The Day The Lights Went Out In Georgia

I am aware that to most people, the idea of a sitcom character serving as a mentor and a beacon of hope is a pretty ridiculous thought.

But then came Julia Sugarbaker.

"Designing Women" aired from 1986 through 1993--in my life, that took me from elementary school through high school. (I graduated in 1996.) Who cares? Probably no one.

But as a gay adolescent, the sensibility of this show resonated with me: Delta Burke's Suzanne Sugarbaker was ridiculous and endearing, Jean Smart's Charlene was the South's answer to Rose Nylund from "Golden Girls," and Annie Pott's Mary Jo was...well, she was kinda boring, actually.

And then there was Julia. This is one of the most strongly written characters in the history of television, but regardless, most of the credit for Julia Sugarbaker should go to Dixie Carter. She regularly turned monologues that, if we saw them written on the page, would be ridiculously superficial, into pillars of strength in their own right. And despite her usually heroic rhetoric within the simple little show plots, Julia Sugarbaker was the one character who was so real that she transcended mere entertainment. My mother, for example, could not stand to watch her; she thought Julia Sugarbaker (and, therefore, Dixie Carter) was a holier-than-thou wealthy Southern heiress--and my mother and I used to argue regularly about Julia's relative good-vs-superficial nature. Those arguments at the time were a way in which I communicated to my mother--my closest ally in life--how important it was becoming to me to see people stand up for who they are, even when others simply cannot relate. And I always knew that my interest in "Designing Women," my love of Suzanne Sugarbaker's antics with her pet pig Noel, and my respect for the way Julia battled with Suzanne but also served as her guardian, spoke volumes to my family about my own developing nature as a gay man.

It may seem overblown, but it's true. And the show "Designing Women" would have been nothing without its anchor, Julia, in whose domain almost every episode took place. And who can imagine anyone but Dixie Carter in the role of Julia Sugarbaker?

Dixie Carter died yesterday. Take a look at some of her scenes and pay special attention to how important her performance of the funny, but straightforward, words was to the creation and development of Julia Sugarbaker. She added a huge helping of aggression and a healthy dash of comic insanity, and in the proecess made Julia a very real person.

'Passions' Star Justin Hartley Joins 'Smallville''

When I started my MFA program three years ago, I took mornings off work on the days I had early afternoon classes so I could get my writing and workshopping done before class. And then I discovered it: Passions, the greatest show in TV history. Sadly, Timmy the magic doll-midget had already passed to the great beyond, but there was still a baby blonde witch who could control lightning and, as if that were not enough, a mermaid who at one time lay on a beach hiding her aqua-sequined tail behind a rock for an entire week of episodes, trying (successfully) to hide her secret from her beau. NBC never tried to pass off the laughable not-very-special effects with this show; in fact, those laughable effects were the show.

Or at least they were a big part of it. This guy, Justin Hartley, was another big part. I'm pretty sure he spent an entire month of episodes in his bedroom wearing only boxer shorts, in a trance, and then he fell out of a window. This was not great cinema, people. This wasn't even Days of Our Lives. But! It was a total stud wearing next to nothing! And that's good enough for us!

Now we can see the same total stud and his "Green Arrow" (green?!) on Smallville, the Superboy series that has yet to find its kryptonite.

Blah blah blah. We don't care about Smallville. Smallville is no Passions.

A classic great-acting moment from The. Best. Show. Ever! (PS: No, it's NOT gay porn!)



Plus, he can bust a move!

Eddie Cibrian Shirtless On Ugly Betty

Eddie Cibrian is bringin' some serious hotness to Ugly Betty!

We were devastated when Betty's sister Hilda (Ana Ortiz), mother to uber-gay teen Justin (Mark Indelicato), lost the love of her life Santos at the end of last season.

(Oy, what a soap opera!)

We're happy Hilda's got a new coach to play with--and a potential studly dad for little Justin to lust over.

Brothers and Sisters: The Homo Proposal!

We would totally marry Scotty.



Swoooon!

Brothers and Sisters: Big Gay Wedding!

This just in: Adorable Scotty (Luke MacFarlane) and domineering Kevin are going to tie the knot! Even for a show that's been given more air time to gay romance than probably any other prime-time drama in history, and has actually shown (GASP!) gay smooches, this is going to be an unprecedented and much-welcomed historical event.

Plus, Scotty is just sooooo cute. (So cute that even Prison Break star Wentworth "I'm Not Gay!!!" Miller has been seen on joy rides with MacFarlane in around L.A.)

Ian Somerhalder Is Back!

We stopped watching Lost the day Boone was killed. HBO to the rescue again!

Former Guess? model Ian Somerhalder stars in the new HBO series Tell Me You Love Me, which features graphic depictions of sex!

Unfortunately, he plays a straight guy. Oh well. At least we get pictures!

If you look close, you can see his tiddlywinks in one of the screen caps! Rumor has it he'll go frontal in an upcoming episode!

Thanks to John for the tip!

'Daily' Emmy: Jon Stewart Wins!

Jon Stewart won the Emmy for The Daily Show. We couldn't be happier!

PS--How cute was he way back when??

Congrats, Cousin Spence! Jeremy Piven Gets The Emmy!

We knew he was destined for greatness even when playing lazy Cousin Spence on Ellen way back when. Here's Jeremy Piven making out with a gold statue. At least he's not wearing his white V-neck undershirt this time!

Big Brother: Dick Style

So now that the obvious is a matter of fact, and CBS has successfully fulfilled its totally fake story arc of reunited ASSHOLE father and daughter Dick and Daniele Donato, let's examine Dick's style, for he surely has some. But...what do we think of it?

His look is totally Hollywood music scene--circa 1988, but timeless. You spot this guy on the street, and you assume all of these things:

1. He's always wanted to be a rock star.


2. He wants to look like the devil, but a certain type of devil. The kind that lives in Hollywood proper. The kind that spreads terror through the world by way of loud, superficially dark music and sexually transmitted diseases.


3. He is either recovering from a heroin addiction or, well, not recovering.


4. It's all for show. Check out the fake white teeth. Seriously, this guy is vain.


5. If he has a daughter, she probably looks like a devil, even without the tattoos.

The only one we can validate for sure is #5.

But still! Give the old man props! While most men his age are wearing Dockers and Crocs, this guy is holding onto his youth like nobody's business! Screw pride! This guy has style.

Now, just for fun, see the true genius of CBS's marketing department and click here to search Google for "Big Brother Dick." Caution: If you have your "safe search" feature turned off (which you should!), this is very Not Safe For Work!

Stylin' Idols: Blake Lewis and Chris Richardson

We just stumbled upon these pics here, and we have to say that Blake Lewis has got it going on in the style department. We're jealous of most of his clothes!

But we do have to ask...don't Chris Richardson's expressions and gestures scream HOMO? Has he come out yet? Is he in love with Blake Lewis?

They should totally play up that angle with the press. It'll get them way more press than, you know, singing.

So You Think You Can Dance Half Naked!

[Photos from Just Jared.]

What's more fun than spying on cute reality-show-runners-up-slash-professional-dancers while they run in circles like the little hamsters they are?

Watching them do it with no shirts on!

Thus, we present So You Think You Can Dance's Danny Tidwell and Neil Haskell and their undies.

Beckham Goes Gay on Desperate Housewives??

Eva Longoria says there's no truth to the rumors that David Beckham will play gay better half to Robbie Williams's lesser half on the upcoming season of Desperate Housewives.

This isn't really news, but it's a good enough excuse to post images of Becks and Robbie queering out! Hot!

Big Fat Surprise! Wentworth's a Diva!

Allegedly.

According to entertainmentwise.com, Wentworth Miller is a Diva with a big D. The article says "a new report from the set of Prison Break has labeled Wentworth Miller 'self-important' and 'a spoiled princess.' According to insiders, Wentworth specifically forbids extras to talk to him and has a habit of throwing hissy fits at the crew."

Evidently, someone told the uber-reliable Enquirer that “Wentworth’s out of control with his self-important attitude. The guy’s got the production assistants waiting for him with his flip-flops and beverages between scenes. They’re trained to respond to his every whim.”

Princess? Diva? Hissy hits? Sounds like hating on the gays to me! But wait! There's more!
"The source adds that the actor is 'downright prissy' and 'throws fits' and whines 'in a high-pitched voice' when he’s not getting his way."

Gay hate, we tell you! Someone at Fox is pissed there's a homo starring on a hit show and that he's daring to have a personal life by dating co-hottie Luke McFarlane (pictured above)!

So what if he does have hits and acts like a diva? He's hot, his hotness made the show hot, and he's a big star now. Big Fucking Surprise. At least he's not crashing his coked-out car into crowds like the other divas.

What do you think? Is Wentworth a diva? If so, does that make him a bottom?

Juicy Juicy Wentworth Miller!

Ordinarily, any guy dripping with this much sweat would get a serious reprimand. Lucky for Wentworth Miller he's Wentworth Miller. Plus, he's on the set, so we'll assume it's part of the job.

Here's a ten-minute interview with Wenty. Be prepared: He talks about...hooters!

Incest is Best: Brothers and Sisters DVD Launch Party

The Brothers and Sisters stars were studded by these guys at the Brothers and Sisters season one launch party the other night.

OK, so Dave Annable (top) is the only real stud in the group. And he's a dorky stud. But as dorks go, he's a hot one!

Matthew Rhys (Middle left) is my favorite on the show because he plays a big ol' litigous queen with a chip on his shoulder. He must be a good actor, too, because he's full of gayface on the show, but here he looks like he could be straight. What was I thinking? No he doesn't. GAYFACE!

We think you should buy season one if only because Rhys has an affair with Prison Break star Wentworth Miller's (alleged) new real-life boyfriend, Luke McFarlane. McFarlane is hotter than anyone above, and that includes Rob Lowe, who looks here like he's been bathing in Bugs Bunny's carrot-stained pee.

What? We're just saying.

Here's a clip from the first season of Brothers and Sisters, which includes an oh-so-heartbroken Luke McFarlane snuggling up to a pillow in bed. Seriously, as primetime soaps go, it's a great show!


andBalthazarGetty

Matthew Fox's Secret Job

Matthew Fox from Lost has been spotted pimping L'Oreal Men products in that place in Europe where everyone speaks French.

No, not Belgium.

Here's his commercial. What, L'Oreal couldn't pony up for a full 30 seconds??

Navel Gazing: Ian Somerhalder

Where's he been since getting killed off on Lost, anyway?

The former Guess? model appeared on the cover of Men's Fitness a year or two ago...Ian, if you're out there, let us know what's up!

Lance Bass: Dancing with the Boys?

This just in from The Advocate: Rumor has it that Lance Bass is being courted for the next season of Dancing with the Stars. Seems natural what with Joey Fatone's dancing on the show last season.

But there's a catch: Disney might agree to pair Lance up with another guy! And why not? Everyone knows Lance is gay now, thanks to Perez Hilton.

We think Lance should do it, since he failed to make history when he came out the first time. (A little late after Ellen et al.) This is his big chance!

What do you think? Do you want to see Lance dancing with boys? Other than Justin Timberlake, that is?

McSteamy's Work Out Plan

McSteamy gives away his workout regimen to Men's Health on video. He also tells how to make eggs that aren't "too eggy."

Cuz, like, who wants eggy eggs?

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid627267115/bclid626975177/bctid823548049

NSFW: HOUSE Actor Jesse Spencer Brings Sexy Back (and Front)

You don't see THIS on primetimeTV!

Jesse Spencer from the hit Fox show "House" shows it all in the movie Death in Holy Orders.

Click picture to make Jesse grow.

[Source]