"If Trick were made today, I'd not have been cast in it. I consider myself lucky to have been part of this beautiful film." —Christian Campbell discusses his role in the 1999 classic, which ultimately defined his career.
I start with a sad story for gays around the world. Worthie Paul Meacham, known to many as the larger-than-life drag queen Momma, passed away. He was one of the most visible and active drag personalities in California, and was seen by a larger audience in film and television (including the infamous Madonna episode of Will & Grace). On a personal level, the two of us hosted LA Pride together for a record-setting 7 consecutive years.
Momma also had a charitable side, tirelessly volunteering for numerous organizations that serviced our LGBT community, including Project Angel Food (working alongside such folks as George Michael, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle). During the pandemic, Worthie found himself in need of their services. "I gave everything I could to an organization that is now there for me. How lucky am I? There is no shame in needing help. I don't believe in shame."
When I wrote a profile on Worthie for the LA Blade in 2020, I asked his thoughts on how far our community has come. He was mostly hopeful, but added this: "I just wish people would be kinder. I wish people would be more understanding. And, damn it, I wish people were having more fun." Rest in peace, Momma!
Speaking of Project Angel Food, one of their most fervent supporters is our friend, Sheryl Lee Ralph. And what a few years Miss Ralph has been having—talk about "it gets better." You may recall we told you about a movie, "The Fabulous Four." It was about Bette Midler inviting her college pals to be bridesmaids at her wedding. Those friends were supposed to be Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally and Sissy Spacek—so obviously they all graduated during different decades! Because of strike-related delays, Miss Spacek dropped out before filming resumed. Who could possibly hold her own against these powerhouses? Enter Miss Sheryl Lee Ralph! Congrats.
Recently, a curious film began shooting in Budapest. No, not a biopic about the Gabor sisters—but wouldn't that be a great idea? No, this is a biopic about Maria Callas—starring Angelina Jolie, naturally.
The film depicts the last decade of the diva's life, which includes her relationship with Aristotle Onassis, played by Turkish actor Haluk Bilginer. Lemme get this straight—a movie about a couple of Greeks living in Paris being filmed in Hungary? Makes sense to me. Photos from the set have leaked, and Angie certainly has Callas' eyeliner down to a T.
Didya know we have Dawn French to thank for the Absolutely Fabulous film? She made a bet with her comedy partner, Jennifer Saunders, on a live BBC radio show. Jennifer was procrastinating writing the film. Dawn, tired of hearing these promises, said, "If you haven't written it by this time next Christmas, you will owe me a hundred thousand pounds. By this time next year, or you owe me a hundred grand." Bing, bang, boom—the script was written. French has worked her magic again.
On the French & Saunders podcast Titting About, they recounted the old bet (which they say was for 10 grand—but you can hear the original on BillyMasters.com ). Jennifer now says, "I need to write a film or a series based on AbFab...I want to do something related." Dawn made Saunders promise to write "a serious first draft of a film related to AbFab by the 31st of December." Jennifer then walked over to Dawn and shook hands. French triumphantly exclaimed, "There's a deal for a new AbFab product."
The UK daily show This Morning has been plagued with upheaval this past year. First, aging heartthrob Phillip Schofield left the show in disgrace once his romance with a much younger male underling went public. Now his co-host, Holly Willoughby, has abruptly quit.
The rather milquetoast lass is hardly a lightning rod for scandal. And yet, it was revealed that a man had been planning to kidnap and murder Willoughby! To put this in context, it would be as if someone wanted to harm Savannah Guthrie—and I'm not entirely sure who she is! While the plot against Holly was revealed in plenty of time, she made the decision to step away from the show to protect her family. However, rumors already swirl that she is poised to sign onto an as-yet unnamed BBC project. Stay tuned.
As a devotee of Frasier, I eagerly awaited this new version. Based on limited viewing, I can say it has many good things going for it. Kelsey Grammer slips into the character like a warm, inviting bath—an analogy I've never used before, but seems apt. For the past 20 years, he lived in Chicago with Laura Linney and had a TV talk show. Now he's moved back to Boston, and he's surrounded himself with some new cohorts. Most effortlessly cast is Nicholas Lyndhurst as Frasier's college friend (fun fact—Kelsey met Lyndhurst in 2019 when they appeared in "Man of La Mancha" for the English National Opera). Toks Olagundoye is wry and winning as Harvard's psychiatric department head. Anders Keith as Niles and Daphne's son is a gifted physical comedian who might prove an intriguing comic foil. While Jess Salgueiro has some appeal, her character is completely superfluous. That leaves us with Jack Cutmore-Scott as Frasier's son Freddy—aka Frederick Gaylord Crane. He's obviously there as a surrogate for Martin Crane—a public servant at odds with his pretentious papa. They have little chemistry, which may be a plus. However, one laments that nobody asked Trevor Einhorn—the best-known Freddy from the original show—to reprise the role.
`I never really cared about Jada Pinkett Smith—although I think she's quite striking. I also think she's a lying sack of s*it. Strike that—I know she's a lying sack of s*it. And you know who called her on it? Hoda Kotb, of all people (well, she knows a liar when she's talking to one). Hoda said, "I feel like you're a straight talker." Jada nodded. "I am." Kotb hastened to add, "Except you're not sometimes." And that, my darlings, is how it's done.
We just heard that Madonna's new shows will feature 3 songs never before sung on tour—which, if one is being completely accurate, probably refers to more than just three songs. The concert is staged like a musical biography, including (and I quote) "spectacular acting and breathtaking choreography." This all sounds terribly exciting, but it does beg one very important question—who on Earth will play Madonna?
Our last few stories were all "Ask Billy" questions. Many, MANY of you have asked if I've seen the nude photo of President Joe Biden's little brother Frank. Not only have I seen him, but he ain't so little!
The modern equivalent of Roger Clinton has a rockin' body for his age and quite a sizeable appendage. And, wait a minute—is that a semi I see? With this impressive package, it's no surprise that Frank copped to the cock shot. The photo was private, and meant for his long-term lady friend Mindy. Beyond that, his lips were sealed. "I've absolutely no comment. I couldn't care less. I haven't even looked at it. They must have hacked my phone." You can see it on BillyMasters.com with minimal effort...except, perhaps, a bit of lockjaw!
People all over the world have claimed to have had their hands on Hunter Biden's laptop. But if they saw the photos and videos we have, they'd work a bit harder to get their hands on his "laptop"—if you catch my drift. This is the first time I've taken any interest in Hunter Biden. But now, all that talk about drugs and hookers makes total sense. Who knew that getting him off requires two feet? As you'll see on our website.
Our actual "Ask Billy" question this week comes from Chad in Miami: "I just saw some really hot photos of Zane Phillips in torn underwear. What's that all about?"
Here's a question that...how shall we say, piqued our interest. The lovely Zane Phillips indeed did a rather risqué pictorial in some rather battered briefs—with a most provocative tear in the back. How can we say this delicately? He's sporting a gaping hole in the vicinity of his gaping hole. And I'd be mighty happy to try and score a hole in one—and I don't even play football! What's left of the briefs in question comes from Dsquared2. What they know about Phillips' proclivities is under wraps. But the rest is on display at BillyMasters.com .
When someone has the good sense to uncover Zane's bottom, we've definitely come to the end of yet another column. As we went to press, we learned of the passing of Suzanne Somers. She was always lovely to me—I usually saw her with her bestie, Barry Manilow. All sorts of timely news can be found on www.BillyMasters.com —the site that's willing to master whatever you've got between your thighs. I think my next travel stop should be DC to track down Frank or Hunter. While I'm Biden my time, you can drop a note to Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before I'm plugged in with a Biden (or plugging a Zane). So, until next time, remember, one man's filth is another man's bible.
