Friday, December 31, 2021
Betty White Is Dead at 99
The day we've been dreading is finally here, with news that Betty White has died less than three weeks shy of her 100th birthday. For fans of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" her passing is of particular significance, as she was the last living member of the main cast, which saw Ed Asner, Gavin MacLeod and Cloris Leachman join Mary in WJM heaven earlier this year. (White was also the last living cast member of "The Golden Girls.") I had a bad feeling when People magazine put her on its cover, as if a 99-year-old reaching 100 were a fait accompli. But with a catalog of work that would take a decade to watch -- Buzzer is running a marathon of her delightful appearances on "Password," "Match Game," et al. and "Hot in Cleveland" is a must-see, currently streaming on Paramount+) -- we must give thanks and marvel at a woman who brought us so much joy, yet somehow managed to leave us wanting more. xo
And then there were none
Ted Knight: December 7, 1923 – August 26, 1986 (62)
Mary Tyler Moore: December 29, 1936 – January 25, 2017 (80)
Georgia Engel: July 28, 1948 – April 12, 2019 (70)
Valerie Harper: August 22, 1939 – August 30, 2019 (80)
Cloris Leachman: April 30, 1926 – January 27, 2021 (94)
Gavin MacLeod: February 28, 1931 – May 29, 2021 (90)
Ed Asner: November 15, 1929 – August 29, 2021 (91)
Betty White: January 17, 1922 – December 31, 2021 (99)
I think the gods are trying to console me by having this episode of "Match Game '74" -- featuring Mrs. Murray Slaughter in Betty's seat -- on this afternoon.
On the Rag, Vol. 689
A weekly look at what's making news in the gay magazines:
Attitude: Tom Prior on gay romantic drama 'Firebird,' Russian homophobia and 'horrendous' death threats
Dallas Voice: Year in review: 2021
Out in Jersey: Spend New Year's Eve with 'The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show' / Tickets HERE.
Q Salt Lake: Meet the people of the year
Song of the Day: 'We Don't Talk Anymore' by Cliff Richard
When I mentioned my childhood Olivia Newton-John/Cliff Richard microaggression yesterday, Damian remarked (and I agreed) how the Brit is one of those "biggest-selling artists of all time" who never really made it in the U.S. I still agree with this statement -- he's right up there with Take That -- although I was stunned to discover that besides "Suddenly," he's actually had NINE of his own Top 40 singles in the U.S., dating back to "Living Doll," a No. 30 hit in 1959. Off the top of my head I couldn't name one. (Only four of them reached the Top 20, so it's not like he was burning up the charts even when he did score.) But then scrolling through I did recall that today's pick was quite big in the early days of MTV -- it was the sixth video the channel ever aired -- and peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It's also quite good!
Page 1 Roundup (12/31)
The Gay Curmudgeon: Confessions of a Grindr-holic
Psychology Today: When Harry met a Sally: Can gay and straight men really be friends?
AZ Big Media: Here are the Gay Travel Awards winners for 2021
The South African: Joel Rey Carcasona replaces Louw Breytenbach as Mr. Gay World 2021
The New York Times: Is NYC's Chelsea neighborhood poised for a comeback?
The Wall Street Journal: Truck driver’s 110-year prison term is cut to 10 years
Hot Cats of the Day: Get ready for your heart to melt -- and not from the volcanic ash
Thursday, December 30, 2021
What Was Your #FirstGayMicroaggression?
Thursday Ad Watch
I see I'm not the only one to notice how hot Hallmark GAC Family actor Nick Bateman is. Feast your on his Bvlgari Man Terrae Essence commercial -- and more -- BELOW.
Song of the Day: 'New Year's Baby (First Lullaby)' by Cyndi Lauper
This one's a standout track from the Unusual One's 2008 holiday LP, "Merry Christmas ... Have a Nice Life." What's everyone doing for New Year's Eve this year? We're fully vaxxed and boosted, but are still debating a house party we were invited to in Hell's Kitchen.
Page 1 Roundup (12/30)
Brian Ferrari: Gay porn stars we lost in 2021
Detroit Free Press: Detroit LGBT group gets its largest grant, plans anti-stigma, winter pride events
Boy Culture: Best bulges of the year
Gimme Shelter: Unit in celeb-stuffed Battery Park tower asks $18 million
Washington Blade: Referee resigns, calls for work stoppage over trans swimmer
The New York Times: Your DNA test could send a relative to jail (aka: your criminal behavior could send yourself to jail)
The Washington Post: In the face of hostility at Chicago gay bars, two black lesbians create their own
San Francisco Chronicle: Two California teachers were secretly recorded speaking about LGBTQ student outreach. Now they’re fighting for their jobs
The Wall Street Journal: Facebook’s pushback: Stem the leaks, spin the politics, don’t say sorry
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Do Ya Wanna Fünke?
If you're also addicted to Hallmark movies (who can resist an endless supply of 6-2 Canadian hunks?!) with the sound off (who can tolerate that much bad writing?!), then Rachel Dratch and Ana Gasteyer's parody of the genre, "A Clüsterfünke Christmas," is definitely worth a watch. The men are hot -- Cheyenne Jackson, Nils Hognestad, Ryan McPartlin -- and the script fills the entire Hallmark trope B-I-N-G-O card with aplomb! Definitely view this one with the sound on. :-)
Wrestle Wednesday
This is the gay trainer with whom German tennis hunk Tommy Haas has been working. Get even greener with envy BELOW.
Song of the Day: 'Too Much, Too Little, Too Late' by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams
I hadn't thought of this cute song in ages until Damian mentioned that the mom from "Six Feet Under" (Frances Conroy) and some guy (Evan Peters) had performed it on the current season of "American Horror Story"! Full disclosure: Somehow I never (retroactively) put it together that it was the "Chances Are" and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" crooners duetting on this No. 1 hit and radio staple of my youth!
Page 1 Roundup (12/29)
People: Betty White reveals her secrets to a happy life at 100: 'I'm so lucky to be in such good health'
Boy Culture: The public life of Martin Milner's privates
Hot Slut of the Day: The Baskin-Robbins ice cream maker!
Greg in Hollywood: Hunky newsman James Longman turns 35
NewNowNext: The most anticipated LGBT films of 2022
Matthew's Island: Four models with mustaches
The New York Times: Mother’s murder conviction dismissed in ’91 death of 5-year-old son
The Washington Post: The 10 weirdest celebrity apologies of 2021
The Wall Street Journal: Want to be an actuary? Odds are, you’ll fail the test
Hot Cat of the Day: Someone doesn't like Dad's new chain
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Song of the Day: 'Whatever Happened to Christmas' by Frank Sinatra
I've spent the past few days listening to nothing but Christmas music and refusing to believe it's already over. At least we still have our tree to keep us company as we roll into 2022! xo
Aimee Mann did a suicidal nice version on her 2006 Christmas album, "Another Drifter in the Snow"
Page 1 Roundup (12/28)
The Daily News: Christmas shooting of wealthy Long Island couple by son just the latest drama for family with corruption ties
AFP: ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ director dies at 58
The WoW Report: Pop artist Wayne Thiebaud dies at 101
Boy Culture: The best butts of 2021
New York Post: Rick Astley was really confused the first time he got ‘Rickrolled’
76 Crimes: New project aims to document Pride flags all over the world
Socialite Life: Jamie Dornan takes a dip
NewNowNext: 15 defining queer pop culture moments of 2021
Dekko: New film explores what happens when a high-school water polo player is the subject of a gay rumor
The New York Times: Sarah Weddington, who successfully argued Roe v. Wade, dies at 76
The Washington Post: Footage shows LAPD officer firing shots that killed a suspect and a teen girl in a dressing room, one of the most depressing stories I've ever heard
The Wall Street Journal: Egyptian Pharoah’s mummy ‘digitally unwrapped’ after 3,500 years
Botox shot or Covid boost? The combo causes some seasonal wrinkles
Hot Cat of the Day: Might need to get one -- Harvey's a laptop user too!