News Round-Up: July 29, 2019

(image via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunks: Broadway hottie Jim Newman (above) finds he has his Fire Island pool all to himself with no one to play with his beach ball. I'm sure he'd have no problem finding company... :)

• NewNowNext: A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Russian LGBTQ activist Elena Grigoryeva. Officials do not intend to pursue hate crime charges, claiming the murder was not motivated by her activist work, nor her bisexual identity.

• Instinct: In its series finale, Andi Mack served up Disney's first gay couple.

• Gr8erDays: If you love entertainment/pop culture info from days gone by, follow this Instagram account for daily infograms about celebrity birthdays and more from TV, movies and more.

View this post on Instagram

Celebs born ‪on July 29‬ include, in order: . Stephen Dorff, 46 Wil Wheaton, 47 Kevin Spirtas, 57 Jean-Hughes Anglade , 64 ‪Mike Starr, 69‬ ‪Leslie Easterbrook, 70‬ ‪Roz Kelly, 77‬ ‪David Warner, 78‬ ‪.‬ ‪.‬ ‪.‬ ‪#davidwarner rozkelly #jeanhughesanglade #movies #tv #stephendorff #shirtless #shirtlessguys #hotguys #leslieeasterbrook #rozkelly #pinkytuscadero #wilwheaton #kevinspirtas #mikestarr #celebritybirthdays #gr8erdays

A post shared by Gr8erDays (@gr8erdays) on Jul 28, 2019 at 7:27pm PDT

• Politico: Kamala Harris on Monday unveiled a plan to achieve universal health care coverage by growing Medicare with the help of private insurers, an effort that splits the difference with her chief Democratic presidential rivals and equips the California senator with her own signature health care proposal ahead of this week’s debates.

• Roanoke Times: A small number of Republicans tried to have Rep. Denver Riggleman censured for having the nerve to officiate a same-sex wedding for two of his supporters. p.s. The attempt failed...

• Out Music: Kelechi drops his latest bop, "Forever Tonight," with an upbeat 1980s vibe complete with fat beats and pop/soul roots. I'm hearing a little Human League groove in there perhaps...?

“I make romance pop music,” Kelechi recently told Out.com. “I want people to fall in love with the feeling they get when they listen."

I have to say I like the simple approach to the video. Lately, I find overly-complicated music videos can get in the way of listening/enjoying the music.

News Round-Up: March 5, 2019

InstaHunk Jim Newman in Brazil

Some news items you might have missed:

• Oh no, I'm not jealous at all of InstaHunk Jim Newman and his Brazilian infinity pool afternoon. #HowNiceForHim #SeeWhatHardWorkGetsYou

• CNN reports that Donald Trump pressured White House staff to issue Ivanka Trump a security clearance against their recommendations. This comes just days after The New York Times reported that the Trumpster intervened to secure a high-level security clearance for his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

• Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado, has agreed to drop his lawsuit against the Colorado Civil Rights Commission in exchange for the commission giving up on its own administrative discrimination complaint against Phillips.

• NBC News reports North Korea started rebuilding a banned long range missile site 48 hours after Donald Trump's failed Hanoi summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

• An unlicensed gun owner in Indiana is recovering in a hospital after accidentally shooting himself in the penis. #WhatElseIsThereToSay?

• Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is reported to be scrambling to avoid embarrassing Donald Trump as possibly 15 Senate Republicans may join Democrats in a resolution denouncing the Donald's use of 'national emergency' to get funds for his beloved wall.

• Madonna celebrated the 30th anniversary of the release of her mega-hit, "Like a Prayer," yesterday. The actual date was Sunday, but apparently Madge was 'blocked' from posting then.

The Queen of Pop writes: "30 years ago today I released Like a Prayer and made a video that caused so much controversy because I kissed a black saint and danced in front of burning crosses! I also made a commercial with PEPSI that was banned because my video was seen as inappropriate. Happy Birthday to Me and Controversy! #likeaprayer meant to post this yesterday but was blocked! what a shocker!"

View this post on Instagram

30 years ago today I released Like a Prayer and made a video that caused so much controversy because I kissed a black saint and danced in front of burning crosses! I also made a commercial with PEPSI that was banned because my video was seen as inappropriate. 🔥🔥🔥Happy Birthday to Me and Controversy! #likeaprayer 🙏🏼 meant to post this yesterday but was blocked! 😂 what a shocker!

A post shared by Madonna (@madonna) on Mar 4, 2019 at 12:13pm PST

News Round-Up: December 21, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Handsome InstaHunk Jim Newman (above) has been running a fabulous "Days of Christmas" campaign over on his Instagram taking daily pics au naturel with items in his home blocking just the barest of body parts. Well-worth clicking over to as this was the most tame I can post here ;)

• An amateur photographer from England received a 16-year jail sentence for drugging and raping male models. "I get a kick out of robbing a straight guy out of his masculinity," he shared in a conversation.

• Donald Trump, who promised his infamous wall along the Mexican border would be paid for by Mexico, now says "The wall will pay for itself."

"The wall will pay for itself on a monthly basis," Trump said, contradicting his previous claim that Mexico would pay for the border wall and threatening a government shutdown if a spending bill doesn't include his $5B demand for funding it https://t.co/QTj5qScUCn pic.twitter.com/NUNy53tGWX

— POLITICO (@politico) December 21, 2018

• Even though the play opened to very good reviews, the Broadway revival of Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song, starring out actor Michael Urie, has announced it will close January 6.

• The stock market moved into bear territory this week as the Dow fell another 417.11 points today, closing the week with a loss of 6.75% - its worst weekly decline since October 2008. #ThanksTrump

• In a year of ups and downs, the world searched for "good" more than ever before — according to Google Trends. From the epic headlines to the everyday moments, here’s to all the good that people discovered in 2018.

News Round-Up: December 16, 2018

Jim Newman (via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Broadway hunk & 'Daddyhunt' star Jim Newman (above) demonstrates that even Santa's elves have to do laundry some time...

• San Diego Pride is so successful, the organization has announced that it will be donating more than $170,000 to 59 different LGBTQ-serving charities and organizations around the world.

• Ann Coulter offered her description of the Democratic Party on Laura Ingraham's show Tuesday night: "The Muslims and the Jews and the various exotic sexual groups and the black church ladies with the college queers"

On Ingraham's Fox News show, Ann Coulter describes her version of the Dem party

"I mean you have the Muslims and the Jews and the various exotic sexual groups and the black church ladies with the college queers ... you must hate white men. It's the one thing they have in common" pic.twitter.com/xGWe0wH2uP

— Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) December 12, 2018

• Sexual abuse settlements could force the Boy Scouts of America into bankruptcy.

• A new poll by the Washington Post Fact Checker shows 70% of Americans don't believe Trump's lies.

• Frankie Grande teams up with his sis, Ariana, for this take on the Act Two opener from RENT, "Seasons of Love," as part of the #RentSingALong initiative celebrating the upcoming live presentation of the hit musical

RENT will air live on January 27 at 8/7c on FOX. Hit play below.

Podcast: 'Daddyhunt The Serial' Star Jim Newman

Jim Newman (image via Instagram)

On today's episode of The Randy Report,  I’m chatting with actor & singer Jim Newman.

In addition to a lengthy Broadway resume (Hands on a Hardbody, Curtains, Minnelli on Minnelli, Steep Pier, Sunset Boulevard, and The Who’s Tommy), Jim is also currently ‘The Cowboy’ in a very iconic 70s/80s disco band you know very well.

Jim also works extensively in TV and film, including two of my favorite award-winning digital series - Hustling and After Forever, currently on Amazon Video.

For a couple of years now, I've also been a fan of Daddyhunt the Serial, which chronicles the story a hunky handsome ‘daddy’ we’d all like to date (played by Jim), and his younger boyfriend, 'Ben,' played by BJ Gruber.

Since its debut in 2016, Daddyhunt the Serial has become a big hit all around the world.

View this post on Instagram

Daddyhunt season 3 tomorrow #daddyhunt #season3 #finally #here #youtube. #facebook #graydon

A post shared by Jim Newman (@jimnewmannyc) on Oct 23, 2018 at 12:25pm PDT

I recently got to chat with Jim about Daddyhunt, his iconic disco band and how social media has become such a big part of being a working actor these days - the good and the bad.

And speaking of social media, you should be following the hunky cowboy on Instagram, where he already has over 72,000 followers.

And for more exclusive content, check out his OnlyFans.com page here.

Hit the play button below to listen to my chat with the oh-so-charming Jim Newman.

View this post on Instagram

@roblangphotography #scruff #rooftop #nyc #photography #face #man

A post shared by Jim Newman (@jimnewmannyc) on Oct 10, 2018 at 11:05pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Fire Island #bayside #speedo #hairy #swimming #poolside #selfie #scruffygay #beardedgay #hairygay #daddyhunt #fitness #beachready #leanmuscle #over50 #hangingin #instagay #instagood #instahairy #instafit #picoftheday #fireisland #pines

A post shared by Jim Newman (@jimnewmannyc) on Aug 17, 2018 at 9:23am PDT

Season 3 of 'Daddyhunt: The Serial' Is Here

BJ Gruber and Jim Newman in 'Daddyhunt: The Serial'

Daddyhunt: The Serial is back with Season 3 continuing the saga of two men who connect on the social network, Daddyhunt.

The popular digital series follows the romance of a hunky daddy ‘Graydon’ (played by woofy Jim Newman) and his younger bf ‘Ben’ (played by oh-so-cute BJ Gruber).

In addition to chronicling the ups and down of gay dating today, the series also incorporates some useful info for gay men.

The second season introduced the topic of PrEP, and offered PSAs featuring the series’ actors covering topics like condom use, regular testing and more.

Season 3 builds on that with an emphasis on STD testing and partner notification (telling sexual partners they may need to get tested).

The first episode of the new season opens on Graydon and Ben having grown closer and more intimate, but a past love brings to the surface some insecurities and doubts that have an impact on the couple.

Ben’s bestie, ‘AJ,’ (Michael Snipe Jr.) gets a new love interest – but they too face some struggles early on.

And then there’s Graydon’s ex, ‘Andrew’ (David Farrington), who seems to have his own agenda in the mix.

As in Season 2, Daddyhunt again partnered with Building Healthy Online Communities (BHOC), to weave in storylines relating to STD testing, and the challenge of telling partners that they might have inadvertently given them an STD.

Dan Wohlfeiler, of BHOC, had been talking for some time with Carl Sandler, the CEO of Daddyhunt, about how Daddyhunt could incorporate these strategies.

BJ Gruber and Jim Newman in 'Daddyhunt: The Serial'

“He sent me the first season of the Daddyhunt: The Serial, and I was hooked,” shares Wohlfeiler. “It had incredibly talented actors, terrific production values and a really compelling script. We started talking about how we could do a second series with a story line about some of the big issues that gay men are facing when it comes to HIV...PrEP or condoms? Or both?”

“I’d previously met Dan Wohlfeiler at an AIDS Conference,” said Carl Sandler, CEO and Co-Founder of Daddyhunt. “After watching the first season of the DADDYHUNT: THE SERIAL, Dan contacted me and asked if there was a way we could work together on a Season 2 of the Serial and maybe include a public health component to the storyline."

"I immediately thought that this was a great idea because we want to educate our users about condoms, PrEP, the importance of routine testing and other safe sex practices. By working together with BHOC, we have managed to reach not only Daddyhunt users but millions of viewers, entertaining and educating them about these important topics.”

Jim Newman in 'Daddyhunt: The Serial'

Along with the four episodes that make up Season 3, Daddyhunt is also releasing six accompanying PSAs featuring the actors encouraging gay men to seek out information on getting tested, PrEP, maintaining an undetectable viral load, and advice on writing a good online profile.

You can check out episode 1 of Daddyhunt: The Serial Season 3 below.

Episode 2 is set to drop October 30. Find that and all past episodes of the web series on the Daddyhunt YouTube Channel.

News Round-Up: March 28, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• NYC actor/singer Jim Newman (above) is giving you serious cowboy, which makes total sense as he's the "Cowboy" in a very famous disco band. Wanna guess which one? #SaveAHorse

• Legislation that would give same-sex couples the right to marry in Northern Ireland has advanced to a second reading.

• A father had his girlfriend rape his 11-year-old autistic son because he was afraid the boy was gay. Both father and girlfriend have been convicted and face life in prison. #LifeInPrisonSoundsRight

• We could see over 150 LGBTQ candidates in elections this fall as members of the tribe run for national, state and local office.

• Congress may be fixated on Facebook for data breach during 2016 election, but Donald Trump is apparently obsessed with Amazon. I'm sure it has nothing to do with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos also owning The Washington Post.

• Speaking of Trump, it looks like the bloom is off the rose as far as former Trump fan Ann Coulter is concerned. She told an audience of college Republicans last night, “I knew he was a shallow, lazy ignoramus, and I didn’t care."

• With over $24 million in box office in two weeks, coming-of-age/coming-out film Love, Simon ranks in the Top 25 highest grossing teen romance movies of all time.

• Bonus Love, Simon: Keiynan Lonsdale, who plays one of the love interests in the hit gay teen comedy and came out as bisexual last year, just dropped a new queer love anthem, "Kiss the Boy."

The song will be included on an upcoming album from Lonsdale.

Check out the lyric video below which is off-the-charts in its awesome diversity.

News Round-Up: February 21, 2018

(via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• In case you missed it, Jim Newman definitely wished you all a Happy Valentine's Day (above)

• Melonie Diaz has been cast as the first magical sister in the Charmed CW reboot. She'll play "Mel," the time freezing lesbian sister of the trio of witches featured on the show.

• American voters overwhelmingly support allowing undocumented children brought to the U.S. as children, so-called "Dreamers," to remain and eventually apply for citizenship by 80%-16%.

• Olympic silver medalist Gus Kenworthy says he'd like to explore acting as his next chapter and Wes Anderson would be his dream pick as director. Hey, Wes...

• Defense Secretary James Mattis' deadline for recommending how to handle transgender military service members came and went today. What next?

• MTV fired reality personality James Eason for homophobic tweets that compared gays with dogs or fleas, or something really stupid.

News Round-Up: February 2, 2018

Jim Newman (photo via Instagram - Isauro Cairo)

Some news items you might have:

• I loved actor/singer Jim Newman in "Daddyhunt The Serial" - and now I just discovered his Instagram! I had no idea he performs with the Village People as "The Cowboy." #SaveAHorse

• Out transgender actress Candis Cayne will star in "ground-breaking" trans storyline on Grey's Anatomy.

• Tickets went on sale for Elton John's final world tour and sold out in minutes. #NoSurprise

North America will be the first stop on my final world tour, with tickets on sale tomorrow from the bio link. #EltonFarewellTour #USA #Canada #FarewellYellowBrickRoad

A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn) on Feb 1, 2018 at 10:56am PST

• Pride.com shares 13 questions straight people have about gay sex (but are afraid to ask...)

• For her 60th birthday, Ellen DeGeneres gave her studio audience $1 million to split.

• A hater trolled the Pittsburgh Penguins on the announcement of taking part in diversity/inclusion program "Hockey Is For Everyone." And the Penquins clapped back:

In support of the NHL's commitment to diversity and inclusion in hockey, @mattmurray_30 has elected to be the #Pens ambassador for Hockey Is For Everyone.

Full list of ambassadors: https://t.co/wGI8C3BgnY pic.twitter.com/raOPxregO7

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 1, 2018

Unfollow

— Mr. Stew (@bigstewo7) February 1, 2018

Go ahead. If you don't support inclusion in hockey, there is not much reason to follow us anyway.

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 1, 2018