Olivia Newton-John on the 40th anniversary of XANADU
Olivia Newton-John Sends Special Message On 40th Anniversary Of XANADU
US Edition Of ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ Announced For 2021
Producers have announced plans to bring the long-running (and often over-the-top) “Eurovision Song Contest,” Europe’s popular music competition, to America. Since 1956, some of the best-selling music artists in the world have competed in past editions, including ABBA, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias and Olivia Newton-John. From Variety:
Hoping to siphon off some of the magic of the beloved six-decade-old show, which draws over 200 million viewers to its grand finale, the premise for “The American Song Contest” will remain similar to the European version. Professional musical artists — solo singers, duos or groups up to six members — from each of the 50 states and across every musical genre will perform all original songs on the live televised event.
The format, as it is currently conceived, will position the artists head-to-head against other states’ representatives in a series of televised qualifier competitions, leading to semi-finals and the ultimate primetime Grand Finale March Madness-style.
Propagate Content will create The American Song Contest Academy, a group consisting of music professionals based in the U.S. that represent all genres and backgrounds, from which juries of artists and music industry notables who, along with the regional audiences, will select top talent from all 50 states to compete.
“The American Song Contest” is set to debut during the 2021 holiday season.
But will they bring the awesome camp factor? We’ll have to see 🙂 Check out a short trailer for the upcoming competition as well as some of the most famous past performances at ESC.
News Round-Up: August 7, 2020
Pennsylvania legislator Brian Sims (via Instagram)
• Means Happy: Get ready to be celebrated because Gay Uncles Day is a thing. Since around 2016, Gay Uncles Day has been widely celebrated on the second Sunday in August – it’s a great way of recognizing the diversity of our families, and also the important contribution that queer men make to family life. • Washington Examiner: With the party’s presumptive presidential nominee, Joe Biden, leading President Trump by a wide margin in national polling, there could very well be a another “blue wave” come November. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted ratings in four more House races this week in the direction of the Democrats. • New Music: Australian pop star Kylie Minogue recently released the music video to her new single, “Say Something,” and it is all you could want in galactic glitter goodness. The vibe of the video could be described as Xanadu meets Starlight Express as the pop princess galavants across the universe on a golden steed surrounded by shirtless men. #TotallyNotGayAtAll
Short Films: Coming Of Age At The Intersection Of Soccer & Sexuality
(scene from ‘The Male Gaze: Strikers & Defenders’)
The compilation includes: • Play It Like A Man – Two 15-year-olds steal their teacher’s phone and discover photos of their naked teammates in the shower room, but sometimes everything isn’t what it seems. • Colours – A young soccer player, Adam, receives an ultimatum from his bullying team captain when it’s discovered Adam’s best friend is gay. • Islands – Young footballer Theo wants to share his true feelings for classmate Linus but it seems there’s nobody around for him to share his situation. That is, until Mr. Kruger, seen by most as merely an odd old teacher, appears to be the one who understands Theo. • Through the Fields – Lucas, 22, plays soccer with his local club, lives with his parents, and is in no hurry to assert his independence. His 17-year-old brother Théo is nearing the end of high school and attracted to boys, but has only confided with his brother. Living with his secret and spurred on by the need for affection, Théo’s decides to meet up with Harry, a man he has met on the internet despite his brother’s warnings. 
It’s not important to be a soccer fan to connect with these stories of young gays coming to terms with themselves. Just about everyone will find something to connect with in these thought-provoking film shorts. The Male Gaze: Strikers & Defenders is available to watch on Amazon, Vimeo (worldwide) and FilmDoo (worldwide). NQV Media has previously curated gay-themed short films based on the themes of late-night encounters (The Male Gaze: The Heat of the Night in 2019) and the myriad emotions that occur after our first kiss (The Male Gaze: First Kiss in 2018).
News Round-Up: August 5, 2020
Michael Turchin (via Instagram)
• Out: If there wasn’t enough nonsense going on, it looks like the Straight Pride folks in Modesto, California, are gearing up for a return. You know, the celebration of cisgender, hetero white men whose organizers once called themselves a “totally peaceful racist group?” • LGBTQ Nation: A violent mob attack on two young gay men at the Joffa Port has shaken Israel as shocking video circulates of a lone man coming to their rescue while hundreds watched and did nothing to help. • CNN: A new ad from the Trump campaign deceptively alters a photo of former Vice President Joe Biden campaigning outdoors in Iowa to make it seem as if Biden is “hiding” in his Delaware basement. The ad also uses two other images in misleading ways: one of Biden at an Iowa house party and one of Biden praying at a Delaware church. • The Daily Beast: Trump campaign senior advisor Mercedes Schlapp Schlapp attempted to defend Donald Trump’s whiplash-inducing hypocrisy, attempting to not only make the distinction between absentee and mail-in voting but also trying to justify why some states’ mail vote is “safe and secure” while others are not. CNN’s Brianna Keilar finally had enough telling Schlapp she was “sowing doubt” and fear into the minds of voters. “This is just pointless, okay,” Keilar exploded. “This is pointless. I get it, you’re just saying a bunch of crap! Okay. You’re saying a bunch of crap.”
CNN’s Brianna Keilar to Trump campaign advisor Mercedes Schlapp on mail-in-voting: “This is just pointless, okay. This is pointless. I get it, you’re just saying a bunch of crap. Okay. You’re saying a bunch of crap.” pic.twitter.com/vhD4ftJsWM
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) August 4, 2020
How To Flirt Even With A Face Mask
Dr. Andrew Neighbors (screen capture)
Michael Henry (screen capture)
Asking the obvious, Andrew wonders why Henry doesn’t just say hello to guys. “Cause that’s not coy – AND I’M COY!,” insists a demur Henry before adding, “ And I’m DTF.” Andrew still isn’t convinced but it turns out he has his own issue the approach: he’s wink-challenged. But that’s alright because Andrew has figured out his own way to break the ice and let guys know he’s DTF that usually works. p.s. it works Hit the play button to see Andrew’s solution (which also tends to bring out the Gay Bottom Mafia). By the way, this post is actually a twofer because – in case you noticed – the hottie Andrew is totally InstaHunk worthy, so head over to his Instagram account where 337K people check in on the good doctor and self-described ‘wizard.’ Happy Hump Day!
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Posing with a sword around plants without pants is actually my dream life.
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Practicing lightening magic in the closet? There’s gotta be a gay pun there. Idk ⚡️
This Furry Ginger Drops The Beat And The (Body) Shame
L-R Melody Betts, Kyle Motsinger (screen capture from ‘No Shame’)
My body is beautiful (Tell myself every day) My body is beautiful (No matter what critics say) My body is beautiful (No one can take that away) My body is beautiful (Can’t tell me that I don’t slay)
Motsinger teams up with singer/actor Melody Betts for the upbeat, disco-tastic track. Audiences will recognize Betts from the acclaimed Jesus Christ Superstar Live! on NBC, and the Broadway production of Sara Bareilles’s Waitress. The video also co-stars Mark Oleszko/Lyra Vega, & Larry Darnell Penn Whitfield. On top of being a banging pop bop, the message of the song takes stares down negative feelings of self-image in high style.
I recently chatted with the furry ginger about the new track and why messaging about body positivity seems to be improving in the LGBTQ community.
The Randy Report: What was the inspiration behind writing the song? Kyle Motsinger: “No Shame” was a response to some criticism I was getting from my conservative family about performances I was doing in NYC that were either more burlesque in nature or featured outfits that were revealing. I’ve gotten to a point where I sometimes feel pretty confident about my body. I say sometimes because there are always days where I maybe don’t feel as fearless as I’d like to be. I wrote this song because I think bodies are beautiful and I don’t think it’s indecent to tastefully show them off. Of course, I probably have a different definition of “tasteful” than some. TRR: You really embrace a groovy disco vibe (which I love). Is that just your innate musical style or is it about meshing a certain message to music? KM: I’m glad you love it! I love dipping my toe into different musical styles for different songs. For me, the story of the song dictates the feel of it. Disco felt right for an anthem about loving your body. My second album is full of an eclectic mix of musical styles. I sum that up in the title song. My music sounds “Any Way I Want It To.” It’s a little sassy and I love that. 
L-R Larry Darnell Penn Whitfield, Melody Betts, Mark Oleszko/Lyra Vega (screen capture)
Kyle Motsinger dropped his debut album, “Far Away,” in 2017 and hasn’t looked back releasing several stand-alone singles including “Dark Shadows.” The indie artist has performed all over NYC in venues like the Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, the Duplex, Don’t Tell Mama, and the Folsom Street East Festival. You can find “No Shame” and all of Motsinger’s previous releases on iTunes here. 
Follow the proud, furry ginger on social media: facebook.com/officialkylemotsinger twitter.com/KyleMotsinger instagram.com/kylemotsinger www.kylemotsinger.com
News Round-Up: August 4, 2020
Me and Snoopy (photo: Denise Truscello)
• WOW: Former Grey’s Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington (who was fired from the show for using a homophobic slur) came out to FoxNews as a Trump supporter. In April, the actor tweeted he had left the Democratic party. • Sunday Times: Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber on why the now-infamous CATS movie turned out the way it did – “The problem with the film was that [director] Tom Hooper decided that he didn’t want anybody involved in it who was involved in the original show. The whole thing was ridiculous.” • CNN: After repeatedly seeking to discredit mail-in voting, Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed Florida’s election system is “safe and secure” and encouraged Floridians to vote by mail.
Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True. Florida’s Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2020
In which he admits that absentee and mail-in ballots are the same exact thing.
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) August 4, 2020
Guess Trump finally realized that his attacks on mail-in voting have only discouraged his *own* voters from safely voting during a pandemic.
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) August 4, 2020
This will clear this all up for everyone 😃 pic.twitter.com/HQdBaykHGD
— 🌍🌏🌎 Super Duper Covfefe Missile🌍🌎🌏 (@aaliyahnelly12) August 4, 2020
Whenever @realDonaldTrump complains about MAIL-IN voting just remember that @realDonaldTrump@VP@KellyannePolls@BetsyDeVosED @PressSec@GOPChairwoman and others in the #TrumpCrimeSyndicate have used Mail in voting for years #VoteBlue2020 https://t.co/neqQHzAIrI pic.twitter.com/If5AB4U50t
— Nestor “the boss” Gomez (@soloyochapin) August 4, 2020
Sexy Fundraiser ‘Broadway Bares: Zoom In’ Raises Nearly $600K
Broadway Bares goes virtual in 2020
Saturday night’s virtual BROADWAY BARES: ZOOM IN was epic! An outstanding show and fundraising opportunity!
Thanks to all 93,000+ folks who joined us this past Saturday night and over the weekend online to raise $596,504.
What a way to celebrate 30 years of fierce performances, dynamic fundraising and a community’s passionate commitment to extending itself to others and personal well-being. There have always been so many people involved with making Bares happen, and this year’s virtual edition – even in the midst of all that currently challenges us – showed the depth and breadth of our commitment to take care of each other.
Thank you to ZOOM IN’s remarkable creative and technical team, guest hosts and interviewees, all lead by the impeccable and gracious genius of Jerry Mitchell.
We will be back – live, sexy and in-person – at Hammerstein Ballroom in June 2021.
The cast of Broadway Bares: Zoom In! (photo: Matthew Murphy)
Radio City Christmas Spectacular Cancelled For 1st Time Ever
Some of the world-famous Rockettes onstage at Radio City Music Hall (via Instagram)
MSG Entertainment, which owns the glamorous Radio City Music Hall where the Rockettes perform, made the decision to close the curtain on the popular show amid ongoing uncertainty tied to the coronavirus pandemic.
This year’s performance, known for iconic dance numbers like “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and the “12 Days of Christmas,” had been slated to run from Nov. 6 to Jan. 3.
The events company, which also owns Madison Square Garden, also announced plans to lay off 350 people — about one-third of its corporate workforce — as the pandemic continues to squeeze venues that rely on live performances.
Its sister company, MSG Sports, which owns the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers, is cutting 50 jobs, or about 15 percent of its corporate staff.
Running for two months plus rehearsals, I can remember as a dancer in NYC the Christmas Spectacular was a job a LOT of theater artists folks prized each year. Paid well and you got to be home in NYC for the holidays. If you’ve never seen it, you should there’s a reason why it’s run for all these decades. Festive, fun and very family-friendly.