Hair to Be Different

Needless to say, the reaction to my one-week-old mustache has been as varied as the world's feelings about anything new, although lip fuzz does seem to provoke an especially passionate reaction one way or the other. But for every few "you look like a middle-aged mail carrier," you get one like this, which certainly feels good. To be honest, I think my blog reader who sent this is being awfully kind -- porn star David Anthony's XXX 'stache is something I could only dream of growing -- but in my defense, I have waaaaay better body ...

(Did I mention that Pierre is by far my favorite reader ever?)

Flat Iron Afternoon

Spending a nice afternoon in Madison Square Park -- model Doug Porter is sitting inches away from us!

Check Mate

Seen on the sidewalk on Seventh and 23rd.

Prince William and Kate Middleton Discuss Their First Shag

(Video has been removed)

Who knew baldy was such a freak in the sheets?

Butter Face

Not sure whose I Can't Believe It's Not Butter commercial makes me sadder, Megan Mullally's -- have you see the full-length music video? -- or Kim Cattrall's new one where she -- surprise! -- is being all sexual for no reason. I know a girl's gotta pay her taxes, but what ever happened to doing ads in Asia -- so your fans don't have to be mortified -- and leaving stuff like this to the likes of Fabio?

 

Barkin Up the Right Tree?

Is it just me, or is Cyndi Lauper morphing into Ellen Barkin? (There are much worse people her plastic surgeon could be channeling.) Incidentally, they are both 57 and native New Yorkers.

Raise the Ruffalo

My pal Marc just turned me on to this fun Guest DJ program on KCRW, where actors/writers/chefs/other notables come in and play five songs that they love for some reason. Sexpot Mark Ruffalo just did a great program -- OK these photos have nothing to do with it, but I've been dying to use 'em -- where he picked the following five songs:

1. Kid A - Radiohead
2. Because Tonight - Besnard Lakes
3. Between the Bars - Elliot Smith
4. Walk on the Wild Side - Lou Reed ("It was a New York I wanted to be in but it somehow passed me by.")
5. Skinny Love - Bon Iver

Read the complete transcript of why he picked these songs HERE. And check out other lists -- including Colin Firth, Busy Philipps, Rashida Jones and Kirsten Dunst HERE.

Here's mine:

1. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? -- Bryan Ferry switches genders on this plaintive girl-group classic to haunting effect.

2. I'm Gonna Love You Too -- How Blondie's remake of this Buddy Holly single didn't become the band's biggest hit of all time is still a mystery to me.

3. Radio Sweetheart -- Carlene Carter tipped Elvis Costello's alt-country gem just far enough toward Nashville to make me an honorary country boy for life!

4. Long Hot Summer -- The Style Council released this as a single the summer I turned 16, but one listen and you'll swear you just left the theater after seeing the epic love story of your life.

5. Wish It All Away -- It was like Ivy took "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and turned it into the perfect pop single for the '90s.

So what's your list? Marc thinks it should be a Facebook feature -- if it's not already!

Chris Hemsworth on Top

Chris Hemsworth was the man of the evening last night at the Top of the Standard, where the after-party was held following the screening of his leading-man debut, "Thor," at the Cinema Society.

   Cougar-about-town Susan Sarandon stalks her prey

    Meanwhile, newly single Dianna Argon -- of "Glee" fame -- might have been looking to trade up on her pretty boy ex

And speaking of "Glee": you can't walk two blocks without tripping over one of the cast members. (They're in town filming a Very Special Episode.) I saw Artie, Quinn and Tina having coffee earlier in the week and my friend Frank saw Puck (on a skateboard) and Mr. Schu. Last night, two more cast members -- Harry Shum Jr. and Chord Overstreet -- were also out on the town.

Model Alex Lundqvist

Fun Couple Alert: Jon Hamm and Kristen Wiig

Co-stars Jon Hamm and Kristen Wiig at the premiere of "Bridesmaids" in L.A. yesterday. The film is chock-filled of talent, yet the trailer look horrendous to me (the fat chick?). But I hear it's good -- how could ANYTHING with "Reno 911" alumn Wendi McLendon-Covey be bad? -- might it be the best film with a horrible trailer since "Clueless"?

Future Shock

Venus Williams must see a lot of herself in this wunderkind at a youth tennis clinic yesterday in Washington, only this girl has a way better forehand.

Meet Stevie Nicks' 'Secret Love'

Spoke to my mom this week, who informed me that she'd attended her second concert in about 40 years recently -- Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks. (The last was Neil Diamond back when we lived in Detroit.) I'd be lying if I didn't say I was totally jealous. Rod's catalog is deceptively rich, but some alone time with Stevie sounds heavenly, like putting on a favorite old shawl. See/hear what I mean with "Secret Love," the first single off her new album, "In Your Dreams," which comes out May 3. Nobody indicates better than my girl Stevie ...

 

Cheer the Fuck Up, Posh

Pictures of Harry and David Beckham will be the only thing worth remembering from this most "glorious" day.

Friday Ad Watch

OP always makes me think of my friend Greg, who wore brown corduroy OP Daisy Dukes the first time we met playing against each other in a tennis tournament in 1980.

Morning Wood

Chris Hemsworth: Woof in White

Sexy giant Chris Hemsworth was spotted in the rain outside the Ed Sullivan Theater earlier today, en route to taping an appearance on David Letterman. This guy was born to be a movie star, huh?

Quote of the Day: Alex Pettyfer

"LA is growing on me a little bit, but it's still a shithole ... Geographically it's fantastic ... But socially, it's disgusting. I wish they'd just run all the cunts out ... Being an actor in LA is like being in prison. You go, you serve your time, you try to replicate Johnny Depp's career -- and then you move to Paris." -- Notoriously difficult actor Alex Pettyfer, whose two starring-role movies both recently tanked at the box office, talking to VMan about his adopted hometown.

Somebody get Terence Trent D'Arby's agent on the phone, stat.

You Might Be a Wingnut If ...

Sean Delonas is making fun of your political or social views.

The Wizard of Awes

The black cloud over Chelsea looks like an actual work of art out here -- and then the rain came down and I half-expected fish to start falling from the sky. I wouldn't have gotten nearly as wet if I had gotten off at 18th Street -- but I had to get a closer look at Paperback Guy's incredible ass, so paid dearly for a fleeting glance up the stairs at 23rd.

I'd Rather Push a Chevy Than Drive a Reince Priebus (UPDATED)

How big of a fuckwad is the Republican National Committee's new chairman, Reince Priebus? When asked about the birther bullshit, did he call it disgusting, un-American or at least patently false? No, wouldn't want to offend your base. Instead, he tried to downplay its significance -- you know, because racism isn't a problem anymore -- and said it was an issue that he personally doesn't "get too excited about":

"I don't think it's an issue that moves voters. It's an issue in my opinion that I don't personally get too excited about, because I think the more important question is what's going on in this country in regards to jobs, to debt, and the deficit and spending. Those are the things that people are worried about. People aren't worried about these other issues."

Way to lead from the top.

The dick went on to blame Obama for causing the distraction himself(!) -- despite the fact that he and his aides have tried to ignore the story since election and Republicans have either fanned the flames or given flaccid "I take him at his word" answers that only validate wingnuts' views.

"The president ought to spend his time getting serious about repairing our economy," Priebus said. "Unfortunately his campaign politics and talk about birth certificates is distracting him from our No. 1 priority -- our economy."

What a disgusting asshole.

Somebody Call the Ohio National Guard

Three firms in Ohio refused to print Kent State's gay student publication, but getting a straight answer as to why hasn't been easy. The spring 2010 issue of Fusion, published a year ago, depicted partial male nudity on its back cover and in a six-page spread inside, yet this time a photo of bulge in a leotard was deemed too "graphic." (A fourth printer ended up printing the magazine, but charged $2,200 to rush it through.) Read about the controversy HERE.

A six-page spread in last year's spring issue of Fusion featured "Boys in Bottoms." The issue's publisher, Freeport Press Inc., said it published the images in error.

Royal Pain in the Ass

I'll tell you what. Get in touch with me when dreamboat Prince Carl Philip of Sweden makes a porn tape gets married. Maybe then I'll give a shit.

Jon Stewart: 'Wouldn't the Bombshell Have Been His Not Being From America?'

Cop a Feel of Channing Tatum

Here's Channing Tatum -- sporting a prepubescent mustache -- looking studly in uniform in his new film, "The Son of No One," about a young cop assigned to the precinct in the working class neighborhood where he grew up, where an old secret threatens to destroy his life and his family. Katie Holmes, Tracy Morgan, Ray Liotta, Al Pacino and Juliette Binoche costar. The film closed the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and is slated for wide release later this year.

On a break while in NYC filming

Music Box: Velveteen

A Facebook friend from Long Island stumped me with this one, a Kenny-riffic '80s duo called Velveteen. It still amazes me how many bands from that era I completely missed, but with my brother Bill, and best pals Mark and Greg helping me scout out every New Wave band with a female lead singer, it was especially shocking that this one wasn't even a blip on my radar, unlike, say, the Comateens, who I knew about but never pursued. (Made me feel better that even my pal John from Lost in the '80s had never heard of them, although he quickly homed in on the special thanks to Kim Fowley -- yikes!) Apparently Velveteen came to my FB friend's attention via WLIR, a concept (radio) that has virtually escaped me my entire life.

If anyone knows more about this fun twosome -- made up of singer Lisa Burns and bassist Sal Maida -- I'd would love to hear details. They seem like they would have been perfect for some rotation on MTV -- they had a great look and sound and were even on Atlantic Records -- yet I see no videos anywhere. Have a listen below and if you like, Systems of Romance blog has the group's 1983 EP, "After Hours," available to download -- a vinyl transfer, no doubt -- HERE.

Bradley Cooper and Kathy Griffin Celebrate American Heroes

Bradley Cooper, Kathy Griffin, Henry Rollins, Steelers coach Bill Cowher, Norman Lear and Rep. Patrick Murphy -- the first Iraq war veteran elected to Congress -- were among the boldfaced names on hand for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America's third annual Heroes Celebration at the Twentieth Century Fox Studio Lot yesterday in in Los Angeles. Cooper -- who appears to be sweatin' my new look -- and veteran Jake Wood (above) made a particularly dashing pair. Which one is the A-list Hollywood star??? Always nice to see our veterans getting some special recognition, even if Hollywood elites have to do most of the heavy lifting. (Republicans are too busy calling them out for not supporting the troops, you know.)

IAVA Board Chairman Ed Vick, Kathy Griffin, and Rep. Patrick Murphy

David Mendez and Henry Rollins

Would kill to be a fly on the wall for this chat. You just know Kath was grilling Norman about Maude's abortion all sorts of other shit!

Day 5: The Great Mustache Experi(ment)ence

Don't worry, I'm smiling on the inside

Not sure what's more fun about my new Riptide wannabe look, being cruised by a whole new demographic or the occasional long, creeped-out stare!

Morning Wood

Readying the Sandbox

Sure, a lot of French people are annoying. But there's nothing better for tennis fans than the country's Grand Slam event, which will run from May 17 to June 5, 2011.

Junk Science

Depending on who you listen to, circumcision is either the best thing you can do to a boy, or the worst. I haven't a clue which camp is right -- my procedure was a long time ago -- but I can't say I've ever regretted my parents' decision, something I'm guessing these hippie parents in San Francisco don't want to hear.

Nicholas Downs Is a 'Trailblazer'

Nicholas Downs is the latest actor to make a video for James Duke Mason's Trailblazer Campaign. I'd never heard of him -- he's adorable -- but he says his sexuality only became an issue when he played his first gay character -- in the film "Is It Just Me?" -- and then reporters all started asking him if he was gay in real life. It's an interesting story -- and might explain why so many "gay" roles are played by straights and/or why so many "straights" will, um, refuse to play gay roles.

 

'Law & Order: LA' Fires Corey Stoll's Mustache

Before

No sooner had I gotten attached to "Law and Order: LA" star Corey Stoll did I read that the show had actually gone through a major upheaval earlier this month, with two characters from the DA's office resigning (Regina Hall and Megan Boone) and Corey's partner, played by Skeet Ulrich, getting murdered! Alfred Molina's character was also moved from the courtroom to being Stoll's partner, but the most shocking change to the show was the dismissal of Stoll's mustache. (I could only dream of achieving such manliness -- no wonder he named it "Poseidon"!) Have to admit, he's just as hot without it, but I'm not so sure a cop show can survive 'stacheless, reboot or no reboot.

After

With or without the mustache, Corey Stoll's still got the sexiest voice on television