The Telly Nelly Blog

The Telly Nelly's Top LGBT TV Picks for January 25 - 31

Hello darlings - going through Telly Nelly withdrawal, are you? Well...I'd like to say I'm sorry, but really I'm not!

Hey, can you blame me? After four years of posting every day, it's nice to have a break!

So here are my picks for the best television on in the coming week - there's a big premiere ('Top Design' - yup, that's them on the right) next Wednesday so make sure to mark your calendars. (Even if you're not so much into interior design, you'll probably enjoy it regardless because of it's fun to see pompous asses have their obnoxious egos trimmed down to size.)

I'll make sure to do a special post for 'Top Design' next week - it'll feature head shots and bios of all the gay contestants...and there's a ton of 'em, naturally.

That being said, here's what's on The Telly This Week!

Thursday, January 25

‘Ugly Betty’
8:00 p.m. ET — ABC
No. No no no! You do not stuff our bellies full of Alexis Meade, the back-from-the-dead now MTF transgender vixen/brother of Editor Daniel Meade, just to slap us on the face with a Halloween repeat! What unmitigated gall. (February’s episodes are off-the-hook, by the way, with Tim Gunn and Katharine McPhee too!)

Sunday, January 28

‘King of the Hill’ — Season Premiere
8:30 p.m. ET — FOX
If you haven’t been a fan of this show in the past, you really must watch this 11th season opener, it’s dragtastic! When Peggy feels blue about her dowdy looks and size 16 feet, she meets Carolyn, who views Peggy as the personification of all things womanly. While at first Hank is thrilled Peggy’s met a new friend, things quickly change when girlfriend when Carolyn turns out to be a drag queen and mistakenly invites Peggy to perform in her show. Will Peggy go from frump grump to fem shem in 60 seconds flat?

‘The Apprentice: L.A.’
9:00 p.m. ET — NBC
I’m so pleased big gay Derek has made it through the first few challenges, but at some point, I do hope he makes it to the losing team so he’ll have to use one of those teensy-tiny shower thingies. (Oh my hotness.) Bet he tastes just like chicken, which happens to be tonight’s tasty task. (You know he knows his way around a roaster!)

‘The L Word’
10:00 p.m. ET — Showtime
Who wants another big helping of fresh Marlee Matlin? What’s that? (I’m sorry darlings, I can’t hear you…) The yummy Oscar-winning sex kitten joins the cast as a passionate sculptor whose political beliefs spell trouble for Bette’s artistic aspirations. In other L Word happenings, Tina’s making the switch yet again; but this time, it’s Basketball not boys.

‘NewNowNext’
12:00 p.m. ET — LOGO
This week’s special LGBT musical guest stars are Matthew Duffy, a former dancer whose music is a mix of pop, electro, and electronica, and Liz Clark, a new fixture in NYC’s residency scene with a bohemian rock folk aesthetic. Both probably have a whole lot to say about queer music, but they really want to watch the new batch of “NNN” music videos too so they’ll keep the comments to a quirky medium, they promise.

Monday, January 29

‘Gay, Straight or Taken?’
7:00 & 7:30 p.m. ET — Lifetime
Boys, don’t let another week pass by without watching this uproarious dating game show, it’s both a hoot and a holler! I love to get together with my couch potato pals to watch this show — we’re *never* disappointed with the fanciful fare this dating game whips up to cleverly conceal and reveal the secret gay. We find our gaydar is truly challenged by the trio of tasty treats who try to trip-up the too-trusting tomato and feel “GST?” outshines all others when it comes to shaking and breaking the sissy-swishy gay stereotypes.

Wednesday, January 31

‘Top Chef’ — Season Finale
10:00 p.m. ET — Bravo
It’s over, it’s finally over! I still cannot believe they chose Marcel over Sam - redonkulous!

‘Top Design’ — New Series
The Telly Nelly’s Pick of the Week
11:00 p.m. ET — Bravo
It’s fresher, it’s newish — it’s ‘Project Runway’ for your living room, in fact. Hosted by the Gay God of Design himself, Todd Oldham (that's him on the ladder), this reality competition pits twelve seasoned interior design professionals against each other for $100,000 in seed money, bragging rights, and a fancy new car. But if you thought the runway designers had ego issues, just wait until you get a whiff of Todd Oldham’s flock of feisty freshmen! Oh yes, there’s gay. More gay than you can shake a stick at - without it coming back all slimy and certainly in need of a good scrubbing. Goil, Ryan, John, Matt, Michael and Erik — they all bury the needle deep in the red on my trusty homometer; in fact a few of the boys waste no time in getting the claws a little bloody in tonight’s first challenge, a team challenge with a very special celebrity guest client. (And by ‘special’ I mean transgender, naturally…but I would never spoil such a juicy surprise!) Joining Oldham to judge the superior interior candidates are famed designer Jonathan Adler (also a bum-licker) and Margaret Russell, editor-in-chief of ELLE Décor (not a bum-licker to the best of my knowledge). While the concept behind ‘Top Design’ isn’t one-of-a-kind, the show itself is a seductive smorgasbord for the senses and a ‘must watch’ for any reality or up-and-coming design diva, bum-licking preferences aside!

Isaiah Washington Kisses GLAADs Ring

Crazy ol' Mary (see her comments in a previous Washington-related post) thinks that Washington was wronged by a plot unleashed by Dempsey, Knight and we 'media-driven' sheep.

Honey, don't you know you're reading a *gay* blog? What'd you expect? Frankly, I like getting my information from the media - it's helpful and current. We can't all be driven by a 100o year old fantasy called the bible, now can we? After all...who would you nut jobs torment then? The world would be a pretty boring place Mary; think about it!

And since Isaiah himself admitted to saying what is now called 'the F word' on numerous occasions, what's there to question?

Anyhoo, if you're curious as to how Isaiah Washington's meeting with GLAAD went, read all about it here.

I, personally, couldn't care less - we're talking about Isaiah Washington. Blah!

Bush To Wear Thong In Tonight's 'State of the Union'

Hey, it gets very hot inside the White House...sometimes you just gotta let the boys hang!

State of the Union - tonight, on every god-loving channel you can imagine. While there won't be any LGBT goodness, it's fun to boo the screen and make him look directly into your anus.

9:00 p.m. ET - Be there.

Or watch "Veronica Mars" on CW -  those god-forsaken heathens will be airing a special tribute episode to President Bush, which finds dear Veronica searching for a missing lab monkey...

'First Comes Love' Gets Anniversary Present from LOGO

Ah, Valentine's Day...what a sham. Mark your calendars now!

Isn't it nice to see LOGO engaging happy gay couples...in Canada. (I guess filming in the USA gets expensive!)

And no more Scott Thompson! Aw...

LOGO ANNOUNCES SECOND SEASON OF REALITY SERIES 'FIRST COMES LOVE'

February 12 premiere for host Elvira Kurt following couples as they plan dream weddings

Logo, a division of Viacom Inc.’s MTV Networks, today announced the premiere of the second season of reality series First Comes Love, a comic and touching look at LGBT couples as they plan their dream weddings.  First Comes Love will premiere on Logo on Monday, February 12, 2007 at 10:00 PM ET/PT.  Logo is the nation’s leading 24/7 television and broadband channel and source of entertainment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) audience.

In response to overwhelmingly positive viewer feedback to season one, the second season of First Comes Love continues to chronicle the up-to-the-last minute planning that goes into each featured couple’s special day.   The series is part of Logo’s growing roster of programming that reflects and appeals to the diversity of people and experiences from the LGBT community.

Hosted by popular stand-up comedian Elvira Kurt and wedding planner extraordinaire, Fern Cohen, the series challenges about-to-be-married gay and lesbian couples to fulfill a long-held wish to have the wedding of their dreams. How will they express their love for each other?  Will it be old-fashioned wedding bells or a brand new sense of style and tradition?

“With humor and grace, Elvira Kurt affectionately guides lesbian and gay couples through the powerful experience of celebrating their relationships,” said Brian Graden, President, Entertainment, MTV Networks Music Group, and President, Logo.

Host Elvira Kurt is an alumnus of comedy troupe The Second City and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.  Her specials have aired on Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime, CTV, CBC and The Comedy Network and she will host the recently announced Logo special Cruising the Caribbean with Olivia that airs this spring.  Top wedding planner Fern Cohen runs a successful events firm in Toronto, Canada.

First Comes Love premieres on February 12 at 10:00 PM ET/PT.  Subsequent episodes will air on Mondays at 10:00 PM ET/PT.   Additional content and special features will be available on LOGOonline.com, including a streaming version of the first episode the day after the on-air premiere.

First Comes Love is another milestone in Logo’s continuing efforts to provide stages for the full range of stories from LGBT America.  The show joins diverse programming like CBS News on Logo, NewNowNext Music, featuring up and coming LGBT artists, Noah’s Arc, the story of four gay black friends in Los Angeles, The Click List: Best in Short Film and the upcoming shows Curl Girls about lesbian surfers and The Big Gay Sketch Show. 

J.P. Calderon ('Survivor: Cook Islands') A Bum-Licker!

I knew it!

Holy hotness Batman...the cover of the swimsuit issue?

Heavens, I need a tissue.

Oh, and don't you *dare* leave this page without reading all about Tara Reid's thought's on Romania. OMG...the girl is Nutsy McNutso!

SURVIVOR STAR J. P. CALDERON COMES OUT TO INSTINCT ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE OF THE JANICE DICKINSON MODELING AGENCY

J.P. Calderon, star of 'Survivor: Cook Islands', comes out to Instinct Magazine in an exclusive interview that lands him the cover of the publication’s February swimsuit issue. Instinct Editor In Chief Mike Wood conducted J.P.’s heartfelt coming out interview as The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency crew followed the two of them around the set of the cover shoot. The first half of the two-part episode airs on Oxygen this Wednesday, January 24, at 10 p.m.

“It’s not every day somebody gets slapped in the face with a major magazine like Instinct, Janice Dickinson, her TV show,” says Calderon. “I think I’m just supposed to do this!” J.P. has now signed with Janice Dickinson’s agency. “It wasn’t until last year when my dad died that I did Survivor, I said yes to Janice Dickinson, to [Instinct]. I’m coming out and I’m living.”

As for his new boss, J.P. reveals to Instinct, “We started a little bit butting heads, but I love Janice Dickinson. I want everyone to know, she is the coolest person in the world.”

Instinct also interviews notorious night owl Tara Reid in the February issue. “All my best friends in the world are gay!” Tara exclaims. “They’re my favorite people in the nation. They dress me nice.” Calling from an alleyway in Amsterdam on her cell phone, Reid shared her thoughts on filming her latest film, Incubus, in Romania: “It’s a beaten-up country. You feel like, if you could take helicopters and, like, throw shampoo over the whole country and a little bit of rain – it would look beautiful.”

Other features in February’s Instinct include the recurring “Life Of Me” series, this time focusing on one man’s life as a little person, and a humorous story about the choice a writer had to make when his boyfriend grew allergic to their cat. Additionally, interviews with Reno 911’s Niecy Nash, Sean Maguire of CBS’s The Class and Mr. Gay International 2006, Nathan Shaked, appear in the issue.

The Telly Nelly's LGBT TV Picks for January 18 - 24

As promised, here are my personal TV picks for this Thursday through next Wednesday - enjoy!

Thursday, January 18

“Ugly Betty"

8:00 p.m. ET — ABC

How do you like your Rebecca Romijn — blue and warty or bandaged and fabulous? If you picked bandaged and fabulous, are you in luck tonight as Romijn starts her recurring guest-role as…well, that’d be ruining all the fun now wouldn’t it? Needless to say, tonight’s installment of “UB” should be as delicious to watch as Hilda’s cupcakes are to eat!

“Smallville”

8:00 p.m. ET — CW

Justice League my ass — these guys are second string at best. Where’s my Wonder Woman, bitches?

“The War at Home”

8:30 p.m. ET — FOX

It’s all about the gay now isn’t it? I couldn’t be more pleased! Tonight Kenny’s dad cancels on taking the boys to a comic book convention so Larry asks Dave to take them instead. Normally Dave wouldn’t be caught dead driving the kiddies around, but after being called a hero he sees the chance to shine. But while the doing of good deeds doesn’t sting too much at first, it turns out Dave’s daddy duties go way beyond just dropping the kids off at the convention, much to his chagrin. Lighten up Buttercup!

“The Office”

8:30 p.m. ET — NBC

Oscar (Oscar Nunez) the gay accountant returns from his long vacation and mulls his future at Dunder-Mifflin. Based on office décor alone, I think he should fly the coop.

“Scrubs” - The Telly Nelly’s Pick of the Week

9:00 p.m. ET — NBC

Muppet gayness on scrubs? You bet! When a patient who claims to hear music non-stop has the medical gang singing in the rain and dancing up a storm, you know Broadway’s got to be involved somehow. And they are indeed — the Tony-winning creators of “Avenue Q” (the fur-ocious adult-only puppet musical spectacular) scripted tonight’s harmoniously hilarious treat. The love duet between J.D. and Turk has been a long time coming people, this is quality TV for sure!

“Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel” — Season Finale

10:00 p.m. ET — MTV

Ah, the end of another MTV era of hotness. Alas. Will my man, the ultra-sexy Brad, beat the smarmy pants off the also-hot-yet-totally-translucent Wes? Here’s hoping! On the girly girl front, how could Jodi *not* beat Svetlana in the final duel? She’s a toothpick!

Friday, January 19

“Wisecrack: The Outlaugh Festival”

8:00 p.m. ET — LOGO

LOGO’s original comedy stand-up series takes a field trip to Hollywood for America’s first gay comedy festival — the Outlaugh Comedy Festival. The shining stars of gay comedy (and there aren’t enough mind you) come out to twinkle as Margaret Cho hosts this gathering of the LGBT comedic elite. Helping Cho elicit laughs are openly gay comics Jason Stuart, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Bruce Vilanch, Karen Ripley, and Michelle Balan from “Last Comic Standing”.

“Las Vegas”

9:00 p.m. ET — NBC

Holy “House Hunters” cross-over! I just couldn’t resist writing about tonight’s episode as Suzanne Whang (host of HGTV’s addictive home-buying series “House Hunters”) guest-stars as the Montecito’s sex-crazed spa owner. Whodathunk dear old Whang would break into network primetime? You go girl!

Sunday, January 21

"The Apprentice: L.A."

9:00 p.m. ET - NBC

After last week's gay swimsuit drama, how could you not want to tune in and see the remaining gay (the rather burly Derek) compete to become Donald's next apprentice? He seems like a pretty decent chap for an entertainment lawyer type - let's see how far his talent and tenacity takes him, shall we? I think he's kinda humpy!

“The L Word”

10:00 p.m. ET — Showtime

It’s true: I’m infatuated with Cybill Shepherd on “The L Word” and who wouldn’t be? The lady is amazing! Tonight Cybill’s Phyllis takes a giant step for LGBT kind when she jumps out of the closet and onto the Planet’s dance floor. (Go easy on them apple martini’s girl, you don’t want to give the cow away for free!) I just can’t *wait* for her to go all stalker on Alice later this season, really I can’t. (That’s gonna be sooooo good it’ll hurt.)

Monday, January 22

“The Class”

8:30 p.m. ET — CBS

Someone’s got a severe case of Three’s Company-itis when Ethan and Palmer eavesdrop on one of Kat’s private conversations and hear something they find disturbing. While none of the gays are central to tonight’s plots, one hopes that Kyle (Sean McGuire) or Perry (Sam Harris) will be included in the fun.

“Heroes”

9:00 p.m. ET — NBC

Good gravy, it’s The Doctor! This superior series returns with Christopher Eccleston (“Doctor Who”) joining the cast as a new hero with the most shocking of powers. Even though only two weeks have passed on the show, it feels like months since I’ve watched and nothing looks familiar anymore — damn that mid-season break! Here’s hoping Sylar (Zachary Quinto from “So NoTorious”) continues his villainous streak in the weeks ahead — I like seeing his bad boy side in action, don’t you?

Wednesday, January 24

“Top Chef” — Season Finale: Part 1

10:00 p.m. ET — Bravo

Don’t get your apron all twisted, this is only part one of a two-part season finale. Bucking trends all over the kitchen, there won’t be three chefs in the finale — this season, there will only be two vying for the big bucks and title of “Top Chef.”

Isaiah Washington Apologizes to Faggots Everywhere

Did he buy this speech from the same guy that wrote Mel Gibson's apology to the Jews or what?

But even one such as I can appreciate the public apology, even though it's likely he was pressured into it by his agent, publicist, handlers, etc. I mean, who wants to eat national crow?

Hope it was tasty Isaiah - you certainly deserve an extra helping!

Seriously, if the man had just kept his mouth shut at The Golden Globes he might have gotten away from the whole PR nightmare...one seriously must wonder if alcohol was a factor in his loose tongue Monday night?

Certainly, the man has homo issues...let's hope he'll really work on 'em and that he's not just talking the talk.

Come to think of it, who are "the leaders" of the gay and lesbian community anyway? GLAAD? (Oh, how they'd love that!) Ellen? Miss J. Alexander?

Oh, that would be sweet...Isaiah vs. Miss J.! Bring it on!!!!

The Telly Nelly's Brand New Day

If you're very, very clever, you might have noticed a change or two around here.

But as I'm not sure if you're terribly clever (let's face it - I don't know you from Adam and you *do* have a penchant for wearing panties with holes in them though you know it's a filthy endeavor) I'll clue you in.

Knowing you can get your gay TV guide by your damn self (here's a good resource, also check out my LGBT or GLBT TV Blog TypeLists), I'm no longer giving you a daily dish on what's hot on TV each day.

I'm busy and feeling slightly rejected, if you must know. (That and I'm out of coffee which *really* pisses me off.) Not that you must know or anything...heavens forbid you should care about one lone blogger fighting a sea of oppressive heteroTV. *Said as I delicately wipe one lone tear from one of two perfectly moisturized cheeks*

But fret not moppets - you'll still get to throw yourself with reckless abandon into my very busy TV mind! Each and every Thursday I'll publish my weekly Telly Nelly LGBT TV guide. It'll let you know my thoughts for the top-notch LGBT programming that week so you can program your Tivo, your DVR...for all I care, you cave-people can mark your walls with some natty smears of buffalo blood - whatever suits your fancy, Love.

Of course I'll sprinkle the blog with more LGBT TV news than ever before, giving you juicy links to all sorts of yummy television-centric LGBT goodness. Pics? Oh yeah, I'll find some really awkward ones and post 'em too. What fun!

And I certainly won't be able to resist giving my opinion on some of today's best and worst LGBT TV programming...like how fancy Corey from "The Apprentice: L.A." looked in his cotton-candy swim trunks. Oh Carey...you shameless hussy! (I happen to agree they're the gayest of the gay, wearable by a mere 5% of the gay population...or more if you consider the clueless gays who should really know better.) But damn if he didn't walk the walk and for that, he shall be remembered by this little Nelly!

So there. That's the new Telly Nelly experience. Sleek, maintainable, and visit-licious!

Do enjoy...

GLAAD Cuts "Grey's" Isaiah Washington a New Hole

Don't you love it when GLAAD goes demanding apologies? It's my lobbyist money at work!!!!

Honey, go get 'em. (I love to watch a good media cat-fight!)

Juicy!

Don't you love it when the plot thickens? Does this mean dear Isaiah might not get his NAACP Image Award?

Good! Give it to Vanessa Williams!!!!!

Goodness gracious me.

One really must watch what one says these days...

LOGO & Olivia Make Music

"Cruising the Caribbean with Olivia", a one-hour variety special filmed aboard an Olivia cruise, will air on LOGO this spring. Featuring Elvira Kurt, the Indigo Girls and more fabulous femmes, this should be a cruisy treat indeed for those TV watchin' lesbians. (I know you're out there!)

Here are all the details, courtesy of LOGO:

OLIVIA VARIETY SPECIAL TO SET SAIL ON LOGO

Elvira Kurt to host spring 2007 show featuring Indigo Girls and other entertainers

New York, NY – January 16, 2007 – Logo, a division of Viacom's (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B) MTV Networks (MTVN), announced today the greenlight of Cruising the Caribbean with Olivia, a one-hour variety special filmed aboard an Olivia Caribbean cruise.  Olivia is the leading lesbian lifestyle company that specializes in offering travel experiences.

Cruising the Caribbean with Olivia will be hosted by First Comes Love’s Elvira Kurt and include performances from the Indigo Girls and comediennes Karen Williams, Suzanne Westenhoefer and Vickie Shaw.  Airing in spring 2007, the show will include special digital features and news at LOGOonline.com and AfterEllen.com.  The show will be produced by Rick Scott of Autonomy Productions.

“An Olivia cruise provides a very recognizable and powerful backdrop for our first-ever lesbian-themed variety show,” said Lisa Sherman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Logo.  "Presenting some of the most well-known and popular lesbian entertainers on one show will continue to cement Logo's role as the leading source of entertainment for our audience."

“Entertainment and building community has always been core to the Olivia experience and a key component of how Olivia differentiates itself and adds value to our customers,” said Amy Errett, CEO of Olivia.  “Partnering with Logo on the Olivia Variety Special is an exciting way to extend the Olivia experience beyond the ship.”

Cruising the Caribbean with Olivia is an important part of Logo’s rich slate of 2007 lesbian-themed programming, including the comedy Exes and Ohs about a group of lesbian friends, Curl Girls, a reality series that follows six lesbian surfers on the waves and at home on the shore and Bad Girls, an acquired BBC series about a women's prison making its United States debut on Logo in February.