All the News That Fits! Buddy B's Weekly News Report 4/16/14

Cheyenne Jackson

Fashion designer Tom Ford announced, at the start of the month, that he has gone to The Chapel of Love with journalist Richard Buckley and they are now legally betrothed. Of course, this means another one of my matrimonial dreams has been dashed but I shall manage somehow. Actually, Tom and Richard have been together for nearly three decades. 27 years to be exact. I'm lucky if my relationships last more than 27 minutes!

Ford and Buckley (aren't those two of the most white-bread names you ever heard?) met at a fashion show. Tres chic! "We had three dates. We were living together four weeks later. He gave me the keys to his apartment, and we have lived together ever since," Ford told Women's Wear Daily two years ago. The 52-year-old Texan is also the director of the brilliant, Oscar-nominated (for Best Picture) A Single Man. One of my absolute favorites! The film, told with minimal dialogue, stars Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.

But Ford is not a single man, it turns out, people, and came out of the conjugal closet at an interview conducted at the Regent Street Apple store in London. "[W]e're now married, which is nice," he said for the article that appeared in Vogue UK. "I know that it was just made legal in the U.K., which is great. We were married in The States."

Tall, dark and handsome Cheyenne Jackson is still on the market, however. The singer/actor/dancer of Broadway stage, cabaret, screen and television is currently a gay divorcee. I mean, it's not like he's advertising but, my dears! Shortly after an online sex tape leak, Manhunt magazine printed pictures of Jackson clad only in black leather straps. "A friend who’s a chorus boy in a Broadway show sent me this," a writer at Manhunt allowed. "He was going through his old phone and found this pic Cheyenne Jackson sent him a while ago."

Well, hubba-hubba, big boy! You look terrific in basic black. Really basic.  It's true the color is slimming and chic, and you wear it well if barely.

As you know, Jackson is no mere himbo. But he could be for the right chorus boy, apparently. The star has received numerous awards and is an out and proud gay man (perhaps not proud of these pics, albeit), a strong LGBT supporter and advocate, and an ambassador for AmFar and The Hetrick-Martin Institute.

There is nothing like a Dame, however. Angela Lansbury, at 88 and not dressed in leather fetish minimalist clothing, was honored at Windsor Castle on April 15, joining other acting grand Dames like Judi Dench and Maggie Smith.

"Venerated these days in much the same way that Julie Andrews is, both by children and by those who appreciate high kitsch, the British-born star has straddled genres and eras in the entertainment industry," UK's The Guardian stated.

Well, the Queen certainly looked happy bestowing the elevated honor of Dame Commander of the British Empire upon the internationally beloved actress. My only concern is that, once Jessica Fletcher sets foot at the Palace, isn't a royal likely to get murdered very soon?

Valerie Harper, meanwhile, was cancer-free and then she wasn't! Closer magazine insisted, on April 16, that Ms Harper stated she was absolutely "cancer free." Shortly thereafter, Variety reported that Ms Harper denied that report. “In response to a recent erroneous quote concerning my health, I am not ‘absolutely cancer-free,’” a statement from Harper [read]. The Emmy award winner clarified: “I wish I were. Right now what I am is cautiously optimistic about my present condition, and I have hope for the future.”

We wish Valerie lots of luck and congratulate her, as she was told she had only three months to live after a diagnosis of her brain cancer in 2013.

Until next week, then, this is all the news that fits and, as Edward R. Murrow used to say, "Good Night and Good Luck!"

Cheyenne Jackson's a Free Man

Ok, boys, be on the look-out because Cheyenne Jackson is now a gay divorcee! The downside to gay marriage. (Hope things don't get too messy for him.)

Reports Playbill.com, for all you theater queens:

"Stage and television actor Cheyenne Jackson, who was last seen on Broadway in The Performers, has separated from his husband Monte Lapka, Jackson's representatives confirmed to Playbill.com.

A statement from his representatives reads, 'Cheyenne Jackson and his husband Monte Lapka have mutually decided to divorce. The couple have been together for 13 years and were married in NY State two years ago. It is an amicable parting and, understandably, a private matter.'

"Jackson, who has also been seen on television in "Glee" and on Broadway in Finian's Rainbow, Xanadu, All Shook Up, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Aida, was married to Lapka in September 2011 in the Hamptons.

"Lapka is a physicist. The couple had been together for 13 years."

I'm awash in crocodile tears. And, yet, there's a happy dividend to all this, isn't there, gentlemen, for all us single guys out here?

Jackson just released a new album, I'm Blue Skies.

Don't Look at Cheyenne Jackson

Love this moody ballad and video for Cheyenne Jackson's song, "Don't Look at Me." It was written by Jackson and SIA. From his upcoming album, I'm Blue, Skies, available June 25. So, don't look at him already!

Bummed on Billboard

The most recent Billboard Club/Dance chart sucks, frankly, and I'm only happy about Frenchie Davis' ascent with "Love's Got a Hold on Me," at number 15, and it truly has a hold on the dance floor right now with true diva energy.

The 2012 dance chart for the year is also a huge disappointment. It's not that the year's dance music had a poor showing; it's where the better songs charted! Ok, there's Florence + the Machine at #3 with "Say My Name," but you have to scroll down to #18 to get to the first dance tune that really excites me, that being "Timebomb" by Kylie Minogue. Madonna's "Girl Gone Wild"? Number 44. "Marry the Night" by Lady Gaga? Number 47. "If It Wasn't for Love" sung by Deborah Cox? Number 50. Believe me, this lackluster listing could use a big fabulousness infusion.

So, in light of all this, will you settle right now for openly gay artist Cheyenne Jackson's very happy preview of his music video for "Don't Wanna Know"? This video looks and sounds kind of poptastic!. Have a good look and pray for dance mixes! Good ones this time.

The Five Most Fabulous Men Under My Christmas Tree

The Rockerfeller Center tree is up and New York City is aglow with more lights than usual because it's holiday season. Such a happy time of year but equally tragic when all the lights and decorations are taken down shortly after the new year.  I am currently reminded, however, that as tomorrow is December 1st, it's time to compose my Christmas list for that hunky Mr Santa Claus, envisioned by moi as seen above. Love the sparklers, and I hear he's got a big roman candle to boot!

As for presenting dear Santa with my Christmas list, I so so so want the Joan Crawford and Mommie Dearest wallets from Rainbows & Triangles in Chelsea (pictured amongst the collection at right). But, modestly priced, I could easily purchase them myself; no need to bother Mr Claus.

There's the pricey little leopard-skin print Christopher Radko-designed Cyndi Lauper Christmas ball at Bloomingdale's that would be perfect for my tree. And there's the sexy John Varvados scarf for $248 plus tax that I'm qvelling over. Of course, Santa, since you won't be staying after you've tasted my cookies and milk (busy guy that you are, going up and down my chimney), you could always leave me one of my five currently most fabulous men, tied up with a big bow on top.

Well, there's the tall, Irish-looking, redhead personal trainer (I imagine, since he's always wearing spiffy athletic gear to work with no apparent change of outfit) with the humungous sneakers. And there's the Slavic guy with chiseled features, stubble and sexy dark eyes who always wears fatigues and a trendy scarf this time of year. I usually see at least one of these hotties on my morning commute. Unfortunately, I can't Google their images for the prurient interest of my gentle readers. But, Santa, you know who I mean and should add them as Fabulous Men numbers 6 and 7, thank you.

But now, I turn to more well-known men to comprise the Top 5 on my Christmas List:

#1: Channing Tatum.

'Nuff said.

#2: Zeb Atlas. I may have spoken ill about his ability as a disco divo http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2011/09/zeb-atlas-in-discoworld.html
but that doesn't mean I'd kick the big lug out of bed, Santa!

#3: Daniel Craig. 007? Yes. Stirred, not shaken. Is that a pistol in his pocket or is he just happy it's Christmas? He could make the earth move under my sheet... and the sky fall! Good to see him back in action (on the big screen, I mean) with buns as hard as steel. Surly, scruffy British guys are my weakness. Well, one of my weaknesses!

#4: Cheyenne Jackson.

I really don't have to explain him, do I?

#5: Ricky Martin. He looks better with age and even sexier since coming out.

Hot stuff for cold weather.

So, if anyone reading this wants to be my secret Santa and send me one (or more) of these five Fabulous Men, please feel free in the crazy spirit of the season. Any of the above would be the gift that keeps on giving. Hopefully! Please include a magnum of quality champagne and flutes (glass, not plastic). Otherwise, the John Varvados scarf and Radko Christmas ornament will do nicely.

Merry Christmas. I love you, Santa!

In conclusion, I'll turn things over to The Weather Girls in their 1983 video:

Billboard Shake-Up

It was sad to see Kathy Griffin's fabulous "I'll Say It" drop off the top 25 Billboard Dance/Club Chart this go-round, but good to see Florence Welch (of "+ the Machine") ascend to #14 (from #20 last week) on vocals for "Sweet Nothing" by Calvin Harris. While I love listening to Harris' extended version, it offers no intro for mixing into a set. For that purpose, I recommend the Tiesto remix.

Christina Aguilera leaped into the top 25 in a major way when her quite catchy but undistinguished "Your Body" made it from last week's #26 song to the #16th. I'll refrain from any Greatest Gainer comments.

Mariah Carey's "Triumphant" is still solid at #11, having peaked at numero uno. X Factor's Melanie Amaro is rising right behind, at #12, with "Don't Fail Me Now." And, at #13, we have Beyonce, losing wind and nudging up just one spot from last week, with "I Was Here." Yeah, you was.

Pet Shop Boys peaked at #12 with "Winner" on the US chart, though Kristine W is up at #4 with the fantastic, Bimbo Jones-produced floor-filler, "Everything That I Got." Meanwhile, Yoko Ono is "Moving On" to the number 10th place.

Let me tell you, I could eat up every part of a guy like Cheyenne Jackson in a New York minute (pictured at top)! But who couldn't? Tall, dark, handsome and out (but married). The Conaire remix of the Broadway crooner's "Drive" crossed my desk recently.  Unfortunately, it doesn't quite gel for the dance floor. Good song, but not a good mix. Unlikely to peak on Billboard or end up in my mix.

More on the dance floor musique and some more Billboard club jive soon. Love ~~ Dj Buddy B!

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen's Hollywood Babble On

Well, it was a couple of days of prattle and tattle, lots of it involving figures in the world of pop music. Let me clue you in:

Darlene Love, on Tuesday, proudly announced, "My agent just informed me the United Nations purchased ALL the tickets to my show at 54 Below Theatre on Monday August 6th which means it's completely SOLD OUT!!!! I wonder who will be showing up!" Well, so do I!  I imagine a room of global dignitaries, guzzling cocktails, letting the weight of the world melt from their shoulders to Darlene belting out "He's A Rebel." Of course, that may not so relaxing for members of the General Assembly, especially those from countries like Yemen and Pakistan.

Maybe Dj Buddy B can get a Q&A with the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer before her next 54 Below performance. (I've got a Q&A coming up soon with another fabulous, powerhouse diva!) I'll keep you posted on both fronts.

Can you believe screen heartthrob and TCM favorite Tab Hunter is 81 today? His autobiography is very gentlemanly. The only performer he didn't seem to get along with was Tallulah Bankhead (drunk and mean when they were in the Tennessee Williams Broadway flop,  The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore), and he even limits saying anything negative about her. Still good-looking, with a still athletic build, he's still performing (dinner theater). Gay fans know him best for starring twice with Divine, in Polyester and in Lust in the Dust. He also had an affair with Anthony Perkins. It's in the book.

It was Miss Britney Spears who left X Factor in the dust due to her spontaneous hissy fit. San Francisco Chronicle claims she "left the set of 'The X-Factor' auditions in North Carolina on Monday after a contestant, dressed in drag, destroyed her pop hit '(You Drive Me) Crazy.'"

How could you "destroy" that?

"Music mogul Reid appeared to feel Spears’ pain during the audition – he patted the singer on the back as Lovato and Cowell tried to hide their disbelief by covering their faces with their hands," said People.com. Or hiding their laughing at a fellow judge.

Simon Cowell, astute as ever, told the contestant, “I don’t think she quite understood your tribute.”

"Spears returned to her seat moments later and added, 'I really respect the tribute. It was really nice," the Chronicle adds.  C'mon! She was told to say that when the producers turned missy around backstage and pushed her back onto the set, reminding her just what that big, fat paycheck is for.

If there's a cruel joke here at all, it was played by the show's producers.

The very tall, dark and very handsome actor, Cheyenne Jackson, has joined the HBO cast of Behind the Candelabra, starring Michael Douglas as Liberace and Matt Damon as his lover, Scott Thorson. Steven (Magic Mike) Soderbergh directs. I hope Cheyenne has a shirtless scene or two. Why, I would have named this film Beyond the Valley of the Candelabras!

Thank God, when I went to Vegas to see Bette Midler perform, I went out to the desert, beyond the valley, to The Liberace Museum (now defunct). It smelled as if Libby was buried right there, under the floorboards! Incredible.

And, now, two odd facts I want to share with you because I love you:

Fact #1 from Unicorn Booty: "A new study suggests the key to avoiding morning sickness – or the cure for those afflicted with it – is devouring as much of your babydaddy’s semen as humanly possible." It also suggests semen is a cure for nausea. But, really, ladies and gents, can you imagine going in to your partner, waking him up in bed, and saying: "Darling, I think I'm going to puke. Do you mind if I...?"

I think not.  Of course, Joan Crawford had it on hand in a refrigerator. Good for her complexion she swore, applying it as a moisturizer. So you might take that into consideration as far as preparedness is concerned.

Fact #2 comes from my friend, Jennifer Lott Randall: "300 A.D. Christian martyr St. Apollonia, the patron saint of dentistry, is burned by the Romans after having her teeth extracted." We Catholics have a patron saint for oral hygiene! In 300 A.D., that meant just bashing all your teeth out. And St. Apollonia was put to death by the Tea Party of her time for being toothless! (I admit it's not the chicest look for a girl.) Still, I'll never again bitch about dental procedures or orthodontia!
                                          
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Well, I hope you've had your fill of my gab and blab. Until our next gossip corner, best wishes and all my love, Buddy B!