New York City's Tectonic Theater Project will launch a multi-city tour of the Laramie Project and the Laramie Project Epilogue: 10 Years Later this fall as part of a Laramie Project Residency, according to a press release. Performances locations include Boston; Philadelphia; University Park, Penn.; Cedar Falls, Iowa; San Francisco; and Whitewater, Wis. Performances will include an educational component with artists leading workshops in "Moment Work," the company's style of creating plays and post-performance discussions with audiences.
ESPN has started showing Unmatched, the new documentary that profiles the rivalry between tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, according to Advocate.com . The hour-long film has the two icons reminiscing about issues such as Navratilova coming out of the closet in 1981 and Evert's support of that decision.
After meeting with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Univision.com editors have pulled a survey that asked, "Is homosexuality compatible with sports?," according to Advocate.com . ( The question surfaced days after GLAAD pressured CNN pulled a question that asked, "Is the surge in gay TV characters 'bad for society'?" ) The survey question had several answers, including "No, soccer is a sport for macho men." In addition, Univision's sports editor has apologized.
Ryan Buell, who stars in the A&E docu-series Paranormal State, has come out as bisexual is his book, Paranormal State: My Journey Into the Unknown, according to EW.com . Buell, a Roman Catholic, wrote, "I've decided to share my sexuality and struggle over faith in hopes that others will no longer feel as though they are alone or that they can't be religious."
Former Chicago Bear Dan Hampton has apologized on the show Pro Football Weekly for an anti-gay statement he made during the Sept. 5 broadcast, according to On Top Magazine. Analyzing one particular team, Hampton said, "The Cowboys think they are Clint Eastwood; they're more of the Brokeback variety, if you know what I'm talking about," referring to the gay-cowboy film Brokeback Mountain. In apologizing, Hampton said, "Last week I made a couple of comments about Katrina and the gay community that not only embarrassed myself but the fine people here at Pro Football Weekly. I'm an idiot. And I am truly sorry if those comments, you know, offended any of our great and wonderful viewers." Regarding the storm that devastated New Orleans and other parts of the South, Hampton had also said, "The Vikings need to go down there and hit that town like Katrina."
Sept. 2 was "90210 Day" as people celebrated the '90s teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210, according to CBS News. It was the only day this century that lined up with the famous zip code ( 09/02/10 ) . The show—which has been revamped as a series on the CW simply known as 90210—followed a group of teenagers in southern California as they tackled issues such as gay rights, alcoholism and rape. US Magazine reported that Tori Spelling, one of the stars of the original show, said that her father—the late executive producer Aaron Spelling—"would be proud."
Lionsgate—the movie studio that put out the Academy Award-winning movie Precious last year—has acquired the North American rights to Rabbit Hole, which is helmed by John Cameron Mitchell, who is openly gay. Thompson on Hollywood said that the movie ( which stars Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart and Dianne Wiest ) debuted in Toronto Sept. 13, and was a hit with critics. Rabbit Hole is about two parents grieving over losing their very young son in an accident.
Another actor has reportedly come out of the closet and is even set to get married. According to BuzzTab.com, Jim Parsons ( who recently won an Emmy for his role as ultra-nerd Sheldon on TV's The Big Bang Theory ) , 37, is set to get hitched to his partner, art director Todd Spiewak. The ceremony will supposedly take place during the holiday season in Massachusetts.
Actors from the ABC soaps General Hospital and All My Children will perform Oct. 7-9 to raise funds for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, according to Advocate.com . All My Children's Walt Willey, Cameron Mathison and Christina Bennett Lind ( who portrayed out lesbian Bianca ) will host the three-night benefit performance of the Kander and Ebb revue The World Goes 'Round.
Troubled starlet Lindsay Lohan has failed a drug test, according to TMZ.com . Lohan was recently sentenced to 90 days in jail, serving 13; then she was in rehab for three weeks and two days. Lohan was required to submit to random drug and alcohol tests twice a week. According to ABC News, Lohan posted on Twitter, "Regrettably, I did in fact fail my most recent drug test and if I am asked, I am prepared to appear before judge Fox next week as a result." She has been ordered to appear in court Sept. 24, CNN.com reported.
Out singer Adam Lambert is denying that he punched a photographer at Miami Beach, according to EW.com . Lambert reportedly "wrestled [ the photographer ] to the ground forcefully" after becoming angry at the paparazzo for continuously snapping pictures, according to police documents. On Twitter, Lambert posted, "Battery? Nope. I attempted to grab a camera, no punches were thrown and no one was on the ground…. It was literally harmless. If embarrassment is a crime- thats all I'm guilty of."
Speaking of Lambert, Michael Catherwood—the co-host of E!'s Daily 10 program—was slated to apologize on his show for suggesting that Lambert might like being in prison because of his sexual orientation, according to Advocate.com . After reporting Lambert's run-in with a photographer, Catherwood said Sept. 17, "From what I know about jail, Mr. Lambert probably wouldn't have too bad a time." Catherwood, after being contacted by GLAAD, later posted on Twitter, "If offense was taken I'm sincerely sorry. Merely an attempt at comedy."
Sacha Baron Cohen—known for his starring roles in the movies Borat and Bruno—has signed on to portray the late Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury, the New York Times reported. The untitled biopic will focus on the Queen's performance at the 1985 Live Aid benefit concert. The producers have not indicated if Cohen will actually sing songs such as "Bohemian Rhapsody." Mercury died of AIDS-related bronchopneumonia in 1991.
Andy Whitfield, the star of the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, will not return for a second season because of a cancer recurrence that requires aggressive treatment, according to People.com . Whitfield, 36, said in a statement, "It's with a deep sense of disappointment that I must step aside from such an exceptional project as Spartacus and all the wonderful people involved." He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma earlier this year.
The late gay fashion designer Alexander McQueen was honored at a memorial service during London Fashion Week, according to the New York Times. The service took place Sept. 20 in St. Paul's Cathedral, with people such as fellow designer Stella McCartney, actress Sarah Jessica Parker and supermodel Naomi Campbell attending. Vogue Editor Anna Wintour said in her address that " [ t ] here was no comfort zone with Alexander McQueen." McQueen committed suicide Feb. 11.
The group R.E.M.—consisting of guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and out singer Michael Stipe—has just finished recording its 15th studio album, which will be released next spring by Warner Bros. Records, according to a press release. The new album will be the follow-up to 2008's charging Accelerate, which debuted at number two on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. The band also released a two-CD live set, "R.E.M. Live At The Olympia," last October.
Jodie Foster is defending troubled actor Mel Gibson, whom she still considers a friend, according to Canoe.ca. Foster told More magazine, "When you love a friend you don't abandon them when they are struggling. Of course, Mel is an undeniably gifted actor and director and The Beaver is one of his most powerful and and moving performances. But more importantly, he is and has been a true and loyal friend. I hope I can help him get through this dark moment." Foster and Gibson worked on the 1994 film Maverick, and recently reunited for the new movie The Beaver, which Foster also directed.
In other Jodie Foster-related news, she has been cleared of charges related to an alleged attack on a teenage photographer, according to E! News. Los Angeles City Attorney's Office spokesman Frank Mateljan said, "We did get a copy of the complaint but declined to file charges." The teenager's father claimed that Foster "pushed and shoved" the boy after he attempted to photograph her and her children.
Paris Hilton's troubles have been following her. After she pled guilty to cocaine possession in Las Vegas, Hilton, 29, was detained by immigration officials when she flew to Japan to promote her fashion line, MTV.com reported. On Sept. 20, a judge ruled that Hilton had to pay $2,000 in fines, perform 200 hours of community service and complete an "intensive" substance-abuse program.
