Eat Drink Man Man

"Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat," the final installment of the "Eating Out" trilogy, isn't coming out until October, but the appetizer tray is already being passed around, in large part because of fresh meat Rick D'Agostino and Chris Salvatore (directly above). And if they're not enough to satisfy your cravings, the cocktease trailer of director Glenn Gaylord's latest -- which features six openly gay actors -- is below. The addition of Mink Stole and Leslie Jordan to the cast leaves me with no choice but to go! (Official Facebook page HERE.)

 

Spanish Fly: Fernando Tobasco

If his tennis career doesn't pan out, super hot Spaniard Fernando Verdasco clearly could find a new career in gay porn modeling. (More photos HERE; thanks, Louis!)

Friday Ad Watch

Crack addiction is a hard thing to break. (Thanks, Steve!)

Cheering Section

Does anyone know what the deal is with American tennis player Sam Querrey's fan club? Not that I'm really complaining. ...

Suits Him Well

Actor Michael Fassbender cleans up nicely for GQ magazine.

'Private' Parts

A week ago I received an incredibly upsetting e-mail from a dear childhood friend of mine who was (putting it mildly) livid that I had included her name in a blog post about an experience we'd shared in our teens. ("Fuck me for having any expectation of privacy from you.") Happily, I can tell you upfront that we have since spoken on the phone and everything is fine now (well, until she reads this), but for the 72 hours between the e-mail and the phone call I was shaken, saddened and not someone you would want to be around.

Don't get me wrong. After 6,293 posts, I've received my share of feedback from people who have been mentioned along the way. But honest to god, easily 95 percent of it has been positive, often connecting me with authors, actors, filmmakers or musicians I admire, or reconnecting me with old friends and colleagues who are tickled to relive old memories we shared. So the occasional model who "doesn't want to be seen on a gay site" (even though the photographer who OWNS the rights to the photos gave them to me) isn't exactly in a position to break my stride. But to have upset this friend -- a friend with whom I had been through so much during our misspent youth, with whom I had plotted -- and sometimes exacted -- revenge against our high school nemeses, with whom I had worn so many ridiculous outfits and with whom I had gone to all of those glorious New Wave concerts -- was a little more than I could bear. To be more specific, she was angry because I had used her full name -- which now brought up my post as the top result of a Google search -- her name that I later learned she has gone to great lengths to "keep off the Internet." It probably won't surprise you to learn that it took me -- who has his ENTIRE LIFE ON DISPLAY on said Internet -- several minutes to even truly understand why she was so angry (didn't she see the part about the fun we'd had, I thought to myself!!!), despite the fact that she specifically cited future job prospects as a principal reason for not wanting our tales of underage drinking out there for all to see.

(The sad irony was that I had DELIBERATELY included her full name in the hopes that she would come across the post more readily because I hadn't heard from her in a couple years and I hoped the fun memory of this trip we took would cajole her into contacting me. We have the kind of friendship where we can not speak for years and then when we do, it's like not a day went by. And it also wasn't unusual for her to disappear for a period of time. I had sent cards and occasional e-mails, but she had moved a couple of times and I wasn't 100 percent sure they were even reaching her. Quite simply, I wanted to know how she was doing.)

So while both of us might have been wise to have handled the whole thing differently -- I could have just used her first name, and she could have calmly asked me to remove her last -- I certainly understood that she had a right to be upset. And it got me thinking about the bigger question looming over all of this. In a world filled with cell-phone cameras, Facebook, Twitter and blogs, what should anyone's expectation of privacy be anymore? Is it time to select a date that acts as a cutoff point for privacy as we knew it, and declare that FROM THIS DATE FORWARD anything you say or do can appear online somewhere without question -- but nothing before then? (In her missive, my friend made a point to mention my use of -- what she called -- the "least-flattering photo you can scan in ... on the goddamn internet." I, of course, responded by saying I thought she looked ADORABLE back then -- had she not seen MY hair?) Or are we each the owner of the copyright to our own memories, free to do with them as we choose, and therefore is it time for everyone to accept that their life is now, to a certain degree, a more open book, like it or not?? I would argue for the latter (although that didn't exactly work for Augusten Burroughs, now did it?), but it's much more likely there will continue to be the struggle between those of us who are a 6 on the Kinsey Scale of Privacy versus those who are a 0. And there will be casualties along the way.

As I mentioned, I have had a number of people -- some of them who are very close to me, including my homosexual lover AND even fellow bloggers(!) -- who have asked me to remove references to them over the years, for various reasons. It's surprised me at times, but for the most part I turn into Kathy Griffin getting caught by someone she's made a joke about (even if I haven't) and acquiesce to whatever they want. I blog because I enjoy it, not to upset anyone. I blog because so much of my professional life involves editing other people's words, so sometimes I need to write my own. I blog because I like to make people laugh and think and feel. And I blog because I enjoy sharing my life and hearing from other people who have experienced similar things.

So perhaps it was not all that surprising that after I had written most of this post I would come across someone who had experienced "a similar thing" only to a more devastating effect, one Bradford Shellhammer, whose blog I have read from time to time over the years. (In fact, when he was editor of Queerty he gave me my first big "break" by linking to my Madonna as Valerie Cherish post.) In a stirring article in The Times we learn about the demise of his relationship with his fiance, Benjamin Dixon -- complete with wonderful photos of their charming duplex in the city and kitschy lake house in the country -- that strongly suggests it was the couple's polar opposite Kinsey "privacy" ratings that drove the blogger and his more private lover apart:

Mr. Dixon felt increasingly alienated by his partner’s need to post the details of their lives online. “For me,” he said, a vacation or a party was “real just for the two of us. It seemed like Bradford often needed to put it online for it to be real.”

Almost shockingly, based on a post-article blog post by Bradford, you'd almost guess this was news to him:

I thought he had no issue being Googled and having his life exposed. How could he? He was with me for five years. I knew he would not want to work for someone who would judge him based on his personal life. He's not as exposed to the world as I am. But he does not hide. But I guess, after reading the article, he's not so comfortable being out there as I am. I did not realize he had issues with this blog. I sit here asking myself why I have the need to write here. It's complex and needed and evolving. I will not or cannot abandon the possibilities and connections this space brings to my life. I'm a writer. I'm home here.

A beautiful explanation of this blogging compulsion some of us are afflicted with, one that I hope brings comfort and clarity to the more discreet loved ones of bloggers around the world, particularly one who did some underage drinking with me so many years ago. ...

Morning Wood: Eric Bana

Sexy Eric Bana drops by the Ed Sullivan Theatre for an apperance on "Late Show with David Letterman" this week in New York.

Two-Night Stand

Am so excited to be seeing the hilarious Natasha Leggero this Friday night at Comix, the newish comedy club over in the Meatpacking District. She and Nick Thune are performing two shows a night on Friday and Saturday (I'll let them sell you on coming to the gig, above). You may recognize Natasha from her regular appearances on the "Chelsea Lately" roundtable, or from our shared distaste for hip-hop music. For tickets to the New York shows, click HERE. Until then, hear what Natasha has to say about shopping at Rite Aid, the quintessential customer-service experience, below.

 

Hooker Named Best Lay

Note to Ashley Dupre: Don't forget, it's an honor just to be nominated. Full story HERE.

Vegging Out With Mike White

In a new campaign for PETA, Mike White explains why he became a vegan. The writer, producer and actor, who made his directorial debut with 2007's "Year of the Dog," says it was actually his dog who influenced him to stop eating animals. "You know I have a dog who looks a lot like a pig," he said, "and I would look at him and I'd think, you know I cannot eat pig any more." It's almost hard to believe such sound reasoning could come from a mind twisted enough to come up with something like "Chuck and Buck"!

You can Pledge to Be a Veg HERE.

So I Think He Can Dress

I'm no fan of these dancing shows, but I might be if they all danced in nothing but their undies like sexy Brandon did on "So You Think You Can Dance."

Quote of the Day

“Things have changed an awful lot. I think Obama is a person who listens. I think he’s humble enough to understand, and humble enough to understand the diversity and complexity of the world, in terms of cultures, terms of ways of living, in terms of religions, in terms of different perspectives on a world order. It’s not so much a question of what can Obama can do for us, but what we can do for Obama.” -- Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, discussing Spain's willingness to increase its troops on long-term assignment in Afghanistan

Add this to the list of reasons I'm glad we have a new president. (Full story HERE.)

How Swede It Is

I have to say, back in his heyday Stefan Edberg -- seen here in a Legends match yesterday in Los Angeles -- didn't really do it for me. But looking back on it now, my friend Greg was right about one thing. The Swede has legs and he knows how to use 'em. (The ass and abs ain't bad, either.) Maybe Mats Wilander's girlfriend was on to something. ...

Vin or Out?

Vin Diesel stopped by the Apple store in Soho as part of its Meet the Filmmaker series to discuss his new short film, "Los Bandoleros," which is featured in the DVD release of "Fast & Furious." I go back and forth on this one -- sometimes I think he's sexy as all hell, sometimes I think he's a major tool slash dork. From what I'm seeing here I'm going with the former this time around. What do you think?

Page 1 Consider (07/30)

News Flash: Jude Law can't keep it in his pants. (Bricks and Stones)

Ooh La La: French actor Jocelyn Quivrin gets naked! (OMG! Blog)

Disgraceland: A Tennessee lawmaker resigned from the state Senate on Tuesday after his extramarital affair with a 22-year-old intern was revealed by an investigation into an extortion case. (AP)

Jackie-Oh! Remembering the style of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, on what would have been her 80th birthday. (HP)

Everything's Peachy: "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" are back. Are we in? (NYT)

Marriage Refugees: My pal Tom Dolby writes about his wedding in Connecticut, where he had to go when his home state stripped its citizens of marriage equality earlier this year. (Huffington Post)

She Was Probably Asking for It: A South Carolina man was busted for having sex with a horse, while on probation for having sex with the same horse. Rodell Vereen, 50, was arrested Monday night in the throes of bestiality by the filly's shotgun-toting owner, who also has video surveillance of the perverse act. It's a sad story but I can't help but think it might have a "happy" ending some day, you know, like Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau. (NYDN)

For Sale: My favorite blog written by a film location scout, Scouting New York, totally sells out. (Scouting NY)

TransAmerica: And all these years I thought the only "trans" people in Texas knew about were involved Smokey and the Bandit. (Advocate)

Versatile: Is "Greek," ABC Family's college frat house soap opera, the gayest show ever? (Defamer)

Hate Crime: An athlete was injured and other participants were frightened when three bombs were thrown onto a track during the World Outgames before a relay race. (365Gay)

GI No

When those photos of Channing Tatum in GQ came out last week I decided right then and there I would have to bend my No Action Movies rule and see him step into the combat boots of my favorite childhood soldier, GI Joe. But now that even people who like that kind of thing are saying how much "GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra" sucks, I'm starting to think I'll just stick with the pretty pictures of the former model turned actor, like these at press conference in Seoul.

An Aquarian Exposition

The cast and crew came out last night to Landmark's Sunshine Cinema for the New York premiere of Ang Lee's new film, "Taking Woodstock. " Based on the true story of Elliot Teichberg, a gay man working at his parents' motel in the Catskills in the summer of '69 who inadvertently sets in motion the generation-defining music festival, better known as Woodstock. We saw the trailer over the weekend and it looks like a lot of fun (watch it below). "Taking Woodstock" opens on Aug. 28. In the meantime, here are some photos from last night's gala:

   Star Demetri Martin and director Ang Lee

  Co-stars Emile Hirsch and Jonathan Groff

   Co-stars Liev Schreiber and Dan Fogler

   Eye candy: Cheyenne Jackson and Claire Danes

 

Quote of the Day

“I tend to gravitate toward conflicted characters, and a character who is exploring chaos theory and population control and the difficulties of love and family is pretty rich. I mean, I’d be absolutely hopeless playing parts like -- who’s the guy who is married to Demi Moore? I’d be hopeless in roles of his.” -- Ed Stoppard, on why he wanted to play Val, an introverted researcher of mathematical biology, in a revival of his father Tom's play "Arcadia."

Meow. (Full story HERE.)

Wednesday Headlights

Rex Appeal: Frank catches up with Simon Rex in a hotel room eating candy and finds out the art of seducing Lance Bass. (OMG! Blog)

Fuzzy Math: If 59 is the new 30, then how old am I? (Thomas Friedman)

(End of) Summer Reading: My pal Johnny Diaz's new book, "Beantown Cubans," is now out! (Beantown Cuban)

Oh, Canada! Frank Dancevic sure looked hot in his retro Bjorn Borg Fila. (Tennis Served Fresh)

Paging Mr. Belding: I'm so into this "Saved by the Bell" reunion stuff. (Bricks and Stones)

Putting It Bluntly: Hugh Dancy is so sexy, he makes having Asperberg's syndrome seem hot. (NYT)

All You Can Eat: I loved "Eating Out" but thought its sequel kinda blew (and not in a good way). But with Rick D'Agostino starring in "Eating Out 3" (see his hot ass HERE), I may just have to return for another helping. (BoyCulture)

Upward Mobility: Shouldn't Kay Bailey Hutchison be in jail? (WaPo)

MOv8.3: The Manhattan Offender is BACK!

Oh, Baby! Channing Tatum knows how to dirty dance. (Towleroad)

Crack Addict: Ricky Berens

In case you missed it (Michael), here's University of Texas swimmer Ricky Berens diving in after he tore a hole in his swimsuit while stretching before the start of the of the men's 4x100 relay at the Fina (the International Swimming Federation) swimming world championships in Rome on Sunday. I'm not really sure of the outcome of the race, but the exposure certainly is the University of Texas student and gold medal winner at the Beijing Olympics into a household name which, incidentally, is pronounced BARE-uns. ...

Berens cracks a smile

And the Winner Is ...

Congrats to Shawn C., who was the first person to answer this morning's Joan Rivers trivia question. The answer was Michael Alig, the notorious club kid who was convicted of the murder of Andre "Angel" Melendez in 1996 in a confrontation over a drug debt. Shawn has won a front row table for four for opening night at Joan Rivers' new stand-up show at the Laurie Beechman in Times Square. For complete details on the gig, click HERE.

Here's a look at Alig's appearance on Joan's old talk show. It's interesting for a number of reasons. One, that Leigh Bowery (you may remember that Boy George played Bowery in his musical, "Taboo," and a pre-operative Amanda LePore are on the panel as well. And more importantly, listen to the reasoning given for why it's OK to dress crazy. Kinda eerie ...

Music Box: Bananarama

I think it's pretty safe my loyalty to Bananarama in unparalleled (I even tried to replace Siobhan Fahey, even after that dreadful "Exotica" back in '02. Those poor French.) My pal Robbie at ChartRigger recently discovered the video for the gals' new single, "Love Comes," off their upcoming CD, "Viva." and I already like where this is going. The album is due in stores on Sept. 14. I, however, am ready for rehearsals long before then. ...

Read all Music Box posts HERE.

This Week's Faves

Wish You Were Here Lyrics Mya	Double Safety Lately Lyrics Sean Paul
Warning Lyrics Clipse	Stamina Lyrics Cassie
Solider Down Lyrics Backstreet Boys	Illusion Lyrics Leona Lewis
Toes Lyrics Zac Brown Band	Solo Lyrics Demi Lovato
Every Time You Lie Lyrics Demi Lovato	Run This Town Lyrics Jay-Z

Get your free list here.

Swag Wednesday

OK, I'm having a Joe.My.God. moment here -- call it Swag Tuesday on a Wednesday. Joan Rivers is bringing her stand-up act back to the New York stage next month for six special benefit shows at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in Times Square. Net proceeds will be going to Rivers' favorite charities: God's Love We Deliver and Guide Dogs for the Blind. I have a front row table for four to see Joan on opening night next Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 8 p.m. to give away to the first person who can answer the following question: Which guest of "The Joan Rivers Show" (1989-93) was later convicted in a notorious New York murder case? E-mail me your answer HERE. For complete details on her Times Square engagement, please click HERE. Watch Joan interview a 22-year-old Boy George on "The Tonight Show" back in the day -- alongside a very young Jerry Seinfeld!

 

Fun Couples

John Stamos and Gina Gershon were on hand for the big ribbon-cutting ceremony at Henry Miller’s Theater, the first newly built Broadway house in more than 20 years (located on 43rd Street between Avenue of the Americas and Broadway) -- and the first "green" theater ever on the Great White Way. In September, Stamos and Gershon will star in the Roundabout Theater Company’s revival of the musical “Bye Bye Birdie.” Stamos will play Albert to Gershon's Rosie, but they'll always be Blackie and Cristal to me.