Russian Foreign Official Dodges Questions On Chechen Torture/Killing Of Gays

My first response when I saw this exchange between Katie Couric and Maria Zakharova, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, was a chilling shiver up my spine.

Zakharova stopped by Yahoo News to talk with Couric about President Trump, U.S. airstrikes in Syria, and fake news.

BUT - Couric turned to the horrific reports of gay men being detained and tortured in Chechnya, and things went south very quickly.

Zakharova was not of a mind to discuss and shut Couric down, explaining there was an "investigation."

Dodge, dodge, dodge...

Katie Couric asked a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman about the torture and killing of gay men in Chechnya.

Her response is telling. pic.twitter.com/WOpZNCeDjJ

— Raymond Braun (@raymondbraun) April 28, 2017

Finding Mr. Right's Robert Sepulveda Jr. - "The Horse"

In case you didn't think Finding Mr. Right's Robert Sepulveda Jr. couldn't get any douchey-er, check out this throwback to Genre Magazine when he was "Mr. Fort Lauderdale" in April 2006 or something.

Please note:

Do you have a nickname?

The Horse.

Does size matter?

Not many men are bigger than me, so I settle a lot...

(h/t Boy Culture)

Franklin Graham Denounces Proposed Ban On "Ex-Gay" Therapy - "Homosexuality Is An Abomination"

Franklin Graham

In a post on his Facebook page, Franklin Graham denounced Democratic lawmakers for proposing a federal ban on so-called "ex-gay therapy."

Along the way, reasserts that "homosexuality is an abomination," and that gays are born "imperfect."

“Now Democrats are proposing a bill to ban conversion therapy in the United States, saying that LGBTQ people were born perfect. Actually, they are very misled. We were all born imperfect, with sinful natures — yet loved by God who offers us forgiveness and wholeness through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

“Homosexuality is defined by God as sin, an abomination to Him. There’s one ‘conversion therapy’ that works for all sin, and that is asking Jesus Christ to come into our hearts. He can transform and heal our lives, making us new. The Bible tells us, ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come’ (2 Cor. 5:17).”

Congressman Ted Lieu introduced The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2017 this week.

At the time he told the Washington Post:

“The bill is very simple. It says it is fraud if you treat someone for a condition that doesn’t exist and there’s no medical condition known as being gay.

"LGBTQ people were born perfect; there is nothing to treat them for. And by calling this what it should be, which is fraud, it would effectively shut down most of the organizations.”

"Ex-gay therapy," also known as "reparative therapy" has been decried by dozens of medical professional organizations, and has been proved to harmful, akin to torture.

I don't know about being "perfect," but...

White House Chief Of Staff: "We've Looked At" Changing First Amendment

Q: Is POTUS considering a constitutional amendment to change press laws?

PRIEBUS: "I think it's something that we've looked at." pic.twitter.com/fwZRMvsEjz

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) April 30, 2017

Hasan Minhaj's Full Remarks At 2017 White House Correspondents Dinner

The annual White House Correspondents Dinner took place in Washington, D.C. last night, sans President Trump.

Trump is the first president to not attend the charity event, which raises funds for journalism scholarships, since Ronald Reagan in the the 1980s.

Of course, Reagan missed the dinner because he was recuperating from being shot. Trump just couldn't take the jokes.

Here's The Daily Show's Hasan Minhaj's full set of jokes at the dinner. He gets rolling around the 3 minute mark.

Sample: "Who is tweeting at 3 am, SOBER? Donald Trump because it's 10 am in Russia, business hours."

Ellen DeGeneres Celebrates 20th Anniversary Of Her Famous Coming Out

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of her landmark "Yep, I'm Gay" coming-out episode on her 90s sitcom, Ellen Degeneres looked back with a little help from friends like Oprah Winfrey, Laura Dern and Michelle Obama on the Friday episode of her talk show.

Via People:

Winfrey and Dern — both of whom guest starred in the iconic 1997 episode in which DeGeneres’ character came out as gay — stopped by The Ellen DeGeneres Show this week to reflect on the moment.

Though Obama couldn’t be there to mark the milestone with DeGeneres in person, the former first lady surprised her friend with an emotional video tribute that aired on her Friday show.

Titled “The Puppy Episode,” the famous moment aired April 30, 1997.

Speaking to the Associated Press, Ellen shared how emotional just saying the words "I'm gay" were for her in rehearsals.

AP: “Ellen” cast member Joely Fisher recalled that you held back from saying the line “I’m gay” in pre-taping rehearsals. Why?

DeGeneres: Because the first time we were blocking it and rehearsing it (the scene), I started to say it and I would tear up. And I realized how charged that sentence was because, you know, when you’re gay, the only time you say “I’m gay” is when you’re revealing it to someone, when you’re telling your parents or when you’re telling someone close to you. Because most people never have to say, “I’m straight.” …. So Laura (guest star Laura Dern) kept saying, “Just don’t say it,” because she saw how hard it was for me.

Hey, @TheEllenShow! I may have schooled you in pushups, but when it comes to courage and kindness, you are always a champ.💪🏿#ThankYouEllen pic.twitter.com/WQOPNKDc6r

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) April 28, 2017

Trump Asks Reporters To Print 2016 Electoral Map

Still trying to frame his election as more than it was, President Trump pulled out an electoral map during an interview with the Washington Post and asked them to print the map on the paper's front page in honor of his 100th day in office.

Via The Hill:

The Post's White House Bureau Chief Philip Rucker on Friday said that Trump pulled out a copy of the map during an interview this week and asked for it to be included on the front page alongside the interview story.

"He brought out the map, he said, 'Aren't you impressed by this map?' " Rucker told MSNBC's Chris Hayes.

"He encouraged me to take it home to my colleagues at the Washington Post and try to run it on the front page of our newspaper. I think he was sort of playing there, but it speaks to the pride that he has in that map."
Trump has done a series interviews this week to mark his 100th day as president, which is Saturday.

On Friday, a Reuters reporter said Trump similarly interrupted an interview to show a map with the latest figures from the 2016 election.

It's notable that even with Republican control of the House, Senate and White House, the Trump administration has no sizable legislative achievement. The best that can be said is that the Republicans have "kept the lights on."

WaPo reporter says Trump asked him to run electoral map on front page during first 100 days interview https://t.co/WKI6u7viDC pic.twitter.com/4eld6XFTD9

— The Hill (@thehill) April 29, 2017

David Frum Trolls Trump "Nobody Could Have Known..."

The Atlantic's senior editor, David Frum, trolled President Trump on his lack of insight on the difficulties of being president.

Trump told Reuters reporters this week that he thought being president would be "easier."

Nobody could have known the presidency was hard.

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

As Newt Gingrich pointed out, nobody could have known that the president is sometimes criticized and occasionally does not get his own way

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

All this information was cunningly concealed by being put in books and other forms of writing

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Also , nobody could have known that 2 year old tweets are retrievable

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Nobody could have known it was wrong for a former head of an intelligence agency to accept money from foreign governments

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Nobody could have known that a few dozen little white lies about things like wiretapping could cause so much trouble

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Nobody could have known that removing health coverage from tens of millions of people might have political consequences

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Nobody could have known that tax plans are supposed to come with numbers

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Nobody could have known that they tally and publish how much your weekend golf excursions cost the public

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Nobody could have known that the Indian and the Pacific are different oceans

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Nobody could have known that Congress would ask questions if you accepted $400 million from a state controlled Chinese bank

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Nobody could have known that when photographed with children, you're supposed to pretend to like them

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Nobody could have known that threatening to cancel a 30 year old trillion dollar North American trade deal might upset anybody

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Nobody could have known that his wife often looks unhappy when his back is turned

— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2017

Woofy Weekend Spa Time

(via Instagram)

Because even bears need to exfoliate.

The Current Situation

Currently in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, celebrating a friend's birthday. 

It's a "gay soup" kind of day at Mantamar Beach Club.

More wine!

Texas Congressman Weeps While Begging God To Forgive America For Marriage Equality

Oh, lord.

Republican Congressman Randy Weber became a weepy, crying mess on Wednesday night as he begged God to forgive America for allowing gay couples to get married.

Speaking at the annual “Washington – A Man of Prayer” event in Washington, D.C., Weber repeatedly got all teary-eyed while begging God to forgive America for the sins of marriage equality and abortion.

“We have endeavored to try and kick your word out of public schools.

“Father, we have endeavored to take the Bible out of classrooms, the Ten Commandments off the walls. Oh, Lord, forgive us. Father, we think we’re so smart, we have replaced your word and your precepts with drug-sniffing dogs, with metal detectors, with uniformed police officers in our schools. Oh, Lord, forgive us.

“Father, we have trampled on your holy institution of holy matrimony and tried to rewrite what it is and we’ve called it an alternate lifestyle. Father, oh Father, please forgive us.

“Lord, we have gone to killing the most innocent amongst.

“Your servant Moses warned in Deuteronomy 19 for us to choose life so that we and all our descendants might live. Father, we’re killing our descendants and we’re calling it a choice. Oh, God in heaven, forgive us, please.”

Watch the weeping below:

Out Music: Davis Mallory "Loud"

Davis Mallory, of MTV's The Real World fame, drops the title track to his EP Loud.

With a slight bit of fetish (men in cat masks on leashes) the sexy dance tune feels like a summer song. Fun, upbeat and easy to listen to.

Davis says the song was inspired about a crush he had. “It’s a bit outside of the norm of what I usually write and sing about,” he admits. “It was inspired by a guy, another singer-songwriter, who I had a major crush on. At the time, I couldn’t figure out how he felt about me.”

I've previously written about Davis here.

Trump On Being President: "I Thought It Would Be Easier"

As easy as it would be to take the snarky approach, I'm stone cold serious that this actually terrifies me.

From The Washington Post:

Donald Trump spent a great portion of 2016 insisting that being president would be easy — at least for him. HuffPost compiled a number of examples of him dismissing the problems that accompany the job as being easily dispatched. Building a wall on the border with Mexico is easy. Beating Hillary Clinton would be easy. Renegotiating the Iran deal would be easy. Paying down the national debt would be easy. Acting presidential? Easy.

To a reporter from Reuters this week, though, Trump had a slightly different assessment of the presidency.

“I love my previous life. I had so many things going. This is more work than in my previous life,” Trump said. “I thought it would be easier. I thought it was more of a … I’m a details-oriented person. I think you’d say that, but I do miss my old life. I like to work so that’s not a problem but this is actually more work.”

News Round-Up: April 27, 2017

Simon Dunn

Some news items you might have missed:

• Olympic hottie Simon Dunn recently had nude pics leaked out to the public. He apologizes for the err in judgement by posting pic of him fully clothed, looking way hot.

• The 2017 Drama Desk Award nomination were announced this morning. Check out the list here.

• Someone chained a cross to a gay street in New York City. And then this happened.

• Oscar winning director Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia) is dead at the age of 73.

• Alabama's disgraced Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court, the homophobic Roy Moore, announces he will run for the U.S. Senate.

• The victim of United Airlines "dragged off the plane" episode - Dr. David Dao - has reportedly settled a potential lawsuit for a seven figure amount.

• White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer appears to blame the Obama administration for former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's failure to admit accepting a $45K payment from Russia: We only approved him because Obama's administration did!

This is new—Spicer seems to be blaming the Obama administration for renewing Flynn’s security clearance. But Trump still hired Flynn as NSA. pic.twitter.com/gK6mPyOhdH

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) April 27, 2017

Meme Of The Day

For everyone who's resisted the current trend of listing on Facebook the ten artists you've seen in concert but one is fake.

#whatever

Heineken Ad Highlights Communication On Social Issues

In the wake of Pepsi's flop of a social issues commercial, Heineken does a great job incorporating different perspectives into a compelling spot.

The video brings together three pairs of strangers with opposing views on climate change, feminism and trans issues.

With no introduction, they're given tasks to accomplish such as assembling items as a team.

Later in the challenge, their viewpoints are revealed, and they’re given the choice to leave, or stay and have a beer while discussing those topics.

Pepsi missed it, but Heineken’s spot resonates.

Many folks have had to look at whether or not to delete friends from social media over differences, this short video manages to put people ahead of those differences.

I know I'd rather talk, communicate and share perspectives than argue.

And a drink with that conversation might just open a mind or two...?

Watch below. Good job, Heineken.

The Simpsons Version Of Trump's First 100 Days As Prez

While President Trump is trying mightily to frame his first 100 days in the White House as a success, The Simpsons present their own version of the nascent Trump administration where Sean Spicer has hanged himself, Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner are at each other's throats, and an aide is asking the prez to read a bill that would lower taxes for Republicans only.

“Can’t Fox News read it and I’ll watch what they say?” Trump asks.

Watch below.

Poll: Trump's Approval Rating Is Lowest Of Newly-Elected Presidents

As Donald Trump nears the end of his first 100 days as president - the "honeymoon" you might say - his approval ratings continue to make history.

And not in a good way.

A new CNN/ORC poll shows Trump has the lowest approval rating of any president since such tracking began.

Overall, 44% approve of the job Trump is doing while 54% disapprove.

That's 11 points behind Bill Clinton's previous low of 55%.

More at CNN.

CNN/ORC Poll: At 100 days, Trump approval rating shows no sign of growth https://t.co/fMRbRNWh4D https://t.co/BP0KhmlyFv

— CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) April 27, 2017

House Republicans Protect Themselves From Health Care Repeal On Preexisting Conditions

It's always nice when our elected representatives in Congress show us that they understand us, because their lives are just like ours.

Well, kinda.

As House Republicans prepare to, yet again, "repeal and replace" Obamacare, they've included a clause that would allow states to waive out of the Affordable Care Act's ban on preexisting conditions.

In other words, insurance companies could be able to charge folks who've had cancer (or acne) higher premiums than otherwise healthy people.

Republican lawmakers like this policy a lot.

Well, ok, not "crazy like it a lot."

Like, not enough to have it apply to themselves.

The guy who wrote the amendment, Republican (natch!) Rep. Tom MacArthur of New Jersey, has confirmed that he and his Congressional cohorts would still be guaranteed the Obamacare protections against higher rates for preexisting conditions.

See? Just like us!

(source)

Brian Sims Slaps Back At Homophobic Bigot By Calling Their Grandmother

Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims

Now this is how you shut down a bigot.

Earlier this week, some ignorant hater posted “N*gger f*ggot” on the Facebook page of openly gay Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims.

Sure - some folks might have just ignored the message, but Sims decided to pull all the hate out in the open by contacting his grandmother.

“David, I can’t tell if you’re just a really dumb little boy or an angry bigot but I know for sure that you shouldn’t have posted your grandmother’s telephone number on your Facebook page,” the woofy Sims wrote.

“She and I just had a very disappointing chat about you. We’ll talk soon…”

Sims later added:

"Dear Bigots, posting your grandmother's telephone number all over the same page you use to post slurs on other people's pages is not going to end well for you. Brian"

#FTW!

(h/t NewNowNext)

Fox News Host Makes On-Air Blowjob Joke About Ivanka Trump

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Trump Rants On "Sanctuary City" Ruling

Right on schedule, President Trump tweeted out a rant about Federal Judge William Orrick III blocking Trump's attempt to withhold federal funds to sanctuary cities that refused to bend to his immigration policies.

First the Ninth Circuit rules against the ban & now it hits again on sanctuary cities-both ridiculous rulings. See you in the Supreme Court!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 26, 2017

Out of our very big country, with many choices, does everyone notice that both the "ban" case and now the "sanctuary" case is brought in ...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 26, 2017

...the Ninth Circuit, which has a terrible record of being overturned (close to 80%). They used to call this "judge shopping!" Messy system.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 26, 2017

The judge ruled that only Congress controls spending of federal funds, so the Executive branch can't decide who does or doesn't receive such funds.

Additionally, Trump repeatedly names the wrong court - Judge Orrick is a U.S. Distict court judge based in San Francisco, he doesn't sit on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

News Round-Up: April 25, 2017

Instastud Tyler James

Some news items you might have missed:

• Well, hello Mr. Tyler James (above). Nice sheet you have there...

• Madonna is not very happy about a possible biopic about her early days in NYC that just got picked up by Universal. See her post from Instagram:

Nobody knows what I know and what I have seen. Only I can tell my story. 📚Anyone else who tries is a charlatan and a fool. 🤡. Looking for instant gratification without doing the work. This is a disease in our society. ✍️🙃

A post shared by Madonna (@madonna) on Apr 25, 2017 at 10:26am PDT

• 51 Republicans have written to the President asking him to sign an executive order that would legalize LGBT discrimination based on "protecting religious liberty."

• Sen. Marco Rubio spoke out against the torture and murders of gay men in Chechnya from the floor of the U.S. Senate. #HellHasOfficiallyFrozenOver

• That pastor who declared that the victims of the Pulse Nightclub massacre "got what they deserved?" He just got 35 years in prison for child molestation. #GotWhatHeDeserved

• Xavier Jugele, the 37-year-old police officer who was gunned down in Paris last week, was eulogized by his partner today in a moving memorial ceremony.

Watch below with subtitles.

The husband of the policeman who was murdered last week in Paris delivers an emotional eulogy at his memorial service pic.twitter.com/yGfVNQ1IXZ

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) April 25, 2017

Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Attempt To Block Funds For Sanctuary Cities

I'm not sure this is the kind of "winning" Donald Trump meant when he told the American people during the campaign we'd see so much "winning" we'd get sick of it.

Someone might want to introduce the Attorney General to a lawyer.

From Bloomberg:

A judge in San Francisco blocked President Donald Trump from withholding funds from so-called sanctuary cities that give safe harbor to undocumented immigrants, marking the administration’s second major policy initiative declared likely unconstitutional.

San Francisco and its Silicon Valley neighbor, Santa Clara County, on Tuesday both won preliminary orders shelving the Jan. 25 edict by Trump, who threatened the budgets of cities nationwide that fail to comply with federal immigration demands.

Trump has declared that sanctuary jurisdictions cause “immeasurable harm to the American people and to the very fabric of our republic." But U.S. District Judge William Orrick agreed with the city and county that the the president’s order violated the Constitution in threatening to deprive them of funding for local programs.

Basically, the President can't control spending. Only the Congress can.

As Judge Orrick wrote, "The Constitution vests the spending power in Congress, not the President, so the Order cannot constitutionally place new conditions on federal funds."

And there you have it.

2017 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations Announced

Via BroadwayWorld:

Celebrating its 67th season of bestowing awards of excellence in the field of theatre, the Outer Critics Circle is an association with members affiliated with more than ninety newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, internet, and theatre publications in America and abroad.

The winners will be announced on Monday, May 8th. The annual Gala Awards Dinner and presentation of awards to the winners will be held on Thursday, May 25th (3PM) at the legendary Sardi's Restaurant.

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY

A Doll's House, Part 2
Indecent
Oslo
Sweat

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL

Anastasia
A Bronx Tale
Come From Away
Groundhog Day
Holiday Inn

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY

If I Forget
Incognito
A Life
Linda
Love, Love, Love

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL

The Band's Visit
Hadestown
Himself and Nora
Kid Victory
Spamilton

OUTSTANDING BOOK OF A MUSICAL
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Terrence McNally - Anastasia
Itamar Moses - The Band's Visit
Chazz Palminteri - A Bronx Tale
Danny Rubin - Groundhog Day
Irene Sankoff & David Hein - Come From Away

OUTSTANDING NEW SCORE
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens - Anastasia
Alan Menken & Glenn Slater - A Bronx Tale
Tim Minchin - Groundhog Day
Irene Sankoff & David Hein - Come From Away
David Yazbek - The Band's Visit

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

The Front Page
Jitney
The Little Foxes
Othello
The Price

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Finian's Rainbow
Hello, Dolly!
Miss Saigon
Sunset Boulevard
Sweeney Todd

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY

Lila Neugebauer - The Wolves
Jack O'Brien - The Front Page
Daniel Sullivan - The Little Foxes
Rebecca Taichman - Indecent
Kate Whoriskey - Sweat

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL

Christopher Ashley - Come From Away
David Cromer - The Band's Visit
Darko Tresnjak - Anastasia
Matthew Warchus - Groundhog Day
Jerry Zaks - Hello, Dolly!

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER

Andy Blankenbuehler - Bandstand
Warren Carlyle - Hello, Dolly!
Savion Glover - Shuffle Along
Kelly Devine - Come From Away
Denis Jones - Holiday Inn

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
(Play or Musical)

Alexander Dodge - Anastasia
Nigel Hook - The Play That Goes Wrong
Mimi Lien - Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Scott Pask - The Little Foxes
Douglas W. Schmidt - The Front Page

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
(Play or Musical)

Linda Cho - Anastasia
Susan Hilferty - Present Laughter
Santo Loquasto - Hello, Dolly!
Ann Roth - Shuffle Along
Catherine Zuber - War Paint

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
(Play or Musical)

Christopher Akerlind - Indecent
Donald Holder - Anastasia
Natasha Katz - Hello, Dolly!
Bradley King - Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Kenneth Posner - War Paint

OUTSTANDING PROJECTION DESIGN
(Play or Musical)

Duncan McLean - Privacy
Jared Mezzocchi - Vietgone
Benjamin Pearcy for 59 Productions - Oslo
Aaron Rhyne - Anastasia
Tal Yarden - Indecent

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN
(Play or Musical)

Gareth Fry & Pete Malkin - The Encounter
Gareth Owen - Come From Away
Nicholas Pope - Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Matt Stine - Sweeney Todd
Nevin Steinberg - Bandstand

OUTSTANDING ORCHESTRATIONS

Doug Besterman - Anastasia
Larry Blank - Holiday Inn
Bill Elliott & Greg Anthony Rassen - Bandstand
Larry Hochman - Hello, Dolly!
Jamshied Sharifi - The Band's Visit

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY

Daniel Craig - Othello
Michael Emerson - Wakey, Wakey
Kevin Kline - Present Laughter
David Oyelowo - Othello
David Hyde Pierce - A Life

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Janie Dee - Linda
Sally Field - The Glass Menagerie
Allison Janney - Six Degrees of Separation
Laura Linney - The Little Foxes
Laurie Metcalf - A Doll's House, Part 2

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Christian Borle - Falsettos
Nick Cordero - A Bronx Tale
Andy Karl - Groundhog Day
David Hyde Pierce - Hello, Dolly!
Tony Shalhoub - The Band's Visit

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Christy Altomare - Anastasia
Christine Ebersole - War Paint
Katrina Lenk - The Band's Visit
Patti LuPone - War Paint
Bette Midler - Hello, Dolly!

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY

Michael Aronov - Oslo
Danny DeVito - The Price
Nathan Lane - The Front Page
Richard Thomas - The Little Foxes
Richard Topol - Indecent

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Johanna Day - Sweat
Jayne Houdyshell - A Doll's House, Part 2
Katrina Lenk - Indecent
Nana Mensah - Man From Nebraska
Cynthia Nixon - The Little Foxes

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

John Bolton - Anastasia
Jeffry Denman - Kid Victory
Gavin Creel - Hello, Dolly!
Shuler Hensley - Sweet Charity
Andrew Rannells - Falsettos

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Kate Baldwin - Hello, Dolly!
Stephanie J. Block - Falsettos
Jenn Colella - Come From Away
Caroline O'Connor - Anastasia
Mary Beth Peil - Anastasia

OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE

Ed Dixon - Georgie: My Adventures with George Rose
Marin Ireland - On the Exhale
Sarah Jones - Sell / Buy / Date
Judith Light - All the Ways to Say I Love You
Simon McBurney - The Encounter

JOHN GASSNER AWARD
(Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)

Jaclyn Backhaus - Men on Boats
Sarah DeLappe - The Wolves
Paola Lázaro - Tell Hector I Miss Him
Qui Nguyen - Vietgone
Bess Wohl - Small Mouth Sounds

House Oversight Committee: No Sign Michael Flynn Complied With The Law

After reviewing Michael Flynn's application for security clearance, Congressman Chaffetz and ranking Democrat in the House Oversight Committee Rep. Elijah Cummings have determined that now former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn did not properly disclose payments from Russia thereby not complying with the law.

House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz had requested documents related to President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, but the White House now says it either doesn't have the documents or is "unable to accommodate" the remaining docs.

President Trump promised to "drain the swamp" and yet Flynn was his choice for National Security Adviser. This goes to how sound President Trump's judgement is on such appointments.

You have to wonder: Why can't the White House "accommodate" the request?

#swampityswampswamp

More at CNN.

BREAKING: Two members of Congress say fired National Security Adviser Flynn shouldn't have accepted money from Russia, Turkey.

— The Associated Press (@AP) April 25, 2017

House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz says it appears that Michael Flynn accepted money from Russia https://t.co/Zg1v1CEk1P

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) April 25, 2017

Caitlyn Jenner: "I Never Actually Came Out And Outwardly Supported Trump"

Caitlyn Jenner, making the rounds promoting her new book, sat down with Fox News' Tucker Carlson to parse her past support (or non-support) for Donald Trump.

At the top of the interview, Carlson suggests coming out in support of Trump while living in Malibu, California, might have been one of Caitlyn's "braver" moments.

Caitlyn replied:

“They were fine in Malibu with it [Jenner’s support for Trump], but let’s put it this way, I never actually came out and outwardly supported Trump. The media did that for me. I am on the Republican, conservative side, and he wound up being our candidate. And so, certainly, I was going to vote for him. He looked like he would pretty good on all LGBT issues. Which is important, because my loyalties do not lie with Donald Trump.

“My loyalties do not lie with the Republican Party. My loyalties, and what I’m fighting for is my community, the LGBT community, and particularly the trans issues that are out there, because there are many of them. And so, that’s where my fight is. And I thought Trump would be pretty good. But he’s kind of disappointed me in the first 100 days on those issues.”

Jenner went on to explain she didn't vote for Hillary Clinton because she's not a "one issue voter."

Trump On White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer: "That Guy Gets Great Ratings, Everyone Tunes In"

- from the Washington Post

News Round-Up: April 24, 2017

• It's sunny skies for my buddy Alex Chavez (above) after he won his body building competition last week. Check out his serious gyming on his Instagram account here.

• San Diego polar bear dies after her same-sex companion of 20 years relocated from Seaworld:

BREAKING: Szenja, a polar bear at #SeaWorld, has died. PETA believes she died of a broken heart after companion of 20 yrs was shipped away 💔 pic.twitter.com/dwr0Vm0vrR

— PETA (@peta) April 19, 2017

• Folks are wondering why Mar-a-Lago is suddenly being promoted on a federal government sites?

• The Navy and Marines have issued new regulations that ban spreading nude images in the wake of last month’s photo scandal involving the Marine Corps.

• Caitlyn Jenner's 20/20 interview in 2015, which delivered the news that the Olympic gold medalist is, in fact, transgender was a ratings bonanza. The interview drew 17 million viewers. Jenner's followup with Diane Sawyer this past Friday was a bit of a bust bringing only 4.2 million sets of eyeballs and losing to a rerun of CBS' Blue Bloods.

• Plans for removing four Confederate monuments by the city of New Orleans including having workers wear armor and stationing police snipers to keep watch for lunatic racists that might try to interfere with the removal.

New Orleans is removing Confederate monuments.

It scary that workers are wearing armor in fear of being shot by racists who want them up. pic.twitter.com/umPJUyr3bo

— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) April 24, 2017

Happy 75th Birthday, Barbra Streisand!

Barbra Streisand

Born April 24, 1942, Oscar/Grammy/Emmy Award winner Barbra Streisand celebrates 75 trips around the sun today.

Instead of the usual clips I could share, today I want to highlight La Babs' vocal on "Make Our Garden Grow" from Candide from her Back To Brooklyn album.

Gorgeous vocal throughout, and I think that amazing last note is around 19 very long seconds... :)

Happy, happy birthday, Barbra!

Scott Baio On Erin Moran's Passing: "You Do Drugs Or Drink, You're Gonna Die"

Scott Baio and Erin Moran

The Harrison County Coroner's Office and Sheriff's Department have issued a joint statement regarding the passing of former Happy Days star Erin Moran.

Her death was due to complications with stage 4 cancer.

The report included the fact that there were no illegal drugs in her system or found at the scene.

Her former co-star Scott Baio, however, wasn't slow to expect her passing was a result of past addictions.

Variety is reporting that during an interview with “The Bernie & Sid Show,” Baio admitted he was “not completely shocked” by his former co-star’s passing.

“I’m OK, a little shocked but not completely shocked that this happened. My thing is, I feel bad because her whole life, she was troubled, could never find what made her happy and content. For me, you do drugs or drink, you’re gonna die. I’m sorry if that’s cold, but God gave you a brain, gave you the will to live and thrive and you gotta take care of yourself.”

“I knew Erin well, over the last many years I have not spoken with her. She was just an insecure human being and fell into this world of drugs and alcohol. Again, I don’t know if that’s what killed her, I’m sure it was a culmination of years and years of doing it that might have had something to do with it. She just never found her way.”

“How do you help somebody that doesn’t want to help themselves? You try a couple of times and if they don’t want the help, I gotta go, sorry.”

Baio, a fervent Trump supporter, had a kinder, gentler message on Sunday morning:

My sincere condolences. #ErinMoran #HappyDaysFamily pic.twitter.com/5b0AbioZEc

— Scott Baio (@ScottBaio) April 23, 2017

Daily Dance: Ballet Men

Dancers Adam Bull, Christopher Rodgers-Wilson, Cameron Hunter and Cristiano Martino of the Australian Ballet talk about the highs and lows of a dance career, the athleticism and the work that goes into developing their beautiful technique.

NY Times Op-Ed: "Time Is Not On The Side Of Gay People" Living In Chechnya

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov

In an op-ed this morning, the New York Times challenges the Trump administration to provide stronger international leadership regarding the rounding up, torturing and killing of gays in Chechnya.

The crimes in Chechnya have presented the Trump administration with its first major test on this issue on the international stage. Last Monday, Nikki Haley, the American ambassador to the United Nations, issued a strong statement calling for a prompt investigation and accountability for the culprits.

“We are against all forms of discrimination, including against people based on sexual orientation,” Ms. Haley said. “When left unchecked, discrimination and human rights abuses can lead to destabilization and conflict.”

It would be encouraging to see Ms. Haley take on this cause with as much passion and perseverance as her predecessor, Samantha Power. Without American leadership, forging a global consensus that gay rights are human rights will take longer. Time is not on the side of gay people living in terror in places like Chechnya.

Even as reporting shows the situation growing more dire by the day, Chechen and Russian officials continue to deny the horrific events.

Over the weekend it was reported that Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has hopes to eradicate all gays in his country before Ramadan on May 26.

Web Series: "Daddyhunt The Serial" Season 2

As announced last week, dating app Daddyhunt has released a second season of it's adorable web series - "Daddyhunt the Serial."

The series gives a light-hearted, flirty view into intergenerational dating. Which is a fancy way to frame older and younger guys exploring their attraction to each other.

Cute banter, lots of smiles, and a pre-coital conversation about "old school/new school" dating practices along the way.

Starring Jim Newman, BJ Gruber, David M. Farrington, Michael Snipe Jr & Alan Kelly and Soundtrack by Shirley House.

Watch the four new episodes below. Check out the first season here.

Google Home Commercial Features Two Dads & The Morning Family Routine

Google Home features two dads and their kids getting ready for the day.

The ad announces a new feature - multiple users. So now, Google Home recognizes each member of the family and can keep track of each person's schedule and more, providing a more personal experience.

The spot also shows how practically every family is the same when it comes to the morning routine.

Naked John Cena & Nikki Bella Celebrate 500K YouTube Subscribers

Engaged couple John Cena and Nikki Bella promised to get naked for YouTube if they hit the 500,000 subscriber mark.

And guess what?

Even though John thinks it's "not a good idea" they do fulfill the promise.

However, when John drops his half of the 500,000 sign, things take a turn.

Click to watch below.

Round 1 Of French Presidential Election: Macron 23.7%, Le Pen 21.7%

Via The BBC:

The centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen have won the first round of voting in French presidential elections, projected results say.

Mr Macron won 23.7%, while Ms Le Pen won 21.7%, French TV says.

The two saw off a strong challenge from centre-right François Fillon and the hard-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon, according to the projections.

The pair now face a run-off vote on 7 May.

Most polls show Macron defeating Le Pen in the second round.

Food for thought: if we elected our president by popular vote, as in France, we would have President Hillary Clinton.

Las Vegas: AIDSWalk 2017 For AFAN

Time to walk!

I got a late start blogging today as I joined thousands of folks including Las Vegas headliners Tyson Beckford, the Chippendales, Human Nature, Melody Sweet (Absinthe), Carrot Top plus Congressman Ruben Kihuen and Coco Montrese (RuPaul's Drag Race) for the 2017 AIDSWalk which benefits AFAN (Aid for AIDS Nevada).

Penn & Teller again served as Grand Marshals for the annual event.

Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) was founded in 1984 and is the oldest and largest AIDS service organization in the state of Nevada.

Gorgeous day, gorgeous people, and a gorgeous goal - to help those affected by HIV/AIDS.

The Chippendales with current Celebrity Host Tyson Beckford

Human Nature revved everyone up with some tunes

The Chippendales, Penn & Teller, Carrot Top and Tyson Beckford

Broadway in the Hood sang from Dear Evan Hansen and RENT

In case you ever wondered how short I really am.
From L-R: James Davis, Tyson Beckford, me, RK Kelsey, Okewa Garrett

A rite of spring ... @melodysweetsofficial swinging and singing #AfanLV ...

A post shared by John Katsilometes (@johnnykats1) on Apr 23, 2017 at 9:40am PDT

Great morning kicking-off the Annnual #AIDSWalkLV and recognizing @AFANLV for their tireless work in raising HIV/AIDS awareness in our community. We must continue working together to find a cure for HIV/AIDS. #NV04

A post shared by Ruben J. Kihuen (@rubenkihuen) on Apr 23, 2017 at 11:30am PDT

Trump Wall 2.0 - Mexico Will "Eventually" Pay For Wall "In Some Form"

Donald Trump repeated over and over and over during the campaign that he would build a "big, beautiful wall" on the US/Mexico border, and Mexico would pay for it.

Welcome now to Trump Wall 2.0 where, according to a presidential tweet this morning, Mexico will "eventually" pay for the wall "in some form."

Got it?

#liar

Eventually, but at a later date so we can get started early, Mexico will be paying, in some form, for the badly needed border wall.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 23, 2017

Erin Moran of HAPPY DAYS Fame Dead At 56

TMZ is reporting that Erin Moran, of "Happy Days" and "Joanie Loves Chachi" fame, has died.

She was 56.

Authorities in Indiana received a call just after 4 PM today from someone reporting an "unresponsive female." When emergency crews arrived, Moran was apparently already dead.

Moran shot to spotlight in the early 70s when she was cast on "Happy Days" as Joanie, the younger sister of Ron Howard's character. She continued the role in 1982 alongside Scott Baio in "Joanie Loves Chachi" but the show only lasted one season.

Erin had a tough time after her "Happy Days" stardom ... a combination of drinking and bizarre behavior that eventually landed her in a trailer park in Indiana. She had run out of money and was reportedly kicked out of the mobile home she shared with husband Steve Fleischmann.

Podcast: Tony & Grammy Award Winner Billy Porter Talks "The Soul Of Richard Rodgers"

On the latest The Randy Report podcast, Tony and Grammy Award winner Billy Porter talks about his new album - Billy Porter presents The Soul of Richard Rodgers.

The collection features new, soulful takes on classic Richard Rodgers songs from Broadway musicals including Oklahoma!, The Sound of Music, Babes in Arms, South Pacific, and The King and I, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Lorenz Hart.

Billy is the very picture of a passionate Renaissance man - actor, recording artist, director, playwright and activist.

Broadway credits include Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, Grease, and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. He won the Tony Award, as well as the Grammy, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his groundbreaking performance of “Lola” in Kinky Boots. That was followed by joining the all-star line up for Shuffle Along.

Film and television credits include Barry Levinson’s "The Humbling" opposite Al Pacino, Sundance Film Festival features "The Broken Hearts Club" and "Intern," "Noel" (with Susan Sarandon and Robin Williams), "Shake Rattle & Roll" as Little Richard, "Another World," "Twisted," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," "The Tonight Show" and more.

In 2014, Primary Stages presented the highly successful World Premiere of While I Yet Live, Porter’s autobiographical play at off Broadway’s Duke Theater.

Hit play below to listen as Billy explains the inspiration for the new album and much, much more :)

Billy Porter presents The Soul of Richard Rodgers is available now at all digital download outlets.

Opening Night: Magic Mike Live In Las Vegas

Cast of MAGIC MIKE LIVE LAS VEGAS Performs at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

All photos: Erik Kabik (ErikKabik.com)

Had some feisty fun at the official opening night of Channing Tatum's Magic Mike Live last night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino here in Las Vegas.

Channing Tatum and wife, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, were in attendance having a great time. After the show, Tatum shared a few words with the packed venue, thanking the crowd and friends and family in attendance for joining the cast and creative team for their highly-anticipated opening night performance.

Lots of quick, slick and athletic moves from the good looking MML men. Very much in the same vein as the numbers in the two Magic Mike movies.

From the press release:

Conceived by Channing Tatum and co-directed by Tatum and film franchise choreographer Alison Faulk, the show features sexy and daring themed dance and strip routines punctuated by one of a kind acts from a wildly diverse cast of performers.

There's been some talk of Magic Mike Live "reinventing" the male revue, which I'm not so sure is completely accurate.

For the folks who've taken to comparing the new show with long running Chippendales or Thunder from Down Under, I would say this just a different "flavor" of male revue.

Comparing this new show to the other long-running strip shows is kind of like comparing Broadway's Hamilton, Spring Awakening and Chicago the Musical. All have their own "edge," and all won a lot of awards.

Having seen all three of the shows, I can tell you this - no one leaves any of them not having had a great time :)

Magic Mike Live is definitely fun, high energy. Less skin than you see in other shows; lots of shirtless guys dancing in jeans. If you're looking for a bit more "exposure" than that, you might want to check out the other shows.

The only misstep for me is the hostess for the evening. She's lovely and fun, and acts as a narrative device. But it seems like we see a lot of her. And her talking to the audience goes on a bit long. I'd just edit a bit.

Check out some video below I took along with pics by Erik Kabik (ErikKabik.com).

Welcome to Las Vegas, Magic Mike Live! Lots of room for everyone!

Some opening night #MagicMikeLive

A post shared by Randy Slovacek (@randyslovacek) on Apr 22, 2017 at 11:23am PDT

A little wet and wild at #MagicMikeLive

A post shared by Randy Slovacek (@randyslovacek) on Apr 22, 2017 at 11:30am PDT

One more from #MagicMikeLive opening night :)

A post shared by Randy Slovacek (@randyslovacek) on Apr 22, 2017 at 12:36pm PDT

Cast of MAGIC MIKE LIVE LAS VEGAS Performs at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Jackson Williams Performs 'air seduction' in MAGIC MIKE LIVE LAS VEGAS

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum Attend Opening Night of MAGIC MIKE LIVE LAS VEGAS

Requisite poorly lit selfie with hubby Michael and Channing Tatum