Michael Phelps Gets Wet But not Undressed for Sports Illustrated

Phelps was photographed underwater in a tuxedo for the magazine (see behind-the-scenes video), which named him 'Sportsman of the Year'. Apparently with that honor you also get a clunky Photoshop facelift.

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Anderson Cooper Gets in the Pool with Michael Phelps [tr]

(via outsports)

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Anderson Cooper Gets in the Pool with Michael Phelps

The money shot of Anderson Cooper's 60 Minutes interview comes at the end of this 13-minute segment on paddle-footed Olympian Michael Phelps when Anderson gets in the pool and races against the swimmer.

You'll have to watch to see who had the winning stroke, AFTER THE JUMP...

Watch CBS Videos Online

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GQ's Men of the Year

GQ is out with its "Men of the Year" issue featuring four different covers of Barack Obama, Leonardo Dicaprio, Jon Hamm, and Michael Phelps.

There's also a portrait gallery inside with plenty of shots, including one of Phelps offering a flash of what's under his Speedo. Check out that shot, AFTER THE JUMP...

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News: Obama, Connecticut, Stop-Loss, Michael Phelps, West Side Story

Tonight's half-hour Obama TV spot airs at 8pm EST. The spot was rejected by CNN. Also, "Hibberd reports that Fox News was not approached by the Obama campaign. The ad is slated to air on MSNBC, making it the only cable news outlet to run the ad. NBC, Fox, CBS, and Univision will also broadcast the ad. Despite reports to the contrary, a Fox Broadcasting executive told Politico's Ben Smith that the network did not move the World Series for the campaign ad, and that the first pitch was never slated for earlier than 8:30 PM. Rather, Fox made a "business decision" to air the ad in lieu of the pre-game special." Here's a preview of what you'll see.

The headline says it all: Obama Addresses Crowd in Downpour; McCain Cancels.

Michael Phelps paid $100,000 to swim laps at L.A. pool party?

Same-sex marriages begin next month in Connecticut: "Attorneys involved in the gay marriage case said Tuesday that couples can begin picking up marriage license applications sometime on or after Nov. 10. A judge at the New Haven Superior Court, where the case began in 2004, still must decide the precise date."

Barney Frank is John McCain's new target on the campaign trail. Frank: "I'm flattered by this. But I don't think I'm the single most important member of the House after Nancy Pelosi. There are also a lot of straight white men who are committee chairmen."

Early turnout: Some Georgia voters waiting 8 hours in line to cast ballots.

Governor Charlie Crist extends voting hours in Florida: "He just blew Florida for John McCain."

VOTE: Judge rules Ohio homeless voters may list park benches as addresses.

Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Snoop Dogg, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Ben Stiller, Will Smith, Steven Spielberg, Justin Timberlake, along with Sacha Baron Cohen as “Borat,” Zach Braff, Colin Farrell, Neil Patrick Harris and others spoof 'Don't Vote' PSA.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck wins among view ladies for most death threats received.

It really is a thin line, between love and hate.

USA Network de-gays cheerleader movie Bring it On: "Not only did they remove the coming-out scene where he says he speaks fag "fluently," but also the bit at the end where he meets another cute guy backstage at the nationals. However, USA saw fit to leave the homophobic slurs (Eliza Dushku being called a dyke, one straight jock calling another a fag) intact."

What will they think of next: Melrose Place to return.

Gay bar to reopen in Lincolnshire, UK: "Lincoln's only gay bar is to reopen this week – following the disappearance of the previous landlords. Christopher's bar in Newland closed its doors in mysterious circumstances when the two licensees left earlier this month. But a new manager has now been found. Andrew Dickinson will open the bar at 8pm on Friday with a Hallowe'en event."

SLDN hits out at military's continued use of 'stop-loss' policy: "The continued use of stop loss illustrates how the discharge of over 12,500 qualified service members under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' has greatly strained military readiness at a time when our armed forces are already stretched far too thin around the globe. 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' undermines the military's ability to attract qualified personnel of all backgrounds in order to keep pace with increasing deployment needs."

Cast announced for West Side Story Broadway revival: "Heading the cast will be Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as Tony, Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as Anita, Cody Green (Movin' Out) as Riff and George Akram ("Stuck on You") as Bernardo. Twenty-one-year-old Argentinean actress Josefina Scaglione, who created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean production of Hairspray, will make her Broadway debut as Maria."

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News: Scott McClellan, Banksy, Sasha Fierce, Krakow, James Dobson

Former Bush spokesman Scott McClellan endorses Obama: "McClellan made the endorsement during a taping of Comedian D.L. Hughley's new show that is premiering on CNN this weekend. The former Bush administration official said he wanted to support the candidate that has the best chance for changing the way Washington works and getting things done." The New York Times adds its endorsement today.

Vandalism: Westminster Council demands city workers paint over this Banksy mural.

If you missed last night's special SNL 'Weekend Update', Will Ferrell returned as Bush, and was joined by Tina Fey as Palin — WATCH IT.

UNDER THE RADAR: Obama campaign launches fact-checking website tracking McCain robocalls across the country.

Focus on the Family's James Dobson to be inducted into Radio Hall of Fame! Find out how you can take action here.

You may have seen some ads on our site asking who the hell Sasha Fierce is. I've been wondering myself, and finally, an explanation.

Daniel Radcliffe in his birthday suit - video (nsfw).

A-Rod and Michael Phelps drop their pants for Guitar Hero.

Man sought over homophobic attack on train in Britain: "A 38-year-old man received a deep bite wound on his hand at about 0005 BST on Friday 19 September on a London Victoria to Brighton service. Shortly after boarding the train, he was subjected to homophobic verbal abuse before being assaulted. British Transport Police said they were treating it as a 'hate crime'."

Krakow city council bans gay protest of visit by Poland's conservative president Lech Kaczynski. Organizer: "I had thought it not possible to forbid demonstrations in modern Poland but it seems it is... We are sad but calm. We have had past experiences and tussles with the president on such issues."

Boy George: "I’m bored of getting arrested."

London Priest Rev. Martin Dudley issues apology for marrying two male priests early this year: "A statement of apology written by Dr Dudley was included in the letter e-mailed to clergy of the Diocese of London on Friday. In it Dr Dudley said: 'I regret the embarrassment caused to you by this event... I now recognise that I should not have responded positively to the request for this service.'"

Radar magazine shuts down.

Broadway's Spring Awakening to close in January...

NYC Mayor Bloomberg wins fight to run for third term: "Mr. Bloomberg, who lobbied fiercely for the legislation to ease term limits from eight years to 12, said he was confidant that the measure would withstand legal challenges and allow him to seek a third term. 'There will be some lawsuits,' he said during his weekly radio program on WOR-AM (710). But 'it has been litigated before.'"

Michael Jackson: Oh, my nose!

Rio de Janeiro's wealthy elite backing The Green Party's Fernando Gabeira in mayoral race: "Gabeira's electoral ascent has hinged on getting Rio's conservative establishment to overlook his radical past and view him as an anti-corruption crusader who can stanch a crime- propelled downward spiral dating from when the capital was moved to Brasilia in 1960. He also supports gay marriage and the legalization of marijuana."

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News: Kay Hagan, UFO, Sean Hayes, Sex Education, Diddy

The Human Rights Campaign has released its annual scorecard, measuring support for equality in the 110th Congress.

Michael Phelps to get his own reality show?

Backstage war on The View over Elisabeth Hasselbeck's pro-McCain T-shirt: "If you do that again I will burn you down."

Researcher: HIV can lie dormant in a single cell.

Diddy goes "Black on Black" for L'Uomo Vogue.

After uproar over Roger Ebert's review of gay indie film Tru Loved (because he wrote it after only watching 8 minutes of it), Ebert goes back and reviews the whole thing: "A good number of my blog commenters pointed out that I picked on a small indie film. They are right, and I wish I hadn't. I discuss this in the new blog entry posted today, 'Definitely read me second!' Here I want to observe that it's a miracle any film gets made. Millions of tiny pieces have to come together. It takes courage and resolve to pull it off, especially on a limited budget. Stewart Wade, the writer and director of 'Tru Loved,' has achieved that miracle. Attention must be paid."

Filming to commence on Big Gay Musical.

Anti-gay offensive launched against North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Kay Hagan by NC Republican Party: "A new mailer in support of incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole claims that Hagan's agenda, with the help of 'liberal judges,' will be to advance a 'radical homosexual agenda' which includes same-sex marriage, removing 'Under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance, and forcing the Boy Scouts to accept gay and atheist troop leaders."

Sean Hayes and Anne Hathaway hold secret reading, may be headed to Broadway in a revival of Promises, Promises: "Craig Zadan and Neil Meron opened the reading by introducing their producing partners John Gore and Beth Williams (Broadway Across America) and Harvey and Bob Weinstein. Assuming the show moves forward, this will be Zadan and Meron's Broadway producing debut after making the hit movies of Chicago and Hairspray. The production will also be a re-teaming with the infamous Weinsteins after they all worked together on Chicago during the Miramax days...We're told that Hayes and Hathaway stunned the audience with their performances (both singing and acting) and that they garnered many huge and consistent laughs throughout--as well as a few tears."

Tabloid: Pink cloud baffles Londoners.

UFOs over Turkey!

Yeti footprints!

Ugliness on the set of Ugly Betty.

Gay former Vallejo Councilman Gary Cloutier talks to high school students a year after his failed mayoral bid: "Cloutier, who delved into local politics in 1999, said he's always embraced his sexual orientation in office, but said that never defined him as a politician. He also criticized the media for paying too much attention during the mayoral campaign to his gay identity and Davis' race. The contest was often framed by some news media as a first for Vallejo no matter what - either the city would get its first openly gay mayor or first African-American mayor."

Lucas Grabeel's character in High School Musical 3 still coded gay.

Sex education to be made compulsory in primary and secondary schools in the UK: "Children will learn about body parts and the fact that animals reproduce from the age of five, puberty and intercourse from the age of seven and contraception and abortion from the age of 11. Schools will not be allowed to opt out of the rules but the government is promising separate guidance to faith schools, which could find elements of the new curriculum at odds with their spiritual beliefs. The schools minister, Jim Knight, said they would still have to teach the curriculum - which includes contraception, abortion and homosexuality - but will separately be allowed to continue to teach religious beliefs about sex."

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Michael Phelps as Dr. McSwimmy on Grey's Anatomy

Michael Phelps appeared on Jimmy Kimmel's pre-Emmy show and they announced he's soon be joining Grey's Anatomy as a new Speedo-wearing doctor.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #357

BEAUTIFUL DIRTY RICH: Lady Gaga's new single.

MICHAEL PHELPS: Takes private jets, and sings for them.

SAD ATTACKS: Obama fires back.

DOUBT: The trailer for the film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by John Patrick Shanley.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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Michael Phelps to Get Naked on SNL?

One more reason to love Kristen Wiig. The SNL comic tells People: "I'm excited to meet Michael Phelps! He's gonna be naked in all the sketches I write, for sure. There are some people that you can just picture with a wig on and it's funny. He's one of those people."

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News: Michael Guest, Gay Music, Jim McGreevey,

Gloria Steinem: Sarah Palin is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger.

Prescient LIFE cover from 2004 features Tina Fey and John McCain.

Sorry boys: Michael Phelps gets some ass in Vegas.

The Polaroid picture is back for the digital age.

Former ambassador Michael Guest launches international gay rights group: "The openly gay Guest is a paid adviser to the Council for Global Equality, which will have its first meeting in Washington, D.C. on September 23. The council, whose Web site is slated to go live this month, is a collaboration between LGBT and straight groups that work on human rights internationally. 'Its purpose is to make the United States government and the State Department stand up for global LGBT human rights,' explained Guest..."

Alan Ball draws Blood.

McCain cancels Habitat for Humanity event: because it has to do with houses? "How could McCain maintain his sense of press victimization against the backdrop of people building homes for people who look forward to being able to one day say, 'I know exactly how many homes I own! One! Just the one!'"

"Community organizers" respond to vicious Palin attacks.

Concerned Women for America's 'scary' gay wedding graphic.

Radar: Why do gays hate black music? "...the gays are afraid of urban-ness, and the gay culture is dominated by the white gays. And that is boring and a problem, particularly because it shows the lie of calling something a gay community when the "community" isn't actually one, and it's not one because there's the rich gays and the poor gays and never shall they meet except on Craigslist."

OUT presents The 100 Greatest, Gayest Albums (of All Time)...

Michael Moore releasing new film for free on internet.

Gay high school proposed in Chicago.

Dina Matos McGreevey offers to drop claim that she duped him into marrying her if he pays her the $109,000 a judge says he owes: "Dina Matos' lawyer John Post said the fraud claim filed by his client will be dropped if McGreevey makes full payment and agrees not to appeal the judge's divorce ruling. That drew an immediate rebuke from McGreevey lawyer Steve Haller, who said, 'we will appeal or not appeal at our own discretion.' A private meeting with the judge in the case is scheduled for Monday."

Beyonce wants to be 'iconic'.

OUT OF TOUCH: Cindy McCain's first night "power slicker" outfit at the RNC cost $300,000.

Sweet new promos for The Office!

Subway sandwich shop fires meat handler for handling meat (site nsfw).

FLASHBACK: Homophobic comic book from the 80's.

REVERSE: Distant object found orbiting sun backwards. "An object in the icy Kuiper belt has been found orbiting the Sun backwards, compared to most other objects in the solar system. It may help explain the origin of an enigmatic family of comets typified by Comet Halley. The new object, called 2008 KV42, lies in the Kuiper belt, a ring of icy bodies beyond Neptune. Its orbit is inclined 103.5° to the plane of the Earth's orbit, or ecliptic. That means that as it orbits the Sun, it actually travels in the opposite direction as the planets."

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News: Spider, Piper Palin, Outweek, Sally Kern, Village People

Outweek archive now online.

Piper Palin demonstrates the Alaskan spit shine.

The anti-John Edwards?: Anderson Cooper hair-cut price $15.

McCain threatens legal action over National Enquirer Palin affair rumor. Steve Schmidt: "The smearing of the Palin family must end. The allegations contained on the cover of the National Enquirer insinuating that Gov. Palin had an extramarital affair are categorically false. It is a vicious lie. The efforts of the media and tabloids to destroy this fine and accomplished public servant are a disgrace. The American people will reject it."

Oprah Winfrey kicks off season with Michael Phelps, 149 other athletes.

Giant spider attacks Liverpool.

The enduring style of JFK Jr.

Yves Saint Laurent head designer Stefano Pilati says being gay helps him see women objectively: “I always wonder why 99 percent of the top male fashion designers are homosexual. In my case, I would say that my sexuality has led me to love women to death and to hate them as well … [Being gay] helped me understand the male mind. But when I do a fitting with a woman, I think, Would this woman seduce me?”

Michelangelo Signorile's interview with Sally Kern at the RNC. FLASHBACK: Meeting.

France to call on United Nations to step up action against homophobia, violence against women: "Junior Human Rights Minister Rama Yade told the 61st annual conference of non-governmental organisations at UNESCO headquarters in Paris that a text would be submitted to the EU in the coming days. France, as holder of the six-month EU presidency, hopes to 'set the criteria for EU intervention' in the fight against violence towards women, including by mobilising Europe's diplomatic networks. Paris also plans to submit a draft declaration to the UN General Assembly in December aimed at combating homophobia and decriminalising homosexuality, which is punishable by prison in 90 countries and in theory by death in six of them, Yade said."

Village People to get star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Second chance: Britney Spears to kick off 2008 VMAs...

Adult film mogul Michael Lucas launches fashion site:

Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson says it's time to get serious about Obama: "With John McCain, we will see the conservative near-majority on the Court shift to a solid majority – with devastating results when the 'full faith and credit clause' of the Constitution is challenged in the recognition of gay marriages. With Barack Obama, we have someone who is utterly sympathetic to our full and equal rights as citizens. I know, he won’t say he’s for equal marriage rights (neither did Hillary), but he still is the most LGBT-friendly president we will have ever had. I know from my own private conversations with him that he is totally in our court. I believe him, and I trust him, not to throw us under the bus when the election is over."

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News: Dolphin, Elton John, Wales, Chrome Browser, Michael Phelps

John McCain's anti-gay marriage message from 2006.

Dolphin birth photographed.

Elton John lashes out at boozy singer Lily Allen: "I could snort you under the table."

Focus on the Family's James Dobson on Sarah Palin: “A lot of people were praying, and I believe Sarah Palin is God’s answer...They should be commended once again for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances."

Virginia Republican delegation axes Minnesota handbook because it contained six pages for gays and lesbians.

Kiefer Sutherland shows some skin in Malibu.

French police place gay groups under surveillance ahead of Pope's visit: " Eager to avoid a repeat of the condom shower that greeted the Pope in Sydney, Australia, in July, certain gay activist groups such as Act Up are being closely watched in the run-up to the visit. In addition, because of threats to the Pope made in May 2007 by the terrorist network al-Qaeda and the recent terrorist attacks in Algeria, French security officers will be placed on maximum alert during his stay in Paris and the pilgrimage site of Lourdes."

Rev. Lou Sheldon: Turnout will decide California same-sex marriage initiative. Group launches "Traditional Marriage Crusade".

So was the reason Fred Thompson and George W. Bush danced around the specific word "torture" in their speeches last night when referring to McCain because "if [Bush] describes what was done to McCain as torture, he has incriminated himself for war crimes?"

Have you seen Google's new Chrome browser? The NYT David Pogue says it has serious potential. Google Chrome end user license agreement says that Google owns everything you create while using the browser - "By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services." Brin: Why we're launching it.

Massachusetts sees economic boost from out-of-state same-sex marriage decisions there and in New York: "The recent changes have prompted a flood of gay New Yorkers coming to Massachusetts to get married -- and that seems to have made same-sex marriage big business for the Bay State. There are no firm figures on how many gays from New York have come here to marry in the few weeks since the law took effect. But anecdotal evidence suggests the numbers are huge and likely to grow."

Gay festival in Cambridge, England hit by homophobic slashers?

Sarah Palin to address Republican Convention tonight...

Olympian Michael Phelps not only has an Entourage — he's set to appear on the show.

Time Out Chicago talks to Milk writer Dustin Lance Black.

Georgia priest hit with threat note tacked to door.

Gay cleric on shortlist to become Bishop of Bangor, Wales: "Canon Jeffrey John, who entered into a civil partnership with his long-term partner, the Rev Grant Holmes, in 2006, is currently the dean of St Albans and is a Welsh speaker - making him an ideal candidate for the job. Earlier this year, the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said he would support the election of a gay bishop, despite opposition among conservative Anglicans. At last month's Lambeth conference, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, asked liberals not to exacerbate tensions by consecrating gay clergy. A conservative cleric, Bishop David Anderson, from the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, wrote that the Church in Wales was likely to ignore Williams' requests."

THE DAY AFTER PEACE: Jude Law announces documentary about Afghanistan.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #344

I DID EVERYTHING I COULD: More of the same.

TRUE NORTH: An extraordinary what?

THE DRAFT: McCain agrees that we won't get Bin Laden if we don't reinstate the draft.

MEDALS: Jeanne Moos takes on the Phelps vs Spitz debate.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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Olympic Duties Over, Michael Phelps Returns to Tank at Sea World

His Olympics completed, Michael Phelps has returned to entertaining visitors six times a day at Sea World in Orlando:

"Phelps, the 6'4", 200-pound aquatic mammal, and the first ever SeaWorld swimmer to be raised in captivity by foster swimmers (Mark Spitz and Dara Torres), was recaptured by trainer Bob Bowman in a hoop net baited with an entire Dutch apple pie following Phelps' final Olympic event last Sunday."

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Exclusive Footage of Michael Phelps' 100m Butterfly Win [tr]

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News: Convergence, Mark Spitz, Gaydar, 90210, Barney Frank

STUDY: Gaydar is real.

Mark Spitz says he could take Michael Phelps: "I know everything there is to know about how to beat Michael, and he would know how to beat me. We'd probably tie."

90210's Brenda Walsh: Did you miss her?

Barney Frank to review FDIC policy that excludes same-sex couples: "Frank, one of two openly gay members of Congress, is chair of the influential House Financial Services Committee, which oversees legislation and government regulation of the nation’s banks and other financial institutions. 'He will talk to the FDIC to see if they have the authority to do something about this administratively or whether a legislative remedy is needed,' said Steve Adamske, Frank’s press spokesperson."

One of the first Native American tribes to legalize same-sex marriage has a wedding on the way: "The Coquille Indian Tribe on the southern Oregon coast recently adopted a law recognizing same-sex marriage, despite an amendment that Oregon voters approved to the Oregon constitution in 2004 to prohibit gay marriage. As a federally recognized sovereign nation, the tribe is not bound by the Oregon Constitution."

ENDA co-signs DOMA: "A little-discussed provision of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would allow employers to give health insurance coverage and other benefits to married opposite-sex couples and deny those same benefits to the partners of their gay and lesbian employees who are legally married in Massachusetts and California."

T.R. Knight and Mark Cornelsen offer up some PDA.

Chad Allen joins General Hospital: Night Shift for three episodes Michelle Obama and Colorado first lady Jeanne Ritter use Denver Post editorial to launch 'Delegate Service Day': "With the help of Volunteers of America, Democrats Work and Metro Volunteers, delegates from across the country will volunteer with dozens of community service projects in and around Denver. Volunteers will tackle projects ranging from building houses for veterans, to assembling care packages for troops overseas, to bringing meals to home-bound seniors and cleaning up public parks."

Curious who the new Bachelor is?

Florida town of Ponce de Leon sides with school principal who outed student and went on gay 'witch hunt': "When a high school senior told her principal that students were taunting her for being a lesbian, he told her homosexuality is wrong, outed her to her parents and ordered her to stay away from children. He suspended some of her friends who expressed their outrage by wearing gay pride T-shirts and buttons at Ponce de Leon High School, according to court records. And he asked dozens of students whether they were gay or associated with gay students."

Leaves of grass: Chace Crawford and Ed Westwick have a moment alone.

New Amy Winehouse album influenced by The Wizard of Oz: "And according to a report in the Sun newspaper, the singer has sampled the 'Wicked Witch of the West' in a new track. 'She loves the surreal look, sound and score. One of her new songs heavily samples the theme tune,' a source told the newspaper. 'And the soundtrack and score will be a theme running throughout the record.' The unnamed source described the song as 'really interesting, if a little bizarre,' adding: 'I suppose that’s what you would expect from her at the moment.'"

John Barrowman working on new album called Music Music Music.

Convergence: Intel and Yahoo working to bring the web to television seamlessly with current programming. "TV watchers can access a news story, sports score or weather forecast from the Web by clicking an on-screen icon with the remote control, Intel Senior Vice President Eric Kim said today at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco. The software will be given for free to TV-service providers. A drop in the price of computer-processors brought on by increasing competition has sent Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, seeking growth with consumer-electronics devices. For Yahoo, owner of the second most-used Internet search engine, offering content on TV may yield more viewers for its Web ads."

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News: Leo Abse, Gorilla, Daniel Radcliffe, Semi-Colons, Hazing

Can orange juice counteract prescription medications?

Here we go: the marketing onslaught begins.

LeRoi Moore, Saxaphonist for Dave Matthews Band dead due to complications from an ATV accident.

Semi-colons are apparently gay.

Vanity Fair tracks down long lost half-brother of Obama? "According to Italy's Vanity Fair his two metre by three metre shack is decorated with football posters of the Italian football giants AC Milan and Inter, as well as a calendar showing exotic beaches of the world. Vanity Fair also noted that he had a front page newspaper picture of his famous brother - born of the same father as him, Barack Hussein Obama, but to a different mother, named only as Jael. He told the magazine: 'I live like a recluse, no-one knows I exist.'"

Is Katy Perry's mom homophobic? Her daughter clears the air with a fart.

Eye on gay Shanghai!

U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones hospitalized after being found unconscious behind the wheel of a moving car.

Won't let go: Zoo gorilla in Germany mourns death of baby.

Sydney councillor lambasts announcement that Oxford Street is to be declared a "homophobia-free zone": “To borrow from Woody Allen, ‘the best response to Neo-Nazis is a baseball bat’. The best response to homophobia and gay bashing is more and tougher high-visibility policing applying an aggressive zero tolerance policy. That is why I have called for Council to finance a community policing centre in the middle of the strip and not the failed ACON safe space on the edge. The last thing we need is ‘homophobia free zone’ signs along Oxford Street. It will not prevent one bashing and may even attract violence.”

UK Gay rights champion Leo Abse dies at 91: "The flamboyant and controversial politician died at Charing Cross Hospital in Central London last night after a short illness, a family friend announced today. During 30 years as Labour MP for Pontypool, later renamed Torfaen, he passed more Private Members’ Bills than any other backbencher. His most famous, the Sexual Offences (homosexual reform) Bill, dicriminalising sex acts between consenting men over the age of 21, became law in 1967."

Daniel Radcliffe arrives in the Big Apple for Broadway debut.

UK man gets 18 months in prison for hate letter to gay couple, one of whom later hanged himself.

Obama smear book author Jerome Corsi tailed by sour investment deal that lost more than $1 million for a group of investors.

Michael Phelps' dad has not even congratulated his son yet.

Varsity high school football team in New Mexico under investigation for broomstick sodomy hazing of up to eight freshmen players at training camp. Charges include assault, battery, false imprisonment and molestation or rape.

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Exclusive Footage of Michael Phelps' 100m Butterfly Win

If you'll remember, Phelps won by .01 second. Here's the win from the 2nd place finisher, Milorad Cavic's perspective.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Michael Phelps' Spitz Take

You knew "the shot" was coming, and here it is. Michael Phelps graces the new cover of Sports Illustrated wearing his eight medals in a photograph reminiscent of the Mark Spitz photo from 1972.

I've posted the Spitz shot AFTER THE JUMP...

Unfortunately, styles have changed, and now that the medals are no longer hung from metal chains but swaths of fabric instead, it looks a bit as if Phelps is wearing a flowery halter top. Of course with $100 million hanging around my neck I'd be smiling too.

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News: Malaysia, Rafael Nadal, M15, J. Lo, Massachusetts

Same-sex marriage opponents in Massachusetts launch effort for ballot measure to keep out-of-staters from getting married in Massachusetts following the recent repeal of the 1913 law. Meanwhile, Provincetown anticipates a wedding boom.

Michael Phelps: Just how much are 8 gold medals worth?

Generes-De Rossi wedding causing ripples in Australia.

Sydney's Oxford Street declared "homophobia-free zone".

British spy agency M15 recruiting gays and lesbians.

J. Lo is running a triathlon.

California Supreme Court rules that doctors cannot discriminate against gay patients on the basis of their religious beliefs: "The California Supreme Court decision overturned a lower court ruling in favor of two Christian doctors who refused fertility treatment to a lesbian citing religious grounds. The woman, Guadalupe Benitez, successfully filed suit against the doctors and their medical group in 2004 on the basis that their refusal to treat her violated California's anti-discrimination laws. However an appeal court in San Diego ruled against Benitez, a decision that led to the supreme court ruling. In an unanimous decision the justices ruled that Benitez was entitled to be treated like other patients with the same condition, and that constitutional protections for religious liberty do not excuse unlawful discrimination."

Californians Against Hate protests Proposition 8 outside Republican fundraiser: "About 25 enthusiastic protesters held up signs and greeted the 150 or so guests arriving at San Diego trail attorney Charles LiMandri’s Rancho Santa Fe estate yesterday. The $100 per head fund-raiser was sponsored by the San Diego County Republican party and the Yes on 8 Campaign."

In a 1973 U.S. News and Report story, John McCain called his Vietnam captors "homosexual" and "sadistic."

Morrissey postpones new album, urges fans not to buy live album put out by Warner Bros.

Rafael Nadal sheds fashion for New York magazine.

Evangelical Christian defends decision to leak letters by Anglican archbishop Rowan Williams that revealed his true thoughts about same-sex relationships: "As for why I decided to offer [the] letters to the public arena ... I became almost sure for various reasons that the liberals knew far more about Dr Williams’ personal views than the traditionalists did and, if so, the balance should be redressed. Over the years I have shared the letters with only a few; I had no desire to embarrass Dr Williams over his statements, and I hoped his personal views would change. Now the issue of homosexuality in the Anglican Communion has become such a big issue, I judged it was time to override my misgivings about making his views known. Anglicans can make up their own minds what to do with the information."

Gay gold diggers declare Cristiano Ronaldo #1 gay icon.

California school boards pressured to take a stand on same-sex marriage.

Malaysia "transfixed" by rumors of gay sex between a candidate and his aide.

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Chicago Tribune Goes on Michael Phelps Pube Watch

It's not just the gay blogs lcovering the prurient details of the Olympics. It's the Chicago Tribune, with a whole photo gallery.

Congrats to Phelps, who won his sixth gold medal of this Olympics last night.

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News: Fingerprints, Varla Jean Merman, Evan Bayh, Hunter Parrish

Gay American missing in Austria, but family gets the brush-off. Mom: "I sat here as a voyeur, for...over a year and a half watching [the Natalee Holloway story] nightly, thinking to myself...'thank God that's not me'...and all of a sudden, it's like I'm [Beth Holloway], except I don't have the blond-haired, blue-eyed cheerleader. I've got the 34-year-old gay man that people are not going to feel that same compassion for."