194 Court Street, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

This pic looks like it could have just as easily been taken in 1972 as 2012. Ain't it nice to know that occasionally, some things stay the same? *

Are Republicans Realizing Homophobia Isn't Winning Any Friends?

According to a fascinating story in Politico.com, the Republican party may be shifting focus away from its long-held anti-same sex marriage stance—recognizing that homophobia is winning the conservative party no friends.

"What was once a front-and-center issue for rank-and-file Republicans is virtually a dead issue, as Republicans in Congress don’t care to have gay marriage litigated in the Capitol," Politico suggests, realizing that there has been a cultural shift in the United States.

"Same-sex relationships are more prominent and accepted. There are more gay public figures—including politicians—and it’s likely that many Washington Republicans have gay friends and coworkers," the article says.

Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), a veteran of 1990s' culture wars, told the webbie, "If you look at campuses and universities, they have a lot of gay pride clubs and so there has been a deliberate and effective outreach to the younger generation about being more accepting of same-sex relationships."

Thankfully—at last—it appears that the flagging economy has displaced social issues in today’s politics. "Ask most House Republicans today if they have deep convictions about gay relationships, and it hardly registers," Politico reports, quoting Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.): "I have deep convictions about my children having a financially stable country. That’s what keeps me up awake at night, not worrying about who’s sleeping with who."

What an astonishing realization: And it only took the G.O.P. eights months to understand that constantly picking on a minority is not what this nation cares about. See the Politico piece here. *

The Week In Music: Massive 'Hunger' For Hit Flick’s Soundtrack

"The Hunger Games" soundtrack makes a satiating launch at the top of this week’s album chart, as expected, moving 175,000 copies—100,000 of which were digital sales. The last film ST that reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 was back in November 2009: Michael Jackson's This Is It.” A month before that, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" did the trick in October 2009; obviously, "Hunger" and "Twilight" share a lot in common, as young adult novels turned into hit flicks.

Multi-artist "The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 And Beyond" includes new songs from Maroon 5, Miranda Lambert, the Civil Wars, The Decemberists, Kid Cudi, Arcade Fire—and Taylor Swift, whose soundtrack contribution "Eyes Open," is the highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, at No. 4. Of course, the film—which stars hottie Liam Hemsworth—easily came in as last weekend’s North American box office champ, lapping up $152.5 million.

"Hunger" is one of five debuts among this week’s top 10 albums, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The Shins' "Port of Morrow" enters at No. 3, its second top 5 album; rappers Odd Future's fourth CD "The OF Tape Vol. 2," debuts at No. 5; Canadian R&B singer Melanie Fiona's sophomore "The MF Life" enters at No. 7; and 2011 Best New Artist Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding's "Radio Music Society" comes in at No. 10—a tepid showing considering the hype surrounding her post-Grammy return. The set includes guests Q-Tip and Lalah Hathaway (daughter of Donny Hathaway).

Elsewhere in the top 10: Adele (again) holds at No. 2 (her 57th week in the top 10); last week’s No. 1 from new U.K. boy band One Direction, "Up All Night," eases down to No. 4  (while debut single "What Makes You Beautiful" hops 19-11 on the Hot 100); and Bruce Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball” continues to tank, 1-4-6, with a total of 292,000 sold. Whitney Houston's 2000 "Greatest Hits" falls gently 6-9, its seventh week in the top 10 following her death in February. That album also returns this week to No. 1 on Top Catalog Albums.

On the singles side, fun.'s "We Are Young" (featuring Janelle Monae) logs a fourth week atop the Billboard Hot 100—becoming the longest-running chart topper of the year, to date—with a sixth week at No. 1 on Digital Downloads. So far, it is also the year’s top-selling single, with sales of 2.39 million. Next in line is "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" from Kelly Clarkson, with sales of 2.25 million. That title spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, for second place among most weeks.

Radio is at last catching up with fun.'s consumer momentum, as it soars 14-4 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Airplay. Meanwhile, Clarkson’s former No. 1 "Stronger" moves 2-1 at radio. This is her first time at the summit of the all-format airplay-based chart.

Next week: After months of pre-release promulgating, Madonna’s "MDNA" at last sees a ray of light. While it is expected to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, there’s formidable competition from Lionel Richie’s country collaboration "Tuskegee"—comprising duets with Shania Twain, Blake Shelton, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw and more. That album is already ranked No. 1 on iTunes and Amazon—while Madonna is No. 4 at both digital stores.

And Justin Bieber’s new single "Boyfriend"—already No. 1 on iTunes—is destined to make a top 5 entry on the Hot 100 singles. Yahoo! Music’s Paul Grein notes in his Chart Watch that it would be the 18 year old’s second top five hit, following "Baby" (featuring Ludacris). He adds that it could top Katy Perry's "Part Of Me" for biggest one-week sales total so far in 2012. The number to beat: 411K.

HAPPY 44TH BIRTHDAY CELINE DION!

Happy Birthday to the greatest singer in all the world: Celine Dion turns 44 today! Here's a nice synopsis of her career accomplishments. She truly looks better with every passing year.

Promos Begin For This Summer's 'Dallas' Reboot

Wow, TV is becoming fun again. Along with ABC's sinister Good Christian Bitches, NBC's delectable Smash and ABC's dishy Revenge (if it ever comes back with new episodes), this summer's reboot of Dallas on TNT could be soapy delsih, especially with new-generation hotties Jessie Metcalf and Josh Henderson. The show is set to launch with a two-hour opener Wednesday, June 13.

Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick To Call The Heights Home

Paul Giamati, meet your new neighbors. Sarah Jessica Parker and husband Matthew Broderick are purchasing a pair of townhouses in Brooklyn Heights on State Street near Sidney Place. The New York Daily News‘ real estate guru Jason Sheftell reports that the family is closing in on a contract, after purchasing a Manhattan townhouse on East 10th St. for $18.995 million two years ago that they never moved into.

The couple currently resides in a townhome in the West Village on Charles Street, near West Fourth Street, with their son James Wilkie, 9, and twin daughters Marion and Tabitha, almost 3. A source told the Daily News, “They loved the West Village but wanted something more private, laid-back and discreet.”

When construction is completed, the two adjoining State Street townhouses the actors purchased will create “an urban mansion of 7,000-plus square feet with a suburban-size backyard,” the News reports.

CORE senior vice president Doug Bowen noted, “Brooklyn Heights is the city’s first official historic landmark district; that’s how beautiful it is and what it means to New York. The price difference between the West Village and Brooklyn Heights is sometimes two, three, four times the amount. That’s why even big names are deciding to live here. It’s an easier financial commitment.” *

Here's William Levy's Monday Performance On 'DWTS'!

Tuesday night the first contestant was eliminated from Season 14 of ABC's Dancing With The Stars. Who was drop kicked... stand by!
Any doubt who the cast favorite is? Here's a poll from gay webbie Homorazzi... and heaven knows we gays are on the pulse of pop culture, right? Note that the contestant I consistently find overtly tepid, Katherine Jenkins, is near the bottom of the vote, despite the judges' inexplicable support. *

April 2012 Magazine Cover Round-Up

And then... there's this. This has to be the most embarrassing Billboard cover I have ever seen. I get the intention, but it's an absolute sham that a magazine that once was regarded as the Bible of the music industry is now playing the fool. I am embarrassed for the legacy that once was. *

Quote Of The Day, Courtesy of Fark.com

Tonight: Week Two of William Levy On 'Dancing With The Stars'!

Tonight, March 26, is the second episode of Season 14's Dancing With The Stars, starring William Levy. Our man certainly made a splash last week swaying his hips with partner Cheryl Burke as the audience erupted into near-orgasmic screams.

That means the pressure is on this week, as the couple prepares for its "quickstep" routine Monday. Burke told TV Guide, "It's tough because everyone started earlier on their second dances because they had the full three weeks, so we're really working hard to make sure it's as perfect as can be."

She added that the two are focusing on Will's technique: "I think everyone knows he can do the Latin dances and move his hips, but he needs to be able to do both styles of dances. This week will be crucial for everyone. I think some people may be better in Latin than ballroom and vice versa. Normally, you know the first few who might go, but we have no idea this season. Tuesday's gonna be so nerve-wracking."

Although the judges seemed to adore her last week, my money is still on exactly what I stated last week: Despite scoring the highest, contestant Katherine Jenkins looks like a Barbie doll... and her performance left me non-plussed. If the audience has any say, she needs to go first. In any case, I cannot wait to see Will in action. At last... The Nun's Sexiest Man Alive is a nationwide sensation.

See his profile on ABC's Good Morning America here. And below, scenes from the red carpet after week one's episode.*

William Levy On ABC's 'Good Morning America'

The mainstream press continues to court its new sex symbol. Here's a profile of William Levy's Dancing With The Stars fame, a la Good Morning America. *

Curious... Madonna Suddenly Looks Like She's 25

Madonna, who is 53 years old, looks all of 25 years old at a recent appearance with Jimmy Fallon. I want some of that! *

Olympics Watch: Sports Stud Christopher Mears

The Smoking Nun is so allll about sports. This week, we offer an attentive eye toward one to watch at the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics. Homorazzi alerts us to 19-year-old Brit diver Christopher Mears. Three years ago, he suffered from a ruptured spleen and almost died. He certainly looks to have made a nice recovery. *

Model Perfect: Steve Kuchinsky Covers ‘DNA’ Magazine

New York City fitness model Steve Kuchinsky covers the April 2012 DNA magazine, with the apropos headline "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds." With a little more fishing around, it turns out this beauty has quite the portfolio of modeling, including a large, robust, packed posse of undies in his catalog. What a perfect fit. *

Joe Manganiello & Chace Crawford Charge Each Other In NYC

The Sexiest Man Alive Joe Manganiello and puss-boy Chace Crawford recently appeared side by side at the Duracell Event in New York. Well, that certainly charged my batteries. *

The Week In Music: Meet History-Making U.K. Boy Band One Direction

So sorry, Boss. After a single week atop the Billboard 200 albums chart with Wrecking Ball, spanking new U.K. boy band One Direction supplants Bruce Springsteen at No. 1 by achieving the seeming impossible: The vocal quintet makes history as the first U.K. group ever to bow at the summit with a debut album. Its Up All Night sold 176,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

While most grown-ups are likely saying, “Who?” SYCO/Columbia has engineered a marketing blitz to saturate the group with its intended tween and teen audience. The pretty boys have appeared at numerous album-signing events in shopping malls over the past month, and attracted 10,000 screaming fans for an NBC Today appearance March 12, its first live TV performance in America.

One Direction also recently wrapped a 10-date stateside tour, opening for Big Time Rush. They are scheduled to appear April 7 on Saturday Night Live. One Direction mania will maintain center stage into the summer. Wednesday it was announced they will headline a first-ever North American Tour, starting May 24 in arenas and large theaters in New York, Toronto, L.A. and points in between.

Formed on the 2010 U.K. version of X Factor (which also spawned No. 1 album artist Leona Lewis in the States), One Direction comprises Brits Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, and Irishman Niall Horan—four of whom are still in their teens. The act has scored three top three U.K. singles and its debut album hit No. 2 last November. Meanwhile, in the U.S., debut single “What Makes You Beautiful,” is No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. Their album is also No. 1 on the Digital Albums tally.

Elsewhere on the Billboard 200’s top 10, Adele holds tight at No. 2—her 16th week in the runner-up position, alongside 23 No. 1 weeks; Guns N' Roses catapults from No. 31 to No. 3 with its 2004 collective Greatest Hits (after being priced at 25 cents at Google Play and AmazonMP3 one day last week); while last week’s No. 1, Wrecking Ball from Springsteen dissipates to No. 4, with a whopping 71% decline in sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The set has spawned no hit singles on the Hot Digital chart. Whoops.

Passion’s White Flag live set debuts at No. 5 and also launches at No. 1 on Top Christian Albums; Whitney Houston's The Greatest Hits holds at No. 6; as does Drake's Take Care at No. 7; while the Now 41 compilation falls 5 to No. 8; Gotye's Making Mirrors climbs 16-9; and fun.'s Some Nights, returns to the top 10, up from No. 13, despite a 2% decline in sales. Their single “We Are Young,” featuring Janelle Monae, spends a third week atop the Billboard Hot 100.

Next week: The appetite for Hunger Games mania is likely to gobble up the top spot for its soundtrack on the Billboard 200 album chart. It includes new tracks from Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, The Decemberists, Maroon 5, Kid Cudi and Arcade Fire.

Also debuting is the first album for Esperanza Spalding since she unexpectedly won the Best New Artist Grammy in 2011. The fringe artist’s new Radio Music Society jazz-pop-funk-soul template is allegedly gunning to take the artist more mainstream. Evidence: The first single is called “Radio Song.”

This story originally appeared on Radio-Info.com.

Justin Bieber Beat Up For 'Complex' Photo Shoot

I gotta admit, there have been many times I'd have loved to pummel the crap out of Justin Bieber, just for being the little squirt he is... But I got to give the dude props for the playful spread he indulged for the cover of Complex magazine. Actually, pretty damn friggin' funny. *