The PBS series Downton Abbey has entered the Guinness Book of World Records with the "highest critical review ratings for a TV show," according to a Deadline.com item. The new most "critically well-received show in the world" has assumed an honor previously held by shows such as Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy and Modern Family. Downton Abbey features Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville, among others.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored openly gay actor Neil Patrick Harris with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, according to a press release. The ceremony was held in celebration of the upcoming DVD release of How I Met Your Mother Season 6: The New is Always Better Edition Sept. 27. In 2010, Harris won his first two Emmy Awards for his guest-starring turn on the series Glee and his role as host of the 63rd Annual Tony Awards. Partner David Burtka attended the ceremony with Harris.
The Canadian band The Infinity Intention has released a video for its single "That Old Road" ( from the debut EP Under the Water ) that features lead singer Laura Aidanblaise as half of a lesbian couple. The video is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp4DwkZB5cw&feature=youtu.be.
Gay Archie Comics character Kevin Keller and his fiance will marry in issue 16 of Life with Archie issue 16, on sale in January, according to Advocate.com . Although the Life with Archie series looks at alternate futures for the main character, publishers said that Keller's adult life and marriage would be featured as well. The issue will also reveal that Keller has become war hero and show how he met his husband.
Two gay men with 12 children may get their own reality show on Oprah Winfrey's network, according to Lohud.com . Phoenix couple Steven and Roger Ham are raising Olivia, 2; Ambrose, 4; Cooper, 4; Marcus, 5; Logan, 7; Madison, 8; Jackson, 8; Andy, 11; Elizabeth, 12; Isabel, 13; Michael, 13; and Vanessa, 16. Producer Ken Mok ( America's Next Top Model ) who's involved in the pitch to Winfreysaid, "It's the normalcy [ of the family ] that makes it a good show."
Transgender model Isis King posted on People.com about the first episode of America's Next Top Model: All Stars. She talked about winning the first modeling challenge, which aired Sept. 14: "During panel, my photo prompted judge André Leon Talley to say, 'You are the new mermaid, darling!' ... Elimination was bittersweet for me because my name was called first, garnering me the honor of best photo of the week, but my friend, 'party girl' Brittany Brower, was sent home."
In the October issue of GQ Magazine, legendary actor/director Clint Eastwood airs his thoughts on same-sex marriage, according to Reuters. The director of J. Edgarthe upcoming with Leonardo DiCaprio portraying the late FBI Chief J. Edgar Hooversaid, "I don't give a fuck about who wants to get married to anybody else! Why not?! We're making a big deal out of things we shouldn't be making a deal out of ... Just give everybody the chance to have the life they want." DiCaprio added that there are other issues, such as the economy and global warming, that warrant more attention.
Thomas Jane, star of the HBO series Hung, has clarified a statement in which he said, "I told HBO, the year I end up with a penis in my mouth is the last year of the show," according to NYMag.com . At the premiere of the movie Machine Gun Preacher, Jane explained, "Of course, everything I said was meant in good humor, good fun. ... I'm a fan of the gay community. ... [ A ] lot of the writers on Hung are gay, so it's amusing to think, obviously I would never be able to tell HBO what to do, or the writers how to write the character." He added that his character is "very rigid in his belief system, and his comfort zone is rather narrow."
American Horror Storythe new FX horror series from Glee creator Ryan Murphyhas gotten gayer with the addition of out actress Sarah Paulson, Shewired.com reported. Paulson, who is already on the ABC show Desperate Housewives as Felicity Huffman's sister, will portray a four-episode arc as a medium named Billie Dean. Zachary Quinto and Teddy Sears will portray a gay couple on "Horror Story." In addition, Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet ( who plays one half of the gay couple ) has reportedly landed a guest-starring role, Digital Spy reported.
In other Stonestreet-related news, he has signed to star in a new HBO movie about the life of the late controversial silent-film actor Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, according to Digital Spy. Arbuckle was extremely popular in the 1910s; however, his career was ruined in the early 1920s following accusations of rape and manslaughter. "I just always found it to be such a fascinating and tragic story," said Stonestreet. " [ Arbuckle ] went from this jolly person who fell down and entertained people into a sexual deviant. It's a true story people don't know about, with a twist."
Actor Brad Pitt told Parade magazine that there is no federal law for marriage equality because of "blatant, ugly bigotry," according to Advocate.com . Pittwho said in 2006 that he and longtime partner Angelina Jolie won't marry until all U.S. same-sex couples can do sosaid, "To be against marriage for everyone is utter discrimination. I feel strongly about that because if equality of marriage doesn't happen now, the next generation will have to deal with it."
Glee star Heather Morris, who portrays cheerleader Brittany, has said that she once had a boob job despite previously denying this, according to Digital Spy. In February, Morris said that her busty look was because of her choices in underwear, not breast surgery. She now says that not only did she get implants, but she had them removed after they caused health problems.
Speaking of Glee, actor Chris Colfer ( who plays out student Kurt ) said that he considers writing to be his "true passion," Digital Spy reported. Colfer told Parade magazine, "I produce, I love to write. That's really my thing. I think that's my true passion. Writing a character and portraying it. It has to be very, very near and dear to my heart to ever want to direct anything. Like, if I got called to direct a Wicked movie, but other than that, I have no interest." Recently, Colfer got a development deal with the Disney Channel for his series The Little Leftover Witch.
Get ready for more Kim Kardashian, as she has agreed to executive-produce a new reality series about the musical act Pussycat Dolls, Digital Spy reported. American Idol producer and So You Think You Can Dance judge Nigel Lythgoe will be the main producer. The Pussycat Dolls' previous line-up, including X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger, disbanded last year in order to pursue solo careers.
Bounty has partnered with The Get Schooled Foundation ( an organization dedicated to improving education by working directly with students and their teachers ) to celebrate and support teachers in their classrooms across the country with the help of actor and HBO Entourage star Adrian Grenier, Grammy-winning singer/gay fave Jennifer Hudson and actor/comedian George Lopez, according to a press release. Hudson will fulfill the wish of music and choral teacher Richard Nunley, formerly of Dunbar Vocational High School and currently teaching at Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago.
The rock group Foo Fighters prepared for a concert in Kansas City, Mo., recently by singing in frontand making funa group of picketers from the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church, according to Advocate.com . The band dressed as redneck truckers from its homoerotic video, "Keep It Clean ( Hot Buns ) ." During a break in the song, Grohl said, "Men loving women and women loving men and men loving men and women loving womenyou all know we like to watch that. But what I'd like to say is, God Bless America, y'all!"
Before taking part in a one-night-only reading of Dustin Lance Black's production 8, White Collar star Matt Bomer talked with Advocate.com about being part of the project. Bomer, a father of three children, said that marriage equality is important: "It's sad that in 2011 we even have to discuss the fight for marriage equality in the United States. How can we say that we're a country that grants liberty and justice for all, and yet denies same-sex couples the right to marry?" The production was based on the trial surrounding Proposition 8.
Singer Jessie J said that she cried after being forced to pull out of her opening slot on Katy Perry's tour, Digital Spy reported. Jessie was supposed to join in November, but she needs more time to let a broken foot heal properly. Ellie Goulding will replace her, playing shows in Hartford, Conn.; Las Vegas; New York; Oakland, Calif.; and Los Angeles in November.
The band Queen may reunite with Free lead singer Paul Rodgers, according to a Digital Spy item. Drummer Roger Taylor told Rolling Stone that they may come together for a performance at next year's London Olympics. Taylor also said that he will be putting together a special Queen tribute band called The Queen Extravaganza. Singer Freddie Mercury was Queen's lead singer until his death in 1991 at age 45 of AIDS-related pneumonia.
Actress Anne Hathaway is slated to hold talks with Glee creator Ryan Murphy, Digital Spy reported. The Love and Other Drugs actress is eager to make a guest appearance on the show. Murphy told MTV News, "I'm meeting with Anne in the next couple weeks. We're not going to do guest stars at all the first half of the season, but I would love to work with her and she supposedly has the whole thing mapped out."
The MTV Europe Music Award nominations have been announced, and Lady Gaga led with six nods, according to the Herald Sun. The "Judas" singer was nominated for Best Female, Best Live Act, Best Pop Act, Best Song, Best Video and Biggest Fans. Katy Perry and Bruno Mars scored four nominations each. The award ceremony will take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Nov. 6.
Rosie O'Donnell, whose show debuts Oct. 10, is under contract to purchase a 6,000-square-foot home in Lakeview, according to the Chicago Tribune. The home has five bedrooms, five-plus baths, a 2,000-square-foot roof deck and a theater room. The purchase price$2.5 millionincludes all the furniture. Chicago magazine reported that Erik Logan, president of the Oprah Winfrey Network, owns the home. Logan is moving with some members of Winfrey's team to California.
Speaking of O'Donnell, she introduced new girlfriend Michelle Rounds Sept. 19 at her annual Rosie Theater Kids Gala in New York City, People.com reported. A source said, "They met at a Starbucks a few months ago. They are adorable together and are very, very happy." Rounds is a corporate headhunter for a New York City IT company.