Feast of Fun: Gay Talk Show

It’s been 21 years since Jim Verraros made TV history as the first contestant from the reality TV show American Idol to come out as gay. Although he wasn’t allowed to talk about his sexuality on the show, by coming out during the promotional tour he paved the way for other closeted gay entertainers to fearlessly be themselves. People like Clay Aiken, David Archuleta and Adam Lambert and even Neil Patrick Harris and Lance Bass owe a lot to people like Jim Verraros. Following his glow up on reality television, Jim became a queer comedy film regular with his appearances in the Eating Out and Another Gay Movie franchises, and even had a Billboard chart hit with his song "You Turn It On.” Today Jim Verraros, star of American Idol and the Eating Out franchise joins us to celebrate his return to music with his playful new single “Take My Bow” which he lip synced on Instagram during his crossfit class. CHECK OUT JIM VERRAROS: 🎵 "Take My Bow" on Apple Music: https://apple.co/44Wtfsa ❤️ Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jimverraros Plus-- Drew Barrymore apologizes for being a SCAB, and suspends production of her daytime talk show until the Hollywood Writers Strike is resolved. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion

With semi-autobiographical books like “Whores of Lost Atlantis” actor, screenwriter, playwright and drag queen, Charles Busch has fine tuned the recipe for adding drag to your theatrical production to turn it into a comedy hit. Now Charles Busch is finally looking back on his amazing life in theater and drag in his new autobiography “Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy.” FEATURED BOOK: Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy by Charles Busch Get it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/651o4ze CHARLES BUSCH: https://www.charlesbusch.com Charles Busch pulls you in as he shares his wild stories of his deep friendships and encounters with some of the biggest divas in entertainment, including Joan Rivers, Liza Minelli and Julie Andrews. Today the legendary Charles Busch joins us to talk about the world's first ugly movie star, working with Boy George on Taboo the musical and the painful loss of his mother Gertie at the young age of seven.

The U.S. Department of Education’s COVID-19 relief for student loans has ended, and interest is now accruing once again. With payments due in October, many Americans expect these loans to outlive them. Since the Republican majority Supreme Court thwarted President Biden's attempt to forgive student loans, the U.S. Economy could come to a grinding halt just in time for the 2024 Presidential Election. Today comedian Matt Brown, Ms. Brown even if you’re not nasty, joins us to look at the impending doom of the student loan crisis. FOLLOW MATT BROWN: https://www.msbrowncomedy.com Plus--

For all the jobs Barbie’s had over the years, her most lucrative gig yet is now movie star, as the Barbie movie has just surpassed the billion dollar mark in worldwide box office sales. It is now Warner Brothers studio biggest money making film release in history. This widely popular feminist film, directed and co-written by filmmaker Greta Gerwig, is set to not just to shape the future of films, but how we talk about gender and sexual equality. Today, Weird Barbie in real life, performance artist Holly Hughes joins us to take a look at the Barbie movie phenomenon and why young girls love horses so much. In the early 90s, Holly Hughes became widely known as part of the NEA Four, when her solo theatrical work became a political target for conservatives and her funding was revoked by the federal government. CHECK OUT HOLLY HUGHES: ★ facebook.com/holly.hughes.7771 ★ stamps.umich.edu/people/holly-hughes Plus-- • Mattel releases its first product tie-in from the movie, the Weird Barbie Doll. • Why America Ferrrera’s monologue from the film resonates so deeply. Warning! We have a few spoilers in this podcast, so please listen with caution.

In case you were wondering what all these folding chair memes are about, a video of an outrageous fight between Black riverboat staff and white boat owners has exploded on the internet. While most folks don’t condone fighting, in a country with a history of violence towards Black people, it’s hard not to delight in the righteous anger expressed by those who were wronged, especially when it involves the unlikely weapon of choice - a folding chair. Today comedian Matt Brown, joins us to take a look at the memes inspired by the Montgomery, Alabama Riverfront Brawl including a mural of Harriet Tubman offering you not just her hand to freedom but a folding chair to defend your way. Plus-- ➤ What’s up with Lizzo’s lawsuit? ➤ Bullet holes in our podcast studio ➤ Michael Jackson’s singing style explained goes viral on Matt’s YouTube Channel. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/8GDxjAkmIg0 FOLLOW MATT BROWN: ★ msbrowncomedy.com Listen to Feast of Fun without any ads: ★ feastoffun.com/plus ★ patreon.com/feastoffun

Paging Mister Herman, Mister Herman to the Pearly Gates. Heartbreaking news, Paul Reubens, the comedian and performance artist behind the childlike alter-ego Pee-Wee Herman, died from complications of cancer on Sunday. He was 70. Pee Wee knew who we were, but who was he? Ruebens created his iconic character while performing with the comedy troupe The Groundlings and it quickly became a cultural sensation on late night TV which lead to his breakthrough film Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure and his iconic Saturday morning live action tv show Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. After being arrested in a theater in Florida, Paul Reubens’ career got derailed despite a public outcry against overzealous police. Comedian Gilbert Gottfried joked “If masturbation is a crime, I should be getting the electric chair.” Today drag queen impresario Miss Understood joins us to look at the hilarious and wonderfully weird life and legacy of Paul Reubens, the genius behind Pee-Wee Herman. CHECK OUT SCREAMING QUEENS ENTERTAINMENT: ★ screamingqueens.com ★ instagram.com/screamingqueens Plus-- a look also at the urban legends surrounding Carol Channing, and the life and legacy of Shuhada Sadaqat, the musician best known as Sinéad O'Connor. MARC FELION: ★ instagram.com/marcfelion ★ facebook.com/marcfelion FAUSTO FERNOS: ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ facebook.com/faustofernos Episode #3081

We’re back! When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. This spring we got a truck full of citrus, with my mom entering hospice, a nasty car wreck, fighting aggressive skin cancer and the new Barbie movie hitting theaters just as Hollywood goes on strike over greed vs the future of humanity. Today we fill you in on our recent adventures and woes, plus take a look at all the celebrity documentary biopics streaming, the new Barbie film and the terrifying world of erotic clown leather fetish, not to be confused with RuPaul’s Drag Race. Plus, ➤ Courts re-open the case of the Menendez Brothers’ murder of their parents as Roy Rosselló from the boy band Menudo comes forward as a victim of the murdered father. ➤ The endless debate over sugar, carbohydrates and artificial sweeteners.

We’re back! When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. This spring we got a truck full of citrus, with my mom entering hospice, a nasty car wreck, fighting aggressive skin cancer and the new Barbie movie hitting theaters just as Hollywood goes on strike over greed vs the future of humanity. Today we fill you in on our recent adventures and woes, plus take a look at all the celebrity documentary biopics streaming, the new Barbie film and the terrifying world of erotic clown leather fetish, not to be confused with RuPaul’s Drag Race. UPDATE: Unexpectedly, new medical billing has added over $2,000 in costs; any contribution, no matter the amount, would be greatly appreciated. https://www.gofundme.com/help-fausto-fight-cancer Plus, ➤ Courts re-open the case of the Menendez Brothers’ murder of their parents as Roy Rosselló from the boy band Menudo comes forward as a victim of the murdered father. ➤ The endless debate over sugar, carbohydrates and artificial sweeteners.

(Originally posted on Oct 9, 2014) Ever since he was a little boy, John Zanardi loved Barbie dolls but was too ashamed to admit it. That is until the age of 18, when he moved out on his own and started collecting them. Today he’s amassed over a thousand dolls, estimated to be worth something between 30 and 40 thousand dollars. Today John Zanardi joins us to talk about his magnificent obsession- collecting Barbie dolls, and why some gay men seem to obsess over these toys marketed to little girls. Listen as we talk about some more unusual Barbie dolls, Stanley the Barbie Man, Barbie’s breakup with Ken, The BLO, Ken’s cock ring and more amazing but true facts about this iconic American toy. I’m not sure why people got so upset over Ken’s c*ck ring, it’s not like he has any genitals to put it on. Plus– • Catholic groups force an Argentine art gallery to shut down a religious Barbie doll exhibition.If the Vatican put these out, they would make a fortune. • A new study says comfort foods may not be comforting after all. Did Taylor Kinney and Lady Gaga secretly get married?

Bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman loves to say “Everybody wants big muscles but nobody wants to lift no heavy ass weights!” But lifting heavy ass weights isn't the most difficult part of bodybuilding for everyone. For some, the biggest challenge to coming home with that sword in a competition is the ability to shred body fat without losing muscle mass. Let’s Grow Big Together - It’s the only bodybuilding podcast that slays at the gym, on the stage and the runway baby! In this series, we’re taking a look at the passion for muscle, adventures in bodybuilding, muscle gods, muscle worship and practical advice to put on the gains. Today tech developer, daddy and up and coming NPC Classic bodybuilder George Ward joins us to talk about getting ready for the stage, his adventures in bodybuilding and working with Dorian Yates to build an impossible physique. We met George Ward at the food court at the Arnold Sports Festival and were so charmed by him we had to get him on the show. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/georgewardfitness ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Episode #3079

Long live the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, Tina Turner! With heavy hearts, we share the news of Tina Turner's passing at the age of 83, as announced by her management team today. Tina Turner, a symbol of resilience, left an indelible mark on the sound of rock and roll for generations. From her iconic collaborations with Ike Turner in the '60s and '70s ("A Fool in Love" and "Proud Mary") to her solo projects like "River Deep Mountain High" in the '60s and the timeless "What's Love Got to Do with It?" in the '80s, her influence was undeniable. But Tina's talents extended beyond music. She graced the silver screen, portraying the unforgettable Acid Queen in The Who's "Tommy" (1975) and the post-apocalyptic warlord Aunty Entity in "Mad Max: Beyond the Thunderdome" (1985). She also appeared as the Mayor in Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Last Action Hero" (1993) and made a notable cameo in the ill-fated film adaptation of "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Bee Gees (1978). On television, Tina brightened various TV variety shows, including The Cher Show and Hollywood Nights with Olivia Newton-John. As the first black woman to grace the cover of Rolling Stone, Tina Turner shattered boundaries and solidified her place as one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. Today, we come together to celebrate the extraordinary life of Tina Turner. In honor of her legacy, we invite you to enjoy this encore presentation of "The Tea on Tina Turner," which originally aired in April of 2021. ------ Everyone expected 1984 to be a strange dystopian future, but it turned out to be an amazing year for pop culture with Tina Turner reigning supreme as the Queen of Rock and Roll. Although the press described Tina Turner’s chart topping album Private Dancer as a comeback, Tina considered it her debut album, free from the control and abuse she faced from her ex-husband Ike Turner. In the new documentary film, Tina, the Queen of Rock and Roll has the final word on her extraordinary life from growing poor and Black in Nutbush, TN, to her relationship with Ike Turner and how she broke free to become one of the world’s most celebrated artists. The new documentary is gonna get you hooked on Tina all over again. But despite it being an in depth look at the pop icon’s life, many amazing things were briefly touched on or left on the cutting room floor. Today is Tina Turner day! We’re looking at the life and legacy of the Queen of Rock and Roll, from the incredible year she had back in 1984, to her rock and roll roots with Ike Turner. Who made her iconic wigs? How did Cher save Tina’s career? And what celebrities made her want to say “you better be good to me.”

The world is in crisis: climate change, pandemics, inflation and on top of all that, we’re about to face our greatest threat, the rise of the machines through Artificial Intelligence. There’s little doubt that AI will wreck a lot of industries, but is our collective anxiety overblown from watching too many sci-fi movies? Today Kate Bornstein: author, actor, performance artist, and advocate for teens, freaks & other outlaws joins us to look at the terrifying, hilarious and exciting new frontier of artificial intelligence and how it stands to change our world forever. KATE BORNSTEIN: https://twitter.com/katebornstein Plus- ➤ Justine Bateman says the Hollywood writers’ strike is a battle not just over the future of creatives but humanity’s soul. ➤ What do AI’s and LGBTQ+ people share in common? ➤ Kate Bornstein shares with us a magical story about three chickens who discover gender in four dimensions. Episode #3078

The world is in crisis: climate change, pandemics, inflation and on top of all that, we’re about to face our greatest threat, the rise of the machines through Artificial Intelligence. There’s little doubt that AI will wreck a lot of industries, but is our collective anxiety overblown from watching too many sci-fi movies? Today Kate Bornstein: author, actor, performance artist, and advocate for teens, freaks & other outlaws joins us to look at the terrifying, hilarious and exciting new frontier of artificial intelligence and how it stands to change our world forever. KATE BORNSTEIN: https://twitter.com/katebornstein Plus- ➤ Justine Bateman says the Hollywood writers’ strike is a battle not just over the future of creatives but humanity’s soul. ➤ What do AI’s and LGBTQ+ people share in common? ➤ Kate Bornstein shares with us a magical story about three chickens who discover gender in four dimensions. Episode #3078

After Tucker Carlson got fired from Fox News, folks are still hotly debating why he got canned: was it the allegations of sexism in the workplace, the Dominion settlement (and other lawsuits) or was Fox News finally getting tired of all his lies? But if Fox News had to fire everyone who lied on the air, there wouldn’t be anyone left in the studio. Today comedian Dan Cass joins us to look at all the political hijinks unfolding during these uncertain times, like Sarah Huckabee Sanders selling her koozy in a new bizarre political ad and Donald Trump calling Ron DeSantis “pudding fingers.” FOLLOW DAN CASS: https://instagram.com/dankkass Plus-- ➤ A look at Sanford University’s controversial list of “harmful words” like crazy, brave and American. ➤ A new study says a majority of Americans support trans youth competing in school sports. ➤ Farewell to civil rights pioneer and calypso singer Harry Belafonte who died at the age of 96. Episode #3077

2018 was an incredible year. After years of podcasting, Marc Felion got cast in the Norwegian reality TV show “Alt For Norge.” And just like that, I came down with an especially aggressive case of cancer, basal cell carcinoma, that left me with a giant scar on my right shoulder and enormous medical bills to pay. This year, the cancer is back, right during the middle of preparing for a bodybuilding contest. My birthday was spent going back and forth with doctors to schedule radiation therapy to nuke the tumor on my arm. HELP FAUSTO FIGHT CANCER: https://gofundme.com/help-fausto-fight-cancer Today we take a look at cancer, whee! A look at the highs and lows life brings us, as we reflect on the week's news and trends. PLUS-- ➤ Parents are throwing lavish birthday parties for their babies to the tune of $50,000. ➤ Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon come out as unemployed. ➤ The Missouri trans ‘snitch form’ is down after people spam it. ➤ Netflix ends their DVD service. Episode #3076

Even though Covid-19, Monkeypox and HIV/AIDS are three very different kinds of viral infections, they all impact some people more than others. When fighting a pandemic, we like to think that we are all in this together, but the folks who face racism, homophobia/transphobia, poverty and homelessness are more at risk than anyone else. Today professor Dr. Steven Thrasher joins us to look at why it’s critical to address systemic inequality, racism and bigotry when fighting off any pandemic.In his new book “The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide,” Dr. Steven examines why certain populations are more at risk from viruses like HIV, Monkeypox and COVID-19. Plus-- ➤ How do we talk about marginalized people and disease without stigmatizing folks? ➤ How the Don’t Say Gay laws are killing us all. ➤ Counteracting the cynical viewpoint that both political parties are the same when trying to bring about change. FEATURED BOOK: Dr. Steven W. Thrasher, The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ofUEFA Episode #3075

Long before drag was a mainstay of reality television, LGBTQ+ folks turned to drag for fun, to challenge society and explore their gender through an artistic, comedic and performative lens. Sadly, we recently lost two fierce drag legends who meant a lot not just to us, but the world.Heartbreaking. In March, JoJo Baby died from cancer at the age of 51. An early guest of our podcast, JoJo was a beloved Chicago nightclub personality and entertainer who dazzled patrons with their outlandish looks and puppetry. And just last week, Heklina, who shaped the modern drag scene in San Francisco with their wildly popular and irreverent Trannyshack shows at the club STUD was found dead at the age of 55 in her London hotel by her dear friend Peaches Christ. Today we remember two queer culture legends, Chicago’s JoJo Baby and San Francisco’s Heklina, who both died this past month and the impact they had on so many people’s lives, including ours. Plus- ➤ Everybody’s daddy Pedro Pascal plays a gay cowboy in Pedro Almodóvar’s Western Short ‘Strange Way of Life.’ ➤ Billy Porter is set to play novelist, activist and essayist James Baldwin. ➤ Equality Florida issues an advisory warning for LGBTQ+ travelers. Episode #3074

Long before drag was a mainstay of reality television, LGBTQ+ folks turned to drag for fun, to challenge society and explore their gender through an artistic, comedic and performative lens. Sadly, we recently lost two fierce drag legends who meant a lot not just to us, but the world.Heartbreaking. In March, JoJo Baby died from cancer at the age of 51. An early guest of our podcast, JoJo was a beloved Chicago nightclub personality and entertainer who dazzled patrons with their outlandish looks and puppetry. And just last week, Heklina, who shaped the modern drag scene in San Francisco with their wildly popular and irreverent Trannyshack shows at the club STUD was found dead at the age of 55 in her London hotel by her dear friend Peaches Christ. Today we remember two queer culture legends, Chicago’s JoJo Baby and San Francisco’s Heklina, who both died this past month and the impact they had on so many people’s lives, including ours. Plus- ➤ Everybody’s daddy Pedro Pascal plays a gay cowboy in Pedro Almodóvar’s Western Short ‘Strange Way of Life.’ ➤ Billy Porter is set to play novelist, activist and essayist James Baldwin. ➤ Equality Florida issues an advisory warning for LGBTQ+ travelers. Episode #3074

We are heartbroken. San Francisco legend Heklina was found dead in her hotel room on Monday morning in London by her longtime friend, collaborator and co-star Peaches Christ. Over the years we taped so many good shows with Heklina that it’s hard to pick one, so this week we’re reposting our favorites to celebrate the amazing life and legacy of this amazing comedian and drag queen. Along with her gal pal Peaches Christ, Heklina shaped and created the modern drag scene in San Francisco with their wildly popular and irreverent Trannyshack shows and nights at STUD. After the name change of the shows to Mother, Heklina and Peaches moved their events to Oasis, a bar she co-founded with her longtime friend D'Arcy Drollinger. Heklina touched so many people's lives, including ours. A fierce, original drag queen with a wonderfully twisted sense of humor, Heklina was a popular guest in the early days of our podcast Feast of Fun, back when we called it Feast of Fools. Later on she went on to create her own podcast “Drag Time with Heklina” where she interviewed many notable queer artists including Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters. Back in 2006, our first live podcast in San Francisco featured Heklina in it, and she was so befuddled about what the Internet was that in a rare moment, she showed up out of drag in her everyday clothes for the show. Despite always being super busy, Heklina took time to visit with us whenever we were in town or when she came to Chicago. It’s devastating to think about the sorrow, but it’s comforting to know that her humor, style and rascally nature lives on in the lives of so many artists, LGBTQ+ folks and the people who loved her in San Francisco. Thanks for all the memories, laughs and fun Heklina. Here’s what we think her twisted sense of humor would have said about her own death: “The next roast of Heklina will be held at Fleischmann’s Crematorium.” --------- Originally posted FOF #2344 - Heklina Will Not Be Silenced - 06.14.16 Heklina is a living legend- she started her amazing drag show in San Francisco way back in 1996. This iconic night of drag, then known as Trannyshack, ignited the careers of countless entertainers including Lady Gaga, Peaches Christ and Ana Matronic. Over the years, Heklina saved her dollar tips and got some friends to invest in her own club Oasis only to rebrand the drag show as Mother and not without a little controversy. Today, Heklina joins us to take a look at the horrific shooting in Orlando and how gay bar owners are responding to the violence. Plus-- • How drag queens have gone from being fringe acts to mainstream attractions. • Why San Francisco can't have nice things. • Facebook may delete all your photos if you don’t install this app. • Heklina’s tips on picking up a straight guy on Craigslist!

As politicians attempt to pass anti-trans and anti-drag laws, it’s important to show up, speak out and voice your opposition for the public record. Thankfully, rock ‘n roll might save the day! Today we take a look at the anti-trans, anti-drag and anti-library laws being passed around the country. Joining us is queer musician Caleb De Casper who showed up at the Texas state capitol to let legislators know that an intended ban on drag could have widespread negative effects on the whole music industry. The bans are not only discriminatory, but rotten for the economy. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/calebdecasper ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Check out Caleb De Casper: https://www.calebdecasper.com Plus-- ➤ Lady Maga, a drag queen Trumper, says she’s no longer a drag queen but a “costume artist.” ➤ Did Taylor Swift just come out by flying the lesbian flag colors during her concert? ➤ A memorial for Jojo Baby will be held on Easter Sunday April 9th from 7 to 11pm at Metro in Chicago. Episode #3073