On today’s episode of The Randy Report, I’m chatting with actor & singer Jim Newman.
In addition to a lengthy Broadway resume (Hands on a Hardbody, Curtains, Minnelli on Minnelli, Steep Pier, Sunset Boulevard, and The Who’s Tommy), Jim is also currently ‘The Cowboy’ in a very iconic 70s/80s disco band you know very well.
Jim also works extensively in TV and film, including two of my favorite award-winning digital series – Hustling and After Forever, currently on Amazon Video.
For a couple of years now, I’ve also been a fan of Daddyhunt the Serial, which chronicles the story a hunky handsome ‘daddy’ we’d all like to date (played by Jim), and his younger boyfriend, ‘Ben,’ played by BJ Gruber.
Since its debut in 2016, Daddyhunt the Serial has become a big hit all around the world.
A post shared by Jim Newman (@jimnewmannyc) on Oct 23, 2018 at 12:25pm PDT
I recently got to chat with Jim about Daddyhunt, his iconic disco band and how social media has become such a big part of being a working actor these days – the good and the bad.
And speaking of social media, you should be following the hunky cowboy on Instagram, where he already has over 72,000 followers.
BJ Gruber and Jim Newman in ‘Daddyhunt: The Serial’
Daddyhunt: The Serial is back with Season 3 continuing the saga of two men who connect on the social network, Daddyhunt.
The popular digital series follows the romance of a hunky daddy ‘Graydon’ (played by woofy Jim Newman) and his younger bf ‘Ben’ (played by oh-so-cute BJ Gruber).
In addition to chronicling the ups and down of gay dating today, the series also incorporates some useful info for gay men.
The second season introduced the topic of PrEP, and offered PSAs featuring the series’ actors covering topics like condom use, regular testing and more.
Season 3 builds on that with an emphasis on STD testing and partner notification (telling sexual partners they may need to get tested).
The first episode of the new season opens on Graydon and Ben having grown closer and more intimate, but a past love brings to the surface some insecurities and doubts that have an impact on the couple.
Ben’s bestie, ‘AJ,’ (Michael Snipe Jr.) gets a new love interest – but they too face some struggles early on.
And then there’s Graydon’s ex, ‘Andrew’ (David Farrington), who seems to have his own agenda in the mix.
As in Season 2, Daddyhunt again partnered with Building Healthy Online Communities (BHOC), to weave in storylines relating to STD testing, and the challenge of telling partners that they might have inadvertently given them an STD.
Dan Wohlfeiler, of BHOC, had been talking for some time with Carl Sandler, the CEO of Daddyhunt, about how Daddyhunt could incorporate these strategies.
BJ Gruber and Jim Newman in ‘Daddyhunt: The Serial’
“He sent me the first season of the Daddyhunt: The Serial, and I was hooked,” shares Wohlfeiler. “It had incredibly talented actors, terrific production values and a really compelling script. We started talking about how we could do a second series with a story line about some of the big issues that gay men are facing when it comes to HIV…PrEP or condoms? Or both?”
“I’d previously met Dan Wohlfeiler at an AIDS Conference,” said Carl Sandler, CEO and Co-Founder of Daddyhunt. “After watching the first season of the DADDYHUNT: THE SERIAL, Dan contacted me and asked if there was a way we could work together on a Season 2 of the Serial and maybe include a public health component to the storyline.”
“I immediately thought that this was a great idea because we want to educate our users about condoms, PrEP, the importance of routine testing and other safe sex practices. By working together with BHOC, we have managed to reach not only Daddyhunt users but millions of viewers, entertaining and educating them about these important topics.”
Jim Newman in ‘Daddyhunt: The Serial’
Along with the four episodes that make up Season 3, Daddyhunt is also releasing six accompanying PSAs featuring the actors encouraging gay men to seek out information on getting tested, PrEP, maintaining an undetectable viral load, and advice on writing a good online profile.
You can check out episode 1 of Daddyhunt: The Serial Season 3 below.
Episode 2 is set to drop October 30. Find that and all past episodes of the web series on the Daddyhunt YouTube Channel.
• NYC actor/singer Jim Newman (above) is giving you serious cowboy, which makes total sense as he’s the “Cowboy” in a very famous disco band. Wanna guess which one? #SaveAHorse
• Legislation that would give same-sex couples the right to marry in Northern Ireland has advanced to a second reading.
• A father had his girlfriend rape his 11-year-old autistic son because he was afraid the boy was gay. Both father and girlfriend have been convicted and face life in prison. #LifeInPrisonSoundsRight
• We could see over 150 LGBTQ candidates in elections this fall as members of the tribe run for national, state and local office.
• Congress may be fixated on Facebook for data breach during 2016 election, but Donald Trump is apparently obsessed with Amazon. I’m sure it has nothing to do with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos also owning The Washington Post.
• Speaking of Trump, it looks like the bloom is off the rose as far as former Trump fan Ann Coulter is concerned. She told an audience of college Republicans last night, “I knew he was a shallow, lazy ignoramus, and I didn’t care.”
• With over $24 million in box office in two weeks, coming-of-age/coming-out film Love, Simon ranks in the Top 25 highest grossing teen romance movies of all time.
• Bonus Love, Simon: Keiynan Lonsdale, who plays one of the love interests in the hit gay teen comedy and came out as bisexual last year, just dropped a new queer love anthem, “Kiss the Boy.”
The song will be included on an upcoming album from Lonsdale.
Check out the lyric video below which is off-the-charts in its awesome diversity.
• In case you missed it, Jim Newman definitely wished you all a Happy Valentine’s Day (above)
• Melonie Diaz has been cast as the first magical sister in the Charmed CW reboot. She’ll play “Mel,” the time freezing lesbian sister of the trio of witches featured on the show.
• American voters overwhelmingly support allowing undocumented children brought to the U.S. as children, so-called “Dreamers,” to remain and eventually apply for citizenship by 80%-16%.
• Olympic silver medalist Gus Kenworthy says he’d like to explore acting as his next chapter and Wes Anderson would be his dream pick as director. Hey, Wes…
• I loved actor/singer Jim Newman in “Daddyhunt The Serial” – and now I just discovered his Instagram! I had no idea he performs with the Village People as “The Cowboy.” #SaveAHorse
• A hater trolled the Pittsburgh Penguins on the announcement of taking part in diversity/inclusion program “Hockey Is For Everyone.” And the Penquins clapped back:
In support of the NHL’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in hockey, @mattmurray_30 has elected to be the #Pens ambassador for Hockey Is For Everyone.
