Tyger Takes On: The Perfect Body

Fagburn thoroughly enjoyed this programme on young male beauty, neurosis and narcissism - mainly for various reasons that it's probably best not to go into on a family blog like this.

And in spite of its predictable endless 'It's an epidemic!' hysteria.

And in spite of his research into this was done on the mean streets of Brighton.

Tyger [sic] did porn last week.

Apparently that is another EPIDEMIC! and we may soon drown in its tidal wave of sad seminal fluid.

Anyway, Fagburn thinks this is groundbreaking tellybox that looks at the crisis facing our noble youths in all its raw tragedy and it should get a Bafta.

Fagburn media studies course term 2 point 3.0: What would happen if you tried to pitch a programme and pointed out none of this stuff about male body worship was really that much of a problem?

But then showed loads of hot semi-naked dudes.

Presumably for the irony.

Watch it all on the BBC iPlayer machine.

BBC: Free Speech

The BBC was accused of censorship on Thursday after its BBC3 debate show Free Speech dropped a question about being Muslim and gay at the request of the mosque where it was being filmed.

The live show, hosted by Rick Edwards and featuring a panel including government minister and Lib Dem peer Susan Kramer, broadcast a pre-recorded question by Asifa Lahore, self-described as Britain's "first and only gay Muslim drag queen" who asked: "One question I would like to ask the Muslim community is, when will it be right to be Muslim and gay?" ...

In a statement, a spokesman for the programme said: "BBC3's Free Speech is determined to discuss the issues that matter to its viewers. However, out of respect to the Birmingham Central Mosque, who hosted the programme on Wednesday 12th March, the decision was made to delay the debate on Muslim gay rights to a future programme.

The Guardian.

An absolute classic masterpiece of meta ironic fuckwittery.

Well done the BBC, another winner! etc etc.

PS The Daily Mail and the usual racist gay journalists will love this. 'Imagine if they said that about muslims! Err hang on...' etc etc.

Update: Or is it? 

Update2: THIS HAS MADE MAIL ONLINE READERS' BRAINS EXPLODE!!!

Russell Tovey: The Uncrowned King Of BBC3

'A recent survey by Equity found that many gay actors still find their sexuality a hurdle when going up for castings; Tovey was recognised as one of few openly gay actors able to play almost exclusively straight roles.
'Describing himself as one of many “blokey gays” who don’t fit the stereotype of being camp and flamboyant, he says: “You get these guys who are really blokey one day and then six months after they’ve come out, they’re suddenly wearing crop tops and going sibilant. It’sss. All. Like. Thisss,” he says. “I don’t want to go sibilant.”
'In March, Tovey and his Him & Her co-star Sarah Solemani won best comedy performance at the Royal Television Society Awards for their roles. Praised for the on-screen chemistry he shares with Solemani, Tovey is proud to be able to defy expectations.
'Does he think of himself as a role model? “You can’t decide to be a role model. I think just by saying I’m gay and that people in the industry are offering me straight roles and audiences are happy with it, that’s enough for me. By the time I’m 40, I’ll probably play a northern, embittered drag queen.'

Russell Tovey interviewed in The Times - by luck he's just done something for Sky Arts. 
It's certainly an interesting paradox that one of the few out actors is usually cast in straight roles - the Equity survey suggested gay actors feared getting typecast and only being offered gay roles.
But then the adorable Mr Tovey is a "blokey gay". 
"The Uncrowned King of BBC3" is the Times' phrase, not mine, by the way.
He's also asked if it's true he was going out with Gok Wan - he wasn't.
I missed that rumour.

PS Here's a rather curious/amusing comedy thing he did with Rob Brydon that hinges on him being a "straight-acting" gay man".

Kris Birch: Totally Different Me

Remember, Kris?
He was in the papers last year claiming that after having a stroke he went from being a "typical, ­laddish, beer-swilling, sport-mad 20-something smitten with his fiancee", and became a complete gaylord hairdresser.
Well if you say so, whom am I to question?
Though he appears to have only recently started spelling Chris with a K, which suggests he may really be a recent convert to queenery.
Anyway, now he's done something for BBC3.
Enjoy!

Gay Footballers: Own Goal

Good to see Monday's BBC3 documentary The Truth About Gay Footballers getting lots of press.
All the papers seem to love this subject, perhaps because of its supposed incongruity.
And they can also indulge in a bit of schoolboy tee hee-hee nudge nudge winkery.
Much of the coverage this time retells the sorry tale of Justin Fashanu, the only British professional player to have come out - the programme is presented by his niece, Amal Fashanu.
The Sun alone has managed to spin three stories out of it already.
'Joey Barton: Gay soccer stars fear the manager'

'Homophobic footie is rapped by documentary'

And in The Scottish Sun today there's; 'Tackling football’s last taboo'

It's just a shame The Sun can't "man up" and apologise for their own homophobia, or the part they played in Justin Fashanu's downfall.  

This Is Jinsy: Kneel, Tennant!

"WHO on earth is this, camping it up in paisley drainpipes, gaudy jacket, platforms and satin shirt?
"Yes, it’s former Doctor Who star David Tennant – who has also gone ginger to play Mr ­Slightlyman, an ­outrageously camp wedding planner with a penchant for plastic surgery, in new TV series This Is Jinsy.
"The British comedy, set on an island full of oddballs, also stars Big Mick, Justin Chubb and Chris Bran, and will be on Sky Atlantic next month."

The Daily Mirror.

A pilot of This Is Jinsy sans Tennant was shown on BBC3 last year to much praise.
The first series will be shown on Sky Atlantic from September.
Tennant is billed in pre-publicity as one of the guest stars.
"Camp" is usually tabloid code for "gay", but who can say?
You also get Harry Hill in drag - here's a rather disturbing photo.
It's directed by the bloke who directed Psychoville.
I know fuck-all else about it at this stage.
Sorry.

David Kato: An Open Letter

We the undersigned condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of Mr David Kato, the Ugandan gay rights campaigner. We wish to state emphatically that homosexuality is neither a sin nor a social or cultural construct. It is a biological given. Homosexuals are human beings like everybody else. Scientific research has been helpful in clearing the fog of ignorance entrenched by some religious texts in regards to homosexuality. Our opinions of homosexuality must change for the better, just as our opinion of slavery has changed, even though it was endorsed by those same religious texts. All violence against gays and people deemed to be gay in Africa must cease forthwith.
We call on the government of Uganda to find and prosecute all those involved in the murder of Mr Kato, including the newspaper that called for the hanging of gays. We also call on African governments to learn from the South African example by expunging from their laws all provisions that criminalise homosexuality or treat homosexuals as unworthy of the same rights and entitlements as other citizens. African states must protect the rights of their citizens to freedom and dignity. Homosexuals must not be denied these rights.

An open letter which has appeared in several newspapers around the world.
For a complete list of signatories - gratifyingly too long to post here - see comments.
A documentary about Uganda - The World's Worst Place To Be Gay? - will be shown by BBC3 on Monday February 14th.