Author: Randy Slovacek

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News Round-Up: December 25, 2020

International superstar Dolly Parton is writing a Broadway m

International superstar Dolly Parton (image via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • Pink News: Dolly Parton wants Christian homophobes to quit shaming gays – “Judging is God’s job.” • Instinct Magazine: President-elect Joe Biden has tapped openly gay Gautam Raghavan, who previously served as a White House staffer in the Obama administration, to serve as Deputy Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel. Raghavan will be tasked with identifying, recruiting, and vetting more than 4,000 political appointments across the federal government. • Page Six: ‘Sex and the City’ will return to the small screen, with a limited series reboot coming to HBO Max, and would include all the original stars — except Kim Cattrall, who has repeatedly said she is not interested in returning. • KIT212: Racist uses the n-word and pays for it. I agree with Kenneth – the guy stopped punching too soon.

• AP News: The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits last week – 803,000 – is somber evidence that the job market remains under stress nine months after the coronavirus outbreak sent the U.S. economy into recession and caused millions of layoffs. Before the virus struck, jobless claims typically numbered around 225,000 a week before shooting up to 6.9 million in early spring when the virus — and efforts to contain it — flattened the economy. • Washington Post: Donald Trump’s latest pardons are just the final steps taken to complete the coverup of the Russia scandal. Included are GOP lawmakers who admitted to breaking the law, and convicted Blackwater contractors who killed unarmed civilians in a 2007 massacre. • Law and Crime: Tiger King star Joe Exotic, is hoping to join the ranks of Paul Manafort and Roger Stone by landing himself a presidential pardon before Donald Trump leaves office next month. The self-described “gay, gun-toting redneck” and former Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate has dropped his lawsuit against the DOJ, telling a federal judge that he believes the president has personally received his pardon petition. • Twitter: President-elect Joe Biden and soon-to-be First Lady Jill Biden wish everyone glad tidings on this festive holiday.

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Trump Twitter Rant: Christmas Edition

Donald Trump

Donald Trump continued his barrage against Twitter on Christmas Eve, tweeting that the social media company is “going wild with their flags” and “trying hard to suppress even the truth,” which seems to be alluding to his continued baseless claims that there was rampant voter fraud (there wasn’t). Trump repeated his call for terminating Section 230, a legal clause in the Communications Decency Act which shields social media companies from being liable for content posted on their platforms by third parties. Trump opposes the protections, basically, because he wants to sue Twitter (from whence his power comes) for flagging his posts as ‘misinformation.’

Trump also went after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for acknowledging President-elect Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election. Trump railed at his own fellow Republicans as they “sit back and watch” Trump try and overturn the fairly won election.

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Holiday Playlist To Keep Your Christmas Day Merry & Bright

Bringing you 10 holiday songs for your uber-gay Christmas Day. All of these artists are proudly LGBTQ and celebrated for their artistry in their respective genres. 1. George Michael (back in his Wham! days) delivered unto us this now-required listening holiday pop gem, “Last Christmas,” in 1986.

2. Out country hunk Ty Herndon takes the iconic “O Come All Ye Faithful” into African rhythm territory here, and it totes works.

3. It doesn’t get any more camp than this: the first true bear band, Bearforce1, with their holiday mashup, “Christmas is here!”

4. Two-time Out Music Award winner Matt Zarley covered Mariah Carey’s “Miss You Most At Christmastime” to spectacular result as part of his ‘UnCOVERED’ cover song series.

5. Award-winning cabaret star Ann Hampton Callaway offers this uber-jazzy “Jingle Bells.”

6. Before winning an Emmy Award as an insane murderer on American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Darren Criss’ “Blaine” was singing and dancing the holiday classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” in high style with out actor Chris Colfer’s “Kurt” on GLEE.

7. Tony Award winner Levi Kreis (Million Dollar Quartet) gives you a little bit gospel, a little bit rockabilly on his new cover of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”

8. Elton John released his “Step Into Christmas” in 1973 and it raced all the way to #1 on the Billboard Christmas Singles chart that year.

9. Handsome out smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz shared this cover of “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)” on his 1997 release, December Makes Me Feel This Way.

10. Bright Light Bright Light gifted us with this synth-pop version of the classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”

 

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Christmas Music: Mannheim Steamroller “Silent Night”

The cover for Mannheim Steamroller's Silent Night
The cover for Mannheim Steamroller's Silent Night The perfect recording for Christmas Eve. Years ago, when I was a struggling actor in NYC, my best friend Carlye discovered Mannheim Steamroller’s first holiday album, Christmas. Mannheim Steamroller’s founder, Chip Davis, had found the perfect formula of light, airy instrumental versions of favorite holiday songs. The first time Carlye played this for me, we were huddled up in our sweats about 10 pm on Christmas Eve. With only candles lit in our small one-bedroom apartment, and our version of “egg nog” – egg nog, amaretto, and a bit of vanilla bean ice cream – we sat quietly enjoying our inexpensive real Christmas tree as this played out in the shadows. The last-minute or so always leads me to imagine Santa and the elves working through the winter, getting ready for the big night. And as the toy piano and jingle bells play, the wind at the north pole whips up to send him out into the night. To this day, one of my favorite memories AND traditions, thanks to my BFF Carlye. Looking back at how little we thought we had, it’s amazing to know how much we really did. Happy Christmas everyone.

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News Round-Up: December 24, 2020

Sexy Santa adorned with holiday lights
Merry merry and happy Christmas Eve!
Some news items you might have missed: • The Hill: A USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll released Thursday indicates 96% of Democrats say President-elect Joe Biden was elected fairly in the November presidential election, while 78% of Republicans think Biden was not legitimately elected president. • InstaHunks: Woofy Fran Dullon is wrapping your presents…have you been naughty or nice?

 

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A post shared by New Official Page (@just.frandullon)

• American Independent: Donald Trump has Trump chosen Michele Bachmann’s husband, Marcus, to be a member of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, an advisory body to the president and the Department of Health and Human Services. Note – the ‘Lady Marcus’ runs a clinic which that specializes in the debunked and dangerous practice of conversion therapy. #Boo • NY Times: The brilliant 3-time Tony Award nominee (and dear friend to everyone in the Broadway community), Rebecca Luker, whose gorgeous soprano voice led to a 3 decades-long career on Broadway, died on Wednesday after a year-long battle with ALS. RIP dear, beautiful Rebecca.

• Politico: The U.S. has struck a deal with Pfizer to purchase another 100 million doses of the company’s COVID vaccine. Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech said they can supply 70 million doses by June 30, 2021, with the remaining 30 million doses delivered by the end of July. • Talking Points Memo: The White House went out of its way to declare Donald Trump was in meetings and working today.

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Kevin Spacey Is Back With His (Now) Annual Christmas Eve Video

Kevin Spacey

Academy Award-winner Kevin Spacey
Academy Award-winner (and accused sexual assaulter) Kevin Spacey posted his third-holiday video on his YouTube channel today. I guess it’s a tradition now? Titled “1-800 XMAS,” this year’s installment takes on a more somber tone than past years. Spacey chooses not to take on his ‘Frank Underwood’persona from House of Cards and instead speaks as himself to people struggling over the holiday season. “If you’re standing in a place that you can no longer remain standing, if you’re suffering, if you need help, if you feel guilt or shame, if you’re struggling with your identity, if your back’s up against the wall, or if you feel that there is no path for you, whatever your situation, I promise you there is a path,” said Spacey. “At this time during this holiday and beyond, even if you don’t feel it, there are people out there who understand and who can help, because you are not alone.” In essence, the video takes on an odd sort of ‘It Gets Better’ messaging. Spacey shared his first ‘holiday’ video in 2018 in the aftermath of being accused of sexual misconduct with a young man in Massachusetts as well as allegations from actor Anthony Rapp. Recorded as what seemed to be his House of Cards character, the message appeared to be a veiled denial of the mounting accusations against him. The Massachusetts man eventually invoked his 5th Amendment rights which led to the charges being dropped. And another accuser, a massage therapist, died before the case could go to court. That man’s estate decided to drop the allegations as well. Last year’s video offered a message to folks that when people do something you don’t like, you should ‘kill them with kindness.‘

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Christmas Music: Vanessa Williams “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

In full rotation in my house every Christmas season. What I love about Vanessa’s recordings is she reveals, alongside stunning vocals, her rich and artful musicianship. Her brilliant arranger/music director on her holiday albums, Rob Mathes, brings rich and rhythmic gospel flavor to these takes on “Do You Hear What I Hear” and “The Drummer Boy.” If you don’t have Vanessa Williams’ holiday albums, you’re missing out. Love, love, love.

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Melania Dragged For Maskless White House Christmas Tour

First Lady Melania Trump with children wearing face masks at the White House
First Lady Melania Trump is probably very happy to be done with her last Christmas in the White House. Yesterday, her official Twitter account shared a short video showing her showing the White House decorations to young children (all wearing face masks) while she didn’t bother to wear a mask even though that’s the official position of the CDC. That, plus the leaked audio of a conversation with a former aide where she complained about having to oversee the holiday decor of the White House (“Who gives a f*ck about Christmas stuff and decoration…?”), is probably the most transparent perspective we’ll have of the soon-to-be-former First Lady. Twitter wasn’t amused.

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InstaHunk Round-Up: Hump Day Edition

Nick Jonas (via VillaOne Tequila)
Checking in with the hunks of Instagram before Santa’s big day. Singer and professional hottie Nick Jonas debuted a new profile pic (above). Joel Green is giving you serious Spanish beach vibes:

 

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A post shared by Joel Green (@green.joel)

Everyone is at the beach it seems – Rodiney Santiago scored some rays in Cancun, Mexico:

 

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A post shared by Ródiney Santiago (@rodineysantiago)

Sean O’Donnell is ready for a 47 hour nap (which sounds pretty awesome to me):  

 

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A post shared by Sean O’Donnell (@theseanodonnell)

Rick and the Griffopotamus are in a penguin kind of mood:

According to Dan Tai, gorillas can’t swim. So, he sat on the edge of the pool:  

 

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A post shared by Dan Tai (@dantai)

Fitness hottie Nathan McCallum has turned it out at the gym this week so hard, he might be seeing things:

 

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A post shared by Nathan McCallum (@nathan)

And Silverjow, my favorite illustrator on Instagram, has one of his hunky guys ready for Santa’s big day (make sure to click through the options):

 

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A post shared by Silverjow’s art (@silverjow)

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Podcast: AGT’s Branden James Chats On His Memoir ‘Lyrics Of My Life’

Branden James (right) with his husband James Clark
Branden James (right) with his husband, cellist James Clark
Musician and now-author Branden James first captivated millions as a finalist on Season 8 of America’s Got Talent in 2013 where he received high praise from the judges for his emotional, operatic vocals. During his time in the national spotlight, he hit more than one perfect note as he shared details of his coming out story and his broken ties with his religious family with the TV audience. In his recently released memoir, Lyrics of My Life: My Journey with Family, HIV, and Reality TV, Branden highlights the conflicts of growing up gay in a world that looked upon his true self and beliefs as an impractical, sinful way of life. The cover of Branden James's new memoir 'Lyrics of My Life: My Journey with Family, HIV, and Reality TV' Through it all, he was surprised by one startling realization: how vital it is to be completely authentic in order to help others, as well as continue to heal himself. Lyrics of My Life is authentically Branden sparing no details about his lack of stability as a young adult, estrangement from his close-knit family, and, despite it all, his unbreakable will to overcome adversity. Searching for his own personal freedom, Branden finds reconciliation with his family, rediscovers his faith, and realizes that affliction and hardship are not what define us as human beings. The response to Lyrics of My Life has been awesome. Among many to praise the memoir were the readers of POZ who voted the book ‘Best in Literature’ for 2020.

Since his time on America’s Got Talent, Branden has performed for Pope Benedict and The Mandela Family in South Africa. He has also performed at The Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. He currently tours internationally with his husband, Australian cellist, James Clark in a cello and vocal duo called Branden & James. If you travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in the near future, the terrific twosome are in residence at The Palm Cabaret through February 2021 with their new show, The Lady Gaga Songbook. But, for now, join me as I chat with the oh-so-talented talented Branden James. Lyrics of my Life: My Journey with Family, HIV, and Reality TV is available at all major booksellers including Amazon.