Planet Homo

Return to Babylon, the film

RETURN TO BABYLON is director Alex Monty Canawati's scary, sexy and often bitingly funny look at 1920's Hollywood and the scandals that rocked the silent-movie era. Hand-cranked and scored by piano true to form, Maria Conchita Alonso, Jennifer Tilly, Debi Mazar, Ione Skye and Tippi Hedren light up the screen in this saucy silent film that's screaming to be heard. BABYLON is an episodic film, stringing together the lives of scandalous Clara Bow (Jennifer Tilly), fiery Mexican film star Lupe Verez (Maria Conchita Alonso) and husband Johnny 'Tarzan' Weissmuller, ill-fated Virginia Rappe (Ione Skye) and rapist-murderer Fatty Arbuckle, Gloria Swanson (Debi Mazar), Ramon Navarro (Phillip Bloch), Josephine Baker (Rolonda Watts), Rudolph Valentino (Alex Monty Canawati) and a host of others. Turner Classic Movies fans, rejoice!

The 24 Addiction

Admit it, you're addicted. With the beginning of that silly percussive clinking of a digital clock, 24, the TV show takes us places no TV show has ever gone before.
This season we have seen the White House besieged, the first female President assaulted, her husband shot at, a US senator murdered and tireless star, Kiefer Sutherland as agent Jack Bauer,  exposed to a deadly, fatal bio-chemical that perhaps will kill the star and producer. And this is just the first eight hours.
24 is the second longest-running espionage series in television history, behind the original Mission: Impossible series by number of episodes and The Avengers by longevity of broadcast. 24 is expected to surpass Mission: Impossible in January 2010, with the airing of its 172nd hour in the early episodes of Season 8, and will overtake The Avengers on March 20 that year.
And it's no surprise. This is just good, silly over-the-top drama that occasionally addresses some political issues (Starkwood=Blackwater, torture) but its main focus is to deliver more excitement per minute than any other television show. And that it does.
Kiefer Sutherland, the shows executive producer and star is an interesting choice to lead this testosternic adventure. Not a great beauty, not particularly sexy, agent Bauer is prone to keep his shirt on, until last night. And his body is much like his face: you're just not sure. He remains likable despite his tendency to shout in a frazzled baritone and conceal his emotions (such a man!). With last nights episode, the fate of Jack Bauer seems decided: he will die. Will the world go with him? This is where we need to tune in to find out.

Dsquared2's Secret Visit

Fresh from their gig designing fetish-inspired costumes for Britney Spears’ “Circus” tour, Dsquared2 designers Dean and Dan Caten will be starring in their own reality show.

On March 30, the identical twin designers filmed a segment for the show in the Atrium section of the California Market Center, which is on the showroom building’s fifth floor.

Under the bright lights of the film crew, the Catens dressed in matching leather jackets and ties, used their famous brio to put some zest into the reality segment. “Here we are in the Atrium of the California Market Center,” one of the twins said.

“And we are talking about fashion, fashion and more fashion,” said the other.

This PH blogger tried to find out more about the Catens’ trip into the CMC, but the show’s location manager was more tight-lipped than the CIA. “We all have to sign confidentiality agreements,” the location manager, Laura, explained as the reason for not identifying the show’s name, or when it will be aired on the Bravo network. She did not give her last name.

OK, Now We're Really Depressed

Yesterday the Washington Blade released a report on the salaries of leaders in the top gay and lesbian rights organizations. No wonder they can afford $12 cocktails at The Abbey. Least anyone forget, these are organizations that depend on public funding—they depend on you for money and apparently we are giving it away.
The groups declining to provide the information include Gay Men’s Health Crisis of New York City, one of the nation’s first and most prominent AIDS groups providing services to the LGBT community; the LGBT Community Center of New York City; Empire State Pride Agenda, a statewide LGBT political advocacy group in New York; and Log Cabin Republicans, a national LGBT political group based in Washington, D.C. Can you blame them?

Modern Malaise

A friend recently remarked that times really are rough because masseurs and hookers have lowered their rates on Craigslist. It's an odd barometer but it may have merit. There is something wrong and though its not easily or clearly defined it has something to do with the times we live in. A year ago we still had Bush in the presidents office, the economy wasn't talked about all that much and we went about the business of day to day living. We were enraptured by the political process as Hilary seemed to be losing to a relatively unknown candidate named Barack Obama. These events seem like a long time ago. Since then, we shipped George and Dick out of office, we took an enormous step in progress and voted Obama into office and then, all hell broke lose. One wonders if Obama doesn't get up in the morning wonder how it all got so bad. He didn't run a particularly economic-oriented campaign, so all of this must, on some level, feel like a nightmare.
For gay people, at least gay people in the urban cities, the effects of all this have been slight. We shop less, we maybe dine less, but recently a visit to The Abbey and West Hollywood, where four drinks will set you back over $70 dollars, we don't seem to be in the cross-hairs of this crisis. We do seem worried. Business is slow, some friends have lost their jobs and there is in general, a malaise in the air. And yet, yesterday, in some collective consciousness of mind, everyone seemed to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope.
We have often wondered if HIV were gone tomorrow, would gay people resume a culture much like the 70s? The Internet has changed so much of how we conduct ourselves, but is is safe to say that in time, the horrible lessons of the past thirty years would soon be forgotten. And so too, once this crisis ends, the American economy will go back into overdrive for capitalism and greed; simple American greed will once again will run business, proving that in the end, little changes.

American Idol: Watch Our Lips!

From the New York Times, this report on  what may turn out to be the scandal of the year: American Idol contestants are lip singing some of their songs. A spokesman for the producers of “American Idol” said as much on Wednesday, after assertions by a former “American Idol” contestant that the weekly group numbers, which are performed near the beginning of each week’s results show, appear to be using recorded vocals this year.

That contestant, Justin Guarini — who finished second to Kelly Clarkson in the first season of “American Idol” and is now a co-host of “Idol Wrap” on the TV Guide Network — created an uproar when he said last week on that program that the performers appeared to be lip-synching.

“Every single year we can’t stand the group performances,” Mr. Guarini said. “I know they can’t stand it either. And I think what makes them even worse now is that they’re lip-synched. They’re really prerecorded now.”

Manfred Westphal, a spokesman for FremantleMedia North America, which produces “American Idol” for Fox, at first denied the charge, saying on Tuesday: “The Idols don’t lip-sync, period.” But on Wednesday, in an e-mail message, Mr. Westphal said: “Due to extensive choreography and to balance their voices with open mikes against a screaming audience, the Idols do sing along to their own prerecorded vocal track during the group performances only.”

Lambda Awards Evening Set

 The 21st Annual Lambda Literary Awards ceremony will be taking place this May in New York City. The event will be hosted by comedian and radio host, Scott Nevins and directed by Joseph Hardy. The event will be held at the Proshansky Auditorium, CUNY Graduate Center. Tickets are currently on sale and available at The Lambda Literary  website. This will be the first event with author Christopher Rice as President of the Foundation. Each year, the Award Guidelines Committee of the Board of Trustees receives feedback from authors, publishers, and others in the literary community and informed with this feedback, the Committee assesses and revises the Guidelines with the goal of making the Lambda Literary Awards the most prestigious, competitive, and comprehensive awards offered to LGBT books and authors.

Layouts we like...

Yes, the design looks like something out of the 80s, but it's Cosmo magazine. The lesson here is that this is a great story line for the dying gay press. Funny, informative and of course, sexy, it's an easy read.

Andrew Christian Runway Show

Underwear night at the le bar? Men's Beauty pageant in Bangkok? A flock of indecisive men pondering their next move? Welcome to the world of late night runway shows as LA Fashion Week presented the Andrew Christian show last night at Boulevard 3. Beginning at eleven, the extremely short fashion show showcased the talents of men in underwear and bathing suits, plus some peculiar women's fashion. There was an audible gasp as one model turned to reveal, his buttocks as he turned and it was revealed that it was a jockstrap! It all happened so quickly it was difficult to take in the men, the buttocks or the fashion. Outside, a gregarious Nick Verreos enchanted us with moral stories about letting people use your image ("pay for it!"). It should be noted that Mr. Christian was nowhere to be found, either on stage or at the party. But, he did leave an abundance of cards on the tables with this message: "you're getting this card because youre hot--and we know it." I know it too, so until May 31, enjoy a 15% discount while shopping at his website by entering this code: 15SSCARD at checkout.

The Last of Genre

As predicted Genre magazine will cease publication. In the euphemism-laden press release, company CEO David Unger reminds us of those signs seen at closed restaurants: closed for remodel (we will never be back). Conveniently blaming the economy, Genre in the past few weeks saw both its editor and publisher flee. Here is Unger's message:

Genre magazine will temporarily suspend publication, due to the ongoing recession, company officials announced today.

"We thank all of our readers, advertisers and editorial staff for their support throughout our more than 16-year history and hope that we can re-establish our relationship when times are better," company CEO David Unger said in a statement.

He noted that the decision to suspend Genre does not have any impact on other publications produced by HX Media, Window Media or Unite Media, which include the Washington Blade, Southern Voice, South Florida Blade, New York Blade and HX magazine.

"Those publications will continue to publish and support their local communities," Unger said.

Welcome to the BATHHOUSE

As everyone knows, Las Vegas is not, despite all the PR and marketing tricks one can imagine, the greatest of gay tourist spots. Burdened with its historic Mormon morality, rampant with heterosexuals and generally indifferent to gay culture, things, well things could be changing, or at least one hotel has taken a very interesting step. Welcome to the Bathhouse. Located in the Mandalay Bay, the Bathhouse features a 14,000-square-foot spa that offers steam rooms and saunas, as well as twelve (12) treatment rooms where you can enjoy massages, wraps and facials.
The name alone, BATHHOUSE is enough to make one wax nostalgic for a time and place, and this bathhouse looks very modern. But it was this ad that caught our eye: A young Asian boy is giving the glance to his momentarily indifferent but potential bear/daddy partner, while salaciously revealing his firm gym squat-enhanced buttocks. Oh Vegas! And we thought that flytrap of a steam room at the Blue Moon was happening—Hooray for the Mandalay. We're booking our escape now.

Photo Found: Sexy Shia--Sexy Fake?

Travel with a Bump!

Blame Canada. A Gay and Lesbian travel agency with the most curious name, Bump!  Bump! is the world’s first gay and lesbian travel and lifestyle television series originating from Canada. It is unique and international in scope. In each episode Bump! presents a new gay-friendly destination in a stylish and upbeat format. Indeed. The episode we viewed, "The Salons and Spas of Bump!" was actually unintentionally pretty funny: the light branch beating of a twitchy model (bump?) in a Helsinki sauna, the lingering up close-up ending of a woman's breasts in bubbling water. Another video, "Gay Beaches' is a series of quick edits from some familiar beaches (they go unidentified) with no other reason than to suggest that gay people go to the beach. It should be noted that the twitchy model was spotted in this video also. Turns out, he is "host" Charlie David, and while much of Bump! is rather cheesy, kudos to his brilliant and funny opening page on his own website. Give him a visit.

Lambda Literary Finalists Announced

The Lambda Literary Awards will be held in New York City on May 28th. Today, the finalists were announced:

GAY FICTION

    * Stray Dog Winter, David Francis, Macadam/Cage Publishing
    * The Torturer's Wife, Thomas Glave, City Light Publishers
    * We Disappear, Scott Heim, HarperCollins
    * The Conversion, Joseph Olshan, St. Martin’s Press
    * The Boomerang Kid, Jay Quinn, Alyson

LESBIAN FICTION

    * The Slow Fix, Ivan E. Coyole, Arsenal Pulp Press
    * The Sealed Letter, Emma Donoghue, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
    * Map of Ireland, Stephanie Grant, Scribner
    * All the Pretty Girls, Chandra Mayor, Conundrum Press
    * Breaking Spirit Bridge, Ruth Perkinson, Spinsters Ink

LGBT NONFICTION

    * Me as Her Again, Nancy Agabian, Aunt Lute Books
    * If I Could Write This in Fire, Michelle Cliff, Univ of Minnesota Press
    * Dishonorable Passions: Sodomy Laws in America 1861-2003, William N. Eskridge Jr, Penguin Group
    * Beyond (Straight & Gay) Marriage, Nancy Polikoff, Beacon Press
    * Loving The Difficult, Jane Rule, Hedgerow Press
    * Drifting Toward Love, Kai Wright, Beacon Press
For more categories and finalists, please their website.

Bravo Ennio!

Ennio Marchetto (born 20 February 1960 in Venice) is an Italian comedic live entertainer whose performances feature quick-change artistry, impersonations and his trademark bi-dimensional paper costumes. In his one hour show he goes through 50 costume changes, often in front of the audience without hiding behind drapes or screens and without any assistance by stage hands.

Writer James Purdy Dies

Before the obituary a personal note: On November 12, 1986, I had dinner with Mr Purdy. One of the great things about New York City at that time was that you could actually look people up in the phone book. James Purdy was listed in Brooklyn, and with an intrepid spirit that can only come from youth, I called him. A slight southern accent greeted me and after a few formal introductions, he asked, "do you like pizza?" And so it was on a balmy night in Brooklyn, I met Mr Purdy for pizza. I had so wanted to be like one of his charismatic characters but instead I was greeted by the horrible reality, I was nervous. I had read every book he had written and thought his novels would make perfect screenplays. That was my pretense. I have no idea if Mr Purdy enjoyed our evening. He did sign my original copy of I am Elijah Thrush: "For Randy Dunbar with sweet wishes, James Purdy. We have met in Brooklyn, November 12, 1986."

James Purdy, whose dark, often savagely comic fiction evoked a psychic American landscape of deluded innocence, sexual obsession, violence and isolation, died on Friday morning at Englewood Hospital in New Jersey. He was 94 and, after a period of declining health, had recently broken his hip, said his close friend and assistant, John Uecker.

Wayward and unclassifiable, Mr. Purdy, the author of the novels “Malcolm” and “The Nephew,” labored at the margins of the literary mainstream, inspiring veneration or disdain. His nearly 20 novels and numerous short stories and plays either enchanted or baffled critics with their gothic treatment of small-town innocents adrift in a corrupt and meaningless world, his distinctive blend of plain speech with ornate, florid locutions and the hallucinatory quality of his often degraded scenes.

“I can describe my books as I see them as American, imaginative, symbolic,” he told an interviewer for the reference work World Authors. “My literary ancestors are two other Calvinists, Hawthorne and Melville. In another interview, he said he was attracted only to stories that “bristled with impossibilities.”

A book of his work for the stage, “Selected Plays of James Purdy,” will be published this spring by Ivan R. Dee.

Mr. Purdy had lived in Brooklyn Heights but most recently had been in the Actors’ Fund of America Nursing Home in Englewood, N.J. Though he is frequently described as having been born in 1923, Mr. Uecker said that he was, in fact, born in 1914.

Genre Magazine: 1991-2009?

It was warm inside on a cold evening in December 2008, when with the help of V2 Vodka and Travelocity,  Genre magazine threw a party for itself. In the spirit of holiday celebration Genre Publisher William Kapfer & Editor-in-Chief Neal Boulton invited loyal readers, advertisers and friends to share some cheer and give thanks.  Over 400 party goers poured into East Village hot spot DTOX for creative libations powered by V2.
Much has changed since that night. Neal recently quit to pursue his other interests, as varied as they are, leaving the magazine just as it was unable to deliver its December issue to subscribers (oh that party money!). Yesterday, amid speculation, publisher William Kapfer delivered an eloquent note indicating that he was leaving the magazine as of March 27th.

The death of any magazine is not to be celebrated. Genre began in 1991 by founder, Richard Settles. In July 2003, the magazine was sold to Window Media, which owns the Washington Blade among other publications. It was a time of transition as they moved from Los Angeles to New York City, with a new editor and publisher. The editor, a clueless copywriter was quickly dismissed. The publisher, soon thereafter was found to embezzling money and he fled to the arms of his lover in Australia. New editors and publishers came and went with the seasons. In May of 2007, fitness editor Neal Boulton was named the new editor-in-chief. Neal arrived like a star, complete with page six gossip that he was Roller Stone publisher, Jann Wenner's lover. Neal, a self-proclaimed bisexual (is there any other kind?) decided that gay men were about sex and fitness and promptly molded a magazine similar to his last job at Men's Fitness, only sexier.

In January 2007, William Kapfer was appointed vice-president and publisher of Genre magazine. Bill, as he is commonly known, was already the Vice President of Marketing for Window Media where he was responsible for all cross-platform marketing efforts and overall web strategy. Before joining Window Media, Kapfer was the Merchandising Director for Travel + Leisure magazine and Harper's Bazaar. Previously, Kapfer had served as Director of Marketing for the Seattle International Film Festival. He began his career as a publicist for Miramax Films and as a newsroom coordinator for the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour.

People seem to love and /or hate both these men. The fact is, nearly every publication is hurting, and gay publications in particular as the average gay reader is more likely to use the Internet for information. It was curious that the website Genre created for itself, seemed to have little do with the publication. In fact, not a recent cover or  story from Genre could be found anywhere. It was an odd "marketing and web strategy" to be sure. They also passed on some media treasures for reasons quite unclear. Academy Award winner, Dustin Lance Black was photographed for the February cover in November by photographer Michael Davis. It has never seen the light of print for reasons only Neal Boulton can explain; nor have any of the recent photographers been paid for services rendered. It may be the elephant in the room: they are broke.

If you have any experience in publishing these are all troubling and moribund indications. Advertisers, especially under the current economic circumstances, will not spend money on a product that they suspect will be gone in a few short weeks. The naming of a new editor from within the ranks of your own company only adds to the suggestion, they are keeping their day job.

Big Blue Uncut Penis

This Halloween quite a few people will endeavor to emulate superhero Doctor Manhattan from the new film, "Watchmen". Sporting a ten-pack, hairless and with a rather large, uncut appendage, one must either be blessed down below or like actor Billy Crudup, have some CGI help.
Frankly, it was a little shocking. For nearly every scene that features Doctor Manhattan in the film, he is completely, unabashedly, naked. There is no hiding behind objects or shots above the waist—he is simply walking around with a large, uncut blue penis, without pubic hair.
Released last Friday, the film collected over 55 million in box office receipts over the weekend. It is a hit.
Based on the 1986-1987 comic book limited series Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, the film adaptation stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matt Frewer, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Stephen McHattie, Laura Mennell, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Patrick Wilson. Set in an alternate-history 1985, Watchmen follows a group of former vigilantes as tensions heighten between the United States and the Soviet Union while an investigation of an apparent conspiracy against them uncovers something even more grandiose and sinister.
The special effects are good, the plot is fairly complex and the acting, especially Jackie Earle Haley, is quite convincing. Directed by Zack Snyder, one can only believe that this man has a fascination with bigger-than-life-men. He directed the macho extravaganza 300 in 2007, which also featured more than its fair share of manly flesh. In Watchmen, that manliness is proudly displayed. There was widespread speculation about Doc Manhattan's nudity—in the original book, he was indeed naked, but of moderate size—leave it to Hollywood and CGI to add a few inches.

Adam Lambert

Ann Powers in the Los Angeles Times reports that American Idol contestant Adam Lambert may out himself singing Michael Jackson"s "In the Closet". Her report:

This week, the lucky 13 contestants in the latest top tier of "American Idol" begin the serious phase of competition with a dip into Michael Jackson's songbook. Jackson, who just has returned from isolation to announce a series of comeback shows, is the single biggest influence on the young R&B stars that many "Idol" strivers emulate, but he's also the ideal subject for what's turning out to be a rather strange season.

At the heart of his troubled legacy are the anxieties "Idol" also confronts, however mildly -- America's troubling history of racial divides and assimilation, and the sexual repression and need for release that is a basic subject of pop music itself.

There's been some joking on various websites that this year's most flamboyant front-runner, Adam Lambert, will perform Jackson's early '90s hit "In the Closet" as a response to recently leaked photographs of him kissing a man and dressed in glamour-queen drag. Jackson released the song just when his astounding musical charisma began to strain under the weight of his eccentricities.
Full story continues here.

Naff Named New of Genre Magazine

Troubled homo publication, Genre magazine, which recently saw its editor-in-chief Neal Boulton leave to pursue to "other interests", has named a new editor via this press release: NEW YORK, March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Genre Magazine, a division of Window Media LLC, the nation's largest gay publishing group, today announced the appointment of veteran LGBT journalist Kevin Naff as Editor-in-Chief of Genre Magazine. He will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and strategic planning for the magazine, while continuing his post as Editor of Washington Blade -- the nation's oldest, largest and most respected gay newspaper -- celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2009. The announcement was made today by William Kapfer, Genre Publisher and Window Media Co-President.

Naff joins Genre after more than six years with the Washington Blade, including nearly three as editor, where he has overseen a senior team of editors and reporters responsible for covering some of the country's most historic political events and its leaders. Naff is an award-winning journalist, columnist and blogger known for his provocative approach to analyzing the news. In addition to recurring guest commentator spots on Sirius/XM satellite radio and National Public Radio (NPR), he has been tapped for national appearances on such shows as Fox News' "O'Reilly Factor," CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" and CBS' Logo network. That is Naff on the left, navel-revealing fan is unknown.

Almost Famous: Justin Gaston

From stylist.com/blog comes this tantalizing piece about Justin Gaston, Miley Cyrus's boyfriend who is making quite an appearance on EY! magazine. Ben Widdicombe files this report: Celebrity magazines have been reporting that Justin Gaston, Miley Cyrus's 20-year-old model boyfriend, has moved into the Cyrus family home so that dad Billy Ray can "keep an eye on him." But it seems the young fella has been slipping out of the compound.
Away from the Disney-sanitized environment that attends a hit commodity like "Hannah Montana," young Mr. Gaston is getting quite the reputation for racy photo spreads. First came a series in the Spring 2009 issue of V Man, an edgy men's fashion magazine which posed him awkwardly straddling a tennis net and grabbing his crotch.

Now he is on the cover of the even more avant garde Electric Youth! magazine, a frankly homoerotic remix of the teen-mag Tiger Beat genre dedicated to up-and-coming male models. (Although the new issue does also feature a handful of young female models, including Dakota Johnson, the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith.)

Electric Youth! (or EY!), named after the Debbie Gibson hit, is the brainchild of a Madrid-based creative director named Luis Venegas. Each model is interviewed in the style of a teen idol and the text, in contrast to the revealing photos, is positively restrained. Gaston is only referred to as Miley's "best friend," for example, and the aspiring musician is allowed a generous plug for his MySpace demo page. Dakota Johnson's famous parents aren't even mentioned.

EY! does not have a web site and you won't find the ad-free mag on news stands. Although it nominally has a US cover price of $18, in reality it is stocked by only a few trendy European boutiques or distributed privately among the fashion media. To purchase head here.

Survey Says!

Toronto's gay magazine Fab has released the results of its sex survey. The results were compiled by 800 respondents,and lets not forget, its Canada! The Penis survey (shown here) makes no sense, but we like the graphic. Other startling insights: The most pleasurable sex act among respondents is anal sex (96 percent), followed closely by kissing (90 percent). Fucking more than kissing? Blame Canada. To find out what other devilish habits these randy Canadians check here.

Frontiers and In Magazines Merge

As media outlets continue to face a decline in advertising revenue and other recession-induced realities, two of Southern California’s largest LGBT publications have merged.

IN Los Angeles and Frontiers co-publisher David Stern announced in a letter to readers last month that he and co- publisher Mark Hundahl would combine the two magazines into Frontiers-IN Los Angeles. The revamped publication hit newsstands and online on Feb. 25.

“I will not be so bold as to think that anybody reading this [letter] doesn’t also know that the current and temporary state of the economy was a factor in helping us make this decision,” Stern said. “Of course it was, but as you can tell by everything you’ve read above, it was certainly not the [only] factor.”

He added that he feels combining the two publications is the right decision.

“As we move into this realm of combined content and we look at the print editions of IN Los Angeles and Frontiers, it only makes sense that they combine also,” Stern said.

Frontiers launched in April 1981 while IN Los Angeles debuted in March 1998. IN Publications purchased Frontiers Publishing in 2007.

Karen Ocamb and Dana Miller are among the reporters and columnists whose work has regularly appeared in IN Los Angeles over the last decade. Ocamb said she feels optimistic over the merger.

“Given the economy and the new website we expect to debut this summer, I think this move to merge Frontiers and IN magazines is a good and logical one,” said Ocamb. “Frontiers launched just before the CDC announced what became the HIV/AIDS crisis and has an historic resonance. In recent years, it became more lifestyle oriented. IN Los Angeles was newsier and with more entertainment, so the combined editorial is essentially the best of both worlds in a magazine format."

The Magic Returns

Illusionists Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn have performed a single final act on stage - with the Bengal tiger which attacked Horn five years ago.
The trio carried out an illusion for a charity event in Las Vegas - their first appearance since the mauling. The act involved Fischbacher in a cage which was then covered by drapes. When Horn removed the drapes, the tiger had replaced Fischbacher.
Their careers ended in 2003 when the tiger sank his teeth into Horn's neck. He was dragged off stage by the tiger in front of a horrified audience. After the incident, Horn claimed that the tiger had tried to move him out of danger after he fainted - a theory which was disputed by animal experts.

In Saturday's performance neither performer spoke.

The Associated Press reported that Horn limped, and had to steady himself on his co-star's shoulder as they went on stage dressed in cloaks and masks to disguise who was who. The crowd gave them a standing ovation at the end of the act, when they removed their masks and waved.

The two men are former lovers who met in 1957. Siegfried worked as a steward while Roy was a waiter on an ocean liner. Roy soon became Siegfried's assistant. And the rest is history. They have been rumored to be a writing a tell-all book about their lives including reports of decades of drug use.