Celebrating Sixties and Seventies Sitcoms: Part 2 - Gilligan's Island

One of my all-time favorite sitcoms is Gilligan's Island, the tale of seven castaways surviving on a desert island after being shipwrecked at sea. You know the theme song and the characters: the crew of the ill-fated S.S. Minnow: Gilligan and the Skipper (aka Jonas Grumby), the millionaires Thurston and Lovey Howell, movie star Ginger Grant, and "the rest" (farm lass Mary Ann Summers and Roy Hinckley, aka the Professor). Over three seasons, the castaways had to cope with oh-so-normal events that we all face (like radioactive vegetables, mysterious doppelgangers, and a giant spider). For a desert isle, Gilligan's Island also had its fair share of unexpected visitors like jet-setter Erika Tiffany Smith (Zsa Zsa Gabor), a mad scientist able to switch brains from body to body, a jungle boy (played by a very young Kurt Russell), warring natives, a Japanese soldier who hadn't heard World War II had ended, amongst many others.

But one of the most memorable visitors was famed Hollywood film producer Harold Hecuba, played by actor Phil Silvers. Hecuba lands on the island, takes over the Howell's hut, and promptly insults Ginger when she asks for a role in his next film. To showcase Ginger's talent, the castaways mount a musical version of Shakespeare's Hamlet in hopes of (1) getting Hecuba to cast Ginger in his next film and (2) getting rescued from the island. The castaways soon take to the stage: Gilligan as Hamlet, Ginger as Ophelia, Mary Ann in drag as Laertes, the Skipper as Laertes' dad Polonius, and the Howells as Hamlet's ma and pa. (The poor Professor, obviously with little or no artistic talent, is reduced to serving as narrator/host of the production).

The castaways perform three memorable songs during the production, songs that I've been humming and singing over the past few days. Songs that I want to share with you. Be sure to check out this video to watch Gilligan, Ginger, and the rest in action.

Now, a couple closing thoughts. First, a trivia question for y'all. As I mentioned, Phil Silvers played Harold Hecuba in this episode of Gilligan's Island. Phil's daughter was later featured on another popular sitcom from 1980 to 1984. Name her and that sitcom.

Finally, I have something to share that I haven't told too many people. For many years, I've had a recurring dream that I was the eighth castaway on Gilligan's Island, trying to educate poor Gilligan, helping Mary Ann with the cooking, dishing fashion with Ginger, counting money with the Howells, and lusting over the Professor (he was a hottie back then). I guess it was my secret wish to be one of the castaways, but who knows...with my luck, I'd probably end up stranded with the survivors of Oceanic flight 815, with strange four-toed statues and mysterious smoke monsters. Hmmm, but then again, I'd be sharing the island with folks like Jack, Sawyer, and the late, lamented Boone. Not such a bad idea after all.

Celebrating Sixties and Seventies Sitcoms: Part 1 - The Lucy Show

I'm a huge fan of sitcoms, especially those produced back in the 1960s and 1970s. Over the next few days, I'm going to be reflecting on some of my favorite sitcoms, particularly those that featured musical numbers.

First up is The Lucy Show. After I Love Lucy ended, Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance re-teamed in a new sitcom where Lucy played widow Lucy Carmichael and Vivian played divorcee Vivian Bagley. Lucy and Viv shared a house in Danfield, Connecticut while raising their children. After three seasons, Vance left The Lucy Show and the series was revamped with Lucy moving to California. Her children soon disappeared as the series refocused on Lucy Carmichael as a single harebrained woman coping with a tyrant of a boss (Mr. Mooney).

One of the most memorable Lucy Show episodes (first aired in 1967) dealt with Lucy and Mr. Mooney heading to the quaint, small town of Bancroft, a hamlet threatened by the imminent construction of a freeway. Like so many other activists before and after her, Lucy mobilized the town to bring a halt to the freeway construction plans. The episode (part of a special two-part episode set in Bancroft) culminated with Lucy and the denizens of Bancroft staging a triumphant protest set to music. Their anthem, "Main Street, U.S.A." is a rousing tribute to simpler times and days, and a song I often sing as I go about my day. Accompanying Lucy are singer Mel Torme as Lucy's neighbor and friend Mel Tinker and singer/dancer John Bubbles.

So stand up, put your feet on the pavement of Main Street U.S.A., and return to a time that was sweet and slow. Hope you enjoy! I know I will.

Creating Characters

Back in 1986, I began envisioning a story about three fifty-something sisters, eccentric triplets named Roxie, Boodie, and Lilly Buys (the surname in honor of my then best friend). Unfortunately, the Buys triplets went nowhere. For some reason, their story failed to gel. Thus, the story quickly fell by the wayside and the triplets settled into the recesses of my mind. Over the years, I thought about the triplets from time to time but their story once again failed to materialize. Then, in the fall of 2005, I was tasked with writing a short play for my playwriting/screenwriting course at Rosemont College. For some reason, the triplets came to mind so I decided to write a play about them as they paid their final respects to their deceased mother. I opted to drop one of the siblings and gave Lilly a new name: Chessie. The play took place at a funeral home as the sisters accompanied their grandmother to their mother's funeral. My professor didn't care much for the play, especially since Boodie and Chessie were depicted as less intelligent than their grandmother. He said that it wasn't realistic because individuals grow smarter with each passing generation...something I vehemently disagreed with. For pity's sake, just look at the past eight years for evidence that not every new generation is more intelligent than its previous ones. Mini-Me aka George W. Bush was hardly more intelligent than his dad. Nonetheless, after 19 years, the Buys sisters (now renamed the Sullivan sisters) had finally made their way into the realm of fiction.

But I wasn't quite done with the sisters. When I started writing my novel Beneath in 2006, I incorporated the Sullivan twins into the plot. They appear as minor characters in chapters that were set behind the scenes at a bingo fundraiser hosted by two brassy drag queens. Boodie (real name: Boudreaux) and Chessie (Cheshire) were seventy-something residents of Provincetown, the location for my novel. The sisters, who happened to be former lawyers and proud virgins, were best buds. Chessie owned a local bookstore while Boodie spent her days growing weed in her garden. Boodie was the more outrageous of the sisters, dressed as a mermaid at the bingo fundraiser, with tassels hanging from her nipples.

It was a delight to flesh out the sisters and to see them come alive on the page. And I'm not quite done with them. They were simply minor characters in Beneath, but they're itching to have the spotlight in their own story, which is starting to gel. The sisters have been inseparable since birth, but will that strong bond continue when a nerdy twenty-something man takes an interest in Chessie? I look forward to finding out myself.

Top Five Arts/Entertainment Events of 2008

This year, I've had the opportunity to see a number of concerts, musicals, cabarets, plays, etc. Listed below are the top five performing arts events that I've seen this year.

Coming in at number 5 is Whizzin'!, a new take on the classic The Wizard of Oz. In this version, Dorothy hailed from a trailer in Hyannis, Massachusetts and lived her weed-growing aunt and uncle. In this version, a virginal Dorothy suffered from some rather embarrassing urinary problems and didn't have ruby slippers, but ruby panties. Filled with lots of comedy and some great songs, Whizzin'! was a trip and one of the best productions by The fab troupe, The Gold Dust Orphans, who previously spoofed The Golden Girls and mounted a full musical production of Cleopatra. Bravo to the Orphans and their fearless leader Ryan Landry for continuing to entertain legions of fans.

At number 4 is the amazing Jimmy James. On my third visit to Provincetown back in September, I was walked along Commercial Street and saw that Jimmy James was still performing in town. I went in to a buy a ticket and met Jimmy's assistant Mick, one of the nicest guys on this planet. Mick gave me a comp ticket and then the next night, I went to see Jimmy James along with my friends Bill, Jim, and Vernon (aka Lady Di). I was speechless by night's end. Jimmy is just a fabulous performer, expertly singing in the voices of divas like Cher, Barbra, Diana Ross, Bette Davis. I can't wait to see Jimmy again. And like Mick, Jimmy James is one of the nicest guys around.

In third position is the amazing Dina Martina. I discovered Dina back in August 2006 and have become a Dina groupie. Dina is just indescribable. She usually wears too tight, too small clothing. She sports quite a cameltoe. And she mangles the English language worse than George W. Bush. But Dina, most of all, is funny as hell with her own takes on classic songs. Check her out here singing "The Greatest Love of All." I love Dina though I may never forgive her for embarrassing me in front of her New York City audience by pointing out the I was looking up her skirt at her "lady parts". How could I not when she was sitting on stage in a tiny mini-skirt with her legs wide open?

And coming in at second is the True Colors concert that we saw in Atlantic City back in June. What an unbelievable concert that lasted something like four hours. Featuring performances by my fave band of all time, The B52s and Cyndi Lauper, and a comedy routine by Rosie O'Donnell, the night was just unforgettable, truly the best concert I've ever seen.

And, finally, in first place...

Wicked, the best musical I've ever seen. Based on the popular Gregory Maguire novel, Wicked tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) and Glinda the Good Witch. The show is just amazing. From the beautiful, towering set, to the fab costumes, to amazing performances, to the beautiful music. I was touched and mesmerized from start to finish. I was fortunate enough to see the show three times this year: in March with friends Deb and John; then a few days later with my mom, sister-in-law Janet, niece Keri, and Eric; and then in July by myself. I still remember clasping hands with Deb during the song "For Good"...wanting to get up and boogie during "Dancing Through Life"....being in awe during "No One Mourns the Wicked"...feeling the triumph of "Defying Gravity". Wicked...the best musical ever!

There were lots of other highlights in 2008, including another favorite drag queen Miss Richfield 1981. Check out Miss Richfield and Cashetta on a cruise as they encounter Pepe.

My Published Writings (as of April 2009)

MOVIE REVIEWS (Edge Publications)

Breakfast with Scot

Dead Mary

Elvira's Movie Macabre: Maneater of Hydra, The House that Screamed

Elvira's Movie Macabre: Gamera, Super Monster, They Came from Beyond Space

Freeheld

Two Weeks

The Windy City Incident

BOOK REVIEWS (Edge Publications)

A Boy's Own Story (New!! Added on 4/18/09)

Adrift in the Land of Plenty

Assembly Required: Notes from a Deaf Gay Life (New!! Added on 4/18/09)

The Distance Between Us

Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys

Greetings from the Gayborhood: A Nostalgic Look at Gay Neighborhoods

The Great Cock Hunt

My Parachute is Beige: The Cubicle Dweller's Guide to Getting By

The P'Town Murders

Q Guide to Classic Monster Movies

Q Guide to Gay Beaches

Q Guide to Soap Operas

The Slow Fix (New!! Added on 4/18/09)

Uncle Bobby's Wedding

MUSIC REVIEWS (Edge Publications)

Dave Koz, At the Movies

Dave Koz Greatest Hits

Howard Sings Ashman

The Kinsey Sicks, Sicks! Sicks! Sicks!

TELEVISION REVIEWS (Edge Publications)

Prisoner: Cell Block H

INTERVIEWS/PROFILES (Edge Publications)

Dina Martina

Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus

FICTION

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Parlor Nominated for a Pushcart Prize and the storySouth Million Writers Award

To Hell and Back, Toasted Cheese

Irony

About 5 1/2 years ago, in April 2003, I received news that changed my life forever: I was diagnosed with melanoma.

It all started in November 2002. My partner Eric and I were sitting in our family room, watching TV and cuddling with our cats Mulder and Tabby. My feet were up on the ottoman. Eric looked over at me and remarked, "What's that on your foot?"

On the bottom of my foot was a small purplish mark, what Eric described as something that looked like a blood blister. We kept an eye on the mark and when it didn't go away and, in fact, grew larger, I went to the doctor who recommended excising the lesion. I agreed to do so and in April 2003, I went under the scalpel and had the lesion removed. Five days later, my doctor called with the news that the lesion had tested positive for melanoma.

I was shocked yet grateful for many reasons. Shocked to find out that I had cancer at the age of 39. Grateful because Eric had spotted the lesion and mentioned it to me. Truth be told, had he not spotted the lesion, it's most likely that I would not be typing this post right now. You see, the lesion was on the bottom of what is a club foot. A foot that has undergone numerous surgeries over the years. One surgery, back in the late 1960s/early 1970s, involved the fusion of my ankle. Because my ankle is fused, I cannot see the bottom of my foot without the aid of a mirror. Had Eric not spotted the lesion and mentioned it to me, who knows how long it would have been before I learned of the lesion's existence.

I was fortunate because the melanoma was in its very earliest stages. No further treatment, no radiation, no chemo, was needed. Nonetheless, finding out that I had cancer gave me a much needed kick in the ass. I began reflecting on my life and the dreams I had forgotten or neglected. Key among those dreams was writing.

So I decided to pursue my writing anew and what a whirlwind it has been! I enrolled in Rosemont College's new MFA in creative writing program, graduating in May 2007. I had a few stories published, wrote a play and a novel, and got a freelance job as an arts and entertainment journalist for Edge Publications. It's been lots of had work yet incredibly gratifying. At last, that longtime dream of being a writer is reality.

Flash forward to July 2004. I was out in Las Vegas for my brother's wedding. While there, I bonded with my brother's longtime best friend and his wife. One night, we ran into each other in a mall and went to get something to drink and snack on in a dessert cafe. It was an amazing experience to bond with them and to share with them my experience and how it changed my life.

Flash forward to September 2008. Last night, I had a call from my aforementioned brother who filled me in on the latest happenings in his life. He then shared some news about his friend. A few months ago, his friend went in for a haircut and his barber noticed a mark on his head, right by his hairline. My brother's friend went to his doctor and soon got the news that he has melanoma. I was floored when my brother told me this, stunned by the irony and humbled by the fact that my cancer was caught early. You see, unlike me, my brother's friend didn't get good news. He is in stage 4, the final stage of melanoma. My heart breaks for him, for his family, for his friends. And I feel incredibly grateful that I was given a second chance at life, humbled anew by the chances given me.