Page 1 Consider (05/27)

Should He Stay or Should He Go? In England, soccer stud Cristiano Ronaldo said he would announce in the next two weeks whether he would stay at Manchester United or attempt to engineer a move to Real Madrid. Ronaldo, who scored 42 goals in all competitions this season, signed a five-year, $61.75 million contract in April 2007. It is estimated his transfer fee would exceed $100 million, which judging from this picture would be worth every single penny. (TCP)

Thanks, but No Thanks: Barack Obama has landed the coveted Fidel Castro endorsement. (Forbes)

Sao Paulo Pride: Millions of people waving rainbow flags and wearing lavish Carnival costumes danced and cheered their way through South America's largest city on Sunday to celebrate gay pride and demand an end to homophobia and sexism. (AP) (photos at Made in Brazil)

Death Overcomes Him: "At the Death House Door,” a new documentary about the life of the Rev. Carroll Pickett, the chaplain at a state prison in Huntsville, Texas, sounds like a must-see. Over the course of his life Pickett, who has witnessed 95 executions, went from being a strong supporter of capital punishment (his own father was a murder victim) to believing it neither serves justice or acts as a deterrent. (Look for it Thursday night on the Independent Film Channel.) (NYT)

Great Anatomy: Was Gregory Harrison the original Dr. McDreamy? (Out in Hollywood)

The Greatest American Hero: Let's face it, American men don't tend to fare very well on clay courts. So you gotta hand it to Wayne Odesnik, who got it into the French Open as a wild card, part of an exchange program between the French and American tennis federations that also allows one French man into the main draw at the U.S, Open, and then took out No. 29 Guillermo Canas of Argentina, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (8), in an upset that lasted an eternity for a straight-set match: 3 hours 46 minutes. (He's pretty cute, too.) In Canas' defense he probably hasn't been allowed to use steroids lately what with the big crackdown on those Argentine boys. (NYT)

Sickos: People in the Czech Republic think it's a rip to pay $1.85 to see a doctor? I don't remember Michael Moore mentioning this one. (NYT)

Long Island Iced Tea: Cops raid a tony East Hampton art gallery for "not having a liquor license" (wtf?) and bedlam ensues. (I wish she would've decked 'em all!) (NYP)

RIP: I was saddened to hear that Sydney Pollack had died of cancer at 73. Despite winning two Oscars for "Out of Africa," he may not have been the critics' darling of his generation. But he sure made movies I loved. "Tootsie" and "The Way We Were" being my two all-time faves. In addition, he always seemed to pop up as an actor in memorable roles. He was wonderful in Woody Allen's "Husbands and Wives" and "The Player" and perfect as Will's distant father on "Will & Grace." I guess I can't remember a time when he wasn't part of our entertainment culture, so it almost feels like an uncle -- rather than a Hollywood celebrity -- has died. I'll sure miss ya, Uncle Syd. (NYT)

The Muppets Take 'Manhattan'

 

Growing up I idolized Kermit the Frog (for his journalistic prowess) and Woody Allen (for making me laugh). Put them together together and you've got something even Statler and Waldorf would have to admit is pretty damn brilliant! (Via Gawker)

It's a Boy Book!

I want to begin the day by sending a big congratulations out to my pal Frank Anthony Polito whose debut novel -- "Band Fags!" -- officially goes on sale today! (Order your copy here.) The suburban Detroit, homo-coming-of-age story set in the '80s is getting rave reviews, and I can't hardly wait to attend the big launch party at 1984 next month (see details below).

You can watch the adorable trailer here:

And check out some upcoming events below. (See the full schedule here.)

Tuesday, June 3rd / 7:30 p.m.
Barnes & Noble Greenwich Village

Reading/Signing

396 Avenue of the Americas @ 8th Street

New York, NY 10011

212-674-8780

Friday, June 6th / 10 p.m.
1984 @ The Pyramid

Official Launch '80s Night Party

101 Avenue A (btw 6th & 7th streets)

New York, NY 10009

Frank, you sure know how to make an Oakland County boy proud, even if you lived way closer to 8 Mile than I ever did ...

Half-Staff

Hope you're having a nice Memorial Day weekend. I'm working the whole thing, but I wanted to pause to salute those Americans who lost their lives to defend those of others. Take care and see you next week!

Nice Work if You Can Get It

My poor friend Greg over at Out in Hollywood. He hardly had time to blog today because he was too busy hanging out with Antonio Sabato Jr. on the set of NBC's latest reality offering, "Celebrity Circus." (Did he do any sword tricks? Huh-huh.)

Caption Me