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If you still don't believe me that Natasha Leggero is the smartest and funniest comic around, then you really need to read her short story about her ill-fated friendship with a pre-superstar Paris Hilton in the LA Weekly HERE.

Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl on Fire

  Don't even know where to begin with Tig Notaro's HBO comedy special, "Boyish Girl Interrupted." After seeing her recent Netflix documentary, I was truly concerned she'd lost her comedic mojo since becoming known at the "cancer comic," a title she neither shunned nor embraced. Where could she go from that infamous night at the Largo in which she brought the house down talking about how her life might be over soon? (Indeed, "this thing" was definitely "on.") Turns out I had no cause for concern. In an hourlong set of entirely new material, Notaro returned to top form with her slow-building observational humor that is truly like no other comic out there. No reason for me to spoil the jokes for you -- just be prepared to never hear a pig-snort laugh the same way again. Kudos, Tig! Truly sublime.

In what might be called an unfortunate moment of timing, Natasha Leggero had a comedy special the same night, "Live at Bimbo's," on Comedy Central. Tash has been one of my favorites for about a decade, but she seems to have abandoned her "Reinvented as a New England Socialite" persona for a more traditional kind of standup that I didn't think suited her nearly as well. There were still some funny moments, but not unlike her show "Another Period," the set was very uneven, a fact that might have been amplified by the fact that Tig is a tough act for anyone to follow.

The Glamorous Life

You'd think being rich and famous is all limo rides and VIP rooms. But there's a dark side, too. My poor pal Natasha Leggero can't even go to Costo without having to disguise her appearance just to keep the fans and photographers away. We hear ya, Brit. We hear ya.

The Only Reason to Tolerate Jay Leno for (Even) 3 Seconds

Natasha Leggero might just be the funniest comedian ever -- and her bombshell Susanna Hoffs looks don't hurt either. Check out her MySpace here.

Quote of the Day

"How are you going to make an 'idol' from the type of people you're trying to avoid in real life? ... I'm afraid if American keeps letting people like that become the entertainers, pretty soon there's not going to be anyone left to slice the lunch meat." -- Natasha Leggero on the ragtag contestant of the country's beloved "American Idol." (Watch it HERE.)

Page 1 Consider (02/09)

32 Candles? "You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried: The Brat Pack, John Hughes, and Their Impact on a Generation," the new book by 32-year-old film journalist Susannah Gora, looks like a fun read. Still, I can't help but think it would have been better if Matt Rettenmund had written it. (USA Today)

Windy City Gay Idol: Click HERE if you're a Gay who's Got Talent.

Three's Company: Media Decoder gets to the bottom of David Letterman's surprise Super Bowl ad with Oprah Winfrey and arch nemesis Jay Leno, which was easily one of the year's best. (MediaDecoder)

All God's Children: Every bit of Christian teaching can be summed up in three words: God is love. That is the simple truth that teaches tolerance of same-sex unions. Read Eric Lax’s Op-Ed piece HERE.

Mandatory Glamour: My girlfriend Natasha Leggero has a really hot new Web site. (Official)

'Community' College: An instructor at Fresno City College is under fire over his alleged teachings about homosexuality. Two FCC students accuse Dr. Bradley Lopez of presenting religious-based and anti-gay views as scientific fact inside the classroom. The American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to FCC President Cynthia Azari on Monday demanding that the school ensure that all its health science classes teach unbiased and medically accurate information. (CBS 47)

X Marks the Spot: Robbie's got it bad for "X-Factor" stud Shayne Ward and that ain't good. (ChartRigger)

Payback: New Jersey’s largest gay rights group is suspending donations to political parties after feeling spurned by Democratic lawmakers who did not pass a gay marriage bill. Garden State Equality is also asking its 65,000 members not to contribute to parties. The group has not said it will refrain from donating to individual candidates. (NJ.com)

Gay Pride (and Prejudice): Erik Piepenburg profiles Ben Whishaw, making his American stage debut in "The Pride," a play about gay identity and the price of sexual liberation. Read the article, and hear an audio slide show HERE.

Virginia Is for Gay Lovers: The Virginia Senate passed a bill Monday that would make it illegal to discriminate in the state workforce, including on the basis of sexual orientation, marking the first time such legislation has passed either chamber of the Virginia General Assembly. (WaPo)

Bending Over Backwards to Hate: After Adm. Mike Mullen called for gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military, a curious silence befell the right: Now that explicit anti-gay animus is an albatross, those who oppose gay civil rights are driven to invent ever loopier rationales for denying those rights, whether in the military or in marriage. Orrin Hatch, for instance, limply suggested to Mitchell that a repeal of “don’t ask” would lead to gay demands for “special rights.” Such arguments, both preposterous and disingenuous, are mere fig leaves to disguise the phobia that can no longer dare speak its name. If gay Americans are to be granted full equality, the flimsy rhetorical camouflage must be stripped away to expose the prejudice that lies beneath. Read Frank Rich’s Sunday Op-Ed column, “Smoke the Bigots out of the Closet” HERE.

11th Hour Decision: Maybe I should consider following my job to Gainesville after all. (Story)

I HEART Iowa: A majority of Iowans do not believe gay marriage should be discussed by the Legislature, according to the latest Des Moines Register Iowa Poll. (ChicagoPride)

Did You Hear About Your Punishment? It seems Sarah Jessica Parker has quietly purchased three houses in recent years on Long Island's East End, shelling out $12.4 million for the expand-as-you-go Amagansett compound. While I love Carrie Bradshaw as much as the next gay, am I the only one who thinks she should have to give one of 'em back for "Did You Hear About the Morgans?"? (NY Post)

Hard Copy: So they really did publish a Levi Johnston Playgirl magazine. (VGL)

Remains of the Day (01/01)

 I set out to take the day off, but couldn't help but put this roundup together!

puerto vallarta gay party cruise boat sinking set to the Titanic theme? 2021 is looking better already https://t.co/ZqAlWQ1dl0

— Eight Crazy Nights Prequel (@maxwellmaxwell) January 1, 2021

Karma is off to a great start in 2021! Read HERE. 

Buncha capsize queens

If we “move on”, the GOP will refuse to concede future elections, then judge-shop until they steal one. There must be a price paid for sedition or we will lose our democracy. This is critically important work in the next couple of years.

— Jonathan Alter (@jonathanalter) January 1, 2021

Completely right. I truly believe if the current GOP ever gets another person in the White House, it will be the last election of my lifetime. (Steve Schmidt AGREES.)

With profound sorrow, Congressman Raskin and Sarah Bloom Raskin today announced the loss of their son Tommy: https://t.co/rvpgqv36L9 pic.twitter.com/nSo55xBUPx

— Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) December 31, 2020

Heartbreaking news. The lack of cause makes me fear the S word 

When you want everyone to know you’re *definitely* over your ex and way happier with your new bf pic.twitter.com/18culrHYbZ

— Jim Key (@jamesdkey) January 1, 2021

!!!! 

JUST IN: Congress has overturned President Trump's veto of the mammoth annual defense bill — marking the first veto override of his presidency. https://t.co/9R9Tpxe6dY

— NPR (@NPR) January 1, 2021

Rejecting Trump veto, Republican-led Senate backs defense bill 

BREAKING: Rep. Gohmert’s lawsuit against Pence to overturn the election results has been dismissed.

— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) January 2, 2021

What about crackpot-on-crackpot violence? 

I am delighted, somewhat amazed & profoundly pleased that WHAM!’s iconic Christmas classic Last Christmas has finally achieved the accolade of becoming a No 1. It’s a fitting tribute 2 George’s songwriting genius and 1 of which he would’ve been immensely proud & utterly thrilled.

— Andrew Ridgeley (@ajridgeley) January 1, 2021

This made me smile. 

We have one rule in our household: every family member must use 9 cups a day, no exceptions.

— Natasha Leggero (@natashaleggero) January 2, 2021

She's stealing my mom's routine where she lambasts me for 'dirtying every glass in the house'! 

Today is the day! My album “Baby Skeletons” is now available everywhere you buy or stream stuff. Don’t be cheap it’s $9.99 and I’m a single puppy mom. Buy it here: https://t.co/pfhcFSraWr pic.twitter.com/Hne2VyKQrZ

— Adrienne Iapalucci (@AIapalucci) December 29, 2020

Listened to this today while making dinner and nearly peed my pants! (It's on Spotify)

Time to cancel Terri Nunn/Berlin and Taylor Dayne.

They played the same Mar-A-Lago NYE party Vanilla Ice did.

Make better choices.

— I am Seth's grotesque, wayward pinky🤙🏼 (@SethFromThe716) January 2, 2021

I'm as disgusted as the next gay. But for my money, I think Elton John's playing at Rush Limbaugh's wedding and Madonna's being an unrepentant coronavirus conspiracy theorist -- actual Trumpian behaviors -- are far more cancelable offenses than two has-beens trying to make a buck. (I already hated Vanilla Ice and Mike Love, so no love lost there!)

Reminder: 19 days until our nation's long nightmare is over

About Last Night ...

Natasha Leggero delivered a hilarious stand-up set last night at Comix (she and Nick Thune are performing again tonight, tickets HERE). But it was our post-show cocktail that made the evening for me. (If I can't be with her on the "Chelsea Lately" round table, I'll set up my own round table here in in the city!) I mean, what guy isn't a sucker for a whip-smart Susanna Hoffs lookalike with a razor sharp tongue?

Hold the Caviar

As the recession presses down upon us it can be confusing to tell if you are really poor or just being an asshole. To help, the offensively glamourous Natasha Leggero offers a handy list of tips HERE.

Make Me Jizzelnik

Anyone else watching "The Jeselnik Offensive" on Comedy Central? Anthony is part of this new breed of ridiculously good-looking comedians (Joel McHale, Chelsea Handler, Nataha Leggero) who use their beauty to get away with saying some really ugly -- but hilarious -- things.

Jeselnik performing to a group of cancer patients: 

What's black and white and red?
Your will in a couple months.

New episodes air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET. Here's a preview from tonight's:

Why I HATE Hip-Hop

 

As explained by Natasha Leggero, the most hilarious woman on the planet. (Bitch stole my act!)

Two-Night Stand

Am so excited to be seeing the hilarious Natasha Leggero this Friday night at Comix, the newish comedy club over in the Meatpacking District. She and Nick Thune are performing two shows a night on Friday and Saturday (I'll let them sell you on coming to the gig, above). You may recognize Natasha from her regular appearances on the "Chelsea Lately" roundtable, or from our shared distaste for hip-hop music. For tickets to the New York shows, click HERE. Until then, hear what Natasha has to say about shopping at Rite Aid, the quintessential customer-service experience, below.

 

Designer Sarcasm

 

 A spot for Eye Roll, the new fragrance from the offensively glamorous comedian Natasha Leggero.

Page 1 Roundup (07/01)

The Daily News: Democrats say classified briefing debunked Trump’s claim that Russian bounty plot was a ‘hoax’

Woman choked, thrown to ground, robbed on Manhattan street, video shows

Greg in Hollywood: Beard and brawn

The Randy Report: LGBTQ Entertainment Critics announce nominees for 2020 TV honors

Towleroad: Football player who doesn't get cared if he gets fired for his antigay rant gets fired

Back2Stonewall: Hairy-chested doctor fighting coronavirus in Spain becomes Mr. Gay World

Yahoo: Now even Serbia's prime minister is willing to take the fall for Novak Djokovic

Omnisport: Kyrgios hits back at Becker's 'rat' accusations over Zverev blast

Miami Herald: Professional tennis returns to Miami with eight-player backyard tournament

Associated Press: Hundreds of fans allowed at Berlin tennis exhibitions

The Guardian: How Chris Evert helped shape modern tennis

Twitter: Ronan (ne Satchel) Farrow has 'evil' dad Woody Allen to thank for this fabulously gay moment, captured on the set of 'Shadows and Fog' (1991)

Architectural Digest: I can't think of anything more fun than watching 'House Hunters' Mystery Science Theater 3000-style with some of the funniest people around, including Natasha Leggero and Whitney Cummings

The WoW Report: Atlanta gay club closes after spread of coronavirus at packed maskless dance party

Raw Story: Oklahoma man with Hitler mustache shoots partygoer who dared to snatch his Nazi flag

Gr8er Days: You're gonna want to celebrate Brian Bloom in his birthday suit

New York Post: City Council passes $88.1 billion budget with $1 billion in cuts to NYPD

Dlisted: Is Lena Dunham finally going to apologize to us for 'Girls'?

The Washington Post: Republican leaders now say everyone should wear a mask -- even as Trump refuses and has mocked some who do

Biden campaign assails Facebook for 'haggling’ with Trump over his online posts

Politico: Fascinating chart about how the virus first disproportionately afflicted blue states and is now ravaging red states

The New York Times: Suspicions of Russian bounties were bolstered by data on financial transfers

Amy McGrath will face McConnell in Kentucky, and Hickenlooper wins in Colorado

Where to stream Carl Reiner's best work

The Wall Street Journal: Mississippi governor signs bill to take Confederate emblem off flag

China’s security law tightens vise on Hong Kong

Baseball stadiums are closed to fans -- but this guy’s balcony is open for business

Marsha P. Johnson’s legacy spurs Google gift for transgender rights

Facebook bans large segment of white extremists boogaloo movement

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📽 from @小黄强 | DY 😄😄😄😄😄 ~ double tap ❤❤ #catloversclub

A post shared by Cat Lovers Club (@catloversclub) on Jun 28, 2020 at 12:25am PDT

Hot Cats of the Day: Eyes on your own bowls, please!!!!

Page 1 Roundup (07/1)

The Daily News: Mark Zuckerberg says Facebook won't ban Holocaust deniers because they deserve 'a voice'

Trump considering Putin's request to prosecute former U.S. ambassador (seriously)

Argentine soccer stud Lionel Messi's abs soak up sun on vacation

STOP THE PRESSES: WFAN's Joe Benigno among staffers named in $5M sexual harassment suit

Vimeo: Natasha Leggero on 'American Idol' hopefuls

Towleroad: Miami Man arrested for conning men into sex acts, filming them, and posting them on 'Straightboyz' pay site

Mother Jones: As trial date is finally set for the Laquan McDonald case, Chicago grapples with yet another police shooting

New York Post: Accused Russian agent offered sex for job, had ties to GOP honchos, and is held without bail

Everyone hates lawyers, but this is ridiculous

The New York Times: In his latest account of his meeting with Putin, Trump says he laid down the law(!)

ACLU: A federal court says there is no religious right to discriminate against LGBT foster and adoptive parents

TPM: Judge denies Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort's request to suppress evidence

The Wall Street Journal: Saudi women drivers want muscle cars

WATCH: How to spot a high-end men's haircut

Fired Up for 'Burning Love'

 I never watched "Burning Love" when it was an online series -- I'm sorry, I still haven't succumbed to the whole Web series craze (oh, wait: no one has) -- but Season 2 on E! is about the funniest thing on TV these days. Ken Marino plays a dimwitted firefighter from Orlando -- or is his name Orlando? -- and the desperate bachelorettes are so close to what's on these real dating shows it's almost not parody, but it is hilarious. "Party Down" fans will love seeing Henry (Adam Scott) and Ron reunited. And having Ben Stiller as your executive producer ensures that the cast is A-list, with everybody from Kristen Bell and Malin Akerman to the hilarious Natasha Leggero (below) and Jennifer Aniston showing up at the mansion.

Breaking Up Is(n't) Hard to Do

I don't have time to properly flesh this out -- I'm still taking care of my ailing parents in Arizona. But Damian and I were talking on the phone the other night about the backlog on our DVR since I've been away and it got me thinking about which shows I had watched religiously but then abruptly quit. For normal people, this probably isn't all that unusual -- especially with ones that stay on the air way too long. But I have a bit of OCD -- obsessive completist disorder -- so it takes a lot for me to not see something through. So here are a few that came to mind. Would love to hear from you in the comments if you've ever done this.

P.S. This list will look misogynistic, but in fact it's just the opposite. Most forms of entertainment I enjoy tend to revolve around females -- shocker, I'm gay -- so of course the ones I dropped were also bound to lean that way.  

1. "Better Things" (FX)

Loved everything about Pamela Adlon during her stints on two Louis C.K. shows, so was over the moon when she got her own gig (and I wouldn't have to look at him to see her). First couple of seasons were charming -- I enjoyed that she played a struggling actress and had interesting friends. And while I normally despise shows with children, hers were OK, although the inexplicable dropping of the whole "Is Frankie trans/nonbinary or not" plot was curious. But then suddenly Pamela became so heavy-handed with her wokeness and coolness -- was the fact that the actress playing Frankie isn't nonbinary in real life why she felt the need to drop that storyline? -- that Damian and I, almost like in a scene from a movie, both turned to each other at the end of one particularly cringe-inducting episode and without saying anything, he knew the time had come to cancel the season pass on our DVR.

2. "Younger" (TV Land)

I was completely taken with the premise, yet immediately knew felt that Sutton Foster was the worst part of this series. But with Debi Mazar and Miriam Shor stealing every scene and Nico Tortorella and Peter Hermann providing substantial eye candy -- plus that Darren Star NYC magic -- we generally enjoyed watching this series, even if we found ourselves dreading returning to Liza each week. Then the pandemic hit and I believe there was another season or two but we just never bothered.

3. "Grace and Frankie" (Netflix)

This is a slightly different situation in that I was underwhelmed from the get-go yet I tried to solder on because the pedigree and premise of the show were so good. (I can still remember how excited I was when I first read about it!) Lily Tomlin is one of my all-time faves, but I quickly found myself dreading every Frankie scene because they were inevitably just too much. (And her children were the absolute worst.) Still, I adored Jane Fonda's character so much that I kept watching. But then we got behind a season, which we watched a year later when another was already out. And now I think we're behind two -- including I believe the final season -- yet I've never given it another thought until right now.

4. "Teachers" (TV Land)

I think we started watching this after seeing commercials during "Younger" and it started out kind of cute. (It is based on the web series of the same name by the improv group The Katydids.) Katy Colloton played the Blair Warner type -- always my favorite archetype. (See also: Chase, Victoria.) And I loved that Larry from "Will & Grace" was the principal. But then Season 2 began and one of teachers left -- I'm assuming because she was embarrassed at how bad the writing became, perhaps after running out of all the good stuff they had from the web -- and like "Better Things," Damian knew exactly when to pull the plug, and apparently so did the network. (Ouch.)

5. "The Handmaid's Tale" (Hulu)

I don't need to be reminded of the sickeningly misogynistic world we live in, fueled our completely undemocratic Supreme Court. 

6. "Killing Eve" (AMC)
Wanted to love this show -- the two female leads are wonderful. But have never been a fan of violence gratuitous that is played with no ramifications whatsoever. 

7. "Another Period" (Comedy Central)

I adore Natasha Leggero and smiled through Season One. But when it was unexpectedly renewed for a second and third, I never went back. 

Bonus: 

"Search Party" (TBS/HBO Max)

OK, this hasn't officially happened yet. But after LOVING the first season -- talk about clever! -- and tolerating the second, the show completely jumped the shark when Cole Escola joined the cast. (Correction: The show technically first jumped the shark in Season 2, but I enjoyed Season 1 so much I was willing to look the other way.) I believe there's a new season out now and I might watch two more seasons of "Grace and Frankie'" before I revisit this one.

"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (Amazon Prime)

Ditto for this one, which I am up to date on but find myself dreading each new episode even though I generally like them! New season is coming very soon.

"Euphoria" (HBO)

Please don't make me watch the new episodes.

"Doll & Em" (HBO)

This series lasted two seasons and my inclusion of it here is strictly revisionist -- and a warning to future visitors: Season 1 was enjoyable enough, but I have never seen a worse second season of a promising show than this one. (God, it was unbearable!) What I would give to have NOT watched Season 2.