I came across this cover image for The Rifleman comic book series (issue #10 released January 1, 1962) and was amazed to find it’s real, not a made-up internet meme. The Rifleman was a Western-themed television series following the lives of Lucas McCain (Chuck Connor) and his son, Mark (Johnny Crawford) living out on a ranch in the New Mexico territory. The series ran from 1958 to 1963, and was the first primetime television depiction of a single parent raising a child. Of course, I’m commenting on the rather curious placement of the ‘wood’ Mark McCain is carrying and the expressions on their faces. Looking back, some TV historian folks have noted the subtle homo-leaning touches the show had including the opening credits which featured Connors ‘firing multiple rounds’ from his rifle at crotch level.
(screen capture via Instagram) This past Saturday, a Facebook user shared a clip of this silver-haired daddy throwing down some serious moves. Accompanying the video was the simple question, “Who’s father is this? I’m trynna make him my daddy.” The post has been viewed 2.7 million times on Facebook and shared more than 51,000 times. Well, you know someone was going to come up with the pertinent details 🙂 Turns out his name is Gianluca Vacchi, 52, and the video is from his own Instagram where he has 14 million followers. Vacchi posted the clip six days ago, and so far has racked up over 4.4 million views. Take a look and you’ll see why we’re having Daddy Gianluca:
Vacchi has been described as an “entrepreneur,” “a multi-millionaire,” even a “hedonism-loving playboy” according to GQ Magazine UK. The Evening Standard named Vacchi as the 4th most influential fashion Instagram celeb, and he reported commands over $16k for a single post. Back in 2014, Vacchi was discovered dancing with hottie Zac Efron in some Instagram posts shared from Italy.
Popstar MIKA releases a new video, “Dear Jealousy” today. The video follows the release of his critically acclaimed fifth studio album, My Name Is Michael Holbrook. “This album has been a rich and intense journey,” writes MIKA about the new collection. “Inspired by life in all its glory and all its dark challenges. It’s also inspired by love.” “My intention was to write about life as it happened. A sort of album made in ‘real-time,’” added the artist. “It’s an explosion of joy, color and emotion even though it was born in one of the most challenging periods for my family and I.” “Writing and recording this album was a form of medicine for me and my family. It is so deeply personal but also universal. I have come to realize that the only things that matters in life are the people we love and the stories we tell.” MIKA dedicates the new album to “those people I love and to the notion that although we all hopefully grow with age, we should do so without losing our colors, our warmth or whimsy. I hope my ‘Tiny Love’ stories somehow touch you or transport you, even just for an instant.” Hit the play button below.
RPDR alum Manila Luzon takes the stage at Chippendales in Las VegasRuPaul’s Drag Race alum Manila Luzon headed down to Las Vegas, Nevada, this weekend as one of the headliners for Sin City’s Pride Weekend festivities. Las Vegas holds its Pride events in October because temperatures get so high in the desert city in June, the traditional month for Pride events. After performing on the MainStage on Friday evening after the Pride Night Parade, Luzon decided to check out the men of Chippendales on Saturday. Not content to leave the diva in the audience, the Chipps asked Luzon to take part in a segment of the show where audience members are asked to give THEIR best lap dance to one of the hunky performers.
Miss Luzon did NOT disappoint. Later in the evening, the show’s host spoke to Chippendales support for LGBTQ Pride in Las Vegas (several of the hunks showed up at the festival to pose with attendees) and introduced Luzon from the audience.
And, of course, the evening wouldn’t be complete without a photo with the men of Chippendales. Note: the guys are wearing pink cuffs in the pic in tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Billy Porter on SNL (screen captures)Saturday Night Live’s cold open could not resist putting its twist on this week’s LGBTQ Town Hall. Alex Moffat’s Anderson Cooper opened the sketch informing the audience that the town hall would address those issues important to “LGBTQ people and straight girls who make Pride about them.” Newly-minted Emmy Award-winner Billy Porter comes out (playing himself) to introduce the ‘presidential candidates.’ Beginning with Chris Redd’s Cory Booker, Porter said, “He may live in the projects, but ladies, he ain’t no project.” Chris Redd as Sen. Cory Booker When Booker is asked about some questionable writing he did about gays in the early 90s: “I don’t want you to think I’m dodging the question, so I’m going to go now.” Porter intros Colin Jost’s Mayor Pete Buttigieg: “Representing House of Booty Gig, it’s Mayor Pete.” Colin Jost as Mayor Pete Buttigieg Asked how he’d respond to folks who say he’s not gay in the right way: “There’s no wrong way to be gay – unless you’re Ellen (DeGeneres) this week.” Buttigieg also wondered aloud why he’s not doing better in the polls: “Why am I not winning this? I’m a veteran, I’m under the legal retirement age, and when I talk, it makes sense. Is something wrong with me?” Says Cooper: “You’re a great guy, just, as a friend. Not for president.” Next up, Porter brings the audience to attention saying, “Warning. Warning. The sentencer is here. She’s got a plan for the future. It’s Elizabeth Warren.” Kate McKinnon as Sen. Elizabeth Warren Kate McKinnon delivers a spot on Warren on her entrance: “I am so excited to be here. I had some apple slices backstage and they are hitting me like cocaine. You all know I’m not a lesbian but all the ingredients are there.” Obviously, SNL had to touch on the big viral moment of the Town Hall when Warren was asked how she would respond to a ‘traditional marriage’ supporter on the campaign trail who may underscore that they believe marriage is between one man and one woman? McKinnon’s Warren riffs: “I would say, ‘Sir, tell me your bus stop because I want to know where you get off.’ What else, what else? If someone doesn’t want to serve gay people at their small business? I bet that’s not the only thing that’s small. And when people say gay and trans shouldn’t be included in civil rights protections, well…I wish their parents had used protection.” Lin-Manuel Miranda as Secretary Julian Castro Lin-Manuel Miranda takes a turn as “the House of Urban Deliciousness,” Julian Castro: “As a Democrat. I want to apologize for not being gay. But I promise to do better in the future.” He adds, “However, I am Latino, which we can all agree is something. I’m young, I’m diverse, I’m LatinObama. So let’s get that hashtag going.” Woody Harrelson as Vice President Joe Biden Special guest Woody Harrelson offers his take on former Vice President Joe Biden, as Porter intros, “the Delaware daddy whose only vice is the Choo Choo train.” Biden drops bon mots along the likes of “The vast majority of people in America are not homophobic – they’re just scared of gay people. You know me – I went to bat for marriage equality and I believe we’re all equal whether you’re gay, lesbie, transgenital or queer.” Check out the full segment below.
Matt Wilkas and Michael Henry in ‘The Gay Hello’ When Michael Henry meets his friend ‘Kevin’ (Matt Wilkas of the web series Matt & Dan) during a walk in the park, a ‘cheek kiss’ hello becomes a matter of scrutiny for Henry. The greeting takes Henry aback leading him to ask, “What was that? That kiss. Was that romance?” Kevin explains he greets all of his friends with cheek kisses – including ‘straight Paul.’ “Little kisses are just a friendly way for two men to show they are ok with being seen as gay in public,” adds Kevin. Henry has previously explored issues like ‘pretty privilege’ and masculine/femme aspects of gay life in other videos.
Michael Longoria (image via Skollar PR)Michael Longoria, best known for his star turn on Broadway as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, releases his new album today, Like They Do In The Movies.The collection of classic, romantic songs from movies also features the debut of an original song written by Longoria, “Kiss Me (Like They Do In The Movies).” This is the out artist’s third studio album following Broadway Brick By Brick (2016) and Merry Christmas Darling (2018). As a singer-songwriter, Longoria has performed his original songs at Joe’s Pub, The Cutting Room, CB’s Gallery, and Caroline’s on Broadway. The acclaimed artist has been nominated for Best Male Vocalist and Best Cabaret by The Glam Awards in 2016. I had a chance to chat with the handsome actor/singer about his new album as well as the process that goes into creating a new project. The Randy Report: You’ve written a terrific new song for the album – “Kiss Me (Like They Do In The Movies).” I expected a slow, romantic ballad, but instead, it’s a driving, urgent uptempo. What was the inspiration for the song? Michael Longoria: The lyric pleads, “Kiss me like they do in the movies. Like you would in the last row, come on, let’s go. You have to show me now.” When I was recording these amazing movie love songs, I found myself wondering if this kind of love exists in real life. There is a sense of urgency in the beat, mixed with the sweeping strings characterize musically the internal conflict we have when we expect things to be like we have seen played out on film, but in reality, it doesn’t always happen as a screenwriter might dream up.
TRR: I understand you grew up on Mariachi music. How did that, as a musical foundation, form how you listen to or approach music? ML: Because I didn’t speak Spanish, I had to learn Mariachi songs by hearing and emotion. My parents would teach me how to pronounce the words and then explain the general idea. The music and melody would reveal what the true meaning was without me knowing the words. I somehow would know what to feel when belting out a classic Mariachi tune. TRR: Is there a favorite song on the new album? ML: Besides “Kiss Me,” which is my favorite because it’s about my own life, I love singing “It Must Have Been Love” from the movie Pretty Woman. It’s a heartbreaking song about being alone on Christmas after a breakup. Michael Longoria releases his new album ‘Like They Do In The Movies’ (image via Skollar PR)TRR: The song list for the new album is wide-ranging – how hard was it to whittle the list down? Was there a song you really wanted that didn’t make the album? ML: So many songs didn’t make the album but were on the long list. I wanted to record “Cruel Summer” from Karate Kid. I find that song so sexy in its tragedy. Another breakup song with an upbeat arrangement. TRR: Many of the songs on the album are so iconic and the performances by the original artists are embedded in our psyche (“Wind Beneath My Wings,” “I Will Always Love You,” “My Heart Will Go On”). Was it hard to disassociate the original? Or did the original serve as a springboard? ML: I was originally discouraged from taking on “My Heart Will Go On” and “I Will Always Love You.” But once I started to dive deep into the lyrics and storyline, the songs became about my life. That’s the sign of a great song. A lyric that tells a human experience and a melody that colors the emotion of that experience. The singer brings breath and sound to these words and then that sound stays in your head. It’s amazing how music can move the human spirit.
TRR: With years of experience on stage in long-running shows and concert work, do you approach studio recording projects differently? If so, how? ML: Yes! When I’m recording a song it’s just me and an engineer after we record the band. I’m in a small sound box singing my feelings all alone with an amazing engineer recording my every breath. It’s a very intimate and emotional journey when you record like that. When you listen to Like They Do In The Movies, you are hearing into my deepest emotions. It’s not a performance I’d give under pressure for a 2,000 seat theater. It’s more of a one on one singing just you and me vibe. TRR: This is your third studio album. With that experience now, is there any advice ‘2019 Michael Longoria’ would tell ‘2016 Michael Longoria’ about recording an album? ML: Keep writing! Tell your story. Someone will need to hear what you are going through and it will let them know they are not alone. Like They Do In The Movies, produced by Grammy nominee and 12-time Emmy Award winner Michael Croiter, is available now in stores and online. Longoria celebrates the new release with concerts in New York (last night at The Green Room 42), and in San Francisco on October 16 at Feinstein’s At The Nikko. Follow Michael Longoria on Instagram here.
Sebastian LaCause (screen capture) Award-winning actor, writer and director Sebastian LaCause (Hustling, He’s With Me, Life’s A Drag) has a new, provocative film project in the works – Holy Water. In the intro video for the upcoming short film, LaCause explains the story follows “a gay priest at a crossroads of identity and self-acceptance as he struggles to come to terms with an HIV diagnosis.” Explaining that film and other entertainment can have a positive social impact, the filmmaker hopes to spark positive momentum toward fighting HIV related stigma and homophobia that many within the community feel in their homes, schools, and society at large. The struggle for his protagonist in Holy Water is not only with his sexuality but also the “dark consequences of not knowing your value.” The priest in his film is described as “someone who has spent a lifetime denying large parts of himself in order to feel worthy,” says LaCause. “He is someone who has spent a lifetime not loving himself and not knowing his value.” (screen capture) And speaking of ‘value,’ LaCause shares part of the journey of the project that led to an epiphany of his own. After sharing the concept of the film at a ‘pitch-fest’ in Los Angeles, LaCause was about to move from one studio executive to the next when the executive he’d just spoke to asked, “Why are you the one to tell this story?” LaCause took a long pause before telling the exec, “Because I’m HIV-positive.” In the video below, it’s clear that information is something LaCause has felt very private about for some time. Speaking the words out loud, the effect on him is obvious. “And I suddenly felt free,” he continues. “I’m done with shame; I’m done with fear; I’m done with hiding.” “I could care less about negative expectations, or backlash, or ruining my career because I now know what’s the point of having a career if you don’t feel worthy of it?” “I have been running away from myself my whole life. It feels good to be speaking my truth.” The honest, visceral, authentic moment definitely evokes an interest in how LaCause will bring Holy Water to fruition. Watch the video pitch below. Note – while the video is from a crowdsourcing campaign, this article is not meant to elicit donations. Feel free to do so, but the interest here was in the storytelling by LaCause and his desire to fight HIV stigma.
If you haven’t discovered LaCause’s terrific web series, Hustling, it’s definitely worth watching. Thoughtful, sexy, pensive, provocative…and did I mention sexy? Over the course of three seasons, the series snatched up tons of nominations and awards for Best Writing, Best Drama Series, Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting and Soundtrack at the Indie Series Awards, Webby Awards, LA Webfest and more. For an idea of where LaCause may head with Holy Water, check out the teaser for the third season of Hustling below.
Sometimes, the Twitters can do awesome things. 🙂 For those of you who haven’t seen Avengers: Endgame, avert your eyes… Twitter user John Grosjean remixed Captain America lifting Thor’s hammer during the penultimate fight sequence with the 1986 song “The Touch” (from the Transformer movie) and it’s quite the perfect pairing.
Cameron Hawthorn (via Instagram/photo: Fredrick Broden) After making a splash with his oh-so-romantical music video, “Dancing In The Living Room,” out country singer Cameron Hawthorn’s follow-up single takes the action from a living room two-step to busting a move in a barroom line dance. Continue reading “Out Music: Cameron Hawthorn ‘Oh Hot Damn!’”
I came across this cover image for The Rifleman comic book series (issue #10 released January 1, 1962) and was amazed to find it’s real, not a made-up internet meme. The Rifleman was a Western-themed television series following the lives of Lucas McCain (Chuck Connor) and his son, Mark (Johnny Crawford) living out on a ranch in the New Mexico territory. The series ran from 1958 to 1963, and was the first primetime television depiction of a single parent raising a child. Of course, I’m commenting on the rather curious placement of the ‘wood’ Mark McCain is carrying and the expressions on their faces. Looking back, some TV historian folks have noted the subtle homo-leaning touches the show had including the opening credits which featured Connors ‘firing multiple rounds’ from his rifle at crotch level. 
