BRIDESHEAD REVISITED

I was very happy with the new interpretation of Evelyn Waugh's novel, Brideshead Revisited. Obviously a lot shorter that the original mini-series starring Jeremy Iron's and Anthony Edwards, but still a 2 hours and 50 minutes film.

Emma Thompson was perfectly cast as pious Lady Marchmain. And while Matthew Goode was a sufficient Charles Ryder, it was Ben Whishaw who stole the show as the tortured Sebastian Flyte - hopelessly in love with his best friend Charles as Charles falls for Sebastian's sister, Julia.

My favorite line - Sebastian to Charles regarding his unrequited love for Charles - "only God can give you a love like that". Dagger to heart!!

MATT BELSANTE - NEW CD!

TILA GETS DUMPED BY THE BI GIRL

Tila had to choose between boy Bo and girl Kristy in the season filale of A Shot At Love With Tila Tequila. While Tila's heart led her to Kristy, Kristy started re-thinking if she wanted to be with a man or a woman on the way to the final ceremony. Bad timing? Ya think?

After Tila gently let Bo down and sent him away, she eagerly awaited her new love only to be turned down when she offered Kristy "the key" to her heart. Poor Tila. Bi-strippers can't catch a break.

HANCOCK - A FUN TIME

It wasn't my favorite Will Smith movie, or the best superhero movie I've seen, but Hancock proved to be fun-enough escapism. I wish the story had explained a little more the origin of Hancock's "people", but a lot of that was left up to the imagination. Angel? Demon? Alien? Don't know for sure.

Jason Bateman was the glue for the film. Have loved him since Silver Spoons. Charlize Theron was effective enough...just wish that I hadn't been able to guess the "twisty" details of her character so early in the film.

SORDID LIVES, THE SERIES

For those who have been anxiously awaiting the further adventures of the "Sordid Lives" gang, I'm here to tell you that I've seen several episodes of the upcoming LOGO series, and it's undoubtedly one of the funniest hootenannies I've ever seen on television. Director, Creator, Producer Del Shores has outdone himself. Nearly the entire movie cast is back and better and white trashier than ever. The series is a prequel to the film. That means Peggy, merely a corpse in the film, is fully fleshed out and played to the sinful, Southern Baptist hilt by golden girl treasure Rue McClanahan in this incarnation. The characters that so many have been quoting for so long, including Sissy, Brother Boy, LaVonda, Latrelle, Noleta, Bitsy Mae and Dr. Eve will have you faithfully peeing in your pants with laughter every week. Beth Grant, Ann Walker, Leslie Jordan and Bonnie Bedelia shoplift scenes with their usual panache. And as much as I loved Delta Burke as Noleta in the movie, Caroline Rhea replaces her in the series and more than owns the role. And special mention to the amazing Sarah Hunley as Juanita. My nephew (who also screened several preview episodes) put it best. After the final credits roled, he turned to Del Shores and asked, "When is Juanita getting her own series?" She's that good. And so is the show. Oh, wait a minute. It is its own series. Mark July 25th on your calendar and join in the southern-fried perfection that is "Sordid Lives." (The picture is me with Robert L. Stephenson, who plays soap stud Hunter in the series.)

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TEN FAVORITE GLBT MOVIES?

Now that you have seen Squawker and Nutriaman's Top Ten GLBT Movie Lists, click on "comments" and tell us yours!

REVIEW: SAVAGE GRACE

Well, for all the envelope-pushing sexual content buzz in this film based on the true story of socialite Barbara Bakeland and her emotionally-stunted gay son, I was...well..kind of ...bored. If you have read any press on this film, it will be no spoiler to mention the much talked about incestuous content, but that creepy part of the story is brief an comes almost at the end of film.

Eddie Redmayne plays the sexually ambiguous, mommy-adoring, boy-loving son pretty well and Julianne Moore is perfectly cast as his overbearing and controlling mother, but the story moves along slowly and the overall tone of the film is a bit of a Sunday nap inducing homage to the über privileged social circle of the 60s and 70s.

Thankfully there is a little bit of homicidal insanity at the end of the film to leave you feeling like you didn't totally waste 97 minutes of your life.

SAVAGE GRACE

Savage Grace opens in limited release this weekend. Lots of buzz on this one. It's the decadent but true story of the very left-of-center and dysfunctional Baekeland family, heirs to a plastics-business empire. Julianne Moore stars as a woman who marries to improve her situation, has a gay son, tries to control him for her own gain and then all hell breaks loose. Incest, bedlam and all kinds of craziness ensues. Rolling Stone calls it "a twisted mesmerizer of a movie."

LOST SEASON FINALE DELIVERS

I have been pretty critical of this season of LOST, but I was pleasantly surprised by how satisfying the season finale was tonight. While showing us how the six survivors get off the island, why and how others were left behind, who is in the coffin - LOCKE!! - how Jin died, and other juicy tidbits, we are left with pretty cool cliff hangers. Where the heck did the island disappear to? Why do all six survivors have the return to the island? What terrible things occurred after the six left? Good stuff!

top ten favorite glbt movies by nutriaman

• Brokeback Mountain

• Big Eden ==>
  


• All Over the Guy


• Transamerica


• Soldier's Girl


• Philadelphia


• Loggerheads


• Longtime Companion


• An Early Frost


• Sordid Lives

DAVID ARCHULETA

I enjoyed Archie from the first time I saw him on Idol. I'm loving all the appearances he and Cook are making after the Finale show on Idol. It's obvious the two genuinely like and respect each other. Archie may not have won the contest, but he's got a big career ahead of him. Though I've been chided for supporting Archie, I think the boy is awesome. Many folks think he's too vanilla. Well, sometimes you want a Disney movie, i.e. Archie, and sometimes you want something a little edgier, i.e. Cook. Given the right producer, Archie can easily graduate from some of those so-called blander sounds. Regardless, he's got an awesome talent.

JOHN MCCAIN ON ELLEN - GAY MARRIAGE

STEP IT UP - OSCAR'S OUT AGAIN!

Well, Oscar made it back into the competition on Step It Up and Dance only to last one more episode. Unfortunately the challenge was more pop/hip-hop choreography and Oscar is more of a "formal" dancer. I will miss his personality and his quips. Miquel can take over again as the gayest dancer of them all. Check out Oscar's final thoughts below.

Watch more Bravo Videos Today!

JUSTICE SERVED ON AMERICAN IDOL

My faith in the voting public of American Idol has been restored with the coronation of David Cook as the winner by 12 million votes! I even voted the for the winning song, penned by Nashville songwriter, Reggie Hamm. It was the least cheesy and has a nice melody and tempo. D. Cook did a great job of the winning song. Too bad the show did not give the winning song writer credit on the air.

The gays could not have been more in a tizzy with the finale show with performances by Disco Diva, Donna Summer (download the new cd), George Michael with a truly heartfelt turn, and Carrie Underwood looking like a fabulous lipstick drag queen and sounding awesome!

David Cook rocks on!

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES FINALE - WAY GAY

Wisteria Lane's token gay couple, Bob and Lee, were at the center of all of the action in last night's great season finale of Desperate Housewives. From Bree and Katherine catering the boy's commitment ceremony, to Tom's bad marital advice to the guys, then Tom's great marital advice to the guys, to the whole event getting wrecked by Adam's attempt to rescue Katherine from her crazy ex.

I had begun to wonder why the guys were so under used by out creator/writer, Marc Cherry, so it was good that they finally got some screen time.

But, with no flash forward on Bob and Lee at the end of the episode, we will have to wait and see if they last on Wisteria Lane five years in the future.

OSCAR IS BACK, BITCH!

So who is gayer on Bravo's dance reality competition, STEP IT UP AND DANCE. Oscar or Miguel? It's a very close call. Oscar's candle was snuffed out a couple of weeks ago only to be reignited this week when the eliminated dancers were brought back as partners for the remaining contestants in a Latin dance challenge. One of the eliminated dancers earned a chance to return to the competition and one of our most flamboyant own boys won that right.

Now Miguel has to again compete with Oscar for the "gayest dancer on earth" title. You go girl!

REAL WORLD - NO GAY ZONE

Oddly enough it seems like progress that there are no gay house-mates among the chosen seven on this season's REAL WORLD - HOLLYWOOD. From the beginning of the show it seemed like there was always one token gay in the bunch. It became sort of cliche every season.

The Hollywood house is apparently a gay-free zone and maybe that is a sign that we have evolved beyond being used just for token representation. Judging from the sexed crazed alcoholics in this cast, I am actually glad that we are not represented.

A SHOT AT LOVE WITH TILA TEQUILA

In the words of Graham Norton - "it's horrible television. Riveting." Yes. I watch it every week. I am ashamed to admit that for every "The Tudors" and "John Adams" I watch, there is a "Viva Hollywood" and "A Shot At Love".

If you are not familiar, an Asian pseudo-my space celebrity-stripper-bisexual d-lister becomes the bachelorette in a dating competition that pits straight guys against lesbians all vying for Tila's love and attention.

All of the guys are either creepy stalker types or the worst obnoxious frat boy types you can imagine. Most of the women, at least, are interesting. There are butchies and femmies both and Tila loves them all. But most of all she loves herself, her boobs, her butt, etc.

I can't explain why I watch every week other than you can't find a better train wreck on tv where people actually don't get hurt. Well....actually one did this week when two frat boys taunted each other until the idiot known as Chad head-butted the dim-witted Beau.

And in the words of the beloved Kathy Griffin, to watch it all "is like a hug from Jesus."

REAL WORLD TRAIN WRECK

I "just happened to be watching" this week's episode of The Real World Hollywood and I it got very uncomfortable watching Joey's downward alcoholic spiral. The all night drinking binge felt very exploitive of this guy's obvious serious drinking issues. I almost turned it off....but after the prolonged drinking scenes, the producers of the show did step in and offer to take him to a 30 day rehab program. Luckily he accepted and admitted his problems.

I guess it is good for young viewers to see his downfall and rescue as a warning and lesson. But the show did straddle the fence a little between exploitation and responsibility in my opinion.

AMERICAN IDOL - JUST A POPULARITY CONTEST

I am done with American Idol. It is nothing but a popularity contest. Doesn't matter who the best singers are or who has the most star potential. First Michael Johns was sent home before much less talented contestants and tonight, Carly Smithson went home. Carly is one of the top 3 best singers/performers in the competition.

The fact that Jason Castro and Brooke White stayed and Carly went home....so dumb, America!

I'm over it.

TRANSAMERICAN LOVE STORY: SHAWN GETS THE LOVE

Calpernia finally chose her man and the winner was Shawn! Thank God she picked the tallest guy. She's a tree! Dumb Mike and tranny Jim went sadly home...shocked that Callie did not pick them. I think she made the smartest choice left to her. Let's see if it lasts and if Logo continues the series with another bachelor or bachelorette.

AMERICAN IDOL: KRISTY LEE COOK....BYE!

Finally!! Ok....so maybe she wasn't that bad. Nevertheless, I am glad she went home over anyone else. But don't feel too bad for home girl. She is going to be fine. She will have a solid career in country music. Look at Kellie Pickler who just won three CMT awards this week. Now, I have met Kellie and she is as much of a doll as she seems on TV, and Kristy seems like a little snot, but I do think she will be successful.

David Cook, has emerged as the clear front-runner. I think he would be able to pull more votes than even little David Archuleta. And finally, Carly was not in the bottom three. American finally got it right last night!

THE RUINS: THE MOVIE OR THE BOOK?

I would have to say, hands down, the book. It was a fun summer read - suspenseful, chilling, dark - but the movie failed to launch. It was not suspenseful at all. It was just gross. The actors were fine enough, the writing was okay (written by the book's author, Scott Smith), they just went for the gore versus the spine tingling suspense of the book.

They also changed quite a bit. The stuff that happened to Greek guy in the book, happened to the German guy in the movie, the ending was significantly different, etc, etc. Too bad....could have been a great movie....I think they were just trying to get the young 'uns in the seats.

My grade: The Book: B+, The Movie: C-

AMERICAN IDOL GETS INSPIRED...SOMEWHAT

It seems the "inspirational theme" week is always one of the weakest each season of AI. Last night was no exception. My two favorites, Carly and David Cook were unfortunately, probably the two weakest performances of the night. I hate to admit it, but Kristy Lee Cook did a decent job of Martina McBride's Anyway. Hey maybe she deserves to be there. I give up.

Syesha made the same mistake she did last week, thinking she could pull off a memorable cover of a diva's signature song...and an AI diva at that. Her version of Fantasia's, I Believe, was sung ok, but you can't help but compare it to Fantasia's gut wrenching original version.

I agreed with Simon in his critique of Michael Johns. He stands out more when he is doing more bluesy stuff, like he did last week with the Dolly song. His rocker persona does come off a little like a wannabe.

Brooke was boring. David A. was sweet. And Jason Castro made a great song/arrangement choice with Iz's magical version of Over The Rainbow. The arrangement suited him perfectly and I think the fact that the mainstream public is not familiar with the original Iz version, makes Jason stronger and seem more creative than it actually was. However, his was the best performance of the night.

If you want to her the original version by the late Hawaiian singer Iz, click here.

BROADWAY: WICKED

Wicked should have been titled, Fabulous! The show definitely lives up to the hype and is one best shows I have ever seen on Broadway. The set was amazing. The costumes were amazing. The music was amazing. The performances were amazing. Did I say it was amazing? The LOML had read Gregory McGuire's book on which the musical is based, and he said the show was very different from the book, but that he loved the show.

Knowing that broadway greats Kristen Chenoworth and Idina Menzel originated the leading roles of Elphaba and Glinda, of course I was worried that the actresses in those roles now would not live up to my fantasy of what Kristin and Idina did in the roles. Idina Menzel won a Tony Award for her performance as Elphaba.

I was not at all disappointed with the current leading ladies. Annaleigh Ashford was adorable and hilarious as Glinda (with a "ga"), and Stephanie J. Block seemed born to play Elphaba.

Of course, every little gay boy and girl in the world is going to identify with the character of Elphaba...okay maybe some little gay boys identify more with flitty Glinda.

The rest of the cast was great, except for the guy playing Fiero...he was just "okay".

My favorite moment of the show is when Elphaba has had it up to you know where with everybody and pissed that they done dropped a house on her little crippled sister and she starts singing Defying Gravity and then physically does.

It was incredible. A+A+A+

BROADWAY REVIEWS TO COME

The LOML and I just got back from NYC yesterday and we saw three great shows while we were there. WICKED, GYPSY and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. It is too late to write the reviews tonight because I have to get back into my book....Mademoiselle Boleyn (I know...so gay), before I go to sleep. It is the story of Anne Boleyn's youth spent in service of the French court. Check it out below in my Amazon box. Fascinating!

TV: GAYLERT! THE TUDORS

I am still one week head on this season of The Tudors thanks for Showtime On Demand. This coming Sunday's episode rocked! Anne is finally (secretly) wed to King Henry, crowned Queen of England, and gives birth to the future Queen Elizabeth I.

But more importantly, courtier Mark Smeaton makes a move on Anne's brother George. It is not known if George Boleyn was in fact gay, but there is a lot written about it and it is believed to be a fact. In Phillipa Gregory's historical fiction work, The Other Boleyn Girl, she wrote at length about George's love affair with a man.

Mark Smeaton (pictured) made is gayness known in last week's episode in and exchange with Mary Boleyn while visiting the French court.
Mary Boleyn: " I can't wait to ride some young French stallion while I'm here." Mark: "Well, between you and me, neither can I!"

TV: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

The majority of my friends have no idea that the best show currently on television is Battlestar Galactica. This fact is known only by about 3 million people who watch the show religiously. I happen to be a Sci-Fi fan, but you can absolutely hate Sci-Fi and still love this show. The frackin' show has won TWO Peabody Awards for frack sake.

It's not about the starships or the scary robots or the awesome special effects, its about the characters. The themes of the show range from abortion, illegal occupation, social prejudice, cult worship, alcoholism and lots of other fun stuff.

The first episode of the fourth and final season aired last Friday and I just got to see it last night. It was definitely worth the wait. The season picks up right where last season let us hanging when Starbuck miraculously reappears after the whole fleet sees her ship burst info flames. Well she's back (Lesbians everywhere shout for joy!), and she says she has been to Earth and knows the way. To her, she has only been gone a few hours. To the fleet, she has been dead for two months. To be Cylon, or not to be Cylon. That is the question. Most of you are lost right now. Well go right now to Netflix and rent the first season. You won't be sorry!

Episode one of season four: A+

AMERICAN IDOL DOES DOLLY

I adore Dolly Parton, so last night was all fun for me. Dolly is really an amazing songwriter and when you here some of her songs taken in different directions and give new life by the contestants we are just reminded how talented Dolly is. And she loves da gays.....

My favorite performance of the night was probably David Cook's Little Sparrow. I have always loved that song and his rock edge was perfectly suited for the song.

Another favorite was Michael John's show closing, It's All Wrong But It's All Right. This is a classic Dolly song that often gets overlooked. He did a fantastic version of the song.

Yes, David Archuleta did great on Smoky Mountain Memories, but I would have loved to hear him tackle something like Light Of A Clear Blue Morning or Starting Over Again.

Brooke White's Jolene was okay. But as Simon would say "forgettable."

Truly forgettable were Kristy Lee Cook and Ramiele Mulubay. Ramiele might have scored if she would have tapped into the cute, perky persona and covered 9 to 5. That would have worked well for her.

Carly Smithson did an awesome rendition of Here You Come Again, a song that was never really one of my Dolly favorites (she did not write that one), but I loved the song with Carly's arrangement and her soulful voice.

Travelin' Thru' is one of my favorite Dolly songs and I thought Jason Castro did a really good job on it. Not sure he will stay out of the bottom three tonight, but I liked it.

And finally, Syesha, Syesha, Syesha. Four words. Thou art not Whitney. Sure she has a great voice and she looks great, but why, season after season, do these kids think they can cover the likes of Whitney, Mariah, and Celine NOTE FOR NOTE and think they stand out from the original. Never gonna happen.

Syesha would have impressed me a whole lot more if she would have stayed with Dolly's original intimate, low key version of the song. Yes, Whitney had a #1 hit with the song, but hello, Dolly had TWO #1 hits on the song. The same song! One #1 on the country charts and then her own remake of the song was #1 on the pop and country charts. But those American Idol fans do love high notes and a big ending. Note to contestants: Unless you are Michelle Pfeiffer wearing a slinky black dress with the hots for the piano player, don't sing while sitting on the piano lid. Please. Don't.

I think the bottom three tonight will be Brooke, Ramiele and probably Syesha - although Kristy Lee SHOULD be there before Syesha. For some reason, America loves that girl. I don't get it. I guess most of America has never experienced a song and dance show at Nashville's former country music attraction, Opryland.

I predict Ramiele will go home tonight. Dolly rules.

THE TUDORS RETURN!!

Saints be praised! I have to admit that I am watching a week in advance ON DEMAND so I am one week ahead of schedule. I will try not to spoil anything. I LOVE THIS SHOW!! You know I am a big old Tudor queen anyway...but Showtime's THE TUDORS gets it so deliciously right on all levels. Season two opens as King Henry VIII declares himself Supreme Head of the English Church so he can divorce Queen Katherine and marry the Boleyn whore, Anne.

Full disclosure: I am a Howard. The Howards were a ruthless, power hungry, coat-tail riding, whoring, manipulating bunch during the Tudor era. Anne Boleyn was a Howard on her mother's side (as was the whore, and Henry's 4th wife, Catherine Howard). The great Queen Elizabeth I was therefore, a Howard. Now, I cannot prove that I am of the same Howard clan as Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I, but I am just sure of it down deep in my soul.

Season 2 got off to a slow "political start" in episode one, but episode two got things right back on track to the wonderful back stabbing, whore-bedding, romp of the first season.

As Henry prepares to take Anne to France to introduce her to the French King as his future wife, he has sent poor Queen Katherine (his true wife) into exile where she refuses to voluntarily relinquish her crown, title, and husband.

There is a mysterious executioner sent by the Pope to get rid of the embarrassing Lady Anne, who's identity has not yet been revealed. I know some about the facts of this era, but since the show is not "entirely" based on fact, I am assuming that the mysterious hooded hitman is Henry's lifelong best friend, Charles Brandon. Just a guess. I have been known to be wrong.

The money shot of this episode was when Anne finally gave herself "totally" to Henry. The whore.

Gee, I wonder how this will all end.....

TV REVIEW: JOHN ADAMS ON HBO

Another great episode last night of the HBO mini-series JOHN ADAMS. I think this was my favorite episode so far for Paul Giamatti. He showed great range of emotion and his performance was perfectly understated.

There was an interesting point made of the American electoral process. George Washington got the most electoral votes so he was elected President and Adams received the second most electoral votes so he was Vice President. I like that system. I need to research and see if that is how it really used to happen. But I guess that was before political parties. What if Barack Obama got the most electoral votes and was President and McCain got the second most and became VP. Interesting thought.

Laura Linney was fabulous as usual. She played her arrival in the alien world of Paris perfectly. Just go ahead and give her the Emmy now.

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE FINALE

Last night's Celebrity Apprentice finale was no real shocker when Piers Morgan won. He did raise a heck of a lot of money for charity. Trace Adkins was the real sentimental favorite and he played the game with a lot of integrity, though. He represented all of us in Nashville very well.

I was just astonished at the Backstreet Boys. What a bunch of pussies! They can't go on without their wheat-grass juice and their black nail polish and they have the nerve to ask Trace of all people to get those things for them. The look on his face was priceless. These kids are not in the same league with a performer like Trace - no matter the style of music.

Check the BSB concert rider here for a good laugh.

AMERICAN IDOL: CHIKEZIE GOES HOME

After the "sing a song from the year you were born" theme night, big, lovable Chikezie was sent home. I went from adoring David Archuleta, to loving Carly Smithson, to now being enthralled buy the consistently great performance of David Cook. Will Kristy Lee Cook please go home??

TRANSAMERICAN LOVE STORY

I have been fascinated with this LOGO TV reality show hosted by comedian Alec Mapa and starring transgender performer, Calpernia Addams. I find it so interesting to see these straight guys vying for Calpernia's love and affection. I mean, I get that she is a woman and they are men, so what's so fascinating about that, but come on....it is pretty riveting stuff. Especially now that pre-op transgender contestant, Jim, has told Calpernia that there is no junk in the front of his truck and she decides to keep him there. I mean, she is a straight woman, so wouldn't she be attracted to a man, with all his parts? I know this is coming out of some ignorance on my part, but just trying to understand.

It was wonderful to see Jim's parents not only embrace their transgender son, but Calpernia also. Every transgender person should be so lucky to have parents like Jim's.

Check it out on LOGO.

HBO's JOHN ADAMS: Part Three

I really liked last nights episode of the HBO mini-series, JOHN ADAMS a lot. In part three of the series, Adams travels to Paris to meet up with Ben Franklin and negotiate a treaty with France against the British. Doesn't sound very exciting, does it. Well it was actually very engaging, interesting and informative.

Once again, however, my favorite parts of the episode were the ones revolving around Adam's wife, Abigail, played brilliantly by Laura Linney. She was truly heartbreaking as the abandoned and long suffering wife, left behind to raise the kids, tend to the house and keep the family farm afloat. Linney will certainly be nominated for an Emmy for this role.

My grade: A

DVD REVIEW: SLEUTH

I received Sleuth from Netflix last week and put off watching it until last night. I didn't know how I was going to like 96 minutes of Michael Caine and Jude Law paying cat and mouse alone on screen, with a little homo-eroticism thrown in for good measure.

I actually liked it pretty well. The acting and writing is great and the tension (both sexual and sinister) between Law and Caine is believable and compelling. I don't remember much about the 1972 version of the film, in which Michael Caine played the part that Jude Law plays in this version, to compare the two. Both films are based on the Tony Award winning play by the same title.

I'd give the film a B+.

MOVIE REVIEW: SHUTTER

I love a great horror film, but this ain't one. Went to see it today with the boys and I didn't scream out loud once, and if you have ever been to a horror film with me, you know that means it wasn't that scary. I had my hand over my mouth several times as to not embarrass the LOML with my girly scream, but it never came. If you must see it, wait to see it on DVD. The previews for PROM NIGHT and THE RUINS looked pretty good though.

My grade: C-

MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL FINAL CATWALK

REALITY TRAIN WRECK

Former TOP MODEL contestant, Toccara, loses her frickin' mind on this week's episode of Celebrity Fit Club. Click here to check it out.

GAYLERT: LOST

Finally! The writers of LOST threw us a bone. God bless M.C. Gainey's "Mr. Friendly" for coming out of the closet on tonights episode. There always seems to be a very diverse group of people on the island - white, black, Asian, inter-racial couple, even an a former member of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard. But it wasn't until tonight that they finally threw us the gay bone.

The Others muscle guy, Mr. Friendly turns out can leave the island for jaunts to the Big Apple and has a male companion there named Arturro. We don't know if Arturro is his partner, boyfriend, hook-up or paid companion, but here's to Mr. Friendly for finally letting it all hang out!

JOHN ADAMS: NOT A BAD SUNDAY NIGHT DATE

I have always been more interested in British history than American history, but I have to say that I really enjoyed the first two episodes of the HBO mini-series, JOHN ADAMS. I love Laura Linney in anything she does and she makes Abigail Adams about as real and relevant as any actress could.

Paul Giamatti is very believable as the 2nd President, but I just got very caught up in the history of the American Revolution. Check it out ON DEMAND or the encore presentations before the next episodes air this Sunday.

AMERICAN IDOL: TOP TEN

I cannot believe that Carly Smithson was in the bottom three or that Kristy Lee Cook made it to the top ten. Luckily Carly was saved and rocker chick Amanda went home. I am not a huge Amanda fan, but she is a heck of lot better than Kristy Lee. Pay attention next week America! (Props, Kelli Pickler!)

I CAN'T LOOK AWAY: BIG BROTHER

I don't really know why I keep watching this show. Tonight Boston blow hard Matty was sent home and fine by me. It took "straight on the show"/"gay on the web" porn auteur, James, to do the final deed by breaking the tie vote by the house guests as Head of House. Matty lost his cool and cried as did his pathetic, needy, "we really are soul-mates" game partner, Natalie. Girl, get some dignity.

But I can't say that the gays have been positively represented either with Joshuah. He seems nice enough, until one of the girls gets on his bad side. He will cut you in half with that tongue if provoked. He never goes off on the boys, though. Mama issues I guess.

With Adam winning the new Head of Household, it's anybody's guess as to which way the wind will blow on the next show.

Why do I keep watching?

AMERICAN IDOL

I totally agreed with Simon last night. They should have left well enough alone with last weeks Lennon/McCartney themed show. But I disagreed with Simon completely on Carly Smithson's performance of Blackbird. That girl is a star. My friends and I also thought it was very classy of Michael Johns not to correct Paula when she said he was having trouble getting used to his ear piece monitor, and he wasn't even using one.

THE TUDORS RETURN MARCH 30TH!

I am so excited that The Tudors return next Sunday night. I have been in mourning ever since last season ended. I was so "Tudor Starved" that I read five Phillipa Gregory novels at break neck speed over the summer. If you have not read Gregory's books on the Tudors, I highly recommend them.

I started with The Other Boleyn Girl, then went on to The Boleyn Inheritance, then The Queen's Fool, The Virgin's Lover, and ended with The Constant Princess. They were all great, but my favorite was probably The Queen's Fool. That one would make a great movie!

So if you don't have Showtime, it is worth getting it just to get caught up in the scandalous world of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

MEDIA SQUAWKER HAS ARRIVED!

Check back soon for reviews and opinions on movies, books, tv shows and more!