In the first of what we assume will be a number of accolades, "The Hunger Games" landed a new kind of tribute — for star Josh Hutcherson.
The man who plays Peeta Mellark just picked up a NewNowNext award from Logo TV in the category of Next Mega Star. (The awards, held Thursday, were broadcast Monday night.)
"This is so much better than the Oscars," Hutcherson cracked. "I get so bored at those award shows."
"For me, I just love making movies, and the fact that anybody shows up to them is just a bonus," he said. Yes, Josh. A few people did show up to see "The Hunger Games."
While his costars Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth are empty-handed at the moment, talk at NewNowNext turned to the coveted best kiss trophy handed out annually at the MTV Movie Awards. Hutcherson and Lawrence could go head-to-head with reigning couple Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
"[Rob and Kristen's] was so passionate. Ours was like — I was on my deathbed, wasn't very sexy. I don't know. We'll see. Maybe. I'd be so lucky. One can only hope!" Hutcherson told VH1.
Jenna Talackova is back on for the Miss Universe Canada pageant, now that the Miss Universe organization has stricken down its rule requiring a contestant to be a "naturally born woman."
The organization, along with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, on Tuesday announced that the competition would become open to transgender women. Talackova, whose Canadian passport lists her as female, had been disqualified in late March after the pageant became aware of her past as a man.
Though she specifically was allowed back in on April 2, Talackova held out for a larger rule change, arguing that in the future no other transgender woman should have to face what she did.
"The Miss Universe Organization today follows institutions that have taken a stand against discrimination of transgender women including the Olympics, NCAA, the Girl Scouts of America and the CW’s 'America’s Next Top Model,' " GLAAD spokesman Herndon Graddick said in a statement, which also thanked pageant owner Donald Trump and his team for what Graddick called their swift and appropriate response
So much for Gloria Allred on "The View" on Monday with a gracious Talackova at her side, framing the situation as "Donald Trump zero, Gloria Allred one"?
"The decision to include transgender women in our beauty competitions is a result of our ongoing discussions with GLAAD and not Jenna’s legal representation, which if anything delayed the process," Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, said in a statement. "We have a long history of supporting equality for all women, and this was something we took very seriously."
On Tuesday morning, Talackova's name and picture had been returned to the ranks of the Canadian pageant's 2012 contestants.
Watch Talackova's Monday appearance on "The View," which thanks to Barbara Walters includes discussion of her gender-reassignment surgery, below.
Carson Daly is totally requesting that you forgive him after a gay joke "The Voice" host made on his morning radio show fell flat.
Daly was discussing the mid-flight meltdown of JetBlue pilot Clayton Osbon on Tuesday, who was locked out of the cockpit by his copilot and restrained by passengers after a display of erratic behavior.
"Most of the people were on their way to some sort of security conference in Las Vegas," Daly said of several able-bodied passengers who held down Osbon in a matter of moments. "It was like a bunch of dudes, and well-trained dudes."
Daly implied that, given his luck, his neighbors in the sky wouldn't be as capable in wrangling the pilot.
"It would be like, 'This is the flight going to [the gay pride parade] in San Francisco.' I mean, that would be my colleagues," he said.
He tweeted later: "This morning on my radio show I attempted to make fun of myself & offended others by mistake. I sincerely apologize,"
Some reactions on Twitter registered minor offense (though the Ministry can't tell whether it's for the gay jab or simply the bad joke), but this isn't the first time a guy from "The Voice" has stepped in LGBT controversy.
In May, judge Blake Shelton took some heat for a tweet that suggested he would get violent with any male that attempted to touch him in a sexual context. A month later, Cee Lo Green tweeted angrily at a critic, assuming the person was gay and offended by his "masculinity."
The show does, however, count gay icon Christina Aguilera as a coach for singing contestants, as well as Adam Levine, an open supporter of equal rights (Levine has spoken at length about his openly gay brother).
Charlize Theron has had her share of impressive costars in her illustrious career, and Michael Fassbender can proudly add his anatomy to that list.
The actress and new mom announced on Saturday at the Human Rights Campaign gala that she's always up for working with the actor and his renowned member.
"Your penis was a revelation," she said accepting the Ally For Equality award from the organization, "I'm available to work with it any time."
Theron and Fassbender costar in June's sci-fi epic "Prometheus," but she's referring to his revealing role in "Shame," last year's sex addiction drama that featured rather fearless frontal nudity from the Irish star.
"I have to say that I was truly impressed that you chose to play it big," she joked further, "most other actors would have gone small, trust me. I know because I've worked with them."
That's another stellar endorsement for Fassbender's package, which got previous accolades from George Clooney. But back to Theron's award.
Charlize turned up to downtown L.A.'s JW Marriot for the occasion, hosted by Chelsea Handler with appearances from Joe Manganiello and TV pundit Chris Matthews.
She touched on the fight for equality and its personal meaning (during her relationship with actor Stuart Townsend she said she wouldn't marry until it was an equal right), saying, "it's about something greater. It's about acceptance" and "I will always be your cheerleader, and I will always be your friend."
And the friendly vibe permeated the room. Fassbender brought a glass of cheer to the podium when he spoke, toasting the night and Theron followed suit. Here's to Theron and Fassbender's respective achievements.
Photos: Charlize Theron makes a toast during the Human Rights Campaign's annual gala at the JW Marriott on Saturday. Right, Michael Fassbender does the same. Credit: Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images.
"GCB," ABC's midseason Southern sass-fest starring Kristin Chenoweth, just got a little bit better thanks to the introduction of some much-needed beefcake in the form of Denton Everett.
Between the Botoxed socialites of Dallas and the show's real-life political backlash, viewers may have missed Sunday's introduction of a juicy storyline involving closeted husband Blake Reilly (Mark Deklin) and his very handy ranch foreman Booth Becker, played by the delicious Everett.
The Ministry caught up with Everett (above, in all his "Brokeback" glory) to discuss the series' detractors, show star Chenoweth and the potential for forthcoming man lovin'.
Ministry of Gossip: "GCB" has generated plenty of controversy from the pilot alone. Tell us about landing the part of Booth Becker, Blake Reilly's ranch-dwelling lover?
Denton Everett: I read four times before landing Booth, driving back and forth from Oklahoma City and Dallas, where we shot the pilot. What's funny is that when we got picked up after shooting the pilot, they'd never seen me without a shirt. So thankfully I kept in shape.
MoG: Thankfully, yes, you made quite an impression in Sunday's episode. How do you feel about the content of the show and its mixed reaction?
DE: I grew up in the church in the South, and for me it's dead on. I wish ABC could've kept the full name, "Good Christian Bitches." But I'm not here to preach to anybody, for me it's just a job. I know a lot of wind has been blown about the show, but it's like Kristin Chenoweth says, sometimes it's OK to laugh with it, not at it.
MoG: It's even drawn ire from people like Newt Gingrich.
DE: For people who react that way, y'all don't even know what the show's about! People who take the time ... to complain, it changes nothing. I mean, you're running for office. I think there's bigger issues to deal with. And let's be honest, it just helps the show's ratings.
MoG: At the end of the second episode [SPOILER ALERT], we find out that Booth and Blake have parted ways after a three-year affair. Is there a chance you'll be back, and that we'll see some action?
DE: I'm hoping! I don't know that this is the last we've seen of Booth Becker. And Mark is great. We were on a TV show called "Lonestar" together but never actually had a scene. My niece loves him and ... when we met on the pilot, I thought, 'Damn those eyes are blue.' He's as nice as he is good looking.
MoG: So you're game for Booth and Blake to throw down?
DE: I could kiss uglier people, I'll tell you that.
Kirk Cameron, who has drawn gales of criticism for comments against homosexuality made to Piers Morgan on CNN on Friday, spoke his mind again Tuesday, calling on those demanding tolerance from him to exhibit tolerance of their own.
"I should be able to express moral views on social issues," he told ABC News via email, "especially those that have been the underpinning of Western civilization for 2,000 years — without being slandered, accused of hate speech, and told from those who preach 'tolerance' that I need to either bend my beliefs to their moral standards or be silent when I'm in the public square."
He called for learning how to debate such issues "with greater love and respect."
In addition to homosexuality in general, the former "Growing Pains" actor had expressed his views against gay marriage and abortion. Of homosexuality, he'd said, "I think that it's unnatural, I think that it's detrimental and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization."
Piers Morgan, speaking with TMZ, said Cameron was "pretty brave to say what he said. ... It's, many would argue, an antiquated view about many of these issues.
"I felt that he was honest to what he believed, and I don't think he was expecting the furor that it created."
Celebs coming to Cameron's defense have been few and far between, though fellow evangelical Stephen Baldwin on Saturday tweeted, "GREAT JOB Kirk !!! Let's pray one day Piers Morgan finds true Salvation, God Bless!"
Even Elizabeth Hasselbeck, conservative voice on "The View," noted that "I don't agree with him there at all" before adding, "I do believe that the beauty of this nation is that he can, upon being asked, or of his free will, stand up and say what he believes." Co-host Joy Behar finally agreed that Cameron had a right to free speech, but said she thought he should "just shut up."
Cameron's rep told ABCNews.com Monday that the actor was "thankful for thousands of emails and comments that he's received from those who value the freedom to express one's beliefs."
On the other side of the argument, former co-star Tracey Gold, sister Carol Seaver to Cameron's Mike Seaver, was plain about where she stands, tweeting: "I am a strong supporter of the #LGBT Community, and I believe in equal rights for all. #NOH8 #LOVE"
"Growing Pains" dad Alan Thicke and openly gay actors Neil Patrick Harris and Jesse Tyler Ferguson expressed their views with a touch of humor.
Thicke made it a family affair: "Survey says: Seaver opinions represent 100% of Americans, differences included. Just like a real family. But of course, 'Father Knows Best!'"
"The only unnatural thing about me being gay," Ferguson said, "is that I had a crush on Kirk Cameron until about 24 hours ago."
Said Harris? "That Kirk Cameron is hilarious!"
[For the record, 10:50 p.m. March 6: This post originally misspelled Stephen Baldwin's first name as Steven.]
Good news, Brad Pitt and George Clooney fans -- the band's back together. Or at least it was on Saturday evening in Los Angeles, where the two stars reunited onstage for the play "8."
Penned by Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black, the YouTube-streamed reading at the Wilshire Ebell Theater charted the proceedings in the federal appeals court hearing that deemed Proposition 8, a state ban on gay marriage, unconstitutional.
"How come no one knew their lines?" joked an adorable Darren Criss, referring to the actors' being "on book," thus qualifying the production as a staged reading. Criss admitted that the performances got him a bit choked up.
Like those of Jamie Lee Curtis and Christine Lahti, playing two married women -- two of the plaintiffs -- whose union was considered void once the proposition passed. Matt Bomer and Matthew Morrison played a male couple who were also plaintiffs.
Pitt loomed large as the judge, hearing arguments from lawyer characters played by Clooney, Martin Sheen and Kevin Bacon, and their witnesses and experts portrayed by the likes of John C. Reilly, Chris Colfer, Yeardley Smith, George Takei and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
An after-party in the theater's charming courtyard brought out Ferguson's "Modern Family" family, including Julie Bowen, Eric Stonestreet and Ty Burrell. Kyra Sedgwick came through for Mr. Bacon, and Brad and George stuck close by each other.
Photo: Brad Pitt and George Clooney at the after-party for "8" in Los Angeles, benefiting the American Foundation for Equal Rights. Credit: Associated Press
Ellen DeGeneres used her TV monologue on Wednesday to express her gratitude to those supporting her against criticism that JCPenney should not keep her as its spokesperson. She also reminded people that, well, she's gay.
Hey, she is a comedian, people.
The traditional values organization One Million Moms "doesn't think that I should be the spokesperson because I'm gay," DeGeneres said, and continued in her trademark deadpan delivery. "For those just tuning in for the first time, it's true. I'm gay. I hope you were sitting down. I hate to break it to you this way."
One Million Moms defines itself on its Facebook page as "an online activism campaign which gives mothers an impact with entertainment media decision-makers, and lets them know we are upset with the messages they are sending our children and the values being taught."
A week ago, One Million Moms put out a statement asking that JCPenney remove DeGeneres as its spokesperson, saying in part, "The majority of JC Penney shoppers will be offended and choose to no longer shop there. ... By jumping on the pro-gay bandwagon, JC Penney is attempting to gain a new target market and in the process will lose customers with traditional values that have been faithful to them over all these years." The group asked supporters to make personal phone calls to the company demanding it lose DeGeneres as its new face.
In thanking JCPenney and others who are supporting her, Ellen defined her own traditional values: "I want to be clear. ... I stand for honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you want to be treated, and helping people in need. To me those are traditional values, and that's what I stand for."
Among those supporting DeGeneres? Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, whom she thanked on Twitter and also on the show.
"What is the difference between a McCarthy-era communist blacklist in the '50s and the Million Moms saying, 'Hey, JCPenney and all you other stores, don't you hire any gay people. Don't you dare.' What is the difference? ..." the news anchor said Tuesday on "The O'Reilly Factor."
"This JCPenney thing is a witch hunt, and it shouldn't happen."
As an openly gay couple, Portia and Ellen DeGeneres have faced plenty of challenges, but one worry they can safely put to bed is Ellen getting dropped by J.C. Penney.
The company has signaled that it is standing by DeGeneres as its spokeswoman, despite the group One Million Moms -- part of the American Family Assn. -- having launched a campaign to force J.C. Penney to end its association with DeGeneres and "remain neutral in the culture war."
In a statement Friday, J.C. Penney responded with support for the comedian, saying it "stands behind its partnership with Ellen DeGeneres."
GLAAD was understandably overjoyed with the news. A site the group had launched to show support for DeGeneres changed focus to show support for J.C. Penney over its decision. As of Friday afternoon, #StandUpForEllen had received more than 26,000 signatures.
"This week Americans spoke out in overwhelming support of LGBT people and J.C. Penney’s decision not to fire Ellen simply for who she happens to love," GLAAD spokesman Herndon Graddick said in a statement. "But while Ellen has the nation on her side, in 29 states today, Americans can still be legally fired just for being gay. Our elected officials should use this incident as yet another example of the support for legal protections for all hard working employees."
Cynthia Nixon would like to clarify: She might be choosing to partner currently with a woman rather than a man, but she had no choice in the matter when it came to being bisexual in the first place.
Nixon, who is currently rocking a bald head as the lead in "Wit" at New York City's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, has found herself at the center of controversy recently after saying that, for her, homosexuality is a choice. Now she has parsed her words more carefully to be clear about exactly what she meant.
Initially, in a Jan. 19 interview with the New York Times Magazine, she defended her statements, explaining, "I gave a speech recently, an empowerment speech to a gay audience, and it included the line ‘I’ve been straight and I’ve been gay, and gay is better.' And they tried to get me to change it, because they said it implies that homosexuality can be a choice. And for me, it is a choice. I understand that for many people it’s not, but for me it’s a choice, and you don't get to define my gayness for me."
"I am very annoyed about this issue," Nixon told The Times. "Why can't it be a choice? Why is that any less legitimate?"
A few days afterward, she explained further. "I don't pull out the 'bisexual' word because nobody likes the bisexuals," she told the Daily Beast in a Jan. 24 article. "Everybody likes to dump on the bisexuals. ... We get no respect."
Did we mention she's shaved her head for "Wit," in which her character deals with ovarian cancer? And that the hairstyle is a shocking transformation from her red-haired Miranda days on "Sex and the City"?
Buzz about her current work notwithstanding, Nixon finally on Monday issued a statement exclusively to the Advocate, putting her beliefs in black and white in case anyone wanted to interpret them, she said, "in a strictly legal context." Her statement, which can be read in full at the Advocate, includes this explanation:
"While I don't often use the word, the technically precise term for my orientation is bisexual. I believe bisexuality is not a choice, it is a fact. What I have 'chosen' is to be in a gay relationship.
"As I said in the [New York] Times and will say again here, I do, however, believe that most members of our community — as well as the majority of heterosexuals — cannot and do not choose the gender of the persons with whom they seek to have intimate relationships because, unlike me, they are only attracted to one sex."
So yeah, back to Nixon's hairstyle, or lack-of-hair style -- was the shaved head, instead of wearing a bald cap, a good choice?
Photo: Cynthia Nixon at the curtain call for the opening night of "Wit" at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City on Thursday. Credit: Craig Barritt / Getty Images
