Comedian Rob Schneider claims he is launching an “all-ladies talk show” that will offer an alternative to The View.  “It will be the opposite because this will be entertaining.  It’ll be funny.”  Darling, it’s been done – it’s called The Talk, and it goes off the air on December 20^th due to low ratings!  Schneider is producing the effort with his company, No Apologies Media, and made the announcement on FOX News.  He didn’t report many particulars.  When it came to hosts, he said, “It’s household names, and you’re going to love it.”  That remains to be seen.  Oh, he did bring up potential names for the show: Lip Service or The Other View.  How original!

In a related story, my dear Darlene Love announced that she is returning to late night to perform her perennial holiday classic, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”.  As you know, Love sang the song on The Late Show with David Letterman for 28 consecutive years.  When Dave went off the air, she began appearing on The View – that lasted for nine years.  Apparently The View is going in another direction – which is odd since their executive producer, Brian Teta (who may be a cousin of mine), worked for Letterman!  Enter Jimmy Fallon, who appeared with Darlene once on The View.  He picked up the gauntlet and asked her to sing the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon along with Stevie Van Zandt’s band on December 18^th.  Fun fact – Little Stevie and his band played with Darlene last year on The View!  Anyhoo, congrats.

Barry Manilow just got the best holiday gift of all.  The founder and executive chairman of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino announced Barry has a “Lifetime Residency” at their showroom.  In case you don’t know, the Westgate opened in 1969 as The International.  The showroom where Barry is playing opened with a young gal named Barbra Streisand.  Miss Peggy Lee was performing in the lounge.  So Manilow is in good company – unless Babs wants to make another comeback, and then I suspect he’s history!

Cheyenne Jackson just finished a run of the musical La Cage aux Folles at the Pasadena Playhouse.  He revealed that the set, designed by Tony-winner David Zinn, had a special feature – one of the walls was covered with photos of queer icons.  “Some are still with us, some have passed.  He kindly placed my two beloved besties Leslie Jordan and Gavin Creel right next to me because I do most of my scenes stage right.  I’m so grateful to him for his love, sensitivity, and artistry.”

If you’re anywhere near Palm Springs, I urge you to check out the fantastic Cathy Moriarty, who is appearing in I’ll Eat You Last at The Bent, an LGBTQ theatre company.  In it, she plays legendary agent Sue Mengers – a role Bette Midler played on Broadway.  The show runs through December 22^nd, and you can get tix at TheBent.org.