Monthly Archives: December 2011

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A photo that I shot and posted on Facebook yesterday—of a new Manhunt billboard in Times Square—sparked an article today on Queerty.com.  (Writer Dan Avery first had to contact me to make sure I hadn’t photo-shopped the image!)

Quite a few Queerty readers have commented.  Some say the billboard is great for gay visibility, while others think it reinforces vulgar stereotypes about gay men.

I found this comment to be insightful:

 

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I was near Barney’s on Saturday so I dropped by Lady Gaga’s pop-up “workshop.”

Great pop-art decor designed by Assume Vivid Astro Focus.

 

 

Some of the merchandise is kinda cute but super overpriced, like a GaGa coloring book for $60.  No thanks.

 

 

From there I came upon this sculpture at the entrance of Central Park.  It’s called “Tornado” but I think it looks like a bunch of black penises!

 

 

On Saturday night I attended the Bowie Ball, which was super lame.  But it gave me an excuse to color my hair.  Move over Katy Perry!

With Sylvia London

 

Next stop was Hell’s Kitchen newest bar Fairytail Lounge, which is having a soft opening this week.  With a name like that I was hoping for something outrageously flamboyant and a campy alternative to all the local bland bars.  Alas, it’s just kind of tacky lite…

 

With one of the mannequin tables. He was playing hard to get.

 

Everywhere I look is something to amuse me!

 

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Taping for RuPaul’s Christmas Ball took place in October 1993 at a sound-stage on West 57th Street.  Working during the daytime was pretty foreign to me back then, but I had a blast acting in the skits and hanging out with my fellow “Downtown Drag Time Players.”  It was a lot of work!  I remember admiring RuPaul’s stamina.

 

Sherry Vine holding the cast list. Poor thing looks sleepy.

 

On the left is fashionista Lauren Ezersky who was pissed that most of her scenes got cut. With her is Flloyd, Billy Beyond, Sister Dimension and started Susan.

 

From left: Tabboo!, Laura Kightlinger (at the beginning of her comedy career), Keith "Sherry Vine" Levy, Flloyd, and hairdresser Michael Anthony. Lots of coffee and cigs!

 

Tabboo! and I practice our boob tube moves.

 

Back to the Green Room! It's Billy with guest star Fred Schneider of the B52s!

 

In between Lauren and Laura is Michael West, who had us all howling with his twisted Liza Minnelli impersonation.

 

World of Wonder producers Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey fulfill their fantasy of strangling an elf (me!).

 

Open shutter, tell a joke. Homage to "Laugh-In!"

 

My view from below.

 

The final filming was RuPaul's version of "Little Drummer Boy." Billy served as the wee lad.

 

It's the star of the show with some guy out of drag! Thanks for the holiday memories, RuPaul!

 

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I keep meaning to have people over during the holidays to watch this classic TV special… co-starring me!

 

 

From 1993 it’s the The RuPaul Christmas Ball, which aired on British television.  The cast is incredible!  Elton John, Boy George, Latoya Jackson, Eartha Kitt, Fred Schneider of the B52s… and the Downtown Drag Time Players featuring me and a bunch of other nuts that RuPaul knew before she began her meteoric rise to fame.

My scenes are scattered throughout.  Starting at 40:00 are my airplane scenes with Ru as a sassy stewardess.  Watching the show again reminds me that she’s a mighty fine actress!

Tomorrow I’ll post some behind-the-scenes pix!