America's Got Talent!

Last night, I caught an episode of the new show AMERICA'S GOT TALENT. Which I'm figuring is supposed to be ironic. Because America clearly doesn't have talent -- just an unhealthy willingness to embarass itself on television.

From the stripping Snow White, to the guy who balanced an oven on his jaw, to an 11 year old white girl channelling Jennifer Holliday, the show was a smorgasbord of entertainment. The judges -- a snippy British guy named Piers, Brandy, and David Hasselhoff -- added the appropropriate veneer of B-level celebrity.

The show is funny, but sort of disturbing. Some schmuck is gonna win a million dollars for being a freak show -- and incur a little minor celebrity for it. Which I think is fucked up. But that's America, right? Sadly, yes.

But you should watch. Leonid the Magnificent -- a gay Russian dressed as an S&M angel with glitter eye makeup who balances swords and does fabulous drag hand moves -- advanced to the next level. So, check him out. he's worth the hour you'll invest in the show.

The pic is The Dancing Cow from another episode.

Yeah. America's Got Talent.

"Christina... bring me the axe!"

Had a lovely early afternoon. Shane and I recently bought "Mommie Dearest" on DVD, and with some spare time today, I sat down on the couch with a yogurt and watched it again.

I think "Mommie Dearest" is one of my all-time favorite movies. Mostly for Faye Dunaway's incredible performance as Joan Crawford -- so blissfully over the top, but completely believeable at the same time. And she knocks a couple of totally whacko moments clear out of the park. (No wire hangers.... EVER!)

But the real delight of the DVD was the commentary track by John Waters, which is one of the better commentary tracks I've watched on a DVD. It's such a respectful and loving commentary that is also wickedly funny (my favorite is his observation that it would have been funny if they could have gotten the infant to shriek in terror when it first saw Joan). Plus, it was very fun to see in the featurette that Diana Scarwid (who plays grown-up Christina) evolved into a woman who looks seriously Botoxed.

Fun movie for a rainy day.

Back from Dallas

Had a terrific trip to Dallas.

First off, two of our students placed fourth in the nation in Duo Interp (out of 214 schools. yeah for them!) They're the first national finalists ever from our school, and the first finalists in that event in Louisiana ever. So we were really proud.

And I had dinner and coffee with Brian. It was a nice evening. I was a little concerned it might be awkward, but it wasn't. We had a great time catching up, and it felt like old times. And he is still cute.

I love how really good friendships can withstand a lot of time apart. We hadn't talked in over two years, but we could pick right back up where we left off without much trouble. Friends like those are hard to come by, but wonderful to rediscover.

Oh, and I now totally shaved my head. I look meaner and butcher than ever. lol

Week Away!

I'm spending the next week in Dallas. We're going to a national speech tournament there.

It'll be very fun because I get to see my best friend from college, Brian. I was attatched at the hip to that boy all through college (he and I acted together in the very first musical I ever did -- The Fantasticks -- and I still have a picture from the show of the two of us in our big number hanging on my office wall.)

I haven't seen or spoken with him in over two years! So, it's gonna be really nice to see him again.

I hope he's still cute. :)

And the Tony goes to...

Ah, the Tony Awards! My favorite awards show of them all aired last night. And thans to magic of TiVo, I did the whole thing in under and hour and half (fast forwarding through commericals, boring tributes, and long-winded acceptance speeches from people I didn't care about.)

So, how did it go? Well, the production numbers... I had mixed feelings about The Drowsy Chaperone. It was funny, but not quite the rollicking great time the buzz has made it out to be. Jersey Boys -- well the Jersey Boys were cute. I thought The Wedding Singer number was cheesy, and of course, I loved The Color Purple. I was disappointed but not surprised by the Jersey Boys win for Best Musical. Still don't think I'd see it in New York or on the road.

Revivals... Sweeney Todd was appropriately creepy and fun, Threepenny Opera was scandalous (not really) and it was delicious seeing Cyndi Lauper sing AND make out with a woman on national television. But how about The Pajama Game! Harry Connick, Jr. and Kelli O'Hara were hot hot hot! I was glad the show won Best Revival.

High points... LaChanze winning for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. Cynthia Nixon winning for Best Leading Actress in a Play. The History Boys won more Tonys than any other play in Tony history (fantastic play, too.) The acceptance speech by Christian Hoff who won best Featured Actor in a Musical for Jersey Boys -- he was as surprised as everyone else in the place and his speech was really lovely.

But my big high of the evening had nothing to do with the Tonys. THE TRAILER FOR DREAMGIRLS! It looked fabulous!!! Ever since the movie musical got its resurgence, I've been saying "Dreamgirls is the perfect movie musical. Someone has to make it." And it looks like they haven't fucked it up! Yeah!

Now, we wait until next year.

For amusement...

I check out this online web comic for a good laugh now and then, and while going through the archive, I found this very funny one -- for the gay boys out there.

The website is www.marriedtothesea.com. It's one of three comics from a very funny pair of artists. The other sites are www.toothpastefordinner.com and www.nataliedee.com.

Check em out. They're gonna make you laugh.

The Tonys are Coming! The Tonys are Coming!

This Sunday is the Tony Awards. Yeah!

I love watching the Tonys for several reasons. One, it's great to watch the production numbers from the shows I probably won't get to see. I'm looking forward to the numbers from all the Tony-nominated musicals (which are The Drowsy Chaperone, Jersey Boys, The Color Purple, and The Wedding Singer... I'm rooting for Color Purple, of course!) And I look forward to the awkward and unsuccessful way they decide to present the Tony-nominated plays (The History Boys, Shining City, Rabbit Hole, and The Lueitenant of Inishmore... I'm pulling for The History Boys -- terrific script!)

I also love watching the Tony Awards because of the acceptance speeches -- watching theatre types deliver alternately touching, pretentious, shallow, lovely speeches delights me. And some fag always freaks out (George C. Wolfe screaming "Love you marissa!" was priceless the year he won for Angels in America!) And it's the only time you get to see gay folks kiss on live TV.

Lastly, I always get so inspired by the Tonys. In college, we'd all gather at someone's apartment (usually Brian's) and we'd watch the broadcast, cheer for the winners we liked, boo the ones we disagreed with, critique the production numbers, and then talk for hours after about how we're going to accept our Tony Award. Fun times. I always feel 20 all over again when I watch the Tonys.

So watch 'em on Sunday!

Cyndi Lauper

I went to Best Buy to spend the gift certificate I got for my birthday from my friend Cara , and I came across a lovely purchase -- a 3 disc set of the best of Cyndi Lauper.

I love Ms. Lauper. I was devoted to the "True Colors" album, and had the "She's So Unusual" cassette tape back when cassettes were solid tan plastic and the front sleeve had a listing of all the songs on it.

The discs are great -- songs from all the albums, even some that weren't radio releases (like "911" from the "true Colors" disc). And my favorite Lauper songs -- "I Drove All Night" and "The Goonies R Good Enough".

It makes me mad that Celine Dion remade "I Drove All Night" and then let it be played in a car commerical -- soulless French Canadian cunt. :)

And have you seen Cyndi recently? She looks fabulous. She made her broadway debut in "The Threepenny Opera" Here's a shot from her new album.