Author: Randy Slovacek

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InstaHunk Round-Up: Weekend Edition

Mark Kanemura (screen capture)
Checking in with the hunks of Insta… First up, Instagram dance sensation Mark Kanemura (above) is holding ‘virtual dance parties’ on Instagram to keep folks moving while chilling at home. You’ll note the confetti on the floor thanks to his ‘big finale.’ Click here to see when the next ‘dance party’ is. I followed along today and Kanemura had over 3,000 folks from around the world tune in to bop along. Underwear model and husband to sex advice guy Dan Savage, Terry Miller turned a very healthy looking 49-years -old:

 

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49 • 📷 @nunzilla

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David McIntosh celebrated “International Sweet Boy Day:”

Woofy Alex Abramov and bf Brett are having a bit of a stay-at-home weekend because, well, you know…

My hubby Michael spent several days this week handling press for the gorgeous new show ‘EXTRAVAGANZA‘ opening at Ballys Las Vegas soon. The show features the return of legendary Las Vegas showgirls to the Strip!

Paleontologist Francesc Gascó is spending ‘quarantine time’ cooking. His caption below reads, “Well, if we are in confinement, we will make it more pleasant by bringing my Valencia to Madrid.”

Rick and the Griffopotamus are patiently waiting for pancakes to be delivered to their boudoir:

Boy Butter’s current poster guy, Facundo Rodriguez, says he’s “trying to make the world a better place… Pic by pic.” It looks like he’s succeeding.

 

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Trying to make the world a better place… Pic by @paulfreemanphotographer @paulfreemanphotos New Account

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Hottie Nathan McCallum is working out (for a change). Hit the play button to be uber-impressed.

 

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💥 LEGendary QUAD WORKOUT 🦵🏼⠀ ⠀ Want stronger more powerful legs? Of course you do! That’s why I put this workout together for you. ⠀ Plenty of isolateral work here, to ensure we are working on imbalances and getting the gains those drumsticks need! ⠀ So get on some comfy tights, and a bright tee, and LEGGO! ⠀ ⠀ 1️⃣ box-jump to pistol 4xamrap ⠀ 2️⃣ overhead pistol squat 4×6⠀ 3️⃣ Bulgarian split squat 4×10⠀ 4️⃣ close stance front squat 5×5 ⠀ 5️⃣ single leg extensions 4×10⠀ 6️⃣ leg press 4×10⠀ 7️⃣ standing calf raise 4×10⠀ 8️⃣ donkey raise 4×10⠀ ⠀ Song is: “Bones Exposed” by Of Mice & Men 🎶⠀ ⠀ Outfit by @gymshark⠀ ⠀

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And finally, The Gaily Grind has some VERY useful advice regarding the ongoing coronavirus threat:

 

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Keep calm and wash your hands! 👋🤣 #coronavirus #corona

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Devin Nunes: “It’s A Great Time To Go Out To Local Restaurants”

L-R Dr. Anthony Fauci, Rep. Devin Nunes
During an appearance on Fox News Sunday morning, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) advised Americans to “stop panicking” in regard to the coronavirus threat. “There’s a lot of concerns with the economy here because people are scared to go out,” said Nunes. “But I will just say, one of the things you can do if you’re healthy, you and your family, it’s a great time to just go out, go to a local restaurant.” At practically the same time, Dr. Anthony Fauci – one of the leading experts in the world on communicable diseases – told CNN he would prefer to see LESS ‘personal interaction’ in restaurants or bars.

Younger people “are not immune or safe from getting seriously ill,” he told CNN’s Brianna Keiler on ‘State of the Union.’ “There are going to be people who were young who are going to wind up getting seriously ill. So, protect yourself. But, remember, you could also be a vector or a carrier. And even though you don’t get seriously ill, you could bring it to your grandfather, your grandmother or your elderly relative.”

Who would you trust? #srsly

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Could Pete Buttigieg Be Heading To MSNBC?

Pete Buttigieg hosts ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ (screen capture)
Gossip guy Rob Shuter reports that Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana is in the running to host MSNBC’s time slot recently vacated by former Hardball host Chris Matthews. Complicating that equation, however, is the fact that MSNBC stalwarts Steve Kornacki and Joy Reid both want the gig as well. The two have been alternating as host in the 7 pm ET slot since Matthews’ surprise exit two weeks ago. From Shuter:

“Steve and Joy both want this job and neither know that behind their backs the network wants Mayor Pete. The new trend is hiring former politicians and the people around them. No-one is a better example of this than Nicole Wallace who worked on the John McCain and Sarah Palin campaign. Her show on MSNBC is now a monster hit and the executives are hoping to recreate that with Mayor Pete,” sources tell STRAIGHT SHUTER. “Let’s be honest, Pete needs a job. The pay is good, and the hours are great, plus after his rise to a national level he isn’t going to want to give up the spotlight.”

I thought Mayor Pete did a terrific job as guest-host this past Thursday for Jimmy Kimmel Live. Check out my review here. (h/t Instinct Magazine)

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Trump ‘Considering A Full Pardon’ For Michael Flynn

Michael Flynn (photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr)
In a surprise to no one, Donald Trump said on Sunday he is “considering a full pardon” for his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. Flynn admitted he lied to the FBI in December 2017 about his conversations with Sergey Kislyak, then the Russian ambassador to the United States, in the weeks before Trump took office. NBC News reports the Justice Department reversed its original position in January and recommended that Flynn be sentenced to up to six months in prison. Attorneys for Flynn then filed papers to withdraw his guilty plea claiming federal prosecutors violated his rights and tricked him into pleading guilty. Referencing an unspecified report that the Justice Department had “lost” records pertaining to Flynn, Trump tweeted, “I am strongly considering a Full Pardon!”

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Caesars Entertainment Suspends Performances At Las Vegas Shows

Caesars Entertainment has announced all of the shows on their properties will suspend performances beginning today through the end of March:

“All ticketed live entertainment held in Caesars Entertainment venues company-wide will suspend performances beginning this evening, Sunday, March 15, through March 31, 2020.

“Refunds and exchanges for affected dates are available at the point of purchase.

“We are taking these bold measures now and look forward to welcoming guests back to enjoy world-class entertainment experiences as soon as we are able. We thank you for your understanding and patience as we work through these challenging circumstances.”

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Georgia Postpones Democratic Primary Due To COVID-19

Responding to the ongoing coronavirus threat, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Democratic primary in Georgia will be postponed for two months.

Georgia elections officials postponed the presidential primary scheduled for next week because of the coronavirus pandemic, becoming the second state forced to push back a vote in the race for the White House due to the outbreak.

The state rescheduled the presidential vote previously scheduled for March 24 until May 19, the same date as the regular primary for a U.S. Senate seat and many other offices, elections officials told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday.

“Events are moving rapidly and my highest priority is protecting the health of our poll workers, their families, and the community at large,” said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger [photo].

Louisiana was the first state to move its Democratic primary shifting to June 20th.

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Randy Rainbow Parodies Guys And Dolls ‘The Coronavirus Lament’

Leave it to political satirist Randy Rainbow to bring some musical theater levity to the ongoing crisis that is coronavirus. God knows we can use it. To the strains of “Adelaide’s Lament” from Frank Loesser’s evergreen musical hit Guys and Dolls, Rainbow expounds on the stultifying misses and missteps of the Trump administration in regard to the worldwide pandemic. Rainbow’s lyrics are, as usual, on point with snap, crackle, and pop. Hit play and enjoy.

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How RuPaul’s Drag Race Is Handling Its ‘Sherry Pie Problem’

Sherry Pie (image via World of Wonder)
And the scandal that is Sherry Pie continues to unwind. As I previously reported, my Instinct Magazine colleague Mickey Keating was first to bring to light the odd catfishing allegations against current RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant, Sherry Pie (aka Joey Gugliemelli). After Mickey’s exclusive interview with the initial accuser, actor Ben Shimkus, several more aspiring actors chimed in alleging that Gugliemelli had “connected them” with a “casting director” named ‘Alison Mossey’ who requested sexually charged audition videos in order to be considered for a role in a new play at the prestigious Playwrights Horizon theater company in New York City. As you may know, it eventually led to the revelation that Gugliemelli was the faux casting director. Just hours before Sherry Pie’s debut on RPDR a week ago, Gugliemelli issued an “apology” via social media saying he was “horribly embarrassed” and “disgusted” with himself for what he had done, and blamed the behavior on mental health issues. Shortly before airtime, the producers at RPDR announced that, in light of recent revelations, Sherry Pie had been disqualified from the competition and would not be participating in the season’s yet-to-be filmed finale.

 

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Statement from VH1 and World of Wonder

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That said, out of respect for the work already filmed by the other contestants, the season would air. But it’s clear from watching Sherry Pie’s two episodes thus far that the powers that be are minimizing screen time for the drag queen via editing by keeping confessional moments and camera time to a minimum. [Warning – spoilers for RuPaul’s Drag Race coming] Shimkus went public with his allegations upon hearing that Sherry Pie apparently does very well in the new season and may reach the top four in the competition wherein she would compete in the grand finale where the season’s winner will be crowned. For example, Sherry Pie won the most recent episode thanks to her improv abilities. And for the win, she was awarded $5,000 in cash. But in a disclaimer at the end of the show, it was announced that VH1 and World of Wonder had $5,000 was donated to The Trevor Project, the nation’s leading organization for providing suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people. It’s unclear if that was Sherry Pie’s prize money or an additional amount donated to TTP. RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 airs Fridays at 8/7c on VH1.

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Trump Awaits Results After Testing For Coronavirus

ABC News reports: Donald Trump said on Saturday that he has taken a COVID-19 test and is awaiting the results. Trump, who said on Friday he’d “most likely get tested,” said he’s unsure when his results will come back. His temperature was taken, and he said it was “totally normal.” On Friday, Trump said he’d “most likely” get tested after reports that multiple officials from Brazil who attended a dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday tested positive for the virus. In related news, Vice President Mike Pence announced today the U.S. travel ban currently in place for parts of Europe has been extended to the UK and Ireland. A ban on some travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days was announced earlier this week by Trump. The original restrictions affected the area known as the Schengen zone and is made up of 26 countries including Italy, Spain, France, and Germany.

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Coronavirus Economic Relief Bill Passes In Late Night Vote 363-40

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (image via Instagram/SpeakerPelosi)

Under Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s leadership, the House passed an economic relief bill by a vote of 363-40 providing billions of dollars for paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, free testing and other measures to help Americans impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

The legislation came about after tense negotiations between Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

The Washington Post reports that the agreement “threatened to fall apart entirely for hours Friday amid GOP misgivings.”

Although Donald Trump was openly critical of House Democrats during an afternoon news conference Pelosi and Mnuchin continued negotiations over the course of a reported 13 phone calls throughout the day until the deal was ultimately reached.

Lawmakers voted on the bill just before 1 am Saturday morning. All 40 ‘no’ votes were from Republicans.

The legislation now heads to the Senate, which is expected to pass it next week.

According to the Associated Press, the relief bill will: • Require private health insurers to provide free testing for coronavirus and waive cost-sharing rules for those covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and federal retirement programs. • Establish a temporary coronavirus-related sick leave benefit to be paid by employers with less than 500 employees. Businesses will be refunded by the federal government through a refundable tax credit. Employees with the coronavirus would receive 100 percent of their wages if diagnosed with the virus or are self-isolating. Folks taking care of family members would receive two-thirds of their pay.

• Up to $1.3 billion in emergency food aid for low-income pregnant women and their young children, seniors, and food banks.

• Provide $1 billion for additional caseloads and administrative costs to encourage temporarily furloughed workers to obtain unemployment benefits.

• Require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue a temporary rule requiring increased protections against the coronavirus.

Finally sensing the full gravity of the circumstances, Donald Trump weighed in via tweet in support of the legislation: