MSNBC Anchor Ties the Knot

MSNBC anchor and host Thomas Roberts wed his longtime partner, Patrick Abner, this weekend, in a small ceremony at Manhattan’s toney Gansevoort Hotel. Roberts is the first cable news anchor to marry a person of the same sex. In June 2011, he and Abner served as honorary Grand Marshals for Wilton Manors’ Stonewall Street Parade and Festival. “Good Morning, America” weather guy Sam Champion’s similar announcement last week of an engagement brought sharp reaction—including from some who support his nuptials but thought GMA made too big a deal of it on the air.

This Is What a “Modern Family” Looks Like

For the third year in a row, ABC’s smash sitcom “Modern Family” won a clean sweep in most of last month’s Emmy Awards categories.  Star Eric Stonestreet, who plays chunky Cameron on the hit series, was up against— so to speak—his TV hubby, actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson (who plays uptight redhead Mitchell) for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

After Stonestreet (who is straight) proved a repeat-winner, co-star Ferguson stopped by the set of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to playfully bitch about the loss. Asked by host Kimmel if Stonestreet had been pulling for his screen-partner, Ferguson said with smarm, “Who knows if it’s true, but he said he wanted me to win.”

To bolster his chances of a win at next year’s Emmys, Ferguson, 36, unveiled a mock “attack ad,” in which he accuses Stonestreet of “steal[ing] gay American jobs,” and calls him a “liar” and an “ass-kisser.” Ah, family.

Etheridge Rocks for Maryland Marriage Equality

Still-rocking singer Melissa Etheridge has sent out a letter on behalf of Marylanders for Marriage Equality, calling for equal treatment under the law for every American. As some added incentive for supporting same-sex marriage, Etheridge is offering campaign donors a chance to meet her backstage during an upcoming show in Bethesda.

Last month, the singer (“Come to My Window”) told TV host Joy Behar, “I’m for gay marriage, because I’m for gay divorce.” She added: “I don’t think people realize what a system heterosexuals have for marriage. You can marry someone and then, oops.

“The New Normal” touched on a laundry list of topical subjects on last night’s episode, called “Obama Mama.” The show— about two gay men trying to have a baby through a surrogate—went through the World Tour of social and political issues, including abortion rights, racism, religion, marriage equality, health care, and the candidates for president.

Executive Producer Ryan Murphy (“Nip/Tuck,” “Glee”) said, “You have two clearly gay liberal guys at the heart of the show. But we all thought it would be great to do an episode where we presented…the conservative point of view, the Republican point of view, in a way that hopefully was as eloquent.”

The show, which airs Tuesday nights at 9:30 p.m., is based on Murphy’s real life experiences as a gay TV producer exploring surrogacy with his partner. “One of the fun things about this show is the ability I have to send myself up. I like to make fun of myself and to skewer what people think of me,” he added. NBC’s Salt Lake City affiliate, which is owned by the Mormon Church, announced in August that it would not broadcast “The New Normal,” which it believes is “inappropriate on several dimensions, especially during family viewing time.” The program gets an average audience of 6.4 million viewers, and is particularly popular with 25 to 54 year-old women, NBC saiys.

Paris Hilton Dumped From Doc Over Gay Remarks

Famous-for-being-famous Paris Hilton has at least twice (officially) apoligized for questionable comments about (some) gay men during a taxi ride in which her conversation was secretly recorded. (By the way—has anyone called the cabbie a s***bag for invading La Hilton’s privacy?)

On Sept. 7, Hilton, 31, was riding in a Big Apple cab with two friends, at which time she is alleged to have burbled (as part of a convo about gay hookup site/ app Grindr), “Gay guys are the horniest people in the world,” and then added, “They’re disgusting. Dude, most of them probably have AIDS.” (A full listening of the convo lends credibility to the theory that PH was referring to some of the people on hookup sites—and not all gay men.) The hotel heiress posted an apology on GLAAD’s Web site, calling gays “the strongest and most inspiring people I know.” But LGBT-targeted cable channel Logo has responded by shutting down the broadcast of a documentary about Hilton that was scheduled to air. At least one person has stepped into Paris’ corner over the controversy:

Bombastic Bi author Bret Easton Ellis tweeted his concurrence: “I kind of agree with Paris Hilton,” he wrote, adding that she “isn’t that far off.

In the HEAT of the Night: Hard Rock-style

The highlight of the 2013 South Florida Firefighter’s Calendar debut Aug. 20 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino had to be the moment when the Sexy First Responders lost their constraining outerwear to reveal their hard pecs, ripped abs, and sexy “stud-muffins” with a catwalk prowl for screaming fans.

The calendar’s 20th anniversary edition features South Florida’s hottest heroes, who came together to support some of the area’s charities, including Safe Haven For Newborns, Here’s Help, and the Friends Forever Humane Society.

You can purchase the calendar by visiting firefighterscalendar.com/cart2/ products.php?catid=1, or drop by one of the numerous scheduled events and meet the Firehouse Hotties in person (and get your calendar signed). Over past two decades, the calendar has raised more than $240,000 for local charities.

I Guess It Depends on WHAT He’s Smoking “Down Under”

The leader of Australia’s Christian Lobby (ACL) said last week that smoking is healthier than same-sex marriage. During a debate at the University of Tasmania, Jim Wallace claimed that health statistics among gays are worse than those for smokers.

“I think we’re going to owe smokers a big apology when the homosexual community’s own statistics for its health – which it presents when it wants more money for health – are that is has higher rates of drug-taking, of suicide, it has the life of a male reduced by up to 20 years,” Wallace said, adding that “the life of smokers is reduced by something like seven to 10 years, and yet we tell all our kids at school they shouldn’t smoke.” Sounds like he thinks kids should trade in one kind of “fag”—cigarettes—for another.

Stevie Wonder Backpedals Over Frank Ocean Comments

Over the Labor Day weekend, Stevie Wonder issued a statement that clarified his recent remarks about R&B singer Frank Ocean’s sexuality.

In an interview last week with the Guardian, Wonder questioned Ocean’s coming out in July via a Tumblr post in July (just prior to the release of his debut album, “Agent Orange”). “I think honestly, some people who think they’re gay, they’re confused,” Wonder told the UK publication. “People can misconstrue closeness for love. People can feel connected, they bond.”

On Sunday, Wonder told MTV, “I’m sorry that my words about anyone feeling confused about their love were misunderstood. No one has been a greater advocate for the power of love in this world than I, both in my life and in my music.

“Clearly, love is love, between a man and a woman, a woman and a man, a woman and a woman and a man and a man. What I’m not confused about is the world needing much more love, no hate, no prejudice, no bigotry and more unity, peace and understanding. Period.” We feel you, Stevie.

Nicki Minaj Goes Back in the Closet

Rolling Stone reports that claims by rapper Nicki Minaj (early in her career) that she was bisexual were made just for the attention. “I think girls are sexy,” La Minaj cutely offered. “But I’m not going to lie and say that I date girls.” Mmm-hmmmmm.

And Here We Always Thought It Would Be Ken… The new Blond Diamond Barbie sports more than a sequined-and-jeweled cocktail dress and fur coat: The creation of designers David and Phillipe Blond is also sporting the naughty nickname “Drag Queen Barbie,” after Phillipe’s penchant for wearing stylish femme fashion.

Mars Needs Spears! In her music video for 2000’s “Oops!…I Did It Again,” a rubber-suit-wearing Britney Spears welcomes an astronaut to the surface of Mars, and receives a gift from the spaceman. After the real-life Mars rover Curiosity landed on the Red Planet’s surface Aug. 6, the singer asked on Twitter, So @MarsCuriosity…does Mars look the same as it did in 2000? To which the reply was given (presumably by some horny techie at NASA’s monitoring labs in Pasadena, Ca.), @britneyspears Hey Brit Brit. Mars is still looking good. Maybe someday an astronaut will bring me a gift, too. Drill bits crossed Geek “hot talk:” I’ve heard worse.

Tight Ends and Wide Receivers Top Bullies – The San Francisco 49ers have become the first NFL franchise to record a video condemning antigay bullying and violence. The minute-long commercial features players Ahmad Brooks, Ricky Jean Francois, Isaac Sopoaga, and Donte Whitner as part of the “It Gets Better” campaign, which began in 2010 in response to a string of suicides by students bullied over their sexual orientation. In the spot, Brooks informs kids, “Something you should never experience is being bullied, intimidated, or pressured into being someone or something you are not.”

The team was encouraged by 49er fan Sean Chapin, who collected more than 16,000 signatures on Change.org.

Say What? “I think the whole thing, memorizing lines and trying to, like, say them and still, like, do movement, all that. That was hard.” – Ryan Lochte, Olympic goldmedalist swimmer, “commenting” on his “90210” guest spot.

A “Teenage Dream,” But Not An “American Idol” Singer Katy Perry reportedly turned down a $20 million offer to join the judges panel for “American Idol” season 12. According to reports, producers offered the pop star $18 million (the same asking-price of Mariah Carey) and then sweetened the pot a few million more. Katy is reported to have passed on the offer because, well—does she really need to be doing this at this point in her phenomenal career (nine consecutive top 10 pop hit singles and counting, for starters)?It sounds like Katy is “Wide Awake”—at least when it comes to her career.

The League of Geriatric Super- Queens?

Artist Kevin Bapp has re-imagined the 1970s cartoon “Super Friends” as spinster roommates in a hilarious take on Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia from TV’s “Golden Girls.” The clip (which can be seen at kevinbapp.com) features fiftysomething versions of the Man of Steel, Aquaman, and the Dynamic Duo performing the classic 80s sitcom’s opening sequence. Babb says he would love to pitch the idea to Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. Wonder Twin powers—activate!

Ocean’s Voyage

R&B performer Frank Ocean, part of L.A. alternative hip-hop collective Odd Future, blogged “out” on July 3. The singer—who has also penned songs for Justin Bieber, John Legend , and Beyoncé—wrote: “4 summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost… Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping.” Sounds a little like prison.

This Family is The Pitts

Imagine what it must feel like to be Angelina Jolie? Last week, La Jolie’s monster-in-law, Jane Pitt— mother of Brad—penned an anti- Obama screed, in which she cited gay rights—among other things— as cause for her supporting Mitt Romney. The response for the blog- GAY-sphere has been swift—and merciless. Tweeted @IBleedGaga: “BRAD PITT’S MOM WROTE AN ANTI-GAY PRO-ROMNEY EDITORIAL. KILL THE B***H.” Added another: “Brad Pitt’s mom is a dumb c***.” What I wouldn’t give for an invitation to THAT Thanksgiving family dinner.

Adam Levine has a lot on his plate. Serving as a judge on “American Idol” competitor “The Voice,” launching a fragrance line, and fronting hugely successful pop-rock band Maroon 5—all while maintaining his inked-upbad- boy-sex-symbol reputation. While “moves like Jagger” cemented the foundation for Levine’s career, a great follow up is crucial if he wants to continue cashing in. Obviously, Levine has a lot riding on this album.

Luckily, the latest addition to Levine’s mega-career–Maroon 5’s “Overexposed”—is carefully crafted to appeal to a wide fan base. Levine playfully sings “So I cross my heart and hope to die/that I’ll only stay with you one more night,” on the hook to opening track “One More Night.” On “Payphone,” Adam enlists Wiz Khalifa to back up this sad breakup song, helping to appeal to a broader fan base. “Doin’ Dirt” features a house-heavy beat, but it doesn’t feel forced. At times, the album seems like it’s trying to be one big single. Fortunately, this run-on-single hosts a nice blend of rock, electronic, and pop, with Levine’s vocals effortlessly hitting all of the right notes.

While at times a little TOO radiofriendly, “Overexposed” is definitely Maroon 5’s best album to date.

Charli (born Charlotte Aitchison) is a very strategic singer. She’s releasing enough to keep people interested (and to build a fan base) before the release of her debut album—out this fall in the UK—with a spring 2013 release in America.

Her debut EP release, “You’re the One,” unfortunately only brought the release of one new single, the title song—“You’re the One”—with the inclusion of a previously-heard single, “Nuclear Seasons,” for which the single “You’re the One” is the perfect follow up. With an incredibly catchy chorus, and beautiful hooks, Charli reels you into her world—one which you’ll have no intention of leaving. She’s influenced by various 90s pop icons and films—The Craft, Cruel Intentions, American Beauty, and The Spice Girls, among others.

All of these influences were sampled on her newly-released mixtape, “Heartbreaks and Earthquakes” (which released on the same day as the “You’re the One” EP). When speaking of her music, Charli says she wants people to think of “colors”— or “colours,” if you’d prefer—when listening. She says for her, it’s black, pink, and gold. I concur.

8.8/10

Fiona Apple: “The Idler Wheel…” Fiona Apple has never really had an easy life. Raped at the age of 12, cheated on by ex-boyfriend and director P.T. Anderson (who left to marry comedian/actress Maya Rudolph), and most recently a break-up with American author Jonathan Ames (who is most notable for creating the HBO series “Bored to Death”). Fiona has never been known to make “feel good” music, but the pain and suffering on “The Idler Wheel…”—which has a full title that, at 23 words, is a bit of a mouthful– is without a doubt borderline worrisome. The album itself is reason enough to consider a Baker Act examination for the 34-year old New York-born songstress.

On opening track—and first single—“Every Single Night,” you see her internal struggle as clear as day: “Every single night’s alright/every single night’s a fight/and every single fight’s alright, with my brain/I just want to feel everything.” Apple’s husky vocals and troubling lyrics—combined with the album’s raw alternative jazz/ rock sound—force the listener to face her demons, head-on. “Daredevil” is perhaps the album’s most aggressive song, with opening lines “I guess I must just be a daredevil/I don’t feel anything until I smash it up,” shortly followed by the hook, “And don’t let me ruin me/I may need a chaperone.”

She continues the next verse with, “Say I’m an airplane/and the gashes I got from my heartbreak make the slots and the flaps upon my wing, and I use them to give me lip/hip hip for the lift hip hip for the drag.” “Valentine” shelters more self-destructive lyrics. “You didn’t see my Valentine/I sent it via pantomime/While you were watching someone else/I stared at you and cut myself/it’s all I do ’cause I’m not free/a fugitive too dull to flee.”

While some of these songs may seem like a pity party, they’re anything but. The performer recently told Pitchfork.com, “This is the stuff that I really needed to get out. This is the excrement of my life, the excrement I was trying to exorcise out of me.”

Personally, I think creating music as a form of therapy is a healthy, noble effort. Making music for others to relate to may be more engaging, but as an artist, making music for the sake of your own psyche is the most important thing.

Admittedly, “The Idler Wheel…” (which is unabridged-titled, “The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do”) is hard to get through: It’s dark and psychotic, and at times Fiona comes off downright hopeless. While the songs are incredibly hard to digest, this is Apple in her raw, real form. Be prepared—there are no gimmicks, no quirky upbeat singles. The album is balls-to-the-wall insanity, holding hands with a crippling depression.

Apple may have finally gone off the deep end (she recently said in an interview that she doesn’t like leaving her house, and she tries to avoid new places), but in the end, the album ends up forcing you to explore the deepest, darkest parts of your mind. Fiona may be in her darkest hour, but fortunately, she’s also at the peak of her brilliance.

9/10

Making a SCENE GWEN THERE, DONE THAT 90s Ska/ Pop rockers No Doubt announced that their first album in 11 years finally has a release date and a name. “Push and Shove” is due out September 25, with the first single dropping in early July, entitled “Settle Down.”

FULL OF GRACE Model, actress, and Andy Warhol muse Grace Jones Hula Hooped her way through an entire four-minute song for HRM Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee concert—without skipping a beat. Slave to the rhythm.

Azealia Banks:

“1991” Rapper and lyricist Azealia Banks was actually born in 1991, from which year she takes the name of her new EP. You can tell just from listening to “1991,” which mixes elements of house, rap, and R&B—all with a 90s flare. The Harlem-born hoodrat (who is openly bisexual) is a classic “lady in the streets, freak on the mic.” Her raps are fast and loose, with 90s house music serving as a phenomenal backdrop for the songs. In addition to rapping, Banks also does her share of singing on the EP, which fits nicely, and serves to break the songs up a little. She does have some musical similarities to Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, and Eve, but she manages to keep the EP fun and fresh overall. Hopefully, “1991” will lead to a bigger success when her debut album, “Broke With Expensive Taste,” reportedly drops sometime this year. 9/10

Scissor Sisters: “Magic Hour”

It’s apparent that Scissor Sisters really want to keep disco alive (or bring it back to life—however you want to look at it), and for that, I applaud them. Who doesn’t enjoy a high-pitched male voice, sung over a funky 70s beat? Akin to a modern day Bee Gees, Scissor Sisters (formed in 2000) released their latest album, “Magic Hour,” on May 28. Singer Jake Shears pulls you into his nu-disco based universe, with the help of producer Alex Sidha, also known by his artist moniker, Boys Noize. On opening track, “Baby Come Home,” Shears weeps for his love to—wait for it—come home. While the lyrics of the songs are traditional, the delivery and sound are anything but. “Keep Your Shoes On” feels like being stuck in a K-hole—but in the best way possible. The band does manage to slow things down at the right times, with funk-ballads aplenty that fit Shears’s voice like a glove. Single “Shady Love” (which features Azealia Banks: see above) is a definite highlight of the album, and contributes to it a whole other layer. The Calvin Harris-produced track, “Only the Horses,” is the closest to a “radio-friendly” single that Sisters have ever done, and manages to keep the band’s sound and integrity intact. “Magic Hour” is Scissor Sisters most polished and cohesive (while still experimental) album to date. 8.3/10

Making a SCENE: Bieby Blues

It’s been a rough week for Justin Bieber. On May 27, the Canadian pop-star was accused of assaulting a photographer who was snapping pics of Bieber and girlfriend Selena Gomez as they exited a movie theater in Calabasas, California. The photographer claims that a scuffle took place, and he called 911, but Bieber and Gomez left the scene before police got there. The photographer was taken to a local hospital after complaining of chest pains, and he filed a police report. Days later, at his show in Paris on May 31, the singer accidentally ran into a wall of glass backstage, as reported by TMZ. He was between songs, and managed to suck it up, went back onstage, and performed the rest of his set. After the show, The Beebs passed out for about 15 seconds in his dressing room. Doctors confirmed he had suffered a concussion, but say he is in good shape now. Canadians never catch a break.

PriMadonna

Leaked video footage of Madonna’s tour dress rehearsal in Tel Aviv has surfaced on the Web, and people are not happy. The controversial pop star is seen during a rehearsal for “Express Yourself,” when the song seamlessly transitions into Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” Madonna fans were in an uproar last year when Gaga released “Born This Way,” as they noted a striking resemblance to the prima diva’s “Express Yourself.” Madonna seems to still be feeling some pent-up aggression towards Mother Monster, and it looks like the PriMa-donna is going to be taking it to the stage.