The Original Calvin Klein Underwear Model

In 1982, Tom Hintaus went from being a moderately successful pole vaulter to a worldwide sensation as the first Calvin Klein underwear model.  Until that iconic image appeared in Times Square, underwear ads had, oddly enough, never been innately sexual.  


They were usually straight shots of very average looking guys wearing briefs over what looked like two other pairs of briefs so they resembled anatomically correct Ken dolls. The closest they came to selling a little sex was maybe Jim Palmer in his underwear for Jockey back in the late 70's. But he was smiling and friendly.....the guy next door in his underwear by chance.  Tom is more like the Greek god of sex.  In fact, the image was shot on an island in Greece by photographer Bruce Weber. 


I remember seeing this poster in Times Square on a high school field trip in 1983.  I was so hypnotized that I nearly got run over.  It made such an impression on me that I put a little homage to it in my film "Pool Days" when the main character sees a different Calvin Klein image in a department store and can't turn away. 


Anyway, all this is on my mind today after reading an article in today's TIMES which serves as a retrospective of Calvin Klein underwear models.  Fashion writer Eric Wilson takes note of the fact that three models have gone on to star in Janet Jackson videos and two have been nominated for Academy Awards.  Current model Kellan Lutz is causing a stir with his roles on 90210 and the "Twilight" series.  And what's Mr. Hintnaus up to these days?  He's 52 now, works as contractor in Hawaii, but says he would not be averse to coming out of underwear model retirement for a line of briefs for Boomer men.  

Lady Gaga Takes on Grade School

This video is flying around the Internets today....a sixth grader's interpretation of Lady Gaga "Paparazzi". This kid has got serious talent!  But what is even more fascinating is watching his classmates in the background who look somewhat stunned and speechless.  And his big grin at the end is awesome too!


I can't imagine this sort of recital when I was in elementary school.  It was all Chopin and John Phillip Sousa.  The Gaga Effect continues....stay tuned!

The Drone Wars

Below the headlines about Elena Kagan's nomination and the oil spill in Louisiana, there was a small story in today's TIMES about a drone attack that killed 14 militants in the western tribal region of Pakistan.  Drones fired nearly 20 missles in the bombing.  


Carried out by the CIA and directed from a facility in Colorado, these drone attacks have been stepped up in the days since the failed Times Square bombing.  This despite the fact that there has been some reporting that Shazad carried out his plot because he was angry over the drone attacks.


Though it's been something of an open secret, we are basically engaged in a third front now in the 9-year "War on Terror".  It's somewhat bizzare to think it's a war of machines piloted from half a world away. It almost makes George Lucas look like a modern prophet.

Something Special From 1991

I found this bit of archival footage on D-Listed over the weekend, posted to celebrate the birthday of Vegas-cheester Clint Holmes.  It's the opening number of the Miss America pageant from September, 1991.  It's sorta fabulous and sorta freaky and sorta gay...but then again, the gays were probably the only ones watching at this point.  Correction: gays and grandmas.  I missed out on it that year as it was in the middle of my college/grad school TV Blackout (1987-1994).  But thank the Internet gods at YouTube for keeping the shoulder pads and baggy tuxedos alive! 

A New Music Video

This is a new cute music video I saw on a friend's Facebook page.  It's from a band called Hot Chip and it's their song "One Life Stand".  It's quirky and fun.  I can dance to it.  Hopefully you can too....have a great weekend! :)

Another Homophobe Bites The Dust

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Art On ChatRoulette

An artist has been surfing the global chat wave and creating instant online portraits of those he encounters.  His name is Paz Bernstein and he's located in Israel.  It's definitely the most creative use of ChatRoulette I've seen.  Stay tuned for his last portrait at the end.....a sleeping beauty.  The perfect subject.

Great GLEE Preview For Tonite's Episode

Last week's Burt Bacharach "Home" episode was one of the best of the season; musically, thematically, story-wise....and it even had a scene in a roller disco.  Cha-ching!  But this little preview of tonite's GLEE looks like it could be seriously funny.  


I love that the brain-dead cheerleader and her bizarre non-sequitur's are becoming such a regular part of the show too.  She is challenging Sue for consistently having all the quotable lines.

Jack In A Box w/Mary Testa

Michael Cyril Creighton is the star/creator of a cute little web series I've been following called "Jack In A Box". It's about the wacky adventures of an NYC theatre gay who works in a box office.  Recently, "Jack" left the box for greener pastures and went home to visit his mom and nutty aunt, played by Mary Testa and Alison Fraser. There are some hilarious bits of Mary and Alison talking pop culture w/Jack.  This is one of my favorite episodes with two of my favorite B-way ladies. Check it out!

St. Vincent's Isn't The Only Place Closing

Today is the last day of operation for St. Vincent's hospital in the Village.  For more than 160 years, the hospital has taken care of the neighborhood.  It has even taken care of me when I had my bike accident a couple years ago and broke my wrist.  But as of tomorrow, it will become merely an "Urgent Care Center" tending to local cuts, scrapes, and minor medical emergencies.  Anyone needing surgery will have to go uptown.


Though the closing is shocking, what I've noticed lately is somewhat more shocking; the number of local businesses shutting down in general.  As the nation's economy supposedly improves, things here have seemingly gotten worse in recent months.  There are countless "closed" or "for sale" signs in storefronts all over the Village.  Some of them are stores that have been around for decades and others just a year.  


I've been taking some photos recently of all these closing....these pics below are just in a few blocks radius of my apartment. Along with the closure of St. Vincent's, they are truly signs of the times.