Speaking of strange bedfellows, let’s talk about Barry Diller.  So, he’s gay.  Anyone surprised?  Hands?  We’ll even tie it in to our previous item – Barry was the head of FOX, the network that launched with Joan Rivers’ own late-night talk show.  Barry was the man who hired her.  He’s also the man who cancelled the show.  He was also the man Joan blamed for her husband’s suicide.  He also eventually became her boss again at QVC – with a far happier ending.  And I’m sure Diller likes a happy ending!  I have my own Barry story. It was at a Commitment to Life AIDS benefit at the Universal Amphitheatre.  From the stage, Barry mentioned something positive about Albania.  A phalanx of photographers surrounded him as he was walking past me.  “I’m Albanian,” I blurted out.  And he stopped in his tracks.  We talked briefly.  I don’t recall many details, but I recall him being quite charming.

Where was I?  Oh yes, Diller wrote a book.  Who Knew – no question mark needed.  We’ve not read the book, only excerpts.  Barry reveals he was cavorting with other boys since he was a teenager in West Hollywood.  As his status rose, he came up with his own “personal bill of rights”.  He planned to live in silence, but not pretend.  He’d never try to convince people he was heterosexual, but would skirt personal questions.  He would not delude anyone.  Lastly, “I would never bring a man as a date to a heterosexual event – but I’d never bring a woman as a ‘beard,’ either.”  He continues, “While there have been a good many men in my life, there has only ever been one woman.”

That brings us to Miss von Fürstenberg.  Barry calls theirs a “love story”.  He is adamant that he truly loves her.  “There are many complex aspects of my relationship with Diane von Fürstenberg – romantic love and deep respect, companionship and world adventuring, then disappointment and separation, and finally marriage.”  He admits it’s confusing.  “I’m well aware that this part of my life has caused confusion and lots of speculation.  A relationship that began with indifference, then exploded into a romance as natural to us as breathing, surprised us and everyone else.”  Regarding his male relationships, Diane says, “It’s something I’ve never discussed with him.  Because what is between him and me is so much more.  It’s so much deeper.”  She adds, “But, you know, I’m an odd cookie!”

How can I top that?  With this week’s Ask Billy question.  Kevin in San Diego writes, “I hear Jude Law shows all in Eden.  True??”

True.  And, to tie this in with the rest of the column, Jude has twice played the Pope – in The Young Pope (a series for HBO) and The New Pope (where he played the same character…in a coma).  As to Eden, it’s a film from Ron Howard coming out in August.  Since I have my ways, I can assure you that Jude looks as scrumptious as ever – and I don’t even mind his “enhancements”.  He walks around shirtless a lot, showing off his impressive physique.  And then, yes, he does indeed show all.  I know you’ll want to see it, and what kinda host would I be to make you wait until August?  Just head on over to BillyMasters.com.

When we’re showcasing a nude Pope, it’s time to end yet another column.  Now I’m hungry for a cookie!  While I wait around to burn in hell, you can check out www.BillyMasters.com – the site that doesn’t break a single commandment.  Except that one about coveting a neighbor…or an ass…or a neighbor’s ass!  If you have a non-liturgical question, send it along to Billy@BillyMasters.com and and I promise to get back to you before I’m cast as Mary Magdalene (it could happen)!  Until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.