Ellen puts on a “‘Really Big Show’
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| Ellen DeGeneres |
You say a daily dose of funny lesbian Ellen DeGeneres just isn’t enough?
Well, you’re in luck she’ll be hosting a two-hour variety show for TBS this fall. “Ellen’s Really Big Show” will feature highlights from November’s HBO Comedy Festival in Las Vegas.
Headliners who have confirmed to appear at the event include Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock, while previous fests have featured the likes of Dave Chappelle, Sarah Silverman and Jon Stewart.
As a former stand-up comic who’s won three Emmys for hosting her own show (and is up for a primetime Emmy for hosting the Oscars), and as a woman ascending to the A-list of award and event hosts, Ellen is the perfect choice for this gig.
Take a front-row seat for the best of the 2007 HBO Comedy Festival when “Ellen’s Really Big Show” premieres on Nov. 18.
“‘Piano’ star Anna Paquin to star in new Alan Ball HBO series
They grow up so fast, don’t they?
It seems like just yesterday that Anna Paquin won an Oscar for “The Piano.” Now Paquin is in her 20s, and next up for her is “True Blood,” the new HBO series from gay “Six Feet Under” creator Alan Ball.
Based on Charlaine Harris’ “Southern Vampire” series of books, the show deals with the undead who can now live off of synthetic blood made in Japan settling into a small town in Louisiana.
Paquin stars as how much do you love this character name? Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress who can read minds. Sookie’s romance with a vampire will be a central plot for the show, which goes into production this fall.
“‘Jackass’ Chris Pontius to play exotic dancer in new comedy
John Waters has noted the “sexual anarchy” of the cult hit show “Jackass.” And with all those guys running around naked and launching fireworks off each other’s privates, the brand has become one of the gayest TV shows (and film series) ever made.
Chris Pontius, in particular, seems to greatly enjoy his omnisexual “Party Boy” character, which allows him to strip down to a G-string and grind on horrified passers-by. So perhaps it’s no surprise that he’s about to star in a movie about male strippers.
The still-untitled comedy stars Pontius as a young man pushed into the world of exotic dancing by, of all people, his fiancee’s dad. And with the no-limits star involved, there’s no telling how queer the content will turn.
We’re still waiting on word about when production will begin, but expect an R-rating.
Lesbian fave Zoe Bell lands role in action-adventure
Not to take anything away from lesbian icon Lucy Lawless in her years starring on “Xena: Warrior Princess,” but just about all of Xena’s most death-defying and acrobatic moves were performed by a talented stunt artist and lesbian fave named Zoe Bell.
If you saw the documentary “Double Dare” or Quentin Tarantino’s “Death Proof” half of “Grindhouse,” you know that Bell can cheat death, perform eye-popping stunts and be a natural in front of the camera all at the same time.
A new, untitled action-adventure film will feature Bell as a war veteran newly returned from Iraq who comes to the aid of a young girl. No word yet on when the film will shoot, but one thing is for certain: Bell will do her own stunts. Spectacularly.
“‘Borat’ star sports “‘gay’ T-shirt on shopping trip with fianc?
The T-shirt may say he’s “Gay” but Borat star’s Sacha Baron Cohen isn’t fooling anyone.
The fact that the British actor was wearing the humorous “Sorry Girls, I’m Gay” top while accompanying heavily pregnant fianc? Isla Fisher shopping was probably what gave the game away.
The couple, who have been dating for the past five years, are expected to tie the knot after their first baby is born later this year.
“I’m the happiest I’ve been in my entire life, and so excited,” Fisher, 31, recently said of her pregnancy.
“I’m over the morning sickness, I feel great. I don’t know what it is, you just feel happy all the time.
Despite hanging out with A-listers Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, Fisher claims her and Baron Cohen don’t court publicity … well not always. “I’m very careful to not talk about my private life and to not go to places were there are paparazzi,” Fisher explained.
“We’re relatively anonymous and we’re very grateful for that. It’s really important for me to feel normal.”
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition August 24, 2007