Trevor Noah wrapping up his monologue at the Grammy Awards: "We're gonna be listening to some music, we're gonna be dancing, we're gonna be singing, we're gonna be keeping people's names out of our mouths and we're gonna be giving out awards all throughout the night."
When I would misbehave as a child, I'd apologize, and Big Mama Masters would roll her eyes and say, "You're only sorry that you got caught." I believe that is why Will Smith is "heartbroken." Apparently, all gay men turn into their mothers because I, too, rolled my eyes during the Oscars—not unlike that thespian, Jada Pinkett Smith! And it bears repeating: Will Smith laughed heartily when Chris Rock implied that Jada could be hired to star in a movie. Heck, we all laughed at that! According to onlookers, after the eye roll, Jada leaned back and said something to Will. Perhaps it was some Scientology trigger right out of The Manchurian Candidate. What followed was not a crime of passion, because Smith took his time as he strode onto the stage purposely. The only thing he didn't say was "Hold my hoops!" It may have been the most shocking thing on live TV since Jack Ruby.
In the midst of all this drama, another Black comedian made news—by coming out. In his HBO special, Jerrod Carmichael (from The Carmichael Show) revealed that he's gay. He added, "I thought I'd never, ever come out. At many points I thought I'd rather die than confront the truth of that, to actually say it to people. Because I know it changes some people's perceptions of me." It should be noted that his special, Rothaniel, was taped in February at the Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC … and yet news of his sexuality never broke.
Obviously, we talked about the Oscars on Billy Masters LIVE, and we had an expert panel to weave us through the highs and lows. Karl Schmid hosted the red carpet both before and after the awards for our local ABC affiliate. Elex Michaelson, currently on our FOX affiliate, has worked that beat before. And Bruce Vilanch is an Oscar legend, penning puns for most of the hosts over the past four decades. This week, we sit down with David Pevsner to talk about his new memoir, Damn Shame, in which he talks about (among other things) his concurrent careers as a Broadway performer and a male escort. We broadcast live on Thursday at 2 p.m. CT, or you can watch after the fact. Join in the fun on our YouTube channel, Billy Masters TV or on BillyMasters.com/TV.
Colton Underwood is pissed off. He can't get a single network interested in televising his nuptials. I don't know why a former Bachelor who pissed off several ladies, was accused of stalking one of them, came out in conjunction with signing a deal with Netflix and got engaged a few months later would have problems getting anyone to take his wedding seriously. An insider revealed how the network meetings went: "What was interesting is that Colton attended most of those meetings without his fiance. This is clearly The Colton Wedding Pitch; who he is marrying seems to be just another detail." Fear not—Colton is appearing on CBS' Beyond the Edge, a show I'm told is "unwatchable." That might explain why I'm not watching it.
In happier news, Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan were married in Mexico in one of those destination weddings that everyone loves so much. In 2017, Jonathan came out. In 2018, he started dating Vaughan, an Amazing Race contestant and former Chippendales dancer. In 2020, they were engaged. And in 2021, Bennett proved that his penis was like clouds in his coffee—as you can see on BillyMasters.com .
I recently got to see a number of friends perform live. Why, it was almost like the old days. First was Sam Harris, whose new show, "Openly Gray," hit the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. He's making his way back after vocal surgery, and his voice (one of the marvels of the modern world) is in enviable shape. The passage of time has richened his connection with material he's sung for decades, and the audience loved every second.
My week wrapped up with Broadway great Kelli O'Hara in concert with Seth Rudetsky at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. Seth knows exactly how to get the best out of people, especially when the talent is as luminous as O'Hara. It was one of those shows you were honored to witness.
Our "Ask Billy" question comes from Robert in Texas: "You mentioned Colton Haynes is writing his memoirs. When is that coming out?"
Thank you for reminding me, Robert. With all this talk about "Bachelor" Colton, I completely forgot about Mr. Haynes. However, it should be noted that Underwood also wrote a memoir—a book in which he managed to avoid revealing a single personal detail. I expect much more from Haynes, who is not only openly gay but seems to find great relief in being honest. He's even taken the unprecedented step of doing a reading of the prologue well before it drops May 31. Should you like a teaser from the horse's mouth, head on over to BillyMasters.com .
When any part of Colton is being compared to a horse, it's definitely time to end yet another column. Did you know that in April 2007, Newsweek called Will Smith "the most powerful actor in Hollywood?" While we wait to see what they call him now, head on over to BillyMasters.com—the site that makes news every week. If you have a question for me, send it to Billy@BillyMasters.com, and I promise to get back to you before Jada warns Will to keep Jerrod out of his mouth! So, until next time, remember: One man's filth is another man's bible.
