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Amazon’s “AFTER FOREVER” Nominated For 8 Daytime Emmy Awards

Kevin Spirtas & Mitchell Anderson in ‘After Forever’

Amazon Video’s AFTER FOREVER, the gay-themed series created by actor/producer/writer Kevin Spirtas and his creative partner, Michael Slade, has received a whopping eight 2019 Daytime Emmy Award nominations.

AFTER FOREVER is the story of Brian, played by Kevin Spirtas (Days of Our Lives) and Jason, played by Mitchell Anderson (Doogie Howser, Party of 5), a “50-ish” New York City gay couple, who have it all – until they don’t.

The 8-episode first season follows them and their friends through a journey of love, loss and moving on.

The series also features Tony Award winner Cady Huffman (Will Rogers Follies, The Producers), Tony Award nominee Anita Gillette (Chapter Two), and tons of TV & Broadway veterans like Jamison Stern, Jim Newman, Colleen Zenk and Michael Urie (Ugly Betty).

Jamison Stern & David Dean Bottrell

Speaking to The Advocate last year, Slade shared that the depiction of 35+ year-old gay men in series television has been missing in his estimation.

“We as gay men, after we’re no longer 35, we tend to disappear from popular culture until we’re Christopher Plummer — asexual down the hall with a cat,” Slade told The Advocate.

And co-creator Spirtas underscored the universality of the series’ love story.

“I think you can look at this story about love between two people and realize it’s two people anywhere,” said Spirtas. “It’s two men, it’s two women, it’s a male and a female, it’s older, it’s younger, it’s same age.”

The series’ 2019 Daytime Emmy nominations include:

• Nomination for Outstanding Digital Drama Series

• Nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Digital Drama Series: Michael Slade and Kevin Spirtas

• Two nominations for Outstanding Actor in a Digital Drama Series: Kevin Spirtas, Mitchell Anderson

• Two nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Drama Series: Erin Cherry, Cady Huffman

• Nomination for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Digital Drama Series: Anita Gillette

• Nomination for Outstanding Director of a Digital Drama Series: Jennifer Pepperman

AFTER FOREVER was also honored with a writing nomination for Michael Slade & Kevin Spirtas last month at the 2019 Writers Guild Awards in the Original Short Form New Media category.

You can watch the first episode of the series here for free and check out my interview with co-creator and lead actor Kevin Spirtas below.

In related Daytime Emmy Awards news, veteran daytime drama actor Greg Rikaart picked up a 2019 Best Supporting Actor nomination as well for his work as “Leo Stark” on Days of Our Lives.

Already a Daytime Emmy Award winner for his longtime role as “Kevin Fisher” on The Young and the Restless, should the 42-year-old actor win, he would become the first to win Best Supporting Actor for a gay role, and the first openly gay actor to win for a gay role in any category.

The 46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be held May 5 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

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Stacey Abrams On Biden Rumors: “I Don’t Think You Run For Second Place”

During an appearance on THE VIEW today, co-host Joy Behar asked Georgia Democrat about rumors that she might be announced as a running mate for former Vice President Joe Biden. Abrams shot the idea down tout suite.

During an appearance on THE VIEW today, co-host Joy Behar asked Georgia Democrat about rumors that she might be announced as a running mate for former Vice President Joe Biden.

Abrams shot the idea down tout suite.

“I think you don’t run for second place,” Abrams told the co-hosts and studio audience. “If I’m going to enter a primary, then I’m going to enter a primary.”

“And if I don’t enter the primary, then my job is to make sure that the best Democrat is the nominee, and that whoever wins the primary, that we make sure that person gets elected,” she added.

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With No Replacement Plan In Sight, Trump Supports Full Repeal Of Obamacare

Donald Trump

With a short two-sentence letter, the Trump administration signaled its intention to support complete repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

That would include removing protections that ensure individuals with pre-existing conditions be covered by health insurers.

In December, a federal judge ruled that the individual mandate of the law is unconstitutional. The ruling was the result of a lawsuit brought by 20 GOP-led states.

U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor, a George W. Bush appointee in Fort Worth, Texas, wrote in his decision: “In sum, the Individual Mandate ‘is so interwoven with [the ACA’s] regulations that they cannot be separated. None of them can stand.’”

Should the law be struck down in its entirety, over 20 million Americans are estimated to lose their healthcare insurance.

On Monday, the Trump Justice Department dispatched a letter saying it supports the judge’s ruling.

“The Department of Justice has determined that the district court’s judgment should be affirmed,” the Justice Department lawyers wrote to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which is now considering the case. “The United States is not urging that any portion of the district court’s judgment be reversed.”

At this time, however, Republicans in Congress have no plan to replace the ACA should it be struck down as a whole.

House Democrats call the Trump administration’s new legal position “unconscionable.”

A coalition of Democratic-led states led by California is fighting the Texas ruling, arguing that the federal health care law can remain in place even without the individual mandate which dictates a small penalty fee/tax for those Americans who choose not to purchase health coverage.

Politico is reporting today that Monday’s announcement was opposed by two key Cabinet secretaries: Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Attorney General William Barr.

No matter the resulting ruling at the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, expect the case to land at the Supreme Court. The high court has upheld the constitutionality of the ACA twice – in 2012 and in 2105.

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News Round-Up: March 26, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• My girl Olivia Newton-John can add “New York Times Best-Selling Author” to her long, long list of accomplishments. Her memoir, Don’t Stop Believing’ debuts at #12 on the famed NY Times list. Folks are going nuts over the audio book version where you can hear Liv tell her story to you one-on-one in her own voice. Check it on iTunes here.

• The Human Rights Campaign has announced that U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), one of the many pro-equality champions running for the White House in 2020, will speak at the 2019 HRC Los Angeles Dinner next Saturday, March 30, 2019.

• Removed from the prom ballot for being trans, 17-year-old Dex Frier was added back with the support of his peers and was crowned as part of the prom court.

• Out Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy was NOT having the homophobic social media posts during a Pride ski week at Breckenridge, Colorado.

• Fox News host Elisabeth Hasselbeck said that former The View colleague Rosie O’Donnell’s confession of a crush on her is “offensive” and that she is immediately began praying for O’Donnell.

• Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s memoir, Becoming, has sold more than 10 million units since its release in November. The autobiography is nearing the top of all-time memoir sales.

• Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum singer/songwriter DAYA drops the music video for her latest hit “Insomnia.”

The video throws viewers into rave culture with an epic party; but while everyone is dancing in the club, Daya is alone in a darkly-lit room, unable to join the party as her thoughts stay focused singularly on missing the one she loves.

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Happy 75th Birthday Diana Ross!

In honor of diva Diana Ross's 75th birthday, let's take a listen to some of her biggest and best hits through the years, including the totally-gay coming out anthem, "I'm Coming Out."
Diana Ross (image via Facebook)

In honor of diva Diana Ross’s 75th birthday, let’s take a listen to some of her biggest and best hits through the years, including the totally-gay coming out anthem, “I’m Coming Out.”

Penned by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic, the duo actually admitted to Billboard they lied to the diva when she asked if the song was a gay anthem.

There’s a new me coming out
And I just had to live
And I want to give
I’m completely positive

Ok, in all honesty this was going to be one song at the end of today’s News Round-Up, but I couldn’t stop myself LOL… So many great, great songs, I just kept adding and adding.

Happy birthday, Diana!

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New Music: Tom Goss “Wake Alive”

Indie singer/songwriter Tom Goss shares his latest music video, “Wake Alive.” Directed by Goss and acclaimed Baltimore-based artist Scott G. Brooks, the video literally visualizes the concept that we put ourselves in boxes. And in doing so, find ourselves trapped in restrictive perceptions others have of us. Says Goss, “Only by bursting out can we live the free, vibrant lives we’re meant to.”

Indie singer/songwriter Tom Goss shares his latest music video, “Wake Alive.”

Directed by Goss and acclaimed Baltimore-based artist Scott G. Brooks, the video literally visualizes the concept that we put ourselves in boxes.

And in doing so, find ourselves trapped in restrictive perceptions others have of us.

Says Goss, “Only by bursting out can we live the free, vibrant lives we’re meant to.”

From “Wake Alive:”

There’s no sense fighting who you are

So release your ghosts and reveal your soul

You find the time and means to tell your story

Cause in the end it’s all that will live on

Do you put yourself in a box?

The energetic, upbeat pop track comes from Goss’s album, What Doesn’t Break, which was recorded during an emotionally turbulent year of transition after his cross-country move from Washington DC to Los Angeles.

But turbulence and tension can lead to artistic achievement as evidenced by What Doesn’t Break.

Reviewing the album, Killian Melloy of Edge Media Network, praised the collection:

“The ten tracks on Tom Goss’ new album “What Doesn’t Break” have a richer and more complex sound, while still being recognizably Goss in style — though in some cases, the new songs take darker lyrical turns, coupled with equally dark (though compelling) musical ideas.”

In addition, NewNowNext has called Goss’s music “dazzling,” and The Daily Beast says his work is “moving and beautifully composed.”

Check out the latest from Goss, “Wake Alive,” below.

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All Charges Against ‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett Dropped!

TMZ is reporting all criminal charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett have been dropped.
‘Empire’ star Jussie Smollett

TMZ is reporting all criminal charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett have been dropped.

According to reports, Smollett will surrender his $10,000 bond, but that will be the only penalty paid by the actor.

As TMZ writes, “The case is over.”

A statement from Smollett’s lawyers reads, “Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him.”

“Jussie was attacked by 2 people he was unable to identify on January 29th,” the statement continued. “He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public, causing an inappropriate rush to judgment.”

Saying Smollett and others were “hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions,”  the attorneys described the situation as “a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion. That is wrong. It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect.”

The statement concludes with: “Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result.”

Smollett was facing 16 felony counts of lying to police in the alleged racial and homophobic attack.

The actor had reported to the police that on January 29, he was attacked by two men who physically assaulted him, poured an unidentified liquid on his head, and put a noose around his neck – all while allegedly yelling homophobic and racist slurs.

But TMZ reports, via sources close to Smollett, that the prosecution’s case “disintegrated.”

For one thing, a $3,500 check from Smollett to the two brothers seems to have become problematic.

While the police asserted the check was for taking part in the fake attack, Smollett’s claim that it was for physical training appears to be true.

Additionally, while the Police Superintendent told the press that Smollett wrote himself a threatening letter 6 days before the attack, it seems the FBI had not concluded who wrote the letter.

UPDATE – Outside the Chicago courthouse, Smollett made this statement today:

“I want you to know that not for a moment was it in vain. I’ve been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one. I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I was accused of. This has been an incredibly difficult time. Honestly, one of the worst of my entire life. But I am a man of faith and I’m a man that has knowledge of my history and I would not bring my family our lives, or the movement into a fire like this. I just wouldn’t. Now I’d like nothing more than to just get back to work and move on with my life. But make no mistake I will always continue to fight for justice, equality and betterment of marginalized people everywhere.”

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New Jersey To Become 8th State To Allow Terminal Patients To Seek Assisted-Suicide

(image via Pixabay)

New Jersey is thisclose to legalizing medically-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients.

NewJersey.com reports the state Assembly voted 41-33 in favor of the “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act.”

Just minutes later, the state Senate approved the bill by a vote of 21-16.

Gov. Phil Murphy later issued a statement saying he would sign the measure into law.

“Allowing terminally ill and dying residents the dignity to make end-of-life decisions according to their own consciences is the right thing to do,” the Democratic governor said. “I look forward to signing this legislation into law.”

The law would apply to New Jersey residents who receive a terminal diagnosis, which is defined as “an incurable, irreversible and medically confirmed disease that will end the person’s life within six months.”

New Jersey would become the 8th state in the U.S. to adopt a ‘right to die’ law.

Currently, California, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Vermont, Hawaii, and Washington have passed legislation for medically-assisted suicide.

Montana’s law, which was established via court ruling, is currently being disputed.

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Texas Lawmakers Advance Bill Legalizing LGBTQ Discrimination By Licensed Professionals

Republican lawmakers in Texas approved a bill on Monday that would allow state-licensed professionals to discriminate against LGBTQ people, or anyone they want to refuse services, based on their religious beliefs.

Republican lawmakers in Texas approved a bill on Monday that would allow state-licensed professionals to discriminate against LGBTQ people, or anyone they want to refuse services, based on their religious beliefs.

The Austin Statesman reports that Senate Bill 17 would give professionals who are licensed by the state – like lawyers, physicians, barbers and pharmacists – the ability to turn away anyone they don’t want to serve or do business with.

The legislation includes a requirement that medical professionals treat patients who are at risk of death or serious injury. And licensed law enforcement officers would not be covered by the law.

The bill’s author, state Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), says the legislation is necessary to make sure that state licensing bodies don’t punish or retaliate against religious professionals who may take actions predicated by “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

“Living our faith does not stop when we start to work,” Perry told the Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday.

“When we see what we may perceive as immoralities, those people who hold those beliefs should be able to defend their faith without fear of losing their livelihood and their license,” added Perry.

But opponents of the bill say “sincerely held religious beliefs” are a vague concept that could ultimately excuse any unprofessional behavior.

Among those testifying at the committee hearing were a dozen members of the clergy, including Rabbi Nancy Kasten, who told lawmakers living according to religious beliefs “should never be confused with permission to use faith as a weapon against those who do not share those beliefs.”

Rev. William Knight, from the Metropolitan Community Church of San Antonio, agreed saying, “Love does not withhold care for those in need because of a difference in belief.”

The Statesman reports a “vast majority” of the nearly-60 people who showed up at the hearing opposed the bill.

But in the end, the measure was approved to the full Senate by a vote of 7 – 1. All six Republicans on the committee plus Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-Brownsville) supported the legislation. Only Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) voted against the bill.

But wait – there’s more!

SB 17 is just the first of many GOP-sponsored bills in the pipeline that would create new faith-based protections. Here’s just a few:

• SB 1107 would give medical professionals the ability to refuse performing nonemergency treatment that offends their “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

• HB 1035 would allow any marriage-related business to legally turn away same-sex couples, give county clerks the ability to opt-out of issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, revoke any ordinances that require providing trans-friendly bathrooms, and protect religious groups who refuse to hire anyone whose beliefs don’t align with their own.

• Similarly, HB 4497 would bar local municipalities and state agencies from punishing any business or professional who decline to provide “marriage-related goods and services.”

• SB 1978 would prohibit state agencies and local governments for taking “any adverse action” against those who may discriminate thanks to their “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

• HB 4357 would protect any faith-based counselors who practice so-called ‘conversion therapy,’ which purports to ‘heal’ individuals of homosexuality. The dangerous and harmful practice has been denounced by practically all major medical organizations including the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

(H/t Austin Statesman)

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Podcast: Pete Buttigieg, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, Digital Series ‘After Forever’ Gets Emmy Noms

In this week's podcast: • Openly gay presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg surges in a new Iowa poll • Alabama lawmakers are trying to eliminate marriage licenses entirely because they don’t want LGBT couples to have them • A Missouri couple were turned away by a homophobic dance instructor • Tennessee teens actually found acceptance and support as they prepared to attend prom together • Digital series 'After Forever' gets a LOT of Daytime Emmy nominations All that and more on this episode of The Randy Report.

In this week’s podcast:

• Openly gay presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg surges in a new Iowa poll

• Alabama lawmakers are trying to eliminate marriage licenses entirely because they don’t want LGBT couples to have them

• A Missouri couple were turned away by a homophobic dance instructor

• Tennessee teens actually found acceptance and support as they prepared to attend prom together

• Digital series ‘After Forever’ gets a LOT of Daytime Emmy nominations

All that and more on this episode of The Randy Report.