The cast of the mega-hit sitcom FRIENDS (image: HBO Max) It’s finally happening much to the excitement of true blue Friends fans. Via HBO Max:
Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, and special guests reunite to discuss everything from their casting process to whether or not Ross and Rachel were really on a break.
Witness the unbreakable bond of the group that perfectly captured the moment in life when your friends become your family.
The eagerly-awaited Friends: The Reunion will stream May 27 on HBO Max. While I was never the serious hard-core Friends fan, I did enjoy the show. It was truly comfortable, and often very funny. Who didn’t think Matt LeBlanc was uber-cute? This Instagram post pretty much sums up my relationship with the show. https://www.instagram.com/p/CO5yKxdMSvw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
During an appearance on Fox News’s Ingraham Angle, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) continued to rewrite history regarding the invasion of the U.S. Capitol building on January 6. “By and large, it was a peaceful protest except for there were a number of people, basically agitators that whipped the crowd and breached the Capitol, and that’s really the truth of what’s happening here,” said Johnson. “But they like to paint that narrative so they can paint a broad brush and basically impugn 75 million Americans, call them potentially domestic terrorists and potential armed insurrectionists as well,” he added. Last week, Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) claimed “if you didn’t know the TV footage was a video from January the 6th, you would actually think it was a normal tourist visit.” If only there was a way to form an investigation into what actually happened…
Ron Johnson claims it wasn’t an insurrection and goes on to say by and large it was a peaceful protest pic.twitter.com/E9TVzhNPTS
Hey @SenRonJohnson, you want to say that to the police officer who nearly had his eye gouged out? Or the other 139 officers injured by Trump’s violent mob? How dare you.
The Capitol was desecrated. They spread excrement on walls, pissed on desks and carpets, stole government property, smashed windows, beat and killed cops and went there with the intention of hanging mike Pence and shooting Nancy Pelosi. They were armed and dangerous #Insurrection
Cher (photo: Machado Cicala via Karpel Group) Just before celebrating her 75th birthday this weekend, Oscar winner and music legend Cher is giving fans what they really, really want: a big Hollywood biopic! The diva announced the news on Twitter Wednesday to the excitement of fans. As the Moonstruck star mentions, the film will be produced by Mamma Mia powerhouses Judy Craymer and Gay Goetzman. Oscar winner Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, A Star Is Born) will pen the script. You’ll recall Cher has already been the subject of a big, splashy Broadway musical – The Cher Show.
Ok Universal is Doing Biopic With My Friends JUDY CRAYMER,GARY GOETZMAN PRODUCING. THEYY PRODUCED BOTH MAMMA MIA’S,& MY DEAR DEAR Friend 4 YRS, & OSCAR WINNER..ERIC ROTH IS GOING 2 WRITE IT👻🎂‼️ FORREST GUMP A STAR IS BORN SUSPECT TO NAME A FEW OF IS FILMS
Actor/singer Demi Lovato (screen capture) Some news items you might have missed: • Christian Post: A licensed therapist is suing Washington state over its 2018 law banning so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for minors. The therapist is being represented by virulently anti-LGBTQ hate group Alliance Defending Freedom. • NBC Out: Actor and singer Demi Lovato came out as nonbinary today and said they would be changing their pronouns to they/them. “Today is a day I’m so happy to share more of my life with you all,” Lovato wrote in a social media post in announcing the news. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPD6wPqHH20/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link • Washington Post: The European Union on Wednesday agreed to open its borders to vaccinated Americans and others, after more than a year in which travel into the bloc has been severely restricted, a spokesman said Wednesday. • Out Music: LGBTQ-led band Hemisphere has been nominated for ‘Best World Music Album’ by the prestigious San Diego Music Awards for their album American Dreams. The album is meant to emphasize and promote the spirit of ‘Unity’, ‘Diversity’, and ‘Equality’. Hemisphere members Rob Shinno and Don Bowman have been publicly out since 1994.
• CBS News: Fox News Media filed a motion to dismiss a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit filed against it by Dominion Voting Systems over false claims about the 2020 presidential election amplified by some of its hosts. The motion laughingly says Fox’s “responsible journalists covered both sides” of the controversy and that the network’s opinion hosts provided commentary which “a reasonable viewer” would consider as little more than “hyperbole.” • Twitter: Rep. Tim Ryan was DONE with Republican House members who voted against a bipartisan commission to investigate the January invasion of the U.S. Capitol building. The measure passed by a vote of 252-175, with 35 Republicans joining Democrats in supporting the plan. Note – Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN), brother of former Vice President Mike Pence, voted against the bill even though the rioters on January 6 called for hanging his brother.
Have you ever noticed some gay couples look like they are dating twin versions of themselves?
Some folks might use the term ‘doppelbangers’ but funny man Michael Henry has his own term for the scenario.
In his new short film, Henry is out walking in the park with Frank (Michael Fariss) who shares the news that he’s seeing someone new who is nothing like his usual boyfriends.
Declaring he’s totally over the “generic WeHo type,” Frank describes his new boo Hank as “rough around the edges,” “exotic,” and having “extra ‘cushion for the pushin.’”
But when Hank arrives, Henry can’t hide his reaction: ‘Y’all are twin f**ks! Clone twins! Doppelgängers!”
Michael Henry (screen capture)
However, the new beaus completely disagree. Hank points out that Frank wears glasses, and Frank points to Hank’s scruff as another defining difference.
Henry’s take is that gays who dates guys who look like themselves are narcissists who just want to have sex with themselves.
Again, Hank & Frank contend they are ‘different.’
“Hank is fat,” whispers Frank. “He’s 185 and I’m 182.”
“And I wear hats,” Hank points out.
Cue the Elaine Stritch quote…
It is true that some gays are attracted to guys who might have similar tastes in clothes or grooming. But sometimes, current fads and fashions could play a part in the ‘twin’ equation, no?
What do you think, readers? Is it narcissistic to date someone who might look similar to yourself? Or is it just coincidence when a gay couple seems like twins?
The Texas Tribune is reporting Gov. Greg Abbott has signed a measure into law that will ban abortions in Texas as early as six weeks.
The signing of the bill opens a new frontier in the battle over abortion restrictions as first-of-its-kind legal provisions — intended to make the law harder to block — are poised to be tested in the courts.
Abortion rights advocates have promised to challenge the new law, which they consider one of the most extreme nationwide and the strictest in Texas since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
It would amount to an outright ban on abortions, as the six-week cutoff is two weeks after a missed menstrual cycle.
Bolding is mine. The new law has no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. The new law goes into effect in September.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott just signed a bill into law that bans abortion at 6 weeks, before many women even realize they’re pregnant, and allows Texans to sue anyone who provides abortions or even helps someone to get an abortion.
Texas just passed a bill banning abortions as early as 6 weeks. Most women don’t know they’re pregnant until at least 5 weeks. Even if detected early, the ability to make an informed decision will now be rushed.
I am so unbelievably disappointed in Texas right now.
BREAKING: Texas Gov. Abbott just signed law to ban abortion as early as 6 weeks, before many know they're pregnant. No exceptions for rape or incest. Almost *anyone* can sue anyone who "aids or abets" the abortion: provider, front desk staff, person who drove the patient, etc.
“Love Will Not Rest” is a song created to support the movement for black lives and collective liberation. 100% of the proceeds will go to Black Lives Matter – Los Angeles. From the creators of the project: “If it’s within your means, let’s redistribute our wealth into imperative movement work and lean into radical change to create a future where all people are provided for regardless of race, ability, gender, sexual orientation, age and class.” Sung by TaRhea Ray, Kaiice, Liz Chanel, and Royvine Producer: Austin Danson Mix/Master: Brady Waibel Vocal Engineer: Sam Garfield Songwriter/Video Editor: Royvine Lyric Video: Kathy Inoue Single Artwork: Christopher Versackas
Michael and I loved this year’s installment of MisCast, the annual fundraiser for MCC Theater (Manhattan Class Company). The annual gala celebration features artists performing songs from roles in which they wouldn’t traditionally be cast. Performances in MisCast21 in order of appearance:
RENÉE ELISE GOLDSBERRY performing THOSE MAGIC CHANGES from GREASE MELISSA BARRERA and LESLIE GRACE performing WHAT YOU OWN from RENT CHEYENNE JACKSON performing IF I WERE A BELL from GUYS AND DOLLS JAI’LEN JOSEY performing OUT THERE from THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME ROBIN DE JESÚS performing NOTHING from A CHORUS LINE PATRICK WILSON performing THINK OF ME from THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA LACHANZE performing WAIT FOR IT from HAMILTON ANNALEIGH ASHFORD performing MISTER MISTOFFELEES from CATS KELLY MARIE TRAN performing YOU AND ME (BUT MOSTLY ME) from THE BOOK OF MORMON BILLY PORTER performing DIVA’S LAMENT from SPAMALOT AARON TVEIT and GAVIN CREEL performing IN HIS EYES from JEKYLL AND HYDE KELLI O’HARA performing BEAUTIFUL CITY from GODSPELL IDINA MENZEL performing MORNING GLOW from PIPPIN
Broadway stars Billy Porter, Kelli O’Hara and Robin DeJesus Funds raised from Miscast21 help MCC Theater produce new work Off-Broadway and support its Youth Company and in-school partnerships that serve New York City public high school students as well as MCC’s literary development work with emerging playwrights. Hit the play button and enjoy. One thing I’ll say about the pandemic – it’s really helped artists to get really skilled at sharing their gifts in these virtual galas.
Grammy/Emmy/Tony Award winner Billy Porter (screen capture – THR) After a deeply moving episode of the acclaimed FX series Pose on Sunday which drew in part from his own personal life story, Grammy/Emmy Award winner Billy Porter has come out as HIV+ today in a candid and revealing interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
I was the generation that was supposed to know better, and it happened anyway. It was 2007, the worst year of my life. I was on the precipice of obscurity for about a decade or so, but 2007 was the worst of it. By February, I had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. By March, I signed bankruptcy papers.
And by June, I was diagnosed HIV-positive. The shame of that time compounded with the shame that had already [accumulated] in my life silenced me, and I have lived with that shame in silence for 14 years. HIV-positive, where I come from, growing up in the Pentecostal church with a very religious family, is God’s punishment.
The 51-year-old actor also shares how Pose changed the equation for him:
Then came Pose. An opportunity to work through the shame [of HIV] and where I have gotten to in this moment. And the brilliance of Pray Tell and this opportunity was that I was able to say everything that I wanted to say through a surrogate. My compartmentalizing and disassociation muscles are very, very strong, so I had no idea I was being traumatized or triggered. I was just happy that somebody was finally taking me seriously as an actor.
Porter had made a pact that he wouldn’t tell his mother because he felt she’d already gone through so much due to his ‘queerness.’ But on the last day of shooting his scenes for Pose, he had an epiphany.
Then I woke up on the last day of [shooting] Pose; I was writing in my gratitude journal and my mama popped into my head. I was like, “Let me just call her.” Not two minutes into the conversation, she’s like, “What’s wrong?” I said, “Nothing.” She’s like, “Son, please tell me what’s wrong.”
So I ripped the Band-Aid off and I told her. She said, “You’ve been carrying this around for 14 years? Don’t ever do this again. I’m your mother, I love you no matter what. And I know I didn’t understand how to do that early on, but it’s been decades now.” And it’s all true. It’s my own shame. Years of trauma makes a human being skittish. But the truth shall set you free. I feel my heart releasing. It had felt like a hand was holding my heart clenched for years — for years — and it’s all gone.
While Pose may be coming to an end, the future is full of new adventures for Billy.
Every single solitary dream that I ever had is coming true in this moment, all at the same time. I’m getting ready to play the fairy godmother in Cinderella. I have new music coming out. I have a memoir coming out. Pose is out. I’m directing my first film. And I’m trying to be present. I’m trying to be joyful, and one of the effects of trauma is not being able to feel joy.
I celebrate Billy’s inspiring and uplifting journey to his truth, and his sharing it with us. Please read the full article (and watch the video interview) at The Hollywood Reporter.
DaShawn Usher, Associate Director – Communities of Color for GLAAD, issued a statement on Billy’s announcement:
“The tremendous levels of stigma facing people living with HIV today can only be broken by icons like Billy Porter showing the world that HIV is not at all a barrier to a healthy and successful life. People living with HIV today, when on effective treatment, lead long and healthy lives and cannot transmit HIV, plus medications like PrEP protect people who do not have HIV from contracting HIV, but these leaps in HIV prevention and treatment have largely been invisible in the news and entertainment industries.”
“When the groundbreaking show Pose goes off air in a few weeks, there will be zero television characters living with HIV. That is truly unacceptable when 1.2 million Americans and about 38 million people globally are living with HIV. Billy’s powerful interview needs to be a wake-up call for media and the general public that it’s time to end the stigma that people living with HIV face and to educate each other about HIV prevention and treatment.”
GLAAD and Gilead Sciences last year released a survey that measures American attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV. Among those findings were only 55% of LGBTQ Americans and 51% of non-LGBTQ Americans report feeling knowledgeable about HIV.
A scene from ‘300’ (photo: Warner Bros.) Some news items you might have missed: • OUT: Film director Zack Snyder says that he worked on a sequel to his 2007 film 300 (above) during the pandemic, but Warner Bros. passed on it because it ended up being a gay love story. • Reuters: Cuba draped its health ministry with a giant rainbow flag on Monday to mark International Day against Homophobia, in a key year for LGBT+ rights as the Caribbean country decides on a new family code that could approve same-sex marriage. • Socialite Life: K-pop star Wonho posted a workout video last week that featured the singer working his back, lower body, and arms. Judging by his massive thighs (below), whatever he is doing is definitely working. K-pop singer Wonho (image via Twitter/AlphaCeleb) • Edge Media: Tennessee will be the first state in the U.S. to require businesses and government facilities open to the public to post a sign if they let transgender people use multi-person bathrooms, locker rooms or changing rooms associated with their gender identity. • Pink News: Serenity Hollis has become at least the 25th transgender person to be killed in the United States so far this year as anti-trans violence continues to escalate. Hollis was shot dead in Albany, Georgia on May 8. • The Advocate: Caitlyn Jenner shared a transphobic meme from Donald Trump Jr. but Alexandra Billings, veteran actress and star of Transparent and The Conners, had the perfect response.
