Celebrating The First Same-Sex Kiss On The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The cast of Broadway's 'The Prom' on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

While cooking our Thanksgiving Day celebration meal this morning, I had the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the big TV, pausing each time a current Broadway show offered a performance for the folks at 34th Street and across the nation.

This year, television viewers were treated to numbers from My Fair Lady, Mean Girls and the most recent addition to the Great White Way, The Prom.

And so it was that I put the stove on simmer and poured a mimosa to watch "Build A Prom" from The Prom.

The show is about a group of Broadway actors who swoop into an Indiana town to save a young teen lesbian whose high school won’t let her bring a girl to her prom.

The show recently opened at the Longacre Theater on Broadway to rave reviews.

Upbeat, lively and full of energy, the musical number closes with two female leading characters, played by Caitlin Kinnunen and Isabelle McCalla, kissing.

We’re pretty sure this is the first same-sex kiss in the parade’s history.

Whoo-hoo!

“Broadway’s The Prom is grateful to Macy’s and NBC for their acceptance and inclusivity of a community and a story that is about acceptance, tolerance and love,” the show’s producers shared with EW. “These are some of the themes reflected in our musical comedy and we are very proud to be the very first LGBTQ kiss on the Thanksgiving Day Parade.”

Here’s the number:

Of course, the Twitterverse went insane (in good and bad ways) over the historic lip-lock.

Celebrated out director and playwright Tina Landau tweeted:

Two girls. Just kissed. On live TV. On the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I suddenly cried. Lovely. Thanks given to @ThePromMusical. (& Macy’s/NBC.) & lesbians everywhere. & turkeys. For their sacrifice. But esp. @ThePromMusical.

— Tina Landau (@TinaLandau) November 22, 2018

And there’s more…

The first ever LGBTQ+ kiss on the Macy’s thanksgiving day parade @ThePromMusical rocked it! pic.twitter.com/w5xjNnW3L2

— Matt (@broadway_4me) November 22, 2018

I’m most thankful for the #MacysParade performance from The Prom. It just warms my heart thinking of all the homophobic family members are out there pissing themselves over it. This is a win for all the queer kids who can’t come out to their families this Thanksgiving

— ☼ lizz☽ (@lizzsoileau) November 22, 2018

Anybody in their feelings about The Prom, shut up and enjoy your turkey later. That was beautiful to see on national TV, and don’t blame your homophobia on being worried about what kids see. They only know what they are taught. Teach them love and acceptance. #MacysParade

— Joan Smith (@TVandSheetMasks) November 22, 2018

Just got chills seeing The Prom on the #macysthanksgivingdayparade so important to see that kind of representation, especially on a holiday where many people are turned away from their family for who they are

— nikki (@louispaladin) November 22, 2018

I can’t stop thinking about what watching The Prom’s performance meant to so many young queer people today #MacysParade

— Sarah Burney (@SarahBurbur) November 22, 2018

#TheProm kiss means even more to me because it's my first Thanksgiving with my LDR girlfriend of 6 years! I'm still crying and that kiss meant so much! #loveislove #pride Thank you @nbc and @Macys for showing that!

— Brigid (@BrigidWriter) November 22, 2018

So proud. So thankful. pic.twitter.com/DGTYNsJhxB

— Josh Lamon (@JoshLamon) November 22, 2018

I JUST WANNA DANCE!!! More dancing lesbians front and center please! Big cheers for @ThePromMusical! #MacysParade

— Filmed Live Musicals (@filmedliveMT) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! If you are queer, remember you aren’t alone. #macys #macysthanksgivingdayparade #queer #lesbian #gay #lgbt #lgbtq #trans #transgender #thanksgiving #theprom pic.twitter.com/toeGu9FbZs

— Melody Maia (@MaiaMonet) November 22, 2018

And then, of course, we have the haters - but who cares? :)

Wow #Macyday #ThanksgivingDayParade parade has totally went to the crapper with a #lesbian kiss on national TV while millions of children watch two women make out on a #Thanksgiving as parents DONT LET KIDS WATCH THIS STUFF!!!! Boycott #Macy's this was a total #abomination!!! pic.twitter.com/LmQVmTh11K

— Sonny Cardona (@extrmlifechager) November 22, 2018

We were watching the @Macys Thanksgiving Day parade as a family (always do) BUT that lasted all of 5 minutes when they announced the second musical,The Prom...could do without the agenda this early in the morning. Not the family friendly programming we’ve come to expect.

— Laura Slavich (@LauraSlavich) November 22, 2018

Absolutely ridiculous. Not shopping Macy’s this year! Changed channels!

— Liz Doyle (@lizrdld_liz) November 22, 2018

Here's wishing you all a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving - produced by Marie Callender's

We are a household that cooks on the holidays.

The past several years hubby Michael has become more and more the 'foodie,' which bodes well for me :)

Michael does his Food Network & New Jersey Italian thing, and I offer my southern background/soul food.

But I thought I'd do a little #TBT when in 2013 we experimented with a prepared Thanksgiving meal from Marie Callenders.

Like the original Pilgrims, Michael returns from foraging in the wilderness for our Thanksgiving feast.
p.s. check out the bicep.  Nice, right?

Armed with my cookbooks, I'm taken a bit aback.

Michael is so proud. 

Now, wait a minute.... Oven?  Microwave?

Truth.

Michael attempts to help with the mashed potatoes

Michael poses to show how hard it is to unpack the box from MC. Note the flour splashed on his face...

"Look at me!  Look at all I prepared!"

Intimate but bountiful.  OK - I'm loving the ease of all this.

"Not yet, kids.... not yet...."

The glass table top helps to tell the backstage story of what's going on down under...

This pic represents pure love.  Not thinking it's love of Michael and I, but "pure love...."

I made Michael take this cheesy pic.  Thanks to wonder dog Bruno for photog duties.

Ok, I have to admit - Marie Callender's rocked Thanksgiving this year

Thanksgiving Cooking Lesson: "Just Put The F*cking Turkey In the Oven"

Aunt Mary from San Francisco has this professional advice for you on Thanksgiving day: "Just put the f*cking turkey in the oven!"

Salt, butter, cranberry, gravy and pinot noir makes it all better LOL

Happy Thanksgiving From The Randy Report

Wishing all of you shiny happy people a fabulous Thanksgiving.

I am thankful today and every day for you all.  Without you, there would be no Randy Report.

Hope your day is spent exactly how you wish.

And that's something to be thankful for :)

Thanksgiving Memory: My Debut On The Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade

Wow, talk about #ThrowBackThursday!

I can't believe how time goes by. Twenty-three years ago today, I made my Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade debut with the 1995 Broadway revival cast of Hello, Dolly! (including the incomparable Tony Award-winner herself, Carol Channing)!

I remember this like it was yesterday. We all had to get up waaaaaaaay early, get down to the Lunt-Fontanne Theater where we were playing to get into costume, then get on a bus to ride about 10 blocks down Broadway to sit in a trailer before we headed out to do "Before The Parade Passes By."

And it was so cold! You'd never know to look at Carol, though. And what a thrill to be on the most famous and watched parade with the world.

I then headed to home on the Upper West Side for a most fab dinner with (then boyfriend, now husband) Michael and my bestie, Carlye.

During dinner the phone rang, and it was Vanessa Williams calling from the West Coast to say "Happy Thanksgiving!" - and since she was watching the parade in California - "you look like you're freezing!" LOL

I still love my Broadway Dolly! family all these years later. What a great memory to find this video today.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A Presidential Study In Thanksgiving Contrasts

Thanksgiving Memory: Carol Channing & Company "Before The Parade Passes By"

I posted this in 2015, but as I'm watching the fab Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (and loving it), I think it bears a repost.

Happy happy Thanksgiving, kids!

***************************************************

Wow, talk about #ThrowBackThursday!

I can't believe how time goes by. Twenty years ago today, I made my Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade debut with the 1995 Broadway revival cast of Hello, Dolly! (including the incomparable Tony Award-winner herself, Carol Channing)!

I remember this like it was yesterday. We all had to get up waaaaaaaay early, get down to the Lunt-Fontanne Theater where we were playing to get into costume, then get on a bus to ride about 10 blocks down Broadway to sit in a trailer before we headed out to do "Before The Parade Passes By."

And it was so cold! You'd never know to look at Carol, though. And what a thrill to be on the most famous and watched parade with the world.

I then headed home for a most fab dinner with (then boyfriend, now husband) Michael and my bestie, Carlye.

During dinner the phone rang, and it was Vanessa Williams calling from the West Coast to say "Happy Thanksgiving!" - and, since she was watching the parade in California - "you look like you're freezing!" LOL

I still love my Broadway Dolly! family all these years later. What a great memory to find this video today.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving from The Randy Report

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

At The Randy Report, I talk a lot about politics and the political positions we all have.

The official policies here today are definitely "pro-Thanks" and "pro-Giving."

I'm thankful for so many things this year - especially my hot hubby, Michael, and the 1st Amendment :)

That said, it's easy for so many to enjoy this day. Whether wealthy or not, most of us have family, friends and a warm place to be today. I'm thankful that's the case for me and my family today.

But there are many less fortunate.

Today I'm thinking of LGBT kids who have been turned out of their homes because their families won't accept them for who they are, and they become homeless. And that's just the beginning of a nightmare journey for these kids in crisis.

The mission of the Ali Forney Center in NYC is to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) youth from the harm of homelessness, and to support them in becoming safe and independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood.

The Center is committed to providing these young people with safe, dignified, nurturing environments where their needs can be met, and where they can begin to put their lives back together.

I humbly ask you to please take one minute - 60 seconds - and consider what a small donation could mean to help these young people.

If you feel so moved, click over to the Ali Forney Center website and consider this worthy organization when you think of "giving" today.  No amount is too small to help.

I'm thankful every day that I get to share, post and pontificate here on The Randy Report.  Hopefully, I entertain a bit, help crack a smile, and every now and then inform.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for being here.

Happy Happy everyone!

Shirtless Nyle DiMarco Wishes You 'Happy Thanksgiving'

Via Instagram:

"Happy Thanksgiving everybody!! I'm thankful for every one of you my loyal fans who are also my friends. Your continued support everyday is the reason I am where I am. Lots of love to you all!"

Nyle can baste my turkey any day.

Just saying ... :)

President & Michelle Obama Give Thanks

Today is a reminder to be thankful for what we have, and share our blessings by helping others. –mo

A photo posted by First Lady Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Nov 26, 2015 at 8:44am PST

Thanksgiving Is Around The Corner

Thanksgiving with Robert De Niro & Billy Crystal

I literally laughed out loud. So perfectly both of them.

Happy Thanksgiving kids!

Most Distinct Thanksgiving Recipe Googled By State

Click pic to enlarge

According to the NY Times, this map shows the most distinct Thanksgiving recipes Googled by state.

I personally do not recall looking for the best way to cook"Frog Eye Salad."

One Million Moms vs KINKY BOOTS and Macys

Billy Porter (left) and Stark Sands (right) of the hit Broadway musical KINKY BOOTS celebrate their performance on the Macys Thanksgiving Parade by shopping at Macys

American Family Association media watch-dog One Million Moms (which actually only numbers about 60K) issued an e-blast today, voicing their utter disapproval that the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots was included and PERFORMED in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Right Wing Watch reports.

Via email:

As a parent and a member of OneMillionMoms.com, I am greatly disappointed in your company's choice to include the "Raise You Up" drag performance during your Thanksgiving Day Parade with millions of children present and watching from home. It is inappropriate to highlight cross-dressing in a sexually charged performance during a traditional family activity. Your blatant agenda and in-your-face message was quite offensive, and Macy's cannot be trusted. Shame on Macy's for promoting this behavior.

It is clear that Macy's does not have my children's best interest in mind. I can no longer trust Macy's Dept. Store. Your company needs to know that trust must be earned and once trust is lost it is difficult to get back.

Your decision was irresponsible, especially at an event when families are watching together. Nothing about this particular performance was family-friendly. The ENTIRE parade should be kid-friendly; not 95% of it! Your company can do better than this.

Here are just some of the "sexually charged" lyrics that One Million Moms took offense to:

Celebrate you to elevate you!

Instill the truth… learn something new.

Accept yourself and you'll accept others too.

Let love shine… let pride be your guide.

Change the world when you change your mind.

Just be who you wanna be.

You're beautiful; it's beautiful!

I should note that in his introduction of the performance on air, host Matt Lauer pointed out the theme of the show is celebrating the differences in each other. This clearly went over the heads of those folks over at One Million Moms.

Check out the performance below.  Then go support Macys Department store.  Go Macys!

(via Right Wing Watch)

Lady Gaga performs "VENUS" with the Muppets on Thanksgiving special

Lady Gaga performs "Venus" with the Muppets on the "Lady Gaga & The Muppets Holiday Spectacular."

The show also featured other very special guests including Sir Elton John who dueted with Gaga on some "Benny and the Jets" before breaking into some "ARTPOP"

College students tell the story of Thanksgiving

Or not.

Kinda sorta.

(h/t Towleroad)

Post-Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast

Wylie Dufresne, the owner of WD-50, doesn't contribute to Thanksgiving dinner; he makes breakfast the next day.

He shows Mark Bittman how he makes his fried eggs and turkey hash. Looks easy and delish. And we can all use new ideas for the leftovers.

Get the recipe here.

(h/t Towleroad)

Twitchy erupts over Broadway's "Kinky Boots" inclusion in Thankgsgiving Day Parade

Over on Twitchy, a very right-wing/anti-gay website, the folks are losing their minds that the fab "Kinky Boots" from Broadway was included in this years' Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade.

I'm thinking a lot of these folks could benefit from seeing the show and learning the positive life lessons of the show.

Check out just some of the responses below:

While we're talking about the 6 time Tony Award winning show, let's take a look at their performance on NBC today:

(via BroadwayWorld)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pizza Hut manager fired for refusing to open on Thanksgiving

An Indiana Pizza Hut manager has been fired for refusing to open the restaurant on Thanksgiving because he didn't think it was fair to his employees.

Tony Rohr says he thinks it is morally wrong to make people work on the holiday.

Rohr, who worked at the Jackson Boulevard Pizza Hut in Elkhart for 10 years, was fired after taking a stand at a meeting with superiors who told him opening on Thanksgiving was mandatory.
'Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only two days that they're closed in the whole year and they're the only two days that those people are guaranteed to have off and spend it with their families.'

But his goodwill cost him his job as he was told to sign a letter of resignation.

Rohr said he did not want to quit, but instead wrote a letter explaining his position to his boss

'I am not quitting. I do not resign however I accept that the refusal to comply with this greedy, immoral request means the end of my tenure with this company.

'I hope you realize that it's the people at the bottom of the totem pole that make your life possible.'

Rohr, who is now unemployed and looking for a new job, says it was worth it.

'They're still going to be open. I'm sure they're still going to sell pizza but I just didn't think it was right.'