Gay Archives

Posted at 11:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 31

PEDRO
7 p.m. Wednesday, MTV
Tune in or out? out of four

Posted at 11:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 31

PEDRO
7 p.m. Wednesday, MTV
Tune in or out? out of four

Posted at 6:50 p.m. Friday, March 27

MAKING OF ME: JOHN BARROWMAN
6 and 9 p.m. Sunday, BBC America
Tune in or out? out of four.

The star of the “Torchwood,” who grew up in the Chicago area, returns to the Windy City as part of his search to uncover the origins of his homosexuality. He believes people are born gay, and he consults scientists using state-of-the-art research to prove it. Barrowman also judges the talent show “Any Dream Will Do,” in which 50 actors compete to play the lead in a new production of the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (4 and 7 p.m. BBC America).

Jill Scott and Desmond Dube star in "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency." HBO photo

THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY
7 p.m Sunday, HBO
Tune in or out? out of four.

For a show involving crime fighting—and airing on HBO—this seven-episode series offers little darkness, instead remaining stubbornly positive as it moves at its own rambling tempo. In a word, it’s precious, like its lead character, Precious Ramotswe (singer Jill Scott), who begins sleuthing in her beloved Botswana. Scott shines, as does Anika Noni Rose as her fussy secretary. “No. 1” may be too sunny to keep HBO’s “Sopranos” fans happy, but Precious’ unrushed story is a refreshing, delightful change of pace.

LITTLE DORRIT
8 p.m. Sunday, WTTW
Tune in or out? out of four.

With times being so tough, you may not want to spend five Sundays watching this timely tale of chronic debt and financial ruin. This absorbing adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic offers a wonderful romance and riveting whodunit. Seamstress Amy Dorrit (Claire Foy) has lived her whole life in a debtors prison when she is summoned to work for cranky Mrs. Clennam (Judy Parfitt), whose estranged son, Arthur (Matthew Macfadyen), suspects may have caused the Dorrit clan’s troubles.

Posted at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5

“Pineapple Express” star Seth Rogen plays himself—sort of—on Sunday’s episode of “Family Guy.”

Rogen will voice the “Seth Rogen Gene” that is injected into Peter, who is participating in a series of medical experiments, Fox says. The gene “gives you the appearance of being funny even though you haven't actually done anything funny.”

Rogen isn’t in the clip above, but in it, a different Peter comes home after the experiments. I’d be offended if this wasn’t so hilarious. The episode airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on Fox.

Posted at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24

Ryan Kelley and Sigourney Weaver star in "Prayer for Bobby." Lifetime photos

PRAYERS FOR BOBBY
8 p.m. Saturday, Lifetime
Tune in or out? out of four.

Sigourney Weaver makes her TV movie debut in “Prayers For Bobby,” elevating the beyond the usual Lifetime weeper of the week.

Lifetime should feel fortunate to have Weaver, because the film, based on Leroy Aarons' true-life book, is none too subtle in getting its very important message across: Treating homosexuality as a sin or “abomination” does no one any good.

Weaver plays God-fearing Mary Griffith, whose idyllic late 1970s suburban life is shattered when her son, Bobby (a terrific Ryan Kelley, right), tells the family he's gay.

Quoting Bible passages and evoking eternal damnation, Mary tries to "cure" Bobby, causing him such emotional turmoil that the 20-year-old kills himself.

It’s only after the tragedy that a tormented Mary begins to understand her intolerance has wreaked havoc on the entire family. Searching for answers, she reaches out to the gay-friendly Metropolitan Community Church and the group Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Eventually she changes her anti-gay beliefs and becomes a fierce human rights advocate.

“Bobby” plays a little too simplistically, but thanks to Weaver, Kelley and a few other heartbreaking performances, its delivers a strong message about love and acceptance.

Posted at 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10

The latest “Battlestar Galactica” Webisodes begin airing at Sci Fi’s Web site on Friday, and gay fans of the show are getting an early Christmas present.

I can confirm that two characters will be out—and making out—on Galactica.

But they can’t get married! Ha, just a little Prop. 8 joke there. These two characters don't actually make out, at least not in the first two Webisodes. But the do share a sweet kiss.

If you want to know who I'm talking about, click the link below. I’d hate to spoil it for anyone. (Not that close observers will be surprised about at least one of these dudes.)

Sci Fi will post two of the 10 new Webisodes, called “The Face of the Enemy,” each week, leading up to the Jan. 16 premiere of the last 10 episodes of the series on Sci Fi. After Friday’s launch, the Webisodes will be posted every Monday and Wednesday at 11 a.m.

According to Sci Fi, the Webisodes will give fans insight into characters for the upcoming Season 4.5.

I’ll say. “BSG” hasn’t presented a gay character since the “Razor” film, where Michelle Forbes’ Admiral Helena Cain was revealed to have had a relationship with the Cylon Gina (Tricia Helfer).

Let’s hope this new relationship doesn’t end as tragically as that one did.

Here’s Sci Fi’s description of the new Webisodes. The two I watched only begin to set up the tension to come:

“ ‘The Face of the Enemy’ follows the gripping action and suspense inside a stranded Raptor carrying a group of passengers including Lt. Felix Gaeta (Alessandro Juliani) and a Number 8 Cylon (Grace Park). When passengers suddenly start dying one by one in alarming ways, fear, panic and chaos erupt within the confines of the small ship, as they come to realize there is a killer among them. Michael Hogan (Colonel Tigh) and Brad Dryborough (Lt. Hoshi) also star.

OK, have you guessed who will be kissing on Friday? Read on.

Posted at 7 a.m. Wednesday, July 23

The bizarre characters of “Sordid Lives” (l to r): L-R: Noleta (Carolina Rhea), Peggy (Rue McClanahan), G.W. Nethercott (David Steen), Juanita Bartlett (Sarah Hunley), Wardell (Newell Alexander), Bitsy Mae Harling (Olivia Newton-John), Sissy Hickey (Beth Grant), Ty Williamson (Jason Dottley), Latrelle Williamson (Bonnie Bedelia), LaVonda Dupree (Ann Walker), Earl "Brother Boy" Ingram (Leslie Jordan) and Dr. Eve (Rosemary Alexander). [Logo photo]

Tammy Wynette impersonator Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram is beside himself.

The country queen has died, and this drag queen doesn’t want to go on living. He plans to jump from a window at the mental institution where a therapist is trying to “de-homosexualize” him.

But he’s not the only person in his family with issues. His sister, Latrelle Williamson, can’t find their elderly mother, Peggy Ingram, who has gone to the prison to pick up trashy singer Bitsy Mae Harling.

Whew! And those are just a few of the crazy characters in “Sordid Lives: The Series,” which debuts at 9 p.m. Wednesday on Logo.

Based on the cult favorite film and stage play by creator-writer-director Del Shores, “Sordid Lives” follows two stories over its 12 episodes—of Hollywood hopeful Ty Williamson (Jason Dottley) and his wacky Texas family mentioned above.

The action flips between Texas and Hollywood, but the Texas segments are by far the best.

Ty’s story is the same tired gay coming-out tale we’ve heard before. Ty breaks up with an angry girlfriend. He says he’s confused about his sexuality, to which his therapist, played by Margaret Cho, says “Oh, trust me, honey, you are a big, old queer.” He meets a potential first boyfriend.

Much more interesting are the big-haired, Valium-popping antics of Ty’s Texas clan, including controlling mom Latrelle (Bonnie Bedelia), grandmother Peggy (McClanahan), great aunt Sissy (Beth Grant) and aunt LaVonda Dupree (Ann Walker).

The entire Texas cast, many of whom were in the film, are perfect in their roles, including Olivia Newton-John as ex-con singer Bitsy. Newcomer Caroline Rhea gets laughs as Sissy’s white-trash neighbor Noleta, who keeps a gun in her cookie jar.

But it’s Leslie Jordan, playing Brother Boy, who earns my biggest praise. He brings remarkable dignity to the role, considering that he’s dressed as Tammy Wynette, complete in a pantsuit, wig and horrible makeup, for most of his scenes.

PHOTOS: Top: The ghost of Tammy Wynette (Wynette's real daughter Georgette Jones) visits Brother Boy (Leslie Jordan). Center set: It isn’t long after Ty Williamson (Jason Dottley, left in 1st pic) meets Jacob (Ted Detwiler) before he’s no longer questioning his sexuality. Bottom: LaVonda (Ann Walker), Sissy (Beth Grant) and Latrelle (Bonnie Bedelia) are Valium-popping relatives. [Logo photos]

Posted at 12:30 a.m. Monday, May 14

DON’T MISS THE GAY TV PHOTO GALLERY

Scotty (Luke MacFarlane) and Kevin (Matthew Rhys) tie the knot on ABC's “Brothers & Sisters.”

The marriage of gay characters Kevin and Scotty in the season finale of ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters” was more than just a sweet moment that I loved watching.

In giving ABC its highest praise Sunday, GLAAD said the Kevin/Scotty ceremony was historical—the first wedding of two gay or lesbian characters in a prime-time scripted series.

And that was even before California OK’d gay weddings.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which pushes for more visibility of gay characters on TV, ranked ABC at the top of its list of broadcast networks in hours where gay and lesbian characters were shown. Besides “B&S,” GLAAD cited “Ugly Betty” and “Desperate Housewives.”

The CW ranked second while CBS was third of the broadcast networks. Fox and NBC both received failing grades.

The second annual GLAAD Network Responsibility Index looked at 4,911 hours of primetime programming on the five major networks, plus 1,241 hours of original programming on 10 of the most-watched cable networks, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The index examined the quantity, quality and diversity of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people on TV.

FX topped the 10 cable networks, GLAAD said. According to the report, FX’s “Nip/Tuck” had one gay, lesbian or bisexual character in every episode. “Rescue Me” presented a storyline with a gay couple having a commitment ceremony and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” had a transgender character.

Showtime was second and HBO third among the cable networks.

Download a PDF of the full report.

Sharon Gless has put her stamp on many roles throughout her career--from Chris Cagney on "Cagney & Lacey" to Debbie Novotny on "Queer As Folk" to a short-but-memorable stint on "Nip/Tuck" as Colleen Rose.

She's at it again in USA Network's "Burn Notice," playing Madeline Westen, the chain-smoking, hypochondriac mother to the series' main character, burned spy Michael Westen, who is now stuck in Miami--too close to his mother. The series begins its second season at 9 p.m. Thursday on USA.

I recently chatted with Gless, who was taking a break during filming in Miami.

"I'm outside on a mosquito-infested porch and I'm in a mosquito suit," she told me. "I'm glad there are no photographers."

We talked about Madeline Westen and her other famous roles, how Gless feels about being a gay icon and the trouble with smoking.

Posted at 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 27

Listen to Sharon Gless wish Chicago a happy Pride

I called Sharon Gless on Friday morning to talk about the July 10 return of the USA Network series “Burn Notice.” But this being gay Pride Weekend in Chicago, we kind of got sidetracked.

“Oh that’s great. I wish I were there,” she told me over the phone from Miami, where “Burn Notice” films. “Chicago is where ‘Queer As Folk’ was sneaked to me under a table. I was doing a play at the Victory Gardens Theater for one of your playwrights, Claudia Allen.

“I flew out of Chicago one day, went and saw the [‘Queer As Folk’] producers, came back and it was mine.

“Chicago has a very large piece of my heart.”

Gless cemented her standing in the gay community playing rainbow flag-waving mom Debbie Novotny in “Queer As Folk.” But she isn’t sure about being called a gay icon. Actually, it’s the “icon” part that troubles her.

“People have been using the words ‘icon’ and ‘legend’ around me in the past few weeks,” she told me. “I’m not old enough, am I?”

“It’s certainly flattering,” she continued. “I have a great affection for the gay community.”

Gless first rose to fame in the 1980s as Chris Cagney in the ground-breaking female cop series “Cagney & Lacey,” a role that she says had a huge lesbian following, mostly because viewers thought Cagney—and Gless—were gay.

“I mean, people still don’t believe that I’m not gay, and I don’t fight them. I just say, ‘OK, whatever,’” she said.

She says gay fans helped reverse a downward turn in her career post-“Cagney & Lacey.”

“I’ve always given credit to the gay community for keeping my career alive,” she said, adding that “Queer As Folk” changed not only her career, but also her life.

Gless said she feels honored to have played Debbie because of fan reaction and support. After episode tapings in Toronto, she said, fans would gather outside the studio and ask her for hugs. One young fan hugged her and began sobbing.

“All I could think about was the damage that must have been done to this boy. I held him for three or four minutes until he stopped crying.

“I was the lucky one who got to play that role.”

PHOTOS: Above, Sharon Gless stars in USA's "Burn Notice". At right, Gless as Chris Cagney on "Cagney & Lacey," and onstage in the Victory Gardens Theater's "Cahoots" in 2000. [ USA photo/CBS photo/Tribune file photo ]

Click below for more from Gless. And click here to read what Gless has to say about "Burn Notice."

VOTE IN REDEYE'S TOP SONG OF SUMMER ONLINE TOURNEY

Posted at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 11

Apparently Kathy Griffin’s feeling very A-listy these day: Girlfriend’s reps did not call me back to set up an interview with the reality star.

As Kathy herself would say: Whatever.

I was hoping to talk to the Oak Park native prior to the fourth season of her Bravo show, “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,” which has its premiere at 8 p.m. Thursday. But no, I wasn’t connected with her.

I guess that’s what winning an Emmy Award does to a home girl. What am I, a D-list TV writer?

I feel like Kathy must feel when celebrities snub her on the red carpet. And hey, I’m even one of her gays.

Despite the diva-licious attitude, I still enjoy the rude, crude, obnoxious ’tude the comic brings to her show. Well, to her life. In the season opener, she goes off on Britney Spears, Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Channel’s “Planet Earth” series. (The series topped Griffin’s at the Producers’ Guild Awards earlier this year.)

She spares Anderson Cooper, the decidedly A-list personality with whom she hosted CNN’s New Year’s Eve in January. Despite her best efforts, she manages not to get a fatwa put on her during the telecast—but she can’t keep her posse from getting plowed. (They play a drinking game: Every time Kathy calls Anderson “Andy,” they have to drink a shot.)

The funniest bits are of Kathy with her boyfriend at the time, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak (right). She takes him to the Producer’s Guild ceremony, where she is presenting. It’s another A-list event for Kathy, but she lowers the bar—hilariously.

During the ceremony Kathy flips off other presenters and bags on everyone from Winfrey to Christina Applegate to “American Idol” creator Simon Fuller. Afterward, she and “Woz” are shown chatting in her limo.

“Woz could care less about Hollywood,” Kathy says in her voice-over. “But give him something nerdy to do and he’s like a kid in a candy store. A really, really, really rich kid in a very nerdy candy store.”

Cut to Wozniak as he tells Kathy people would make fun of her for not “hacking into [her own] iPhone.”

“Can you do it for me?” she asks.

“Welcome to App Store. You are now ready for third party applications ...” he says, reading the phone’s screen as he sets it up. Kathy looks at him glowingly, as if she’s falling deeply in love.

“You really have an aptitude for this,” she says. “You’re like a throbbing brain with a tie.”

Apparently the throbbing brain came to its senses. The pair has since broken up, according to news reports.

No, no, I’m just messing with you, Kathy. Love ya. Call me, ’K?

See Kathy before she joined any list here. Go to Scott Kleinberg's blog for all your iPhone news. But before you do, don't miss these video previews of "D-List" provided by Bravo.

In this video, Kathy gets a visit from Michael Levitt, producer of the Producers Guild Awards.

Posted at 12:37 p.m. Saturday, May 31

Calvin (Paula James, right) and new boyfriend Michael (Max Greenfield) get serious on "Greek." Click on the photo to view my Gay TV gallery.

So “Greek” got even gayer this past week?

I love it. And not just because I enjoy watching boys kiss.

Last night I finally caught up with my TiVo’ed “Greek” episodes and was overjoyed to see that the fun ABC Family series went there. Yes, gay college jock Calvin got his first screen kiss—at his fraternity’s party.

Calvin (Paula James) laid one on his new boyfriend—at least they seem to be after Monday’s episode—Michael (Max Greenfield).

I’m happy to report that, in my humble homo opinion, the state of gay representation on prime time TV is … mixed. (Don’t miss my Gay TV photo gallery.)

Yes, it’s a mixed bag. I think if you’re looking at quality, TV gets a big gay kiss. If you’re counting characters, well, TV can talk to the hand.

I’ve been under the impression for some time that there are tons of gay characters on TV. Then I realized it only seemed that way because I happen to watch almost all the shows with gay characters (Is that GayTVdar?).

Don’t get me wrong. I do believe that this past year TV took some great strides in introducing gay characters to mainstream shows—i.e. not gay-specific shows (“The L Word”) or shows on gay networks (Logo, Here!).

But if GLBT folks make up 10 percent of the general population, why not have 10 percent of all TV characters be gay?

According to GLAAD’s 2007-2008 diversity report, GLBT characters made up only 1.1 percent of all characters on broadcast networks. Out of 650 regular characters in scripted shows on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and The CW, only seven were gay.

I’m sure if you add up all the gay characters on the scripted cable shows that percentage increases—although I wasn’t able to glean those kinds of total numbers from the GLAAD report.

And I’m pretty sure that since that report, more GLBT characters have popped up in series. (Reality TV is another story; there have been tons of gay people in reality TV.)

ABC has been the leader in the effort—if you want to call it that—to get gay characters on TV. There’s a reason ABC swept the GLAAD Awards in April, winning best TV drama with “Bothers & Sisters,” best comedy with “Ugly Betty,” and best single episode with “Boston Legal.”

With GLBT characters in "Brothers & Sisters," "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "Ugly Betty" and “Dirty Sexy Money," you might as well call ABC GayBC.

The writers on these shows do a decent job presenting these characters as well. GLBT characters are no longer relegated to being the freaks, the killers, or just the bitchy comic relief on shows. We’ve moved well beyond that, thankfully.

Even one of TV’s most stereotypical gay guys, Marc St. James (Michael Urie) on “Ugly Betty,” transcends the bitchy queen stereotype. Remember when Marc tried to come out to his parents, or his tender moments with boyfriend Cliff St. Paul (David Blue)? He’s a well written character—and hilarious.

(St. James, St. Paul, Suzuki St. Pierre—are all the gay guys on “Ugly Betty” named St. something for a reason? Discuss.)

Another stereotypical character—the closet case—can be found on “30 Rock.” And I’m not complaining there either. Devon Banks (Will Arnett) is a recurring character and a foil to Jack Donaghy—and I think he’s hilarious.

If we, as gay folks, can’t laugh at ourselves or how we used to be in some of these characters, then we’re just, well, wrong.

Especially when we have someone like Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys, third from left) on “Brothers & Sisters.” Kevin is one of the best examples of a richly drawn, interesting gay character. He’s one of my favorite characters—gay or not—on TV.

What I really love about this show is that the writers don’t make Kevin’s storylines only about gay issues. He’s much more than the gay brother. Still, I love that he’s had many boyfriends, and that in the recent season finale he “married” Scotty (Luke MacFarlane).

And finally, back to “Greek.” This show’s writers have done a terrific job showing Calvin dealing with coming out and dating. He’s an interesting, multi-faceted character who knows he’s more than just “the gay guy.” And that’s the way he’s treated on the show.

Bravo.

Posted at 1:30 a.m. Monday, May 5

TV is having one big coming out party this week. Or something like that.

On Sunday's "Brothers & Sisters," gay boy Kevin Walker's Uncle Saul (right) finally came out, but seemed awfully sad about it.

It's about damn time, as far as I'm concerned. Viewers have known he's gay for quite awhile. Now the writers better make sure he holds his head up high and is happy to be out. I mean, Kevin and his cutie Scottie are having a commitment ceremony in next Sunday's season finale. That should show Saul that the family is cool about the gays.

But back to the OMGHG moment of the week: The most heavily touted outing comes Monday night when one of the “Gossip Girl” guys declares his homo-fabulousness. And according to all the "GG" commercials, it’s a shocker.

The blogosphere has been abuzz about the blessed gay event since TV Guide reported that one of the male characters is, in fact, gay. So which guy is it? Take the poll and keep reading.

I’m pretty sure I know who will come out—as anyone who’s heard actress Kelly Rutherford's spoiler interview also does. (Girl spilled. I wonder if she got in trouble.) But let’s pretend we haven't read anything, shall we, and examine the leading candidates.

I found several photos that suggest all the Upper East Side boys are flip-flopping all over the place. But here's what my gaydar is picking up on each of them:

DAN HUMPHREY
Played by Penn Badgley
In the “Gossip Girl” books, Dan bats for both teams. I’m not talking baseball here either, folks. Dan’s bisexual in the books, but he’s also not a nice guy like he is in the CW series. I'm sure the "GG" creators want to keep Dan very Seth Cohen-like—nerdy, sweet and hetero. My guess is Dan will not be tossing Serena van der Woodsen to the side to kiss any boys.

NATE ARCHIBALD
Played by Chace Crawford
I find this guy extremely attractive, which means he definitely is not gay. I’m never attracted to the gay guys—but that’s my problem and another story. Even though Nate’s way too pretty to be straight, nothing has hinted that he’s a Friend of Dorothy—not even his bromance with Chuck Bass.

Nate and Dan touch, um, coats.

Dan and Chuck get close enough to ...; Nate and Chuck share a laugh.

CHUCK BASS
Played by Ed Westwick
Chuck, Chuck, Chuck—the spitting image of a stereotypical bitchy queen. That orange trench coat he wore in last week’s episode absolutely screamed HOMO! And the way he looks at bestie Nate? Hmm, seems like Chuck wants more than a bromance to me. In the past he's even appeared to be throwing down with the Queen B herself, Blair Waldorf, for face time with Nate. (Although that may have been my own fantasy.) Lately, however, his overly hyper sex drive—which made me think he was trying too hard to be hetero—has cooled down. So he’s off the list for the time being. But I’ve got my eye on you Chuck.

ERIC VAN DER WOODSEN
Played by Connor Paolo
Serena’s twinky little bro rocks those blond highlights, don’tcha think? He’s shy, polite, and sensitive—I think they called it “light in the loafers” when I was growing up. There’s also that unexplained suicide attempt last fall: Everyone knows all gay people are unstable, right? (That’s sarcasm, letter writers.) Since his mom got engaged to Chuck’s dad, Eric’s been all smiles about having a new “daddy” and “big brother” Chuck (above). And besides, making Eric gay finally will make him interesting.

So my money is on young Eric. I sincerely hope the writers don’t make his coming-out story a tragedy. The whole process can be rocky, sure, but hopefully the writers handle the story in a responsible manner.

If you want to hear the scuttlebutt on the “shocking” part of this news, go to the jump. But please, please understand that although the info is unconfirmed, it could be a spoiler. So don't jump if you don't want to know the gossip.

Posted at 6 p.m. Friday, April 25

If you shrugged and thought “So what?” when you heard the news that Jimmy Fallon will succeed Conan O’Brien on “Late Night” when O’Brien takes Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” spot in 2008, I’ve got a talk show for you.

In “The Graham Norton Show,” the saucy British TV host Norton gets away with gags no American talk show host would attempt. He’s like a naughty kid who gets to play in the entire candy store. He enjoys challenging his guests—most who are recognizable to U.S. viewers—to reveal the most amazing things.

He’s also keen on audience participation and hidden camera gags. In a great bit from last year, Norton’s camera was put on the shoulder of a woman at a speed dating event. Norton asked the men questions, and pushed a red rejection button when he didn’t like them. Some barely had the chance to sit down before he bounced them.

“GNS” is a campy, sexual, pop culture blender.

And when it airs at 9 p.m. Saturdays on BBC America, it’s just a week after its original British broadcast, so it’s still fresh and relevant.

This Saturday, Season 3 of the show premieres on BBC America with guests Kevin Bacon, Tony Curtis and Swedish pop star Robyn.

Curtis tells all about old Hollywood—how Elvis copied his style (uh huh), his affair with Marilyn Monroe and that he has used Botox. Norton gets Bacon to admit to Googling himself and finding a fan’s bizarre “tribute to Kevin Bacon” video. He also laments the movie that put him on the Hollywood map, “Footloose.”

“I go to Bar Mitzvah’s, weddings, parties, I have to go up to the DJ, give him 20 bucks and say, ‘Please don’t play this song,’ because inevitably the song comes on, everyone starts looking at me and a circle forms around me and I’m supposed to start performing like a trained monkey or something,” Bacon says.

Which gives Norton the perfect cue to get his audience on their feet for the “Footloose” dance. Watch the video above, and tune in at 9 p.m. Saturday. You’ll love it.

Posted at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16

Out gay actor Luke Macfarlane plays Scotty on “Brothers & Sisters.”

Luke Macfarlane not only plays gay on ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters,” he really is gay.

The actor, who is great as Scotty Wandell on the show, came out Tuesday in Canada’s Globe and Mail, saying he was worried about revealing his sexual orientation because he feared for his career.

“I don’t know what will happen professionally,” the 28-year-old told the newspaper. “That is the fear, but I guess I can’t really be concerned about what will happen, because it’s my truth. There is this desire in L.A. to wonder who you are and what’s been blaring for me for the last three years is how can I be most authentic to myself—so this is the first time I am speaking about it in this way.”

Macfarlane also dropped a big spoiler about the May 11 season finale of “Brothers & Sisters,” which returns with a new episode on Sunday. And it is too god for me not to repeat. Scotty will marry on-again, off-again beau Kevin Walker, who is played by straight British actor Matthew Rhys (in photo).

My first reaction is ... No way! My second? Nice. And maybe ABC will show them kissing.

“How exciting that we’re saying, ‘This can be part of the cultural fabric, now,’ because it is two series regulars, two people that you invite into your home and you see every week,” he told the paper. “It’s telling of the beginning of more waves and I’m very proud of that.”

“Most importantly, in portraying gay people, the more we realize it’s just like portraying anybody else,” he said. “Gay marriage, it’s not about two people being gay, it’s about two people who love each other and who have decided to commit to each other for the exact same reasons any other couple would get married.”

That’s right Luke, and congratulations.