The Gay Agenda

Monday, September 8: Some in the blogosphere have termed it the single smartest move ever made by a television network -- and we wholeheartedly agree. Rachel Maddow, our out-and-proud media darling and commentator savant, launches her new television show, aptly titled The Rachel Maddow Show (the same title as her show on Air America Radio) at 9:00 PM EST on MSNBC. The network has billed it as a smart look at politics, pop culture, and all the days top stories. Fans who prefer Maddow in listen-only mode need not worry: Rachels dulcet tones will still hit the airwaves on Air America as usual at 6:00 PM EST. In a recent interview with Keith Olberman to announce her new gig, Maddow noted that tonight is also her grandmothers 93rd birthday. Not a bad gift for Gran, or the rest of us. Tuesday, September 9: Today look for Knowle West Boy, the latest album from electro daddy Tricky, who shows that, as Outs Jason Lamphier put it, he has moved beyond the overcooked trip-hop trend onan eclectic mix of reggae, blues, post-punk, and hip-hop. Always a sucker for silky-voiced divas, he even includes a snarling cover of Kylie Minogues Slow. Knowle West Boy, which catches its title from the area in Bristol, England, where Tricky grew up, is out now on Domino Records. While youre at it, pick up a copy of Ugly Betty: The Complete Second Season, out today on DVD. Wednesday, September 10: Feel free to completely disregard the sign on the door and just walk in on this one. Exposing the dysfunctional behind-the-scenes operations of a swank Manhattan hotel, Do Not Disturb stars Jerry OConnell (above) as a neurotic, imperious general manager who regularly spars with his feisty human resources director, Reno 911!s Niecy Nash. A starving model hostess (Molly Stanton) and queeny head of housecleaning (The Classs Jesse Tyler Ferguson) up the camp quotient. Room service? Yes, please.Do Not Disturb premieres tonight on FOX at 9:30 PM EST. Thursday, September 11: Today isnt about gay or straight. Its about reflecting on a day seven years ago that -- no matter where or who you were at the time -- changed your future. Youre perhaps thinking about what you can do to make this world a bit better for everyone involved. One thought is a donation to The Mark Bingham Leadership Fund. Bingham was one of the thousands of heroes who sprung to action on September 11, 2001, and one of the few whose sexuality was discussed openly. Friday, September 12: Two movie premieres today have prompted us to issue a major diva alert. The first, The Women, is an adaptation of George Cukors 1939 film of marital infidelity, catty conniving, and high-society mishaps. Cukors classic gets a hilarious modern update by Diane English (Murphy Brown) and no small amount of A-list estrogen: Meg Ryan, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith (who plays gay), Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Bette Midler, Candice Bergen, Carrie Fisher, Cloris Leachman, and Debi Mazar. Also tonight, catch Assassination of a High School President, which is akin to MTVs The Paper, only more sordid. The film stars Reece Thompson as Bobby Funke, a perpetually picked-on (and yet, in typical teen-flick fashion, smokingly attractive) sophomore who gets embroiled in a conspiracy involving stolen SATs, a hot senior (Mischa Barton), and plenty of Mean Girlslike drama. Read more on the film here from Sundance. Saturday, September 13: This weekend settle down with a page-turner. Following the misadventures of Jonathan A., The Alcoholic by Jonathan Ames swerves from the comic (dinner with Monica Lewinsky) to the tragic (9/11) to the nostalgic (sex with his childhood friend Sal), says Out writer Emily Drabinski. Ames again mines his own irony-soaked life for truth and comedy in this fictionalized graphic novel illustrated by Dean Haspiel. Check out more on The Alcoholic from Publishers Weekly here. Sunday, September 14: If youre in Manhattan, catch a surreal treat today by joining a group tour with art historian Edward Powers, who will walk (and talk) you through MoMas exhibition Dal: Painting and Film. One in a series of Gallery Talks, the tour is sure to intrigue and inspire. Dal, who attached his inimitable style to painting, film, photography, and sculpture, drew plenty of attention to himself through absurdity, and is a perfect companion for stepping up your Sunday game. The tour is free (with MoMa general admission) and starts at 11:30 AM in the second floor atrium space. Space is limited, so be sure to get there about 15 minutes before the tour starts. Direct yourself here for more info on MoMa and admission.