Gay Comic Panic Strip: American Idol

SIMON: You kissed me!

RYAN: Relax, it didn't mean anything.

SIMON: Well, I can't!

And yes, this is the authentic transcript.

You may have missed
Ryan Seacrest Could Potentially be a Heterosexual [tr]
A Very Gay New Year's Eve Preview [tr]
Simon Cowell Urges Ryan Seacrest: Come Out of the Closet [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Music News: Oprah Fêtes Leona Lewis And Journos Sum Up SXSW, Plus The Raconteurs, ABBA, The Feeling, Amy Winehouse, Groove Armada

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

Yesterday, Oprah had Simon Cowell and 22-year-old British singer Leona Lewis on her show. Lewis performed her single, "Bleeding Love," which was already a smash in the U.K. last fall. A showcase on Oprah is rarely one that fails to deliver; "Bleeding Love" is now the top download on iTunes.

Touted as both "the next Mariah Carey" and "the next Whitney Houston" -- often by none other than her own high-profile music biz handlers, Simon Cowell and Clive Davis -- Lewis previously won the 2006 season of Brit show The X Factor, which was created by Cowell. Now if only Clive would offer a U.S. deal to the equally vocally talented (and eye-pleasing) Shayne Ward, who won X Factor's first season.

Below are clips of the Next Mariah Carey from Oprah, and the Previous Mariah Carey with T-Pain, from this past weekend's SNL:

Leona Lewis' full album, Spirit, will be released on April 8.

This year's South By Southwest (SXSW) festival: Jim Derogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times notes the great indie spirit, but laments the "sad decline to arena-rock mediocrity" of R.E.M. for the past 15 years. Meanwhile, Ross Simonini of the Seattle Post Intelligencer has to leave the festival ("Five people vomited within arm's length [of me].") to find decent bands, and the Los Angeles Times' Todd Martens leaves Perez Hilton's party unimpressed with Robyn and the insults hurtled at him.

The Jack White school of making an album: finish it one week and put it out two weeks later. On the literally just-finished new album from The Raconteurs (pictured right), Consolers (due out next week): "We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT SAME TIME so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding it's availability, reception or perception."

Ola Brunkert, believed to be the only session musician to play on all of ABBA's recordings, found dead after a freak accident at his home.

The Feeling's Dan Gillespie Sells urges fellow pop stars to come out of the closet: "The world would be a healthier place if people were more honest about their sexuality and the entertainment industry would be healthier if people were more honest full stop. The more of us who come out, the easier it is for others. My advice for anyone considering coming out would be to do it for themselves. It's not fun living a lie."

Giorgio Armani enlists George Clooney and Julia Roberts to help get Amy Winehouse to perform at his celebrity bash.

And if you thought the album cover for Hard Candy was just a one-time look...

THE WEEK'S NEW RELEASES:

Almost a year after its U.K. release, Groove Armada's Soundboy Rock, the dance duo's seventh studio album, arrives in the U.S. It contains "Song 4 Mutya (Out Of Control,)" the pair's 2007 international hit featuring ex-Sugababes member Mutya Buena on vocals.

The Kills' Midnight Boom. The duo's "Cheap And Cheerful" is also iTunes' free download single of the week.

A week ahead of its physical CD availability, Gnarls Barkley's The Odd Couple hits iTunes.

If you were totally jazzed with Flo Rida's 10-week stint at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with "Low," then why not check out his full length album, Mail On Sunday?

Sphere: Related Content

Simon Cowell Liked the Way David Hernandez 'Stripped it Down'

American Idol producer Ken Warwick told TV Guide that although he did not know of contestant David Hernandez' stripper past, it "won't make any difference" to his eligibility for the show.

Said Warwick: "The truth is, we're never judgmental about what people do to earn a living. They've got to put food in people's mouths. We've had strippers on the show before. Nikki McKibbon was one in [Season] 1. We're never judgmental about people who do things like that. If it were some sort of heavy porn, then maybe we'd have to take action. But certainly not on this...David Hernandez, whatever you say, is a nice guy. And he can sing. He's got a great voice. He deserves to be there, as far as I'm concerned...The thing is, at the end, the public will make the decision anyway. If there's a stretch of the public that thinks, "Oh, dear, he was a male stripper, so I'm not going to vote for him," then that's the luck of the draw. If the public doesn't like him, then they'll get rid of him."

Last night, you may not have heard what Simon Cowell murmured after Hernandez finished his rendition of "It's All Coming Back to Me Now".

Jabbed Cowell: "I liked the way you stripped it down."

Sphere: Related Content

News: Brett Favre, Kentucky, Gus van Sant, Dallas, Danny Noriega

Gay Kentucky couple blocked from adopting child through state's foster care system: "Phillips and Parsley said they are outraged because they had already passed a criminal background check and a home survey by a Sunrise employee who was fully aware of their living arrangement. And they have attended two of five classes required for certification through the free program, they said."

Gus van Sant on filming his new film: Paranoid Park. REVIEW: Van Sant "makes another pretty, vacant movie about pretty, vacant boys..."

Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty posts video of himself smoking a cock.

Documentary explores Florida hate crime killing of Ryan Keith Skipper.

Gay porn films pulled from sale in the UK following barebacking investigation: "Two of the DVDs featured footage from a week-long shoot during which eight British models had sex with each other in multiple combinations without condoms. Four of those who took part were diagnosed as HIV positive soon after. One of the men told the BBC he was distressed that footage which he believed showed him becoming infected had been put on sale."

Green Bay Packers Brett Favre to retire. Sportrait flashback...

Lance and Ben document their romance.

Simon Cowell to produce Billy Eliot-Style musical on Britain's Got Talent winner, opera singer Paul Potts: "That particular day was one of the worst, the acts were just terrible, we were fed up and on comes this guy with a funny little suit and bad teeth who looked very nervous. I can remember looking at the other judges, with that 'here we go again' feeling. We had 2,000 people in the audience, and I'll never forget how much the room changed when he began singing." Video Flashback...

Steven Spielberg to launch social networking site for people interested in the afterlife: "The focus will be on users who’ve had or who are interested in sharing paranormal and extraterrestrial experiences. The new social network may also have original video content investigating alleged ghost and UFO stories."

Pink Speedo down under: Carson Kressley definitely not a fashion coward.

Dallas man claims he was assaulted at Station 4 nightclub: "Sid Gonzales, 43, said he suffered two broken bones in his wrist, a puncture wound to his hand and multiple bruises on his backside when two men assaulted him at about 11 p.m. Gonzales said he was near the main dance floor of the Dallas gay nightclub when two men and a woman walked over and stood nearby. Gonzales said he was 'a little buzzed' from alcohol but not intoxicated. He said he tried to be friendly and make small talk with the trio. But he said he was not trying to hit on the men, whom he described as straight-looking, well-dressed and college-aged. When Gonzales asked a few questions, the woman responded but the men said nothing and looked uncomfortable, he said. Gonzales said he reached out to shake hands with one of the men. The man grabbed Gonzales’ arm, twisted it in the air and slammed it against a knee. Gonzales said the first man also stabbed him in the hand with an unidentified object, while the second began kicking him in the backside."

American Idol contestant Danny Noriega wishes you a Merry Christmas.

Sphere: Related Content

Paula Abdul: Simon Cowell Not Gay, Just Comfortable

Paula Abdul is apparently disgusted that people continue to scrutinize Simon Cowell's sexuality.

Says Abdul: "People say that all the time but no, he's not! His brother always jokes and says that he's gay but Simon has fun with it now. He's very comfortable in his skin."

Last November, in an interview with Britain's Daily Mail, Cowell said: "If I was, why hide it? It's not as if the music business would be an odd place for a gay man to work. And anyway, if I was trying to hide the fact that I was gay, I would be off playing rugby every Saturday, wouldn't I?"

I never thought he was gay.

Related
Simon Cowell: I'm Vain, But Not Gay [tr]
Report: Simon Cowell X-ed Sharon Osbourne Over Gay Claims [tr]
Simon Cowell Urges Ryan Seacrest: Come Out of the Closet [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

News: Mr. Blackwell, Iran, Jesse Metcalfe, Wii, Dykes on Bikes

Iran claims video of aggressive action toward American ships is U.S. fabrication: "The US has released grainy footage, apparently showing small boats speeding near the American warships. In an audio recording, an Iranian radio operator appears to say 'I am coming at you; you will explode'. The Iranian parliamentary speaker has dismissed the affair as being part of a US propaganda campaign against Tehran."

NSA report confirms Vietnam "Gulf of Tonkin" episode never happened. (via americablog)

Mr. Blackwell releases annual worst-dressed list. The winner? "Forget the fashion spice - wearing a skirt would suffice! In one skinny-mini monstrosity after another, pouty posh can really wreck-em." See who else made it.

Out writer Josh Kilmer-Purcell starts "Phags for Phelps" site after striking up email correspondence with Shirley Phelps-Roper: "I've long believed that the more chances America gets to see blatantly ugly homophobia in action, the better it is for the GLBT community. To quote Supreme Court Justice Brandeis: 'Sunshine is the best disinfectant.' Half humorously, half seriously, (as in everything I do) I suggested in my recent OUT column that gays and lesbians start a 'Phags 4 Phelps Dephense Phund.' Fred Phelps, if you don't know who he is, is the patriarch of a one-family-band of hate called the 'Westboro Baptist Church.'..I honestly think that the more America sees this ugly hatred, the more they shy away from it. So I suggested starting the "Phags 4 Phelps Dephense Phund" to keep them away from bankruptcy and out on the streets where they belong."

Parkinson's Disease linked to exposure to common solvent.

Madonna, Guy tour the slums of Mumbai.

Youths arrested for alleged anti-gay attack on December 5 on the Washington Metro say they targeted victim because he was drunk, not because of his sexuality.

Queen Elizabeth loves Wii bowling: "A Palace source told The People: 'When she saw William playing a game after lunch at Sandringham she thought the Nintendo looked tremendous fun and begged to join in. She played a simple ten-pin bowling game and by all accounts was a natural. It was hilarious. William was in fits of laughter. He was enormously impressed at having such a cool gran. And although she is 81 the Queen's hand-eye co-ordination was as good as somebody half her age.'"

Jesse Metcalfe's Hollywood hair-cut.

Anti-gay Pastor Ken Hutcherson has reportedly initiated the Microsoft stock-buying scheme I posted about in November: "It's unclear what effect, if any, the initiative could have on the stock price. It would be difficult to influence company direction -- just to gain a 1 percent stake in Microsoft, about 31 million people would each have to spend $104 to buy three shares. Microsoft has about 9.36 billion outstanding shares, and its largest holder is Chairman Bill Gates, with 858 million shares, or 9 percent of the total. Capital Research and Management Co. follows with nearly 557 million shares, or 6 percent."

Scientists float new global warming weapon: super-hairy soya plants.

Court rules that "Dykes on Bikes" can keep their name.

Genre takes on the cheekbones of Michael Lucas: "I am very proud that Genre chose me to be on their cover, as national consumer magazines—even if they are gay—tend to shy away from putting members of the adult community front and center."

Wonkette has a chat with former Gawker editor Choire Sicha about the New Hampshire primaries and which Romneys might be worth molesting: "Josh. Josh is the hottest thing since bacon was invented."

Kentucky gay rights groups thumb noses at one another: "The general advisory council of the Kentucky Equality Federation has approved a resolution not to be aligned with the Kentucky Fairness Alliance. Jordan Palmer, president of the federation, released a copy of his group's resolution noting the break. It said the group 'has received many reports from federation management and affiliated organizations about difficulties in working with current leadership of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance and particularly its chief spokeswoman, Christina Gilgor.' It added, 'It is obvious that the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, through its current executive director, is alienating many members of the Kentucky Equality Federation and its affiliated organizations and thus becoming less of an effective force in lobbying and working for improvement of gay rights in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.'"

Simon Cowell sheds some of his moobs.

Sphere: Related Content

Rhydian X-ed Out of X-Factor Win by Leon/Kylie Duet

Leon Jackson won Britain's X-Factor talent show over favorite Rhydian (who recently gave an interview in which he denied being gay but admitted being a virgin) after pulling out a secret gay weapon — a duet of Better the Devil You Know with Kylie Minogue. These are just two of a few songs they sang in the final.

Reuters reports: "The 18-year-old won a million pound recording contract after beating the runaway favourite, Rhydian Roberts, in the reality TV show final on Saturday. 'It's not real,' Jackson said, choking back tears after winning a public vote. 'It just means the world to pursue this because I love singing. I knew I could change my mum's life and I've just done it.' Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said it was a 'fantastic victory for Leon and Scotland'. Jackson, a jazzy crooner who used to work in a clothes shop, had been expected to lose to Roberts, from Wales. [Bookie] Ladbrokes said the upset had saved them from a huge payout. 'Leon's win is the biggest shock in the history of reality TV betting,' said spokesman Nick Weinberg. 'He will definitely be top of our Christmas card list.'"

The Daily Mail reports that Team Rhydian is pissed because they say the phone lines were blocked.

Meanwhile, Wales on Sunday reports that Simon Cowell and Andrew Lloyd Webber are battling over Rhydian's future:

"Sir Andrew was due to seal his support last night in a special pre-recorded message broadcast as part of the final, in which viewers saw the Welsh singing sensation sing Christmas ballad O Holy Night, West Side Story classic Somewhere and You Raise Me Up with Katherine Jenkins. But we can reveal how the theatre legend has been secretly texting Rhydian on his mobile phone as he prepares to cast a new Broadway version of The Phantom of the Opera, called The Phantom of Manhattan." Yikes, though given Rhydian's unusual look, it doesn't seem too far out of the ballpark.

And finally, "While the victor is virtually guaranteed the coveted Christmas number 1 with the release of their version of Mariah Carey's "When You Believe", the programme's real winner, is of course, Simon Cowell. The 48-year-old judge, who co-produces and owns the rights to the hit show, stands to earn an incredible £7.5million from the series."

You may have missed...
X-Factor's Rhydian: I'm Not Gay, But I am a Virgin [tr]
Towleroad Guide to the Tube #209 [tr]
Rhydian the Rugby Player [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Simon Cowell: I'm Vain, But Not Gay

In an interview with Britain's Daily Mail tabloid, Simon Cowell says rumors that he's gay are pure nonsense:

"If I was, why hide it? It's not as if the music business would be an odd place for a gay man to work. And anyway, if I was trying to hide the fact that I was gay, I would be off playing rugby every Saturday, wouldn't I?"

Back in September, it was reported that Cowell had fired X-Factor judge Sharon Osbourne because he was tired of her telling everyone that he was gay. Producers reportedly convinced Cowell to give Osbourne a second chance.

And, of course, on American Idol, Cowell and host Ryan Seacrest have kept alive a long-running series of innuendos about one another's sexuality.

Cowell did offer the Daily Mail a few true details about his personal life: "I have not had cosmetic surgery...Yes, I've had Botox, but not in an obsessive way. Then again, every guy I know who works in the City has had it now..I've never dyed my hair, ever, and I wouldn't. But yes, I like to take care of myself. I work out. I take lots of vitamins. What can I say? I think I look good for my age [he's 48]...I can't think of one person who is on TV who isn't vain. It's the nature of the beast. If you are on TV then you have a vanity, for sure. Just admit it! Why not?"

Sphere: Related Content

Does Rhydian Have the X-Factor?

Rhydian Roberts has become the judge's favorite in the current season of Britain's The X Factor.

Now, if Mika thinks Boyzone is cheesy, he might have a look at this. (these shows are built for cheese, so imho the more dramatic exploding fog machines, the better)

Rhydian's song, "You Raise Me Up" has been covered by dozens of artists, the biggest being Westlife and Josh Groban. Rhydian, who is mentored by Dannii Minogue on the show, has another strength aside from his vocal prowess...

The Guardian writes: "Rhydian Roberts, the most entertaining contestant on the current X Factor, has no tearful back-story, no ashen-faced aunts recounting tragedies that have beset him during his 24 years. He utterly lacks humility, reckons he should be knighted, and there's no suggestion that elimination will see him return to thankless, low-paid work. None of this will hamper his chances, though, for Rhydian has a claim to fame from a decade ago that ensures he'll get the votes of weight trainers across the land. Roberts, it turns out, was the junior Welsh bench press champion, and fifth best in the UK."

Two more clips on Rhydian and X-factor after the jump...

Not necessarily SFW...

Sphere: Related Content

News: Bush and Petraeus, NYC HIV, Britney Spears, Tom Ford

New York City sees jump in HIV infections, particularly in those younger than 30.

20th annual Provincetown "Swim for Life" raises $170,000 for AIDS support groups.

Queerty discovers where the Advocate's 40th anniversary cover found its inspiration.

Simon Cowell on the Britney bomb: "If I had been looking after Britney I'd have taken one look at her in rehearsals and I wouldn't have allowed her on stage. It would have been worth pulling her off the bill - no matter what the cost - to save any chance she had of resurrecting her career. She wasn't ready for that show in every possible way. The song wasn't right, the image wasn't right and she just wasn't rehearsed. If she had turned up and given that performance at the X Factor auditions then I wouldn't have put her through to the next round. The problem she has now is that she could have killed her career. It's difficult to come back from that performance, for a while at least." EW takes a look at some tracks off her new album.

Forget Hollywood's gay mafia. Welcome the Rubyfruit mafia.

Sugarland: Straight Brooklyn bar and pizza joint is transformed into gay club and performance space: "The crowd—attractive local hipsters, artists, club kids, and even a few yuppies—was torn. 'The skinny Williamsburg hipster fags need the carbs,' griped Earl Dax, a promoter and performance-art curator. Some wished for a happy medium. 'In a perfect world . . . ' sighed a man in a harlequin get-up with sad, wistful eyes. Justin Bond (of Kiki & Herb) found the solution: 'I've done performance where I strapped a pizza to me and then served it to the audience.'"

Ice cream dispenser offers miserable people a larger scoop: "Demitrios Kargotis unveiled his Mr Whippy machine at the Ars Technica festival in Linz. It's a self-serve frozen custard machine that doles out portion sizes based on the amount of misery it detects in a voice-stress analysis. The sadder you are, the more ice-cream you get. Employing voice stress analysis of the user's answers to specific questions, varying degrees of unhappiness are measured and the counteractive quantity of ice cream is dispensed: The more unhappy you are, the more ice cream you need."

At Heatherette: a patriotic Amanda Lepore busts out, and Chad White struts his stuff.

I reported on it briefly previously, but the web has grown more tangled, and Pam Spaulding at AmericaBlog attempts to untangle what may be the GOP's next big scandal.

Tom Ford's fragrance for men certainly isn't for gay men.

Bush to announce drawdown of troops by 30,000: "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Bush appears poised merely to bring the country back to where it was before the election that put Democrats in control of Congress _ with 130,000 troops in Iraq. 'Please. It's an insult to the intelligence of the American people that that is a new direction in Iraq,' she said. 'We're as disappointed as the public is that the president has a tin ear to their opinion on this war.'" Pelosi statement: "The Bush-Petraeus plan of 130,000 Americans in Iraq for 10 more years is not a reduction in our footprint; it is an insult to the intelligence of the American people to call that a new direction. It is a status quo plan that tells the Iraqi government that they do not need to change."

"Ex-gays" claim they were attacked by gay activists at the County Fair in Arlington, Virginia.

Anti-gay Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle will be on Michelangelo Signorile's Sirius radio show today at 3:30 pm.

Sphere: Related Content

Report: Simon Cowell X-ed Sharon Osbourne Over Gay Claims

If reports out of Britain are to be believed, Simon Cowell fired Sharon Osbourne after the first season of the UK show The X Factor because Cowell was tired of Osbourne making claims about his sexuality:

"She tells everyone he's gay. She claims he's in the closet and doesn't know yet he's homosexual, which is ridiculous. And even though Simon has a beautiful girlfriend (model/TV presenter Terri Seymour), Sharon would openly harangue and taunt him about it. Sharon told me that at the end of series one Simon actually got her fired for her jibes and nastiness to him and the contestants. The producers persuaded Simon to give her a second chance as they loved the chemistry between the judges."

Although stateside, Cowell seems perfectly willing to dish out the same kind of innuendo.

You may have missed...
Simon Cowell Urges Ryan Seacrest: Come Out of the Closet [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Music News: Simon Cowell's Star Struck, Madonna, Darren Hayes, Spice Girls, Shayne Ward

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

   It looks as if next year will be your chance to finally judge how much talent Simon Cowell really possesses. The American Idol and X Factor pop mogul told The Hollywood Reporter that he's producing a feature film revolving around the angst of 10 young hopefuls competing on a fictional TV singing contest. Titled Star Struck, it's scheduled for a summer 2008 release.

Simon says: "We want it to be the musical version of Rocky -  an underdog story, a feelgood film."

Cowell plans on wrangling the 10 actors the same way the contestants are herded in for Idol auditions. "To enjoy the film, you've got to watch the actors and believe that they are contestants on a reality show. We always believed that a TV show like Idol would be successful. I have the same feeling about doing the movie."

   As Madonna continues working on her new album, she's hit a roadblock with the adoption of one-year-old David Banda. "The whole adoption process may crumble and David [may be] sent back to his village," social worker Penstone Kembe told the Reuters news service.

   While on an Australian promotional tour last week for his forthcoming album This Delicate Thing We've Made, Darren Hayes spoke candidly with The Sydney Star Observer about the process of coming out of the closet during his Savage Garden days: “My coming out to myself was very reluctant. It was a thorn in my side as it was something I did not want to be and so when I call it a violent reaction, it was one of shame. But I can only admit that now, as I really could get more gay – and be happy about it.”

After the jump, hot Brit export Shayne Ward, Rob Thomas reunites with Matchbox Twenty, the Spice Girls slightly extend their tour and today's new releases.

   The Spice Girls announced the lucky location of their  "Spice City" contest on their website. The reunited fivesome offered fans a chance to suggest one additional stop on their upcoming world tour, and the chosen city was Toronto. Said the Girls in their spice statement: "We set this up to give all our genuine fans the chance to turn their hometown into a SPICE CITY. This was all about making your own city a SPICE CITY and since we launched there have been literally millions of votes for us to play in hundreds of cities including places like Rio, Chicago, Melbourne, Manchester, Paris, Alice Springs, Baghdad, and Diss (in Norfolk England)! But one city had to win and we are now delighted to announce the winner is... TORONTO. Thanks to everyone in Canada who voted for us to play there - we’ll work out the date over the next few weeks and let you know."

   In other reunion news, Rob Thomas recently got together with his Matchbox Twenty bandmates to record a dozen songs. Billboard reported at least six of the tracks will be included on the group's Exile On Mainstream greatest hits compilation, due out October 2.

   After winning Britain's X Factor two years ago, Shayne Ward came across as just another scruffy-cute bloke from Manchester. But in the video for his new single, "If That's OK With You," Shayne's kicked up the sex appeal about 25 notches:

"If That's OK With You" is written and produced by Max Martin, who seems to have chucked his Kelly Clarkson and Britney-brand pop sound of the last decade for one more resembling his early work with Ace Of Base.

   August is typically a "no man's land" for new releases, but out today is True Colors: The Tour CD, which contains music by the artists featured on Cyndi Lauper's recent traveling show benefiting Human Rights Campaign, such as Rufus Wainwright, The Gossip, Indigo Girls, Cazwell and The Cliks. Among the mostly previously-released material is a new duet from Erasure and Lauper called "Early Bird."

Also out is How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?, the 10th studio album from Public Enemy. It marks the 20th anniversary of the influential hip-hop legends.

A week before the High School Musical 2 soundtrack bombards shelves and digital stores, Disney's Hollywood Records is issuing the self-titled sophomore release from Jonas Brothers. Think of it as Hanson: The Next Generation.

James Blunt's new single, "1973," is available on iTunes, as is the video. Unlike "You're Beautiful," this one actually takes a stab at having a beat...albeit a mid-tempo one.

Sphere: Related Content

American Idol Part 2: Blake, Simon, Lakisha

American Idol did return to the unadulterated fluff we've come to expect from it last night, however, with its most engaging show of the season.

With Sanjaya gone from the picture, other sets of hair were able to take the spotlight.

Highlights included the removal of contestant Blake Lewis' highlights as he went from blonde to brunette and rocked the house with a version of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name".

Randy Jackson called it the most original version of a song ever on the show.

And then there was the kiss. Notice that puckered Paula seems to want in on the action too.

Close-up after the jump...

Sphere: Related Content

News: Hitler, Tom Cruise, Naomi Campbell, Apple TV

GLAAD taken to task by Here! Networks for policy of excluding gay media from its award ceremonies. Letter: "We believe that all gay media companies should be allowed to submit work for consideration. That collective group of LGBT voices in print and online journalism, radio, television, Telco, podcasts, and videocasts are quite literally changing the world. The New Gay Media has grown, matured and in many cases is taking the lead on groundbreaking points of view, yet GLAAD remains entrenched in old "mainstream" thinking."

New photoblog Shorpy features images from 100 years ago.

UK House of Lords set to debate rules requiring religious agencies to accept same-sex couples as adoptive parents.

Simon Cowell's package reportedly not a British landmark. A Socialite's Life: "On Monday night's airing of The Late Show With David Letterman, American Idol judge Paula Abdul revealed an unfortunate nickname for her colleague, Simon Cowell. When Letterman asked Abdul, 'You honestly hate Simon, don't you? He's smug and he's arrogant. And he thinks you want to have sexual activities with him,' Abdul responded, 'You are right about that. But that will never happen - because his nickname is 'Small Ben.'' We look forward to hearing what Cowell's nickname is for the former pop princess."

Pete Doherty drops trou for French magazine.

Major Indiana employer comes out against gay marriage ban: "The Columbus engine-maker [Cummins, Inc] said the measure would make it harder to recruit good workers and give the domestic partner benefits it now offers its employees."

"World's first supermodel" banned from fashion show for bad behavior.

Naomi Campbell turns community service into a fashion statement: "Yesterday at 8 a.m., the catwalker - performing her court-ordered community service - strode into the Pier 36 Sanitation Department in a Chanel cap and $1,000 Christian Louboutin boots, her work shoes slung over the shoulder of her $1,500-plus Azzedine Alaia coat. The penitent prancer could have bought two years' worth of gear for the price of her outfit. Sanitation employees are given a $900 yearly uniform allowance, which they use for things like shoes, vests, shirts and gloves. But instead,Campbell dressed for a fashion show, not a day mopping floors and scrubbing toilets."

Apple TV, which will allows users with iTunes to watch movies, listen to music, and view photos on their televisions by sending them wirelessly from their computers, is shipping and the first reviews are in!

Director Bryan Singer and Tom Cruise attempt to assassinate Hitler in new film.

Human rights activists urge go-ahead for Moscow Gay Pride parade.

Andy Roddick: I touch myself.

Sphere: Related Content

Simon Cowell Urges Ryan Seacrest: Come Out of the Closet

A joke about Ryan Seacrest's sexuality sparked a minor uproar on American Idol last night, as Simon Cowell urged host Seacrest to come out of the closet.

Seacrest: "We have a question from Georgia. What do you consider the hardest part of this contest?"

Melinda Doolittle: "Wow. I would have to say the high heels and these dresses. I like my tennis shoes and my sweat pants. I'm sorry."

Seacrest: "Simon, any advice on the high heels?"

Cowell: "You should know, Ryan."

Seacrest: "Stay out of my closet, Simon."

Cowell: "Well, come out."

Seacrest: "This is about the top twelve. Okay? Not your wishes...We're friends."

Of course the whole thing was a joke. Really.

Sphere: Related Content

Oscar Pairs: Elton & Simon Cowell, Anderson Cooper & Daniel Craig

For fair and balanced coverage, here are a few notable male pairings from last night. Elton John and Simon Cowell at Elton's post-Oscar bash, and Anderson Cooper and Daniel Craig hooking up at the Vanity Fair Party.

Sphere: Related Content

News: Key West, Brazil, Beckham Scientology, Wax Cowell

Michael J. Fox will attend George W. Bush's upcoming "State of the Union" address at the invitation of Rhode Island Rep. Jim Langevin, who has been confined to a wheelchair for most of his adult life.

Meet Mr. Brazil 2007.

Heidi Cullen, the Weather Channel's foremost climatologist, says AMS should not approve meteorologists who disagree with scientific theories on global warming: "Meteorologists are among the few people trained in the sciences who are permitted regular access to our living rooms. And in that sense, they owe it to their audience to distinguish between solid, peer-reviewed science and junk political controversy. If a meteorologist can't speak to the fundamental science of climate change, then maybe the AMS shouldn't give them a Seal of Approval. Clearly, the AMS doesn't agree that global warming can be blamed on cyclical weather patterns. It's like allowing a meteorologist to go on-air and say that hurricanes rotate clockwise and tsunamis are caused by the weather. It's not a political statement...it's just an incorrect statement."

While David Beckham bides his time in Spain taking phone calls from Tom Cruise, Victoria Beckham says she wants nothing to with Scientology. "Tom spoke to David for hours about Scientology. He feels it could help to lift him out of the blues over his football career. But Victoria is having none of it. She can’t see the point of joining something like that where you have to donate money."

Diana Ross to be American Idol mentor this season.

Idol frightfest: wax likenesses of Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell make their debut.

While some threats to high school gay-straight alliance groups have been quashed in Virginia, they are struggling in gay-friendlier Toronto area.

Focus on the Family has its sights set on Key West Gay Spring Break. (via fundie watch)

Scientists reveal how 1918 flu epidemic killed over 50 million: "Essentially, people are drowned by themselves."

Still on tap for Apple? Widescreen video iPod and tablet Mac.

Sphere: Related Content