shot a Polaroid of each person who’s come into his apartment since 1992—friends, interviewers, deliverymen, everyone. 'Digital isn’t instant gratification, and those cameras don’t make that sexy sound.'"

Self-described 'YouTube Superstar' Tricia Walsh-Smith may join The Real Housewives of New York City.

Is Jake Gyllenhaal getting Nailed?

Till death: McGreevey divorce trial begins Tuesday. "Legal analysts expect New Jersey's former first couple will approach new lows, even for divorce court. 'I'm not going to tell you this is going to be the worst case ever in the history of New Jersey divorces,' said Charles Abut, a matrimonial lawyer who operates the New Jersey Family Law blog. 'But I think if you asked longtime matrimonial lawyers, 'Give me the your top 10 worst,' this one is going to appear on everyone's list.' The proceedings, which are expected to last up to six weeks in Elizabeth's Union County Courthouse, have been divided into three sections. Superior Court Judge Karen Cassidy has said she will rule separately on each part: Custody of the couple's 6-year-old daughter, Jacqueline; the amount of child support and alimony McGreevey must pay Matos McGreevey; and, finally, Matos McGreevey's claim McGreevey defrauded her, tricking her into a marriage of political convenience even though he knew he was gay."

In March I posted about the appointment of Yale music professor and singer Richard Lalli to Yale residential college master, one of the school's highest recognitions. Now the Hartford Courant has profiled Lalli.

Frank Rich wonders why the media is ignoring John Hagee...

Indiewire talks to gay filmmaker Arthur Dong: "As a gay Asian American filmmaker I'd be naive to think that anti-gay bigotry and racism has not affected the opportunities or lack thereof in terms of my work. But the way I confront it is to first acknowledge whatever factors I think might be there, and then forge ahead anyway with that knowledge. We all have thrust upon us unwanted external forces that we have no control over, whoever we are, and if we allow them to be barriers (excuses?) to our goals, then we may as well give it up because perseverance, passion, and stamina is a must for independent filmmakers."

Inside Banksy's CANS Exhibit.

John Mayer asks for hair Haikus.

T.R. Knight and Mark Cornelsen already planning for children. Knight: “I wouldn’t rule [adoption] out at all. I think it would be adopting versus any other route. But yeah. I mean, there are a lot of kids who need homes.”

FOX News radio host John Gibson mocks MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, lesbians.

As the World Turns' Van Hansis reportedly dating fellow actor Tyler Hanes.

Australian Capitol Territory forced to back down on civil partnerships: "The ACT decision comes as the deeply religious Mr Rudd faces growing attack from Christian groups over his Government's decision to remove discrimination against gays from all other federal laws. Mr Corbell yesterday accused the Rudd Government of breaking a commitment to the states and territories to allow them to legislate as they saw fit. The legislation, which was quashed by the Howard government in 2006, would have allowed gay couples to have their relationships recognised in a legally binding ceremony."

Gay powerlifter Chris Morgan reaches World Championships.

Israeli court denies restraining order against gay man's former partner because nation's family and domestic violence laws do not apply to gay partnerships: "The complainant told the court that the former lover, a younger man who had lived in his Ramat Gan home with him for two years, was abusing him psychologically. He argued that as common-law partner he was entitled to the protection of the family court."

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John Mayer Has Kristy McNichol Hair Envy

John Mayer has an announcement:

"Today I set off on my newest project; to grow and maintain an authentic '80s style feathered haircut. It's something I've wanted to do for some time and I'm very excited to bring this amazing look into today's pop culture landscape. The feathered cut projects an attitude of ease and quiet confidence that seems to have all but eluded our generation. This is a work in progress, and as my hair grows longer it will serve to become a more stirring and poignant statement."

Mayer cites Michael J. Fox and Shaun Cassidy as his inspirations, while worshiping Kristy McNichol as "the goal personified."

AFTER THE JUMP, Mayer leaving a salon in NYC's meatpacking district yesterday, first phase complete. We wish him well on his latest endeavor.

And hopefully, when he's done, he'll put it together with this.

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News: Taxes, Ken Livingstone, Titanic, Milo Ventimiglia, Scientology

On tax day, a reminder of how the U.S. inflicts extra financial burden on gay citizens.

The last meal on the Titanic, which went down 96 years ago today. Researchers have a new theory behind the sinking — rivets.

ABC's Jake Tapper calls attention to the "Compassion Forum" appearance of Clinton and Obama at Messiah College, which I posted about last week. One of his readers asks, ""Shouldn't Democratic presidential candidates, both of whom are explicitly on the record as being in favor of gay rights, avoid schools like this as assiduously as previous generations of politicians were urged to avoid Bob Jones University? How can politicians appear at a college that espouses these ideas and then turn around and court the gay community at the same time? How can the two leading Democratic candidates appear on stage at this college and not be questioned by the press about the hypocrisy of appearing there?"

Kentucky GOP Rep. Geoff Davis on Obama: "I’m going to tell you something: That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button. He could not make a decision in that simulation that related to a nuclear threat to this country." Davis apologizes...

The gay Navy lieutenant from Melrose Place, Jason Beghe, escaped the clutches of Scientology and now he's speaking out on video: "It’s very, very dangerous for your spiritual, psychological, mental, emotional health and evolution. I think it stunts your evolution. If Scientology is real, then something’s fucked up."

Lack of support from London Mayor Ken Livingstone leaves 2008 International Gay & Lesbian Football Association World Championship with a funding shortfall: "Peter Tatchell of Outrage! described as 'scandalous' the lack of any funding or support from City Hall. 'Ken Livingstone is organising billions of pounds for corporate mega events like the 2012 Olympics but can’t give a few thousand pounds to help host the gay football world championship.'"

A really mean box of jelly beans, which I'm actually really curious to taste.

Project Runway is getting not one but two spin-offs on Lifetime: "The first of them doesn't have a title yet, but Weinstein said it will look at the Project Runway world through the eyes of the show's models. The second, dubbed Project Pygmalion, is a makeover series that will turn its winner into a high-society socialite."

Somebody got carried away at the tattoo parlor.

Rick and Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in the World wins big at Italian animation festival: "Cult hit half-hour show about three gay couples in the fictional 'gay ghetto' of West Lahunga Beach took the Pulcinella nod for TV series of the year. The Pulcinella for TV series for all ages went to RAI Fiction’s 'Acqua in bocca' (Water and Bubbles), about two fish in a tank and their interaction with an Italian family, from helmer Guido Manuli."

Milo Ventimiglia dreamt of being a fighter pilot.

GYM bar in NYC to open up its locker room.

Queerty talks to author Scott Heim about his new novel We Disappear: "There were all these different disappearances in the book–including Scott Heim the writer disappearing into Scott the character—I liked this idea of readers not knowing where one starts and the others begin. There are a lot of things in the book that are total fiction. The danger of doing this blurring is when people do read this as a memoir."

Tom Cruise and David Beckham to buy a soccer team together?

A townhouse in New York's West Village transformed, part of New York magazine's excellent new occasional real estate section, Vu.

Fight to allow gay blood donors heats up in Scotland.

Judicial Watch calls on FEC to investigate Elton John's Hillary Clinton benefit concert: "Recent news reports suggest that Hillary Clinton and Hillary Clinton for President have accepted an in-kind contribution from a foreign national, Sir Elton John, in contravention of federal electon laws. On behalf of Judicial Watch and its supporters, I hereby request that the FEC investigate this matter."

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John Mayer Like to Make Sexy Time

Yesterday, I posted some shots of John Mayer on the Lido Deck of his Mayercraft Carrier fan cruise. Well, it looks like things got a bit crazier when Mayer was given a Borat-style one-piece thong.

(Possibly NSFW) Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

N -i - i - i - ce!

I'd say this is one fan cruise where people definitely got what they paid for.

Check out all the shots here....

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Cruising John Mayer [tr]

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Cruising John Mayer

John Mayer gave his stalkers fans a treat on the Lido Deck of his three day Mayercraft Carrier Concert cruise of the Caribbean. It's basically a major fan cruise which "features sets by John in nightclub-like settings" — in this case, the outdoor, shirtless kind of nightclub.

Photos from TryJM. Michelle Collins and Brian Faas from Best Week Ever liveblogged the cruise. One more shot after the jump...

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News: John Mayer, Gossip Girl, Banksy, Global Orgasm, Barack Obama

Tonight is the Global Orgasm for Peace: Join it.

Eating at The Waverly Inn in NYC is so much fun it has John Mayer dancing a jig.

Scottsdale police seek leads in gay bashings that occurred in December 2006 and July 2007: "Detectives have investigated all leads to date but have not been able to establish probable cause for any arrests. We are encouraging help from the community to advance the cases."

Mitt Romney's claim that his father marched with Martin Luther King is apparently a complete sham. What a surprise: "He has repeated the claim several times recently, most prominently to Tim Russert on Meet the Press . But, while the late George W. Romney, a four-term governor of Michigan, can lay claim to a strong record on civil rights, the Phoenix can find no evidence that the senior Romney actually marched with King, nor anything in the public record suggesting that he ever claimed to do so. Nor did Mitt Romney ever previously claim that this took place, until long after his father passed away in 1995 -- not even when defending accusations of the Mormon church's discriminatory past during his 1994 Senate campaign." Romney says he meant it in a 'figurative' sense. Right.

Gay Iranian teen waits on Dutch court decision to deport him back to his home country, where we know what he may face.

Hillary Clinton launches two websites intended to expose Barack Obama's "present" votes: "Clinton has attacked Obama for having occasionally voted 'present' (rather than yes or no) as an Illinois state legislator when it came to contentious legislation. It was a legislative maneuver that was sometimes part of a plan by Democrats to give cover to vulnerable colleagues, though in some instances it appears that Obama voted present to avoid taking a position with some political risk -- such as with a bill that would have allowed children as young as 15 who committed crimes with firearms on or near school property to be prosecuted as adults." More on Obama's "present" votes here.

Bethlehem residents paint over Banksy graffiti on West Bank wall: "...the irony behind the depiction of an Israeli soldier checking a donkey's identity papers was lost on some residents, who found it offensive. 'We're humans here, not donkeys,' said Nasri Canavati, a restaurateur. 'This is insulting. I'm glad it was painted over.' To be called a donkey in Palestinian society is similar to being called an idiot."

Former adult film star-turned fashion designer Raymond Dragon returns to the swimwear fold with new line.

An update on the most publicly trashy famous family in America. And a special figurine just in time for Christmas.

Court hears confession of man who dealt fatal blow to researcher of homophobic crime for Metropolitan Police in Britain: "The blow to his face on the evening of September 11 tore an artery at the base of Mr Hoare's brain which caused a fatal swelling. Today (Dec 20) Kingshott, of Maskells Court, Victoria Road, Charlton, admitted manslaughter during a brief hearing at the Old Bailey. On the night of the fatal attack Mr Hoare, a market researcher, had been drinking in the White Swan pub in Charlton village where he had suffered homophobic abuse. He was later found unconscious in the park and died shortly after being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich."

Wardrobe malfunction as Gossip Guys make TRL appearance.

Female British teen punished for brutal 'chair leg' attacks on two lesbians: "The catalogue of abuse took place last year, starting with a vicious attack in July when a 20-year-old man and two teenage girls armed themselves with wooden chair legs and rained blows on the two women until they were barely conscious. Lake, of John Street, Southampton, has already been given a community punishment order for her role in that attack. She has now been sentenced to a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for further harassment and abuse against the couple. Lake, along with a 15-year-old girl who cannot be identified for legal reasons, denied charges of harassment relating to eight incidents but magistrates found them guilty following a trial."

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News: Flight from Hell, John Mayer, Grand Tetons, Madonna

Gay man shut out of the estate of his deceased lover of 14 years: "B.C. Supreme Court Justice Marion Allan has ruled 42-year-old Reza Chowdhury has no claim to an East Vancouver home he says he shared with Peter Argenti. The court agrees Mr. Argenti had a 14-year relationship with Mr. Chowdhury but kept it a deep secret, fearing his conservative, Catholic family and friends would never understand if he admitted his homosexuality. Mr. Chowdhury was a refugee from Bangladesh. He says he lived with Mr. Argenti in the home and has a claim to it as a common-law spouse. But the court says there is no indication of a connection between Mr. Chowdhury and anything to do with the house, even though Mr. Chowdhury lived there while managing and cooking at a restaurant owned by Mr. Argenti."

A Socialite's Life steps inside GLAAD's annual summer cocktail fundraiser and finds "Robert Gant ("Queer As Folk"), Wilson Cruz ("Noah's Ark"), Tony Tripoli ("Fashion House"), Jai Rodriquez ("Queer Eye"), Marc Cherry (creator of "Desperate Housewives"), Paul McCullough ("The Next Food Network Star"), Chad Allen ("Save Me"), Honey Labrador ("Queer Eye for the Straight Girl"), Ian Roberts (former pro-rugby player), Reichen Lehmkuhl ("Amazing Race") and Christine Devine (Fox 11 News)."

Stephen Colbert and Richard Branson in on-air water fight: "Branson was apparently upset that he wasn't able to give a direct plug to the new Virgin service and doused Colbert with his guest mug of water. Stephen was drenched. He took a beat, then signalled for his own ammunition for about twenty seconds until Alison (Silverman) ran and gave him her bottle of water, and Stephen retaliated. The two of them sat for a very uncomfortable second looking like two wet cats. Then Stephen thanked him for coming. I really don't think it was planned, since Stephen had another bit to introduce and a full interview left to do. They had to get him a new jacket and even broke out a blowdryer."

The Grand Tetons, Jupiter, and the Milky Way have a three-way.

Passengers aboard a Continental flight threaten to sue after trip from hell: "Because of bad weather, Continental's July 19 Flight 1669 from Caracas, Venezuela, to Newark, N.J., was diverted to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, where it landed at 1:50 p.m. Passengers said after sitting on the grounded plane for hours, they began protesting by banging on overhead compartments, clapping their hands and even signing a petition asking to be let off...At 6:30 p.m., homeland security officers finally allowed passengers to exit the plane, but their troubles didn't end. The officers led them into a room, where they were held for two additional hours. 'We were removed from the plane and were forced to walk single file against the wall, flanked by armed officers one of whom had an attack dog.'"

John Mayer shops till he drops.

Madonna shoots up in front of passengers on transatlantic flight: "Just before landing she brought out the phials of vitamins and injected herself. Seven hours is a long time to go without eating. She was also very quiet and only spoke to the air staff to ask for water."

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John Mayer Falls into The Gap

John Mayer has rented out his tattooed arms and sultry gaze for The Gap in a minimalist campaign from Annie Leibovitz which will reportedly feature 11 other personalities including Sarah Silverman, Lucy Liu, and Ken Watanabe.

No word on whether The Queen has taken part, but with capes and crowns not in this season, the line is most likely not 'dressy' enough for HM.

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Now John Mayer Chimes in on Isaiah Washington [tr]

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News: John Amaechi, Outgames, Billy Packer, Flash Mob

Sports announcer Billy Packer responds to questions about his comment to Charlie Rose that the sportscaster always "fags out" on him. Rose: "I said he fagged out on me, and it had nothing to do with sexual connotation. I got to know Charlie a number of years ago and have great admiration for his program and intellect. I can assure you I will use that phrase again and I won't think twice about it."

4,000 flash mob dancers take over Victoria train station in London: "A deafening 10-second countdown startled station staff and commuters before the concourse erupted in whoops and cheers. MP3 players and iPods emerged and the crowd danced wildly to their soundtracks in silence - for two hours."

Britney Spears is back out on the town, partying with steak juice.

Gay men receiving HPV vaccine intended for use against cervical cancer: "The prevalence of anal cancer among gay and bisexual men is very high. So that's why some people are looking at this as a possible preventive cure for anal cancer and HPV that causes anal cancer."

John Amaechi to lead West Hollywood gay pride parade as Grand Marshall.

John Mayer: breaking the waves.

Judy Shepard opens OutGames in Calgary, Canada.

Congressional page program thriving after Foley scandal: "Six months later, the Democrats have taken over Congress and a House Ethics Committee investigation concluded that Republican leaders did not break any rules in handling Foley's actions toward the pages. Not only does the House page program remain intact, it has received a record number of applications since the Foley scandal broke, according to the House's Office of the Clerk, which runs the program. A year earlier, the House page program couldn't even fill all of its available slots."

Bush appoints Sam Fox ambassador to Belgium while Congress in recess. Fox was behind the Swift Boat attack ads, and Bush's appointment may be illegal.

Keith Richards denies snorting his father's ashes with cocaine. Rep: "It was an off-the-cuff remark, a joke, and it is not true. File under April Fool's joke."

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Now John Mayer Chimes in on Isaiah Washington

Everybody's offering their $.02 on what should be done about Isaiah Washington, including John Mayer, who suggests on a blog entry today that rather than fire Washington, the show's writers should out his character Preston Burke as a gay man.

He even offers up a few possible scenes. Here's one of them:

CUT TO:

STAGE

(The band plays the final exciting beats of "Kiss You Off". Jake Shears, The SCISSOR SISTERS lead singer [himself] takes the mic.)

JAKE:

Thank you very muuuuuuch Seattle!!! This next song is called "I Don't Feel Like Dancing"and tonight, we want to send this song off to a very special man in the crowd, Preston Burke, webmaster of the biggest SISTERS fan site, idontfeellikedancing.com!!! Thanks Preston! The tea cookies you left backstage were deeelish!!!

(CROWD APPLAUDS WILDLY WHILE THE BAND LAUNCHES INTO THEIR HIT SINGLE. PRESTON, now downright sheepish, grabs his coat and small pleather DKNY bag, fumbling towards the exit.)

BURKE:

I think I left a scalpel in that mime today. See ya!!!

And....scene.

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