NPH to Host TV Land Awards
March 3, 2009
One of glaadBLOG’s favorite funnymen, Neil Patrick Harris, has been tapped to host this year’s TV Land Awards. The ceremony traditionally spoofs the more staid awards shows, so we know that NPH is the right man to strike the appropriate tone.
The awards take place April 19 at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles, and will run on TV Land a week later at 9 PM EST.
Oh What a Night!
February 23, 2009
So many great moments took place tonight during the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Relive the night with a little rundown of the evening, provided by glaadBLOG.
First up was Penelope Cruz, winning Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a woman involved with both a man and a woman in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Next came Best Original Screenplay, awarded to Dustin Lance Black for Milk. (Be sure to read his moving acceptance speech here.)
An hour and a half into the ceremony, we were treated to a hilarious spot featuring James Franco and Seth Rogan watching a series of films that came out in 2008. While they both thought The Reader and Doubt were uproariously funny, a tender scene from Milk (Sean Penn and James Franco himself sharing an intimate kiss) got the two guys misty-eyed, and James even put an arm around Seth to be closer to him. Too funny!
Finally, Sean Penn was awarded Best Actor, calling the Academy, “You Commie homo-loving sons of guns!” He went on to address the protesters outside the Kodak Theatre. “I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.”
Take THAT! (Read his entire speech here.)
Congratulations to everyone involved. Though Milk didn’t win all eight of the awards it was nominated for, we are still very happy that such great LGBT-inclusive projects were honored throughout the evening.
Fun fact: Tonight’s awards were produced by GLAAD Media Award honoree Bill Condon.
OSCAR WATCH: Who Supports Marriage Equality?
February 22, 2009
As promised, we’re on the hunt for who will be wearing white knots at the Academy Awards today, symbolizing their support of marriage equality. Emile Hirsch (of Milk fame) was the first to walk the carpet sporting the white knot, around 2:30 pm PST.
3:54 pm — Josh Brolin (also from Milk, nominated for his portrayal of Harvey Milk’s assassin, Dan White) has a white knot firmly pinned to his lapel.
3:56 pm — Gus Van Sant (Oscar-nominated director of Milk) is also spotted with a white knot.
4:09 pm — Milk’s nominated composer Danny Elfman is the first Milk man to be spotted without a white knot. Hmmm.
4:14 pm – Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married) just arrived. Apparently, she promised to wear a white knot, and yet I see no knot in sight. Perhaps her ivory dress is one giant white knot?
4:17 pm – James Franco is in attendance. He won for his role in Milk last night at the Independent Spirit Awards, but I see no knot.
4:18 pm — Sean Penn just pulled up in his limo. No knot. Sigh.
4:21 pm — Got another look at Anne Hathaway. She’s clutching the hand of an older gentleman, who is proudly wearing a white knot! Annie, please accept our apologies for doubting your commitment to the community. If you aren’t going to wear the knot, we’re happy you made your date do so.
4:30 pm — E!’s Ryan Seacrest interviews white-knot-clad nominee Josh Brolin. He says, “I think Harvey Milk was an inspiration — a massive inspiration. Had he stayed alive, had he not been killed, I think a lot of people would have lived through the AIDS crisis, a lot more people than who died. You know, there’s not a lot of heroes anymore, and he was one of the great last heroes that we had in this country.”
4:44 pm — We were hoping that Brad Pitt would be wearing a knot to the Oscars, as he was one of the biggest supporters in the No on 8 campaign, but alas, the nominee is knotless tonight.
5:16 pm — Looks like the interviews are winding down, so we’ll sign off for now. Maybe a surprise presenter will come out with a white knot added to his or her outfit… One can hope! Marriage equality for all!
UPDATE, 6:02 pm: Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black proudly displayed his knot onscreen!
Congratulations, James and Dustin!
February 22, 2009
Yes, we’re on a first-name basis with the men behind Milk, because we’re thrilled to announce that both James Franco and Dustin Lance Black took home statuettes tonight at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Franco was given the honor of Best Supporting Male, while Black was awarded Best First Screenplay.
This doesn’t mean that Milk was the only LGBT-inclusive project honored. Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a film involving a love triangle, was given two awards as well: Best Screenplay (Woody Allen) and Best Supporting Female (Penelope Cruz).
Synecdoche, New York, which features a minor but poignant lesbian character, was also lauded tonight with the awards of Best First Feature, as well as the 2nd annual Robert Altman Award, given to one film’s director (Charlie Kaufman), casting director (Jeanne McCarthy), and ensemble cast.
Unfortunately, Milk was not given awards for all of its nominations. Sean Penn was up for Best Male Lead while Harris Savides was nommed for Best Cinematography. The Wrestler took both categories.
Milk is up for eight Academy Awards, which take place tomorrow night. Be sure to tune into ABC and keep your fingers crossed!
What to Watch: This Weekend
February 20, 2009
The choice is obvious for this weekend: you should be glued — GLUED, I say! — to your television on both Saturday and Sunday, to (hopefully!) witness the accolades Milk will receive at both the Independent Spirit Awards and the Academy Awards.
Of course, if awards shows aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of other good stuff on…
FRIDAY
> Eleven Minutes, here! (1 hr, 30 min) NEW
Making its television debut, this documentary follows Project Runway designer Jay McCarroll after winning the first season.
> 8:00 PM Degrassi: The Next Generation, The N (30 min) NEW
Football star Riley makes a major confession to his friends. (Hint: It’s why the show is listed on TV Gayed this week.)
> 10:00 PM Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO (1 hr) SEASON PREMIERE
This no-holds barred news show is broadcast live, so you never know what to expect. Bill regularly discusses LGBT issues and features gay panelists and commentators, so check it out!
SATURDAY
> 5:00 PM Independent Spirit Awards, IFC (3 hrs) NEW
Celebrate the best in independent film with host Steve Coogan. Root for LGBT-inclusive noms like Synecdoche, New York (Best First Feature, Best Screenplay), Savage Grace (Best Screenplay) and Milk (Best First Screenplay). Sean Penn and James Franco are also nominated for their roles in Milk, so why fight it? WATCH IT. Airs at 2 pm PST, and at 10 pm EST/PST on AMC.
> 8:00 PM Ebony Chunky Love: Bitch Can’t Get a Date, Logo (1 hr) NEW
Sirius Out Q radio host Keith Price will dissolve you into laughter when he shares his life experience in being a “fresh, fierce and fabulous” black gay man.
> 9:00 PM Law & Order: SVU, NBC (1 hr) REPEAT
If you missed the first airing of this episode on Tuesday, check out “Transitions” tonight. Transgender representation abounds, with a special appearance by The L Word’s Daniela Sea.
> 9:00 PM Color Splash, HGTV (30 min) NEW
Gay interior designer David Bromstad reworks living spaces. . Tonight, he creates a cottage-inspired bedroom.
SUNDAY
> 8:00 PM The Amazing Race 14, CBS (1 hr) NEW
Ten teams are still competing to win the ultimate prize. One team is made up of gay activist Mel White and his bi son Mike White.
> 8:30 PM The 81st Annual Academy Awards, ABC (3 hrs) NEW
Have you made your predictions? Will it be Milk or will Slumdog take its place as Best Picture? And what about Sean Penn vs. Mickey Rourke? Who will win that battle? You’ve got to see it to believe it. Hugh Jackman hosts, so even if our faves don’t win, we’ll at least have something nice to look at for three hours. Airs at 5:30 pm PST.
> 9:00 PM Big Love, HBO (1 hr) NEW
Everyone has something to hide. Alby is married to several women and yet cruises for sex in men’s bathrooms, while Heather pines away for her best friend Sarah.
> 9:00 PM The L Word, Showtime (1 hr) NEW
Yet another reason to kill Jenny: She’s insisting on hosting Max’s baby shower, just days after calling him a “beautiful woman with curves.” Our question: why did Max agree to this disastrous idea?
> 10:00 PM The United States of Tara, Showtime (30 min) NEW
In this new comedy about a woman with multiple personalities, Marshall is her sweet, sensitive son who has a crush on a cute boy from class.
Look for the White Ribbons on Sunday
February 19, 2009
There’s a new ribbon making the awards circuit. It’s a white knot, symbolizing support of same-sex marriage. All of the high-profile nominees have been sent ribbons by the WhiteKnot.org campaign, in the hopes that they will wear them at Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony.
According to Frank Voci, the man behind the campaign, Anne Hathaway has said she will wear a ribbon, along with some of the Milk nominees.
“They all get the poignant timing and the March 5 court date,” Voci told Daily Variety, referring to the day that the California Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on wether to overturn Proposition 8, which passed last November and bans same-sex nuptials in the state.
Voci founded WhiteKnot a week after Prop 8 passed, and estimates that his team has given out 20,000 – 30,000 ribbons.
Variety writes:
Obviously, the idea is to get at least one or two names to wear one at an award show, and the trend snowballs. That’s what happened back in 1991, when the group Visual AIDS handed out the inverted V red ribbons for stars to wear at that year’s Tony awards, symbolizing awareness of AIDS at a time when the disease still carried a heavy stigma. The trend quickly spread to the Emmys, Grammys and Oscars, to the point where they became ubiquitous not just at ceremonies, but even at non televised events or even average Joes on the street.
While the white ribbons also are a means of polite protest, they also evoke a bitter, polarizing electoral battle, the subject of continued demonstrations and threats of boycotts. While Proposition 8 supporters in entertainment were few and far between, they do exist. Ironically enough, at the Grammy party, photographers snapped a picture of [Dave] Grohl, ribbon on his lapel, chatting up Pat Boone, a vocal supporter of Prop 8.
We’ll have our eyes peeled for who is wearing the white knot on Sunday, with full dish Monday morning. Come back and read all about it!
Get Red-Carpet Ready with Nick Verreos!
February 18, 2009
If you’re anything like us, you’re clamoring for any excuse to celebrate the Oscars early. Well why not count down the days (only four to go!) with a daily web series called “Behind the Dress,” hosted by Project Runway’s Nick Verreos?
NAACP Image Awards Winners
February 13, 2009
Though we reported last month that the NAACP Image Awards held an unprecedented number of LGBT-inclusive nominations in its 40th year, sadly, these noms didn’t turn to gold last night.
Even though gay talent like Wanda Sykes (The New Adventures of Old Christine) and Patrik-Ian Polk (Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom) were recognized through their nominations, both were beat out by their straight colleagues. Straight actors playing gay characters like Paul James (GREEK), Sonja Sohn (The Wire) and Michael K. Williams (The Wire) went home empty-handed as well.
Patrick-Ian Polk
The only LGBT-inclusive nominee to win was ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, which was awarded Outstanding Drama Series.
For a complete list of LGBT nominees, please click here.
For a complete list of NAACP Image Awards winners, please click here.
Ellen & Portia to be Fetted
February 12, 2009
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi will receive the Humane Society of the United States’ Wyler Award, which is given to public figures who have made news on behalf of animals.
The award will be given to the couple at the 23rd Genesis Awards at the Beverly Hilton on March 28.
Congratulations, Ellen & Portia!
What to Watch: This Weekend
February 6, 2009
So much fun television this weekend — how can you possibly decide? There are the BAFTAs, where Milk is nominated for four awards, as well as a ton of new episodes of GLAAD Media Award-nominated shows, like Desperate Housewives and The L Word. Decisions, decisions…
FRIDAY
> 12:00 AM Sugar Rush, here! (1 hr) SEASON PREMIERE
This British import stars Kim, an out-and-proud 17-year-old lesbian living life to the full on the Brighton LGBT scene… in her dreams. With the help of her friends, she will learn to navigate what it means to be a gay woman in England. Available On Demand.
> 9:00 PM Friday Night Lights, NBC (1 hr) NEW
No appearance from lesbian Mayor Rodell tonight, but stay tuned, because another lesbian will be coming out of the woodwork all in good time. (And sorry, ladies, it’s not Tyra.)
SATURDAY
> 9:00 PM Color Splash, HGTV (30 min) NEW
Gay interior designer David Bromstad reworks living spaces. Tonight he features a rustic bedroom.
> 10:00 PM Desperate Housewives, ABC (1 hr) REPEAT
ABC is re-airing the 100th episode of the GLAAD Media Award-nominated comedy. In the hour, we are treated to many flashbacks, including the time when Edie was married to a gay man!
SUNDAY
> 8:00 PM British Academy Film Awards, BBC America (2 hrs) NEW
Milk is nominated for Best Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Leading Actor (Sean Penn) and Best Makeup & Hair. Watch to see the awards rush in! Airs at 5 PM PST.
> 8:00 PM Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Gay designer Michael Moloney joins the home improvement gang to rebuild a house for a family in need.
> 9:00 PM Big Love, HBO (1 hr) NEW
Everyone has something to hide. Alby is married to several women and yet cruises for sex in men’s bathrooms, while Heather pines away for her best friend Sarah.
> 9:00 PM The L Word, Showtime (1 hr) NEW
Pregnant transman Max has a tough time adopting. And yet Bette and Tina wish to adopt a baby… Dare we connect the dots, people?
> 9:00 PM Desperate Housewives, ABC (1 hr) NEW
Surprising no one, Bree’s cookbook is a smash success, so she treats herself to a new car. Gosh, she must be doing really well, because she just bought a new house for Andrew and his fiancé.
> 9:30 PM American Dad!, Fox (30 min) NEW
Stan gets addicted to caffeine pills. Roger the Alien talks him off the ledge, while wearing one of his famous wigs, no doubt.
> 10:00 PM Brothers & Sisters, ABC (1 hr) NEW
It’s Scotty’s birthday, so the family gathers at Nora’s to celebrate their newest family member’s big day. But is he the newest? A mysterious phone call may reveal the identity of the missing Walker brother…
> 10:00 PM The United States of Tara, Showtime (30 min) NEW
In this new comedy about a woman with multiple personalities, Marshall is her sweet, sensitive son who has a crush on a cute boy from class.
Dustin Lance Black is Honored… AGAIN!
February 4, 2009
Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black just can’t seem to stop the influx of accolades these days. The Writers Guild of America, West just announced he will be receiving the 2009 Paul Selvin Award, which recognizes written work that embodies the spirit of constitutional rights and civil liberties.
“Lance Black’s script reminds us that all it takes is a single spark to light the fuse of an entire movement,” said WGA West president Patric Verone when he announced the honor.
Black will receive the award on stage at the WGA annual awards ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 7, where he is also nominated for Best Original Screenplay.
Congratulations, Dustin!
Sean Penn Adds Another Statuette to His Collection
January 26, 2009
Congratulations to Sean Penn, who took home the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in Milk. The awards ceremony took place last night in Los Angeles.
Milk was nominated for two other awards, including Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (Slumdog Millionaire won) and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight won).
Backstage, Penn told the press that despite all the social relevance of Harvey Milk and the ongoing fight for LGBT rights, he saw his part in the biopic as smaller than that:
I can’t personally approach my work in a way, as an actor, where I’m speculating about the bigger movements. Politics and movies, for example, come from emotion as well as nonpolitical movies. It’s filmmaking and writing that I think are making this thing work. A lot of failed movies have been made of great stories, also.
Milk is up for eight Academy Awards. Does Penn’s win last night help build momentum for the Oscars? Or will another actor swoop in unexpectedly and take hold of the little gold man?
Frankly, it’s anyone’s guess. Get your Oscar pools ready and start voting!
Drink It In: Milk Wins Two Critics Choice Awards
January 9, 2009
Last night at the Critics Choice Awards, Milk reigned supreme when it came to acting. Not only did Sean Penn win Best Actor for his portrayal of Harvey Milk, but the entire cast was honored with the Best Acting Ensemble award.
The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics organization, with more than 200 members in the U.S. and Canada who work in television, radio and the Internet. The BFCA gave Milk eight nominations, but as we all know, this year’s awards race is very tight. The fact the film brought home two awards is absolutely to be commended.
Will Penn continue on his journey of winning every acting award in sight? Be sure to watch the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday at 8/7c on NBC.
Gus Van Sant Earns DGA Nomination
January 8, 2009
And the nominations keep pouring in! Gus Van Sant has just earned a Directors Guild award nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film, for his work behind Milk. We’ll find out if he wins on Jan. 31. Go, Gus, go!
NAACP Image Awards Nominations are LGBT-Inclusive
January 8, 2009
The nominations for the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards were announced yesterday, and we are pleased to report that many of them are for LGBT-inclusive projects.
Established in 1967, at the height of the civil rights movement, the NAACP Image Awards is the nation’s premier event to honor outstanding black actors, actresses, writers, producers and directors.
Below is a list of LGBT-inclusive nominees. For a complete list, please click here.
Wanda Sykes
Outstanding Comedy Series — Ugly Betty
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series — Paul James*, GREEK
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series — Wanda Sykes**, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Outstanding Drama Series — Grey’s Anatomy, House, Lincoln Heights, The Wire
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series — Blair Underwood*, In Treatment
Michael Kenneth Williams as Omar in The Wire
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Michael Kenneth Williams*, The Wire
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — Sonja Sohn*, The Wire
Outstanding Reality Series — Project Runway
Noah's Arc
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture — Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom
Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series — Liz Friedman & Sara Hess – House – “Lucky Thirteen”
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture — Patrik-Ian Polk & John R. Gordon – Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction — E. Lynn Harris**, “Just Too Good to Be True”
*plays LGBT character
**artist is LGBT
The 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards will be broadcast live Thursday, Feb. 12 at 8 PM on Fox.
