Milo Ventimiglia in The Advocate magazine

The ever so lovely Milo Ventimiglia talks about Heroes and all things gay with those lucky bitches at The Advocate and here's a little excerpt:

Is Heroes ready for a gay hero?

Absolutely. The group of heroes on the show -- gay, straight, black, white, whatever -- we’re all outsiders. We’re all treated differently and oppressed in one way or another, and there’s a balance between that and standing tall in our difference. That’s what we’d try to focus on as opposed to a character being gay.

Which power would best suit a gay hero -- superhuman gaydar?

[Laughs] I don’t know, man. I mean, shit, maybe just a gay dude that can fly would be cool.

You recently visited our troops overseas on a USO tour. What’s your take on “don’t ask, don’t tell”?

When it comes down to it, gay or straight, you’re holding a weapon and fighting for our country, so sexuality seems irrelevant. It bothers me that in this day and age people are still looked at differently for having a sexual orientation that isn’t in agreement with an old institution such as the military. That being said, I can understand why a gay person in the military would just not want to say anything about it, because it would probably attract unnecessary attention. At the same time, it makes me sad to think that people can’t live their life openly, thinking that they won’t be accepted.

Good for him! I know that some of you think he's a douche, but I think he's absolutely lovely. I prefer him with bangs though, that buzzcut last year did nothing for me. By the way, these aren't photographs used in The Advocate or even recent ones. I did a google search and found these old ones, but I just thought that Milo looked way too cute in 'em.

Milo Ventimiglia in Corduroy magazine

Milo Ventimiglia looks as well-presented and fit as ever in Corduroy magazine. Boom-shak-a-lak!

Milo Ventimiglia - " I mean let's not kid ourselves: I wear make up and read lines for living."

Milo Ventimiglia trying to answer EW's question this week about what went wrong with season two of Heroes:

"For the most part, people still walk up to you with smiles on their faces saying, ''I love it. I love it. I love it.'' Occasionally, you get somebody who kinda looks at you and thinks, Eh, first season was better, but I still watch you guys. You're doing pretty good. I think there are a lot of fans that are begrudgingly hanging in there, very patiently waiting for us…. As a person that's on the show as well as a fan of the show, I always want to get back to the great character moments that drive the series. I'm hoping we get back to the feeling of the first season: that kind of base human emotion, that level where these people that have these abilities are understanding them still."

I still like the show. I could've done without the whole romance doo-dah with Caitlin as that added nothing to the story, but I enjoyed the introduction of Adam Monroe and Claire's hot new boyfriend West Rosen. Actually, just have Peter, Adam and West fight it out together all shirtless and sweaty and I'd be very happy!

14th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS®

Yet more acting nominations. I mean, it's not as if the money's enough, these people want acclaim and shiny awards too!

14th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS®
NOMINATIONS

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES


Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
GEORGE CLOONEY / Michael Clayton – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS / Daniel Plainview – “There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage)
RYAN GOSLING / Lars Lindstrom – “Lars And The Real Girl” (Sidney Kimmel Entertainment)
EMILE HIRSCH / Christopher McCandless– “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)
VIGGO MORTENSEN / Nikolai – “Eastern Promises” (Focus Features)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
CATE BLANCHETT / Queen Elizabeth I – “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (Universal Pictures)
JULIE CHRISTIE / Fiona – “Away From Her” (Lionsgate)
MARION COTILLARD / Edith Piaf – “La Vie En Rose” (Picturehouse)
ANGELINA JOLIE / Mariane Pearl – “A Mighty Heart” (Paramount Vantage)
ELLEN PAGE / Juno MacGuff – “Juno” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
CASEY AFFLECK / Robert Ford – “The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
JAVIER BARDEM / Anton Chigurh – “No Country For Old Men” (Miramax Films)
HAL HOLBROOK / Ron Franz – “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)
TOMMY LEE JONES / Ed Tom Bell – “No Country For Old Men” (Miramax Films)
TOM WILKINSON / Arthur Edens – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
CATE BLANCHETT / Jude – “I’m Not There” (The Weinstein Company)
RUBY DEE / Mama Lucas – “American Gangster” (Universal Pictures)
CATHERINE KEENER / Jan Burres – “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)
AMY RYAN / Helene McCready – “Gone Baby Gone” (Miramax Films)
TILDA SWINTON / Karen Crowder – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
3:10 TO YUMA (Lionsgate)
AMERICAN GANGSTER (Universal Pictures)
HAIRSPRAY (New Line Cinema)
INTO THE WILD (Paramount Vantage)
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (Miramax Films)

PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
MICHAEL KEATON / James Jesus Angleton – “The Company (TNT)
KEVIN KLINE / Jacques – “As You Like It” (HBO)
OLIVER PLATT / George Steinbrenner – “The Bronx is Burning” (ESPN)
SAM SHEPARD / Frank Whiteley – “Ruffian” (ABC)
JOHN TURTURRO / Billy Martin – “The Bronx is Burning” (ESPN)


Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
ELLEN BURSTYN / Posey Benetto – “Mitch Albom’s For One More Day” (ABC)
DEBRA MESSING / Molly Kagan – “The Starter Wife” (USA)
ANNA PAQUIN / Elaine Goodale – “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” (HBO)
QUEEN LATIFAH / Ana – “Life Support “ (HBO)
VANESSA REDGRAVE / Woman – “The Fever” (HBO)
GENA ROWLANDS / Melissa Eisenbloom – “What If God Were the Sun?” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
JAMES GANDOLFINI / Tony Soprano – “The Sopranos” (HBO)
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan – “Dexter” (Showtime)
JON HAMM / Don Draper – “Mad Men” (AMC)
HUGH LAURIE / Dr. Gregory House – “House” (FOX)
JAMES SPADER / Alan Shore – “Boston Legal” (ABC)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes – “Damages” (FX)
EDIE FALCO / Carmela Soprano – “The Sopranos” (HBO)
SALLY FIELD / Nora Walker – “Brothers & Sisters” (ABC)
HOLLY HUNTER / Grace Hanadarko – “Saving Grace” (TNT)
KYRA SEDGWICK / Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson – “The Closer” (TNT)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy – “30 Rock” (NBC)
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott – “The Office” (NBC)
RICKY GERVAIS / Andy Millman – “Extras” (HBO)
JEREMY PIVEN / Ari Gold – “Entourage” (HBO)
TONY SHALHOUB / Adrian Monk – “Monk” (USA)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE / Samantha Newly – “Samantha Who?” (ABC)
AMERICA FERRERA / Betty Suarez – “Ugly Betty” (ABC)
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon – “30 Rock” (NBC)
MARY-LOUISE PARKER / Nancy Botwin – “Weeds” (Showtime)
VANESSA WILLIAMS / Wilhelmina Slater – “Ugly Betty” (ABC)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
BOSTON LEGAL (ABC)
THE CLOSER (TNT)
GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC)
MAD MEN (AMC)
THE SOPRANOS (HBO)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 ROCK (NBC)
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
ENTOURAGE (HBO)
THE OFFICE (NBC)
UGLY BETTY (ABC)

SAG HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
300 (Warner Bros.)
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM (Universal)
I AM LEGEND (Warner Bros.)
THE KINGDOM (Universal)
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
24 (FOX)
HEROES (NBC)
LOST (ABC)
ROME (HBO)
THE UNIT (CBS)

Screen Actors Guild Awards 44th Annual Life Achievement Award
Charles Durning

That reminds me of the quote from the "The Truth About Will And Dogs" episode of Will and Grace. Grace gets a dog and when Grace brings the puppy in from the other room, Will asks, "Is that him?" and Grace sarcastically says, "No. It's veteran character actor Charles Durning." I dunno why it amused me so much but that line really tickled me. I laughed for ooh.. seconds!

Milo Ventimiglia for Prestige magazine

Milo Ventimiglia suits up again for another smart photoshoot, this time for the Hong Kong ediiton of Prestige magazine.

Milo Ventimiglia in Best Life magazine

Hot "Heroes" actor Milo Ventimiglia suits up for Best Life magazine's October issue:

"You know Milo Ventimiglia as Peter Petrelli, the death-defying male nurse of NBC’s Heroes. This fall, the 30-year-old actor takes a break from saving lives to go on a big-screen killing spree in Pathology, a hospital thriller in which he plays an intern caught up in a game of “sex, drugs, and murder.” To prepare for the role, he hung out with morticians and murder victims at the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. “It was a life-changing experience,” he says of his time spent with the deceased. “I’ll probably be doing the speed limit from now on.”

Safety has always come first when it comes to Ventimiglia’s wardrobe. “I know what I like, and I only invest in items I’ll still be able to wear in five or 10 years.” He’s not alone. This fall, designers are bringing back the classic black coat in upgraded fabrics such as luxurious wools and cashmeres. Try one on, as Ventimiglia does here, and take comfort in knowing it will look as good in a decade as it does today.

Milo looks mighty fine in this photoshoot, but I'm missing the floppy hair. That long fringe of his was so sexy..

Milo Ventimiglia and Zachary Quinto for Zink magazine

I almost didn’t recognised the highly becoming Milo Ventimiglia without his floppy hair in this photoshoot for Zink magazine. He’s still hot as hell, whatever the coiffure. His Heroes co-star Zachary Quinto is below.

The Primetime Emmys nominations list - bitch and moan along with me

The Primetime Emmys nominations list - feel free to bitch and moan along with me and pick your own favourites and laugh at the more dubious nominees.

Outstanding Drama Series:
Boston Legal
Grey's Anatomy
Heroes
House - of all of them, it's the only one I've watched regulary, so I'll pick this one, plus it has Jesse Spencer in and he's to die for
The Sopranos

Outstanding Comedy Series:
Entourage
The Office
30 Rock
Two and a Half Men
Ugly Betty - I so want Ugly Betty to win

Outstanding Lead Actor on a Drama Series:
James Spader, Boston Legal
Hugh Laurie, House - since I don't like any of the others, I've have to pick Hugh to win
Denis Leary, Rescue Me
James Gandolfini, The Sopranos
Kiefer Sutherland, 24

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:
Ricky Gervais, Extras - my favourite to win, I've never liked him but he's so awkwardly funny in this
Tony Shaloub, Monk - I like this show a lot though it's only shown sporadically on BBC2 whenever they summon up the energy to actually trasmit it
Steve Carell, The Office
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men - are they even being serious here?

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:
Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters - Oh, how I love Sally Field, no one does perky and neurotic as well as she does, Sally's gotta win
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Mariska Hargitay, Lay & Order: SVU
Patricia Arquette, Medium - Ah, I love this show too, it's a shame the BBC have seen fit to show it at 11pm on a Sunday night, the BBC know f**k all about programming
Minnie Driver, The Riches - I remember when she was fat and advertised deodorant
Edie Falco, The Sopranos

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:
Felicity Huffman, Desperate Houswives
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
America Ferrara, Ugly Betty - Ah, I like all the actresses in this category but Ferrara just makes me smile
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Jeremy Piven, Entourage - oh, as if!
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother - in a weak field, I go for the freshly outed 'mo to win
Rainn Wilson, The Office
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men - oh, please

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:
William Shatner, Boston Leagal - who doesn't adore William Shatner, it's about time he won something
TR Knight, Grey's Anatomy
Masi Oka, Heroes
Michael Emerson, Lost
Terry O'Quinn, Lost
Michael Imporioli, The Sopranos

Oustanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:
Jaime Pressly, My Name is Earl
Jenna Fischer, The Office
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men - who the heck likes this show anyway?
Conchata Ferrell, Two and a Half Men - FFS, it's a conspiracy!
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty - love her, my choice to win
Elizabeth Perkins, Weeds

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers and Sisters - easily my favourite amongst this po-faced bunch of whiners
Katherine Heigl, Grey's Anatomy
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy
Aida Turturro, The Sopranos
Lorraine Bracco, The Sopranos

There are a lot more nominations, but these are the fun ones right?

Source

Problems encountered by actors portraying gay characters

A couple of Hollywood actors are in the news this week after portraying gay characters. Firstly, ABC reports about the Academy Award nominated actress Laura Dern, who appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show and talked about how she couldn't get an acting job for more than a year after she shared a kiss with Ellen in the infamous Coming Out episode back in 1997.

"There was certainly backlash, I guess, (that) we all felt from it,"

Ellen said that she was sorry and "had no idea" that Dern was snubbed in Hollywood. Not getting work felt "awfully terrifying," recalled Dern, who said she's grateful for the "extraordinary experience and opportunity" to be a part of the groundbreaking episode.

Isn't that the stupidest thing? Laura Dern couldn't get work because she once played a lesbian in one episode of a TV show. And this was after Dern had been a regular in the tabloids for her high profile relationships with Kyle MacLachlan, Renny Harlin, Jeff Goldblum and Billy Bob Thornton.

It puts the story about Heroes' Thomas Dekker into perspective too. After Elton reports about the confusion over the sexuality of Dekker's character in the show, Zach.

Zach was conceived as a gay character, he was developed as a gay character, and as of the November 20th “Homecoming” episode, he was a gay character. And yet a decision was made by someone – be it studio execs, talent management, or otherwise – to “straighten him out”.

Dekker has left the show to appear in the upcoming Terminator spin-off series, The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Dekker has already played a gay character in TV show Grosse Point so it's unlikely the actor has an issue with playing gay. The real reason behind the about face hasn't been revealed to anyone's satisfaction but both stories highlight the apparent problems that some actors can still encounter these days after playing gay characters.