Deep Dish - groovy gay pop culture

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #27: Jake Andrews

2012-01-27T17:20:00.000-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is gay porn star Jake Andrews, who is the newest Andrew Christian underwear model. Below you can watch the uncensored version of his recent AC photo shoot.

Dish of the Day #825: Vote for your Favorite

2012-01-27T12:36:00.000-06:00

Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day is featured, and beginning today you can vote for your favorite Dish this week in the sidebar poll.

#819 was your favorite Dish of the Day last week as he received 36.7% of the 139 votes cast. #820 came in second with 22.3%, followed by #818 (18.7%), #817 (14.4%) and #816 (7.9%).

Online Surveys & Market Research

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #26: Mario Lopez

2012-01-26T19:46:00.004-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is 38-year-old Extra host and actor Mario Lopez, whose revealing appearance on Ellen yesterday has been featured on almost every gay blog - and now this one. He does look damn good in his new line of underwear "for manful men and their very special guests" called Rated M. I've also included a favorite scene from a 2006 episode of TV's Nip/Tuck, which shows even more of Mr. Lopez's fine physique.

Groovy Giveaway: Tickets to The Music of ABBA on February 3

2012-01-26T16:46:00.007-06:00

"Mamma Mia", "Dancing Queen", "Take a Chance on Me", "SOS", "Waterloo", "Fernando" - now you can relive all of ABBA's hits without any "Mamma Drama" and delivered with such accuracy that it’s hard to believe that it’s not the original Swedish pop group on stage.

Courtesy of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, IL, today I'm featuring a special giveaway of a pair of tickets to The Music of ABBA - featuring Arrival From Sweden - on Friday, February 3, at 8 pm. With backing musicians from the original group, The Music of ABBA has played sold-out venues worldwide since 1995, and it is considered the absolute best and most authentic ABBA show.

To enter to win this Groovy Giveaway, all you have to do is email your name and address to deepdishdrama@aol.com. Entries close at midnight on Sunday, January 29 (CST). If you cannot be in Chicago to attend the concert, your winning entry is transferable to the person of your choice.

Also, Deep Dish readers can get $10 off discount tickets for The Music of ABBA by mentioning the code "ABDD10". To purchase tickets, call the box office at 847-673-6300. The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9501 North Skokie Boulevard.

If you would like to give away something groovy (DVDs, CDs, books, theatre/concert tickets) on DEEP DISH, please email me at deepdishdrama@aol.com.

Dish of the Day #824: Cool Pool Boys Who Make Me Warm Week

2012-01-26T00:22:00.000-06:00

Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day is featured, and beginning on Friday you can vote for your favorite Dish of the week. If you haven't voted for last week's Dish yet, choose your man in the sidebar poll.

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #25: Mike Lombardi & Steven Pasquale

2012-01-25T16:41:00.001-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guys are actors Mike Lombardi and Steven Pasquale. Below you can watch them as firefighters Mike Silletti and Sean Garrity in a 2005 episode of TV's Rescue Me.

Remembering James Farentino 1938 - 2012

2012-01-25T13:52:00.006-06:00

I will always remember James Farentino, who died Tuesday at age 73, as Dr. Nick Toscanni during the second season (1981-82) of TV's Dynasty.

The handsome actor also played:

Bette Davis' cabana boy in a 1961 Broadway production of The Night of the Iguana.

A playboy in the 1966 film, The Pad and How to Use It (he won a Golden Globe for Most Promising Male Newcomer for his performance).

Sandra Dee's love interest in the 1967 Rosalind Russell film, Rosie!

Patty Duke's love interest in the 1969 film, Me, Natalie.

Stanley Kowalski in a 1973 Broadway production of A Streetcar Named Desire.

George C. Scott's son in a 1975 Broadway production of Death of a Salesman.

Saint Peter in the 1977 TV miniseries, Jesus of Nazareth (he received an Emmy Award nomination for his performance).

Faye Dunaway's husband, Juan Perón, in the 1981 TV movie, Evita Perón.

The sheriff of a small New England town in the 1981 horror film, Dead & Buried.

Mary Tyler Moore's boss on her 1985-86 sitcom, Mary.

Joan Collins' lover in the 1986 TV miniseries, Sins.

Julie Andrews' husband on her 1992 sitcom, Julie.

And George Clooney's estranged father on three episodes of ER in 1996.

Farentino was also married to actresses Elizabeth Ashley (1962-65), Michele Lee (1966-82) and Debrah Farentino (1985-88).

Deep Dish Dinner Party #14: Betty's Birthday Bash Continues

2012-01-25T10:46:00.000-06:00

The rules are quite simple - each week I feature 10 past/present celebrities and you get to invite (vote for) your three favorites to the Deep Dish Dinner Party. The five folks who receive the most votes get to stay, and the following week five new people (whose birthdays are during that week) are added to the guest list. So enjoy the party - and please feel free to leave a comment and share your selections.

1) Betty White
Last Week #1, Week 3, received 35 invites out of 229

2) Jake Gyllenhaal
LW #1, W6, 32 invites

2) Ryan Reynolds
LW #4, W14, 32 invites

4) Dolly Parton
W2, 31 invites

5) Bette Midler
LW #3, W8, 50 invites

6) Tallulah Bankhead
The actress was born on January 31, 1902.

7) Carol Channing
The actress turns 91 on January 31.

8) Ellen DeGeneres
The actress/comedian/TV host turns 54 on January 26.

9) Paul Newman
The actor would have been 87 on January 26.

10) Oprah Winfrey
The TV host/actress turns 58 on January 29.

Dish of the Day #823: Cool Pool Boys Who Make Me Warm Week

2012-01-25T00:53:00.000-06:00

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #24: Jared Turner

2012-01-24T17:23:00.001-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is 33-year-old actor Jared Turner in a 2009 episode of the New Zealand television series, Go Girls. He definitely makes my raspberry swirl. And the catchy song in the clip is “Swear It’s True”, a 1984 single by the New Zealand pop band, The Mockers.

And the Oscar goes to . . .

2012-01-24T15:46:00.005-06:00

The nominations for the 84th Academy Awards were announced this morning, and there were, of course, the usual surprises and snubs. The Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, and below are all the nominations with my predictions in pink (since I fell in love with The Artist last night, I'm choosing this wonderful film to win in many categories today):

BEST PICTURE
Surprise: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (did this get any good reviews because the ones I've read have all been underwhelming? Personally, I think they should return to only nominating five films for Best Picture)

The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse

BEST DIRECTOR
Snub: I think Bennett Miller deserved a nomination for Moneyball.

Midnight in Paris Woody Allen
The Artist Michel Hazanavicius
The Tree of Life Terrence Malick
The Descendants Alexander Payne
Hugo Martin Scorsese

BEST ACTRESS
Glenn Close in Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis in The Help
Rooney Mara in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams in My Week With Marilyn

BEST ACTOR
Surprise: I've never even heard of Demian Bichir or A Better Life.
Snub: I was hoping Michael Fassbender might get a nomination for Shame.

Demian Bichir in A Better Life
George Clooney in The Descendants
Jean Dujardin in The Artist
Gary Oldman in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt in Moneyball

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Surprise: I'm so happy that the fabulous Melissa McCarthy received a nomination.
Snub: Shailene Woodley was not nominated for The Descendants.

Bérénice Bejo in The Artist
Jessica Chastain in The Help
Melissa McCarthy in Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer in Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer in The Help

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Surprise: Was Nick Nolte or Max Von Sydow on anyone's radar for a nomination?

Kenneth Branagh in My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill in Moneyball
Nick Nolte in Warrior
Christopher Plummer in Beginners
Max Von Sydow in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Snub: I was hoping that Tate Taylor would receive a nomination for The Help.

The Descendants Alexander Payne, Nat Faxton, Jim Rash
Hugo John Logan
The Ides of March George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon
Moneyball Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughn

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Midnight in Paris Woody Allen
Margin Call JC Chandor
A Separation Asghar Farhadi
The Artist Michel Hazanavicius
Bridesmaids Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Hell and Back Again
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Bullhead (Belgium)
Footnote (Israel)
In Darkness (Poland)
Monsieur Lazhar (Canada)
A Separation (Iran)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Surprises: I'm not familiar with A Cat in Paris or Chico & Rita.
Snub: The Adventures of Tintin

A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Surprises: I loved The Muppets so I'm delighted by its nomination - and I've always liked Sérgio Mendes.
Snubs: Madonna's "Masterpiece" from W.E. and Mary J. Blige's "The Living Proof" from The Help - they both deserved to be nominated.

"Man or Muppet" from The Muppets Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio" from Rio Music by Sérgio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The Adventures of Tintin John Williams
The Artist Ludovic Bource
Hugo Howard Shore
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Alberto Iglesias
War Horse John Williams

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Artist
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Real Steel"
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark of the Moon

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Anonymous
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E.

BEST FILM EDITING
The Artist
The Descendants
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball

BEST MAKEUP
Albert Nobbs
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
The Iron Lady

BEST ART DIRECTION
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
War Horse

BEST SOUND EDITING
Drive
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse

BEST SOUND MIXING
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement?
God Is the Bigger Elvis
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
Pentecost
Raju
The Shore
Time Freak
Tuba Atlantic

Groovy Giveaway: Rumer's Debut Album, Seasons of My Soul

2012-01-24T12:58:00.004-06:00

Courtesy of Atlantic Records, this week's Groovy Giveaway is two CDs of Seasons of My Soul, the critically acclaimed debut album from British singer/songwriter Rumer. She has been compared to Karen Carpenter and Carole King, but I definitely get a Dusty Springfield vibe from her soulful voice (you can judge for yourself by watching the videos below of "Am I Forgiven?" and "Slow").

Rumer is also about to embark on a North American tour - and here are the dates (click here to buy tickets):

January 24 - Los Angeles, CA The Hotel Café
January 25 - San Francisco, CA Bimbo's 365 Club
January 27 - Salt Lake City, UT The State Room
January 29 - Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
January 31 - Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
February 1 - Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall
February 2 - Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
February 6 - Toronto, ON Virgin Mobile Mod Club
February 7 - Philadelphia, PA World Café
February 9 - New York, NY Le Poisson Rouge
February 10 - Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall

To learn more about Rumer and her music, visit her official website at www.rumer.co.uk. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

To enter to win this Groovy Giveaway, all you have to do is email your name and address to deepdishdrama@aol.com. Winners must have a US or Canadian mailing address, and entries close at midnight on Thursday, January 26 (CST).

If you would like to give away something groovy (DVDs, CDs, books, theatre/concert tickets) on DEEP DISH, please email me at deepdishdrama@aol.com.

Top 10 Tuesday of Groovy Tunes: You've Got Mail, Carpenters

2012-01-24T00:25:00.005-06:00

Each week I feature 10 groovy tunes that reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart during the last 50+ years. You can vote for your three favorites, and the five with the most votes move on to the following week when five new songs will be added to the list.

Last week Petula Clark claimed the top spot with her 1965 hit, "Downtown", which received 44 votes out of the 192 cast. And this week she will be challenged by Diana Ross, Hall & Oates and the Carpenters with two songs, including their 1975 tune, "Please Mr. Postman".

1) "Downtown"/Petula Clark (Week 2) - #1 the week of January 30, 1965

2) "The Sounds of Silence"/Simon & Garfunkel (LW #3, W5) - #12 the week of January 29, 1966

3) "You're So Vain"/Carly Simon (LW #1, W4) - #2 the week of January 27, 1973

4) "(They Long to Be) Close to You"/Carpenters (LW #2, W27) - 17 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1970

5) "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves"/Cher (LW #4, W12) - 16 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1971-72

6) "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"/The Platters (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 24, 1959

7) "Please Mr. Postman"/Carpenters (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 25, 1975

8) "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)"/Diana Ross (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 24, 1976

9) "Car Wash"/Rose Royce (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 29, 1977

10) "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)"/Hall & Oates (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 30, 1982

Dish of the Day #822: Cool Pool Boys Who Make Me Warm Week

2012-01-24T00:01:00.001-06:00

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #23: Paul Telfer

2012-01-23T13:14:00.007-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is 32-year-old Scottish actor Paul Telfer, whom you can watch below in the 2008 film, Miss Conception, and in the title role of the 2005 TV miniseries, Hercules.

Dish of the Day #821: Cool Pool Boys Who Make Me Warm Week

2012-01-23T12:01:00.000-06:00

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #22: Torchwood's John Barrowman & Dillon Casey

2012-01-22T17:15:00.007-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guys are actors John Barrowman and Dillon Casey as Captain Jack Harkness and Brad, a bartender whom Jack has a steamy one-night stand with on the British sci-fi series, Torchwood: Miracle Day. The episode aired uncut on Starz on July 22, 2011, but the BBC edited their sex scene by a few seconds.

Web Series Worth Watching: Broadway's Jeremy Jordan in Submissions Only

2012-01-22T16:39:00.001-06:00

Web Series of the Week: Submissions Only
I continue to love this comedy about auditioning for theatre in New York City. In the latest episode, co-creator Kate Wetherhead is a delight as Penny, who temporarily suspends her strict policy against hooking up with actors. Guest stars include Mary Testa (Broadway's Xanadu, Guys and Dolls), Matt Cavenaugh (Broadway's Urban Cowboy, Grey Gardens, West Side Story), Steven Pasquale (TV's Rescue Me) and 27-year-old Jeremy Jordan, who starred as Clyde in the recent Broadway musical, Bonnie & Clyde. He will return to Broadway in March in the stage version of the 1992 Disney film, Newsies, and he plays Dolly Parton's grandson in the current film, Joyful Noise.

For more Submissions Only, go to www.submissionsonly.com. You can also become a fan of the series on Facebook and Twitter.

Other web series worth watching this week are:

Ave 43
This wild and crazy soap opera returns for a 4th season of blackmail, murder and bizarre plot twists. If you haven't watched Ave 43 before, I suggest that you start at the very beginning on its YouTube Channel.

BULK - The Series
In the first season finale, Martin finally tells Leo the truth, which leads to an emotional ending. For more BULK, go to www.bulktheseries.com or subscribe to its YouTube Channel. You can also become a fan on Facebook.

Hustling
In the first season finale of this sexy dramedy - which was one of the best new web series of 2011 - Ryan and Liv get better acquainted, his landlord Rosa (guest star Daphne Rubin-Vega) stops by for the rent, and Ryan's last word sets up some new drama to look forward to in Season 2.

For more Hustling, you can subscribe to its YouTube Channel and become a fan on Facebook and Twitter.

Old Dogs & New Tricks
In the latest episode, Nathan listens to his friends' tales of woe, including Muscles' disappointing discovery about his new Mr. Right (special guest star Thom Bierdz from The Young and the Restless). For more Old Dogs & New Tricks, go to olddogsnewtrickstheseries.com or subscribe to its YouTube channel. You can also become a fan on Facebook and Twitter.

Outside The Box
This hilarious musical comedy series ends its first season with guest star Matthew Ashford (Days of our Lives) receiving an important phone call from Stephen Findle of the Outside The Box Musical Theatre Group. I can dig it!

Outside The Box will return for a second season in late April. To watch previous episodes, go to its YouTube channel. You can also become a fan of the series on Facebook.

PRETTY
In this week's hilarious episode, the Miss Black Star Eyes Pageant doesn't let a little hostage situation stop the show. To catch up on PRETTY, go to www.prettytheseries.com or subscribe to its YouTube channel. You can also become a fan on Facebook and Twitter.

Very Mary-Kate
The amusing adventures of the self-absorbed former Full House actress continue as Mary-Kate's Bodyguard has to deal with her many layers. To experience Very Mary-Kate from the very beginning, go to her website, verymarykate.com. You can also become a Facebook fan or follow the series on Twitter.

Web Therapy
In the latest episode, Gemma is shocked to realize that she and Fiona (Lisa Kudrow) are both connected to a royal scandal. To watch previous episodes, go to www.lstudio.com/web-therapy. You can also become a fan on Facebook.

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #21: Sam Elliott in Lifeguard

2012-01-21T16:06:00.002-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot (and hairy) Guy is actor Sam Elliott in the 1976 drama, Lifeguard, in which he plays "every girl's summer dream" (and every gay boy's wet dream) as an "aging" 32-year-old lifeguard.

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #20: Michael Fassbender

2012-01-20T16:20:00.001-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is 34-year-old Michael Fassbender (who was one of my Grooviest Gorgeous Guys of 2011). Below you can watch the naked actor in a 1998 commercial for SAS airlines (his first job), in the 2007 British television drama, Wedding Belles (dig his groovy red dancing shoes), in a 2009 interview with The New York Times Style Magazine (in which he performs the TV theme song of Magnum, P.I.), and in a 2011 interview with W magazine (in which he briefly sings "Believe It or Not", the TV theme song of The Greatest American Hero).

Remembering Etta James 1938 - 2012

2012-01-20T13:54:00.005-06:00

Singer Etta James, who died earlier today at age 73, won six Grammys during her long career, which began in 1954 when Jamesetta Hawkins recorded her first song as "Etta James". Below you can listen to some of her groovy music, including my personal favorite, "At Last", which became her signature song.

"Something's Got a Hold on Me" (from a February 1966 episode of the syndicated TV series, The !!!! Beat)

"I'm So Sorry For You" (from another February 1966 episode of The !!!! Beat)

"Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (1961)

"One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)" (1961)

"A Sunday Kind of Love" (1961)

"Pushover" (1963)

"At Last" (1961)

Dish of the Day #820: Vote for your Favorite

2012-01-20T00:10:00.002-06:00

Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day is featured, and beginning today you can vote for your favorite Dish this week in the sidebar poll.

Dish of the Day had a rare tie last week as both #811 and #812 received 27.2% of the 151 votes cast. Tied for second place were #814 and #815 with 15.9%, followed by #813 with 13.9%.

Online Surveys & Market Research

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #19: Jessy Ares (aka Arestirado)

2012-01-19T12:23:00.039-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is TitanMen porn star Jessy Ares. He was previously known as Jessy-Bruce Triplett-Arestirado, who - as a successful model - was voted one of Germany's five sexiest men in 2008 by fashion magazine, Jolie. In 2010, Jessy began his film career, and now he has released his debut album, Shameless, under his pop artist name, Arestirado.

Below you can watch him - with fellow TitanMen Hunter Marx and Aymeric DeVille - in a music video for his song, "Pornstar" (apparently it is legal to walk around naked in San Francisco - and, yes, there is full frontal nudity). I've also included a video from Jessy's modeling days in Germany. Finally, I must thank Dan of Welcome To My World...And It Is A Gay World for recommending Mr. Ares as a Hot Guy.

Dish of the Day #819: Boys in the Sand Week

2012-01-19T00:17:00.000-06:00

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #18: Robert Urich

2012-01-18T23:39:00.001-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is actor Robert Urich, who was one of the sexiest hunks on television back in the 1970s. Below you can watch him in the first episode of the 1977-81 sitcom, Soap, in which he played womanizing tennis pro Peter Campbell, and on the 1977-78 sitcom, Tabitha, in which he played talk show host Paul Thurston.

Deep Dish Dinner Party #13: Betty's 90th Birthday Bash

2012-01-18T01:04:00.001-06:00

1) Betty White
Week 2, received 39 invites out of 207

1) Jake Gyllenhaal
LW #1, W5, received 39 invites

3) Bette Midler
LW #5, W7, 25 invites

4) Ryan Reynolds
LW #3, W13, 23 invites

5) Ricky Martin
LW #2, W4, 22 invites

6) Paula Deen
The cook/TV personality turns 65 on January 19.

7) Neil Diamond
The singer turns 71 on January 24.

8) Cary Grant
The actor was born on January 18, 1904.

9) Dolly Parton
The singer/actress turns 66 on January 19.

10) Chita Rivera
The actress turns 79 on January 23.

Dish of the Day #818: Boys in the Sand Week

2012-01-18T00:31:00.000-06:00

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #17: Cayden Ross

2012-01-17T16:28:00.003-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is 32-year-old gay porn star Cayden Ross, who admits to loving meat - both hamburgers and co-star Chris Rockway - in the videos below. Click here to "like" him on Facebook.

Groovy Giveaway: Sister Mary DVD

2012-01-17T12:06:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of Ariztical Entertainment, this week's Groovy Giveaway is a DVD of Sister Mary, starring James Vallo, Shawn Quinlan, Judy Tenuta, ANT, Bruce Vilanch, Brent Corrigan and Chicago's very own Miss Foozie. Written and directed by Scott Grenke (and filmed in Chicago), this hilarious dark comedy follows a homophobic detective and his very gay and flamboyant partner as they try to stop a serial killing nun (Tenuta).

To enter to win this Groovy Giveaway, all you have to do is email your name and address to deepdishdrama@aol.com. Winners must have a US or Canadian mailing address, and entries close at midnight on Thursday, January 19 (CST).

If you would like to give away something groovy (DVDs, CDs, book) here on Deep Dish, please email me at deepdishdrama@aol.com.

Top 10 Tuesday of Groovy Tunes: Petula Clark Goes "Downtown"

2012-01-17T01:43:00.004-06:00

Each week I feature 10 groovy tunes that reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart during the last 50+ years. You can vote for your three favorites, and the five with the most votes move on to the following week when five new songs will be added to the list.

Last week Carly Simon claimed the top spot for the first time with her 1973 hit, "You're So Vain", which received 27 votes out of the 156 cast. And this week she will be challenged by Michael Jackson, Dawn and Petula "Downtown" Clark.

1) "You're So Vain"/Carly Simon (Last Week #3, Week 3) - #1 the week of January 20, 1973

2) "(They Long to Be) Close to You"/Carpenters (LW #1, W26) - 17 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1970

3) "The Sounds of Silence"/Simon & Garfunkel (LW #2, W4) - #1 the week of January 22, 1966

4) "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves"/Cher (LW #4, W11) - 16 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1971-72

5) "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)"/Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer (LW #5, W8) - 15 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1979-80

6) "Downtown"/Petula Clark (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 23, 1965

7) "Knock Three Times"/Dawn (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 23, 1971

8) "Le Freak"/Chic (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 20, 1979

9) "Rock With You"/Michael Jackson (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 19, 1980

10) "Owner of a Lonely Heart"/Yes (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 21, 1984

Dish of the Day #817: Boys in the Sand Week

2012-01-17T01:36:00.000-06:00

Show Tune Showdown #9: 1993-96 Broadway Seasons

2012-01-16T18:43:00.030-06:00

In the eighth Show Tune Showdown, Company won the most showdowns - and the following songs will be moving on to Round 2:

Company's "The Ladies Who Lunch", "Being Alive", "Getting Married Today", "Another Hundred People", "You Could Drive a Person Crazy", "Someone Is Waiting", "Marry Me a Little", "Side by Side by Side/What Would We Do Without You?" and "Company"

Grease's "Beauty School Dropout", "Summer Nights", "Those Magic Changes", "Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee", "We Go Together" and "There Are Worse Things I Could Do"

Follies' "The Road You Didn't Take", "Too Many Mornings", "One More Kiss", "In Buddy's Eyes" and "Live, Laugh, Love"

Applause's "But Alive" and "Think How It's Gonna Be"

Jesus Christ Superstar's "Everything's Alright" and "I Don't Know How to Love Him"

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown's "Suppertime" and "Happiness"

Coco's "Coco"

The Grass Harp's "Yellow Drum"

Prettybelle's "When I'm Drunk I'm Beautiful"

Purlie's "Walk Him Up the Stairs"

70, Girls, 70's "Broadway My Street"

PLEASE NOTE: The next Show Tune Showdown will be on Monday, February 6.

Now on to our ninth Show Tune Showdown, which takes us back to three Broadway seasons - 1993-94, 1994-95 and 1995-96 - when the following seven musicals opened:

The Red Shoes
December 16, 1993 - December 19, 1993 (5 performances)

Beauty and the Beast
April 18, 1994 - July 29, 2007 (5,461 performances)

Passion
May 9, 1994 - January 7, 1995 (280 performances)

Sunset Boulevard
November 17, 1994 - March 22, 1997 (977 performances)

Victor/Victoria
October 25, 1995 - July 27, 1997 (734 performances)

Big: the musical
April 28, 1996 - October 13, 1996 (193 performances)

RENT
April 29, 1996 - September 7, 2008 (5,123 performances)

Now here are the competing show tunes - and if you're wondering how to judge each showdown, just ask yourself, "Which song do I enjoy listening to more?"

RENT's "One Song Glory" (Adam Pascal performs on the original Broadway cast recording)

vs.

"Sunset Boulevard" (John Barrowman performs on the 2006 BBC series, The Sound of Musicals)

RENT's "Tango: Maureen" (Anthony Rapp and Fredi Walker perform on the original Broadway cast recording)

vs.

Sunset Boulevard's "The Perfect Year" (Hugh Jackman and Debra Byrne of the 1996 original Australian production perform)

RENT's "Another Day" (Adam Pascal and Daphne Rubin-Vega perform on the original Broadway cast recording)

vs.

Sunset Boulevard's "Too Much in Love to Care" (Alice Ripley and Alan Campbell perform in the original Broadway production)

RENT's "I'll Cover You" (Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Jesse L. Martin perform on the original Broadway cast recording)

vs.

Passion's "Happiness" (Marin Mazzie and Jere Shea perform in the original Broadway production, which was filmed in 1995 for PBS)

RENT's "La Vie Boheme" (the cast perform in the 2005 film)

vs.

Sunset Boulevard's "As If We Never Said Goodbye" (Patti LuPone performs during her 1997 PBS concert, An Evening with Patti LuPone)

RENT's "Seasons of Love" (from the final Broadway performance, which was filmed and screened in movie theaters)

vs.

Passion's "Loving You" (Donna Murphy performs in the original Broadway production, which was filmed in 1995 for PBS)

RENT's "Take Me or Leave Me" (Idina Menzel and Fredi Walker perform on the orginal Broadway cast recording)

vs.

Sunset Boulevard's "With One Look" (Glenn Close performs at Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday celebration at the Royal Albert Hall on April 7, 1998)

RENT's "What You Own" (Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal perform on the original Broadway cast recording)

vs.

The Red Shoes' "When It Happens to You" (Stearns Matthews performs at NYC's Don't Tell Mama in November 2008)

Victor/Victoria's "Who Can I Tell?" (Liza Minnelli performs on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee on December 20, 1996)

vs.

Sunset Boulevard's "New Ways to Dream" (Betty Buckley performs on the 1995 Broadway highlights cast recording, Songs From Sunset Boulevard)

Big's "Stop, Time" (Barbara Walsh performs on the original Broadway cast recording)

vs.

Beauty and the Beast's "Home" (Susan Egan performs on the original Broadway cast recording)

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #16: Peter Le

2012-01-16T16:17:00.001-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is 29-year-old model/personal trainer Peter Le, who - in the two videos below - tells us how to get ready to go out and party in just five minutes and something about mosquito repellents in Hawaii (it's hard to pay attention to what he's saying). For MUCH more of Mr. Le, go to www.peterfever.com. You can also follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Christ on a stick, the Golden Globe goes to Jessica Lange!

2012-01-16T13:05:00.009-06:00

If Ms. Lange hadn't won Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for her fabulous performance on American Horror Story, I would've thrown a brick through my television (if I had one lying around). Although I adore Maggie Smith on Downton Abbey, Lange was more of a revelation in her juicy role - and she definitely deserved the award. So I was quite pleased with last night's 69th Annual Golden Globes, and host Ricky Gervais - whom I didn't care much for last year - made me laugh. The Academy Awards really should take notes from the far more laid-back and fun Golden Globes, which breezed along during its three hours. I had a good time.

Now here are the rest of the winners (my winning predictions are in pink) as well as some of my own personal awards:

Best Gervais Joke Honorable Mention: "Sit down, Elton" to Elton John while introducing the "Queen of Pop", Madonna.

Best Gervais Joke Runner-Up: When he said that Eddie Murphy and Adam Sandler played all the roles in The Help.

Best Gervais Joke: Jodie Foster's beaver (referencing her 2011 film, The Beaver, starring Mel Gibson), which not a lot of guys have seen.

My Second Favorite Winner: 82-year-old Christopher Plummer being named Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his wonderful performance as a gay man in Beginners.

Best Speech: Christopher Plummer was eloquent and amusing - especially when he called his co-star Ewan McGregor a scene-stealing swine.

Most Unexpected Win: Laura Dern as Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical Series for her performance in HBO's Enlightened. I expected 2011's "It" Girl, Zooey Deschanel, to win, but I was rooting for Amy Poehler.

Best Tan: Rob Lowe

Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for Television: Of course, Downton Abbey - but since it is now continuing, shouldn't it be up for Best Drama Series next year?

Most Gorgeous Gal at the Globes Honorable Mention: Diane Lane

Most Gorgeous Gal at the Globes Runner-Up: Jane Fonda looked like a million bucks.

Most Gorgeous Gal at the Globes: Elizabeth McGovern looked smashing in her black-and-blue outfit and deep red lipstick.

Thinnest Gal at the Globes: Angelina Jolie (eat something, girl!)

Best Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Kate Winslet in Mildred Pierce

Most Gorgeous Guys at the Globes: A four-way tie between Jake Gyllenhaal, Damian Lewis, Ewan McGregor and George Clooney.

Best Actor in a Drama Series: Kelsey Grammer in Boss

Best Television Drama Series: Homeland

Best Original Score: Ludovic Bource for The Artist (which should please actress Kim Novak).

Best Original Song: Madonna's "Masterpiece" from the upcoming film she directed, W.E. (and I assume the two silent people flanking her were her co-writers).

Oddest Moment: Who was that peace-loving woman from Turkey who didn't even hand out an award? I assume the Globes just wanted us to know that the telecast is seen around the world.

Biggest Overdose of the Night: NBC's promos for their new series, Smash. Yes, I'm going to watch it, but enough already.

Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Idris Elba in Luther

Actor Most In Need of a Haircut: Brad Pitt (but hopefully his long locks are for a role rather than a personal choice).

Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical: Michelle Williams in My Week with Marilyn (Kristen Wiig was robbed! And I loved presenter Seth Rogen's dripping sarcasm in calling this film a "hysterical comedy").

Best Speech Honorable Mention #1: Even though I wasn't happy that Michelle Williams won, she did deliver a good speech - especially the part about reading bedtime stories to her daughter in her Marilyn Monroe voice.

Most Embarrassing Moment: Seth Rogen announcing that he was trying to conceal a massive erection because of his attractive co-presenter Kate Beckinsale.

Funniest Moment: Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson holding up a "Whatever" sign behind the back of his nominated co-star Eric Stonestreet.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Peter Dinklage in Game of Thrones - and I did Google Martin Henderson, an aspiring actor and dwarf who was injured last year.

Best Animated Feature Film: The Adventures of Tintin

Most Unexpected Win Runner-Up: Woody Allen winning Best Screenplay for Midnight in Paris (I loved the film, but I didn't think it would win).

Funniest Presenter: Madonna for not taking any shit from Gervais, who called her a "virgin" - and she responded with "I haven't kissed a girl in a few years...on TV."

Funniest Couple: Married presenters Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy, who sang a short amusing song about their category, Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.

Funniest Couple Runner-Up: Tina Fey and Jane Lynch

Best Foreign Language Film: Iran's A Separation

Best Actress in a Drama Series: Claire Danes in Homeland

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Octavia Spencer in The Help

Most Popular Words of the Night: "My team" (every actor must have one).

Best Standing Ovation: For 84-year-old Sidney Poitier.

Does Anyone Still Wear a Hat Award: Thomas Jane

Best Actor in a Television Musical or Comedy Series: Matt LeBlanc in Episodes

Best Retro TV Clip: Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Morgan Freeman likes to take a bath in a casket as Count Dracula on a 1974 episode of The Electric Company.

Most Unexpected Win Honorable Mention: Martin Scorsese winning Best Director for Hugo.

Best Television Musical or Comedy Series: Modern Family

Best Speech Runner-Up: Modern Family creator Steven Levitan and actress Sofía Vergara giving their hilarious acceptance speech in two languages.

Most Charming Frenchman: 39-year-old Jean Dujardin, who won Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for his performance in The Artist.

Best Actress in a Drama: Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady

Best Bleep of the Night: Ms. Streep saying "shit" because she forgot to bring her glasses in order to read the names of people to thank in her acceptance speech.

Best Penis Joke of the Night: George Clooney, who won Best Actor in a Drama for his performance in The Descendants, mentioned fellow nominee Michael Fassbender's full frontal nudity in the film, Shame, and that the actor could play golf with his hands behind his back (and it's true - Mr. Fassbender is extremely blessed).

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: The Artist

Best Scene-Stealer of the Night: Uggie, the dog from The Artist, who came up on stage during the acceptance speech.

Best Speech Honorable Mention #2: The Artist producer Thomas Langmann, who spoke about his late father not being able to attend the Oscars in 1966 to accept his award for best short fiction film.

Best Motion Picture - Drama: The Descendants

And that, folks, is my review of the Golden Globes. Now on to the Oscars on February 26!

Dish of the Day #816: Boys in the Sand Week

2012-01-16T01:04:00.000-06:00

Web Series Worth Watching: Gregory Harrison is Outside The Box

2012-01-15T17:07:00.006-06:00

Web Series of the Week: Outside The Box
Created, written and directed by Bruce Kimmel (who wrote and directed one of my guilty film pleasures, 1976's The First Nudie Musical), this new musical comedy series began on YouTube in November, but I just discovered it today and became an instant fan. The simple premise of this hilarious show is that in each episode a different actor receives a phone call from Stephen Findle of the Outside The Box Musical Theatre Group who asks them to star in a new - and very original - musical. Below are the two most recent episodes featuring Gregory Harrison (who may no longer look like the above pic from his memorable 1981 TV movie, For Ladies Only, but is still a handsome guy at age 61) and Alet and Andy Taylor.

To watch the first three episodes of Outside The Box - with Broadway actors Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone), Jason Graae (Falsettos) and Brad Oscar (The Producers) - go to its YouTube channel. You can also become a fan of the series on Facebook.

PLEASE NOTE: Beginning today Web Series Worth Watching will be featured every Sunday here on DEEP DISH.

Other web series worth watching this week are:

Hustling
In the latest episode of this sexy dramedy, Ryan (Sebastian La Cause) tries to change his life by working as an apprentice to a personal chef (Gerald McCullouch, who appeared with La Cause in the 2010 film, BearCity), but their arrangement is much more than he bargained for. For more Hustling, you can subscribe to its YouTube Channel and become a fan on Facebook and Twitter.

Old Dogs & New Tricks
In Part 2 of the season premiere, Muscles thinks he's met Mr. Right (special guest star Thom Bierdz from The Young and the Restless), while Nathan bumps into a few familiar faces. For more Old Dogs & New Tricks, go to olddogsnewtrickstheseries.com or subscribe to its YouTube channel. You can also become a fan on Facebook and Twitter.

Steve Hayes: Tired Old Queen at the Movies
The fabulous film critic reviews Key Largo (1948), starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. For more TOQ, subscribe to his YouTube Channel. You can also become a fan on Facebook or follow Steve on Twitter.

Submissions Only
This delightful comedy about auditioning for theatre in New York City continues as Penny takes her stepfather along on her audition. Barbara Walsh, Michael Berresse, Beth Leavel and Rick Elice guest star in the episode. For more Submissions Only, go to www.submissionsonly.com. You can also become a fan of the series on Facebook and Twitter.

Very Mary-Kate
The amusing adventures of the self-absorbed former Full House actress continue as Mary-Kate makes a new friend. To experience Very Mary-Kate from the very beginning, go to her website, verymarykate.com. You can also become a Facebook fan or follow the series on Twitter.

Web Therapy
In the latest episode, Gemma informs Fiona (Lisa Kudrow) that she's pregnant and her husband isn't the father. To watch previous episodes, go to www.lstudio.com/web-therapy. You can also become a fan on Facebook.

Sunday Funnies: The Effects of Prolonged Exposure to Musical Theatre

2012-01-15T15:33:00.000-06:00

Today I'm sharing two groovy videos - An Example of the Effects of Prolonged Exposure to Musical Theatre and Broadway 2: When Showtunes Attack...Again...The Sequel - by 24-year-old Kevin Harris, who loves musical theatre, almost anything retro and old movies. It's so nice to see a young person today taking an interest in pop culture of the past. For more of Kevin's videos, check out his YouTube channel.

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #15: Charmin' Mark Harmon

2012-01-15T14:30:00.001-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is actor Mark Harmon, who was crowned "The Sexiest Man Alive" in the January 27, 1986 issue of People magazine (click here to read the article). Below you can watch him on an episode of TV's Moonlighting (which originally aired on February 10, 1987) and as a guest on The Tonight Show on January 29, 1986, with host Joan Rivers.

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #14: Suds and Studs

2012-01-14T15:30:00.003-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Let's get soaking wet! Today's Hot Guys are the models in the new Andrew Christian video, Freshman Car Wash - Jason Medina, Sam Garfield, Steven Dehler, Michael Holtz, Ryan Moore and Quinn Jaxon. Below is the uncensored version that's too hot for YouTube to handle.

Soap Dish: A Fond Farewell to One Life to Live

2012-01-13T19:30:00.017-06:00

The daytime soap opera, One Life to Live, aired its final hour of delicious drama on ABC today after 43 years and 11,105 episodes. I'm giving the show's grand finale a grade of A - even though it left a few storylines unresolved just as All My Children did back in September. And, unfortunately, the planned continuation of both OLTL and AMC as web series fell apart in November, leaving devoted fans forever wondering what would happen next. However, General Hospital - the last ABC soap left standing - has hired four OLTL actors - Kassie DePaiva (Blair), Roger Howarth (Todd), Michael Easton (John) and Kristen Alderson (Starr) - to continue playing their Llanview characters in Port Charles next month, so at least we will hopefully get some OLTL cliffhanger closure in the near future. And it will be interesting to see how successful this crossover between the two soaps is since GH has been The Sonny Corinthos Show for many years (Another World and As the World Turns tried a similar crossover back in 1999 after the former's cancellation, but that never really felt right to me).

As much as I love a happy ending, I still believe that soap operas are not meant to have them - even when they say goodbye. "Tune in tomorrow" may not ever come, but it's nice to know that Viki and Clint and their family, friends and enemies will continue to live on - even though we can no longer share in their daily dramas. Of course, it would have been great to see Viki and Dorian deliver OLTL's last words, but I still found the finale quite satisfying as it assured us that life will go on in Llanview - beloved characters will reunite and get married, while others will be arrested for murder and come back from the dead. And that is what a great soap opera - and One Life to Live was definitely one of the best ever - is all about.

Now here are some of my highly opinionated thoughts about OLTL's final month on the air:

What I Liked Most About OLTL's Final Days: No flashbacks (except for a few brief Rex and Gigi moments). I was quite surprised by this - and I do enjoy flashbacks - but it was quite refreshing that the show devoted its final days and weeks to giving us exciting drama instead of the usual "let's go down memory lane".

Best Comedic Performance by an Actor: Tuc Watkins stole the show with his hilarious performance as the self-important David Vickers, whose new movie, The Boy with the Chipmunk Tattoo (sound familiar?), was a box office bomb.

Best Comedic Performance by an Actress: The fabulous Ilene Kristen - she and Mr. Watkins really should star in their very own soap opera or sitcom.

Best OLTL Plot Twist and Most Amusing Episode: Roxy fainted and ended up as Lorraine, a character on her favorite soap opera, Fraternity Row. Her dream featured almost the entire cast as FR's characters.

Saddest Ending to an Amusing Episode: It was sad to watch Roxy and David walk out of the empty TV studio after they learned that it was too late to save Fraternity Row.

Best Fraternity Row Plot Twist: Fraternity Row's Lorraine was revealed to be a man in the soap's final episode (too bad we didn't get to see this).

Best Guest Star: Lea DeLaria as Professor Delbert Fina and psychic Delphina.

Best Talk Show Host: Carolina Bermudez as Blanca Morales, host of The Blanca Show.

Best Cameo Appearance: OLTL creator Agnes Nixon as Agnes Dixon, the creator of Fraternity Row who was a guest on The Blanca Show.

Best Reconciliation Honorable Mention: John and Natalie

Best Reconciliation Runner-Up: Rex and Gigi

Best Reconciliation: Viki and Clint

Best Non-Couple Reconciliation: Gigi and her son Shane

Worst Reconciliation: There just wasn't much chemistry between Starr and her brand new Cole (Van Hughes, who had to replace the original Cole, Brandon Buddy, at the last minute due to personal family issues) - and poor, adorable James was left with no girlfriend and a dead brother.

Most Boring Couple: Jack and Neela (yawn)

Best Wedding: Rex and Gigi's with Delphina performing the ceremony.

Best Kiss: John and Natalie's after he shot Mitch.

Best Name: Matthew and Destiny named their baby boy "Drew" after his deceased half-brother.

Best Father: Todd Manning for helping his daughter's true love, Cole, begin a new life.

Best Return Honorable Mention: Barbara Garrick as Allison Perkins, the handsome Ty Treadway as Troy MacIver, and Catherine Hickland as Lindsay Rappaport.

Best Return Runner-Up: Roscoe Born as Mitch Laurence

Best Return: Jessica Tuck as Megan, Fiona Hutchison as Gabrielle and Susan Batten as Luna.

Most Unnecessary Scene: Did we really need to see Brody again in the final episode?

Loose End That Still Bugs Me: What happened to Lindsay? Did she get recaptured? I was hoping that she would return to the cabin - or that Bo and Nora would briefly mention her whereabouts later.

Saddest Death: Poor Ford, killed by a falling chandelier. What a waste of prime beefcake.

Best Exposed Secret: Allison finally revealed the truth to Viki and Clint about "twin sisters with different misters", Jessica and Natalie. The former turned out to be the daughter of Clint, not Mitch.

Best Scene: Viki's wonderful speech about soap operas during her appearance on The Blanca Show.

Best Actress: Erika Slezak as Victoria Lord Gordon Riley Burke Riley Buchanan Buchanan Carpenter Davidson Banks. Having played this role for over 40 years, the brilliant actress was One Life to Live - I can't imagine the show without her. And I also loved that the writers always kept Viki front and center over the years.

Best Cliffhanger Honorable Mention #3: Luna reveals that she could only save one person - either Cole or Ford.

Best Cliffhanger Honorable Mention #2: During the blackout and prison break, Nora, Starr and Natalie all receive unexpected visitors - and Natalie screams!

Best Cliffhanger Honorable Mention #1: The final episode left us waiting for Viki to accept Clint's marriage proposal, while John arrested Todd for Victor's murder - and Victor was revealed to be Allison's captive (with a nod to the 1990 film, Misery). I would love to know how he ended up alive and in her clutches.

Best Cliffhanger Runner-Up: Troy tries to save Bo's life, an injured Cole and Ford are brought into the emergency room, and Clint suffers a heart attack after Viki is shot.

Best Musical Performance: Kristen Alderson as Starr Manning, who sang the song, "One Life to Live", after Cole and others were shot.

Best Cliffhanger: Four gunshots ring out during Mitch, Troy, Allison and Hannah's prison break! Who's been shot?

To Be Continued: And now John, Todd, Blair and Starr are all moving to General Hospital's Port Charles next month, which raises a few questions:

Will John and Natalie break up again?
Will Starr break up with Cole and decide not to pursue a music career in Los Angeles?
Will the reconciled Todd and Blair stay together after it's revealed that Todd didn't kill Victor?

I guess we will all have to "tune in tomorrow" to find out.

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #13: One Life to Live's David A. Gregory

2012-01-13T12:35:00.001-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

In honor of today's final episode of One Life to Live, my Hot Guy is 26-year-old David A. Gregory, who played Robert Ford on the daytime soap from August 2009 until this week when the character sadly died after a chandelier fell on him. He was also one of my Grooviest Gorgeous Guys of 2011. For more information on Mr. Gregory, go to davidgregoryofficialsite.com.

Dish of the Day #815: Vote for your Favorite

2012-01-13T00:30:00.000-06:00

Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day is featured, and beginning today you can vote for your favorite Dish this week in the sidebar poll.

#809 was your favorite Happy New Year Hunk, receiving 30.7% of the 140 votes cast. #806 came in second with 27.1%, followed by #810 (20.0%), #807 (18.6%) and #808 (3.6%).

Online Surveys & Market Research

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #12: Hot Underwear

2012-01-12T11:31:00.003-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy - a male model named Moritz - answers (in German) the probing question, "What is the hottest underwear for the muscular male of today?"

Dish of the Day #814: I Like Men Week

2012-01-12T01:21:00.000-06:00

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #11: Chris Evans

2012-01-11T13:48:00.001-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is 30-year-old actor Chris Evans in the 2011 film, What's Your Number?

Deep Dish Dinner Party #12: Where the Boys Are (and Bette)

2012-01-11T00:52:00.001-06:00

1) Jake Gyllenhaal
Last Week #1, Week 4, received 58 invites out of 295

2) Ricky Martin
LW #4, W3, 47 invites

3) Ryan Reynolds
LW #2, W12, 39 invites

4) Ryan Gosling
LW #3, W9, 37 invites

5) Bette Midler
LW #5, W6, 33 invites

6) Patrick Dempsey
The actor turns 46 on January 13.

7) Faye Dunaway
The actress turns 71 on January 14.

8) Ethel Merman
The actress was born on January 16, 1908.

9) Charles Nelson Reilly
The actor/comedian would have been 81 on January 13.

10) Betty White
The actress turns 90 on January 17.

Dish of the Day #813: I Like Men Week

2012-01-11T00:50:00.000-06:00

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #10: Joey Giorgianni

2012-01-10T19:07:00.003-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is chef Joey Giorgianni, who hosts Andrew Christian TV's Tasty Bites as its "Almost Naked" Food Editor. To learn more about Joey, go to www.jgcuisine.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Groovy Giveaway: Kergan Edwards-Stout's Songs for the New Depression

2012-01-10T14:47:00.005-06:00

Courtesy of Circumspect Press, this week I'm giving away two paperback copies of Kergan Edwards-Stout's critically acclaimed debut novel, Songs for the New Depression, which is currently a finalist for the 2011 Indie Lit Awards.

The Advocate has raved that the book "boasts the kind of dark humor that made Augusten Burroughs (Running with Scissors) a household name" as it tells the story of Gabe Travers, who - now almost 40 and dying from AIDS - finally begins to peel back the layers of his life and tackle his demons with a little help from the music of the Divine Miss M and his mother's new wife, a country music-loving priest.

To learn more about Kergan, go to kerganedwards-stout.com. You can also follow him on Twitter and Facebook (and his photo is by Scott Council Photography).

To enter to win this Groovy Giveaway, all you have to do is email your name and address to deepdishdrama@aol.com. Winners must have a US or Canadian mailing address, and entries close at midnight on Thursday, January 12 (CST).

If you would like to give away something groovy (DVDs, CDs, books, theater/concert tickets) here on Deep Dish, please email me at deepdishdrama@aol.com.

Top 10 Tuesday of Groovy Tunes: Let's Do The Twist!

2012-01-10T10:20:00.001-06:00

Each week I feature 10 groovy tunes that reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart during the last 50+ years. You can vote for your three favorites, and the five with the most votes move on to the following week when five new songs will be added to the list.

The Carpenters remained in the Top 10 for a 25th week with their 1970 hit, "(They Long to Be) Close to You", which received 35 votes out of the 194 cast. And this week they will be challenged by the Bee Gees, The Bangles and Chubby Checker's dance tune, "The Twist", which originally reached #1 on the Billboard chart in September 1960 and then again in January 1962.

1) "(They Long to Be) Close to You"/Carpenters (Last Week #1, Week 25) - 17 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1970

2) "The Sounds of Silence"/Simon & Garfunkel (LW #4, W3) - #2 the week of January 15, 1966

3) "You're So Vain"/Carly Simon (W2) - #1 the week of January 13, 1973

4) "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves"/Cher (LW #3, W10) - 16 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1971-72

5) "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)"/Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer (LW #5, W7) - 15 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1979-80

6) "The Twist"/Chubby Checker (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 13, 1962

7) "My Sweet Lord"/George Harrison (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 16, 1971

8) "American Pie"/Don McLean (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 15, 1972

9) "Too Much Heaven"/Bee Gees (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 13, 1979

10) "Walk Like an Egyptian"/The Bangles (DEBUT) - #1 the week of January 10, 1987

Dish of the Day #812: I Like Men Week

2012-01-10T00:45:00.000-06:00

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #9: Daniel Boys

2012-01-09T16:56:00.000-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is openly gay British actor/singer Daniel Boys, who got naked for Gay Times magazine in 2010. You can also watch him perform "Everything" during a 2010 London concert. To learn more about the man and his music, go to danielboys.com.

The Groove Tube #15: More Delicious Drama at Downton Abbey

2012-01-09T15:30:00.013-06:00

Welcome to The Groove Tube, a weekly recap of the highlights (and lowlights) of some of the scripted TV shows I'm watching (in order of preference).

TV Series of the Week: Revenge

"Duress" (Episode 11/January 4, 2012)

Best Opening Scene of the Week: Tyler held a gun on everyone at Daniel's birthday clambake on the beach.

Whitest Guy on Television: A shirtless Gabriel Mann, who is great as Nolan Ross. I was surprised to learn today that the actor is 39 (he definitely looks younger).

Best Psychotic "Impotent Misfit" of the Week: Tyler, who went off the deep end as everyone discovered that he had a history of mental problems.

Hottest Surgeon of the Week: 40-year-old David Monahan as Tyler's brother Alex (the actor played Jack's boyfriend Toby on Dawson's Creek and appeared in the 2005 gay film, The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green).

Best Rejection of the Week: Daniel told Tyler that he wanted him out of his life.

Best Team of the Week: Emily and Nolan

Hottest Hunk of the Week: Joshua Bowman as Daniel (I never get tired of seeing him with or without a shirt).

Best Insincere Line Runner-Up: "That is so inventive" - Emily about Victoria's gift for Daniel of a memory book (she stole the idea from Emily).

Best Insincere Line: "Poor dear" - Victoria about Amanda

Best Exit of the Week: Tyler was arrested - but I'm happy to report that he will be returning later this season. You just can't keep a good villain down for long.

SPOILERS: Knots Landing's William Devane will show up on February 8 as Edward Grayson, Conrad's father, and on February 15 we will finally learn who's dead and whodunnit during Emily and Daniel's engagement party, which we briefly saw way back at the very beginning of the series.

Grade: A+

Ratings: 8.06 million viewers, #2 in time period with 5.7 rating/9 share

2) Downton Abbey

Series Two, Episode 1/January 8, 2012

Downton Abbey is a more sudsy Upstairs Downstairs (the British drama that aired on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre from 1974 to 1977) with much higher production values. It's also a bloody good soap opera that totally captivated me last year with its first series of episodes. The entire cast is brilliant - especially the divine Dame Maggie Smith - and creator Julian Fellowes is an excellent storyteller whose complex characters are a delight to watch.

Best Couple of the Week: Bates and Anna

Best Non-Couple of the Week: Matthew and Mary, of course.

Saddest Scene of the Week: Mary said goodbye to Matthew before he went off to war.

Best Bitch of the Week: Bates' blackmailing wife Vera, who knows all about Mary and the dead Turkish diplomat.

Favorite Character of the Week: Bates, who left Downton Abbey to protect the reputation of the family. What a decent chap he is.

Cutest Chauffeur: 30-year-old Allen Leech as chauffeur Tom Branson.

Favorite Homosexual of the Week: We finally got to see some other sides of the usual nasty Thomas - he was so frightened by his war experience that he forced himself to get shot in the hand in order to return home, and later he was devastated by the suicide of a depressed blind patient.

Most Interesting Character Transformation: Lady Edith never struck me as the "drive a tractor on the farm" type.

Most Intriguing Relationship of the Week: Matthew's fiancée Lavinia and newspaper publisher Richard Carlisle

Worst Rejection of the Week: Poor Molesley got rebuffed by Anna, who only has eyes for the absent Bates.

Best Kiss of the Week Runner-Up: Edith and married farmer Drake, whose wife quickly fired her.

Best Line: "I hate Greek drama. When everything happens off stage" - Dowager Countess Violet

Grade: A

Ratings: 4.2 million viewers

Below is a Q&A with the cast filmed last month at a NYC preview screening of Season 2.

3) The Vampire Diaries

"The New Deal" (Episode 54/January 5, 2012)

Cutest Jogger of the Week: Klaus' hybrid mate, Tony (played by Zane Stephens), who was stalking a paranoid Elena.

Most Surprising Near-Death Experience of the Week: Alaric was hit by a speeding car while pushing Jeremy out of the way - but he quickly recovered.

Most Disturbing Death of the Week: Jeremy shot Tony and then cut off his head with a meat cleaver.

Worst Brother of the Week: Klaus, who kept the dagger in his sister after Elena informed him that Rebekah now knew that he killed their mother.

Worst Exit of the Week: I hope that actor Steven R. McQueen isn't leaving the show as his character Jeremy was compelled by Damon to leave Mystic Falls to begin a new and much safer life in Denver.

Best Kiss of the Week: Damon finally gave Elena a passionate kiss, which she responded to.

Grade: B+

Ratings: 3.32 million viewers, #4 in time period with 2.1 rating/3 share

4) Once Upon a Time

"Desperate Souls" (Episode 8/January 8, 2012)

Best Bitch of the Week Runner-Up: Mayor Regina fired Emma and tried to appoint newspaper editor Sidney Glass as the new sheriff.

Hero of the Week: Emma for saving Regina's life - even though Mr. Gold set the fire in order to make her look good.

Best Election Win: Emma was elected sheriff after standing up to Mr. Gold.

Grade: B+ (a pretty good episode, but I enjoyed Storybrooke's election more than Rumpelstiltskin's backstory)

Ratings: 10.35 million viewers, #2 in time period with 5.9 rating/9 share

5) Desperate Housewives

"What's to Discuss, Old Friend" (Episode 167/January 8, 2012)

Most Predictable Plot Twist of the Week: Of course, Renee interrupted Bree's suicide attempt.

DILF of the Week: A shirtless Mike in his pajamas.

Best Guest Star of the Week Runner-Up: 76-year-old Lee Meriwether - former Miss America and star of TV's Barnaby Jones - as Chuck's aunt.

Best Scene Runner-Up: Lynette told Tom to go to Paris to be with Jane.

Best Scene: Bree and Renee became friends.

Best Cliffhanger of the Week: Bree received another mysterious note in her mailbox from Chuck's killer, who told her "You're welcome".

Grade: B+

Ratings: 8.84 million viewers, #2 in time period with 5.6 rating/8 share

6) Modern Family

"Lifetime Supply" (Episode 59/January 4, 2012)

Best Golf Outfit: Manny's "Matt Damon in Bagger Vance" look (from the 2000 film, The Legend of Bagger Vance).

Best Guest Star of the Week: Benjamin Bratt as Manny's father Javier.

Best Flashback of the Week: Phil's appearance on the game show, Smarty Pants, during which he won a lifetime supply of razor blades (that only lasted 15 years).

Funniest Moment: Mitchell told Cam to stop staring at the handsome Javier.

Grade: B

Ratings: 14.03 million viewers, #1 in time period with 7.9 rating/12 share

Dish of the Day #811: I Like Men Week

2012-01-09T13:35:00.001-06:00

Since it's my birthday this Friday, I'm featuring a few of my favorite men this week. Today's Dish is Andrey T. Vladimir photographed by Dedal Larionov.

Web Series Worth Watching: Charlie Williams in Submissions Only

2012-01-08T15:30:00.009-06:00

Before we get to this week's web series, I want to give a shout-out to We Love Soaps TV's 3rd Annual Indie Soap Awards, which will be presented to the best scripted, serialized web series of 2011 on February 21. Some of my favorite series were nominated, including The Bay/Far From The Bay, The Cavanaughs, DeVanity, Empire, Husbands, Hustling, In Between Men, PRETTY, Ragged Isle and Secrets. Click here for a complete list of nominees - and you can click here to vote for the Fan's Choice Indie Soap of the Year.

Web Series of the Week: Submissions Only
Created, written, and directed by Kate Wetherhead and Andrew Keenan-Bolger, this delightful comedy began online in October 2010, but I only recently became a fan. So I am now adding the show to my list of "Web Series Worth Watching" - and I hope you will enjoy watching it as much as I do.

Submissions Only is about auditioning for theatre in New York City, and it follows a group of friends who work in this glorious business we call "show". To catch up on the series' first season - which features such special guest stars as Kristin Chenoweth, Chita Rivera, Michael Rupert, Rachel Dratch and Rebecca Luker - go to www.submissionsonly.com. And below you can watch the first two episodes of Season 2, which introduce a hunky Charlie Williams as Seth, the shirtless handyman of a gay couple. The entire cast is wonderful - including creator Kate Wetherhead as an actress who was injured during a tour of Mean Girls (a musical version of the 2004 film) - but Jared Gertner (whom I saw in Broadway's The Book of Mormon last summer) nearly steals the show as Randall, an aspiring musical-loving actor.

You can also become a fan of Submissions Only on Facebook and follow it on Twitter.

PLEASE NOTE: The next Web Series Worth Watching will be on Sunday, January 22.

Other web series worth watching this week are:

The Bay
In the explosive Mid-Season Finale, Brian receives a surprise at the altar on his wedding day. To get caught up on The Bay, go to www.thebaytheseries.com. You can also become a member of The Bay's Facebook Group and follow the series on Twitter.

BULK - The Series
The drama continues in this series set in the NYC Bear community as Leo catches up with his ex, Guy. For more BULK, go to www.bulktheseries.com or subscribe to its YouTube Channel. You can also become a fan on Facebook.

The Cavanaughs
This addictive drama ends its third season with a bang as Hope crashes Charley's homecoming party to reveal a few more secrets (including one about Noreen that made my head spin), Bryan finds a familiar surprise on his doorstep, and someone gets shot. It's a fabulous soapy season finale - and I must congratulate both creator Adrian Morales for producing the best season so far of The Cavanaughs AND actress Camille Bennett for her deliciously bitchy performance as Hope. I look forward with excited anticipation for Season 4!

To watch previous episodes of The Cavanaughs, go to www.the-cavanaughs.com or subscribe to its YouTube channel. You can also become a fan on Facebook and Twitter.

Hustling
In the latest episode of this sexy dramedy, Ryan parties with a wealthy couple - and actor Brent Barrett guest stars (he played Tony Barclay - Jenny Gardner Nelson's killer - on TV's All My Children from 1983-84). For more Hustling, you can subscribe to its YouTube Channel and become a fan on Facebook and Twitter.

Old Dogs & New Tricks
After debuting its pilot episode last July, this groovy web series now returns with four new episodes as it continues the story of four successful, middle-aged gay best friends living in youth-obsessed West Hollywood - talent agent Nathan (Leon Acord); Brad (Curt Bonnem), a one-hit wonder from the late '80s; Muscles (Jeffrey Patrick Olson), a hunky personal trainer; and Ross (David Pevsner), a former TV star. In Part 1 of the season premiere, the guys gather to celebrate Nathan's 50th birthday and bump into his bitchy 'frenemy' Nelson Van Eddy (special guest star Bruce L. Hart).

To watch the pilot episode of Old Dogs & New Tricks, go to olddogsnewtrickstheseries.com or subscribe to its YouTube channel. You can also become a fan on Facebook and Twitter.

PRETTY
In this week's hilarious episode, guns are fired and unexpected kisses are exchanged during the Miss Black Star Eyes Pageant - and Martha Byrne and Melanie Hutsell return as guest stars. To catch up on PRETTY, go to www.prettytheseries.com or subscribe to its YouTube channel. You can also become a fan on Facebook and Twitter.

Spin the Bottle
This web series features a happy gay couple played by series creator Matthew Barnard and actor/singer/model Joel Evan Tye, whose handsome hunkiness is definitely worth watching. For more Spin the Bottle, go to www.spinthebottletv.com or subscribe to its YouTube Channel. You can also become a fan on Facebook.

Steve Hayes: Tired Old Queen at the Movies
The fabulous film critic ends 2011 with a review of The Lion in Winter (1968), starring Katharine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole, and begins the new year with Mogambo (1953), starring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly. For more TOQ, subscribe to his YouTube Channel. You can also become a fan on Facebook or follow Steve on Twitter.

Very Mary-Kate
The amusing adventures of the self-absorbed former Full House actress continue as Mary-Kate learns the truth about Santa Claus and gives another classroom presentation. To experience Very Mary-Kate from the very beginning, go to her website, verymarykate.com. You can also become a Facebook fan or follow the series on Twitter.

Web Therapy
In the latest episode, Fiona (Lisa Kudrow) jumps to the conclusion that the new royal marriage is in trouble while speaking to her first international client who works at Buckingham Palace. To watch previous episodes, go to www.lstudio.com/web-therapy. You can also become a fan on Facebook.

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #8: Thierry Pepin

2012-01-08T12:44:00.001-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is model Thierry Pepin in "Business Strip", a two-part commercial for Gregg Homme Underwear. To see more of Mr. Pepin, go to www.thierrypepin.com.

Soap Dish: The Top 150 Memorable Moments of All My Children, Part 3

2012-01-07T15:30:00.006-06:00

To honor the daytime soap opera, All My Children - which broadcast its final episode in September - DEEP DISH is revisiting 150 of Pine Valley's most memorable moments (and I apologize for the long delay in continuing this tribute). Click here for the first 50 moments, and below you can check out the next 25 in chronological order:

51) Phoebe Wallingford and Wade Matthews' Wedding Day (August 1986)
After his release from prison, Wade showed up in Pine Valley, where Phoebe soon hired him to organize a charity fundraiser. The con artist succeeded in breaking up her marriage to Langley, and after a quickie divorce, she drunkenly married Wade, who was planning to kill her to get his hands on her fortune. In October 1986, Wade was arrested while trying to get out of town dressed in drag.

52) Erica Kane's Prison Break (November/December 1986)
After her fiancé, Jeremy Hunter, was falsely accused of murder and sent to jail, Erica planned an elaborate prison wedding in an attempt to break him out. However, when they got to the roof where a helicopter was waiting for them, Jeremy refused to leave, which caused an upset Erica to dump him.

53) Nina Cortlandt and Cliff Warner's Third Wedding Day (December 22, 1986)
The couple exchanged wedding vows once again in New York’s Central Park. They then moved to Hong Kong in January with Bobby when Cliff got a job offer from a hospital there. After another divorce, they married a fourth and final time in September 1989 before moving to Denver where Cliff had another new job.

54) Mark Dalton's Intervention (1987)
When Erica's half-brother Mark developed a cocaine addiction, his family and friends staged an emotional intervention, which led to him seeking treatment.

55) Erica Kane's Sixth Wedding Day (September 1987)
A pregnant Erica married the father of her unborn child, businessman and aspiring politician, Travis Montgomery, but she was soon intrigued by his younger brother, Jackson, who arrived in Pine Valley.

56) Cindy Parker Learns That She Is HIV Positive (December 1987)
In September 1987, Cindy, a hairdresser with little money and a young son named Scott, came into the Pine Valley Clinic, where she met and became friends with Dr. Angie Hubbard. Angie later had to break the news to a devastated Cindy that she had contracted the AIDS virus from her late, drug addict ex-husband. However, Cindy did find happiness with Adam Chandler's twin brother Stuart, whom she married in May 1988.

57) The Birth of Bianca Montgomery (February 8, 1988)
A pregnant Erica collapsed, suffering from eclampsia (toxemia), which could kill both her and her unborn baby. While unconscious and deathly ill, Erica had a dream where she was reunited with all the men she had loved and lost in her life, including Nick Davis, Phil Brent, Jeremy Hunter, Brandon Kingsley, Adam Chandler and Tom Cudahy. And it all took place on a soundstage for a movie of her life. Travis was at Erica’s side when she regained consciousness and later gave birth to their daughter, Bianca.

58) The "Death" of Jesse Hubbard (June 1988)
Shot in the line of duty as a cop, Jesse later died in the arms of his wife, Angie, who believed he was really dead for the next 20 years.

59) The Death of Laura Cudahy (December 1988)
AMC fans were outraged when Brooke and Tom's young daughter, Laura, was killed by a hit-and-run drunk driver.

60) The Death of Cindy Chandler (February 1989)
After Cindy lost her battle with AIDS, her friends and family designed a cloth square to contribute to the National AIDS Quilt.

61) Dixie Cooney and Adam Chandler's Wedding Day (June 1989)
Dixie and her brother Will arrived in Pine Valley in October 1988 to find their rich uncle, Pete Cooney (aka Palmer Cortlandt). She soon had an affair with a married Adam and became pregnant - and after his wife Brooke learned of their relationship and divorced him, he decided to marry Dixie in order to gain custody of their child. Knowing that Adam didn't love Dixie, Tad Martin - who did love her - rushed to stop their wedding, but he then found Adam's daughter Skye crying in the rain. She was then struck by lightning, and while Adam and Dixie were saying "I do", Tad entered, carrying the unconscious Skye, whose life he saved.

62) Erica Kane Meets Her Father (July 1989)
After Barney the Clown arranged for Erica to attend a circus performance, her mother Mona reminded her that her late father, Eric Kane, would dress up like a clown at her childhood birthday parties. And on her 9th birthday, he disappeared. Erica was convinced that her father was still alive and that he had disguised himself as a circus clown to avoid going to prison for larceny. After securing a job in a magic act at the same circus where Barney worked, Erica confronted the man, who then removed his clown make-up and finally admitted that he was her long-lost father. But shortly after their tearful reunion, Eric abandoned his daughter once again.

63) Tad Martin's Memorable Marriage Proposal (1989)
After Adam Chandler committed her to a mental institution to get full custody of their son, Dixie finally divorced him - and her true love Tad dressed up in a chicken suit to pop the question to her. She, of course, agreed to marry him.

64) Adam Chandler's Masked Ball (November 1989)
Adam held an elaborate masked ball at the Chandler mansion, where his nemesis, Palmer Cortlandt, revealed to the guests that he now owned Adam's empire. Brooke also convinced Adam to let Dixie take Adam Jr. home. He later suffered a massive stroke over his sudden financial downfall.

65) Dixie Cooney and Tad Martin's Wedding Day (December 29, 1989)
Despite Palmer and Opal's schemes to derail their weddings plans - which included Marian Colby luring Tad into a hot tub - Dixie and Tad were finally married.

66) Erica Kane's Seventh Wedding Day (May 21, 1990)
After she and Travis divorced in 1989, Erica began an affair with his brother Jackson, whom she agreed to marry. However, after her daughter Bianca - who wanted her to reconcile with Travis - became ill and nearly died, Erica became confused about which Montgomery brother she really wanted, but she finally decided to remarry Travis.

67) Hayley Vaughan's First Appearance (Thanksgiving Day 1990)
Future talk show host Kelly Ripa arrived in Pine Valley with a black punk hairdo as the rebellious niece of detective Trevor Dillon.

68) The "Death" of Tad Martin (December 1990)
After his marriage to Dixie hit the rocks, Tad had an affair with his friend Brooke English. Meanwhile, Billy Clyde Tuggle, who had been released from prison, became obsessed with Dixie, and he eventually kidnapped her. After Tad rescued Dixie, they decided to remarry, but on their wedding day, he and Billy Clyde had a final showdown on a bridge. They both ended up falling into the river below, and Billy Clyde died. With Tad's body missing, he was presumed dead as well, and while everyone attended his memorial service, Tad - now suffering from amnesia - was picked up by a truck driver headed for California. Also that same day, Brooke was stunned to learn that she was pregnant with Tad's baby.

69) The Birth of Jamie Martin (May 1991)
Brooke and Tad's son was born after Hayley Vaughan's drunken mother, Arlene, crashed into Jackson Montgomery's car. A utlity pole then fell on the car, trapping a pregnant and critically injured Brooke in the wreckage. Fortunately, she survived and gave birth to a baby boy, whom she named Jamie after his father (James was Tad's middle name).

70) The Evil Plan of Janet "From Another Planet" (August 1991)
Natalie Marlowe's dark-haired and slightly overweight sister, Janet Green, first arrived in town in May 1991 - and she soon set her romantic sights on Natalie's man, Trevor Dillon. Insanely jealous of her sister, Janet transformed herself into the spitting image of Natalie. After dumping Natalie down a well, where she was trapped for many weeks, Janet posed as her sister and married Trevor.

71) Erica Kane's Eighth Wedding Day (December 13, 1991)
Now divorced for a second time from Travis (who gained full custody of Bianca and moved to Seattle), Erica was stunned when Adam Chandler informed her that they were still married because Stuart had impersonated him during their quickie Caribbean divorce back in 1984. He offered to keep this their little secret if she remarried him in a public ceremony, so Erica became Mrs. Adam Chandler once again in order not to compromise her custody appeal for her "illegitimate" daughter.

72) Angelique Marick Is Alive! (February 1992)
After the tall, dark and handsome Dimitri Marick rescued Natalie Marlowe from the well, they fell in love. But during their Valentine’s Day engagement ball, everyone was stunned when Dimitri's housekeeper (and mother-in-law) Helga wheeled in his presumed dead and nearly catatonic wife, Angelique, in a wheelchair. A devastated Natalie eventually reconciled with her true love, Trevor Dillon.

73) Who Killed Will? (March 20, 1992)
Dixie Martin's brother, Will Cortlandt, had lots of enemies - and on March 20, he was crowbarred to death by one of them. Brian Bodine - whom Will's wife Hayley was in love with - was arrested for his murder. However, on May 11, 1992, it was revealed that a pregnant Janet Green had slipped out of her hospital room and killed Will so that her beloved Trevor would stop worrying about his niece Hayley and pay more attention to her and their unborn child.

74) Natalie Marlowe and Trevor Dillon's Wedding Day (June 1992)
Natalie and Trevor finally began a new life together as husband and wife after she helped deliver his daughter, Amanda, whose mother - and Natalie's crazy sister - Janet was then sent to prison for Will Cortlant's murder.

75) Livia Frye and Tom Cudahy's Wedding Day (October 12, 1992)
Health club owner Tom married attorney Livia in a lavish wedding ceremony, and she sang a duet with her old friend, singer Peabo Bryson, during the reception.

To be continued . . .

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #7: Arthur Napiontek & Brett Novek

2012-01-07T13:49:00.003-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guys are models/actors Arthur Napiontek and Brett Novek in David DeCoteau's 2009 film, The Brotherhood V: Alumni.

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #6: Steve Callahan & David LaDuca

2012-01-06T13:27:00.000-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guys are actors Steve Callahan and David LaDuca in the 2011 feature film, Abrupt Decision, directed by Paul Bright. For more info on the movie, go to www.abruptdecision.com.

2011's Dish of the Year: Benjamin Godfre

2012-01-06T12:37:00.000-06:00

After five rounds of voting, only one Dish was left standing (click here to see the original 32 hunks) - 24-year-old Benjamin Godfre (#756), who was 2010's runner-up. To see more pics of Mr. Godfre, go to his website at www.benjamingodfre.com.

Dish of the Day #810: Vote for your Favorite

2012-01-06T00:42:00.000-06:00

Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day is featured, and beginning today you can vote for your favorite Dish this week in the sidebar poll.

#801 won the Holiday Hunk contest, receiving 43.3% of the 386 votes cast. #805 came in second with 26.7%, followed by #802 (20.7%), #803 (5.4%) and #804 (3.9%).

Online Surveys & Market Research

31 Cold Days of Hot Guys #5: Steve Jones

2012-01-05T22:38:00.001-06:00

This month DEEP DISH is featuring a different hot guy(s) every day to warm us all up during this cold winter season.

Today's Hot Guy is 34-year-old Steve Jones, the host of FOX's The X Factor and a former model. Below you can watch him go shirtless on Ellen last month and in the 2008 British film, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.

Deeper Dish with David Burnham

2012-01-05T18:18:00.010-06:00

Last June I had the great pleasure of seeing actor David Burnham perform for the first time in The Best Is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman, an Off-Broadway musical tribute to one of Broadway's best composers. He wowed the audience with his wonderful renditions of "Witchcraft" and "I've Got Your Number" - and I instantly became a new fan of his.

David first gained critical acclaim in 1997 when he was chosen to replace Donny Osmond in the national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Since then he has performed the lead male role in the World Premiere musical production of Peggy Sue Got Married at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois (1999), made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical, The Light in the Piazza (2005), and played Fiyero in the Broadway production of Wicked (2008) after having created the role in the original Los Angeles workshops. David was also the 2007 recipient of the prestigious Helen Hayes Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Fabrizio in the national tour of The Light in the Piazza. On film, he can be heard as the voice of the Prince in the 1999 animated film adaptation of The King and I and as Willie Brother #1 in the 2004 Disney movie, Home on the Range.

David released his second solo CD, One Day, last August, and this Tuesday, January 10, he will be performing Mostly Broadway, a solo concert at NYC's Laurie Beechman Theatre with Sally Mayes as his special guest and Mark Vogel as his musical director. I am so delighted to have the talented Mr. Burnham here on the Dish to discuss his career and answer a few pop culture questions.

Let's begin with your Mostly Broadway show on January 10th. Can you share a few songs that you're planning to sing?
I will be singing songs from some of the shows I have done, including Wicked and The Light in the Piazza, as well as classic standards and songs from my new CD, including "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Fly Again".

What was your inspiration for your new CD, One Day?
My Mom was a big inspiration. In fact I dedicated the album to her memory. She lost a battle with cancer a few years ago, and so some of these songs have very special meaning to me, especially "Fly Again" which I sing for her.

Did you always want to be an actor/singer?
As a junior in high school, I was trying to get into woodshop and it was full, so I got put into choir and discovered I could sing. I had a great choir director named Dan Friberg, and he really encouraged me to pursue singing. I got cast in the musicals at school. First I played Friedrich in The Sound Of Music, and then I got the lead role of Sid Sorokin in The Pajama Game and I was hooked.

What is the most memorable and/or funniest moment you have had while performing onstage either in concert or in a musical?
The Light in the Piazza is a gorgeous show that was very atmospheric. It had blowing leaves that created a beautiful effect as they danced on the wind across the stage. One night I was doing the show and it came to the part where I run across the stage to see Clara. On this particular night there were more leaves than usual and I caught one just right, slipped and slid across the stage and into Clara, knocking her over. We both laughed so hard we almost couldn't finish the scene.

When I was doing Wicked, it came time for Elphaba and myself to sing "As Long As You're Mine" in the second act. We did the song on our knees with low-lying fog all around us, it was very romantic. On this particular night they got a new fog machine and as we were singing the song, they fog kept getting higher and higher until we were completely covered up. So we both stood - but the fog kept coming and even covered us while we were standing. It was crazy.

Out of all the theater you've done, what stage role have you enjoyed performing the most?
I love all the characters I play for different reasons, but if I had to choose one, it would have to be Fabrizio in The Light in the Piazza. I was always able to find something new in Fabrizio. Not only did I get to sing Adam Guettel's stunning music, but Craig Lucas wrote a fantastic sophisticated script that I really got to sink my teeth into.

Is there a musical or play that you would love to do someday?
I would LOVE to sing the score to West Side Story someday.

If you could go back and give your 19-year-old self a wise piece of advice, what would it be?
Don't be so hard on yourself at auditions. As long as you are prepared and do the best you can do, that is all you can ask of yourself. Try not to take things too personally.

In high school I was:
Unsure of myself. I wish I had had more confidence.

My favorite comfort food is:
At this moment I am being comforted by a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped creme. Yum!

When I was growing up, I never missed a television episode of:
My Mom was a big fan of I Love Lucy so when I was a kid, I think I saw every episode - in reruns, of course. Lucille Ball was hilarious!

Today I never miss a television episode of:
I am obsessed with American Horror Story - soooo creepy and fun. I also dig Top Chef.

The very first record album that I purchased with my own money was:
I purchased the original cast recording of Carousel when I was 15 and played it non-stop trying to imitate John Raitt.

If I was stranded on a desert island for a year, I would want to listen to:
Adele's 21 because she is amazing, anything by David Phelps - his voice is brilliant - and maybe Nat King Cole's Christmas album because it takes me back to my childhood and it is so comforting.

Three of my favorite movies are:
Love Actually is so romantic. I loved the new Martin Scorsese film, Hugo - so magical - and Raiders of the Lost Ark is a classic fun adventure movie.

If I could have anyone in the world – living or dead – be a guest at my dinner party, I would invite the following people:
I would first invite my Mom (who passed away) because I want to know what the afterlife is like and how she is doing, maybe Jesus - to ask what his position REALLY is on everything - and Ellen DeGeneres because she would make us all laugh, which is my favorite thing in the world to do.

Thank you, David, for getting Deeper with us here on the Dish. To learn more about David Burnham, check out his website at www.davidburnham.com. You can also follow him on Facebook.

For reservations to David's Mostly Broadway concert this Tuesday, January 10, at 10:30 pm at NYC's Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 W. 42nd Street), call 212-695-6909. For booking inquiries for David Burnham in concert, contact KMPartists.com.

Dish of the Day #809: Happy New Year Hunks

2012-01-05T12:41:00.000-06:00

Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day is featured, and beginning on Friday you can vote for your favorite Dish of the week.

Today's Dish is Trystan Bull.

The Grooviest Gorgeous Guys of 2011

2012-01-04T16:33:00.010-06:00

Before I get to my final list of favorites of 2011, I'm awarding the prestigious honor of Grooviest Gorgeous Couple of the Year to Neil Patrick Harris, 38, and David Burtka, 36 (who have been together since 2004).

Now here are my 11 Grooviest Gorgeous Guys of 2011 in alphabetical order:

1) Justin Bartha, 33 (The Hangover Part II)

2) Darren Criss, 24 (TV's Glee)

3) Brett Davis (model/actor)

4) Michael Fassbender, 34 (Shame, X-Men: First Class)

5) Ryan Gosling, 31 (Crazy, Stupid, Love)

6) David Gregory, 26 (TV's One Life to Live)

7) Colton Haynes, 23 (MTV's Teen Wolf)

8) Hugh Jackman, 43 (Broadway, X-Men: First Class)

9) Harry Judd, 26 (drummer for the British band McFly)

10) Dylan McDermott, 50 (TV's American Horror Story)

11) Aaron Tveit, 28 (Broadway's Catch Me If You Can)

The Grooviest People of 2011 (and the Worst)

2012-01-04T13:50:00.007-06:00

The following are my favorite people of the year:

10) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for his support of the same-sex marriage bill that was passed in the NY Senate.

9) Amelia for being such a groovy mom (she blogged about her six-year-old son's infatuation with Glee's Blaine/Darren Criss).

8) Chaz Bono for being the first transgendered star on TV's Dancing with the Stars.

7) Randy Phillips - a 21-year-old gay soldier stationed in Germany - for coming out to his parents on YouTube.

6) CNN's Don Lemon for coming out of the closet.

5) Jessica Lange for reminding us of her brilliant talent as an actress on TV's American Horror Story.

4) Ben Cohen for retiring from professional rugby in order to combat homophobia and bullying through his StandUp Foundation.

3) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for delivering a landmark speech on LGBT rights to the United Nations.

2) Zach Wahls for being such a groovy son (the 19-year-old University of Iowa student spoke about his two mothers during a public forum on House Joint Resolution 6, which would ban gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships in Iowa).

The Grooviest Person of 2011: Gabby Giffords for being such an amazing inspiration.

Now here are my Worst People of 2011:

3) The Kardashians (I'm just sick and tired of hearing about this family)

2) Donald Trump (he makes my stomach turn every time he opens his big mouth)

3) The Republican freak show - especially Michele Bachmann (and her husband), Rick Perry, Rick Santorum and the least exciting man of 2011, Mitt Romney (who will say anything to get more love from Republican voters)

And, finally, here are some groovy people who sadly left us in 2011 (click on a name to read my tribute to them):

Nick Ashford
Milly Boyd (Del Rubio Triplet)
Peter Falk
Anne Francis
Betty Garrett
Farley Granger
Mary Cleere Haran
Anthony Herrera
Bil Keane
Harry Kullijian (I had the pleasure of speaking with him during my 2010 interview with his wife, Carol Channing)
Arthur Laurents
Sidney Lumet
Kenneth Mars
Marian Mercer
Alice Playten
Cliff Robertson
Jane Russell
Ken Russell
Michael Sarrazin
Sherwood Schwartz
Phoebe Snow
Brenda Starr
Elizabeth Taylor
Sada Thompson
Lanford Wilson
Amy Winehouse
Susannah York