I can't imagine this verdict or his alleged use of the n-word will have any bearing on anything, but I guess it's all noteworthy.
Thursday, May 30, 2024
From the River to Now I See
I was on my way home from work when I came across this sign and it got me thinking: Maybe all of those protestors and people in my social-media feeds are right. The U.S. does has a moral duty to do everything in its power to help Hamas, whose stated goal is to “eliminate” Israel from the map and form a nation that subjugates women and murders LGBTQ people for being themselves. Thank you for helping me see the light.
ADDENDUM: I would hope it goes without saying that I am well aware that there are decades of pox on both their houses -- some (deleted-by-me) comments have me wondering, hence this clarification -- and of course this isn’t an “either/or” situation. But you know what sounds like genocide to me? Murdering 1,200 people for being Jewish. Forgive me if I don’t understand what the “correct” response to this mass hate crime is when six million Jews were already slaughtered for merely existing -- and wiping the rest of them out is the objective of the government elected by the Palestinian people.
UPDATE: Israel’s military announced it had rescued four hostages who were held in Gaza. There are roughly 120 captives still in the enclave. Read HERE.
On the Rag, Vol. 810
All aboard Eric Romaguera; West Hollywood Mayor John M. Erickson on coming out as a proud gay man; your guide to Paris and the Summer Olympics; and more in this week's mag 'n' rag roundup BELOW.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Remains of the Day (05/29)
Wrestle Wednesday: Can't hide the bulge
Stolen Holiday: "The butt contest is intense, but to my mind Richard Warwick wins it, though Ken Hicks gives him a run for his moneymaker."
The Randy Report: Cowardly Target slashes Pride merchandise by 96% after 2023 backlash
Brian Ferrari: Truman Capote and Donald Windham, circa 1950. Click through to read Windham’s recollections of his friend in a 1988 Christopher Street article.
WaPo: In a surprise to no one, Justice Alito tells Congress he will not recuse from Jan. 6-related cases
Hot Cat of the Day: Guess who just got "doctor of litter-ature" degree from Vermont State University?!
My friend Frank Anthony Polito's latest book, "Haunted to Death" -- described as "Hart to Hart" via HGTV on All Hallows' Eve -- goes on sale in August. Save 20% by preordering now HERE.
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Tennis Tuesday
We caught up with fitness professional cum "adult" performer Dillon Cassidy at the U.S. Open a year or two ago. Now I see he's at Roland Garros -- so we're hoping to run into him when we get to Paris in the days ahead. We'd like to get a closer look at THIS.
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Weekend Tennis Roundup
Titles for Ruud and Keys as well as first-timers Mpetshi Perricard and Stearns in the run-up to Roland Garros. Full report plus all the ATP beef that's fit to post BELOW.
The Sunday Post
Damian and I are heading to Paris later in the week for what will likely be Nadal’s -- and at the rate he’s going possibly Djokovic’s -- last French Open. With neither of them in form and Alcaraz and Sinner both nursing injuries, this might be the most wide-open major in decades. I haven’t been to Roland Garros since 1987(!) -- the year Nole was born -- so am eager to see how things have changed.
Tell me your picks in the comments below.
Friday, May 24, 2024
A Kevin Spacey Mark Reacts to ‘Unmasked’ Documentary
I tried to watch "Spacey Unmasked" on Max but had a hard time keeping a straight face: A guy jerks off in front of you and your response is to keep hanging out with him if the situation sounds like a chance to move up the Hollywood ladder -- and now you claim you were traumatized?!!!!
A day later I heard from an old friend of mine who experienced Kevin Spacey’s aggressive antics firsthand(sy) when we both lived in Los Angeles in the early ‘90s. He had this to say after watching the documentary:
"Spacey Unmasked" is good. But highly disappointing to learn that I was one of hundreds…crazy. It turns out that his modus operandi was forcing himself on people in semi public places. Who knew?
Before adding this about the men who say they felt violated but opted to stay in Spacey's orbit:
Everyone wanted something. ... I think they knew exactly what they were doing and because it didn't work out they were made -- but it doesn't raise to the level of [beyond-a-reasonable-doubt] illegal. And some of them are just outright crazy.
I’m pissed because it was a small and fun celebrity encounter -- and turns out he did that all the time! Hahaha!!!
First off, let me say this: Unlike Sharon Stone, Liam Neeson and other actors who have come forward in support of the sleazy star, I couldn't care less if he ever returns to movies. I have no use for the guy.
But to me, the histrionic reaction to his alleged boorish behavior -- which heterosexual men, famous and unfamous, get away with constantly -- strikes me as a bit much, almost suspiciously disproportionate, given the fact that no actual harm was done to anyone. Sorry, gents: Having another man grab your ass isn't the end of the world -- and you're not owed anything because someone famous didn't help advance your career.
Producers have every right to not hire Spacey. But these endless legal proceedings are as ridiculous as they are opportunistic.
I've said it before but I'll say it again: I'm a big believer in the "ladies first” doctrine when it comes to the #MeToo movement. Women face a physical threat when things like this happen to them, which can escalate from a "friendly" pat to something violent in a heartbeat. Men don't.
And if these grown men did experience discomfort, why are they returning for more? These aren't Boy Scouts who were too afraid to speak up so went back to troop meetings or altar boys who can’t bring themselves to explain why they no longer want to go to church. These are adults who are voluntarily choosing to continue to spend time with this man.
(ADDENDUM: As I said in the opening paragraph, I couldn’t even get through the first half of this. A commenter has pointed out that some of the accusations are related to on-set behavior. That’s very different than opting to spend free time with Spacey, and I agree that all people should be allowed to work in peace. But I also think it’s no longer happening to these men and doesn’t rise to the level of lawsuits, which, again, are better left to women who should remain the focus of #MeToo.)
As a Facebook friend put it: I was amazed at how much the straight (?) dudes were willing to go along with just for the dim hope of getting a screenplay read or a chance to collaborate with Spacey.
And even his alleged minor victim -- who as a working Broadway actor in 1986 was hardly a typical teen -- concedes nothing happened to him beyond (alleged) momentary awkwardness, which is probably why none of the cases against Spacey have succeeded. (The jury hearing about the 1986 allegation cleared him in just over an hour.)
Sharon Stone homed in on what I was thinking, saying:
It was clear aspiring actors wanted and want to be around him. It’s terrible that they are blaming him for not being able to come to terms with themselves for using him and negotiating with themselves because they didn’t get their secret agendas.
To which my "harassed" friend, who himself dabbled in acting back in the day. said:
She nailed it.
Before wistfully adding:
And plus the interesting [period]. About not being able to be gay in Hollywood at the time, believe me, I know that one well.
Indeed he does, having been cast in a major motion picture before being replaced after a week's filming when the producers decided he seemed "too gay" in the dailies.
My friend never acted again but went on to have a successful career in and away from La La Land. Spacey won two Academy Awards before his actions finally caught up to him and cost him his career. Life frequently isn't fair, but sometimes things do have a way of evening out -- no courts required.
UPDATE: My friend just read this post and sent the following message to me:
It’s an interesting take on the situation and I think it’s good to be talked about [and] written about. But even the first comment/response uses [the term] "sexual predator," and I think that should be reserved for someone who uses violence or illegal tactics. Yes, Spacey was aggressive, but I chalked it up to him just being a randy famous overly sexual actor. But with my history….
Remains of the Day (05/24)
The Randy Report: The most and least LGBT friendly countries in Europe
TC Live: When Steve Weissman and Andy Roddick discussed Tracy Austin's appearance on "Mork & Mindy," prompted by my post (full audio)
Saturday 'Stache: Undressed to thrill
MetroWeekly: God help you if you're L, G, B or T in Florida
PinkNews: Obama’s gay former speechwriter joins cast of "Survivor." (Does anyone know if Jon Lovett's breakup with fiancé Ronan Farrow has anything to do with the latter's, um, transition?)
Speedo Sunday: Did someone say treasure trail?
Hot Cat of the Day: Remembering this little girl, who spent a memorable New Year's Eve on my lap!
Theater review: In ‘The Fires,’ a Triptych of stories about gay men and love
Thursday, May 23, 2024
On the Rag, Vol. 809
Swimwear options for 2024; how Wayne Brady finally came out; treasuring Glen Powell; and more in this week's mag 'n' rag* roundup BELOW.
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Remains of the Day (05/22)
Wrestle Wednesday: Talk about leaving little to the imagination
The Caftan Chronicles: Alan Cumming on what sucks versus is great about fame, On having his own club to dance at, and on the joy of not leaving the hotel room
The Randy Report: A trip to the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards
Page Six: I adore Valerie Bertinelli but even I can't believe how active she is on social media. (Sounds like she now agrees.)
The Advocate: A Methodist pastor was defrocked 20 years ago for being gay. She's finally been reinstated.
Hot Cat of the Day: "Is it just me or is she getting upstaged by that cat?" asks a friend of mine.
Reading list: Frank DeCaro's "Disco: Music, Movies and Mania Under the Mirror Ball" shines new light on the songs, styles and enduring pop culture impact of the 1970s musical genre that emerged from black and Latin gay culture to take the world by storm.
Anthony Haden-Guest: The coming of mankind’s new frenemy, AI, is necessarily impacting the arts
37 Candles: Let Novak Djokovic eat (flourless) cake
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Monday, May 20, 2024
Weekend Tennis Roundup (05/20)
Zverev and Swiatek were winners in Rome. Full report plus all the ATP beef that's fit to post BELOW.
Friday, May 17, 2024
Remains of the Day (05/17)
Vanity Fair: The rise, rise, rise of Glen Powell
The Randy Report: Liechtenstein’s Parliament legalizes same-sex marriage
NYP: "GMA3" host DeMarco Morgan is a man, so what's he supposed to do with his junk when riding a bike?
Scott Prendergast: These would have been the first two pages of Season 3 of "So Help Me Todd"
WaPo: As much as I'd like to be moved by the reunion of Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson, the fact that nothing was actually resolved sure makes it sound like it's only because the taxman came a-callin'. (God, Ann's husband sounds like a nightmare.)
Out: Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal just had an "All of Us Strangers" reunion and we wish we were invited
Speedo Sunday: Four men plus one very eager to please
Hot Cats of the Day: Hollywood cat-tle call, circa 1961
RIP: Dabney Coleman -- who along with Pat Harrington's Schneider apparently made every gay boy of a certain age tingle (I used to think it was just me!) -- has died at 92
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