Judy Craymerthe mastermind behind the long-running show Mamma Mia!is now creating the show Viva Forever, which is based on the Spice Girls and their music, according to Advocate.com .Simon Fuller, who is the girl group's ex-manager and the creator of American Idol, will work with Craymer. The actual members of the group are not expected to appear in Viva Forever.
Ryan Murphy, the openly gay man behind Glee, said that he is casting a new gay character for his hit show, according to DigitalSpy.com . Murphy is looking for three new characters, including one who will be a boyfriend for high-voiced Kurt. Murphy said that the new gay twosome will be "a power couple." Also, out actor Neil Patrick Harris is reportedly in talks to be a guest star on the show.
Speaking of Glee, the show recently won two Dorian Awards, Advocate.com reported. The show won for Best TV Musical or Comedy and for lesbian star Jane Lynch, honored for TV Performance of the Year, Comedy. Other winners included Colin Firth for A Single Man and the Lifetime movie Prayers for Bobby. The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association votes on the Dorian Award honorees.
The LGBT community will be represented in the upcoming season of TV's The Amazing Race. Lesbian couple Carol Rosenfield, 47 ( a consultant ) , and Brandy Snow, 40 ( an actress ) , will be among the teams competing for $1 million, according to Entertainment Weekly. The new season will start Feb. 14.
Singer Kylie Minogue has said that she is attracted to women, but that she has never engaged in a relationship with one, according to IBNLive. "I have been attracted to some women. I am a sexual exhibitionist and part of me is a natural flirt. Although I have been attracted to women, I have never done anything with them," said Minogue, 41, who is currently dating model Andres Velencoso.
Broadway darling Marissa Jaret Winokur has been dropped as host of Oxygen's Dance Your Ass Offbecause of her size. PerezHilton.com quoted a source as saying, "The producers were constantly on her to lose weight. She was asked to wear suits to cover her arms and legs. She was fired for being fat." Winokur's rep told People Magazine, "Marissa's reasons for not returning to season 2 are the following: the format of the program did not allow her to interact with the contestants and offer them encouragement and support, and criticism she received from producers regarding her appearance." Former Spice Girl Mel B will take over as host.
Rosie O'Donnell is making her return to stand-up comedy at Club Skirts Presents The Dinah® April 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, according to a press release. Event founder Mariah Hanson said, ""I am beyond thrilled to have Rosie O'Donnell join our stellar entertainment line-up on our 20th anniversary." O'Donnell will join a slate of entertainers that includes legendary rap duo Salt-N-Pepa and pop singer Ke$ha. The event runs March 31-April 4; see www.TheDinah.com .