As Pride month continues with events and parades and general flaunting in the face of the haters, there's some Pride programming to watch when you just need a little down time from the non-stop parties.
Out bisexual San Francisco comedian Margaret Cho was interviewed on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" show on June 7. talking about the new Netflix documentary, "Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution."
Cho told "Morning Joe" that she wanted to be part of the project because it's been her life for 41 years. She says for years "queer comedy gave me solace."
When asked if she will avoid anti-LGBTQ states in her stand-up touring, she says she wants to "go everywhere because queer comedy is most needed in places that are against us, like Florida." That is, she says, where queer comedians can do the most good.
"I want to go everywhere. Our message is so important: it's about inclusion, it's about love, it's about equality."
Directed and written by Page Hurwitz, "Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution" is the first feature length documentary to explore the history of queer standup comedy.
The documentary considers the importance of LGBTQ+ stand-up as a driver of social change over the past five decades, actively reflecting and challenging cultural norms and values. Ultimately, the film reveals that queer comedians — whether they intended to or not — helped change the world, one joke at a time.
"Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution," combines interviews, memorable standup performances, archival materials, and verité footage featuring top LGBTQ+ comedians including Cho, Lily Tomlin, Sandra Bernhard, Wanda Sykes, Eddie Izzard, Hannah Gadsby, Tig Notaro, Rosie O'Donnell, Bob the Drag Queen, and Trixie Mattel, among others.
The documentary drops on Netflix on June 18.
Kisses
Hulu is feeling the Pride with LGBTQ shows, movies, and even Pride parades streaming in June, so be sure to check out their schedule. Among the highlights of Hulu's Pride month celebration are the streaming premieres of "I Kissed a Boy," the UK's first-ever gay dating show in which the path to love is never straight. Pop goddess Dannii Minogue plays Cupid. No small talk, no swiping. It's all about the first kiss.
There's a dazzling and totally fun performance from pop superstar and LGBTQ ally Kylie Minogue in the U.S. premiere of "An Audience with Kylie," which includes featured VIP audience guests Jonathan Bailey ("Fellow Travelers"), Nicola Coughlan ("Bridgerton"), Andrew Scott ("All of Us Strangers"), comedian Alan Carr and Years & Years singer Olly Alexander.
Karl
Hulu's tale of the rise of a style icon in "Becoming Karl Lagerfeld" is pure queerness. A story told for the first time on screen and adapted from the bestselling book "Kaiser Karl" by Raphaëlle Bacqué, the Hulu original series brings together a star-studded cast and so much intrigue about the rise of the fashion icon.
The series focuses on the ten years leading up to Lagerfeld becoming, well, Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld, who died in 2019, was an iconic German fashion designer, who made a name for himself as he worked his way through several of the top fashion houses in Paris in the 1970s and '80s, before becoming the creative director of Chanel until his death. Known best for his slicked-back ponytails and chic sunglasses, there was more than met the eye when it came to Lagerfeld, and that's the story that the fashionable French series aims to explore.
While Lagerfeld was quite shrewd about his personal relationships in life, there is quite a bit known about his decade-spanning romance with noted socialite Jacques de Bascher. As Hulu describes the series, which is hot, steamy and subtitled, "In 1972, Karl Lagerfeld (Daniel Brühl) is 38 and not yet wearing his iconic hairstyle. He is a ready-to-wear designer, unknown to the general public. While he meets and falls in love with the sultry Jacques de Bascher (Théodore Pellerin), an ambitious and troubling young dandy, the most mysterious of fashion designers dares to take on his friend (and rival) Yves Saint Laurent (Arnaud Valois), a genius of haute couture backed by the redoubtable businessman Pierre Bergé (Alex Lutz)."
"Becoming Karl Lagerfeld" is enmeshed in the turbulent '70s and '80s in Paris, Monaco and Rome and follows the formidable blossoming of this complex and iconic personality of Parisian couture, already driven by the ambition to become the Emperor of fashion. Between glamour and clashes of egos, grandiose parties and destructive passions, the series uncovers the story of Karl before Lagerfeld and that iconic white cat.
Stars Daniel Brühl and Théodore Pellerin talked about "Becoming Karl Lagerfeld." Brühl discussed how bringing Karl Lagerfeld to life differed from some of his previous roles playing characters based on real-life men and more.
Canary
Longtime LGBTQ ally Cyndi Lauper was on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" June 6 and she was delightful and hip as always. She talked about being involved with professional wrestling, recording "We Are the World" and her jewelry causing a problem, her new documentary "Let the Canary Sing," her friend Cher being at her hand and footprint ceremony at the Chinese Theatre, and announcing her "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" Farewell tour.
"Let the Canary Sing" chronicles Lauper's meteoric ascent to stardom and her profound impact on generations through her music, ever-evolving punk style, unwavering feminism and tireless advocacy. The documentary takes the audience on an engaging exploration of a renowned and pioneering artist who has left a remarkable legacy with her art; now on Paramount+.
Collection
BET+ is amplifying LGBTQ+ stories for Pride that they note "reflect the richness of Black culture" with "A Spectrum of Black Love Collection," now streaming on BET+. (www.bet.com)
Here is a sampling of some of the titles currently streaming on BET+ that capture the vibrant spirit of liberated stories through original movies and series.
Among the highlights are "B-Boy Blues," directed by Jussie Smollett. When clean-cut Mitchell finds love with B-boy Raheim, the two must find a way to bring their very different worlds together in this adaptation of James Earl Hardy's novel.
"Twenties," created by Lena Waithe, is loosely based on Waithe, herself, a lesbian woman of color who fought to get her voice heard in the entertainment business. The show's main character, Hattie (Jonica T. Gibbs) follows screenwriter Hattie and her best friends Marie and Nia as they pursue their L.A. dreams.
"Twenties" executive producer Waithe talks about the new comedy series, delves into the show's characters and more.
Lena Waithe's series "Boomerang" with Lala Milan as Tia, is a sequel to the 1992 movie. "Boomerang" takes a comedic look at the challenges of work-life balance in modern times.
Lala talks about her rise to social media fame, her first jobs, meeting Lena at the MTV Movie Awards, meeting Guillermo in Atlanta, and her character Tia on Lena's BET show "Boomerang" with Waithe as guest host on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Lena is so butch it's fantastic.
"Style Gods," hosted by Billy Porter, highlights how style experts celebrate the cultural impact of Black fashion pioneers and activists, from Dapper Dan and Beverly Johnson to Beyoncé, Rihanna and Michelle Obama. (www.bet.com)
The chores
On GMA3, queer comedian and YouTube star Matt Mathews dropped by to talk about his new comedy tour, "When That Thang Get Ta Thang'n" and he was hilarious.
"I'm married to a sexy lumberjack who thinks I am the best thing ever (which I mean, I kind of am). I start my mornings with coffee (always and forever) and barn chores. I'm not your average boudoir photographer, from my many tattoos to the farm I live on, but I could never see myself doing anything else."
Ceremonies
The 77th Tony Awards will be held on June 16 to recognize achievement in Broadway productions during the 2023—24 season. The ceremony will be held at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater in New York City, and will air on CBS. Out queer Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award winner Ariana DeBose will host for the third year in a row, and no doubt lead another great opening number.
Conway
On "The Daily Show," George Conway calls for a national conversation about Trump's mental condition and warns that "we are going to have to deprogram his supporters at some point." twitter.com/TheDailyShow)
Too right.
So for the fun, frolicsome and the occasional political reality check, you know you really must stay tuned.
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