Miss Horse brought up the brand-new RuPaul on Biography in the Flloyd topic, and I thought Ru might deserve a topic of his/her own.

I found the revelation that RuPaul's mother had died the morning that she performed at the huge Gay Pride march in the Superwoman outfit most moving. So often in life these highs and lows come at once - I have seen it so many times but it always takes alot of courage to get through.

It's nice when someone we know is the subject of a mainstream TV show, without having chopped up a body or mummifying anyone.

Yes, I agree. A friend of mine was the writer and producer of that RuPaul documentary and several weeks ago I attended a special advance screening of it at the Leopard Lounge on Second Avenue. Another friend of mine works for Ru. Very funny and insightful. Although Ru's music and VH1 variety show were fun, his finest hour in my opinion was his book, which is basically a powerhouse inspirational manifesto about having the courage to go out into the world and do your own thing. His legacy continues, deservedly, and he's gone a long way toward penetrating the national spiritual sphincter and loosening everyone up - making the whole country a lot gayer and happier! However I do miss the days of him lipsynching Cher at the Pyramid.

I give Ru alot of credit for not turning into a cartoon. (I think drag for him was always more of a performance thing rather than a lifestyle thing). It takes alot of courage to throw away that old "Bread & butter", but if he kept doing that same thing he would have just been another Charles Nelson Reilly on Hollywood Squares.

Hey, don't you knock my Charles Nelson Reilly - that's my husband! But in all seriousness I know what you mean, Daddy. I'm glad he continues to evolve and surprise, and I can't wait for the next step in his evolution, especially his upcoming UPN sitcom. In fact, I heard he was in the audience last night at Cheez Whiz, but I was sequestered backstage with Sweetie throughout Flloyd's performance, so by the time the show was over with he had left it seems. I always enjoy talking with him.

Oh, and a correction: Flloyd informed me last night that there are actually TWO RuPaul documentaries, one on A&E's Biography and the other on Bravo. The Bravo version is the one my friend produced - it also features Linda Simpson, Flotilla DeBarge and Lady Bunny - and this is the one I saw at the special advance screening. I have not seen the A&E one.

I really enjoyed seeing the 2 specials so close together. Especially since my take was so different on each. Having been pointedly NOT involved and actually edited out of the Bravo one,(note the strange digital zooms) compared to A&E in which some would say I "stole the show".

Beside just loveing any kind of press, I thought the first half was great. I have problems with the end. Hearing your friends life told by the narrator, even I would some times forget their "angle". I started to believe the lies. I dont mean to sound so harsh but there were mean comments that i believe were not true. They didn't have to put in those mean comments from the billboard guy. I dont blame him they definatley edit with intent. My friend Crazey Craig said "wheres the happy part?" They glossed over his ex-boyfriend. They kept saying non-sexual non-threatening.

I liked seeing him doing charity work. Thats a side I never get to see.

I will look at the Bravo one again...

I guess I shouldn't have written it down.

Yes, Flloyd please watch the Bravo one again and let me know if you feel it was realistic or not. I felt it was very positive overall, though I remember now that you mention it that in the Bravo one it also glossed over the ex-boyfriend and kept it non-sexual, i.e. non-threatening. They also made a little too much of that stupid Milton Berle incident. I'm not sure how much creative control my producer friend got in the situation ... and we'll have to find out who's to blame for editing you out!!!!

I am to blame. I made them do it.

Of course they had to edit Flloyd out - he is such a huge onscreen presence that the actual biography subject (in this case our beloved Ru)would disappear. It's an ancient adage of showbiz -

quote:

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never work with children, animals or Flloyd

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A-ha! Should've known!

but i do think flloyd...with what i have seen is more provocative and stimulting then mr.charels...i love people that give their all on stage...and you have flloyd.thank you

Besides being very talented and downright sexy sexy sexy, I always find RuPaul to be very inspirational. Oftentimes, I read passages at random from her great little book Letting It All Hang Out:

"Exploring the colors in myself and in others is my life's passion. There is no such thing as normality - each and every one of us, if we dare to be whole, is a gorgeous peacock. Whether you believe we have one life to live or hundreds, there is no reason not to spread your wings and fly!"

RuPaul - from the Foreword of Letting It All Hang Out, p. XI

"The proper way to strut your stuff has nothing to do with your feet, it's all in your head. If you believe you can walk on air, you will walk on air."

- RuPaul, from Letting It All Hang Out (Chapter One, How To Tuck) p.11

yea..I guess..its kinda inspirational..but Rupaul is a DQ...not someone doin' it 24/7 ..y'know? 'cause when all is said and done..at the end of the day..that is just a big, Ol man underneath all that

I have found opening yourself up to all that life has to offer makes you all the wiser. And if showing a different side of yourself at any given time is where you are at, then so be it. Too much of just one thing can become...BORING! Listen, if putting things in a nice little box makes you feel better about it. Maybe a job on TV biographies would appeal to you. lol. After all at the end of my day I'm more than just a big ole man in a dress...!

[This message was edited by M.F. on 10-04-02 at 12:35 AM.]

RuPaul, Lady Bunny and Larry Tee were my introductions to "the life" way back when I was a queenager in Atlanta - just before they all moved here to take over the world. And what an introduction it was - I have flashbacks to this day of Ru running down Peachtree Street in HIGH heels, g-string, football shoulder pads, mohawk and painted with the FIERCEST make-up I had ever seen...a stack of flyers in one hand, a staple gun in the other and leaving no telephone pole untouched, promoting one of her legendary shows at the Weekends club.

A few years later, I interviewed RuPaul for ETC. Magazine when Lettin' It All Hang Out was first published. One of my best (and most fun) assignments. It's not about quantity, baby, it's about quality. Ru will always rule!

Sorry Pirotessa, don't want to gang up on you but there's nothin' wrong with a big ole man-in-a-wig puttin' on a show. That's the school that I went to. Not that I can do it myself mind you, I make one ugly drag queen. I always seem to come out looking like Messy Bonnie Raitt. I admire Ru, I really do.

PS
I loved "But I'm a Cheerleader" she, I mean he was great in that. Very funny.

Daddy knows best!

Did you catch Ru as the voice of The Groovenian flight attendant?

It was one of our favorite moments in the show.

"Say Hey!, Say Hey!"

XXXOOO
Satori

"Love can move mountains. Love is the answer. Everybody say Love! (love) Everybody say Love!(love). Now get your ass outa here!" - RuPaul

RuPaul rocks! Her website is fabo. She runs it herself now. Check out the Weblogs:
RuPaul's Official Website

Oh, BTW, yesterday was RuPaul's birthday. I just visited the site and wished her Happy B-Day

Yep, Everybody say Love!

[This message was edited by Joel on 11-18-02 at 05:19 PM.]