Twenty-four years later, we stop to honor the memory of the first responders, and more we lost on 9/11. Continue reading “24 Years Later: Remembering Those Lost On 9/11”
24 Years Later: Remembering Those Lost On 9/11
Ellen DeGeneres On Being ‘Kicked Out’ Of Show Business + More News
Some news items you might have missed: • Queerty: In her new comedy tour, Ellen DeGeneres opens up about being “kicked out” of show business: “This is not the way I wanted to end my career, but this is the way it’s ending.” Continue reading “Ellen DeGeneres On Being ‘Kicked Out’ Of Show Business + More News”
Bette Midler Channels The Raw Emotion Of 9/11
Bette Midler sings in tribute to those lost in 9/11
Bette Midler, Elliot Page, Lynda Carter + More News
Bette Midler (via Instagram)
Billy Porter Honors Bette Midler At Kennedy Center Honors
In case you missed the recent Kennedy Center Honors that include Bette Midler, Emmy/Grammy/Tony winner Billy Porter sings his heart out for the divine Miss M with selections from her catalogue and his. Continue reading “Billy Porter Honors Bette Midler At Kennedy Center Honors”
9/11 Tribute: Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings”
Music is always my “go-to” for emotional release. So it’s no wonder each year I revisit this clip of Bette Midler singing ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ at a memorial at Yankee Stadium shortly after the horrific bombings on 9/11. This encapsulates so much of what we felt then and still feel today. Her “thank you” at the 4:30 mark says so much on behalf of so many. As only Bette could deliver… https://youtu.be/lGKOtLPMjtI Also – my fellow LGBTQ blogger, Joe Jervis, shares his personal account of what it was like to be in New York City on that day. Well worth the read.
News Round-Up: January 20, 2021
Some news items you might have missed: • New Day: I thought a lot about the right image to lead this news round-up today. After years of the popular meme of the lawn boy being yelled at by Donald Trump, today – no yelling. #AndExhale #PoofHesGone • LGBTQ Nation: Antony J. Blinken, Joe Biden’s nominee for Secretary of State, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in his confirmation hearing that he will enact policies that will allow American embassies to support and protect LGBTQ rights around the world by flying the rainbow flag. • LA Times: The FBI raided the Huntington Beach apartment of openly-gay far-right extremist Kristopher Dreww, who boasted on social media about attending the invasion of the U.S. Capitol. No arrest took place but undisclosed items were removed from the residence. • Meidas Touch: Bette Midler has a message for Donald Trump. I’m so happy to wave ‘so long dearie’ to the Trump years in the White House, but how could I not post this?
• Washington Post: Donald Trump had imagined a showy military send-off, however only a modest crowd of a few hundred loyalists showed up at Joint Base Andrews to see him off. The event had more of a feel of a county fair than a big-budget extravaganza. In a Trumpian twist, the music that played as he ended his remarks was the Village People’s “YMCA,” a singalong staple from his boisterous political rallies. • New York Times: The Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group who were staunch supporters of Donald Trump, have begun to turn on the Trumpster calling him “weak” and “a total failure.” • The Daily Beast: As it became clear that Trump was not, in fact, going to suddenly appear and order the arrest of all the Democrats, QAnon believers – like the Proud Boys – also began to wonder if they had been tricked.
QAnon MAGA struggling today as they realize “The Storm” isn’t coming and it was all BS.
“Trump fooled us,” complained one Telegram commenter. “All my family and co-workers think I’m crazy,” wrote another. “I feel stupid,” wrote a third.https://t.co/8eRni659S6 — Dodgers Andrew (@DodgersAndrew) January 20, 2021
Ron Watkins, son of 8kun owner Jim Watkins & a QAnon influencer himself, told adherents on Telegram “we have a new president sworn in and it is our responsibility as citizens to respect the Constitution…”
A massive blow to remaining QAnon diehards. pic.twitter.com/yTD7bdCogl — Karim Zidan | كريم زيدان (@ZidanSports) January 20, 2021
Remembering 9/11
Bette Midler sings in tribute to those lost in 9/11
My fellow LGBTQ blogger, Joe Jervis, shares his personal account of what it was like to be in New York City on that day. Well worth the reading – here. And from the Twitterverse today – two statesmen who reflected on how the world saw today, and one who made it about himself.
As a nation, we must never forget those we lost on 9/11 and the incredible bravery of our first responders. Though the wounds of that day will never fully heal, the spirit of Americans recovered as it always does — unbowed by the efforts of those who strike against it. pic.twitter.com/Ogn7Sbvq1Q
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 11, 2020
Each 9/11, we remember the unbreakable spirit of the American people. We remember the brave first responders and the Americans who lost their lives during those horrific attacks. Even during our darkest moments, we came together to show that hope and love trump fear and division. pic.twitter.com/OuCDKzxIHq
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 11, 2020
Today we remember the lives we lost on 9/11. Even the smallest act of service is a way to honor them. And just like Jay Winuk, we can honor their memories through service. https://t.co/BdKDozK5t0 https://t.co/Jc4vg4Dqoh
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 11, 2020
One of the best ways to honor those we lost 19 years ago is by fighting for those who survived.
It’s outrageous that first and second responders are still fighting for the health care they deserve. — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 11, 2020
Netflix: Spicy Lube, Throuples & More In Season 2 Of ‘The Politician’
L-R Bette Midler, Ben Platt, Judith Light in ‘The Politician’
Standish’s reelection was supposed to be easy until Hobart jumped in the race. All of this is part of Hobart’s master plan to eventually become president of the United States, a goal he’s held since he was seven-years-old. The series also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Zoey Deutsch, Lucy Boynton, Laura Dreyfuss, Theo Germaine, David Corenswet, and Ryan Haddad. The always dependable Jackie Hoffman joins the cast for Season 2. The trailer moves at warp-speed dropping morsels of plot points including Hobart obtaining proof that Standish was in a throuple, campaigns bugging the other camps, and team members turning ‘double agents.’ And then there’s Midler demanding a staffer quickly purchase some “spicy lube.” The entire 8-episode season drops Friday, June 19, on Netflix. 
Judith Light in ‘The Politician’ (screen capture)
Music: Nick Cearley Raises Us Up in Song With ‘Social Distance’
Nick Clearly of The Skivvies
“…Distinctive musical style, highly original…smart…sophisticated…ingenious…” – Wall Street Journal
“…a hot musical comedy duo specializing in unexpected arrangements, incongruous mashups and, of course, highly toned displays of skin.” – The New York Times
And it’s not just the critics who’ve fallen in love with The Skivvies. The group welcomes guest appearances by stars from the worlds of Broadway, TV, and the recording studio including Jeremy Jordan, Nick Adams, Nick Lachey, Laura Benanti, Tituss Burgess and more – all singing in their underwear. Clad in only his red undies with a firm grip on his ukulele (no, that’s not a euphemism) and some divine inspiration (yes, that is a euphemism as in the Divine Miss M), Nick transforms Bette Midler’s 1991 Grammy Award-winning hit, “From a Distance” into a new 2020 song of hope.
Nick Cearley will be performing a live living room concert today, March 17 at 4PM Eastern on his Facebook page here. Check The Skivvies official website for information regarding live performances here. Lawrence Pfeil, Jr., is a freelance writer/playwright who has reviewed film and theatre, both on and off-Broadway, for media outlets including The Randy Report, the New York Blade, and Edge Publications.