Active
24 August 2026
“You read this and all I can think is,
‘Thanks, Mom, for nothing!’”
– Gayle King weighs in on the statement from Hayden Panettiere’s
estranged mom following the actress’s death. “It makes me so sad
of the opportunity that you have after your daughter’s death
that that’s what you choose to leave us with.”
The story of the week was Rosie O’Donnell’s return to hosting a talk show. On the whole, people were happy to see her back on the scene. It wasn’t an effortless fit – it’s late night, someone else’s slot, staff, guests, and format. But she brought enough of her Rosie charm to make people nostalgic for the O’Donnell magic. Her ratings were so high, she outperformed all of Jimmy Kimmel’s other summer guest hosts. She even trounced Jimmy Fallon. And I suspect she had more than a few viewers from DC!
Alas, nothing is without controversy. There was one person less thrilled than The Donald. Kathy Griffin started the week promoting the show: “So excited to watch my pal, the brilliant @rosie O’Donnell subbing in all week for the equally brilliant and all around great guy @jimmykimmellive…I’m going to watch every minute. Go Rosie.” But when it came to her YouTube show, Kathy was in victim mode. “It’s embarrassing to say, but I have to tell you guys ‘cause we’re friends. My feelings are really hurt that I was not invited to go on Rosie’s week of the Jimmy Kimmel show.” Once Rosie got word of this, she responded via Instagram: “Kathy – shoulda called me honey – I didn’t choose the guests.” Why do these people ask and answer personal questions in public? If Kathy had a problem with her pal, why not just shoot her a text: “Rosie – good luck this week. Rooting for you. Wish I were there with you.” And Rosie could have said, “Thanks, honey – I didn’t choose the guests.” All kinda silly.
Jimmy Kimmel Live has something The Late Show with Stephen Colbert didn’t have – a network with balls. ABC just filed a suit against the Federal Communications Commission over its plans to modify the network’s broadcast license. Months ago, El Presidente called for a full revocation of ABC and NBC’s licenses (obviously CBS is in his back pocket). ABC’s lawsuit asks the court to put a halt to the license renewal process and requests a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction. ABC – the home of Jimmy Kimmel and The View.
In these days of at least implied censorship, Eugene Ionesco’s play Rhinoceros has had an almost predictable number of revivals. The rhinos are currently stampeding through Cambridge courtesy of the American Repertory Theater’s revival, led by John Turturro and Paul Giamatti. The play deals with people in a small French town who notice that residents are transforming into rhinos. What does it mean? Is it bad? Is it even happening? Do the beasts have one horn or two? Are they Asian or African? What color are they? As the rhinos multiply, many neighbors willingly join them to conform. Some do it out of pressure. Some do it because it’s the path of least resistance. Of course, the play was written in 1959 as a response to fascism. Needless to say, it resonates today – and this particular edition highlights things such as doubting the press. Giamatti pulls out all the stops in his transformation scene – which is accomplished by his skill as an actor and some audio enhancement. Kristine Nielsen threatens to steal the show in her woefully brief moments onstage. A very talented and sexy Alex Ross straddles the line – and then takes off his shirt, which brought to mind thoughts of him straddling something more immediate. But ultimately it is Turturro who holds the whole show together with a touching, desperate, and insightful portrayal of a man alone against the world – with an undefined outcome. The production, directed with aplomb by Diane Paulus, runs through September 27th. Get more info at AmericanRepertoryTheater.org.
Meanwhile in the MAGA-sphere, a curious-looking lad with a curious connection has been turning up in the news. Michael Alfonso has the most manicured eyebrows this side of George Santos. The fact that he’s 26 years old and married to a woman named Evita makes him even more curious. His wife is the spawn of reality royalty Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos. Evita Duffy? Really? Whose bright idea was that? I’m guessing Rachel, who has roots in Mexico and Spain – a far cry from a Peronista background. But maybe she liked the musical! Anyway, Evita marries Alfonso and takes him for better or worse…eyebrows. Trump called Alfonso a “MAGA Warrior” while endorsing him to take over Sean’s former Congressional seat in Wisconsin. Alfonso won the primary. When his youth and lack of experience were brought up as reasons he should run for a lower office, someone close to the campaign said, “Anything less than Congress is beneath Sean and Rachel’s paygrade.” Which begs the question, what is Rachel’s paygrade? I supported her three attempts to join The View, but that doesn’t really count as a job. To help his chances, Evita is using the last name Duffy-Alfonso (mom is a Campos-Duffy).
Many of our elder drag queens may be rebuffed by the recent RuPaul recruits, but they are working just as hard and reminding people who paved the way. So I was tickled when I saw the show “Jurassic Drag” will take place during Palm Springs Pride. It even has a cheeky tagline: “An event 65 million years in the making!” The dinosaurs who will be roaming the desert include Miss Coco Peru, Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, and Varla Jean Merman. Why, their collective age is positively Paleozoic!!! The date is November 6th. The venue is the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The first show is already sold out, so rush to Ticketmaster or be part of extinction.
In an unfortunate yet hilarious transition, my beloved Charles Busch is returning to the wicked stage (wouldn’t he be great as Madame Morrible in Wicked? Someone get on that). Busch will be continuing his journey through the world of cabaret at the acclaimed 54 Below in the heart of New York City on September 11th and 12th. OK, so September 11th isn’t the best of dates for New Yorkers, but what are the chances? His new show, Charles Busch Sings Johnny Mercer, promises to be a delight. Grab your tickets at 54Below.org.
In case you’re in the neighborhood, Busch will reunite with many members of the original cast of his play, The Divine Sister, as a benefit for the Sharon Playhouse in Connecticut on August 28th (that’s this Friday). He’ll be joined by Julie Halston, Alison Fraser, Jennifer Van Dyke, and Jonathan Walker. I’m even thinking of zipping out there. The link is SharonPlayhouse.org.
Netflix and Michelle Obama just announced they are producing Women Like Us, a film about a recently widowed New Yorker who is whisked to the Hamptons on what would have been her 30th anniversary by her best friends. The widow in question is played by Vivica A. Fox, and her onscreen pals are some real-life friends – including Jenifer Lewis, Whoopi Goldberg, and Vanessa Williams. Filming will take place in the Hamptons this fall.
Designer Marc Jacobs was just profiled by Vanity Fair. In the course of their discussion, it was pointed out that Jacobs is the go-to when it comes to people facing legal issues. Winona Ryder, Lil’ Kim and Courtney Love all put on their best Jacobs for their courtroom appearances. This led to the designer making the following quip: “Go to Marc Jacobs for your trial outfits!” When asked how he’d style Luigi Mangione for his upcoming trial, Jacobs said, “I think he looks pretty good the way he dresses, actually.” Jacobs also called the killer with killer looks a “trendsetter”. We hear that the maroon sweater Luigi sported at his 2024 arraignment sold out in a matter of hours.
Our Ask Billy question was about another guy with killer looks. Greg in Miami said, “I just saw some hot photos of a guy who looked like a younger Ryan Phillippe. I found out it’s his son! What do you know about him?”
Deacon Phillippe is certainly a chip off the old block – if we’re talking about a block of marble that was carved into a statue of Grecian proportions. After graduating college last year, he’s been focused on writing and producing music – and occasionally DJing under the mononym Deacon (like Cher or Madonna or Sinbad). Along the way, he got the attention of clothing designer Eli Russell Linnetz, who used Phillippe the younger as a model for his ERL line. The shots have been successful and gotten lots of attention on social media. Although, to tell you the truth, I don’t recall a stitch of clothing. I’ll have to refer to the photographic evidence on BillyMasters.com.
When I’m raising an eyebrow at some youngsters, it’s definitely time to end yet another column. No offense to Deacon, who I’m sure is a lovely young man. But he’s no Ryan – in his prime or now, for that matter. What can I say? I’m still driving a classic Celica! For gossip that never goes out of style, head on over to BillyMasters.com – the site that doesn’t rely on rhinos to keep you horny! If you have a question, don’t ask me on social media. Just send a note to Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before Luigi helps the sale of orange jumpsuits! So, until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.
Billy Masters
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