Feast Of Fun : Gay Talk Show

With the exception of songs like Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” or Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out,” very few pop songs written as a tribute to LGBT folks have ever reached the top of the charts.But that doesn’t mean the songs that weren’t so gay to begin with couldn’t end up being the soundtrack at our favorite bars, drag shows or pride celebrations.[Originally posted as FOF #2468 – Uncovering Gay Anthems – 03.29.17]Today, we take a look at songs that didn’t start out as gay anthems, but somehow the cover versions ultimately became LGBT legendary tracks.Listen as we take a look at: Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love,” Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” Grace Jones’ “La Vie en Rose,” the theme song of the Golden Girls- “Thank You for Being a Friend” and many more.

This weekend, Lady Red Couture, a well known drag entertainer in L.A. and the co-host of the youtube talk show Hey Qween died at the age of 43.Jonny McGovern, who co-hosted the talk show with Lady Red, announced the news on social media saying “It doesn’t feel real but the beautiful light that was Lady Red is gone. I love you baby. I will miss you every day.”[Please enjoy this encore presentation of our podcast with Lady Red recorded on 11.18.15.]Inch for inch, pound for pound Lady Red Couture may well be as she calls herself “the world’s largest drag queen in captivity” but it’s not just because of her size, but because she commands a room and fills our hearts with love.As Jonny McGovern’s sidekick on the fabulous talk show Hey Qween, Lady Red Couture keeps it real by throwing some legendary shade as she munches down on snacks while sitting on her own couch.Today we kiki with Judge Lady Red Couture about crowdfunding her new album “Stunt Qween,” her deep friendship with Jonny McGovern and the challenges she’

The coronavirus pandemic is one of the biggest challenges we’ll face in our lives, the death toll is staggering but it also exposes the racism, police violence and corrupt leadership that America faces.Despite the current horrors, one thing that keeps us going is our relationships with wonderful people like our friend musician Tom Goss.TOM GOSS:http://tomgossmusic.comToday Tom Goss joins us to play songs from his new album, “Territories” including his passionate new single “Regretting.” The music video for “Regretting” stars Mean Girls actor Daniel Franzese. Regretting is Tom and Daniel’s third music video collaboration after “La Bufadora” and “Quebec.”Listen as Tom chats with us about opening up his relationship and how it’s hard to make art during these difficult times.FEATURED MUSIC

The year 2020 has turned the world of drag upside down and round and round. Since most venues have closed, performances have gone online and drag queens are speaking truth to power like never before.With the industry going through some contortions it’s oddly fitting that super elastic Yvie Oddly would be the last drag queen before the ‘Rona Pandemic hit to be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar.But not even an apocalypse will keep fierce queens down- new forms of entertainment are adapting to entice audiences and Voss Events’ Drive ’N Drag Series is merging the world of drive in movies and drag into an innovative show where you don’t even have to leave your car to take a selfie with a queen.Today the wonderfully weird Yvie Oddly, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11, joins us to talk about doing drag during the times of Rona, the surprising criticism she got from fans and fellow contestants after being crowned and killing it as a lip synch assassin on RuPaul's Drag Race All Star Season 5.Plus--➤ Why did R

[Originally posted as FOF #1409 – We Love Mo’Nique, Jul 7, 2011.]One of the most fabulous Oscar winners in recent years is Mo’Nique– last year she won the Best Supporting Actress award for her stunning portrayal of Mary Jones, the vicious cruel mother in the critically acclaimed film “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.”Her husband and writing partner Sidney Hicks recommended she take the unusual role because he felt that the film would have the power to save lives, but Mo’Nique was stunned when she discovered that playing the horrible character would save her own life.Join us as we talk to the very funny queen of sass, Mo’Nique, about her amazing journey from stand up comedian to Oscar winning actress and what’s happened to her since she won the award.MO'NIQUE: https://moniqueworldwide.com➤ Her devoted fight for Marriage Equality as part of the LGBT community and being a rainbow mom.➤ How Precious director Lee Daniels convinced Mariah Carey not to wear any makeup in the film.➤ Her live concert

[Originally posted as FOF #2780 – The Puerto Rican Bombshell, Barbra Herr, on Sep 17, 2019]Television in Puerto Rico in the 1970s and 80s featured drag front in center with many comedy legends cross-dressing for laughs. During that time, Walter Mercado, the flamboyant psychic astrologer and bombshells like Iris Chacon became household names all over the world.Iris Chacon was the spokesperson for Amelie Coolant in the 80s because the word butt and the word coolant sound the same in Spanish.You know corrupt Gov. Roselló’s gig was up when even politically neutral Walter Mercado asked him to resign. Photo: Walter MercadoOne cabaret sensation who dazzled the airwaves was Barbra Herr, who along with her drag mamita, Pantojas brought lavish performances to life in the best gay and straight nigclubs in San Juan.Today, Puerto Rican bombshell Barbra Herr joins us to talk her amazing career as a drag and cabaret performer, from fighting the AIDS crisis in Puerto Rico to working with the legends in New York City.Plus– Ba

Audiences are raving about Mucho Mucho Amor, the new documentary on the incredible life of Puerto Rican TV astrologer Walter Mercado.The film, titled after Mercado’s catchphrase “lots and lots of love,” gives audienceslots and lots to chew on with an unprecedented look into the private life of Latin America’s most beloved tv personality whose mysterious, gender non-conforming made them a queer icon.Today queer Latinx historian Larry La Fountain joins us to take a look at Mucho Mucho Amor and the life of Walter Mercado the bejeweled gender and sexually ambiguous superstar who meant so much to so many people around the world.LARRY LA FOUNTAIN: https://www.facebook.com/larrylafountainA BETTER HELP:http://www.betterhelp.com/funPlus--➤ #BoycottGoya: why did the CEO of one of the most iconic food brands in the world praise Trump?➤ Chicago’s gay neighborhood of Boystown is looking to reinvent itself.➤ And what wild and fabulous things did the documentary leave on the cutting room floor?

[Originally published #2801, on Nov. 11, 2019.]TV psychic astrologer Walter Mercado captivated generations of people all around the world with his Liberace inspired elaborate fashion and campy astrological readings which were often messages of hope.A household name in Latin America, Walter Mercado just passed away in Puerto Rico at the age of 87.Musician Gloria Estefan called it an end of an era.Despite his flourished demeanor, Walter Mercado never claimed any gender or sexual identity. When asked if he was gay he would respond: “I am not gay, because to be gay I would have to be in love with a man, and I am in love with the entire universe.”Above all, Walter Mercado wanted folks to let go of their inhibitions and to shine as brightly as he did, even urging his followers to approach life with a tantric sensibility so they could “have sex even with a sunset.”Of all his eccentricities, Walter was probably best known for his television sign off where he’d wish his fans: “paz, pero sobretodo mucho mucho (kiss) am

It’s been 25 years since the Showgirls hit movie theaters to a confused and terrified public. Promoted as “All About Eve in a G-String” the movie is a demented rollercoaster ride through the eyes of an ambitious dancer Nomi Malone who screams, slams and screws her way to the top of a Las Vegas showgirl revue- Goddess.Nomi Malone is Goddess.Like Paul Verhoven’s previous film Basic Instinct, Showgirls was supposed to be a star vehicle for Elizabeth Berkley, instead the Saved by the Bell actress spent the rest of her career wrestling with the trauma of being labeled the worst actress in the worst film in Hollywood history.Today documentary filmmaker Jeffrey McHale joins us to take a look at why people still can’t stop talking about Showgirls all these years later. Jeffrey’s feature film debut, You Don’t Nomi, explores the themes of sexual violence, camp and outrageousness in Paul Verhovens films and interviews a wide variety of fans of this cult classic including our dear friend Peaches Christ.YOU DON'T NOMI:htt

If comedy is born out of tragedy, then parody songwriters have a lot to work with in these trying times.Today comedian and parody song enthusiast Amanda Cohen joins us to look at some fabulous parody songs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.Amanda regularly hosts Flapper’s Comedy Clubs Speakeasy Comedy Showcase and moderates as a judge on I’m With Stupid – A contest between comedy songwriters Carla Ulbrich & Steve Goodie.AMANDA COHEN: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.cohen.355Listen as we take a look at:➤ Chicago Black Drag Council, an open group of black entertainers and activists host a virtual town hall meeting with several harmful entertainers and management of Chicago’s gay bar scene, resulting in the termination of one of the local scenes most visible drag queens T Rex.➤ Nobody shows up at Trump’s rally in Tulsa.➤ The theatrical release of Lin Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights film musical has been delayed till 2021.➤ Farewell to filmmaker Joel Schumacher, best known for his campy films Car Wash, t

We always think of Canada, our neighbor to the north, as an idyllic place where fountains flow with maple syrup, moose roam freely and everyone is happy riding toboggans to work.But, just like the folks in the US of A, Canada has its own problems with race and police brutality.Joining us today is comedian Brandon Ash Mohamed, one of the few out gay black comedians in Canada, to talk about his new comedy album, Capricornication, where he talks about growing up black and gay in the Great White North.Listen as Brandon chats with us about his Trinidadian roots, the Black Lives Matter protests at the Gay Pride Parade and Brandon’s connection to Toronto’s gay serial killer.BRANDON ASH-MOHAMED: https://www.facebook.com/BrandonAshMohammedPlus--➤ How Liberace fell in love with the sounds of the steel drums of Trindad.➤ Trayvon Martin’s mom, Sybrina Fulton, announced that she’s running for political office.➤ Sandy Allen the world’s tallest woman.FEATURED MUSIC:

In a landmark decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights law of 1964 does indeed protect LGBTQ people from workplace discrimination on the basis of sex.The ruling comes as a welcome victory in the midst of Coronavirus Pandemic and the fight against police violence with the Black Lives Matter protest.Are we finally overcoming centuries of oppression or will there be a backlash. Is this a rainbow breaking through grey clouds, or are we just in the eye of the storm?Today we take a look at the momentous Supreme Court Ruling extending employment protections to all LGBTQ people, and Chicago’s Drag March for Change, where thousands gathered to protest systemic racism in the gay neighborhood of Boystown.Plus–➤ Barbra Streisand makes George Floyd’s daughter a Disney shareholder.➤ Ongina quits All-Stars, tells Miz Cracker not to kick drag queens when they are down.➤ A statue of Dolly Parton may replace a KKK leader monument at the Tennessee capitol in Nashville.➤ Chicago’s Pride

In the comedy world, not everything is a laughing matter, especially when it comes to allegations of racism and sexual misconduct at one of the world’s most prestigious comedy institutions- Chicago’s Second City.Nineteen Second City black alumni including “Saturday Night Live” writer and performer Chris Redd, “Veep” actor Sam Richardson, “Late Night with Seth Meyers” writer Amber Ruffin and former Feast of Fun guest Collette Gregory have come forward in an open letter calling out Second City for its institutionalized racist practices and how it can do better.RACHEL HALL: https://www.facebook.com/RachelHallisFunny/Today comedian Rachel Hall who’s worked with Second City joins us to take a look at Chicago’s comedy scene and how Vogue Magazine's Anna Wintour says perhaps she’s been too hurtful and intolerant and pledges to hire more black creatives and journalists.Plus--➤ HBO MAX temporarily shelves Gone with the Wind.➤ Conservatives get into a screaming match with Sesame Street’s Elmo over the CNN town hall “ex

All types of men go to bathhouses for all types of reasons but mainly they go for sex.Ironically, for a closeted person, even though everyone is practically running around naked, a gay bathhouse becomes a very private sanctuary.Today, writer Terrill Aaron Closs puts everyone on blast as he takes us into the belly of the beast and shares with us his stories of working in a gay bathhouse in Atlanta.Terrill has a series of books available- THE BEAST: A Dirty Bathhouse Soap Opera that chronicles the lives and loves of the many characters who frequent the gay cruising spot known as the Beast.[Originally posted as "FOF #2429 - As the Bathhouse Turns - 12.12.16"]Featured Book:Terrill Aaron Closs - THE BEAST: A Dirty Bathhouse Soap Opera: Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MKGKRFA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00MKGKRFA&linkCode=as2&tag=feastoffools-20&linkId=fce2f540a58d8e2e678d3267ef304dd1

Make no mistake about it: Stonewall was a riot. Windows were broken, protesters were beaten and the neighborhood was trashed all to let the police and the mob controlled bars know that queer folks weren’t going to take it anymore.The following June, which is 50 years ago this month, those legendary riots were commemorated with LGBT marches that are now known as the Pride Parade.Here in Chicago, many different organizations, including the Black Panthers, got together to plan the first march. Now with a lot of Black Lives Matters protests taking place during the Pride month of June, it’s remarkable how we’re still struggling with police violence.Today, the long time theater editor for the Chicago Reader Albert Williams, joins us to talk about planning and attending the first Pride March in Chicago and how it connects with the Black Lives Matter Protests happening now.Listen as we talk about:➤ How handsome and probably closeted cops entrapped gay men while cruising.➤ Pioneering gay plays that shaped theater in A

One of the most heartwarming reality TV shows on Netflix right now is the competitive floral design series, The Big Flower Fight, where 10 teams of plant enthusiasts are challenged to create larger-than-life plant and flower installations to win the top prize- Best in Bloom.On this reality TV show you’ll see massive beasts made of fruits and nuts, humans modeling flowery haute couture, and interactive sculptures straight out of a woodsy fairy tale - all created by diverse teams that artistically arrange plants and other materials onto giant oversized frames to tell a floral story.The winning team gets the ultimate prize- their own giant creation on display in London’s Kew Gardens.Today Henck Röling and Yan Skates, the wildly creative and costumed contestants from The Big Flower Fight join us to spill the herbal tea on their friendships and shady rivalries between contestants on the show.

Drag: for some girls it’s not just a job, it’s an adventure. A revolution in drag is exploping thanks to the success of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Today we’re talking to three of the fabulous queens from the reality TV competition who all scored high in charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent, and if you take the first letter of that list, these ladies give it in abundance!Join us as Mimi Imfurst and India Ferrah, the King Kong and Fay Wray of drag talk about the incident that got Mimi cast as a drag queen super villain, but does she deserve it?Also joining us is Stacy Layne Matthews – whose first time on an airplane was flying from Back Swamp, North Carolina to Los Angeles to be on the show. Stacy also comes forward as being a transgendered woman.Listen as we talk about how life has changed for all these queens now that RuPaul’s got them with her Midas touch? And point on the doll where RuPaul touched you!Plus, MoNique’s drag queen body double, home schooling in drag at age of 12 and how to survive reality TV.[Origi

Part 2 of 2. Can I get an Amen around here? Today is Part Two of our special with the fabulous queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race.One of the most controversial moments on the 3rd season of the reality TV show was the development of the factions created by the self-proclaimed “pretty” queens who called themselves “Heathers” and called the other contestants, who were not up to their standards as- “Booger Queens.” And why not call them “Booger Queens” as up till now, RuPaul could pick any booger as winner. Anyone could win.How did this name calling all go down and why were some queens so unbelievably snotty during the taping of the show?Listen as we find if “Booger Queen” Stacy Layne Matthews really buys “Heathers Queen” Raja apology during the reunion show?Join us as we go inside the secret walled garden of glittery delights as Mimi Imfurst, India Ferrah and Stacy Layne Matthews share with us the behind the scenes secrets of the hit reality TV show.Stick around as we unlock the liquor cabinet and get these girls to

The early 90s was an exciting but difficult time to be a queer person in the United States. The AIDS crisis was still claiming so many lives and after 8 years of President Regan not even mentioning the word AIDS and 4 years of President Bush’s inaction, LGBTQ folks felt invisible, and our visibility was a matter of life and death.In the spirit of making a political statement, and shocking the squares, Joan Jett Blakk, backed by Queer Nation, launched her bid to become President of United States with the catchy slogan “Lick Bush in ’92.”This bold political performance art would had been just a delightful footnote in the history of queer activism until this year when Broadway director Tina Landau and Moonlight Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney presented their new play, “Ms Blakk for President,” now playing at the Steppenwolf Theater.Today Terence Alan Smith, the artist behind the drag personage of Joan Jett Blakk joins us to talk about that amazing time when a black drag queen ran for President of the United S

A Warhol inspired look of Marc Felion, Matt Brown and Fausto Fernós. Photo: Fausto Fernós.Comedian Matt Brown says it’s hard to be in an interracial relationship, with himself. He recently posted that “the black man and white woman that live in my head have been arguing this week” and it’s stressing him out.Part of him wants to visit the beauty salon and the other half wants to see the world burn while he sits on the couch.Today Matt Brown joins us to chat about being a biracial child who couldn’t fully embrace his blackness until he was a young adult.MATT BROWN: https://www.mattbrowncomic.comListen as we talk with the very funny and femmetastique Matt Brown about this and all the hot news--➤ The national football team in Washington celebrates Blackout Tuesday, but still refuses to change their racist name.➤ Grindr kicks off Pride month by ditching its ethnicity filter.➤ Leah Michelle allegedly wanted to shit in co-star Samantha Marie Ware's wig.