Byrd Watchers Rejoice

(Photo from the NYT preview HERE.)

 Attended the premiere of cable TV legend Robin Byrd's new show at the Cutting Room this past Saturday night, a live adaptation of her infamous cable access program that ran in New York City from 1977 to 1998. The new gig -- aptly called "The Robin Byrd Show Live!" -- is a virtual reenactment of her old show, complete with handpicked dancers, silly interviews between sets, and Robin's trademark cackle -- usually at her own jokes. Longtime New Yorkers will remember that Byrd's late-night shenanigans led her all the way to the Supreme Court in 1996 when Time Warner Cable deemed it "pornographic" and tried scrambling it. (Byrd prevailed in court, then ended the show shortly thereafter citing exhaustion.) Fans will delight at the nostalgia of it all -- she's as sweetly amateurish as ever, and she'll still bang your box at the end! -- when seeing someone dance naked on television was as shocking for its novelty as it was for how strangely innocent it all seemed. Those who have not flown with Byrd before -- like my out-of-town friend (below) -- might be a little more perplexed -- What is all this talk about a crocheted bikini???? -- but even he was won over in the end. I hear that Robin has signed on for a year-plus weekly engagement each Saturday at 10 p.m. at Mr. Big's new venue, 44 East 32 Street (between Park and Madison). Tickets are $20, with a $15 per person food/beverage minimum. A big thanks to Chip and Ron for all of their kindness. For more information, click HERE.  

Footnote: Michael and I went to the show with my (visiting from Palm Springs) friend Kurt, who was the first gay guy I ever met back when I was a college kid living in Phoenix. Although we had been in touch on Facebook in recent years, we had not seen each other since 1995. Kurt and his then-boyfriend (Tim) showed me the ropes back in the '80s, taking me to my first gay bar and introducing me to poppers, excessive amounts of alcohol and my first boyfriend. Meeting Kurt was the turning point in my life, one I'm grateful he was there to help guide me through. So nice to have reconnected!

Kurt and Kenny in Phoenix, circa 1988