“Most ridiculous night of my life in LA so far. At least I made it a year before getting arrested.”—Scott Evans updates his Facebook status. The hunky actor (and brother of Chris Evans) was arrested when he allegedly attempted to purchase drugs from an undercover cop. What those drugs were has not been released, but Scott was … on $10,000 bail.
We’re at that time of the year when the entertainment industry slows down. The studios release films they don’t expect much from to bide time until the Christmas blockbusters. And most TV shows are in reruns—which is kinda like our gossip this week. So, let’s kick things off with some new developments on some familiar subjects.
It’s been a few weeks since we’ve mentioned John Travolta. We left the big star in the midst of three lawsuits—two from escorts/masseurs and one from a cruise ship employee for improper sexual behavior. Adding fuel to the fire, Travolta’s alleged bath house trysts were chronicled in a tawdry tell-all called You’ll Never Spa In This Town Again. The author, Robert Randolph, filed a lawsuit claiming that comments about him in an e-mail from Travolta’s attorney Marty Singer to a website constituted slander. The court ruled against him—proving that free speech works both ways. Randolph has been ordered to pay Travolta $139,645.17 in legal fees.
You would think this ruling would deter others from making claims against Travolta. But you’d be wrong. The National Enquirer got Travolta’s former pilot (the one he was kissing on the lips in that notorious photo) to admit to being romantically involved with Johnny for several years. This lead to Travolta’s attorney sending a “cease-and-desist” letter to Doug Gotterba, the aforementioned pilot. According to Singer, Gotterba was violating a confidentiality agreement he signed when he left Travolta’s employ. Gotterba retaliated by suing Travolta, saying that while he did sign a termination agreement, it did not include anything about confidentiality. So he’s basically suing for the right to keep talking—something I applaud. I’ll be keeping an eye on this one.
Alas, there are new developments in the mounting troubles of Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash. As you know, Kevin has been accused of improper conduct with two underage boys. Now a third anonymous person (known as John Doe) has filed a lawsuit against Clash. He says that he was 16 when he met Clash on a gay chat line, where he was just looking for non-sexual friends. That all changed when he met Clash in person. Doe claims that Kevin gave him alcohol and “groomed” him for sex. He has started writing a book about the experience, portions of which were read aloud during a press conference. I will share some of the choice prose: “Mr. Tickler is what I will call him and the game we played was father and son. When we first met, I was 16 and there was no intercourse. However, lots of heavy kissing and he showed me what it felt like to get on your knees and obey your man.” If this lawsuit doesn’t work out, John may become the next Jackie Collins … or Dame Barbara Cartland!
At least someone is springing to Kevin’s defense. Jason Murray dated Clash in 2004 and says, “Yes, he had an affinity for younger men, but what successful [straight] man doesn’t have an affinity for younger women? It’s the same thing, gay or not. Does he prey on these guys? In my heart I don’t believe that. I think it’s like Hugh Hefner. He dates younger women. Kevin likes younger guys. I am reading the news and all the negative stuff. I don’t see it. He has a good heart.” Ah, the old Hugh Hefner defense. It should be added that Murray was 21 when he dated the 44-year-old Clash.
The multi-talented Charles Busch is deep in preparations for a new cabaret act which will debut Dec. 28-29 at the glamorous NYC nightclub 54 Below. His music director will be Tom Judson, and the two have a long history. Well before Judson’s acclaimed career as gay porn god Gus Mattox, he actually composed incidental music for Busch’s Vampire Lesbians of Sodom. As Charles said, “I really do think having a former gay porn Performer of the Year adds a certain gravitas to the act.” You can get tix at 54Below.com.
Proving that everything really is connected, when Busch was looking for a standby for his off-Broadway run in The Divine Sister, he turned to David Drake, who had replaced him in the long-running “Sodom” back in 1989. David has also developed a cabaret show, but his stars alter ego Tawny Heatherton, niece of Joey Heatherton (who I daresay is working less than anyone mentioned in this column). Tawny is headed to Baltimore to raise money for the Spotlighters Theatre. A Very Tawny Christmas! will also take place on Dec. 28-29. Check out Spotlighters.org for more info.
It’s time for another one of “Billy’s Holiday Gift Giving Suggestions.” This week, I’m recommending a website other than www.BillyMasters.com (although a subscription always makes a lovely stocking stuffer). Last summer, I told you about a series of intimate concerts given by Patti LuPone at Provincetown’s Art House under the auspices of Seth Rudetsky, who also acted as interviewer and accompanist. He’s taken the best bits from all four shows and created a unique concert video that clocks in at just under two hours! I can personally attest to the amazing artistic quality of the performance because about 90 percent of it is taken from the show I was at. It’s probably the best LuPone concert ever captured on film. (I could quibble about excluding her electrifying rendition of “Buenos Aires” from Evita, but at least you can hear it on my website.) If you know someone who is a Patti LuPone fan, then this is a perfect gift. And at the price of just $10 for lifetime access, it’s an offer you can’t refuse. Even before going to my website, you should go and buy this at www.SethTV.com/patti.
When I only have room to recommend one gift, it’s definitely time to end yet another column. But now that I think of it, I bet a ticket to see Charles Busch or David Drake would make a loved one very happy indeed. Something else that will put a smile on your face is checking out www.BillyMasters.com, the site that aims to please. We didn’t have room for a question this week, but that doesn’t mean I won’t respond to you personally. Just send a note to Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before NAMBLA endorses Tickle Me Elmo! Until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.