Dr. Blackwell's BLOG

Monday, May 24, 2010

Glee Returns for 3rd Season!

Filed under: Movie and Entertainment,Performing Arts — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 18:39

Playbill.com is reporting that the hit television musical series “Glee,” starring Broadway stage actors Matthew Morrison, Lea Michele and Jenna Ushkowitz, will harmonize for a third season, FOX has announced.The first season finale of “Glee” will air June 8 at 9 PM ET. The second season will return Tuesdays this fall in the 8-9 PM ET time slot. Morrison (South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza) stars as Spanish teacher Will Schuester with Spring Awakening‘s Michele as glee club Broadway baby Rachel Berry with fellow glee club members Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina, Chris Colfer as Kurt, Kevin McHale as Artie, Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson and Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones. The ensemble cast also includes Jane Lynch as cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, Jessalyn Gilsig as Terri Schuester, Jayma Mays as teacher Emma Pillsbury, Dianna Agron as cheerleader Quinn and Mark Salling as football player Puck.

“Just Jack” to Host Tony Awards

Filed under: Performing Arts — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 18:34

Sean Hayes Playbill.com is reporting that Sean Hayes, a 2010 Tony nominee for his performance in Promises, Promises, will host the 64th Annual Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards on June 13 live from Radio City Music Hall. In a statement the Emmy-winning “Will & Grace” star said, “I am absolutely thrilled to be hosting the Tony Awards. As the new guy on Broadway, it’s an honor to be included in the established alumni.” The Tony Awards will air live on CBS from 8-11 PM ET. The Tonys are presented by The Broadway League and The American Theatre Wing. In exciting news, on my upcoming trip to NYC in a few weeks, we’re going to get to see Hayes and Broadway and “Glee” sensation Kristen Chenowith in the current (Best Musical-nominee) Promises, Promises!!!

President Obama, Congress Moving on DADT

Filed under: GLBT Social Issues and Civil Rights — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 18:29

Leonard Matlovich Rainbow Flag American Flag by RYANISLAND. 

Despite the criticisms that President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled House and Senate have failed to deliver on promises to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy which prohibits open gay men and lesbians from serving in the United States military (and discharges those who “come out” during service), there is movement today that the White House and lawmakers are ready to move forward. 70% of Americans believe gay and lesbian soldiers should be permitted military service (even if they are open about their sexuality) and both Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Adm. Mike Mullen fully support repeal of the ban. Currently, the Pentagon is working on a study to be completed in December outlining how the ban should be lifted and a new policy be implemented. The new proposal would stipulate the change in the upcoming defense authorization spending bill while also permitting completion of the study prior to implementation. In comparison, the process of racial integration of troops took 5 years to complete.

Disappointing Video

Filed under: National and International News — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 18:14

A sad video surfaced yesterday that was posted by Army PFC Specialist Robert Rodriguez on his Facebook Page showing him harassing two young  Iraqi boys. Knowing the two do not speak English, he taunts them asking them if they are “fa**ots” and if they engage in certain homosexual acts. He then concludes his ridicule by asking them if they will grow-up to be terrorists. The youngsters, obviously attempting to show gratitude and agreement with whatever the soldier is saying, show approval by nodding yes and giving a “thumbs up” hand gesture. Rodriquez, who in no doubt is in absolute world of trouble with his superiors (and rightly so) says he was bored and wanted to entertain himself by making the video. While the video is repugnant and sad, please remember, as the one soldier interviewed mentions, this is not reflective of the majority of soldiers working hard in Iraq.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Soldiers Ridicule DADT in Funny Video

Filed under: Comedic Relief,GLBT Social Issues and Civil Rights,Politics — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 23:25

Created by Codey Wilson and other members of his Army Battalion currently serving in Iraq, “volunteers” created the following hilarious video of Ke$ha’s single “Blah, Blah, Blah” which is a parody of what would happen if the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy were lifted and gays were allowed to serve openly in the military. Apparently, the soldiers find the assumptions that gay men and lesbians being out in the military would create some type of sexually-enhanced atmosphere as laughable as the rest of us! Take a look:

A Very Touching Reunion

Filed under: Animal Welfare — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 23:14

Very reminiscent of the story of Christian, the Lion, this video shows a very touching reunion between Damian Aspinall and his gorilla Kwibi, after 5 years of being apart. The Aspinall Foundation rehabilitates endangered gorillas and then reintroduces them into the wild. Here, Damian Aspinall is reunited with Kwibi, after 5 years:

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Ragtime Revival Nominated for 7 Tony Awards!

Filed under: Performing Arts — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 00:43

The Broadway Revival of one of the greatest musical of all-time, Ragtime, may have been short-lived, but it is certainly not going unnoticed. Yesterday, the nominations for the Tony Awards (the most prestigious awards in American Theater) were announced. Ragtime was nominated for 7 Tony Awards, coming-in at #5 for the most nominated show. The show was nominated in the top-category of its eligibility, Best Revival of a Musical. The original production of Ragtime opened in 1998 and was the most expensive production ever staged at the time of its run. Although the original show was nominated for a slew of Tonys (including Best Musical), it took home 3 and lost the coveted prize to Disney’s The Lion King. [On a personal note, I actually saw the original Ragtime on Broadway and saw The Lion King the very next day. When the curtain closed on The Lion King, I was scratching my head in complete disbelief.] Ragtime and its revival (which I had the honor to see last Summer @ the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC) are simply put, two of the best shows to ever grace the Great White Way. Let’s hope the Tony Awards Committee realizes its extreme 1998 error and awards Ragtime with Best Revival of a Musical.

Below are Ragtime‘s 7 Tony Award Nominations:

– Best Revival of a Musical, Ragtime

– Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Leading Role: Christiane Noll, Ragtime

– Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Leading Role: Bobby Steggert, Ragtime

– Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Ragtime

– Best Costume Design of a Musical, Ragtime

– Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Donald Holder, Ragtime

– Best Direction of a Musical, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Ragtime

Faux News Reporter PWNED by White House Press Secretary

Filed under: Politics — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 00:21

  White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs PWNED a Faux News Reporter yesterday in his morning press briefing after exposing Faux’s attempts to sensationalize the oil spill disaster as the work of the Obama Administration! Apparently, the former failed FEMA Director under George Bush actually insinuated (unquestioned) during his Faux News interview on Tuesday that in order to curtail support for offshore drilling (which, by the way–Obama just expanded but will hopefully reconsider), Obama concocted the disaster but it “got out of hand.” Obama has been one of the few politicians brave enough to call Faux News out on its completed slanted idiocy. But, this video is a must-see as the Faux News reporter has little to rebut after Gibbs laughs at the accusations and brushes-off Faux News for what it really is. Watch below:

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