Why I'm Not OK with Kelsey Grammer in La Cage

VS

I'm still working out in my head if I can see the revival of La Cage aux Folles on Broadway. I have friends in the show, I've heard great things, I really want to see it, but I dislike the idea of supporting Kelsey Grammer in any way. I've tried, but I just can't get past the theatre community welcoming him with open arms.

It's no secret that Grammer is a Republican. In a time when our president it trying to bridge a gap between the two parties, that might not be a major deal breaker. The problem is his passion for the Republican party and the actions he takes to support them, clashing with this gay roles on Broadway. In the past he was a guest for George Bush's first inauguration, endorsed Rudy Giuliani in the 2008 presidential primary, and even campaigned for John McCain in the general election. Now, he's becoming the pitchman for the RightNetwork, a news network that prides itself on being far more right winged than Fox News. In the promo, he says, "There's wrong and there's right. RightNetwork: All that's right in the world," and "We're bringing outstanding talent...I'm proud to be a part of this team!"

One can infer that Grammer agrees with what he's saying here. He says that what is featured on the network is "right" in his eyes. OK, let's go with that. That would mean that he agrees with Newt Gingrich and other Republicans on the website who oppose gay rights and the promo material that's "pro-America, "pro-business, pro-military sensibilities." I think I am being fair in that assumption. Is it OK with the Broadway community? They seem to be willing to overlook his actions. Grammer told the Wall Street Journal that there's nothing political about playing a gay role: "My take on homosexual, heterosexual, transgender relationships, it's up to you and the person you love, and frankly I've never thought that politics and marriage mixed in any way. I'm not a big proponent of big government being in charge of weddings."

That is a great, positive, awesome thing to say to ease the minds of the LGBTQ community and make it OK to support him and the show. I'm not buying it. I don't look at Hollywood for role models, but it's not OK to actively support such a strong political agenda while making money off of an opposing situation. Seeing him onstage feels like he's making fun of his cast, like in his head he's laughing thinking, They love me! I'm such a good actor! I don't really care about any of you weird people! I'm told by an older actor on Broadway, someone a little closer to Grammer's age, that he doesn't think Grammer is making fun of people, it is his naivete, and that of the Republican party, that keeps him from seeing the big picture.

I'm not against there being a RightNetwork. It's pitched to be On-Demand so it'll be easy to avoid the anti-Obama videos (which are shown on a comedy show on the cite.) I like a challenge and a conversation. I know there are conservatives on Broadway. I also acknowledge the slippery slope that is concentrating so much on an actor's personal life when really, they are just acting. I think I wouldn't mind as much if he weren't so active in his politics and so obviously OK with gay jokes as seen on Politics and Poker, one of the shows on the network.

I don't know what the solution is. I don't think someone should be turned down for a role based on their politics/religion/etc. I personally feel like Grammer should have more respect for his cast members while he is in La Cage and at least wait until his run is over before launching a conservative network. Maybe something good will come of this. Maybe he will draw Conservatives to the show, in turn showing them how much they have in common with the homosexual relationship in La Cage. It's a love story that you would have to be stone to not feel anything for. Or maybe I need to stop expecting a Hollywood actor to be ethical because that isn't exactly in their job description. Should I suck it up and spend a good sized portion of my measly salary seeing the show because ultimately it's about live theatre and the story of La Cage Aux Folles? I don't know. I'm 25 and tend to spend money based on emotion and my emotions are saying that his RightNetwork campaign is wrong.

*Pictures via comcast.net and playbill.com*

Happy Monday!

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Urban Outfitters Not-So-Secret Conservative Ways

It's really disappointing when you find out that a company you frequently give money to, for lack of a better word, sucks. When I learned more about Whole Foods' asshole president, I boycotted as long as I could. I eventually gave in but almost always choose Trader Joe's instead. We do the best we can as consumers. It seems like every other day something more icky comes out about Urban Outfitters. I'm not ignorant; I don't actually think UO is a super respectable company, but come on. Have you seen the new "Eat Less" tee-shirt? Urban has taken it off the website but according to Huffingtonpost.com they can be found at many NYC stores. I know they are trying to be ironic and "cool" but it's a little gross, right? I personally don't think it's funny and I tend to think a lot of inappropriate things are funny.

Picture via Huffingtonpost.com

This is just one of a list of sketchy things UO is pulling. The Frisky was one of the first media outlets reporting on the company using "Obama/Black" to describe a color of a shirt. Eew.

Through The Frisky I also learned about Urban's lack of support for marriage equality and their misogynistic men's tee.

What are your thoughts? Will any of these things make you shop at UO any less? Do you at all now? Vote in my poll!

GRRRRRR

I'm sure you've heard about the things said about this commercial by the evil Bill O'Reilly. If you haven't, I refuse to post his video but in a nutshell, via examiner.com:

"Does that make you hungry when you watch that?" he asked repeatedly. "Does it make you run out and want some fries?" When she pointed out to him that the ad is part of a broader campaign with the slogan "Venez comme vous etes"--which translates as "Come as you are"--he asked if McDonald's will also be airing an Al Qaeda ad.

First of all, as much as I hate O' Reilly, I still think he should be legally allowed to say these awful things. That being said, this scumbag is comparing gays to Al Qaeda. For real. I get what he's saying; the commercial doesn't make a lot of sense selling fast food. It doesn't matter though, because McDonald's ads are not really about selling food. Everyone knows what they're getting into when they eat there. They are trying to sell a better image in the free-range-organic-eco-friendly 2010 world. Is this commercial amazing and ground breaking? No, but it's a start. I mean, France doesn't have marriage or adoption equality but at least one company is attempting some change.

So what now? What does our generation do about Bill O'Reilly's comments (other than tweet about it?) Stop watching his show, listening to his podcasts...what else? Don't you think if a news person said these things about a race of people there would be a major uproar?

Family Friendly Apple

Have you been reading all the talk about the iPad censoring like crazy? I'm debating on getting one so I did a little research. As a magazine lover and a writer, I like the idea that people will read more of them with the device since it'll be easier to carry around and more user friendly. A major downside is Apple's "no nipple" policy. It's not like I'm obsessed with nipples or something but I don't like the idea of censoring fashion spreads. Apple is doing this by not allowing certain content into the App store so publications have to censor themselves to get into the store. A writer at Dazed and Confused, told Shiny Shiny that the mag is secretly calling the iPad edition the "Iran Edition" due to the Muslim/iTunes censorship similarities. Ick. There have also been complaints over the groups of people that are being censored. "The Gay Community App," which only let people find LGBTQ people in their area, was removed. FYI: The Playboy app is somehow still there. I'm all for actual porn not being easily accessible but Apple denying "objectionable" content feels too controlling. Who says what's considered "objectionable?" Personally, I don't think a girl, or boy, in a bikini is sexual.

What do you think? Is Steve Jobs being TOO careful?

image via psu.edu

Skipping the Chapel

We'll have to ask my mom for confirmation but I don't think I was ever the girl dreaming of her wedding day. At least, I don't remember ever thinking about it. Now, I'm a little obsessed but in a fashion way, I SWEAR. I don't even know if/when I want to get married. I mean, how can I get married when it's against the law for such a huge percent of our population? Ugh, stupid ignorant people. ANYWAY, Daily Candy's emails today were wedding related and spotlighted one of my favorite buildings in NYC, One Hanson Place (which happens to be walkable from my apartment.) It's the current home of the indoor Brooklyn Flea and has apartments for rent (!) I'm majorly crushing on this place. On the website, there are some amazing indoor pics of the once Williamsburg Bank. Who wants to throw a party?

Marriage Is So Gay

I love the new t-shirt I just ordered and I'm proud to promote fashion for a GREAT cause. Buy one!

"I Give a Damn"

I don't talk a lot about politics here, this being a mostly fashion blog, but there are some things that are important to me and I wanted to share this video.