Billy Masters 11.28.24
"Jimmy, I'm a black woman and a lesbian. How the hell do you think I'm doing?"
- Wanda Sykes to Jimmy Kimmel when he asked her mood since the election.
No sooner had Sarah McBride from Delaware made history as the first openly transgender member of the House of Representatives, than Speaker of the House Mike Johnson flexed his muscles. Since he has general control of the House facilities, he passed this rule: "All single—sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings —such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms —are reserved for individuals of that biological sex." In answering accusations of being anti—McBride, he said, "We're not anti—anyone. We're pro—woman," adding, "We have single—sex facilities for a reason. Women deserve women's only spaces." How did McBride respond? She said she would comply with the rule —which then drew even more criticism from the people who wanted her to be the Rosa Parks of the Bidet. "I am not here to fight about bathrooms. I'm here to fight for Delawareans...Like all members, I will follow the rules outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them."
Let me interject my two cents, for whatever it's worth (perhaps only two cents). I truly understand people having some issues with trans people —particularly if they don't know any. These days, everyone seems to have an issue about something or other. So, why not just eliminate gender? Let's have All—Gender Bathrooms, one gold medal for the Best Gymnast, and one Oscar for Best Performer. It would solve a whole lotta problems —although I believe in some instances, one biological gender might have the edge over the other. But, eh, that's life.
I am sure many of you remember Rachel Campos —either from "The Real World" season with Puck and Pedro Zamora (both of whom she was quite close to), or her numerous appearances on "The View". She's been the perpetual bridesmaid for the so—called "conservative seat". She was a favorite to replace my dear Debbie Matenopoulos, losing in the end to Lisa Ling. She was well—liked enough to come back and fight to replace her, losing out to Elisabeth Hasselbeck (a fellow reality star). She was even in the mix when Hasselbeck was fired, only to see Meghan McCain nab the spot. But each time she was on, I enjoyed her immensely —even if I disagreed with most of her views (see how that works?). What possible relevance could Rachel Campos have today? Because she is married to Sean Duffy (also a "Real World" alum), who was a Representative from Wisconsin and has been tapped by the incoming El Presidente to replace Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation. What are his qualifications? I believe during "Real World: Boston", he took the subway a few times.
Speaking of reality stars, the original "Bachelorette" is once again the subject of gossip. Every few years, people whisper that Trista and Ryan Sutter will divorce. Even after 21 years of marriage and two kids, nobody believes she found happiness with a hot fireman. This latest spate of speculation started when Ryan posted something about missing her. Trista addressed the question head—on. "People were speculating that I was either having a nervous breakdown, that I was dead, or that Ryan and I were getting a divorce, because he posted something that everyone thought was cryptic? It wasn't cryptic. I was just away and I was filming 'Special Forces'." Another mystery solved. If Shelly Miscavige is also competing, that would solve two mysteries.
Onto Whoopi and the bakery. In case you don't know, Whoopi Goldberg wanted to share a special dessert when she celebrated her birthday on "The View". The dessert in question is Charlotte Russe —who I thought was a character on "Sex and the City". Whoopi tried to get it from a certain bakery. I say "tried" because they said they couldn't accommodate her order. "Now, I should tell you, Charlotte Russe has no political leanings, and the place that made these refused to make them for me. They said that their ovens had gone down, and all kinds of stuff. But folks went and got them anyway, which is why I'm not telling you who made them. Perhaps they did not like my politics." Or, perhaps at the time of her request, the ovens were actually down. According to the bakery, that is what happened —and the new order came in after the ovens were fixed. Is that plausible? Sure. It's also possible they don't like her politics. Or maybe they didn't like "Jumpin' Jack Flash"!
The Elton John-Jake Shears Broadway musical "Tammy Faye" will close on December 8th —less than a month after its November 14th opening. Curiously, the musical was a major hit in London's West End where it won multiple awards. On Broadway, it was universally panned by critics. What changed? We're told the creators tinkered with the show in between the runs. And let us not forget that Andrew Rannells created the role of Jim Bakker in London, but he was replaced on Broadway by Christian Borle due to a "contract disagreement".
In far happier news, the reunion of original "Hairspray" gals Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kerry Butler and Laura Bell Bundy at New World Stages has been extended. "Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now" was slated for a one-month off-Broadway run. It's been extended a second month and will now close on December 21st. The show got a ringing endorsement from "Hairspray" creators Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Marc was so ebullient, he posted this: "If you love musicals, friendship, motherhood and outright joy, I can't encourage you enough to go see this delightful show. I'm so glad Scott Wittman and I stopped our lawyer from sending them a cease—and—desist order!"
Speaking of shows you shouldn't miss, there are two I'm flying to see in Los Angeles. The fantastic Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood will present the incomparable Marilyn Maye on Tuesday, December 3rd and Broadway's own Hugh Panaro on Thursday, December 5th. If I could, I'd see Jackie Beat on Friday, December 6th, but I'm otherwise engaged. You can get tix at CatalinaJazzClub.com. See you there!
Jussie Smollett got an early Christmas gift. His conviction for false allegations of a 2019 hate crime in the streets of Chicago has been overturned. Last week, the Illinois Supreme Court said: "We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believe it to be unjust. Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied." In other words, they feel that the special prosecutor's decision to retry the case violated Jussie's rights. That prosecutor had this to say: "Make no mistake —today's ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smollet's innocence." In fact, the court did not criticize the trial itself —just the fact that it took place at all. Thus ends another chapter...hopefully!
I never mentioned that Smollett got a chance to resume his career recently with the film "The Lost Holliday" —where he was executive producer, director, composer, and star. After a gay man's husband dies, his mother (played by Vivica A. Fox) flies out to take care of the arrangements, only to find out they've been handled by the husband (Jussie). While I never saw it, I heard it was entertaining and perhaps worth checking out.
This week's "Ask Billy" question comes from Daniel in Chicago: "What's the truth about this 'Gladiator II' same-sex kiss that Denzel's been talking about? Will we ever see it?"
During an interview promoting "Gladiator II", Denzel Washington said, "I kissed a guy full on the lips, and I think they got chicken. I guess they weren't ready for that yet." When asked about it on the red carpet, director Ridley Scott contradicted him. "No, that's bullshit. They acted the moment and it never happened." At the premiere, Denzel changed his tune. "They're making more of it than it was. I kissed him on his hands and gave him a peck." By the by, Denzel's initial claim was during a video interview with Gayety. The second one was on the red carpet standing next to wife Pauletta. I think you can figure it out after watching both interviews on BillyMasters.com.
When a kiss is not always a kiss, we've come to the end of yet another column. I dunno about you, but I now have no interest in seeing either "Gladiator" flick. But I would definitely check out www.BillyMasters.com —the site that doesn't beat around the bush. In fact, we show you the bush, the whole bush, and everything around the bush! If you want to get to the bottom of anything, drop a note to [email protected] and I promise to get back to you before McBride tinkles in Johnson's toilet! Until next time, remember, one man's filth is another man's bible.