All That Glitters Is Gold?

Forgive me if you've heard this one before, but I've never cared much for the marriage of tennis and the Olympics. (There’s no such thing as “third place” in tennis!!!!!) 

I don't care about amateur players, but don't like that pros are in the Games -- professional boxers aren't allowed in, so why pro tennis players? -- especially ones who now try to claim winning a medal is more important than a major. (Um, no.) Even when my girl Steffi won it in 1988 it ended up rubbing me the wrong way, because no one ever used the term Grand Slam — the sport’s highest achievement— instead replacing it with “golden.” (That’s not something everyone had access to, so it’s kind of apples to oranges.) 

I'm even less interested now that Angie Kerber is out. (A medal would have been a nice way to cap her stellar career.) And how about all of this American women drama: Emma Navarro and her bullshit heiress sour grapes!; Danielle Collins turning into Alexander Zverev after retiring (because her racket wasn't doing the talking) against Iga!; and silly Coco Gauff, who wants to blame her unreliable forehand on a perfectly fine overrule! So dumb. 

But the show must go on, so whom do you think will be golden in 2024? 

AI does it again 😂😂😂

Nadal’s AI sharing his thoughts on the defeat against Djokovic 😂😂

‘Even his own mother knows it’

AI is a menace indeed pic.twitter.com/W16T7nPtoz

— SRF (@S_RF_CA) July 31, 2024

Can't even root for Carlos and Nadal anymore.

Kind words from Garbiñe Muguruza

Remains of the Day (07/31)

IG: Another tease from the set of "Mid-Century Modern"

Forensic Files Now: Did Brandon Teena’s "third rapist" pay for his cruelty?

The Advocate: I truly believe that if something doesn't change very soon, Kim Davis and the Roberts Court will strip me of my federal marriage rights -- because they don't even need the (occasionally sane) chief justice to go against the precedent set less than a decade ago

The Randy Report: Record number of LGBT athletes at Paris Olympics

Ass Wednesday: Enjoy these before IG takes 'em down

WaPo: White Dudes for Harris group has issued a rallying cry ... and introduced me to Broadway star Rory O'Malley (with hubby Gerold Schroeder, above), who is no stranger to advocacy 

Pride: Because we're all this guy at the Olympics

Comic Sands: Diver Tom Daley tests out "anti-sex" cardboard beds for Paris Olympics athletes

Into: Kit Connor says "Heartstopper" is getting hotter and raunchier this season

Box Boys: The greatest (gay) love story never told (don't forget to scroll)

Us Weekly: Sandra Bernhard reflects on her friendship with Madonna

TVLine: Sinead O'Connor died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma

NYT: Jill Schary Robinson, who wrote of her Hollywood upbringing, dies at 88

Boy Culture: Debbie Harry and Chris Stein sign memoirs in the West Village

Paris Olympics: The gays are going gaga over Dutch swimmer Arno Kamminga, French springboard diver Jules Bouyer and Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon

Sweet Cat of the Day: Get your hanky ready for Cheetah and her sweet dad.

Watch: You can now stream "Scooter LaForge: A Life of Art" on Prime Video and Tubi!

Read: "Point and Shoot: A Gay Marine's Story: Book 3" by Brett Stout is available now

Song of the Day: "Evil Love" a fun new song and video by the great Kate Pierson (reminds me of Josie Cotton a bit)

Pussy Strut

I happened to have lunch today with two female friends who are both white, in their 70s and never chose to have children, not counting their cats. We largely talked about fun stuff. But when the election came up they both quickly said that they thought this "cat lady" and "childless women" malarky is what will finally light a fire under many white women come Election Day. (I immediately started to purr.) 

 

Tennis Tuesday: Tomas Machac

Because nothing says patriotism quite like parading around the court half-naked. More of the Czech's flesh act BELOW.

What’s the Frequency, Kamala?

New York Magazine writes:

Welcome to Kamalot! Our new issue grapples with the two weeks that reshaped the 2024 election -- and the thrill of taking a risk on Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.

Meanwhile: Here's the latest from the Gray Lady, still crestfallen that she doesn't have a full year to try to sabotage the Harris campaign

Word leaked tonight that North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has backed out of consideration to be Harris’s running mate. I'm bummed because he was my first choice but think he'd instead make a great senator, which is something that doesn't come easily to Democrats in non-blue states these days. I feel like a lot of people are leaning toward Mark Kelly but -- for the reason I just mentioned -- I think it would be a big mistake to remove a popular, twice-elected Democratic senator from a crazy, newly purple state. (Have Dems learned nothing from Janet Napolitano?) 

For this reason, I think Josh Shapiro is the best bet. Not only do I think he would actually help shore up must-win Pennsylvania -- something I don't think Kelly would necessarily do for it-would-be-nice-to-win-again Arizona -- but I think he would add to the youth and "future of the party" image Harris is running on, making him an obvious successor at just 51, nearly a decade younger than Harris. (He really is Gen X!) His being Jewish would also add another potential first to this already groundbreaking ticket. 

The Republican mayor of Mesa, Ariz., my ultra-conservative (second) childhood home town, just endorsed Harris, which may chip into my Arizona theory. Read what he had to say about the Biden administration and his decision HERE. 

Cuteness overload: Last of the boomers

UPDATE: I wish I didn't know about Mark Kelly's ties to multi-level-marketing hucksters Shaklee, which our neighbors in the late 1970s used to ram down our throats(!)

Oly Wood: Arthur Fils

 

I just started "Emily in Paris" after getting home from Roland Garros last month, so this Separated at Birth featuring Arthur Fils and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) finally makes parfait sense! More of the sex bomb French Olympian BELOW.

Weekend Tennis Roundup

 

Lots of Olympics action out of Roland Garros, plus titles for Cerundolo, Nishioka, Berrettini, Linette and Andreeva in this week's tennis roundup BELOW.

Sunday Comics

"So far, I've donated thirty dollars and two memes."

Remains of the Day (07/26)

Out: 21 celebrities who put the "man" in manspreading

The Guardian: I often fantasized about being sexually "abused" by Tony Hadley, but Spandau Ballet had another singer who actually delivered on people who didn't consent

NYP: Is the West Bank Cafe and Laurie Beechman Theatre doomed to be the next St. Mark's Bookstore?

Deadline: Everyone wants to know who the "greedy bitch" is on "The Facts of Life"

Saturday 'Stache: What are Italians good for?

The Caftan Chronicles: Robert Plunket's comeback after writing the funniest, gayest novel of all time

PinkNews: These Olympic divers are on OnlyFans -- including two on Team Great Britain in Paris

NBC News: Trans child exposes father for the buffoon he is

Vogue: Kennedy scion Jack Schlossberg is just being himself

Speedo Sunday: Jack Laugher is ready for action

The Advocate: Ryan and Jordan from "Owning Manhattan" on real estate and being an iconic straight-gay duo

BBC: American man made Irish citizen after DNA test surprise

The Randy Report: From the "Falling on Deaf Ears" files

KXAN: Few hate crimes are prosecuted in Texas. Attack against Austin gay man could be one of them

Song of the Day: I think I just found Kamala Harris's campaign theme song!

Harvey in 2016

Hot Cats of the Day: They say accept no imitations. But if someone would like to adopt Harvey's lookalike -- have you been catting around on us, Harv? -- I would love you forever if you sent hourly updates!

Info HERE. 

57 Candles: Your reminder how hot Matt LeBlanc was/is ... I'm just now watching "Episodes" and it's so good!

The NYT Opinion section has really become a caricature of itself. Kamala Harris has been a candidate for less than a week. 🙄

I think Tommy has the right idea here -- time to shut it all down. 

Barack Obama Endorses Kamala Harris for President

In a surprise to no one, former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president today. 

Reaching the candidate by phone, the former first lady told Harris, "This is going to be historic." President Obama then chimed in to say, "We called to say Michelle and I couldn't be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office."

Harris thanked the Obamas, before going on to say: "I just want to tell you the words you have spoken and the friendship you have given over all these years mean more than I can express, so thank you both. It means so much -- and we're going to have some fun with this too, aren't we?"

Watch below: 

Oly Wood: Tommy Paul

 

These obviously couldn't wait for Tennis Tuesday -- so welcome to the relaunch of Oly Wood! More of Tommy the tease BELOW.

On the Rag, Vol. 818

(Post has been updated with additional covers.)

Anyone up for a German Dom?; the LGBT case for Kamala Harris; Florida again under assault; and more in this week's rag 'n' mag roundup BELOW.

Remains of the Day (07/24)

Prism & Pen: Self-proclaimed Erasurehead Christopher Schelling on how AIDS killed his gay synthpop superfandom

The Guardian: Singer Dua Lipa says she's willing to risk backlash over support for the Palestine cause -- but I'd be more concerned about getting acid thrown in her face for not wearing hijab, if I were her

"60 Degrees With Brian Ferrari": A groovy internet radio show for fans of 1960s girl groups

The Advocate: Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris brings a long and strong record of support for LGBT equality, reproductive freedom and other progressive causes.

KIT212: Chris Pratt on the beach "wearing" a thong, etc.

Love, Glenn: "Trick" 25 years later: An oral history of the 1999 gay rom-com as it joins the Criterion Collection

Page Six: This is what happens when a mere mortal dates Andrew Garfield

NBC News: Twinkies for everyone! Michigan outlaws the "gay and trans panic defense" in criminal trials

Them: We will be seated for Daniel Craig’s forthcoming “Full-On” gay sex scenes ... remember when he was seen at the gay bar Roosterfish in Venice, Calif., back in 2010?

Out: Russell Tovey celebrated Jonathan Groff's Tony win with the sweetest throwback pic (ICYMI)

Instinct: Riley Hedstrom, who is gay, to represent Minnesota in the 2024 Mister USA contest

WaPo: This gay couple wanted to foster a child. Overnight, they got 3: "Can we do this?"

Greg in Hollywood: Over-Chering? Entertainer's memoir to be released in two parts, first will publish in November

The Daily Beast: Abdul "Duke" Fakir, last original member of the Four Tops, dies at 88

WSYX: Ohio man accused of shouting anti-gay slurs, urinating on Pride flag sentenced

Hot Cats of the Day: Meet the stars of this Minnesota tour of felines! 

"Mid-Century Modern": I haven't been this excited about a sitcom since "Hot in Cleveland"!

RIP: Evelyn Thomas, chanteuse whose "High Energy" lifted us high, is dead at 70

Sunset People

 

Spectacular evening on the Upper West Side.

From where we sat a week ago to this? The fight for democracy will take it.

Paris, Arizona

 

This one’s for my fellow Phoenicians: I was tickled to death when my old Arizona Republic friend/colleague Francine was able to find this 40-year-old menu from the beloved French Corner restaurant, which my brother Bill introduced me to in 1987, the same year I first visited the City of Lights to attend the French Open. (For my birthday that June he bought me my treasured Jaz Paris wristwatch.)

Although I can't confirm that it's gotten much better, Phoenix felt like a cultural wasteland in the 1980s to this aspiring poseur. So there was something extraordinary about stepping into this cozy bistro located in the Uptown Plaza -- North Central Avenue and Camelback Road, just south from the nearly as exotic International House of Pancakes(!) -- and pretending you'd been transported across the Atlantic. (Full disclosure: There may have been a beret involved.) 

Adding to the authenticity was the fact that unlike virtually every other place in the Valley of the Sun, the French Corner didn't check IDs, which meant my friend Kristen and I could get sauced before we'd turned 21 -- exactly what two angst-ridden New Wave geeks needed to survive in a 110-degree conservative hellhole.

I don't know how long the joint lasted -- I moved to Los Angeles in 1990 and was never there again. (I'm told it later became The Eggery.)  But this little blast from the past -- en français -- made my day. Please contact me if you ever visited. 

Such a step up from Caf' Casino, a French-style cafeteria near Los Arcos Mall in Scottsdale, that was a mandatory French class field trip in high school and college!

My precious watch from my brother, the first "nice" thing I ever received. xo