"I'm so happy to know I have a fan in Maine!"—Joan Rivers in a letter to yours truly sometime in the mid-80s. Massachusetts had just begun using the MA abbreviation instead of Mass! She may have passed seven years ago, but she's always in my heart. Rest in peace, Auntie Joan!
Last week, I announced that I'm headed to Europe for a professional opportunity. The same day that column came out, the EU announced restrictions on U.S. travelers. Coincidence? To add insult to injury, one of the countries on my itinerary has made it clear that the only way an American is getting in there is if that person's a doctor, a frontline worker, a student with a visa or a migrant farm worker. While I worry I might end up like Tom Hanks in that film The Terminal, I'm far more concerned that I'll end up picking potatoes during my trip! We'll find out next week.
Have you heard the latest from Sir Cameron Mackintosh? When asked about casting trans actors, the theatrical producer said this: "You can't implant something that is not inherently there in the story or character; that's what I think. Just to do that, that becomes gimmick casting." This caused lots of chatter—with the loudest voice, happily, someone who it directly affected. Alexandra Billings said, "I am an actor. I am Mame and I am Madame Rose. I am Miss Hannigan and I am Annie Oakley and I am Fantine. But I am these stories because I am part of the human fabric and no one has the right to take any of this away from me. … I am an actor, Mr. Mackintosh, not a gimmick."
Sir Cameron responded: "I was recently asked by a journalist if I would consider making the character of Mary Poppins (not the actor playing the role) a transgender woman. Unfortunately, my answer has been misinterpreted to suggest that I am opposed to casting a transgender performer to play the role. This is absolutely not true. I meant only that I would not as a producer disregard the author P.L. Travers' original intention for the character. To be clear, whether a person is trans has no bearing on their suitability for any role in any of my shows, including Mary Poppins, as long as they can perform the role as written." Bravo!
Colton Underwood has a boyfriend. Of course he does. He only came out a year ago, but he has a boyfriend and a TV series. How nice for him. Not that I wish him ill—I truly hope he finds happiness. As to that new beau, they were first spotted together when Colton made that pre-season trip to Provincetown with Gus Kenworthy. Another person in that group was Jordan C. Brown, who is described in most outlets as a "well-connected political fundraiser." So, he has money. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'. The twosome was spotted at the Four Seasons resort in Maui, and one onlooker said, "They were all over each other." The photos we have capture a rather chaste kiss, but we'll post it anyway on BillyMasters.com .
Didya know that The White Lotus was filmed at the Four Seasons in Maui? A couple of weeks ago, sexy Murray Bartlett was spotted in Provincetown. I've made a few day trips to Ptown for a variety of reasons, and last week wrapped up my summer by seeing the sensational Marilyn Maye at the Provincetown Art House (her 11th season in Ptown). To say a 93-year-old woman is as good a singer as colleagues decades younger would be preposterous. And yet...that is the case with Miss Maye, who seems to have found the elusive Fountain of Youth. With her skill, intelligence and talent, she presents a show which focuses on her extraordinary strengths. Her ability to connect with a lyric and make it personal for everyone in the audience is a gift few have. Add in her powerful instrument and the joy she has in sharing it with us, and you have a winning combination. She was more than ably supported by a combo led by the brilliant Billy Stritch. Some footage can be found on BillyMasters.com .
Our "Ask Billy" question comes from Anthony in Texas: "Have you heard the rumors about Peyton Meyer accidentally posting a sex video on TikTok? Can you track it down?"
What I find amusing is that whenever sex videos or nude photos leak, they're often of former Disney kids. Things that make you go, "Hmm." I don't know Peyton Meyer, but he falls into that category. He is best known for the Disney series Girl Meets World and Dog with a Blog—both of which sound positively dreadful. He can also currently be seen in the Netflix film He's All That, and I can confirm that Peyton is all that … and then some. Here's what happened—somehow a video of Peyton having vigorous sex with his girlfriend popped up in a TikTok chat room. But the video was not new to moi—it surfaced back in May, which is when I got it. I'm glad I was asked to look into this story because my sources delivered two other videos of Meyer—one with another girl, and one with him taking his sizable matters into his own hand. All can be found on BillyMasters.com .
When a bird in the hand is better than two in a bush, it's time to end yet another column. You can find a cock-or-two on BillyMasters.com—the site that takes ornithology very seriously. Even if I'm stranded in a European airport, I'm still (hopefully) able to answer your questions. Feel free to send them to Billy@BillyMasters.com, and I promise to get back to you before I clear customs. So, until next time, remember: One man's filth is another man's bible.
