The Jury Is Still Out, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deliberations have now begun in the case of the State of New Jersey vs. Dahrun Ravi, or what those of us who really care call, more euphemistically, the Tyler Clementi case. Day One ended without a verdict, which does not surprise me in the least. And I do not envy these jurors, who are on one of the highest profile cases ever known, and the most renowned they will ever be associated with. The Gay community is hanging on their word. So is the Straight Community. So, most importantly, are the Clementis themselves.

What I find interesting is what I read about how this jury was chosen. A collective mixture of middle aged boomers and Gen Y or Z, or whatever they call themselves technonuts to guide the more challenged through the hazardous world of cyber space. On some level, this seems like a good idea. But when I hear how they also chose a jury who would not be afraid of a public backlash, should a Not Guilty verdict be handed down, I bristled.

Listen, you better believe there will be a public backlash, and I will damn well lead it!!!!!!!! I order the Gay Community to march in protest of what such a verdict would mean. And I am not just saying this for Gay rights. After all, the specter of homosexuality just happened to be the particular nature of Tyler Clementi's--to use a word--handicap. If the verdict handed down gives someone like Mr. Ravi the right to abuse someone like Tyler, by saying what he did was not wrong, then this gives carte blanche to all kinds of social persecution. What about humiliating the physically handicapped? Or the intellectually/emotionally retarded??? The harassment could just as easily have gone down that way, and with a Not Guilty verdict, the path will be clear to an Abuser's Field Day!!!!!!!! Which is why such a verdict must not be given, and which is why it is important, above and beyond even the issues at hand, that Ravi be held accountable for his miserable actions.

Let him get deported. I don't care. Because, let me tell you, I may not have the qualifications, and I do not know if the defense or prosecution ordered a psychiatric exam on Ravi, but as sure as I am the Raving Queen, he exhibits all the classic behaviors and mannerisms of the sociopath. And you know what happens there--you let them escape, and sooner or later, they are heard from again. Unlike most sociopaths, Ravi has no particular charm. He does not how to schmooze or manipulate a room, which is one reason why I am sure his lawyer did not put him on the stand. Does it mean he is not a sociopath???? No, it means that his lack of empathy is more deeply embedded. Trust me, if Ravi skates, we will not have heard the last of him!!!!

So, I want this jury to take its time!!!!!!! And it sounds to me like they are wise enough to do so, knowing all the implications that hang in the balance!!!!!

But Justice For Tyler and Closure for the Clemetis is our biggest concern here, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Ides Of March, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any theater companies doing "Julius Caesar" this evening???? Better they should do "My Fair Lady," because, yes, darlings, that musical theater classic opened on this very night, back in 1956. And its reception and history should put to rest the myth about this day, yet that myth--its negativity--still hangs over it. Even after a highly successful movie last year with the title, starring the highly successful, and equally delicious, Ryan Gosling!!!!!!

Darlings, there is just something about "this day," no matter how one looks at it, that makes you feel cautious!!! Now, I think the best way to combat this would be a shopping spree at Bergdorf's, maybe a hair appointment with Ariette, and a quick luncheon with the Girls!!!!! For those of you who have the time--go right ahead, dolls!!!!!

As for me, it's just another day, but one to remember. Time to beautify, glamorize, and try to look some semblance of gorgeous before hitting the streets once again.

Remember, girls, "You've got to climb to the top of Mount Everest to reach the Valley Of The Dolls." But no one ever told us how long that climb would be!!! Or that it might be shorter for some, longer for others!!!!!!

Happy Ides of March, everyone!!!!!!

Darlings, When It Comes Right Down To It, THIS Was The First Gay Television Show!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, darlings, as we all know, homosexuality has been with us since before Thespis stepped out of the chorus line. It was just a matter of how it was presented down through the ages, which, of course, has changed over time. By the time I was a growing baby boomer, the Television Generation, you bet I knew all the theme songs, not to mention owning the "Debbie Reynolds Dress Designer Kit" from Colorforms. And, of course, by the time I elevated to Parker Brothers' games, especially "CAREERS," you knew I always opted for Hollywood, and the chance to win an Oscar. Guess I was off and running, girls, but what did I know??????

Long before any of us knew the words "homosexual," and what it meant, let alone the word "gay," there were certain TV characters and types who stood out, just for their, to be polite, eccentricity. Like Wally Cox, of "Mr. Peepers." Or Maynard G. Krebbs on "Dobie Gillis." And how about that male English teacher on "Our Miss Brooks?"

Like Tennessee Williams and his dramatic masterworks, TV found a way of having homosexuality creep in, without offending the Masses.

Now, what triggered all this was a discussion between Monsieur and myself, as we readied for work. Coming across a reference to Lizzie Borden, on Yahoo, I recalled the 70's TV movie, "The Legend of Lizzie Borden,", with the ground breaking performance of Elizabeth Montgomery, who had been known for an altogether different role, a mere decade earlier.

That role, of course, was Samantha Stevens in "Bewitched," and let me tell you, darlings, when I get through here, you are going to realize that this was the first true openly gay sitcom on television!!!!!!!!!!

Let's start with Liz. She was plunked down in suburbia, married to straitlaced ad exec Darrin Stevens (played originally, by Dick York). Samantha had glamorous hair, fabulous Sixties outfits, and, when it came to housewifery, glamorized things in ways Margaret Anderson or June Cleaver just could not. Added to which, she did not have to lift a finger to do anything--because she was a witch, and she had powers. Darrin, the traditionalist, tried to put the kabash on their use, but that never stopped Samantha from exercising her Witch given right!!!!! And we loved it!!!! It was all us burgeoning girls wanted--like Mary Poppins--to get chores done with a snap of the fingers, or a wiggle of the nose. Even the household help I have does not work this fast!!!!!!!!! And Liz looked glamorous all the time!!!!!!!!!!!

Then, there was this FABULOUS supporting cast--an A-list of gay icon-icry!!!!!! Starting with Agnes Moorehead, as Endora, beautified to the max, and looking for all the world as though she were going to do Hermione Gingold in "Gigi."
And how about Maurice Evans, as her father????? And Paul Lynde as Uncle Arthur--need I say more????? That great Theater Queen figure, Alice Ghostley, playing Esmeralda??? And, how about Jane Connell (Broadway's original Agnes Gooch in "Mame"), as Queen Victoria??????? People to this day still talk about THAT episode and performance!!!!!

But my favorite of all had to be Doctor Bombay, portrayed brilliantly by Bernard Fox. Now, I have no idea if Fox himself was gay or not, nor do I care, BUT he played the character as if he had just arrived from spending an evening at a gay bar!!!!!!! No wonder he loved being surrounded with Fag Hags like Endora and Esmeralda!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then, there was the Question Of The Darrins. Dick York originated the part, and he was brilliant. Contrary to rumor, he was NOT gay, though he had appeared almost ten years before, in what is still thought of as a gay play--Robert Anderson's "Tea And Sympathy." The reason York left the show was tragic--he had suffered debilitating back pain for years, and it began to impact on his career and led to an addiction he worked hard to overcome. He was eventually replaced by Dick Sargent, who, ironically, had originally auditioned for Darrin, but turned it down to do a sitcom called "Broadside." Sargent had a history of homosexuality, and lived with a domestic partner, Albert Williams, until his death in 1994. Sargent did not officially "come out" till 1991, but during those "Bewitched" years, he made plenty of producers nervous, plus he was surrounded with the gayest sitcom cast imaginable!!!!!!! Those of us who watched him as Darrin, somehow "knew," and we just adored him for it!!!!!!!!!!

But most still wanted to be Samantha. Or Endora!!!!!!!!!!!

And, of course, the one I most wanted to be was Serena!!!!!!!!!!!

See you later, cuz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, You Have GOT To See My Louis Vuitton Traveling Purse!!!!

Darlings, as I have told you many times, your purse makes the evening. Whether you are on the Hollywood red carpet, or a Broadway opening, it is important that you be seen, and seen properly. So I want everyone to know I never go anywhere without my elegant Louis Vuitton traveling purse, which can carry everything from meds to even books in it. And it always helps me look my best!!!!!!!! Much lighter than a Pan Am bag, I will have you know, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With Spring just upon us, it is time to think about changes in wardrobe and accessories. You can never have too much of either. And shoes!!!!!!!!! So I want all of you to go shopping this weekend, and find the designer items that suit you best!!!!!! You do not want to be caught in a fashion faux pas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like that Angelina Jolie. Who has NO fashion sense, at all!!!!!!!!!!!

I stick to MERYL, and Stephanie March, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We Need A Reason To Celebrate, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, what with Spring just nine days away, and a week exactly from St. Joseph's Day, when the swallows return to Capistrano, the hope of Spring is on the way.
Proserpina soon will be coming back from Hell, but before that happens, girls, do you know what today is???????? It is Liza Minnelli's birthday!!!!!!!!!!!

I was so hoping my voice would return by now so I could sing full out like Liza in her day. At this point, I very likely sound like Liza does now, which is not good enough for me, with what my pipes can do at their best!!!!!!!!!

Today, Liza turns 66!!!!!!!!! How many hips and knees are hers? I forget!!!!!!!!! Anyway, when you get home tonight, have a Bellini, watch "Cabaret" or put on one of Liza's prime CD's!!!!!!!! Then have a cigarette outside, darlings!!!!!!!

Ann Miller!!!!!! Ann MILLER!!!!!!!! ANN MILLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, Another Diss??????? What Is Cuisine Coming To????????

Let me start off, girls, by saying that, first of all, I should not have gone. When Monsieur called me at work on Saturday, with a full group outing that included the legendary Bruce, the honorable Herb, and those two Wild Things, Don and Dante, I said to myself, "Am I up for this?" But I love Monsieur, so of course I will do almost anything. I should have let this be my limit.

It wasn't anything, but me. Engeline's, which has been in my nabe for almost two years, is a friendly, coffee shop type atmosphere place, that serves Filipino food. Not my favorite, but in a blue moon, Monsieur and I have enjoyed several meals there. And, lambs, their flan in a caramelized syrup sauce, is fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!

The service at this place has always been what I call leisurely. And you know, darlings, I am used to the fast paced cosmopolitan world of Manhattan, where you say what you want, and as soon as the words are out, it is there!!!!!!!! Princesses rule, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, this Princess was dissatisfied by the service Saturday night. Our waiter was cute, and, as one who has been around, he looked familiar to me; I think I have seen him across the borough in some rather disreputable places--but I cannot be sure!
Because we were a large group-six--I think they were caught short. Not only did our orders--even coke and water--take forever, the waiter did not serve the soup when we demanded, so we had to eat it along with our meal, which is SO de trop, darlings!!!!!!!!!

I am telling you right now, if Engeline's does not improve their service, they will not be providing any!!!!!!!!!! And, as far as I am concerned, it was not like the food was so spectacular it was well worth waiting for!!!!!!!!!

So, I just want to give this place a friendly warning. Once burned, patrons look the other way. A second time, and they show a response, by never coming back!!!!!!!!

What is it with the food industry these days? Two disses in a row, which is unheard of!!!!!!! And I am not out to destroy the restaurant scene, loves. But I have to insist on standards, and if standards are not met, I will report it!!!!!!!!!

So, get your act together, Engeline's!!!!!!!!!!! Or it is back to the Philippines for you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, You Can Bet This Is How It Was NOT Done In "Flower Drum Song"!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday, darlings, my friend, Angie, whom, I had not realized, I had not seen in 18 months, came to town, and we met. Angie looks as Angie as ever, meaning she hardly changes. Though none of us are the blushing youth we were when we first met, back in 1976. Wait till our friend Mary finds out about us!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, last afternoon, we spent perusing at bookbook, where I picked up the second volume of the Suzanne Collins trilogy. We then walked over and hung out at Monsieur's, whose apartment and organization Angie was suitably impressed with. Then we headed out the door to dinner. We decided to do Chinese, and one of the few such establishments left in the Village is Sammy's, located at 453 Sixth Avenue, near Sixth and 11th Street. It has been there for a long time, loves, but, after last night, I have some doubts abut how much longer it will be there.

It was all in the service, or lack thereof!!!!! What ever happened to the era of "Flower Drum Song," when coolies knew their place, and served?????? They still do, down in Chinatown. The waitress never once put a pot of tea on our table, and let me tell you, it would have helped immensely. Of course, we were so distracted by things, we did not think to ask, but, had, we, I fear the result would have been the same as when Monsieur asked for noodles and duck sauce. Dragon Lady said it was extra, and, then, instead of bringing over a nice salad bowl of those good, thick Chinese noodles and bowls of sauce, she brings over two little cardboard containers of sauce, with a cheap bag of the cheap thin noodles you buy in the supermarket!!!!!!!!!!

Excuse me?????????? Screw that!!!!!!!!!

This is not the way it is done, Madame Ching!!!!!!!!! If you keep up this kind of attitude with your customers, your establishment will go Ching-a Ling, and then you will be stuck in some sweatshop or laundromat that you supposedly escaped from your native country to avoid. Life is not Lisa See, darling!!!!!!!! I was ready to banish you from the kingdom, like a scene out of Pearl S. Buck's "The Good Earth"!!!!!!!

Good grief, what is civility coming to in this town?????? And among the pigtailed set!!!!!!!!!!!! If Sammy's does not do something to lift itself from the aura of the Raving Queen's ire, believe me, there will not be a Sammy's!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next time, we will be sure to go uptown!!!!! Ping Tung, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!