December 2, 2008

In a recent interview, AfterElton asked Gale Harold what role would he most like to play that he hasn't yet, and he replied, "Sam, the Burl Ives role in Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. What Burl Ives brought to the studio when he was doing those voices… I mean, you think Brian Kinney had an impact? For anyone who grew up in the United States around the same time I was growing up, you’d know that voice, have seen the Christmas special with the stop motion animation. It's an iconic role. That's what I'm interested in." He paused, and laughed. "Or the ice ape, the ice monster. The Abominable Snow Monster." [actually, it was the Abominable Snowman, and he scared the crap out of me when I was a kid! LOL] (read more here)

Red Bull Theater presents the Off Broadway revival of Thomas Middleton’s masterpiece of Jacobean juiciness, Women Beware Women, a hilariously scathing social satire of sexual politics, with a spectacular tragicomic dénouement. The Opening Night Benefit takes place on Saturday, December 13th at 8pm. Randy Harrison will be one of the special guests at the VIP Reception. Visit the Red Bull Theater website for more information.

Scott Lowell has updated his website with a new Q&A, new recommendations and 2 new photos in the events section. He includes a message for the many people who have written in with questions or messages of support for Gale: "...please know that he continues to thrive and heal. The rapidity and amazing degree of his recovery has been truly miraculous and I have no doubt that your good wishes and energy sent his way have aided in this. So thank YOU ALL. I wish you the very best of Holiday cheer."

From Windy City Queercast, based in Chicago: In an interview dated this past Monday, November 24, host Amy Matheny talks to Sharon Gless primarily about her new film Hannah Free, which she is filming in Chicago (see my November 4th update below for more info on the film) and asks if she has spoken to Gale Harold since the accident. Sharon says she sent Gale some balloons, but hasn't spoken to him directly. She is in touch with him through Scott Lowell, who played Ted on QAF. "Scott is there every day, and writes us on the Internet and tells us how he's doing. He's doing fine." Sharon is so cute; I think she means he emails them. ;) The host asks Sharon about her career, and her relationship with the gay and lesbian community.

Sharon talks about Queer As Folk coming along when she was around 50 years old, when (in her words) her career had taken a dive; she gained about 60 pounds and took up smoking. She tells the story many of us have heard about how she called Showtime up and said she wanted to play Debbie Novotny. They were happy to have her, and excited that she could bring some "class" to the show. She said class wasn't what she had in mind, LOL. Sharon says QAF changed her life, and she started losing weight because no one was putting pressure on her to do it. From that show, she developed friends and fans in the gay community, which she already had because of Cagney & Lacey. She says she's very aware of the fact that the community has helped to sustain her career, and "keep her alive". [listen to the full interview at Windy City Queercast]

Teri Hatcher appeared as a guest on ABC's "The View" yesterday, and while talking about Desperate Housewives said that Gale is doing well and that the doctors were expecting a full recovery. She also said that while the characters of Mike and Susan are probably destined to get back together at some point, given how Marc Cherry (the show's creator) feels about the couple, she is enjoying the Susan/Jackson arc and finds it really interesting to play. She indicated that they were looking forward to having Gale back and that things would continue for their characters, but in the meantime Susan is having fun with one of the gay neighbors (I believe she said it was Lee, who is played by Kevin Rahm). Ironically, he takes Susan to a gay club, which Gale's former alter-ego Brian Kinney might have enjoyed quite a bit!

Gale Harold is "on the mend," according to Dana Delany, who plays Katherine Mayfair on Desperate Housewives. "We all hope he comes back," she said, speaking with USA Today at a private dinner thrown by Allure magazine last week at Eva Longoria Parker's Hollywood restaurant, Beso, for a few of the actress' close friends. "From what I understand, he's getting better and better, so it's all good news on that front," added Felicity Huffman, who plays Lynette Scavo. Without going into specifics, she remarked that it does "throw a monkey wrench" into this season's story lines. Rumor has it that we will hear Jackson before we see him next, and that Gale will be recording some of his lines (audio only) before he makes his next physical appearance. [read more]

As always, there are summaries for upcoming episodes of Desperate Housewives available at ABC Medianet, if you want to know what lies ahead for the folks of Wisteria Lane (press releases through December 7th).

Save Me, starring Chad Allen, Robert Gant (Ben Bruckner on QAF) and Judith Light, narrowly beat out a competing film, Breakfast with Scot, to snag the Reel Affirmations Audience Award at the Real Affirmations 18, an LGBT film festival held in the Washington, D.C. area at the end of October.

The new season of Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in the World is coming to TV2, New Zealand. It starts on Friday November 28 at 10.00pm. The show's characters live in the fictional 'gay ghetto' of West Lahunga Beach. Their voices are provided by a cast of out entertainers including Alan Cumming and Peter Paige ("Emmett" on QAF). To date, the show has aired in the U.S. (currently starting its second season) and in the U.K.

From Red Eye Chicago: "Nip/Tuck" doesn’t return to FX until January 6, but the network is teasing fans with two clips promoting the upcoming sixth season. Both feature the Kanye West song "Flashing Lights," off his "Graduation" album. In one, Sean McNamara’s deliciously disturbed stalker, Colleen Rose (played by the wonderful Sharon Gless), closes up a coffin on our hero.

A new article from the Associated Press talks about the big November sweeps episode for Desperate Housewives (warning: the AP link contains spoilers!). As we learned previously, some scenes had to be re-written due to Gale's accident. "Gale Harold, who plays the boyfriend of Teri Hatcher's character (Susan), was in a motorcycle accident and fractured his shoulder. Script rewrites were ordered after Harold was admitted to USC Medical Center." Andrea Bowen, the 18-year-old actress who has played Susan's daughter Julie since the beginning of the show, will return tonight, and had this to say: "This whole five-year change has really shifted the vibe on the set. It's spiced things up. There's the ability to do a lot more with these characters. For me, to come back in the middle of this has been interesting. I'm trying to get everybody to catch me up. I've been watching episodes like a regular viewer."

Tele 7 (France) features video clips with Randy Harrison and Erin Daniels backstage at the QAF & L-Word convention in Paris. The interviewers play "Truth or Dare" with the two actors, and we learn a few interesting tidbits about their sex lives!

The monthly TV magaine "Générique(s)" has an interview with Randy (in French) titled, "Randy Harrison : rencontre à Paris". On the occasion of the first Queer As Folk and The L Word convention, Randy Harrison -- who played the young and impetuous Justin Taylor -- talks about his life after Queer As Folk and some door-to-door campaigning he did for Barack Obama prior to the recent presidential election.

Having returned from overseas, Randy will be making an appearance this week at Red Bull Theater's 2008-2009 Reading Series. Red Bull Theater is dedicated to the rediscovery of neglected classics, and to the development of new plays of heightened language and classical themes. Revelation Readings provides a unique opportunity to hear these plays performed by many of the finest actors in New York. A reading of John Marston's The Malcontent will take place this Monday, November 17 at 7pm. It will be directed by Ethan McSweeny. In this satiric tragicomedy, the Jacobean attack on government corruption is timely, terrifying, and disconcertingly amusing. In addition to Randy, the reading will feature Michael Stuhlbarg, Matthew Rauch, Vivienne Benesch, Carson Elrod, Caitlin O'Connell, Michael Rudko, John Seidman, Carol Halstead, Ron Bagden, and Samara Bay.

Dean Armstrong ("Blake" on QAF) is celebrating 10 years as the Founder and Director of The Armstrong Acting Studio. Read Dean's bio to learn what he's been up to, including CBC's "Triple Sensation" and the launch of Dean's Film Production Company Appulse Films with LA based production partner Glenn Ripps.

Showcase continues to add Queer As Folk episodes to their video gallery; check out the goodies at the QAF section of their website.

FX has announced the return date for the fifth season of its award-winning series Nip/Tuck. The new season will begin Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 10 PM E/P for eight weeks. Earlier this season, Sean and Christian departed Miami for Los Angeles seeking a fresh start for McNamara/Troy in a new city. As season five continues, Sean tries to re-build his life after surviving a brutal attack from Colleen Rose (played by Sharon Gless). McNamara/Troy faces an unexpected, serious medical crisis. Christian decides to settle down with one woman and Sean discovers a new love in a moment of extreme vulnerability.

Emmy Award-winning talk show host, producer and tv personality Rosie O'Donnell ("Loretta Pye" on QAF) will return to television on NBC with "Rosie Live", an hour-long variety special featuring a wide array of celebrity guests, musical acts, comedy skits and a primetime giveaway for both the in-studio and home audience. Already signed to appear on Rosie Live are Ne-Yo, Alanis Morrissette, Kathy Griffin, and Jane Krakowski. Who knows... maybe one of Rosie's friends from Queer As Folk will show up! The special will be broadcast live on NBC on Wednesday, November 26 from 8-9 p.m. ET.

The Making of "Falling for Grace" is an 8-minute video that sums up the real-life Cinderella backstory behind the making and distributing of the movie. It features media clips, film clips, and audience testimonials from across the country. You can see a few shots of Gale Harold posing with Fay Ann Lee at Tribeca.

Pink TV, one of Europe's gay satellite channels, interviewed Randy Harrison at the QAF convention in Paris earlier this month; you can watch the video on the Pink TV website. Randy answers questions about is role on Queer As Folk and his other projects, including the Arts Bureau.

From OUT.com: In addition to writing and producing for the fourth and fifth seasons of the U.S. version of Queer as Folk, Del Shores is the award-winning brains behind the theatrical and cinematic gay cult sensation Sordid Lives, which became a television show on Logo this summer. Sordid Lives: The Series features Rue McClanahan, Olivia Newton-John, Leslie Jordan, and Shores's husband of five years, Jason Dottley (on piano), who stars as Ty, a struggling actor who decides to come out to his conservative Texas family. The couple is currently working with Funny Boy Films to release a film adaptation of Shores's play Southern Baptist Sissies in 2009.

David Wellington (a director for Queer As Folk) directs the new drama Clean, to be shot in Toronto. Ben Bass ("Tad" on Queer as Folk) is cast in the lead role Bobby Gould, an addiction counselor with Tom McCamus ("Mr. Gabriel" on Queer as Folk) confirmed as a series regular, Dr. Wilson McKenna, CEO of Happy Valley Treatment Facility. Sonja Bennet plays Caroline, one of Bobby's colleagues.

Thea Gill is quoted in Victoria's Times Colonist about the new Blue Ridge Repertory Theatre mentioned in the November 4th post below. "I'm really excited about it," said Gill, who played Lindsay Peterson on Queer as Folk. "I've never really had an opportunity to play too many classical roles."

From Canada.com: A press conference is behing held today in Victoria, British Columbia, at the McPherson Playhouse to announce the formation of the Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre. This professional troupe -- featuring Thea Gill ("Lindsay" on QAF), Janet Wright from Corner Gas and renowned stage designer Mary Kerr -- will open June 9, 2009 with As You Like It, followed by Death of a Salesman running July 7 to 26 and The Fantasticks running August 4 to 23. Blue Bridge has been in the works for some time and is the talk of the town's artistic community. Leading the charge is Brian Richmond, former University of Victoria theatre chair and current UVic theatre prof (he also happens to be Thea Gill's husband). Blue Bridge board member Duncan Regehr, an artist and actor says the company hopes to attract young theatre folk from across Canada. Regehr is helping organize a fundraising art exhibition for Blue Bridge, running November 28, 29 and 30. He said Gill -- who has acted in several Belfry plays -- will be tapped to play Rosalind in As You Like It.

A few more photos of Randy Harrison, Erin Daniels and Laurel Holloman have been posted to the news page of the QAF/L Word Convention site, taken at Sunday's Q&A session. The organizers say that Randy, Erin and Laurel were touched by everyone's kindness and the warm welcome they received.

"Save Me" opens today in Atlanta, GA, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution features an interview with Judith Light, who portrays Gayle, a no-nonsense Christian who runs Genesis House, a church-run facility that cures homosexual young men of their "sexual brokenness." Chad Allen ("Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman") plays Mark, a drug and sex addict who ends up at Genesis House after a suicide attempt. Robert Gant ("Ben" on QAF) plays Scott, who checks himself in to the treatment center seeking the approval of his dying, disappointed father. The three actors were so sold on "Save Me," the trio also serve as producers on the film (via their company "Mythgarden"). Light’s husband, Robert Desiderio, wrote the script. Light is thrilled that "Save Me" is slowly but surely making its way from big city cinemas to smaller markets as well. "The gay community inspires me with their courage," Light says. "That's an ongoing lesson for us in the straight community. We need to let people be who they are. And not just in Los Angeles and New York but everywhere. Hopefully, this film will reach people wherever they live who have the courage every day to be themselves."

Sharon Gless will play the title role in "Hannah Free," a film based on Claudia Allen's play staged in 1996 at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago, where Allen has long been a resident playwright. Gless herself starred in the world premiere of Allen's "Cahoots" at Victory Gardens in 2000. The film begins shooting in Chicago next month under the direction of Wendy Jo Carlton, and is about a fiercely independent woman fighting to see her lesbian partner one last time in a nursing home. The cast will also include Taylor Miller, Kelli Strickland, Ann Hagemann, and Jacqui Jackson. "I am delighted to be working with my friend Claudia Allen," said Gless. "This is a heartwarming story that is both funny and poignant. I look forward to working with a terrific cast in Chicago." Ms. Gless will make a special appearance at a fundraiser for the film this Sunday, November 9th, from 4-6 p.m. in Halsted, Chicago. For more information, visit the Hannah Free website.

Spoilers for the next two episodes of Desperate Housewives are up at ABC Medianet, including the big "November sweeps" episode for which Gale Harold reportedly filmed part of his scenes before his accident.

Good news for fans of Jack Wetherall ("Uncle Vic" on QAF). The run of his play, The Glass Cage at the Mint Theater in New York City, has been extended yet again, to November 8.

Randy Harrison attended the Queer as Folk and L World fan convention in Paris, France this past weekend, and celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday as well. The event included lectures, Q&A sessions with actors from both shows, autograph and photo sessions, games, merchandising booths, and a party for pass-holders. There are some photos of Randy on the news page, and if you can read French (or want to use an online translator to convert some of the text), there are discussions on the message board as well, with links to more pictures. Check out the thread with general impressions of the 3 days ("Impressions sur les 3 jours de convention..."). The general consensus seems to be that Randy and the other actors were very kind and generous with their time.

According to a statement from Gale Harold's representatives, Gale "is out of intensive care and improving daily. A full recovery is expected. He thanks everyone for their good wishes."

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) presented "Out of the Closet's" Halloween Bash and fashion show at Arena Nightclub in Hollywood last night, hosted by Peter Paige ("Emmett" on QAF). The night started off with a silent auction of costumes and memorabilia and included a fashion show featuring professional models showcasing costumes created exclusively from items found at "Out of the Closet" thrift stores.

From The Scott Walker Film Blog: On Saturday Nov 15, the Barbican cinema will be screening "Scott Walker - 30 Century Man" before that night's performance and Stephen Kijak will be on hand to do a Q&A. On December 17th at the IFC Center in NYC, the film will begin a limited theatrical run in North America.

Robert Gant will attend the screening of "Save Me" at the Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival on November 14. A Q&A is set to follow the screening.

Peter Paige and Wilson Cruz have some wonderful news to impart on the future of your favorite gay, plastic couple, Rick & Steve, here. Visit the official site happiestgaycouple.com and see the new music video, "Who Doesn't Love Sperm?"

From Metro (UK): Aaron Lavery asked Russell T. Davies, creator of QAF, "Since Doctor Who, do people forget Queer As Folk?" His reply: "Queer As Folk is a huge thing on my CV, and still gets mentioned. I love being known for Doctor Who and I love being known for Queer As Folk. I love being known, full stop! In personal terms, Queer As Folk is more apt for me and who I am. I'd love to write stuff like that again."

Several dozen celebrities were on hand in Los Angeles earlier this month to tape lighthearted online PSAs touting the new Peanuts website, where visitors can vote for Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, or Sally for president. Visitors click through to Rockthevote.com to view the PSAs, and to learn more about the real election. Several celebrities taped their PSAs between interviews during the celebration of the 100th episode of "Dog Whisperer." Lucy proved to be popular with several female stars, including actress Sharon Gless, who noted approvingly that Lucy "will be tough on … everything." Find out who the other celebs voted for here.

By now, you may have heard that Gale Harold was in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday, fracturing his shoulder, and suffering some swelling of the brain. Although he was admitted to the ICU and initially listed in critical condition, reports from some of Gale's friends and former co-stars on Queer As Folk indicate that his injuries are not serious, and he just needs some time to heal. He is expected to recover fully. "Desperate Housewives" (DH) creator Marc Cherry said Gale had been filming scenes all week for the big "November sweeps" episode and had been scheduled to be on set Tuesday. He said they would await the actor's prognosis before deciding how to proceed, but that at least some changes would have to be made. "We know we're going to rewrite one scene," he said. Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan, Gale's character's love interest on DH, said, "Gale has been an amazing addition to the cast of `Desperate Housewives.' I am of course, deeply saddened by this tragic accident and pray for a quick, full recovery. He and his family have all my support and love." Our thoughts and prayers are with Gale.

From CityPaper.net: The celebrities were out in full force this weekend at OutFest in Philadelphia, signing up volunteers and drumming up support for Barack Obama. Jake Silbermann from the daytime drama "As the World Turns" (Jake and his on-screen partner Van Hansis shared the first gay kiss on daytime television), Michelle Clunie from "Queer as Folk" and Wilson Cruz from "My So Called Life" and "Noah's Ark" were on the scene to talk to the crowd about Obama.

From Access Hollywood: Robert Gant talks about the campaign against the November ballot issue, Proposition 8, which, if passed, would change the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. Robert played Ben Bruckner on Queer as Folk, and stars in the movie "Save Me" with Chad Allen.

Robert Gant's new series "PA's," which was slated to start airing on the BBC this month, has been pushed back to January 2009 so it doesn't have to go head to head with "Popstar," the British version of the "Idol" singing competition reality show. 'PA' stands for personal assistants, but in the UK the term is synonymous with Executive Assistant (or secretary), not the kind of personal assistants they have in Hollywood. Robert plays Rock Van Gelder, the Texan-born boss of the place they all work. Robert said to think of it as "Desperate Workwives". Still no word on when it might make it to DVD or BBC America/Canada, but keep your eyes peeled.

On the ABC website, you can take a tour of the homes on Wisteria Lane. In Susan's house, there are two items associated with Jackson (played by Gale Harold). One is a set of paint swatches on the kitchen counter, with the caption, "Starting a love affair with your house painter has many advantages. A job well-done is not one of them." The second is a pair of men's boxer-briefs near the window where Jackson snuck out in the first episode. "If romance outside the bedroom were a crime, then Susan and Jackson had plenty of fun getting away with it. And although she shut the blinds to protect her from any witnesses, she wasn't quite so skilled at concealing the evidence."

If you want more Desperate Housewives goodies, there are lots of new photos are up at ABC Medianet of the upcoming Desperate Housewives episodes airing through November, including some of Susan and Jackson, as well as Mike and Susan's son, MJ. If you want spoilers, you can read the Press Releases on the site as well.

Randy Harrison and Marci Adilman's company, the Arts Bureau, will be screening "thinking..." in the upcoming 5th Annual New York City Downtown Shorts Audience Choice Screenings. Marci directed the film, which is "a short, funny, surprising meditation on the nature of meditation from the point of view of a young woman utterly distracted by thoughts of new love, her surroundings, and her colorful imagination." The screening is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15th at 8 pm. Tickets are limited, because there are four films on the schedule and only 75 seats. Audiences watch four to five short movies each night and then along with the Film Festival committee, are given comment cards and asked to rate each film. The NYCDSFF tallies the results and the highest rated films from each screening are then invited to participate in the next NYC Downtown Short Film Festival, taking place in April, 2009. Good luck, tAB!

David Drake will direct the regional premiere of Brad Fraser's Poor Super Man, to be presented at the Provincetown Art House Theater in Cape Cod, MA, October 23-November 9. The play tells the story of a painter who takes a job as a waiter to try to reinvigorate his artistic spirit. Fraser was a writer-producer of "Queer as Folk" and hosted his own talk show called "Jawbreaker" (recaps of the show can be found on my Media Clips page). Although the adults-only "Poor Super Man" has been controversial for explicit language, transsexuality and casual nudity, it was chosen by Time magazine as one of its top plays of 1994.

An excerpt from a 411mania review of Jason Goes to Hell: Final Friday: The rest of the cast is pretty good - much better than the usual legion of no-names that usually populate the films. LeMay is likeable and funny. Erin Gray is always a good addition. Everyone at the diner is great. Even Michelle Clunie ("Melanie" on QAF), in a brief but memorable role as a camper, has possibly the greatest and most disturbing sex scene in Friday history, getting split in two as she's getting split in two. She doesn't know if she's coming or going! She had the Little Death, then she had the Big Death! ::ahem::

From Rapid TV News: TIMM, Germany's first thematic TV channel for gay viewers, will launch on November 1. The free-to-air channel, which aims to finance through advertising and sponsoring, wants to offer a general interest service with series, movies, documentaries, news and entertainment shows. The planned in-house productions include a travel show, a dating show and a chat show, with the share of original productions rising gradually. Amongst the TV series on TIMM's schedule are international productions Footballers' Wives, Noah's Arc, Mile High and Queer as Folk, some of which will be shown as German TV premieres.

Peter Paige ("Emmett" on QAF) will be doing an advance screening of his latest directorial feature film "Leaving Barstow" on Sunday, October 12 at 7 p.m. at The Crest Theater to close out the Sacramento International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (SIGLFF). The film stars Peter's former co-star, Michelle Clunie ("Melanie" on QAF). It's a non-LBGT film, but since Peter is gay, the festival found a slot for him just after the official event concludes. Tickets are $9 General Admission, $7 for students with a current student ID, and free for Festival Pass Holders. SIGLFF offers a $1 discount for groups of 10 or more.

Aaron Woodley's "Tennessee," featuring Adam Rothenberg, Ethan Peck, and Mariah Carey will be released this December.

Harris Allan ("Hunter" on QAF) has posted a message on his MySpace page to fans of his band Square9, saying that the band members have appreciated the support they've gotten in the form of "hilarious and inspiring reviews" and the interest fans have shown in "visiting the site, listening to the songs, buying the CD or the MP3 and just generally making an effort to let us know you like what we've done." The CDs have sold out, but the EP is still available on iTunes. Harris has started an independent project called "Fallan Soldier" (a play on his last name) on his record label Dedication Entertainment, where he will continue to produce more music as a solo artist, with an expanded style that now includes hip hop/rap along with rock and pop. He plans to release his CD in early 2009.

Scott Lowell has updated his website with info on new projects and new recommendations. He just finished filming a guest spot on the new TNT show "Leverage." The show's cast is led by Oscar winner Timonthy Hutton; the characters are a highly-skilled team of thieves, hackers and grifters who act as modern-day Robin Hoods. Scott encourages everyone to support the show, which starts airing in December. Be sure to check out the Q&A for September as well. Scott says he doesn't mind answering questions about Queer As Folk at all. "I realize that, to date, it's the work I've done that's had the greatest impact on people all over the world and I am very proud of the work I did on the show. When something bigger comes along to eclipse my work on the show I STILL don't think I'll mind talking about QAF because I know how much the show means to so many people. I am honored to have been a part of it." He talks about his struggle with learning to separate himself from his character: "When you're filming a series and spending up to 18 hours a day "living" the life of that character it's easy to lose yourself in him. So when the day is done and the filming is done you need to remind yourself that all that happened to the character and not you." Finally, he addresses the rumor that we might see a QAF movie sometime in the future. Scott says, "...while I have learned never to say never I would put the [percentage] of it actually happening down in the 20's. The big obstacle is that a number of the key cast members have really and fully moved on from the show and would have [zero percent] interest in doing a film. Perhaps if a gigantic 'you could live on it for the rest of your life' payday was involved they might be persuaded but given that QAF never reached the status of, say, "Sex and the City" in terms of popularity I just don't think that's going to happen. I'm sorry to disappoint you and all the fans who would like to see it happen." And while the cast may not be reuniting for a feature film, they do keep in touch. "I still talk to the majority of the gang and we get together as often as possible," says Scott. "They are my family from a very important stage of my life and I hope to never have them leave it."

From emediawire: Dailymotion, the world's largest independent video entertainment website, and the Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG) recently announced a content distribution agreement to bring all 13 episodes of the Canadian cult-hit television series "jPod" to Dailymotion. Beginning September 25, "jPod" will be available to Dailymotion users for free streaming, with all 13 episodes posted at launch. "jPod" can also be seen at TheWB.com, WBTVG's new premium, ad-supported, video-on-demand, interactive and personalized network. Based on author Douglas Coupland's cult bestseller of the same name, "jPod" is a one-hour drama series (13 episodes) which aired originally on Canada's CBC Television. With amusing twists and turns, the show chronicled the often amoral, lighthearted and even shocking lives of Ethan Jarlewski and his four coworkers bureaucratically marooned in the bowels of a massive video game company, as well as Ethan's parents, Jim (Alan Thicke ("Growing Pains") and Carol (Sherry Miller ("Jennifer" on QAF).

Viewers are asking about Susan and Mike's split on Desperate Housewives. "Mike and Susan's estrangement is the result of a tragedy the two were involved in. Not to worry, we will still see plenty of the plumber. Plus, Susan's new guy, Jackson the house painter (Gale Harold), is pretty likeable," says Korbi Ghosh, of Korbi TV. The five-year jump in the storyline is the subject of this review by television critic Mark Dawidziak, who quotes Teri Hatcher as saying, "It's giving all the characters the opportunity to be someone they haven't been. It's empowering and exciting." According to creator Marc Cherry, Jackson is a "crunchy-granola liberal… and of course, he's got a secret."

Susan's new story line is "a shocker," said Bob Daily, an executive producer, referring to the dissolution of her relationship with Mike. "We'll learn in the first episode what happened between her and Mike, and it's a tragic incident. She's more cynical now and has gone from someone who wanted fairy tale romance to someone who just wants to keep her new relationship casual." Susan's new boyfriend, played by Gale Harold, wants a more committed relationship than she does. As for Mike, he's still around. "We had hoped to keep that more of a secret, but it got out quickly that James Denton would be returning to the show. [We've] discussed a career shift for Susan, who illustrates children's books, but right now we're just dealing with her sorting out her romantic life," Daily said.

Italian fans of Queer As Folk should check out the new Queer As Folk Italia website. Benvenuti/Benvenute!

Michelle Clunie (Melanie on QAF) and Nick Kenkel (Legally Blonde) will host "Salute To Nightlife" on Sunday, October 5th at 9pm at Chelsea's Elmo's Restaurant in New York City, with a performance by singer/songwriter Scottie Gage. Owles Liberal Democratic Club, named for the legendary gay activist Jim Owles, will present awards to nightlife activists and Broadway stars.

Out & About newspaper has partnered with Zanies Nashville to offer fans a chance to win free tickets to see Hal Sparks (Michael on QAF) perform stand-up comedy. You can enter to win a pair of tickets to one of his October 2-4 performances by sendingg an email to contest@outandaboutnewspaper.com with "Hal Sparks" in the subject line. Please be sure to include a daytime phone number in your entry, so the group can notify the lucky winner.

Access Hollywood reports that Robert Gant (Ben on QAF) was among the celebrities who attended the Los Angeles premiere of Dolly Parton's "9 to 5: The Musical" at the Ahmanson Theatre last weekend. The other guests included original "9 To 5" film stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman, as well as Lance Bass, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Gabriel Byrne, "Frasier's" David Hyde Pierce and Peri Gilpin, and "Everybody Loves Raymond" actress Doris Roberts, who brought along Blythe Danner, who starred in "Suddenly Last Summer" with Gale Harold.

Some interesting comments from a review of Scott Walker: 30 Century Man (the documentary of which Gale Harold is an Associate Producer) after a screening by StudioFilmClub in Trinidad last year: This is an absorbing documentary tracing the career of the great singer-songwriter from boy band pin-up to avant-garde legend. It includes interviews with famous fans as well as extensive sessions with the man himself during the recording of his 2006 album, The Drift. "I know nothing about him," says David Bowie of his musical hero at the beginning of this captivating documentary. "Who knows anything about Scott Walker?" "I heard he likes to sit in pubs and watch people play darts," offers Jarvis Cocker. "Is he still cute?" wonders Lulu.

The rumour mill surrounding Walker, one of the great singer-songwriters, has had reason enough to turn over the years. Famously reclusive, he lets his music do the talking. "Ultimately," he tells us, "your work is yourself". But three albums in the last 30 years doesn't give us a lot to go on. Stephen Kijak's film, Scott Walker: 30th Century Man, tries to shed light on this most fascinating subject with colourful and eloquent contributions from collaborators and famous fans alike (including members of Radiohead, Sting, Brian Eno, Johnny Marr and Damon Albarn). But the real coup of director Stephen Kijak's labour of love is to provide access to the artist himself as he records his critically acclaimed 2006 album 'The Drift'. When we first meet him, the 63 year-old Walker comes across like the timid elder brother of 'Body World' anatomist Gunther Von Hagens. The leonine hairdo that helped make Scott such a heartthrob back in The Walker Brothers days has thinned dramatically, as has his luxurious baritone voice. He looks allergic and is disarmingly self-effacing for a man who, in 1965, had a bigger fanclub than The Beatles. He's also surprisingly chatty yet gives little away, referring to an extensive creative slump in the 1970s and 1980s simply as "that 20 year hiatus". He is, in fact, the least likely music legend you can imagine.

Barney Rosenzweig is pissed. In a recent blog he wrote at the Cagney & Lacey website, he talks about the Saturday, September 20 Los Angeles Times CALENDAR front page and the article "Tough, like Jane," where Lynn Smith writes about the EMMYs and the cop show nominees Glenn Close (Damages), Holly Hunter (Saving Grace), Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU) and Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) while holding out for singular praise Prime Suspect, its creator Linda La Plante and its star Helen Mirren as the instigator of such roles. Smith says the show is "considered ground breaking for placing a tough mature and flawed woman at the helm of her own unit. Supported by legions of female fans, Prime Suspect practically established a new television genre..." Rosenzweig calls this revisionism, or at the very least, "poor representation of historical fact". He writes, "Cagney & Lacey was not only about women and their partnership… but was also about two singular women, Christine Cagney (Sharon Gless), who preceded Jane Tennyson as head of her own unit by years while demonstrating every bit as many flaws as her English counterpart, and Mary Beth Lacey who kept up with her partner's frenetic pace while managing home, children, husband and a night school education was equally as ground breaking as a lead character in any television drama...ever." Rosenzweig encourages readers to let the Times writer know their thoughts on this. [read the blog for more info]

New photos have been posted to ABC Medianet of upcoming Desperate Housewives episodes airing through October 12, 2008. Cinemablend has posted a couple of clips from the season premiere. The leading ladies of the series (Marcia Cross, Dana Delany, Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria Parker and Nicollette Sheridan) were on hand to present at last night's Emmy Awards. They announced Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Zeljko Ivanek for "Damages").

When asked what Gale Harold will be doing in the premiere of Desperate Housewives, Michael Ausiello (Entertainment Weekly) replies, "Pretty much the same thing he was up to in every episode of Queer as Folk: He's naked and having sex."

The run of J.B. Priestley's The Glass Cage has been extended an additional week, through November 2. The play, which features Jack Wetherall (Vic Grassi on QAF) began previews September 4 and officially opened September 21. In his review for TheaterMania.com, David Finkle says the characters "are brought to bracing life by director Lou Jacob and a thoroughly adept cast".

InsideSoCal catches up with Sharon Gless, and talks to her about the level of success and longevity she has enjoyed in her career, including five seasons on Showtime's 'Queer as Folk' as the larger-than-life Debbie, a no-nonsense working mom with a heart of gold and a wild red wig that allowed her to stand out in any crowd. "I promise you I come from gratitude every single day because they still let me do it," Sharon said, while chatting at last weekend's Creative Arts Emmys. "I'm sure as you know most of my peers are not working anymore. So I'm very blessed. I've been given good material that seems to land and I get to be a part of it."

As for QAF, Sharon had this to say: "You know, I've been on many series. This is my 10th. And you always swear you'll never part, you'll all be friends and you'll stay together forever and you never do - except for Tyne Daly and myself. The boys and I have stayed close, close, close friends all these years. We never parted. We all lived in another country (the series was shot in Canada) and the work they had to do was very intimate stuff so we supported each other." It should come as no surprise that Sharon is staunchly against California's Proposition 8 which seeks to ban marriage between same-sex couples. "I'm gonna fight it. I'm there, I'm absolutely there. The gay community has been absolutely wonderful to me, they've kept me going all my career." [read the full interview]

Here's more from The Town Crier Online about Bruce McDonald's world premiere of "Pontypool" at the Toronto International Film Festival, and his collaboration with illustrator John Coburn, who created drawings of the behind-the-scenes action of this film from McDonald, who directed many memorable episodes of Queer As Folk.

Good news! Robert Gant's "Save Me" has been extended yet another week at the Clearview Chelsea Cinema in NYC.

From the Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA): Sharon Gless has two Emmys at home for "Cagney & Lacey" but was excited to be nominated in the guest-actress category for an episode she did of FX's 'Nip/Tuck.' "This (is) my ninth nomination, but I've never been nominated in this category, and I've never been to the Creative Arts (Emmys)," said Sharon. She said she was surprised to get the nomination and gave credit for it to series creator Ryan Murphy, who wrote "the sickest, most twisted thing he's ever written" for her to play, she said.

Peter Paige's film, "Leaving Barstow" is making the film festival rounds. Michelle Clunie (Melanie on QAF) won Best Supporting Actress at the Breckenridge Film Fest for her part in this film, and Kevin Sheridan won Best Actor at the Rhode Island Film Fest. Upcoming screenings are at the Eugene International Film Festival, October 3-5 (Eugene, OR), the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Film Fest on Sunday, October 12, and the Red Rocks Film Festival, November 13-16 (Springdale/St George, UT).

Miner's Alley Playhouse in Golden, Colorado presents "Summertree", written by Ron Cowen (writer and co-executive producer of QAF), September 19 to October 26. "Summertree" was first produced in 1967 during the height of the Vietnam War. It was also Cowen's first play. It received the Drama Desk Award for Best off-Broadway Play of 1968 and went on to become a Pulitzer Prize nominee that same year. Kirk Douglas purchased the film rights to the play as a gift to his son after Michael Douglas was fired from the stage production. The movie, starring Michael Douglas, was released in 1971. Tickets are $20. Call 303-935-3044 or visit the website for more information.

From The New York Times: The Levi's 501 button-fly line of jeans sold by Levi Strauss & Company is joining with the Logo unit of MTV Networks, owned by Viacom, for a campaign called "Logo Unbuttoned." Promotions for the campaign are scheduled to begin on Tuesday on Logo, a network aimed at gay and lesbian viewers. The "Logo Unbuttoned" title echoes the phrase "Live Unbuttoned," which is the theme of a worldwide campaign for Levi's 501. The company will be the sole sponsor of a program block that Logo plans to introduce on October 12, "Saturday Nights Unbuttoned Presented by Levi's," which will run from 1 to 3 a.m. on Sunday mornings. The shows will be the first on Logo - a basic-cable channel available in 33 million homes - that will not be edited for language or other content. Some taboos will still apply; among them, no frontal nudity. The programming will include series like "The Big Gay Sketch Show," "Queer as Folk" and "The L Word"; music videos; comedy shows with Mario Cantone and Joan Rivers; theatrical movies like "Fighting Tommy Riley"; and short films. The programs will also be on a Web site and on mobile phones as well as on TV. In all outlets, there will be commercials and video clips, created by an agency named Digital Kitchen, featuring gay men and lesbians talking frankly about trying to live life "unbuttoned."

The Cinema Society of San Deigo will host a screening of Falling for Grace, followed by a discussion of the film, at AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres in California on October 7, 2008. Fay Ann Lee, who co-stars in the film alongside Gale Harold, is an invited guest.

Randy Harrison's production company, the Arts Bureau (tAB) (also located on MySpace), has sent out an update on their current activities. Their first short film, "thinking..." is being submitted to several film festivals worldwide. They've completed principal photography on their first feature film, "Return Shift Escape," which was co-written by Randy and People-Food's Daniel Stessen, who also directed. Randy stars in the film, along with Christopher Stewart, Amanda Byron and (tAB) co-founder Marci Adilman. The movie was shot over three weeks in Altmar, New York on a beautiful, private lakefront property. Here are a few images:
Return Shift Escape (1)
Return Shift Escape (2)
Return Shift Escape (3)

From The LA Times: Sharon Gless may have turned 65 this year and qualified for Medicare, but she's not looking to retire any time soon. In fact, the Emmy Award-winning star of "Cagney and Lacey" and "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill" is busier than ever. She has a kicky supporting role as the neurotic but loving mother of spy Jeffrey Donovan on USA's action comedy hit "Burn Notice" and is the recipient of an Emmy nomination in a guest starring role for her creepy turn as a stalker who makes life hell for Sean McNamara (Dylan Walsh) on FX's "Nip/Tuck." Her performance as the domineering, disturbed and murderous agent -- and stuffed bear maker -- Colleen Rose, was startling, complex and even, at times, sympathetic. Recently, Gless chatted about her Emmy nomination from her home in Miami. [read the interview]

Raymond at Queerty.com recently interviewed Peter Paige ("Emmett" on QAF) about what he's been up to (short answer: LOTS!). They talk about the gay community, closeted gay actors, and the importance of having unapologetic images out there in the media. Peter says he became interested in writing/directing after realizing very quickly on QAF that "as an actor you are really just a part of the machine and if you want to play a role in the real storytelling, you need be involved as a writer or a director. For me, I used Queer as Folk as 'graduate school' to learn as much as I could about what happens on the other side of the camera. I would never just sit in my trailer when I wasn't filming. I would always go on the set, sit by the director, ask questions, and visit every department and learn about what they did and how it contributed to the overall production."

Raymond asks Peter if he was ever worried about the messages Queer as Folk sent to the gay community or uncomfortable with any of his storylines. Peter says, "We knew that the show was going to be something very new and important for the gay community, and we knew that we carried a sort of responsibility for being one of the first multifaceted representations of the gay community on television. For me, the most important thing about the show was that it was real. Whenever I saw a new story, I would ask, Is this true? Is this real? Could this really happen? And I'm proud to say I could always answer yes. I really think we never did a story that wasn't real. Of course, sometimes things were sensationalized, or components were dramatized, but basically everything that happened on the show either happened to me or someone in the cast or crew." Raymond asks who Peter thinks is the gayest person in the world. His reply? "Johnny Weir. Emmett. You." Read the entire interview, and check out these hot new photos of Peter:
Peter Paige (1)
Peter Paige (2)

From Variety: Vivendi Entertainment has grabbed all U.S. rights to "Tennessee," the latest pic from "Monster's Ball" producer Lee Daniels. Directed by Aaron Woodley ("Rhinoceros Eyes") and written by Russell Schaumburg, the film was produced by Daniels in association with Smokewood Entertainment. Adam Rothenberg, Ethan Peck and Mariah Carey star in the tale of two brothers on a journey to their hometown in search of their estranged father. Carey plays an aspiring singer who flees her abusive husband to join them. In the film, Carey performs original ballad "Right to Dream," which she co-wrote with Willie Nelson. Vivendi has set a December release.

Robert Gant's movie "Save Me" has done so well at the Clearview Chelsea Cinema in New York City that its run has been extended through next weekend. So spread the word, and if you haven't seen this film, check it out -- you won't be disappointed! The theatre is located at 260 West 23rd Street. To purchase tickets call 212-777-FILM or visit the cinema website. Read an article in the New York Blade with comments from Judith Light, one of the stars of the film.

There are lots of new photos up at the Desperate Housewives ABC Medianet site, including a couple new shots of Gale Harold and Teri Hatcher, along with the show's new press release. You can check out the bios of the actors and much more (some items are inaccessible unless you have an account).

From USA Weekend: Who was that man at Teri Hatcher's door in the season finale [of Desperate Housewives]? He's Gale Harold, 39, and all he knows is the characters new to Wisteria Lane are there to shake things up; on set it feels a little like high school. He's trying to fit in. "I'm just sitting back in an anthropological way watching it happen."

Art imitates life at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. Jim Slotek writes about director Aaron Woodley ("Rhinoceros Eyes") and how he draws on his weird childhood experiences in an article for the Toronto Sun. Woodley's new project, "Toronto Stories," came together at a Rhinoceros Eyes release party, when he was introduced to fellow Canuck filmmaker David Weaver (Century Hotel). "We got to talking over some beers about how we were the next generation of Toronto filmmakers and how it was important to tell stories about this city -- which we both felt is unrepresented cinematically." The result is a quartet of stories that includes a failed sexual relationship, a gun standoff, and a chess-playing homeless man who sets out to save a North African boy lost in the city. "There was a great amount of artistic freedom on this project," Woodley says of Toronto Stories. "I found it to be one of the most amazingly rewarding artistic projects I've had."

Also at TIFF this year, Bruce McDonald is the director of Pontypool, a take on the name of the 1998 book by Tony Burgess titled, "Pontypool Changes Everything." McDonald has worked on popular TV shows like Degrassi: The Next Generation and Queer as Folk. The main character in the story, as in the book, is a man named Grant Mazzy. Mazzy is a news-radio personality who recently lost his job with a national broadcasting company. "He's sort of starting over again at this small town radio station in Pontypool," Burgess said. "He's a guy who is late in his career and he's having to reinvent himself and suddenly this virus appears."