News: Gay Films, Paraguay, Harvey Dent, The Rock, Atlantic City

Gay panic: Trial to begin for Cesar Israel Villazano in Florida. He shot a man wearing a mini-skirt and high heels in the back of the head for making a sexual advance: "Villazano told police he was embarrassed because he isn't gay."

Hollywood Reporter: Gay indie films more plentiful than ever, but suffering critically and at box office. "Strand Releasing's 22 films in theaters last year (most with GLBT themes) grossed just $462,000. Killer Films has shifted its focus from queer-themed features to true crime dramas and other films, with tepid critical and financial success. Rotten Tomatoes says that gay- and lesbian-themed films averaged a 51.5% rating in 2006 and 2007 (well below its under-60% "rotten" threshold), while projects like the 2005 Toronto fest's best Canadian feature winner, "C.R.A.Z.Y.," can't secure U.S. theatrical distribution."

Openly gay journalist David Self who took part in one of Britain's first civil partnership ceremonies, has died at the age of 67.

Man makes love to Cheeto...really.

UK Vicar Dudley has no regrets over performing marriage of two priests: "Amazing flowers, fabulous music, a ceremony both solemn and oddly homely, familiar words reordered and reconfigured, carrying new meanings. Nothing jarred, nothing felt even vaguely inappropriate. New and untried but not wrong."

Harvey Dent: viral video for The Dark Knight unleashed...

Couple jailed in Paraguay for same-sex wedding is freed after one of them is discovered to be a hermaphrodite.

Anti-gay "pro-family" bigot Paul Cameron takes his diatribe to Russia.

What does gay look like?

Larry Craig and Dave Karsnia wed in quaint bathroom ceremony: "The private ceremony was held in a quaint public bathroom on the third floor at San Francisco City Hall. In an interview after the ceremony, Craig said, in his highly oratorical and completely off-putting voice, 'We wanted all of the heat to die down before we went forward with this. Well ... not all the heat.'"

That kiss that Dwayne Johnson had with Steve Carell must have really affected him. He's still talking about what a man he was to do it: "It was like -- you know, you ever had, like a warm apple pie with that cold ice cream, too? And you find that balance, where you're like [utters disgusting sound]. Hey, it was great, it was great."

Atlantic City holds first-ever "Gay Day at the Beach". ORganizer: "There isn't a gay area in Atlantic City. "We decided to pick Flag Day as a way to stake out our claim for an area. We're trying not to be political, but there's so much to be political about."

The 70's are back: Robbie Williams flashes his chest rug.

Former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer to be named the "Ultimate Sugar Daddy". "He'll win a pound of sugar, a year's worth of free lap dances from strippers at the VIP Men's Club in Chelsea and an unlimited supply of testosterone pills."

Ireland's Catholic Bishops restate opposition to gay marriage: “In view of the current debate in our society about the nature of marriage, sometimes promoted by individuals or institutions who claim support from Christian ideals, the bishops reiterated that marriage presupposes the mutuality and complementarity of the sexes."

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Robbie Williams Performs Sex Show for the Paparazzi

Robbie Williams, who has become quite the bear lately, was vacationing in Mexico when he noticed some paparazzi nearby. He then proceeded to put on a sex show for them. Unfortunately, his guy friend wasn't involved. Photos AFTER THE JUMP, if you're into that sort of thing...

(source)

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Little Britain in America: A 'Laaady' Arrested in New York!

I mentioned that HBO was adapting Little Britain for American audiences back in 2006 but I hadn't heard much until now.

The Daily Mail posts some photos of Lady Emily Howard being arrested on the streets of the Big Apple and reports on the show's progress:

"David's cross-dressing character - famous for her 'I'm a laydee' catchphrase - is manhandled by his sidekick Matt Lucas, and a hunky US cop for shoplifting in new pictures from the US version of the show. The award-winning comedy duo are introducing a number of new characters in addition to keeping the old favourites. Walliams also unleashed a new middle-aged Barbara Woodhouse-style dog trainer character. Last week the pair revealed Lucas' American schoolgirl Ellie Grace and Walliams as her mother. While other new characters have yet to be revealed, die-hard fans of the past three series will not be disappointed by the latest. They can expect to see the return of Dafydd "only gay in the village" Thomas, camp Prime Minister's aide Sebastian Love and Asbo teen Vicky Pollard. Walliams and Lucas started filming in North Carolina last month and are apparently looking for an American film star to play the role of a comedy US president. Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney is rumoured to be their first choice."

AFTER THE JUMP, an Emily Howard clip featuring Robbie Williams for those of you unfamiliar with the show...

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News: Eliot Spitzer, Robbie Williams, Florent, Geraldine Ferraro

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer resigns: "From those to whom much is given, much is expected. I have been given much: the love of my family, the faith and trust of the people of New York and the chance to lead this state. I am deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me. Over the course of my public life, I have insisted — I believe correctly — that people regardless of their position or power take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself. For this reason, I am resigning from the office of governor."

Christopher Rice turns 30. Happy Birthday, Chris!

Kevin Federline to make his Broadway debut in Legally Blonde? Pal: "This is his chance to show the world what he can do."

Geraldine Ferraro stepping down from Clinton campaign. Letter: "Dear Hillary – I am stepping down from your finance committee so I can speak for myself and you can continue to speak for yourself about what is at stake in this campaign. The Obama campaign is attacking me to hurt you. I won’t let that happen. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to make this a better world for my children and grandchildren. You have my deep admiration and respect. Gerry."

Jodie Foster says she hasn't fallen in love. But what about her beautiful Cydney?

Nicolas Sarkozy and Shimon Peres decide not to kiss.

Martina Navratilova regains her Czech citizenship, almost three decades after fleeing the former Communist regime. She's also frustrated with the current administration in the United States: "The thing is that we elected Bush, that is worse. Against that, nobody chose a Communist government in Czechoslovakia."

NYC landmark restaurant Florent closing in June on Gay Pride: " When his lease on 69 Gansevoort St. expires on March 31, rent will increase from $6,000 a month to approximately $50,000, and it's unlikely a deal will be struck. Florent is currently battling his landlord in court over tax increases and is withholding rent as a result. The litigation also means he does not plan to simply pack up shop on the 31st. 'I talked to my lawyer and [the restaurant] will stay open for two or three months. I'd like to end on a high note and I think Gay Pride Day would be perfect.' That's June 29, in case you want to put it in your book. He also says he'd like to hold a writing contest - 'people could write their best story, the most insane story, of the restaurant' - with the winner receiving a dinner on the final night."

John McCain still hanging on to anti-gay Pastor John Hagee: "I will say that he said that his words were taken out of context, he defends his position. I hope that maybe you’d give him a chance to respond. He says he has never been anti-Catholic, but I repudiate the words that create that impression."

Robbie Williams mangina (NSFW).

Mehdi Kazemi, the gay Iranian teen I posted about earlier in the week who faced deportation from The Netherlands back to the UK where he faced another possible deportation back to Iran, where he'd likely be executed, lost his asylum appeal in the Netherlands: " Tuesday's decision by the Council of State -- the highest administrative court in the Netherlands --means Kazemi could face deportation to Britain, which he fears will send him back to Iran. Council spokeswoman Daniela Tempelman said the council decided it must comply with the Dublin Regulation and return Kazemi to Britain. Video Watch how teenager has lost his right to remain. Under the Dublin Regulation, European Union member nations agree that an application for asylum submitted in any EU country would be handled by that country alone. The regulation seeks to ensures that an asylum seeker is not redirected from nation to nation simply because none will take responsibility."

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News: Al Reynolds, Tel Aviv, Rent, Tucker Carlson, Attitude

Kathy Griffin ordained into the clergy of the Universal Life Church so that she can marry a straight couple: "People asked if I was concerned that I might upstage the bride. But Elka didn't have to worry. I'm wearing a green gown I wore to the Golden Globes a few years ago - which got me on one of those 'Worst Dressed' lists!"

Star Jones divorcing Al Reynolds: "They hadn’t been seeing eye to eye for months and had already spent a great deal of time apart. Finally, Star decided it was over. She told Al at the end of January that he had 30 days to get his act together or ‘get out.’"

Not over yet: Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal to reprise their roles in Rent for 2009 national tour.

Security camera developed that sees through clothing: "A camera that can "see" explosives, drugs and weapons hidden under clothing from 25 metres has been invented. The ThruVision system could be deployed at airports, railway stations or other public spaces. It is based on so-called 'terahertz', or T-ray, technology, normally used by astronomers to study dying stars. Although it is able to see through clothes it does not reveal 'body detail' or subject people to 'harmful radiation', according to the designers. 'It is totally and utterly passive - it receives only,' said a spokesperson for Thruvision."

Robbie Williams says he has seen three UFOs and wants to study them when he retires.

Paper reports on gay life in Afghanistan: "There are no organised gay associations in Afghanistan, but contrary to many Western countries, men can freely walk the streets holding hands. This was especially shocking for foreign troops who became fascinating for the Afghan men. Armed and ready to engage in conflicts with Al-Qaeda, the only conflicts the foreign troops had were with local men who only wanted to stroke their hair. 'It was hell. Every village we went into we got a group of men wearing make-up coming up, stroking our hair and cheeks and making kissing noises,' 20-year-old Corporal Paul Richard uttered."

The underground drag queens of Tel Aviv: "In an effort to carve out a space for themselves, Palestinian drag queens gather every few months at a club in the heart of Tel Aviv to take part in underground shows. These parties offer a rare forum for them to explore complicated and convoluted ideas about sexuality, politics, nationalism, militancy and religion. They're forging their identities at the center of what some consider an occupying power. The Palestinian nationalists among them recognize the irony in the fact that Israel has become their sanctuary. 'I didn't choose this place; it's the place that I found I could be myself in,' said M, a 24-year-old Arab-Israeli woman with short black hair who's performed at the club. 'That's my only refuge.'"

Cyndi Lauper asks Britney Spears to join her on the True Colors tour which starts on May 31.

What's Justin Timberlake's problem with women?

Tireless battle to save Laguna Beach's Boom Boom Room goes on: "Supporters of a beachside nightclub that catered for half a century to Hollywood's gay stars are hitting its owner with a blizzard of yellow postcards urging that the shuttered bar be reopened. Supporters, including 'Brady Bunch' co-star Florence Henderson and former National Basketball Association player Dennis Rodman, have sent about 500 yellow postcards emblazoned 'SAVE the BOOM!!!' to [owner Steven] Udvar-Hazy's Los Angeles office..."

Tucker Carlson's show gets dumped: "The official announcement, expected tomorrow, will include details about who will replace Tucker at 6pmET as well as other political programming additions. Sources say the network is going to beef up its schedule with more NBC News talent."

Olympic ambassador and former British silver medallist hurdler Colin Jackson: I'm not gay. " “I don't mind having people say what they like in that circumstance. I know that I am not but I don't think it's for me to be going round screaming it from the rooftops. I think it's just rubbish. It makes no real sense to me. It's quite strange and bizarre but people say what they say."

A gay and lesbian hotel brand with Attitude.

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News: Beatles, MRSA, Vanessa Williams, Jamaica, Maria Shriver

Mob of 20 attacks two gay men in Jamaica: "After days of harassment and threats, a Jamaican mob attacked two gay men, putting one in the hospital with serious injuries, while the other is missing...The group broke into the home of the men and attacked them, authorities told The Associated Press. One man had his left ear severed, his arm broken in two places and his spine possibly damaged; the other man, who was chased from their home, has not been found, according to the report."

Welcome to the just-opened Hard Day's Night Hotel in Liverpool: "The four-star, 110 room Beatle themed hotel opens its doors to the public... and is only a stone's throw away from the site of the famous Cavern Club."

Gay rights activist and psychotherapist Myra Riddell dies at 81.

This is why the Spice Girls tour is ending.

Anti-gay graffiti found in DC police station men's restroom: "'It's extremely offensive, so we're taking it very seriously,' [Police Chief Cathy] Lanier said. Lanier sent an e-mail to police department personnel Thursday night that said, 'All members of this department put their lives on the line every day, and I will not tolerate any member treating another police professional with disrespect.' Lanier said she will 'impose the most serious penalty' if the perpetrator is found to be a member of the department. The graffiti was found in an area that is accessible to both officers and civilians, Lanier said, so it is not clear who may have left the message."

New Chicago Episcopal bishop Jeffrey Lee shows support for gay clergy: "'That's one of the tragedies afflicting the church right now,' he said. 'So many of us seem to think that salvation depends on our theological correctness.'"

Gay Republicans flocking to McCain?

First lady of California Maria Shriver joins Kennedys in 'surprise' Obama endorsement.

SF health officials apologize to gay community for MRSA scare: "We regret that our recent news report (1-14-08) about an important population-based study on MRSA USA300 with public health implications contained some information that could be interpreted as misleading. We deplore negative targeting of specific populations in association with MRSA infections or other public health concerns, and we will be working to ensure that accurate information about the research is disseminated to the health community and the general public."

San Francisco-based music journalist Adam Block dies.

Police break up suspected 'gay' party in India: " A team, led by deputy police commissioner Bhujangrao Shinde, raided the Agrawal bungalow at Yeoor and detained six persons, including the main organiser, Sahil Bhoricha (24). Liquor bottles and condoms were seized from the bungalow. Entry to Yeoor Hills was restricted during the operation. Ashok Row Kavi of Humsafar Trust, a gay rights group, condemned the action as unfair, given that all the men detained were adults and were not found violating any law. A magistrate denied the police custody of those arrested."

Robbie Williams becomes a bear.

Britney Spears' family finally takes control of the situation.

Western Montana Gay and Lesbian Community Center hold "skate against hate" in Missoula to raise awareness about anti-gay violence there.

Gerard Butler and Jonathan Rhys Meyers party it up in L.A.

Ohio health officials to study smoking habits of gay teens: "Health officials are allocating $60,000 to identify the smoking habits of those teens and develop a tobacco-prevention campaign for them. Ohio Department of Health spokesman Kristopher Weiss says gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community has a smoking rate at about 40 to 60 percent. As part of the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Community Youth and Young Adults Anti-Tobacco Social Marketing Project, officials will form focus groups among youths ages 12 through 20 at an LBGT center in Columbus."

Melbourne, Australia holds gay pride march...

Vanessa Williams to be honored as "Ally for Equality" by the Human Rights Campaign. More...

Second memorial service for Heath Ledger held in L.A.: "Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Sienna Miller, Lindsay Lohan, Ellen Degeneres and other celebrities gathered at the Sony Pictures lot on Saturday to remember Heath Ledger. This service comes a week after a smaller gathering that included ex-girlfriend Naomi Watts was held in Beverly Hills. Other mourners included Heath's father Kim, representatives from CAA (the agency that represented Heath), director Todd Haynes, and actress Shannyn Sossamon who was Heath's co-star in "A Knight's Tale". "I'm Not There" director Haynes spoke at the service."

Police raid gay bar in Philippines, arrest 10 for alleged prostitution: "The men were nabbed inside the Male Bucks Hosto Bar in Angeles City around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Members of the raiding team used a female informer who posed as a customer. The informer told authorities that the "entertainers" were dancing on stage clad only in their underwear."

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News: Robbie Williams, Saturn, Neo-Nazis, Andy Roddick's Banana

Neo-Nazi group targeting gay politicians: "Openly gay Chapel Hill (NC) Town Councilman Mark Kleinschmidt is the target of a bunch of online neo-Nazi thugs who have compiled a list of out gay elected officials, or as one put it, 'List of Open and Unapologetic Faggot Politicians.'"

Gay gossip cabal: "Whatever Paris Hilton is, she came by it honestly."

Watch Barbara Walters "most fascinating" segment on David and Victoria Beckham.

Brazilian President announces LGBT summit: "President Luiz Inazio Lula da Silva of Brazil has announced the country’s first National Conference of Homosexuals, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transsexuals, a controversial event that will be held in May 2008 with the explicit endorsement of the government’s Special Secretariat for Human Rights. According to officials, the event will seek to develop directives that allow public policies and a national plan that promotes the rights of homosexuals to be implemented. The conference will also work on strengthening the “Brazil Without Homophobia” program."

Britney Spears has a new man in her life: Jesus Christ.

Fugitive anti-gay shooter arrested in Atlanta: "A fugitive task force arrested a 30-year-old man on charges he shot at two young men while making derogatory comments about homosexuals outside a predominantly-gay Midtown bar in October. Tommy Lee Gresham, 30, of Cobb County is facing a charge of aggravated assault, Atlanta police Officer Darlene Harris said. The Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested him Tuesday afternoon after a Cobb County police officer spotted the wanted man and followed him home. Greshman, nicknamed 'Stretch,' is accused of shooting at two young men Oct. 19 outside the WETbar, located on Spring Street, after he followed them from a nearby gas station. Neither man was seriously hurt; one had a graze wound and the other was hit by ricocheting shrapnel, Harris said."

Hey bidders, those of you who miss out on David Beckham's half-eaten corncob from Wellington, New Zealand may still be able to get in on Andy Roddick's half-eaten banana from the Davis Cup!

Protests cause Grenada to re-think not allowing gay cruises to dock there: "Several hotels received visitor cancellations after the Toronto Star reported last week that the country was questioning whether to allow entry to gay cruise ships, tourism minister Clarice Modeste-Curwen said in a statement yesterday. Some protesters also wrote the Canadian government asking that aid be cut to Grenada's Port of St. Georges where cruise ships dock, she added. 'This does not augur well for our tourism sector.' She said: 'We will continue to welcome all visitors and we will work, along with our population, to ensure that their time and ours will be enjoyable. Grenada respects the rights of all persons of all persuasions and lifestyles.' Left unmentioned was that homosexual relations remain illegal in Grenada. The government's position was reached 'following several days of consultations on the matter involving tourism officials and various stakeholders,' the minister's statement said."

UFO Moons: "Two of Saturn's small moons look eerily like flying saucers, new observations by the Cassini spacecraft reveal. The moons, which lie within the giant planet's rings, may have come by their strange shape by gradually accumulating ring particles in a ridge around their equators. The Voyager spacecraft discovered the moons, called Pan and Atlas, in the early 1980s. Pan, which is 33 kilometres wide, orbits Saturn within a gap in the planet's A ring called the Encke Division (scroll down for image), while the 39-km-wide Atlas orbits just outside the A ring. Both moons have a flattened shape, being wider than they are tall. But their uncanny resemblance to UFOs only became clear recently, when Cassini viewed them with its powerful cameras."

New NowNext takes a look at the funniest gay rumors of 2007.

Robbie Williams to return to Take That after all? Mom: "On the question of him doing something with them, I feel that will happen. It would be something he wanted to do. I'm thrilled that out of all the negative stuff that happened, there's now something great happening. Take That were excellent when they were all together and they are excellent now."

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Music News: Scissors Sisters Give Thanks, Plus Robbie Williams, Whitney Houston, David Beckham, Blake Lewis

Please welcome Robbie Daw, who will be penning weekly music posts for us here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own pop music site called Chart Rigger.

Yesterday saw the release of the new Scissor Sisters' documentary and concert DVD Hurrah: A Year Of Ta-Dah, and the band -- in this case Babydaddy -- made sure to thank Towleroad and its readers for supporting them thus far.

Hurrah features a full 90-minute concert recorded at London's O2 Arena, as well as an hour-long documentary that follows the band on their recent world tour. In an interview with Gay.com, Jake Shears had this to say about the DVD: "It's the first time fans have seen us on our own terms, in our natural environment. And it's a really great picture of what it's like on the road. I think there are some preconceptions about us that will be demystified. I can only speak for myself, that people might have preconceived notions of what I'm like personally. It could be different than what people actually might think. Some people think I'm on 100 percent of the time, but that's only 50 percent true."

In what might be a very un-rock 'n' roll move, Gibson unveiled its self-tuning Robot Guitar (pictured right) this week, which retails around $2,300. A Les Paul guitar from the company, sans self-tuning, goes for about $1,400. Product review site CNet is quick to point out the downside of the instrument.

Robbie Williams has never made it a secret that he detested the time he spent in 90's boyband Take That, but a song on his last solo album about Nigel Martin Smith, the group's former manager, has landed the singer in hot water to the tune of £500,000, or roughly $1 million.

See if you're already up on any of Rolling Stone's 10 Artists To Watch For In 2008.

Rapper Chad "Pimp C" Butler, one half of duo Underground Kingz (or UGK), was found dead in L.A.'s Mondrian Hotel yesterday. UGK were probably best known by mainstream audiences for their appearance on Jay-Z's 2000 hit, "Big Pimpin'." Bun B, Chad's UGK partner, guested on Beyoncé's 2006 #1-charting single, "Check Up On It." In a statement, Jive Records CEO Barry Weiss said, "We mourn the unexpected loss of Chad. He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person. He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing southern rap to the forefront. He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family and Bun B. I've known Chad since he was 18, and we loved him dearly and he was a cherished member of the Jive family." Earlier this year in the pages of Ozone magazine Pimp C called Russell Simmons "ol' dick-in-the-booty" and R&B star Ne-Yo an "Old Gay Ass." He later attempted to rescind the comments, Stereohyped reported, but wasn't so successful. Said Pimp C: "That statement about Russell Simmons had nothing to do with his sexual orientation. It had more to do with a disagreement [we had]. I don’t know if the man likes Martians, squirrels or whatever, so I ain’t gonna speak on something that I didn’t see. It’s no gay-bashing with me. It’s just, be proud of what you are, instead of hidin’ in the closet. And if ya fuck boys in the ass, then don’t be tryna fuck with the girls, too, poisoning the pussy population wit’ ya shitty ol’ dirty-ass dick."

Some folks caught David Beckham, who has apparently taken up photography, at last night's Spice Girls gig in San Jose, California: "David slipped in after the show had started and took a seat in the front row, right next to the stage. He tried to disguise himself by pulling a blue baseball cap over his face but you couldn’t miss him or his huge camera. Everyone around him was on their feet dancing and cheering but David kept his bum on the seat to steady his shots."

Perhaps the writing's on the wall? This week, 2007 American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis' album was released. Meanwhile, AI winner Jordin Sparks' self-titled debut drops from #10 to #18 on Billboard's album chart after only two weeks.

Whitney Houston performed "I Will Always Love You" and "Heartbreak Hotel" at the Live And Loud festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last week. You can watch clips here.

THIS WEEK'S NEW RELEASES: (Another unusually slow week for the holiday shopping season.)

The two-disc Rufus Wainwright Does Judy At Carnegie Hall, which features a 36-piece orchestra and a recreation of Judy Garland's legendary 1961 concert.

Nelly Furtado's live Loose: The Concert, which is also available on DVD.

Rockin' indie. girl group Bat For Lashes' "What's A Girl To Do?" EP, which also features the quirky video.

Hits sets from country star Trace Adkins (American Man: Greatest Hits, Vol II) and the ever-posthumously-prolific 2Pac (The Best Of 2Pac, Pt. 1: Thug and Pt. 2: Life).

Glass Candy's upbeat, electro-charged B/E/A/T/B/O/X.

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Music News: The Killers' AIDS Charity Christmas Single, Plus Robbie Williams, Quiet Riot, Hawthorne Heights, Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis

Please welcome Robbie Daw, who will be penning weekly music posts for us here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own pop music site called Chart Rigger.

Today The Killers release their new Christmas-themed single "Don't Shoot Me Santa" on iTunes. All proceeds from the sale of the track benefit African AIDS charities as part of Bono's RED campaign, and the timing of the release coincides with this weekend marking World AIDS Day.

Hmmm. Santa looks like he's seen some better days. "Don't Shoot Me Santa" is the second holiday-themed single the Las Vegas-based band have done for RED Campaign, though last year's "A Great Big Sled" -- which earned over $100,000 when sales of the 99-cent song were tallied up -- was arguably a tad bit more tuneful.

Woof! Robbie Williams (pictured left), currently recording his eighth album, was spotted by photographers in Amsterdam despite sporting a quite bear-ish disguise.

It was a bad weekend for rockers dying under seemingly-mysterious circumstances. Quiet Riot frontman Kevin DuBrow, 52, was found dead at his Las Vegas home Sunday. DuBrow had a history of struggling with substance abuse, though the cause of death is still undetermined. Those of a certain age may recall banging their heads to Quiet Riot's charming early '80s chestnut, "Cum On Feel The Noize". Additionally, 26-year-old guitarist Casey Calvert of Hawthorne Heights passed away in his sleep sometime Friday night. The pop/punk band have posted a statement on their official website.

Rhino Records, Warner Bros. specialty imprint label, is opening a temporary "pop up" store on W. Third Street in Los Angeles during the holiday season (December 1 - 31). You may recall reading here last week about one of Rhino's latest releases, The Brit Box. Says label president Scott Pascucci: "The Rhino pop-up store is a great way for us to connect directly with our consumers and to remind them of all the good reasons to continue to support our local record stores. For those of us old enough to remember, Rhino started as a record store -- so now we come full circle even if for only one month at the holidays."

Kylie Minogue is set to perform during January's G'Day L.A. ball at Hollywood's Renaissance Hotel, where she'll also receive an award for promoting Australia on the world stage. Kylie's 10th studio album X was released around the world yesterday, though there's no U.S. release date set at the moment by her American label, Capitol.

Alicia Keys saw her latest album As I Am debut at the top of Billboard's album chart last week, while her single "No One" also climbed to #1. Meanwhile, in the U.K., last year's X Factor winner Leona Lewis is also on top of the album and singles chart. Perhaps the secret to their success might be in the similar (click to enlarge) cover art?

It's worth mentioning that music mogul Clive Davis is behind both releases, and Lewis is being touted as the next Mariah Carey. Of course, it could all just be coincidence.

TODAY'S NEW RELEASES:

(NOTE: It's a somewhat bland week, and as Rolling Stone points out, the holiday season looks pretty grim as far as new music from major artists.)

Pikul, the 2005 debut EP from L.A.-based alt rockers Silversun Pickups finally makes its way to iTunes.

A year after its initial release, a two-disc deluxe edition of Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds drops today. The first disc contains "Until The End Of Time," a duet with Beyoncé, while the second one is a DVD with music videos, a documentary and live performances.

Common's thisisme then: The Best Of Common, which also features Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Cee-Lo and Q-Tip.

By The People, For The People, a collection of live performances and rarities from Mudvayne. Included is an unreleased cover of The Police's "King Of Pain."

Remix EPs from Interpol, Miss Kittin ("Kittin Is High") and Megan McCauley ("Tap That").

DJ Armand van Buuren's Universal Religion 2008: Live From Armada At Ibiza.

Dusty Springfield's Live At The BBC DVD gets an American release from Universal.

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David Beckham and Robbie Williams to Play Gay on Wisteria Lane?

It's the tease of the upcoming television season, and if true, would likely generate as much advance hype as Mario Lopez' backside.

Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry has suggested that David Beckham is interested in playing one half of a gay couple that would move on to Wisteria Lane in the upcoming season of Desperate Housewives.

Said Cherry: "David's keen, but the obvious choice was to work with Tom Cruise. We wanted someone who matches him in height and Britishness, so Robbie is the one. They're both funny, game for a laugh and ridiculously macho, so it should work wonderfully. The English are pitch-perfect for sending themselves up."

There has been no confirmation that either Beckham or Williams are signed on to the show, so this all may be a pipe dream from Cherry designed to generate some buzz, or at least to generate reaction from the stars themselves.

Recently, producer Simon Fuller announced that Beckham had committed to a 13-part reality series.

All this may conflict with Beckham's schedule should he ever start doing what he came here for.

You may have missed...
David Beckham to Get Reality TV Series from Simon Fuller [tr]
Robbie Williams Entered Rehab Tortured by Death of Anna Nicole [tr]

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News: Criss Angel, Rufus Wainwright, Thierry Mugler, Mike Jones

Ted Haggard escort Mike Jones talks to Deborah Solomon in the NYT magazine: "I’m really not this left-wing liberal like some people have tried to paint me. I think I’m very moderate. I’m a registered Democrat, but I’ve voted Republican. I voted for Bush in the last election."

Magician Criss Angel begins 24-hour Times Square cement box stunt: "About 100 fans gathered in the rain to watch the spectacle in a parking lot just off Times Square, the same spot where U.S. magician David Blaine spent two days in November shackled to a gyroscope hoisted in the air before escaping. Angel, 39, sat in a four-foot (1.2 meter) square clear box slowly being encased in cement that was suspended 12 feet above the ground as he spoke to reporters and fans. The box will be lifted to 40 feet later on Monday and Angel will try to escape on Tuesday morning before the box is sent plunging to the ground."

Bush nominates James Holsinger for Surgeon General. Holsinger founded Hope Springs Community Church which seeks to "cure" gays and lesbians.

Rufus Wainwright: "I do feel like I live a fabulous life. And I know that’s why a lot of the critics get so mad at me sometimes, because they’re just really jealous.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has begun allowing conjugal visits for gay and lesbian inmates registered as domestic partners: "The change will allow gay and lesbian inmates the same rights as other inmates, who are eligible to spend up to three days with family members in living areas -- usually trailers -- on prison grounds. Corrections officials say they are responding to legislation signed by former Gov. Gray Davis that awarded more rights to registered domestic partners and prohibited state agencies from discriminating against domestic partners...The changes were prompted by complaints from Vernon Foeller, 40, who was serving a 20-month sentence, convicted of attempted burglary, at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville. Foeller's request to have his domestic partner visit him last summer was denied, leading him to contact the ACLU."

Rosie O'Donnell is in Celebrity Detox.

Robbie Williams, football hero?

William Silver, the first openly gay man to apply for ordination in the Methodist Church, has died at 59 of complications from AIDS: "A grandson of Presbyterian missionaries in China, Mr. Silver hoped to follow them into the ministry when he entered the Union Theological Seminary in Manhattan in 1969. It was in his final year there, in 1973, that he came to terms with his homosexuality. Two years later, when applying to the Presbytery of New York for ordination as an assistant pastor at the Central Presbyterian Church on Park Avenue and 64th Street, he shocked committee members interviewing him by saying he was gay. 'It was like electricity had been sent through members of the committee as they sat upright, and we really didn’t know what to do,' Byron Shafer, one of the committee members, recalled in an oral history interview."

Death of American math genius Scott Johnson 20 years ago off Sydney Australia's North Head being investigated as murder by anti-gay gangs: "In 2004 Coroner Jacqueline Milledge ruled that violent gangs preying on homosexuals probably hurled three of the group to their deaths at Marks Park, overlooking Bondi Beach. She also determined that gay bashings in the park were common and that similar attacks might have occurred at gay beats at Alexandria and Randwick. Spurred by the findings, Johnson's brother Steve has hired US investigative journalist Daniel Glick and retired NSW detective John McNamara to determine if the same scenario occurred on Sydney's northern beaches."

Fashion designer Thierry Mugler becomes "Manfred" in extreme makeover. WARNING: Not safe for work at all.

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Robbie Williams Entered Rehab Tortured by Death of Anna Nicole

Brit tabloid The Sun reports on what was behind Robbie Williams' entrance into rehab, although I have a hard time believing that every day "he gets through an incredible 36 super-strength double espresso coffees, 60 Silk Cut cigarettes and around 20 cans of energy drink Red Bull." Is that humanly possible?

According to the tabloid: "The singer finds it impossible to get to sleep until 4 or 5am due to insomnia and is on sleeping pills. He is hooked on the powerful and controversial anti-depressant Seroxat, which has been linked to suicidal tendencies in teenagers. He suffered agonies as Take That’s reunion tour became one of the biggest pop events of 2006. Their comeback single Patience went straight in at No1 and stayed there for six weeks. Their new album Beautiful World also went straight to No1 and has sold 1.5 million copies. By contrast, Robbie’s first single from his new album Rudebox went in at a disappointing No 4. And the album stayed at No1 for only a week. Take That’s Patience is expected to win best single at the Brit Awards tonight. It will be the first time in several years that Robbie has not been in the running in best male or best album categories."

And of course, Anna Nicole Smith is involved somehow:

"The multi-millionaire singer was also tortured by the death of model Anna Nicole Smith last week and feared he too could end up dead if he did not get help."

This should end our former boyband news for the day. We wish Robbie best of luck in his recovery.

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Robbie Williams Enters Rehab for Prescription Drug Addiction [tr]

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Robbie Williams Enters Rehab for Prescription Drug Addiction

Robbie Williams has entered a treatment center in the U.S. because of an addiction to prescription drugs, his representative said today, adding "There will be no further comment on this matter."

Williams has talked in the past about a reliance on anti-depressants and other substances. According to the Daily Mail the singer talked to Stephen Fry about his addictions in a documentary about bipolar disorder last year: "My first drug of choice was probably fantasy. Fantasising about being an actor or being a singer, going to the moon, whatever. And I don't know if that was to escape a depression. I was sad that my career went like that (pointing upwards) and my self-esteem went like that (pointing downwards). With me, how my depression manifested itself was that I'd stop going out. I lost the cog to socialise. Having said that, I'd get up in front of 40,000 people and say 'look at me, I'm ace'. And then as soon as I got off stage, I'd get in the tour coach and go back to my bedroom and pull the duvet over my eyes. Cocaine gave me a twitch, and drink just made me ill. So all the props I had just had to be removed."

Robbie Williams "Greatest Hits" album debuted on iTunes today.

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Robbie Williams to Strip for Elton

The Brit tabloid Daily Star reports that Robbie Williams plans to strip for Sir Elton John when the grand dame turns 60 at a Madison Square Garden bash next month.

"Elton and Robbie have had their disagreements over the years. But they are best pals again now. And they always try to outdo each other when it comes to presents. Robbie knows this is one gift Elton will have difficulty living up to. But the pair love to shock each other so Elton will already be cooking up something bizarre for Robbie's birthday next month."

If Elton really wants to shock Robbie, he might consider returning the favor.

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Robbie Williams: She's Madonna [tr]

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #73

ROBBIE WILLIAMS: Pet Shop Boys-produced new single "She's Madonna".

COLBERT on the O'REILLY FACTOR: With a bit of truthiness.

MICROSOFT CEO STEVE BALLMER: Laughs at the iPhone.

ESCALATION: John McCain gets the treatment from MoveOn.

O'REILLY on COLBERT (below): Even more truthiness.

Make sure to check out all our guides to the Tube here!

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News: Doomsday, Robbie Williams, Spain, Ugly Betty, Footballers

Following last year's Stephen Colbert appearance which reverberated across the blogophere at light speed, the White House wants a Bush-friendlier dinner this year. Good luck.

Robbie Williams: gonna dress you up in his love.

Brangelina's next mission: save New Orleans.

Kathy Griffin and Tim Gunn will guest star in coming weeks on Ugly Betty. Executive Producer Silvio Horta: "A lot of us watch[Project Runway], we talk about it a lot in the [writers] room. We always thought when [our] Fashion Week [episode] comes along we’d love to have him, whether as a fashion TV reporter or just have him there as part of the mix."

Closeted gay footballers speak out from behind the closet door: "But what am I to do? Coming out would mean death."

Sarah Jessica Parker: the neighborhood nemesis.

The 2007 Brit Award nominations are out. Best British album nominees: Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol, Muse, Arctic Monkeys, and Lily Allen.

For first time, Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight over threats from global warming.

Chris Rovzar makes an illuminating trip to Spain to see what's behind the legalization of gay marriage there: "I met with [Pedro Zerolo, the secretary of Social Movements and Relations With NGOs, a ministry post] in his expansive office in the party headquarters in Madrid, and we chatted for well over an hour. He was full of political platitudes about 'worlds of the rainbow' and how 'we won a victory for humanity.' Whenever I had conversations like these, I couldn’t help but think that in the end it wasn’t the activists that made the law possible in Spain—it was the straight people who listened, who allowed themselves to be educated, and who ignored religious and social prejudices. With a large voting majority, passing the law was easy."

South African nuts charge AIDS worker Zackie Achmat with genocide. They also claim vitamins will cure the disease.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #64

ROBBIE WILLIAMS: In drag? An explanation here.

THE WHITE DEER: Save us!

ROSS THE INTERN: Ross meets Steve Irwin (an oldie but goodie).

THIS WEEK IN GOD: The Daily Show's Samantha Bee's Christmas Christacular. (source: virtual matter)

Check out the rest of our guides to the Tube here!

And I can't embed it, but make sure to check out World of Wonder's 12 Days of 2006.

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