I love this song. I kissed a boy while this song played at a sleepover. Here's Donald Fagen with 'New Frontier'
Thursday, June 30, 2011
BackFlash Video Thursday
I love this song. I kissed a boy while this song played at a sleepover. Here's Donald Fagen with 'New Frontier'
Question of the Day: Gay Marriage Edition
Evolve Already... This is a hashtag used to tell President Obama to evolve on Gay Marriage.
I would like to know your views on this. Should Obama Evolve Already, Evolve When Ready? What's your take?
Me, I think this is a political process. I feel in my heart he's fine with Gay Marriage, but he's playing the field until the numbers for support increase. But that's me, how about you?
Some LGBT Coward Group Vandalized a D.C. HRC Store
A new group called “The Right Honorable Wicked Stepmothers’ Traveling, Drinking, and Debating Society and Men’s Auxiliary” (This reminds me of a Fiona Apple CD title) vandalized the Human Rights Campaign store in D.C.
Why? Well, they are mad at the HRC and to pay some type of respect to the Stonewall Riots.
Here's there press release:
ROWDY QUEERS TRASH AND GLAMDALIZE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN GIFT SHOP IN WASHINGTON, DC ON THE 42nd ANNIVERSARY OF THE STONEWALL RIOTSThis is childish! They are acting like jealous, ugly school girls. I understand their frustration, but to stoop to these levels are ridic. Personally, they are cowards.
(In the wee hours of June 29, 2011)
--
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) gift shop in Dupont Circle in Washington, DC is a god awful monstrosity. We were in there yesterday and between wiping our genitals on the clothing and discovering that the snow globes wouldn't properly fit up our bums, we got to thinking:
"This place would look great with a bit of shattered glass and splattered paint."
So we strapped on our riot chaps, poured pink paint into light bulbs, grabbed hammers, and went party party party! all over that tacky testament to the transformation of radical queer liberation into consumer junk.
We've got good reason. This week marks the 42nd anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
On the night of June 28, 1969, New York City's Public Morals Squad did a routine raid of an East Village gay bar called the Stonewall Inn. Everything was going fine until, in the midst of the standard genital check that police forced on draq queens, a lesbian beaned a cop straight in the head with a ripped-up parking meter. And so queer liberation was born.
The modern LGBT movement owes its success to three days of smashing, burning, punching, and kicking--all of it happily indiscriminate--and the confrontational tactics of groups like ACT-UP that followed in the decades since. Yet, somehow we've forgotten our riotous roots.
Gay Pride, for example, wasn't always a suburban county fair with less fanny packs and lined with banks and politicians. The first Pride was the 1970 Christopher Street Liberation Day march, a celebration of the riots the year before (and to this day, Pride festivals the world over are celebrated in June).
But we've been snorting ritalin and drinking whiskey all night and this manifesto tomfoolery is wearing us down so let's bring it home, shall we?
Why, you're asking, did we specifically target the HRC, a massive national gay rights non-profit as opposed to vomiting urine on Rick Santorum or something equally fun?
Put simply, they suck. What do they suck? Cash. Lots of it.
The HRC rakes in something approaching 50 million dollars a year in revenue--their executive director, Joe Salmonellamayonaisemanese pulls in a salary of several hundred grand. What have we gotten out of this bloated carcass? Not a thing worth mentioning and every now and then, they eagerly sell trans people up the river. Seriously, this is an organization that hordes money and does nothing useful. It's a sad, sick dinosaur.
Meanwhile, in Washington, DC violence against the LGBT community is on the rise; DC's only LGBT center is forced to go hat in hand to real estate developers and beg for space, only to face eviction a few years down the road; We lack a homeless shelter for queer youth and services for our community are the victims of budget cuts. Can you think of something better to do with a few million dollars?
(Did you know that 50 million dollars can buy about 300 thousand pounds of glitter?)
Everyone: We know you mean well, but stop giving these idiots your money. Stop putting that equal sticker on your car. Stop going to their lame galas. And for the love of Judy Garland's Ghost and Robert Mapplethorpe's Zombie Bones, stop saying "It Gets Better" and hoping for a miracle from up on high. We don't expect you to riot (although we swear you'll love it once you get going!) but it's time for us to quit with the passivity, move to action, build community and care for each other instead of hoping the Gay Non-Profit Industrial Complex will ever get anything done.
Sincerely,
THE RIGHT HONORABLE WICKED STEPMOTHERS' TRAVELING, DRINKING AND DEBATING SOCIETY AND MEN'S AUXILIARY
If you want to be taken seriously, step in the HRC face; don't hide, stand firm and upfront. Folks ain't got time for this high school mess.
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Interesting Quote: Marcus Bachmann
We have to understand: barbarians need to be educated. They need to be disciplined. Just because someone feels it or thinks it doesn’t mean that we are supposed to go down that road. That’s what is called the sinful nature. We have a responsibility as parents and as authority figures not to encourage such thoughts and feelings from moving into the action steps…
And let’s face it: what is our culture, what is our public education system doing today? They are giving full, wide-open doors to children, not only giving encouragement to think it but to encourage action steps. That’s why when we understand what truly is the percentage of homosexuals in this country, it is small. But by these open doors, I can see and we are experiencing, that it is starting to increase.
Michele Bachmann's husband is talking about us (gays) being barbarians... So poof, I'm Thundarr!
The dumbest game show... yet
But what about the questions? They must be intellectually challenging. “How much did William Shatner sell his kidney stone for?” Okay, that one might be a little too highbrow but it’s in the ballpark.
The prize: $50,000 for the winner, which if these people do the math is enough to buy a Lear jet.
Assuming that this focus group had evolved to where they had thumbs, by now all forty would be up. Feet would be clapping. Drool would be pouring.
However, for anyone watching this schlockfest who has an IQ of 50 and a forehead, this is the dumbest new show on television.
JEOPARDY contestants have college degrees; one 101 WAYS contestant has a big tattoo on his arm of Lady Gaga, another wants to use the prize money to build a waterfall for his iguana, and a third plans to use her winnings to buy a backstage pass to a Justin Bieber concert. Shooting these nitwits out of cannons isn’t cruel. It’s what they deserve.
The truth is there’s no suspense. Obviously, none of these dolts are in any real danger. They’re doing nothing more than essentially going on Six Flags Magic Mountain thrill rides. Yes, they scream and maybe think they’re in danger, but they would think that on every attraction they ever ride. They’ve cheated death by surviving Dumbo.
And just to make sure that the questions aren’t too taxing, over the course of a one-hour show there are a grand total of ten of them. The toughest: Did McDonalds ever offer McLobster?
“I’ll take village idiots for 40, Alex.”
If you like complete train wrecks then 101 WAYS TO LEAVE A GAME SHOW is for you. Train wreck, by the way, is probably way 22. I can only hope that the show will be off the air long before they get that far.
VIDEO: President Obama at LGBT Pride Reception
President Obama held his annual LGBT Pride Reception, inviting leaders, students and couples to the event.
Please watch his speech
Please watch his speech
WATCH: True Blood's Marshall Allman REALLY get into his acting
Marshall plays Tommy 'Big Booty' Mickens in True Blood. In this Funny or Die clip, we get to see a lot more Marshall.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
No Charges for the Wrongful Death of DeFarra Gaymon
Way back in August, I blogged about DeFarra Gaymon's wrongful death. He was shot by Officer Edward Esposito in Newark's Branch Brook Park during an undercover investigation of a sex ring. Officer Esposito claimed DeFarra attacked and threaten to kill him. The officer responded by shooting Defarra.
Well, they just had a hearing and the NJ Grand jury did not charge Officer Esposito with anything.
Here's more:
“We made an effort to find out if there was anyone who saw the events in the park,” said Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office. “No witnesses ever came forward to say they saw all, or a portion, of the encounter.”There are a lot of unanswered questions about this incident. I can't help but to think there's more going on. This story is not over.
Ms. Carter declined to comment on what evidence was presented to the grand jury, which decided on Friday not to indict the officer. The acting Essex County prosecutor, Carolyn A. Murray, told the Gaymon family late Monday, Ms. Carter said.
The family is suing Officer Esposito and the sheriff’s office in State Superior Court in Essex County. Christopher W. Kinum, a lawyer for the Gaymons, said, “We don’t feel like we got a legitimate investigation out of the prosecutor’s office.”
Charles J. Sciarra, a lawyer for the officer, said his client had testified voluntarily before the grand jury. “There was never a doubt that the use of force was an absolute last resort and justified in all aspects,” Mr. Sciarra said.
WATCH: President Obama on Marriage Equality (Where is he on that?)
On New York's victory
On his own evolution
I know he's politically playing this, but hopefully he will be timely on this issue.
On his own evolution
I know he's politically playing this, but hopefully he will be timely on this issue.
Read NOM's Broke Ass Plan to Save Marriage
Oh NOM, they just can't move on. A few days ago, I talked about their 'attack' on New York. Now, here is their 3 step plan:
We're putting together a 4-year campaign strategy that will reverse same-sex marriage in New York. We'll have many more details, and ways for you to get involved, in the days ahead but the overall plan will have three phases:I guess they never watched 'Alias' or took a Strategy Planning course. All super villain knows you never post your plans in public, especially broke ass plans.
PHASE 1:
Elect pro-marriage majorities next November that will approve a marriage amendment in both the Assembly and Senate during the 2013 legislative session.
PHASE 2:
Protect pro-marriage candidates in the 2014 elections, so that the amendment can receive final legislative approval in the 2015 legislative session.
PHASE 3:
Successfully pass the ballot measure when it goes before voters in November 2015.
The marriage amendment is a bust. Who would really risk their political career over that? Then if the vote went to the people, well that's a bust. Over half of the NY peeps support gay marriage.
So just deal with it, you lost!
Interesting Quote: Anna Paquin
"There is probably something wrong with me, but I find it amusing to watch these men and women fawn all over him. It's not like anyone is really trying to do anything inappropriate. They just want him to hug them... or bite them."
She talking about the straight and gay fans of her boo, Stephen Moyer.
Levine & Isaacs -- you're fired!
But how many writers have been fired even before they wrote a single word? Not many. The only two I can think of are me and my partner, David Isaacs. What a dubious distinction!
So Kleiser gets a big development deal at Columbia. He has an idea for a coming-of-age movie set in an amusement park. David and I are hired to write it. We do. He loves it. The studio loves it. Everybody loves it. No one makes it but everyone loves it.
While we are writing the screenplay, Kleiser is busy writing and preparing the next movie he was going to direct, SUMMER LOVERS. This classic starring nubile Darryl Hannah and pretty boy, Peter Gallagher, is about a gorgeous young couple who fall in love one idyllic summer in picturesque Greece. BLUE LAGOON with Lachanodolmades.
We turn in our screenplay to much praise and get a call from Randal. He’s going off to Greece in a week to begin principle photography of SUMMER LOVERS. But he’s getting a little nervous about the script. Would we be interested in doing a fast rewrite? Nothing major. No story or structure changes. Just round out the characters and maybe add a little humor and dimension. A messenger drops off copies of the script. We read it overnight, meet in the morning to discuss what we’d like to do, and then drive over to Burbank to confab (another favorite bullshit Hollywood word) with him in his office on the WB/Columbia lot.
The meeting goes swimingly. He loves our suggestions. He laughs at the jokes we propose. He couldn’t be more effusive and enthusiastic. What we pitch is just what the script needs he says. So he sends us off to write it, complete with his blessing and thanks.
We drive back over the hill to my condo on the Westside. Takes about a half hour. We walk in my place and immediately the phone rings. It’s our agent. No pleasantries. She starts out with, “Just what happened in that meeting?” I was sort of thrown by the question. “It went great. Why?” I asked. “Well, it couldn’t have gone that great,” she said, “Columbia just called. They fired you.”
"What?!"
"You're no longer on the project."
"Even if we were never on the project."
"Yep. Your services are no longer needed."
"What services? We never started service."
"You're fired!"
So that was that. We never found out why. My guess is Randal didn’t like our suggestions but was just too much of a wimp (an expression I shall use in place of the one I really want to use but am taking the high road – although you know the word I mean) to tell us face-to-face. Randal went off to the make the movie. I never saw it. It bombed. I don’t think our rewrite would have made a damn bit of difference.
By the time he had returned, our amusement park project was dead. We learned later that Columbia had no intention of ever making it. They wanted another BLUE LAGOON, not a teen comedy out of Randal Kleiser. They were just indulging him. We didn’t know it at the time but we were always just spinning our wheels (back in the days when studios still paid for the spinning).
There’s no real moral to this story. The only advice I could give writers so that this never happens to you is, I guess, don’t ever come home taking Laurel Canyon.
12 Things Black LGBT folks need to do NOW!
Okay, it's time for more Black LGBT folks to step up and represent. Now, I'm not saying that it's not happening, but we can do more. So, I have some ideas on what we can do to get on point.
- Vote in all elections. Yes, Obama is key; but we need to make sure the right congressperson or Governor is in office.
- Come Out!
- Mentor someone trying to find their way.
- Stand up to religious leaders and hold them accountable for their bigotry and lies.
- Be visible.
- Not only join LGBT organizations, but get on the board.
- Get involved in community organizing.
- Write a blog explaining your experiences. There are kids looking for examples, stories, and someone to connect with.
- Become more savvy about current events, not just on Beyonce.
- Be proud of who you are.
- Learn LGBT history. We should learn where we been, in order to know where to go.
- Become more politically aware.
WATCH: Lawrence O'Donnell talks about the DREAM Act
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Party Down Will be a Movie? The Creator says 'Yes'!
One of the best TV shows (that was cancelled) just got another shot at life!'Party Down' the Starz comedy may be coming to the big screen, according to the creator Rob Thomas:
Yes! I'm excited for this! Good luck, Rob! We are rooting for you (and by 'we', I mean my partner and I)
NY Sen. Ruben Diaz thinks he has Made History
Oh Ruben... After he gave his 'Best Actress in a Drama' scene last Friday; he is now playing a new role, History Maker.
But before I get there, Ruben goes on a rant about how Christians lost the gay marriage battle:
We have to organize better. The problem with the Christian movement, with the Christians and pastors, is that they pray too much and act too little," the Bronx state senator told CP.Don't you love it? You got to blame somebody, right? But here's the part that gets me:
Diaz has blamed the failure to block gay marriage in New York on switch-vote Republicans for "becoming a tool of the Democratic party" and in part on Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos for allowing the bill to come to a vote.
I made history. I'm the only New York State Democrat that voted against the bill. I will wear it as a badge of honor," he said.Boy please, this mess right here
"No one will make abandon my faith. No one can make me change my life. I love Jesus. All what I am or what I do, all of what I have is because of His grace."
When asked what he thought about Republican Sen. Mark Grisanti of Buffalo, who went against his Catholic faith and original position to eventually vote "yes" on the gay marriage bill, Diaz said he would back any churches that wanted to "teach him a lesson."
You didn't make history, you just made a fool of yourself.
Interesting Quote: Tony Perkins
Despite all of the disappointment, God is on the move. Regardless of how things appear, never doubt that He is at work behind the scenes. Rainbow colors may cut through the New York night, but shadows are where you and I are called to shine. The world takes advantage of the darkness, but only the church can set it ablaze. "Arise... for your light has come... See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." (Isaiah 60:1-3)
Basically, he's upset about the gay marriage vote in New York.
source
Where to go this summer vacation
The 4th of July weekend heralds the real beginning of the summer vacation season. Still don’t know where to go yet? Allow me to help while shamelessly pushing my book, WHERE THE HELL AM I? TRIPS I HAVE SURVIVED (only $2.99 in all ebook formats and $6.99 paperback. Order yours here!!!)
WTHAI?TISH (as most people refer to it) is a ten year collection of my humorous travelogues. Here are a few excerpts to help you decide where to go this summer.
DALLAS – (most people’s first choice for August travel) On every corner there’s either a steakhouse or a church. One place called “Holy Cow” could be either or both.
LAS VEGAS -- We hit the beach. Yes, Mandalay Bay has its own beach. Unfortunately, the ocean was turned off. No waves. But Debby (my wife) and I took a long walk along the grid that serves as the shore and gazed out at the horizon to see the Lance Burton Magician billboard on Las Vegas Avenue.
MAUI – Did not see the sunrise at Haleakala. But did get a report from someone who did. A bus picks you up 2:30 in the morning. You drive an hour and a half to the top of this massive shield volcano. By top I mean 10,023 feet. You get out in your shorts, flip flops, and aloha shirt -- it’s pitch black, and 22 degrees (literally). When the sun comes up (two hours later) it will rise to 37. Finally the dawn. It’s breathtaking, awesome, and your teeth are chattering like castanets. You don’t want to even think about the possibility that there’s a YouTube video of this. You get on the bus and either go home or into shock.
But we did visit quaint Lahaina. Strolled past the charming Crazy-T-Shirt and souvenir soap stores. This bawdy whaling port has not changed in a hundred years.
For all the hoopla of Lahaina, we found quite a few other smaller, lesser-known little towns that were far more charming and KFC-free. Paia, for one. It’s advertised as a throwback “hippie” village. And I must say it took me right back to the ‘60s when hippies supported their drug habits by selling gelato.
Makawao is another quaint attraction. Up country, it’s a little cowboy town, specializing in glass blowing – just like Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid used to do. I kept looking for the jail and saloon but alas they’ve given way to art galleries and a market that makes fresh donuts. But get there early. They go fast. There’s usually a shoot-out in the town square for the last cruller.
PHOENIX -- This is a sprawling city of giant shopping malls broken up by sports complexes. Oh, and numerous aircraft bone yards. From rusted out WWII planes to 747s that haven’t flown since Braniff went under, they’re all here. Was hoping to swing by and pick up an L1011 fuselage but time got away.
To get anywhere in Phoenix – to work, a restaurant, the rental car outpost from the airport – you just get on the freeway and go 13.2 miles. Everything is 13.2 miles away. Except Circle K’s. There are two on every corner. How much beef jerky can this town chew?
DENVER -- Denver is the most sexually active city in America. Contraceptive sales are 189% higher within the city limits than the national average (sales of female contraceptives are a whopping 278% higher). Coincidentally, Denver also has the world’s largest brewery (Coors).
Things not to miss: The Butterfly Pavilion insect zoo, the “Mind Eraser” rollercoaster at Elitch Gardens, the giant cement slide at Bear Valley Park that looks like a vagina, the Buckhorn Exchange restaurant with 500 stuffed animals (it’s how I imagine Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s bedroom), the stone marker that claims to be the birthplace of the cheeseburger, and any CVS pharmacy for contraceptives.
ST. LOUIS -- St. Loo is famous of course for the Anheuser-Busch brewery. Although, locals insist it’s not the same now that the Busch family has sold it to Germans. They claim the beer tastes different. I couldn’t tell, but I did notice the Clydesdales goose-stepping in a recent parade.
PHILADELPHIA -- Meant to get out to the Mutter Museum, founded originally to educate doctors of the 19th Century and current HMO’s. Big attractions include conjoined twins and a catalog of foreign objects removed from bodies. Bring the kids!
This is the birthplace of two major revolutions – the American and shopping. It is in nearby Westchester that QVC is located, which is why I thought I saw Marie Osmond at baggage claim waiting at the carousel for 42,000 dolls to come down the chute.
WASHINGTON D.C. -- So much to see: the monuments, Gennifer Flowers’ apartment, Capitol Hill, Paula Jones’ apartment, the White House, Monica Lewinsky’s apartment, the Smithsonian, the DC Madam’s place, the Mint, Elizabeth Ray’s apartment, Arlington Cemetery, Donna Rice’s apartment, and the Watergate hotel.
BOSTON -- Swung by the Quincy Market. There we ran across the new second Cheers bar. This one, they claim, is set up exactly like the one on TV. Maybe if you've never seen the show. The bar is square and two or three of the pictures on the back wall are the same. Otherwise, the bar on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine looks more like the real Cheers.
MILWAUKEE – (on the road with the Dodgers) stayed at the historic Pfister. The Pfister is pfirst class. It’s an old regal downtown hotel that just happens to be haunted. Some ballplayers are so freaked they stay elsewhere, or sleep holding a bat for protection. Carlos Gomez of the Twins was getting out of the shower and his iPod suddenly went haywire, so instead of calling AppleCare (or Ghostbusters?), he raced out to the lobby without his pants. I shared a room with the Ghost of Christmas Future. He told me that “UFC Undisputed” will sell out quick this season so shop early.
One thing I’ve discovered about Milwaukee – it’s in a time warp. The buildings, the cars, the people – it’s 1956. Friday night’s postgame concert featured newcomers Buddy Holly and the Crickets. In an attempt to blend in I wore an “Adlai Stevenson for President” button.
FLORIDA – (business trip with my writing partner, David) If a studio was paying for this trip we would have stayed in Naples. But since it was our own dime, Bonita Beach was our Gateway to the Gulf home. In the ‘20s there was this cult, the Koreshans, who believed that Bonita Beach was the center of the world. It was a celibate tribe so unfortunately it no longer exists. (Darwin works!) There’s just a state park in their honor. And if I’m not mistaken, the Hampton Inn we were staying at is at the center of Bonita Beach, and room 229, just to our left, is the absolute DEAD center of the world.
No wonder the Holiday Inn across the street is proud. Their marquee proclaims “Number one guest rated shower heads.”
Favorite store name (maybe ever): “Master Bait & Tackle Shop” on Bonita Beach Road. Yes, I purchased t-shirts.
Question of the Day: The Sexy Edition
When do you feel sexy?
Me, I feel sexy when a guy is feeling my intellect
Today is the Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots
Let's take a moment to remember 1969 and the riots at Stonewall. That night changed everything.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Polow Da Don is a Full Fledged Idiot
Some people are better silent than heard, and in Polow Da Dum's case, they are meant to be put in a closet and locked away.
This is what he tweeted this past weekend:
I didn't know that Jusus was a God? Maybe that's from Conan's world. Anywho, frak you Polow Da Dum! And I hope a gay person put spider eggs in your make-up case.
This is what he tweeted this past weekend:
I didn't know that Jusus was a God? Maybe that's from Conan's world. Anywho, frak you Polow Da Dum! And I hope a gay person put spider eggs in your make-up case.
VIDEO: Michele Bachmann compares herself to a Serial Killer
Oh, Michele! The John Wayne you're talking about is John Wayne Gacy... The serial killer! For proof of this, go here.
So for you tea party people and others: This is John Wayne Gacy
Get it together, Michele!
Is Ken Mehlman the Hidden Hero of the NY Gay Marriage Vote?
So when folks think of Ken Mehlman, they remember the guy who worked for Bush and led the campaign to federally ban gay marriage. Later, he came out and spent the last year trying to redeem himself. He has played some minor roles moving LGBT issues within the GOP. But his biggest role may have went semi unnoticed.
According to this latest piece from The Daily Beast, Ken may be the unsung hero of the NY gay marriage vote:
On May 6, Mehlman traveled to Albany to attend a meeting with the leaders of New York’s GOP-controlled legislature, and make his pitch. “There’ s a strong Republican and conservative case to be made in favor of the right to marry,” Mehlman told the room. “If we are all endowed by a creator with unalienable rights including the pursuit of happiness, how can that not include marrying the person you love?” And like any good campaign strategist, he buttressed his argument with poll data: nearly 60 percent of New Yorkers said in recent polling that they support same-sex marriage. The GOP should not, he hinted, wind up on the wrong side of history.Ken is working hard to get in the gays' good graces. I'm kind of curious to see what he does next.
On June 6, two weeks before the legislative session was officially set to end, Mehlman was back in the state capitol to drive his argument home. He met one-on-one with 13 lawmakers, including the four Republican state senators who eventually voted in favor of the bill. Mehlman took pains not to draw too much attention to his efforts. As his friend, Bill Smith, political director at the Gill Action Fund, a gay-rights organization that orchestrated the conservative lobbying in New York, puts it, “he has been careful not to leave many fingerprints, like people who are looking for credit.” But the four Republican votes ended a deadlocked legislative session and made New York the sixth, largest, and most influential state to adopt same-sex marriage.
One of my writing pet peeves
One aspect of MIDNIGHT IN PARIS really bothered me -- all the wasted dialogue. Woody Allen isn't the only culprit, I see it in other movies and shows too. And it's just a personal pet peeve. But if you’re a young writer-hopeful (I like that term so much better than wannabe. Wannabe sounds like an Indian Guides troop.), you might want to give this rant some consideration.
You only have a certain amount of time to tell a story. Every word needs to count. In MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (warning: scene spoiler alert but it won't effect your enjoyment of the movie), there's a potentially funny sequence when Owen Wilson (picture Woody Allen but young and Gentile) is trapped in a hotel room with earrings he took from his fiancé (for a reason I won't divulge). On FRASIER we would do this type of scene every other week. And it would be packed with funny lines, whopper lies, great reactions. I'm sure Neil Simon, if given the same comic premise, would do the same.
"My earrings are gone!"
"Really? You sure?"
"Yes!"
"Did you check everywhere?"
"Yes. They're missing."
"Really?" Did you even bring them?"
"Yes I brought them."
"I don't know that you did".
"I did."
“I don’t remember seeing them.”
“I brought them. I saw them this morning.”
“You did?”
“Yes.”
You get the point.
Sorry but to me that's just lazy writing. You may say, "well, that's the way people talk.". And I would say absolutely -- but it's not interesting. It's sure not funny and this is a block comedy scene. As a writer it's your job to do better. Anyone can write the exchange I presented above. Your job is to make it funnier or more compelling or more thought-provoking or…more whatever.
Can people stammer? Sure. Do they talk ungrammatically? Every sentence. They also hedge and hem and haw and talk in circles. And you can use those qualities and still be engrossing. I refer you to any David Mamet play. Naturalistic dialogue doesn't have to be boring. But it takes skill to make it sing. At least attempt to do that.
Some would say that promotes dialogue that is too stylized. And often times they're right. Just as bad as boring conversation is the "no human being would ever say that" charge. But I'd rather err on the side of style, on the side of trying too hard rather than not enough.
I can hear some of you now. What about Aaron Sorkin? He uses a lot of short sentences and characters repeating other characters’ lines. What about him? I know. I’ve even spoofed him myself. But there is a definite flow to Sorkin’s dialogue. There’s a rhythm. Everything is carefully designed. It’s not just idle chit-chat, it’s lyrics.
I'll stop just short of saying you're making art because that always sounds incredibly pretentious so I'll just say you’re making diversions worthy of our time and even our money. Make every word count.
Maybe Woody should have traveled back to Paris in the 1920s – and spent more time with Hemingway.
A4A, Grindr, Bear 411... Let's Upgrade these Sites
But I don't think they get to the heart of the matter. S,o I have some suggestions to upgrade these sites.
- Guys can't post just cock and butt pics. It has to be full body (with face) pics. Don't hide, if you want to do the 'booty booty' you should be completely upfront about it.
- Take the out the FRIENDS option. Let's be real, who is actually looking for 'friends' on Scruff?
- There should be a minute clip of you in action. Meaning, you should be required to post a minute clip of you giving oral, dancing, having sex and whatnot. I think it would be nice to see what you are getting and if it's worth it. I think about it, you can see if they have the skills or not. Think about the time and drama you can save.
- Only up-to-date pics. You can not post pics from 1998 in 2011, claiming that's how you look now.
- There should be a chart that shows everyone who you've hooked up with. Then, you would know if your ex, friend or uncle have slept with your possible f**k buddy.
- Location... True Location.
- Only OUT gays. No closeted or married men allowed.
Let the Cultural Wars Begin! NOM attacks New York
Still bitter about their lost, NOM has started their attack toward the senators who supported gay marriage. Brian Brown put out this mess over the weekend.
Last night we were sold out by the Republican Party in New York. Shortly before 10:30 last night, the New York Senate voted 33 to 29 in favor of same-sex marriage. Four Republicans – Jim Alesi, Roy McDonald, Steve Saland, and Mark Grisanti provided the margin of passage.
But this fight is far from over. In response to last night's vote, I have doubled our pledge to New York, committing at least $2 million dollars to make sure that New York Republicans understand that voting for gay marriage has consequences.Don't they sound like super villains? Anywho, NOM is asking for $50, $100 to a $1000 dollars to... Well... Raise money for themselves. It's highly unlikely they can get this overturned. So why are they raising money? They hope to get those Repubs out of office. Well, good luck with that.
Marriage isn't a partisan issue – in fact, the hero of the past month has been Democratic Senator Ruben Diaz, a courageous friend who has withstood threats, bigotry and hatred while working tirelessly to protect and defend marriage. NOM pledges to stand with Senator Diaz and any Democrat who would share his courage in standing for marriage.
But the responsibility today rests squarely with the Republican Party. The Republican Party has torn up its contract with the voters who trusted them. When Democrats are in control, they regularly refuse to permit a vote on a marriage amendment. When they are in the minority, they may even leave the state to prevent a vote when their base disapproves. And yet tonight, the Republican Party has sold out, and it is the Republican Party that will pay the worst price for this vote to redefine marriage.
Question of the Day: True Blood Edition
A year and a half death, King Bill, and Eric (swoon). Well gang, what did you think of the season premier of TB?
Sunday, June 26, 2011
New Pic: DC Comics' Justice League (Relaunch Version)
Left panel, top to bottom: Deadman, Atom, Elemental Woman, & “a” Firestorm.Yes, Zealot from WildC.A.T.s
Right panel, top to bottom: Green Arrow, Hawkman, a mystery woman and Mera. The mystery woman is being speculated to be Black Canary by DCWKA or Power Girl or Wildstorm’s Zealot by Rich Johnson.
source
Vacation Tip: Where to find writers
I read articles all the time about where tourists visiting Los Angeles can see stars. There are also maps to the stars homes (although Jack Benny and Lucille Ball have moved to more permanent residences. ). But what about all those millions of visitors who come to Tinsel Town just to catch a glimpse at writers? There’s yet to be an article about that….Until now.
So for those of you scribe groupies hoping to see an actual TV or screenwriter this summer vacation, here are some places to go:
NATE N’ AL’S – This perennial Beverly Hills delicatessen is officially Broadway Danny Rose west. Here is where old comedy writers go to die of heart failure. Usually in tables of five or more, piled high with pastrami sandwiches (“I’m hungry now that I’ve quit smoking!”) the old sitcom guard holds court, trading stories of the good old days when Elizabeth Montgomery was a doll to work with but that Cosby kid was a handful. (“Two comedy albums and suddenly he knows funny!”) Morning meetings between writers and agents, managers, or producers start about 9. The ones that are over by 10 are working writers, the ones that go on til 11 are not.
THE AMC THEATRES, CENTURY CITY – weekday matinees only. Usually in pairs. Listen for the keywords: “Who greenlit this shit?”
THE FARMERS’ MARKET FOOD COURT – weekday mornings, early. They have coffee, read the trades, bitch about their fantasy baseball teams, and get the hell out before all the tour busses arrive.
Every STARBUCKS and COFFEE BEAN on Ventura Blvd between Vineland and White Oak. They’re easy to spot, sitting in front of computers, nursing one $3.00 ice blended for eight hours.
ART’S DELICATESSEN – Studio City. The San Fernando Valley equivalent of Nate N’ Al’s. Close to CBS Radford with oversized artery clogging triple deck sandwiches that include pastrami AND chopped liver. The one-time popular haunt of all the MTM writers so it’s kind of a shrine.
CEDARS SINAI HOSPITAL – West Hollywood. Home for all reunions of GRACE UNDER FIRE, CYBILL, and ROSEANNE writers.
THE SMOKE HOUSE – Burbank. Across the street from Warner Brothers studio. The bar area. Leave it to writers to think a good place to pick up chicks is at an old style red booth restaurant that’s been around since John Barrymore used to pass out there. Historic note: Captain & Tennille were discovered playing the Smoke House lounge – thus adding even more to the hip factor.
THE AROMA CAFÉ – Cute little coffee house with cute outdoor patio. On Tujunga Blvd in the valley mere steps from where Robert Blake had the love of his life whacked.
RESIDUALS – A bar in the valley that used to let writers pay for drinks with residual checks that were under a dollar. They eventually had to stop that practice because they were getting too many. I myself have received a check from THE SIMPSONS for one cent. And I’m sure it cost $5.00 to process and mail the check.
THE BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART – Westside smaller version of the Farmers’ Market Food Court. Writers and news anchors hang out here. You’ll have no trouble telling which is which.
THE OAKWOOD GARDEN APARTMENTS -- Burbank. See recently divorced writers.
Any coffee shop above Hollywood on Franklin – Lots of guys trying to write the next PULP FICTION. Or MIKE & MOLLY.
Happy hunting. One rule though: no handing out spec scripts! Let me repeat that:
NO HANDING OUT SCRIPTS!
Either working writers will be pissed or non-working writers will give you theirs.
5 People were Shot near San Francisco's Gay Pride Festivities
Lighting struck twice in San Francisco. Five people were shot in near the Gay Pride events.
Here's more:
Police spokesman Lt. Troy Dangerfield says a gunman fired shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday night near Market Street and Sixth Street. Two people were hit in the torso and are being treated for serious injuries at a hospital. Three others are being treated for minor injuries.Later, the cops found a suspect, but they are not sure if there were more than one shooter.
The shooting was a few blocks from the city's Gay Pride festivities at the Civic Center, which had just ended for the day. There was no immediate word on whether the incident had any connection to the festival.
It seems that San Fran's Pride is beset by shootings. Last year, a gang member shot into a crowd of people during Pink Saturday. I have to wonder, what's really going on in San Fran?
Saturday, June 25, 2011
NOM's Brian Brown Threatens NY GOP for supporting Marriage Equality
After their huge defeat in New York, NOM's president Brian Brown vows vengeance against the GOP senators who supported gay marriage.
See here in their press release:
The National Organization for Marriage’s (NOM<http://www.nationformarriage.org/>) president, Brian Brown doubled his previous pledge, promising to commit "at least $2 million" in elections in 2012 to make sure Republicans understand that voting for gay marriage has consequences:“The Republican party has torn up its contract with the voters who trusted them in order to facilitate Andrew Cuomo’s bid to be president of the U.S. Selling out your principles to get elected is wrong. Selling out your principles to get the other guy elected is just plain dumb.Gay marriage has consequences for the next generation, for parents, and for religious people, institutions and small business owners. Politicians who campaign one way on marriage, and then vote the other, need to understand: betraying and misleading voters has consequences, too. We are not giving up, we will continue to fight to protect marriage in New York, as we are actively doing in New Hampshire and Iowa.”NOM’s pledge to commit at least $2 million in the 2012 elections to hold politicians accountable for their vote includes independent expenditures as well as through NOM PAC New York.
These haters are ridic. 2 million dollars? They could actually do some real 'Christian' work with that money like: feeding the homeless, helping schools stay afloat or send kids who can't afford college to school. But no, they want to keep the legacy of hate alive. Bastards!
Katey Sagal's first job
In 1985, my partner, David and I created a comeback show for Mary Tyler Moore called (oddly enough) MARY. We were extremely fortunate to have a great casting director in Molly Lopata. All summer we spent auditioning actors for the series. Most you've heard of. Some even big names.
One day Molly brought in a newcomer to read for the role of Jo Tucker, Mary's acerbic workmate. We loved her. She was funny, real, and so fresh. A definite call-back.
Eventually we had to go to CBS to get cast approval. They asked to see two candidates for each role. For the part of Jo we brought in Kathy Bates and this newcomer. Both were wonderful. CBS was thrilled with either pick. We decided to go with the newbie. There was just something very special about Katey Sagal.
Here is a sample of her work on MARY. I don't know who put this together but many thanks. It not not only shows her comedic side but her singing ability too.
One day Molly brought in a newcomer to read for the role of Jo Tucker, Mary's acerbic workmate. We loved her. She was funny, real, and so fresh. A definite call-back.
Eventually we had to go to CBS to get cast approval. They asked to see two candidates for each role. For the part of Jo we brought in Kathy Bates and this newcomer. Both were wonderful. CBS was thrilled with either pick. We decided to go with the newbie. There was just something very special about Katey Sagal.
Here is a sample of her work on MARY. I don't know who put this together but many thanks. It not not only shows her comedic side but her singing ability too.
DC Comics! What are you doing for Wonder Woman's 70th Birthday?
So far, I've seen nothing. Nothing, from DC but this damn reboot and Green Lantern (which is considered a FAIL). They tried to make a series but that failed, they gave her a broke ass costume change and they continue to downplay her power in the DC Universe.
Great Hera, where is the love for Wonder Woman?
Where are the celebrations, the items, some type of comic collector editions... Where? Come on, DC Comics, you could release special figures, statues, artwork, Lynda Carter's cape... Something!
This is a real disappointment, for real! She is one of the big 3, show her some respect!
Friday, June 24, 2011
New York Has Marriage Equality!
The vote is done, kids! The gay marriage vote passes 33-29! New York has marriage equality!
WATCH: The Gay Marriage Vote in NY LIVE
If it happens tonight, you can watch it here
Watch live streaming video from nysenate at livestream.com
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