'Dancing With The Stars': THE FINALE IS TONIGHT!

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TONIGHT: Monday, May 21 at 8 p.m., Dancing With the Stars' long and winding 14th season comes to a climax. Dear William Levy, whose talent and charisma have propelled him into a national U.S. celebrity during his run, is among the three finalists, with pro dancing partner Cheryl Burke. They will go against stiffie athlete Donald Driver and Barbie Doll cry-baby Welsh vocalist Katherine Jenkins for the tiara, uh, I mean mirror ball trophy. 

This is it, cool cats! The three couples will be dancing a freestyle routine during the one-hour competition Monday (Will & Cheryl are practicing a Cha-Cha-Cha), and apparently one couple will be booted, with the remaining two finalists then competing with a pair of additional dances.

Tuesday night, when the winner is at laaaaaast revealed, Kelly Clarkson and Gladys Knight will be performing during the telecast, while all of the season's eliminated couples will return to perform some of their "most memorable routines," while flashing bitter faux grins that they were eliminated earlier in the season.

Don't forget to vote for Will!  You can register at abc.com for online voting, which starts Monday at 8 p.m., and closes Tuesday at 11 a.m.  with AT&T can text the Word VOTE to 3408 to cast their votes for Levy. The last two methods for voting can only be done within 60 minutes after the show is over.

My gut feeling for the season: Driver will be the first to be eliminated, while Jenkins will ultimately win the DWTS competition, amid a gushing flow of crocodile tears and a declaration of "Oh, I just can't believe it. Waaaaaah!" However, I think it's clear that William Levy's path to stardom has been paved, while Jenkins will slide back into obscurity... where she came from. Ole! *

Will Wows On Monday's 'DWTS'... And Now... Who Will Win?

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William Levy's first dance Monday, the Cha Cha Cha, garnered a perfect 30/30 score from the DWTS judges. On the follow-up Freestyle, he and partner Cheryl Burke scored 29/30. Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins scored a pair of 30s; while Super Bowl "star"/Green Bay Packers player Donald Driver tied Will with 59. Man, oh, man, this is going to be close! Tonight's the night. Will William Levy win? Or will Katherine Jenkins burst into uncontrollable tears, as she realizes this is the high point of her entire career. Countdown... four hours!

In an interview with The Miami Herald today, Levy was deemed "a man in demand." He said that the biggest challenge for him has been "learning all the rules that come with ballroom dancing. When I dance, I don’t like rules." Regarding judge Bruno's racy homo-friendly comments, he adds, "He speaks his mind, and I respect that." And after the show ends, he reveals: "I have projects in the works, but we aren’t able to talk about them at this time. But we will soon." *

William Levy Is Back On TV: VH1's 'Single Ladies' TONIGHT!

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The second episode of VH1's Singles Ladies Season 2 airs tonight—Monday, June 4 at 9 p.m.—with the debut of William Levy, following his absurd third-place finish on Dancing With the Stars to rigid, rhythm-less victor Donald Driver.

In "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On," new cast member Denise Vasi plays Will's love interest.  Huffington Post asked what it was like making out with him: "It was exactly everything that you imagine.

"I heard William was cast and obviously I knew who he was—I know now everyone in America knows who he is—but I knew who he was because I called my grandmother and my grandmother was like, “ay dios mio, William!” We knew him from the telenovelas."

She adds that his character Antonio was her character Raquel's first love and first sexual partner—she lost her virginity to him—"so there’s something really sweet about them reconnecting. But you know, the minute they do it's very sexy and hot." Ruff!

I tell you, no matter how bad this romantic comedy may be, there is simply no way it could be as dreadful to endure as DWTS. Thank god that's over and done. Moving on... Here's a preview of tonight's episode! *

William Levy's 'Venue' Cover Shoot Redux

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What the hell do you do when William Levy is the subject of your mag's cover shoot and every single pic is perfection? Every angle, each expression, every pose... Aha, you release the outtakes so that the world at large can swoon, sigh and partake in the beauty of the Sexiest Man Alive. Indeed. These shots by Kike San Martin from Will's 2011 spread for Venue are among his most alluring, bar none. Soak it in, cool cats. (Photos: William Levy World Italia) *

A Day At The Beach: William Levy's Latest Advert For Papas Sabritas

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William Levy's series of Spanish-language commercials for Lays Potato Chips (a la Papas Sabritas) continue their forward-moving storyline, as our man heads to the beach—thankfully shirtless (although his turquoise bathing suit is way too conservative)... only to be followed by the chip-munching cop who continues to swipe Will's chips.

Cleverly, there's even a lil' dance move here, an obvious allusion to his recent star-making appearance on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Quite a subtle vibe of eroticism here... but then again, we are talking about Willy, the Sexiest Man Alive. *

This Weekend: NYC's Annual Gay Pride Weekend

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This Sunday is New York's annual Gay Pride parade amid a mass of wondrous festivities. Last year was such a rush with my teen-age queer nephew Matty & his pal Jordan in tow... How I wish they could be here for the 2012 March... but somehow so much was packed into my schedule over the last month, I wasn't even sure I'd be attending the rally and accompanying events. Sigh...

I've no idea what's in store for the weekend. I'm attending a couple private parties and hope to participate in the march, but I must admit, much has changed over the past year. Last June, I was happily partnered, just as same-sex marriage passed in New York state. Now single, the whole affair has a bittersweet taste for me. Truly.

Certainly there is much to celebrate as I compare how different things were when I came out in 1985 versus the liberation and political prowess that has evolved with the decades... and god knows I'm as loud & proud as ever, open as a mature gay man to the world at large. And yet... yet. Hmmm. That's all I can muster.

In the mean time, I sure hope John Travolta has a liberating Gay Pride. Perhaps he will at last decide to come out, ending decades of self loathing. Dude, we're all so past that. Come out, come out, because the nation has become a much more accepting place since you were a young, struggling star. And that goes for one and all. Unless you're living in the deepest homophobic regions of the Bible belt, there's no excuse not to be who you are anymore. Cool cats, the road has been paved by the generations before you: Now take advantage and live your lives to the fullest. *

'EW' Cover Story Explores The Ease Of Coming Out Publicly

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In this week’s Entertainment Weekly cover story, writer Mark Harris examines the new, casual method in which gay celebrities revealing their sexuality publicly for the first time. Fifteen years ago, when Ellen DeGeneres decided to come out of the closet, it was big news—and a daring confession.

Fifteen years later, The Big Bang Theory’s Emmy-winner Jim Parsons joins American Horror Story’s Zachary Quinto, White Collar’s Matt Bomer, and any number of other gay TV personalities, from Modern Family’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson to Glee’s Jane Lynch to CNN anchor Don Lemon to Bravo’s Andy Cohen and John Travolta, George Clooney, Anderson Cooper and Tom Cruise, who have made it more commonplace and certainly more acceptable to come out and continue to flourish in show biz.

EW says, "By daring anyone to overreact, the newest generation of gay public figures is making a clear statement that there is a 'new normal, and it consists of being plainspoken, clear, and truthful about who you are." *

At Last: Real Details @ Celine Dion's Upcoming English/French Albums

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As Celine Dion returned to Las Vegas for her latest series of shows at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas June 9 through August 19 (following a throat infection that canceled a number of shows earlier in the spring) hubbie and manager Rene Angélil shared with the Montreal Gazette some precious details about her long-mysterious new English and French albums due later this year.

He tells the newspaper that recording took place for the sets in April and May in Florida... with the French album due in September and the English CD "probably" in November.

The French album is all original, thankfully, including compositions from Jean-Pierre Ferland and longtime contributor Luc Plamondon. “Ferland’s song, 'I Do Not Need Love' is a masterpiece,” Angelil told the Journal de Montreal.

Half of the English disc will comprise studio versions of songs from the Vegas show, including her stunning version of Janis Ian's "At Seventeen" (which, granted, any fan already has in HQ from her "Oprah" performance), as well as Journey's "Open Arms" (zzzz...) and her tear-jerking rendition of Jacques Brel’s "Ne Me Quitte Pas," one of the peak highlights of the Vegas show. Angélil says six original songs will round out the English set. There is also talk she has recorded a cover of James Ingram & Patti Austin's "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" from the show—which would be utterly stellar... just the kind of consummate ballad perfectly suited to Celine.

Meanwhile, according to the Journal, the English album will be titled "Water and a Flame," based on a collaboration on the album from British Producer Francis Eg White, who has worked with Adele, which, as we know, Celine is a huge fan of... given the addition of "Rolling In the Deep" to her Vegas show.

Comparing singing in English and French, Celine told the Journal: "It is like wearing jeans or an evening gown. You can not get a change of blood. French is my home, my roots. This is what I live first. French is a more domestic energy, more poetic. But when I sing in English, there are other emotions. As a singer I can not choose I need both. "

NBC Streamlines 'Smash' Cast: Adds Jennifer Hudson As Series Reg!

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While NBC's musical Smash has been renewed for a second season, it appears the network is calling for some major retooling to turn the promising series into a formidable hit. In fact, I wholly agree with the changes in store—except one. Because of the appointment of Josh Safran to turn the show inside out, it won't return until January 2012.

The biggest news is that Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will be joining former American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee in season two. Fuck, yeah! Her character will be named Veronica Moore, "someone who reached their Broadway dream but paid a price for it." Among the show's executive producers is Steven Spielberg, who also worked with Hudson in Dreamgirls. A match made in heaven, for sure.

Also joining the character list are two more newbies: "Danny, a straight, working-class Brooklynite in his mid-20s. He is sexy, charismatic and musically gifted, but also self-destructive and remote." And:  "Joe, a Brooklyn-born guy in his early to mid-20s. He is gay, very cute, incredibly open and optimistic."

Axed from Smash are the annoying character Ellis (Jaime Cepero), whose scheming assistant role seemed to pretty much irritate every fan of the show... Also out are McPhee’s boyfriend Dev (Raza),  and both Debra Messing's husband (Brian d’Arcy James) and lover Michael (Will Chase). Perfect: Who cares about the minutia of her personal life?

Obviously, the changes will allow Smash to focus on what it's all about: the conflict between characters building a Broadway show—and the music that comprises said show. Hit it! *

New York Post Covers Nasty Nabes On Brooklyn Heights Blog Post

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Now here's a switch. Instead of reporting pop culture news, I'm actually in the papers today! A story in Sunday's New York Post (online and print) explores a blog post I wrote for the Brooklyn Heights Blog last weekend in which I noted that a hot dog vendor had set up shop along Montague Street near the BH Promenade.

At the end of the post, I wrote one innocent subjective word: "Nice." At that point, the anonymous commenters on the blog tore me from limb to limb, spewing a kind of venom that makes me ashamed to live in a neighborhood that has no tolerance for anything that isn't dipped in gold... In all, 54 comments voiced their precious opinions... Read on.

Get out, dirty dogs: B’klyn cart snobbery

By KATE BRIQUELET & NATASHA VELEZ
Every hot dog has its day — except in Brooklyn Heights. Snooty weenie meanies scared off a new hot dog vendor after he’d done only a few hours of business, slamming his street meat as "disgusting food."

The brave cart-pusher parked on Montague Street near the promenade at 10:30 a.m. last Saturday. By that afternoon, so many locals had called the cops that an officer gave him a ticket and shooed him away.

"He was a nice young man trying to make a living, but in this neighborhood everything is a protest," said a longtime resident who watched the scene unfold from Montague Terrace. "He said something like, 'Well, this is life.' He packed up his belongings and left."

He hasn’t been back—but days later, anonymous neighborhood residents were still spewing their venom against him on the Brooklyn Heights Blog. "Ours is a quiet residential neighborhood," wrote Prom Gal. “This is not the place for people looking for 'street life.'"

Willow St. Neighbor chimed in: "What next? A big top? Circus animals? Clowns? Cotton Candy? What I would like to know is who authorized this? Why now?"

The reviews grew more scathing, with Heights Guy writing, "Disgusting food, served by disgusting people to disgusting people." Gerry, another wiener whiner, gloated that the red-hot seller wouldn’t be back. "This is a lot of bull," he said. "I have worked very hard to be able to afford to live on Montague Terrace and I do not need a hot dog vendor outside my window so he can make a few bucks. When and if this slob comes back, I will have him ejected—again by the NYPD."

Chuck Taylor, a blog correspondent who welcomed the vendor in a controversial online post, couldn’t believe the piping hot reaction. After all, the Heights hasn’t seen a street vendor at the end of Montague Street for years.

"People need to step back and realize nobody owns a New York City neighborhood," said Taylor, a 12-year resident of the Heights. "It is to be shared by all who call it home and all who visit. If something so minuscule as a hot dog vendor raises the ire of the neighborhood, that’s what I’d call snobbery."

Mohamed Hmidat, who owns the permit for the cart, but doesn’t sell franks himself, said his employee will steer clear of the neighborhood. "If they don’t want him there, they don’t want him there," Hmidat said. "He’ll just find a new spot."