“When I heard it was going to be done again, it was supposed to be Will Smith and Beyonce, I thought, that’s interesting. … I thought that was a great idea. So, I was surprised when I saw how alike it was to the version that I did in 1976. I thought it was the wrong idea but, look, it was a big success, so I can’t argue with success.”—Barbra Streisand tells what she really thought of the Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga version of A Star Is Born.
Happy anniversary to ME! I should say, “Happy anniversary to US!” It was 26 years ago that I wrote the first installment of “Filth” (the original name of this column), and I want to thank all of you for being a part of the journey. What I find fascinating is how technology has changed. Not everyone had email in 1995. Some of the papers that carried this column received it via fax—or even snail mail! It was definitely a different time. Now, people can read my pearls of wisdom on their phones. We’ve come a long way, baby!
Time for me to do one of my favorite things—revel in being right. Months ago, I told you that Carrie Ann Inaba would not return to The Talk. And now it’s official. While the network says it was a “mutual decision,” I can tell you that’s not completely true. CBS didn’t want Inaba to leave. She was unhappy with the way the Sharon Osbourne situation was handled by the network—and by her co-hosts. She quickly extricated herself from the show “temporarily” for health reasons. Now it’s permanent. Fear not—she’ll be back on the air when the new season of Dancing with the Stars starts on Sept. 20.
For the handful of you who haven’t heard the news, Pete Buttigieg and his husband Chasten are becoming parents. While the details have not been finalized, they are in the midst of the adoption process. Congrats.
Ever since it was announced that Days of Our Lives is bringing back some classic characters for a limited series on Peacock, people have been asking me if Will and Sonny will return. I’m pleased to tell you that Chandler Massey has signed on to reprise the role of Will on Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem. That’s the good news. Fans will be sad to hear that Emmy winner Freddie Smith will not be back as Sonny. However, different actors take over roles on soaps all the time. Sonny will be back, but he’ll be played by the hunky Zachary Atticus Tinker, formerly Fen on The Young and the Restless. Smith congratulated his replacement on Instagram by saying, “I want to give a shout out to Zach Tinker. Congratulations, man. I know you are taking over the role of Sonny Kiriakis. You are going to have an absolute blast. He’s an awesome character and it’s such an important storyline. I know you’re going to crush it so have fun and I can’t wait to check it out on Peacock.”
Remember Ryan Fischer—Lady Gaga’s hot dog walker who was shot during a dognapping? Back then, Gaga called Ryan a hero and a member of her family. A year later, Ryan is homeless and somewhat destitute. He’s trying to raise $40K via a GoFundMe page to buy a new van and complete a cross-country journey. He posted, “At times I was scared. I was lonely. I felt abandoned and unsupported. I had long bouts of depression and doubt and self-pity. But those backroads that took me to desert campsites and Walmart parking lots and rest stops and friends and family to New York and back began to help me see why I had chosen to leave the security of the Hollywood Hills where I fought for my life and mobility.” Some have asked, “Why hasn’t Gaga donated?” Good question.
Here’s one of those good news/bad news/good news situations. Good news, actor Isaac Cole Powell is cast as Tony in a high-profile Broadway revival of West Side Story. Bad news—COVID strikes, Broadway shuts down and the revival is cancelled. Good news—Isaac is cast in the Sex and the City sequel, And Just Like That…. Better news—he’s signed as a Calvin Klein underwear model. Best news of all—you can see the pics on BillyMasters.com.
Our “Ask Billy” question comes from Timothy in Los Angeles: “Every once in a while I see Trace Lehnhoff around town and he’s so dreamy. Is he still dating that guy from Queer Eye?”
You are SO far behind. I am sorry to inform you that Trace is no longer dating Antoni Porowski. I’m even sorrier to tell you that he’s not available—he’s currently dating Miles McMillan, who used to date Zachary Quinto. On the positive side, at least Trace is with someone who shares his exhibitionistic tendencies—both buff boys enjoy posting photos au naturel. While Trace tends to focus on his delectable derriere, Miles is happy to let it all hang out—as you’ll see on BillyMasters.com.
When we’ve got nude men coming and going, it’s time to end yet another column. Every year around this time, I get a bit nostalgic. I remember the people who helped bring this column to life—Freddie Jordan of Odyssey Magazine for forcing me to write it, Big Daddy Ferguson of Gay Chicago Magazine for making me syndicate it, Trey Buckingham for putting it online … the list goes on and on. I may be the top dog, but there’ve been lots of people behind me—literally! Of course, the fruits of my labor can always be found on BillyMasters.com—the site that doesn’t look its age. If you have a question, or want to be one of those people backing me up, drop a note to Billy@BillyMasters.com, and I promise to get back to you before I go back to being filthy! So, until next time, remember: One man’s filth is another man’s bible.