Monday 30 June 2014
Sunday 29 June 2014
Friday 27 June 2014
Nathan Parsons Replaces Luke Grimes - True Blood
[Source]
‘True Blood’ Season 7 ‘Originals’ Nathan Parsons Replaces Luke Grimes As Gay James After Lafayette Hookup: ‘American Sniper’ Homophobic Rumors? [SPOILERS]
Jun 27, 2014 02:45 PM EDT | James Knight (J.knight@classicalite.com)
True Blood promotional poster. (Photo : HBO)
True Blood premiered its seventh and final season this past weekend, but something was different. Viewers may have noticed that Jessica’s beau James looked a little bit different. That is because Luke Grimes was replaced by series newcomer and Originals actors Nathan Parsons. Grimes left the series shortly before filming production began sparking rumors that he left the series because of his character’s gay hookup with Lafayette. Grimes has since denied rumors that he was homophobic, citing that he busy working on Fifty Shades of Grey and American Sniper.
Luke Grimes recently addressed his controversial departure from True Blood. Grimes joined the cast last year but left shortly after being named a Season 7 regular. Following the announcement HBO released a statement to TV Line, claiming:
“The role of James is being recast due to the creative direction of the character.”
An unnamed insider later spoke with the publication about the alleged reasons for his departure:
“He initially joined the show because he wanted to work with [his Forever co-star] Deborah Ann Woll. But when he started reading the scripts for Season 7, he was disappointed to learn that they were going in a completely different direction with James.”
However, Grimes’ publicist, Craig Schneider gave BuzzFeed an alternative explanation for his departure:
“Luke always had an out clause as a means of pursuing other opportunities which arose in the form of features beginning with The Shangri-La Suite, followed by Fifty Shades of Grey, and most recently, Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper with Bradley Cooper.”
Schneider latter added:
“It had nothing to do with storylines, which he had not been privy to at the time of that posting.”
True Blood returns this Sunday at 9:00 p.m. on HBO.
What do you think of the recasting? What James actor do you like better? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
-----------------
Actually I didn't like Luke Grimes at the first sight from Brothers & Sisters.
‘True Blood’ Season 7 ‘Originals’ Nathan Parsons Replaces Luke Grimes As Gay James After Lafayette Hookup: ‘American Sniper’ Homophobic Rumors? [SPOILERS]
Jun 27, 2014 02:45 PM EDT | James Knight (J.knight@classicalite.com)
True Blood promotional poster. (Photo : HBO)
True Blood premiered its seventh and final season this past weekend, but something was different. Viewers may have noticed that Jessica’s beau James looked a little bit different. That is because Luke Grimes was replaced by series newcomer and Originals actors Nathan Parsons. Grimes left the series shortly before filming production began sparking rumors that he left the series because of his character’s gay hookup with Lafayette. Grimes has since denied rumors that he was homophobic, citing that he busy working on Fifty Shades of Grey and American Sniper.
Luke Grimes recently addressed his controversial departure from True Blood. Grimes joined the cast last year but left shortly after being named a Season 7 regular. Following the announcement HBO released a statement to TV Line, claiming:
“The role of James is being recast due to the creative direction of the character.”
An unnamed insider later spoke with the publication about the alleged reasons for his departure:
“He initially joined the show because he wanted to work with [his Forever co-star] Deborah Ann Woll. But when he started reading the scripts for Season 7, he was disappointed to learn that they were going in a completely different direction with James.”
However, Grimes’ publicist, Craig Schneider gave BuzzFeed an alternative explanation for his departure:
“Luke always had an out clause as a means of pursuing other opportunities which arose in the form of features beginning with The Shangri-La Suite, followed by Fifty Shades of Grey, and most recently, Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper with Bradley Cooper.”
Schneider latter added:
“It had nothing to do with storylines, which he had not been privy to at the time of that posting.”
True Blood returns this Sunday at 9:00 p.m. on HBO.
What do you think of the recasting? What James actor do you like better? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
-----------------
Actually I didn't like Luke Grimes at the first sight from Brothers & Sisters.
Thursday 26 June 2014
Brendan Fehr Was “Petrified” Playing Gay On “The Night Shift” - The Backlot
[Source]
Brendan Fehr Was “Petrified” Playing Gay On “The Night Shift”
by snicks | June 26, 2014
NBC’s The Night Shift has received mixed reviews since its debut (especially on this site), but closeted doc Drew (played by Brendan Fehr) will see his storyline take a new turn when boyfriend Rick (Luke Macfarlane) pays a visit on Tuesday’s show.
Above you can see Brendan’s interview with Too Fab, in which he talks about his initial reluctance to take the role, and being “uncomfortable” and “petrified” having to act out same-sex attraction.
Brendan Fehr Was “Petrified” Playing Gay On “The Night Shift”
by snicks | June 26, 2014
NBC’s The Night Shift has received mixed reviews since its debut (especially on this site), but closeted doc Drew (played by Brendan Fehr) will see his storyline take a new turn when boyfriend Rick (Luke Macfarlane) pays a visit on Tuesday’s show.
Above you can see Brendan’s interview with Too Fab, in which he talks about his initial reluctance to take the role, and being “uncomfortable” and “petrified” having to act out same-sex attraction.
“In Episode 106, my boyfriend comes and I don’t like kissing guys, it doesn’t do anything for me. It’s really uncomfortable, but you gotta get past that, his story is bigger than that. The emotion behind that is so much bigger that that. I was scared, petrified in a lot of ways, but I wanted to push myself and see if I could do it.”Below you can see a few preview pics from Luke’s show. Is Drew about to come out?
Brendan Fehr of NBC's The Night Shift was not comfortable filming a gay kiss - GAYSTARNEWS
[Source]
Brendan Fehr of NBC's The Night Shift was not comfortable filming a gay kiss
'I don't like kissing guys, it doesn't do anything for me. It's really uncomfortable, but you gotta get past that'
26 June 2014 | By Greg Hernandez
Brendan Fehr played a gay prostitute in the sexually explicit 2004 film Sugar. Yet he says he was 'uncomfortable' about some aspects of his role as a closeted gay doctor in the new NBC drama The Night Shift.
Fehr, best known for the cult classic TV series Roswell, seemed to be most challenged by filming his first on-screen kiss with a man.
'It was uncomfortable for me,' he tells TooFab. 'In Episode 106, my boyfriend (played by openly gay actor Luke Macfarlane) comes and I don't like kissing guys, it doesn't do anything for me.'
Of kissing another man the 36-year-old actor says: 'It's really uncomfortable, but you gotta get past that, his story is bigger than that. The emotion behind that is so much bigger that that. I was scared, petrified in a lot of ways, but I wanted to push myself and see if I could do it.'
So why take on the role?
'It was the challenge of portraying Drew,' he says. 'I think it was the risks involved as well. To play a homosexual on network television, what are the risks? There's a whole bunch of them. What are the rewards? Not as many. I just felt like I had something to offer.'
Brendan Fehr of NBC's The Night Shift was not comfortable filming a gay kiss
'I don't like kissing guys, it doesn't do anything for me. It's really uncomfortable, but you gotta get past that'
26 June 2014 | By Greg Hernandez
 |
| Photo: NBC |
Fehr, best known for the cult classic TV series Roswell, seemed to be most challenged by filming his first on-screen kiss with a man.
'It was uncomfortable for me,' he tells TooFab. 'In Episode 106, my boyfriend (played by openly gay actor Luke Macfarlane) comes and I don't like kissing guys, it doesn't do anything for me.'
Of kissing another man the 36-year-old actor says: 'It's really uncomfortable, but you gotta get past that, his story is bigger than that. The emotion behind that is so much bigger that that. I was scared, petrified in a lot of ways, but I wanted to push myself and see if I could do it.'
So why take on the role?
'It was the challenge of portraying Drew,' he says. 'I think it was the risks involved as well. To play a homosexual on network television, what are the risks? There's a whole bunch of them. What are the rewards? Not as many. I just felt like I had something to offer.'
Wednesday 25 June 2014
George Michael - top 20 songs from The Backlot
The Essential George Michael: Ranking His Top 20 Songs
by snicks | June 25, 2014
George Michael was one of the biggest stars of the 80′s and early 90′s, starting with Wham! and then solo. Since his debut, he’s sold over 100 million records worldwide and notched eight #1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100.
He’s had a tougher time personally and professionally since the mid-90′s thanks to a prolonged battle with Sony records and very public legal problems, but he’s been publicly out for over fifteen years, and hopefully he’s found his freedom.
Today is his 51st birthday, so let’s take a look back and try to pick out the 20 best singles of his career, both solo and with Wham! This is a good place to start The Essential George Michael Collection.
20. FREEDOM
YEAR: 1985
ALBUM: Make It Big
CHART PEAK: #3
The fourth and final single from Make It Big in the U.S., it was the first not to hit #1
19. LAST CHRISTMAS
YEAR: 1984
ALBUM: N/A
CHART PEAK: N/A
The B side of “Everything She Wants,” it was never released as a single in the U.S., but it was, and continues to be, one of the biggest holiday songs around the world.
18. WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO GO
YEAR: 1984
ALBUM: Make It Big
CHART PEAK: #1
True Story – Starting back at school in fall of 1984, I was walking with my best friend, who was wearing a Walkman. He stopped, head bopping, then took the headphones off. He said “I just heard the new song from The Pointer Sisters. It’s called ‘Jitterbug.’” Of course, the song wasn’t from The Pointer Sisters, and it wasn’t called “Jitterbug.” It was our first taste of Wham!.
17. FASTLOVE
YEAR: 1996
ALBUM: Older
CHART PEAK: #8
George released his first album in six years in 1996, after years of a bitter and costly legal battle with Sony records. “Fastlove” was the second single released, and to date, is his last entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
16. I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING FOR ME
YEAR: 1987
ALBUM: Aretha
CHART PEAK: #1
George fulfilled his dream of singing with Queen Of Soul with his mega-smash, which hit #1 around the world.
15. DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME
YEAR: 1991
ALBUM: Duets
CHART PEAK: #1
Speaking of worldwide #1 duets, George and Elton first performed “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’ at Live Aid in 1985, and years later, they performed it again during George’s 1991 Wembley Arena concert, and hit chart paydirt.
14. MONKEY
YEAR: 1988
ALBUM: Faith
CHART PEAK: #1
The fifth single from Faith, it was his his fourth #1 smash in a row, and his first #1 song on the dance chart.
13. ONE MORE TRY
YEAR: 1988
ALBUM: Faith
CHART PEAK: #1
One of the biggest singles from 1988, it was an across-the-board classic, hitting #1 on the pop, adult-contemporary and R&B charts.
12. I’M YOUR MAN
YEAR: 1985
ALBUM: Music From The Edge Of Heaven
CHART PEAK: #3
By late 85, Wham! was on its last legs, and Music From The Edge Of Heaven (released in the U.S. in the summer of 1986), was a hodgepodge of one-offs and odds and ends. But it had some great stuff, including “I’m Your Man”, which was the album’s highest-charting single.
11. CARELESS WHISPER
YEAR: 1985
ALBUM: Make It Big
CHART PEAK: #1
The first inkling we got that Wham! might not endure was when “Careless Whisper” was released in the states as “Wham! Featuring George Michael.” Yeah, that was a clue. “Careless Whisper” spent three weeks at #1, and was Billboard’s #1 song of 1985.
10. JESUS TO A CHILD
YEAR: 1996
ALBUM: Older
CHART PEAK: #7
The first single from Older, it was written as a tribute to George’s boyfriend lover Anselmo Feleppa, who died of a brain hemorrhage.
9. FAITH
YEAR: 1987
ALBUM: Faith
CHART PEAK: #1
The biggest song of his career from the biggest album of his career, it spent four weeks at #1 and became Billboard’s #1 song of 1988.
8. THE EDGE OF HEAVEN
YEAR: 1986
ALBUM: Music From The Edge Of Heaven
CHART PEAK: #10
Wham!’s most underrated single, it was their final top ten (or top 40) release in the U.S.
7. PRAYING FOR TIME
YEAR: 1990
ALBUM: Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1
CHART PEAK: #1
The first single from Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1, it marked a decidedly different tone from his early frothy hits. It was his final #1 song on the Billboard chart.
6. I WANT YOUR SEX
YEAR: 1987
ALBUM: Faith
CHART PEAK: #2
George courted controversy for the first time in his career with this single from the Beverly Hills Cop 2 soundtrack, which also previewed his first solo album. Not everybody does it … but everybody should!
5. A DIFFERENT CORNER
YEAR: 1986
ALBUM: Music From The Edge Of Heaven
CHART PEAK: #7
George’s first official solo single, it’s a sparse, delicate ballad that’s overlooked among his more well-known hits.
4. EVERYTHING SHE WANTS
YEAR: 1985
ALBUM: Make It Big
CHART PEAK: #1
Wham!’s third consecutive (and final) #1 song, George has named it as his favorite Wham! song. I concur.
3. FREEDOM ’90
YEAR: 1990
ALBUM: Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1
CHART PEAK: #8
Second single from Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1, it had George recounting the story of his life, and the shedding of his teenybopper MTV image.
2. TOO FUNKY
YEAR: 1992
ALBUM: RED HOT & DANCE
CHART PEAK: #10
“Would you like me to seduce you?” George’s greatest dance song, it’s still just as vibrant over 20 years later.
1. FATHER FIGURE
YEAR: 1988
ALBUM: Faith
CHART PEAK: #1
For me, this is hands down the greatest song in George’s discography. Gorgeous and seductive, it’s one of the great ballads of the decade.
Bubbling under the Top 20: “Waiting For That Day,” “Kissing A Fool,” “Amazing”
Okay, your turn! What’s in your Essential George Collection?
The Night Shift - Brendan Fehr plays on-screen boyfriend to Luke Macfarlane
[Source]
Brendan Fehr on Gay "Night Shift" Role: "I Was a Little Uncomfortable"
"Roswell" alum Brendan Fehr has a new gig as a gay doctor on "The Night Shift" -- a role he admits he was "really uncomfortable" taking on at first.
While fans of the NBC drama will have to wait until next week to finally meet his character's on-screen boyfriend, played by Luke MacFarlane, Fehr recently talked with toofab's Brian Particelli about filming his first man-on-man kiss and revealed what attracted him to the role of Drew.
"It was the challenge of portraying Drew," he says. "I think it was the risks involved as well. To play a homosexual on network television, what are the risks? There's a whole bunch of them. What are the rewards? Not as many. I just felt like I had something to offer."
"I've never defined myself as being straight, what defines me is who I am, what I believe, the choices I make and how I treat people," Brendan adds.. "There are a lot of times where gay and lesbians in TV and movies are defined by their sexuality. [Drew] is a guy who wants to be a doctor, not a 'gay doctor.'"
Fehr, who was raised as a strict Mennonite, is hardly the first straight actor to play gay -- but might be one of the more candid stars when it comes to discussing his initial discomfort with the role.
"It was uncomfortable for me," he says "In Episode 106, my boyfriend comes and I don't like kissing guys, it doesn't do anything for me. It's really uncomfortable, but you gotta get past that, his story is bigger than that. The emotion behind that is so much bigger that that. I was scared, petrified in a lot of ways, but I wanted to push myself and see if I could do it."
Brendan says he now feels "honored" to have had the opportunity to play Drew, and hopes he does the character justice. Watch the rest of his interview above.
"The Night Shift" airs Tuesday nights on NBC.
And check out the video below to see what his costars Jill Flint and Freddy Rodriguez had to say about the gross-out props on set and picking up medical terminology!
Brendan Fehr on Gay "Night Shift" Role: "I Was a Little Uncomfortable"
"Roswell" alum Brendan Fehr has a new gig as a gay doctor on "The Night Shift" -- a role he admits he was "really uncomfortable" taking on at first.
While fans of the NBC drama will have to wait until next week to finally meet his character's on-screen boyfriend, played by Luke MacFarlane, Fehr recently talked with toofab's Brian Particelli about filming his first man-on-man kiss and revealed what attracted him to the role of Drew.
"It was the challenge of portraying Drew," he says. "I think it was the risks involved as well. To play a homosexual on network television, what are the risks? There's a whole bunch of them. What are the rewards? Not as many. I just felt like I had something to offer."
"I've never defined myself as being straight, what defines me is who I am, what I believe, the choices I make and how I treat people," Brendan adds.. "There are a lot of times where gay and lesbians in TV and movies are defined by their sexuality. [Drew] is a guy who wants to be a doctor, not a 'gay doctor.'"
Fehr, who was raised as a strict Mennonite, is hardly the first straight actor to play gay -- but might be one of the more candid stars when it comes to discussing his initial discomfort with the role.
"It was uncomfortable for me," he says "In Episode 106, my boyfriend comes and I don't like kissing guys, it doesn't do anything for me. It's really uncomfortable, but you gotta get past that, his story is bigger than that. The emotion behind that is so much bigger that that. I was scared, petrified in a lot of ways, but I wanted to push myself and see if I could do it."
Brendan says he now feels "honored" to have had the opportunity to play Drew, and hopes he does the character justice. Watch the rest of his interview above.
"The Night Shift" airs Tuesday nights on NBC.
And check out the video below to see what his costars Jill Flint and Freddy Rodriguez had to say about the gross-out props on set and picking up medical terminology!
Published 06.25.14
Brendan Fehr on Gay "Night Shift" Role: "I Was a Little Uncomfortable" - toofab
[Source]
Brendan Fehr on Gay "Night Shift" Role: "I Was a Little Uncomfortable"
"Roswell" alum Brendan Fehr has a new gig as a gay doctor on "The Night Shift" -- a role he admits he was "really uncomfortable" taking on at first.
While fans of the NBC drama will have to wait until next week to finally meet his character's on-screen boyfriend, played by Luke MacFarlane, Fehr recently talked with toofab's Brian Particelli about filming his first man-on-man kiss and revealed what attracted him to the role of Drew.
"It was the challenge of portraying Drew," he says. "I think it was the risks involved as well. To play a homosexual on network television, what are the risks? There's a whole bunch of them. What are the rewards? Not as many. I just felt like I had something to offer."
"I've never defined myself as being straight, what defines me is who I am, what I believe, the choices I make and how I treat people," Brendan adds.. "There are a lot of times where gay and lesbians in TV and movies are defined by their sexuality. [Drew] is a guy who wants to be a doctor, not a 'gay doctor.'"
Fehr, who was raised as a strict Mennonite, is hardly the first straight actor to play gay -- but might be one of the more candid stars when it comes to discussing his initial discomfort with the role.
"It was uncomfortable for me," he says "In Episode 106, my boyfriend comes and I don't like kissing guys, it doesn't do anything for me. It's really uncomfortable, but you gotta get past that, his story is bigger than that. The emotion behind that is so much bigger that that. I was scared, petrified in a lot of ways, but I wanted to push myself and see if I could do it."
Brendan says he now feels "honored" to have had the opportunity to play Drew, and hopes he does the character justice. Watch the rest of his interview above.
"The Night Shift" airs Tuesday nights on NBC.
And check out the video below to see what his costars Jill Flint and Freddy Rodriguez had to say about the gross-out props on set and picking up medical terminology!
Brendan Fehr on Gay "Night Shift" Role: "I Was a Little Uncomfortable"
"Roswell" alum Brendan Fehr has a new gig as a gay doctor on "The Night Shift" -- a role he admits he was "really uncomfortable" taking on at first.
While fans of the NBC drama will have to wait until next week to finally meet his character's on-screen boyfriend, played by Luke MacFarlane, Fehr recently talked with toofab's Brian Particelli about filming his first man-on-man kiss and revealed what attracted him to the role of Drew.
"It was the challenge of portraying Drew," he says. "I think it was the risks involved as well. To play a homosexual on network television, what are the risks? There's a whole bunch of them. What are the rewards? Not as many. I just felt like I had something to offer."
"I've never defined myself as being straight, what defines me is who I am, what I believe, the choices I make and how I treat people," Brendan adds.. "There are a lot of times where gay and lesbians in TV and movies are defined by their sexuality. [Drew] is a guy who wants to be a doctor, not a 'gay doctor.'"
Fehr, who was raised as a strict Mennonite, is hardly the first straight actor to play gay -- but might be one of the more candid stars when it comes to discussing his initial discomfort with the role.
"It was uncomfortable for me," he says "In Episode 106, my boyfriend comes and I don't like kissing guys, it doesn't do anything for me. It's really uncomfortable, but you gotta get past that, his story is bigger than that. The emotion behind that is so much bigger that that. I was scared, petrified in a lot of ways, but I wanted to push myself and see if I could do it."
Brendan says he now feels "honored" to have had the opportunity to play Drew, and hopes he does the character justice. Watch the rest of his interview above.
"The Night Shift" airs Tuesday nights on NBC.
And check out the video below to see what his costars Jill Flint and Freddy Rodriguez had to say about the gross-out props on set and picking up medical terminology!
Published 06.25.14
Sunday 22 June 2014
Happy Birthday Cyndi - Her top 20 songs from The Backlot
[Source]
The Essential Cyndi Lauper: Ranking Her Top 20 Songs
by snicks | June 22, 2014
Ever since she sauntered down that street in the morning light in 1983, Cyndi Lauper has been a part of the pop culture landscape. Did you you know she’s 3/4 to an EGOT? With an Emmy for Mad About You, a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1984, and a Tony Award last year for Kinky Boots, all she needs is an Oscar to compete the showbiz Holy Grail.
Here’s one of her crowning moments last year, as she became the first solo woman in Tony history to win for Best Original Score.
Always an ally, she’s one of the gay community’s staunchest supporters, and in another of her crowning moments, was responsible for reuniting a Daytime TV Supercouple. She even got Noah to dance … albeit like Frankenstein swatting at a bee … but is there anything this woman can’t do?
Today is Cyndi’s 61st birthday, so what better time to look back at her career, and rank her greatest songs. These 20 songs are a good start for your Essential Cyndi Lauper.
20. MY FIRST NIGHT WITHOUT YOU
YEAR: 1989
ALBUM: A Night To Remember
CHART PEAK: #62
Cyndi’s third album A Night To Remember was a commercial and critical disaster, with drama behind-the-scenes (Cyndi refers to the album as “A Night To Forget,”) but there are quite a few gems included. In addition to “I Drove All Night,” there was “Heading West,” “I Don’t Want To Be Your Friend,” and the second single “My First Night Without You,” which flopped despite Cyndi’s impassioned vocals.
19. BOY BLUE
YEAR: 1987
ALBUM: True Colors
CHART PEAK: #71
The fourth single from True Colors, it was her lowest-charting single up to that point. She wrote the song about a friend who died of AIDS, and all the proceeds went to AIDS charities.
18. THE BALLAD OF CLEO AND JOE
YEAR: 1997
ALBUM: Sisters Of Avalon
CHART PEAK: N/A
The story of Joe, who by night is drag queen Cleo. Why the hell this hasn’t been on Drag Race yet is a mystery. BTW, Cyndi was nine months pregnant in the video, and they make inspired use of her belly.
17. INTO THE NIGHTLIFE
YEAR: 2008
ALBUM: Bring Ya To The Brink
CHART PEAK: N/A
From her first full-on dance album, the first single “Same Old Story” and second single “Into the Nightlife” became her first #1 songs on the dance chart since “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” And “Into The Nightlife” will always be “Nuke’s Song.”
16. AT LAST
YEAR: 2003
ALBUM: At Last
CHART PEAK: N/A
2003′s album of standards At Last was Cyndi’s highest charting and biggest selling album since A Night To Remember, and she was in fine form, especially with the title classic.
15. CHANGE OF HEART
YEAR: 1986
ALBUM: True Colors
CHART PEAK: #3
Second single from True Colors, it featured the invaluable assistance of Nile Rodgers on guitar and The Bangles on backing vocals.
14. YOU DON’T NOW
YEAR: 1997
ALBUM: Sisters Of Avalon
CHART PEAK: N/A
The first single from Sisters Of Avalon, it takes on politicians who blindly follow party orders. “Don’t shove that bullshit down my throat.”
13. I’M GONNA BE STRONG
YEAR: 1994
ALBUM: Twelve Deadly Cyns
CHART PEAK: N/A
Cyndi went back to the beginning, and remade the best-known song from her first group Blue Angel for her 1994 Greatest Hits collection. That last note was just as powerful as the first time we heard it in 1980.
12. WHAT’S GOING ON
YEAR: 1987
ALBUM: True Colors
CHART PEAK: #12
It’s usually never a good idea to cover Marvin Gaye, but Cyndi’s emotional re-telling of the classic song is sincere and endearing.
11. MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING
YEAR: 1984
ALBUM: She’s So Unusual
CHART PEAK: #27
Cyndi kicked off her debut album with this cover of an underground classic by The Brains. It was released as the fifth single from the album, and has that unmistakable The Hooters touch.
10. I DROVE ALL NIGHT
YEAR: 1989
ALBUM: A Night To Remember
CHART PEAK: #6
The first single from the ill-fated A Night To Remember, it was originally recorded by Roy Orbison, but Cyndi’s version was released first, and she took it to the top ten … and sadly, it was her final top ten (and top 40) hit to date.
9. WHO LET IN THE RAIN
YEAR: 1993
ALBUM: Hat Full Of Stars
CHART PEAK: N/A
The first single from her most underrated album, it failed to even chart on the Hot 100, and the album peaked at a dismal #112. Both results were undeserved.
8. SALLY’S PIGEONS
YEAR: 1993
ALBUM: Hat Full Of Stars
CHART PEAK: N/A
Speaking of Hat Full Of Stars, many of the songs took on social issues, including the tragic “Sally’s Pigeons” (co-written by the faboo Mary Chapin Carpenter).
7. SHE BOP
YEAR: 1984
ALBUM: She’s So Unusual
CHART PEAK: #3
Cyndi’s classic ode to self-satisfaction earned her the badge of honor of being included in the PMRC’s “Filthy Fifteen” list, and is the only top ten song in music history to give a shoutout to a gay porn magazine.
6. THE GOONIES R GOOD ENOUGH
YEAR: 1985
ALBUM: The Goonies
CHART PEAK: #10
Cyndi took a breather before beginning work on her second album by contributing two songs to the soundtrack of The Goonies, “What A Thrill” and the top ten title track. For some reason, Cyndi rarely performs it any more, and has even neglected to include it on many of her compilations.
5. GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN
YEAR: 1983
ALBUM: She’s So Unusual
CHART PEAK: #2
The song that started Cyndi’s meteoric rise to the top, it’s one of the iconic songs of the 80′s, and was a breath of fresh air on the pop chart when it was released in September 1983.
4. HOLE IN MY HEART
YEAR: 1988
ALBUM: Vibes
CHART PEAK: #54
Her most underrated single, it’s failure on the chart caused the postponement of her third album, which was originally going to be titled Kindred Spirit, with “Hole In My Heart” the leadoff single. When it (and the movie Vibes) tanked, those plans were scrapped. Like “Goonies,” it was another song rarely heard in concert or featured on compilations until Cyndi started performing it almost 20 years after its release on the 2007 True Colors Tour.
3. ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT
YEAR: 1984
ALBUM: She’s So Unusual
CHART PEAK: #5
The fourth top five smash from her debut, it’s never received the attention and adoration it deserves. Gorgeous and melancholy, it’s the greatest buried treasure of all her top ten hits.
2. TRUE COLORS
YEAR: 1986
ALBUM: True Colors
CHART PEAK: #1
The title track from her sophomore album, it became her second (and last) #1 song, and in the decades since it’s release has been transformed into a LGBT anthem.
1. TIME AFTER TIME
YEAR: 1984
ALBUM: She’s So Unusual
CHART PEAK: #1
After the enormous worldwide success of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” Cyndi followed it up with the greatest ballad of the 80′s, a majestic pop gem that still resonates over thirty years later.
Bubbling Under The Top 20: “When You Were Mine,” “Sisters Of Avalon,” “Shine,” “Unabbreviated Love.”
Okay, your turn! What is in your Essential Cyndi Collection?
by snicks | June 22, 2014
Ever since she sauntered down that street in the morning light in 1983, Cyndi Lauper has been a part of the pop culture landscape. Did you you know she’s 3/4 to an EGOT? With an Emmy for Mad About You, a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1984, and a Tony Award last year for Kinky Boots, all she needs is an Oscar to compete the showbiz Holy Grail.
Here’s one of her crowning moments last year, as she became the first solo woman in Tony history to win for Best Original Score.
Always an ally, she’s one of the gay community’s staunchest supporters, and in another of her crowning moments, was responsible for reuniting a Daytime TV Supercouple. She even got Noah to dance … albeit like Frankenstein swatting at a bee … but is there anything this woman can’t do?
Today is Cyndi’s 61st birthday, so what better time to look back at her career, and rank her greatest songs. These 20 songs are a good start for your Essential Cyndi Lauper.
20. MY FIRST NIGHT WITHOUT YOU
YEAR: 1989
ALBUM: A Night To Remember
CHART PEAK: #62
Cyndi’s third album A Night To Remember was a commercial and critical disaster, with drama behind-the-scenes (Cyndi refers to the album as “A Night To Forget,”) but there are quite a few gems included. In addition to “I Drove All Night,” there was “Heading West,” “I Don’t Want To Be Your Friend,” and the second single “My First Night Without You,” which flopped despite Cyndi’s impassioned vocals.
19. BOY BLUE
YEAR: 1987
ALBUM: True Colors
CHART PEAK: #71
The fourth single from True Colors, it was her lowest-charting single up to that point. She wrote the song about a friend who died of AIDS, and all the proceeds went to AIDS charities.
“I tried to write about my friend. I knew he really loved ‘That’s What Friends Are For.’ I know that maybe he would have liked me to do a song like that. Instead I wrote about him personally. I don’t know that my lyrics were good enough, I don’t know that anything was good enough. Maybe it was too personal. I don’t know. But I wrote it for him. It was because of him that I keep trying to do stuff. And other friends. So many talented people, so many of our friends and so many gifted people have passed on. Or struggle everyday. Just to live. And it was because of my friends and others that I do this. Maybe that song wasn’t good enough, I don’t know.”It was good enough, Cyndi.
18. THE BALLAD OF CLEO AND JOE
YEAR: 1997
ALBUM: Sisters Of Avalon
CHART PEAK: N/A
The story of Joe, who by night is drag queen Cleo. Why the hell this hasn’t been on Drag Race yet is a mystery. BTW, Cyndi was nine months pregnant in the video, and they make inspired use of her belly.
17. INTO THE NIGHTLIFE
YEAR: 2008
ALBUM: Bring Ya To The Brink
CHART PEAK: N/A
From her first full-on dance album, the first single “Same Old Story” and second single “Into the Nightlife” became her first #1 songs on the dance chart since “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” And “Into The Nightlife” will always be “Nuke’s Song.”
16. AT LAST
YEAR: 2003
ALBUM: At Last
CHART PEAK: N/A
2003′s album of standards At Last was Cyndi’s highest charting and biggest selling album since A Night To Remember, and she was in fine form, especially with the title classic.
15. CHANGE OF HEART
YEAR: 1986
ALBUM: True Colors
CHART PEAK: #3
Second single from True Colors, it featured the invaluable assistance of Nile Rodgers on guitar and The Bangles on backing vocals.
14. YOU DON’T NOW
YEAR: 1997
ALBUM: Sisters Of Avalon
CHART PEAK: N/A
The first single from Sisters Of Avalon, it takes on politicians who blindly follow party orders. “Don’t shove that bullshit down my throat.”
13. I’M GONNA BE STRONG
YEAR: 1994
ALBUM: Twelve Deadly Cyns
CHART PEAK: N/A
Cyndi went back to the beginning, and remade the best-known song from her first group Blue Angel for her 1994 Greatest Hits collection. That last note was just as powerful as the first time we heard it in 1980.
12. WHAT’S GOING ON
YEAR: 1987
ALBUM: True Colors
CHART PEAK: #12
It’s usually never a good idea to cover Marvin Gaye, but Cyndi’s emotional re-telling of the classic song is sincere and endearing.
11. MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING
YEAR: 1984
ALBUM: She’s So Unusual
CHART PEAK: #27
Cyndi kicked off her debut album with this cover of an underground classic by The Brains. It was released as the fifth single from the album, and has that unmistakable The Hooters touch.
10. I DROVE ALL NIGHT
YEAR: 1989
ALBUM: A Night To Remember
CHART PEAK: #6
The first single from the ill-fated A Night To Remember, it was originally recorded by Roy Orbison, but Cyndi’s version was released first, and she took it to the top ten … and sadly, it was her final top ten (and top 40) hit to date.
9. WHO LET IN THE RAIN
YEAR: 1993
ALBUM: Hat Full Of Stars
CHART PEAK: N/A
The first single from her most underrated album, it failed to even chart on the Hot 100, and the album peaked at a dismal #112. Both results were undeserved.
8. SALLY’S PIGEONS
YEAR: 1993
ALBUM: Hat Full Of Stars
CHART PEAK: N/A
Speaking of Hat Full Of Stars, many of the songs took on social issues, including the tragic “Sally’s Pigeons” (co-written by the faboo Mary Chapin Carpenter).
7. SHE BOP
YEAR: 1984
ALBUM: She’s So Unusual
CHART PEAK: #3
Cyndi’s classic ode to self-satisfaction earned her the badge of honor of being included in the PMRC’s “Filthy Fifteen” list, and is the only top ten song in music history to give a shoutout to a gay porn magazine.
6. THE GOONIES R GOOD ENOUGH
YEAR: 1985
ALBUM: The Goonies
CHART PEAK: #10
Cyndi took a breather before beginning work on her second album by contributing two songs to the soundtrack of The Goonies, “What A Thrill” and the top ten title track. For some reason, Cyndi rarely performs it any more, and has even neglected to include it on many of her compilations.
5. GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN
YEAR: 1983
ALBUM: She’s So Unusual
CHART PEAK: #2
The song that started Cyndi’s meteoric rise to the top, it’s one of the iconic songs of the 80′s, and was a breath of fresh air on the pop chart when it was released in September 1983.
4. HOLE IN MY HEART
YEAR: 1988
ALBUM: Vibes
CHART PEAK: #54
Her most underrated single, it’s failure on the chart caused the postponement of her third album, which was originally going to be titled Kindred Spirit, with “Hole In My Heart” the leadoff single. When it (and the movie Vibes) tanked, those plans were scrapped. Like “Goonies,” it was another song rarely heard in concert or featured on compilations until Cyndi started performing it almost 20 years after its release on the 2007 True Colors Tour.
3. ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT
YEAR: 1984
ALBUM: She’s So Unusual
CHART PEAK: #5
The fourth top five smash from her debut, it’s never received the attention and adoration it deserves. Gorgeous and melancholy, it’s the greatest buried treasure of all her top ten hits.
2. TRUE COLORS
YEAR: 1986
ALBUM: True Colors
CHART PEAK: #1
The title track from her sophomore album, it became her second (and last) #1 song, and in the decades since it’s release has been transformed into a LGBT anthem.
1. TIME AFTER TIME
YEAR: 1984
ALBUM: She’s So Unusual
CHART PEAK: #1
After the enormous worldwide success of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” Cyndi followed it up with the greatest ballad of the 80′s, a majestic pop gem that still resonates over thirty years later.
Bubbling Under The Top 20: “When You Were Mine,” “Sisters Of Avalon,” “Shine,” “Unabbreviated Love.”
Okay, your turn! What is in your Essential Cyndi Collection?
Wednesday 4 June 2014
Jonathan Groff Shows Off His Pits - Queerty
[Source]
Jonathan Groff Shows Off His Pits, Talks Steamy Sex Scenes In ‘Looking’ Season 2
Scene magazine hails Jonathan Groff as “this century’s gay icon” in a new profile posted this week, pointing to his casual and non-dramatic coming out process as a “sign of the changing times” and indicative of a “New Hollywood” generation.
The 29-year-old Tony-nominated actor is also putting his glorious pits on display in an exclusive photoshoot with Scene photographer Matthew Scrivens.
In the accompanying interview, he explains why he stays away from social media, how his breakup with Zachary Quinto influenced his drama-free lifestyle, and who he’s dying to have onscreen sex with in the upcoming season of Looking.
On the topic of coming out (which he did officially at the 2009 National Equality March in D.C.), Groff tells Scene that the decision was easy. “Being in love was more powerful than any job I’d had before,” he says. “That was the impetus.”
On refusing to take part in celebrity culture:
On his dream Looking sex scene:
By: Matthew Tharrett
On: Jun 4, 2014
Jonathan Groff Shows Off His Pits, Talks Steamy Sex Scenes In ‘Looking’ Season 2
The 29-year-old Tony-nominated actor is also putting his glorious pits on display in an exclusive photoshoot with Scene photographer Matthew Scrivens.
In the accompanying interview, he explains why he stays away from social media, how his breakup with Zachary Quinto influenced his drama-free lifestyle, and who he’s dying to have onscreen sex with in the upcoming season of Looking.
On the topic of coming out (which he did officially at the 2009 National Equality March in D.C.), Groff tells Scene that the decision was easy. “Being in love was more powerful than any job I’d had before,” he says. “That was the impetus.”
On refusing to take part in celebrity culture:
Groff has had a crash course in what it means to be a gay celebrity in the era of Perez Hilton: he was linked romantically to actor Zachary Quinto when the Star Trek star was still in the closet, though the two have since broken up. Groff’s way of dealing with the drama was by refusing to take part in any of the Internet celebrity culture.
“I heard from friends of friends or whatever that like, ‘This picture was online’ or ‘I saw you and Zach walking down the street.’ So I’d know that things like that existed, but I don’t ever look at it.”
On his dream Looking sex scene:
Check out the full interview and more exclusive photos over at Scene.
As for the next season of Looking, Groff stands by his “dream cameo,” Odd Future’s Frank Ocean. But if he had to pick someone to do a sex scene with, it’d be his C.O.G. co-star Corey Stoll. (You may remember him as the doomed Russo from the first season of House of Cards.)
“We had a potentially almost romantic scene, but then it turned out to be not romantic,” Groff says of filming C.O.G., a movie based on a David Sedaris short story, with Stoll. “So I would like to fulfill that—the starting of the relationship, and maybe have a love affair with Corey Stoll.”
By: Matthew Tharrett
On: Jun 4, 2014
Monday 2 June 2014
Wentworth Miller Turns 42 - The Backlot
[Source]
Birthday Gallery: Wentworth Miller Turns 42
by snicks | June 2, 2014
Wentworth Miller first entered our radar with guest shots on Popular and Buffy, and moved on to the mini-series Dinotopia, but it was his breakout role as the tattooed Michael Scofield in Fox’s hit Prison Break that really began our obsession.
We were delighted when he publicly came out last summer, and his speech at the HRC was stunning and powerful.
Today is his 42nd birthday, and we look forward to what he has to offer next (in addition to acting, he’s also an accomplished screenwriter). Enjoy this gallery of some of the highlights of his career.
Happy Birthday, Wentworth!
Birthday Gallery: Wentworth Miller Turns 42
by snicks | June 2, 2014
Wentworth Miller first entered our radar with guest shots on Popular and Buffy, and moved on to the mini-series Dinotopia, but it was his breakout role as the tattooed Michael Scofield in Fox’s hit Prison Break that really began our obsession.
We were delighted when he publicly came out last summer, and his speech at the HRC was stunning and powerful.
Today is his 42nd birthday, and we look forward to what he has to offer next (in addition to acting, he’s also an accomplished screenwriter). Enjoy this gallery of some of the highlights of his career.
Happy Birthday, Wentworth!
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