Hollywood was a-buzz last week when hundreds of hopefuls descended on FOX Studios to try and snag a role in the reboot of Baywatch.  Most people auditioned for what were described as the “gender-neutral roles” of Robin or Jordan (think Alexandra Paul).  The actors, probably weak from hunger, were instructed to make an acting choice and tell the director which part they were auditioning for (in costume…or lack thereof).  A couple of people didn’t have to go through these paces.  A late addition to the original series, David Chokachi, was invited to join this new venture reprising his role of Cody Madison.  Another familiar face is hunky Stephen Amell (the former Arrow), who has been cast as Hobie Buchannon, most notably played by Jeremy Jackson.

The Heated Rivalry boys are finding ways to keep busy before filming season two.  Connor Storrie is in talks to join Peaked, a big-screen comedy – because I’m sure he’s a laugh riot (we’ll find out when he hosts SNL on February 28^th).  Not to be outdone, Hudson Williams has already signed with Crave (the network that produced HR) to appear in a half-hour drama series about the myth of Baba Yaga.  You had me…then you confused me.

You’ve probably heard that El Presidente’s minions removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument.  Why?  According to the Department of the Interior, one is not allowed to display “non-agency” flags at National Park System locations.  However, that guidance provides for “limited exceptions” – which apparently this isn’t.  Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal vows to return the flag to its pole.  “The mean-spiritedness of the Trump administration seems to know no bounds.  But we as a community are not going to take it standing by idly as our history, and by extension our human rights, are attempted to be erased.”  He was supported by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.  “I am outraged by the removal of the Rainbow Pride Flag from Stonewall National Monument.  New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and no act of erasure will ever change, or silence, that history.  Our city has a duty not just to honor this legacy, but to live up to it.  I will always fight for a New York City that invests in our LGBTQ+ community, defends their dignity, and protects every one of our neighbors – without exceptions.”  With great hoopla, the NYC officials reinstated the flag on February 12^th.  And there it remains…for now.

In his quest for continued relevance, Colton Underwood made a curious revelation with even more curious grammar: “After my Netflix show came out, there was two active players in the NFL that reached out to confide in me and asked for advice and help and one has a family…I think there was the complication of me all of a sudden being poster boy for ‘out athlete’ when that Netflix show dropped.  I was not ready to be anybody’s mentor.  I was still very much coming out to myself.  All of a sudden now I have people I feel responsible for, like, advice.  I really, it’s like, I’m the last.”  So, let me get this straight – he was ready to have a network following him around, but he wasn’t ready to help others?  What if they wanted help on camera?  I bet he’d have been ready for that! 

We hear that the complimentary condoms placed in the Olympic Village ran out in record time.  The entire Village was condom-free after only three days – and that was before Gus Kenworthy even got there!  People are placing the blame on the organizers.  A local paper reported, “In Paris, the athletes received 300,000 condoms – two per day each – but the number for these Winter Games were significantly lower.”  Well, there are some differences.  First, that was the summer – which naturally lends itself to rampant sexual activity.  Secondly…you know, Paris!