Will Clark World

Tonight, Actress & Playwright Florencia Lozano Gets BUSTED! #onelifetolive #oltl #florencialozano

Even casual readers of this blog or my Facebook page know how much of a soap afficianado I am and so when I had former One Life to Live star Florencia Lozano on the big show last year, I was over the moon - especially when she treated us to one of her trademark screams (like she did on the show the time she accidentally pushed her rival Blair Cramer out of a second story window, sending her careening into a press conference set up by her aunt Dorian, the then Mayor of Llanview). And as you all know, Lozano isn't just an awesome actress but a talented playwright as well (not to mention my evil twin but that's a whole 'nother story).

Last autumn, AB and i had the pleasure of taking in a readthru of Florencia's BUSTED. It's a clever piece about four friends reuniting in a broken down bar and what secrets come tumbling out. Along the way, there's some winks to her former cast mates (and one hilarious shoutout to a mutual friend that only AB and I recognized and howled out loud about) and it was quite an enjoyable evening.

If you missed it, you have the opportunity to catch it again tonight, Saturday April 7th at 8pm. Best of all, the one night only presentation is also a fundraiser for The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors aka HOLA (one of my favorite organization acronyms ever). It's at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre at 304 West 47th Street (off of 8th Ave in NYC). Admission is a mere $25 which includes light refreshments after the reading.

I wish I could make it but I'm at a same sex wedding that night (or, as we will call it in the future, just "a wedding") but you don't have to miss it. You can reserve your tickets by calling 212 253 1015 OR if you're not able to make it and you would like to contribute, click here: http://www.nycharities.org/donate/c_donate.asp?CharityCode=2256 and make sure you first type WILL CLARK in the "in honor of" box (just so they know where you saw the listing) and in the box that asks for the name of the fund, write HOLA BENEFIT READING.

Enjoy the show, and below a little description of the work that HOLA does..! (and keep your eyes out for Lozano to return to daytime in the next few weeks - more on this as soon as I can officially announce it!)

The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) is an arts service and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the Hispanic artists in entertainment and media through the cultivation, education and recognition of emerging artists. Founded in 1975 by a group of Hispanic actors concerned with the images of Latinos in the media, HOLA now functions as a leading advocacy group in the industry for such actors working on stage, on television and in films. Most recently, HOLA made national headlines when it questioned the casting practices of a regional theater who was producing Stephen Adly Guirgis' play The Mother#@$%er With The Hat. Ultimately, HOLA strives for an accurate, informed and non-stereotyped portrayal of the full spectrum of Latino culture and heritage in all entertainment and media industries. For more information, click thru to http://www.facebook.com/HOLAonFB or here at http://www.hellohola.org

Good Morning Peeps - I've Seen The Future and There Is Leather and Adult Video Stars in It #michaelbrandon #lancenavarro #badboyshudson #folsomeast #bettywhite

Happy Tuesday Peeps - it's a dull grey rainy day here in New York and for me, it's been hard to get motivated after a three day weekend where some of my best peeps were out of town on vacation or

visiting DC for Mid Atlantic Leather. I spent the holiday sleeping in and being a total slug so in theory I should be all revved up and ready to start the day fresh. But I think once you've slept 12 hours a couple days in a row, ones body tends to get used to it - especially in the gloomy grey rainy weather and especially when the temps outside are so low that my building's natural radiator heating doesn't quite fill the apartment up with warmth. These are the kinds of days that one needs a warm body to share the bed with one wouldn't you say? 

When I get in one of these moods, I usually start looking forward at the cool things to come in the months ahead - and that helps a lot. Naturally there are some terrific weeks of Bingo coming up featuring a wide range of stars - from Dallas Dubois and Alessio Romero tomorrow night to One Life to Live star Florencia Lozano (who'll hopefully give us all some insight into the final days of the show when she appears on Feb 15th) to adult video actress Dorothy Bishop (who's Sarah Palin impersonation has been a source of popularity

for the past couple years - that's on February 8th) to A List star TJ Kelly who appears on February 22nd. It's that's not range, I don't know what is. And of course we'll have a great series of singers representing Rock and Rawhide along the way. Plus, I've got Pete Finland rocking our Pre Black Party party on March 21st.

Also in February - two awesome leather events - Im emceeing the annual Leather Pride Night (LPN) flea market at the Eagle on Sunday February 12th where you can get new and used leather goods and then later on Saturday February 18th I'm emceeing the annual "Fetish 4 Fashion" event produced by Folsom Street East at the LGBT Center here in New York to benefit Housing Works So you'll buy some leather cheap to get dressed up to go to the other event where you can bid on designer leather for even more fabulous events. And all for good causes. :)

Speaking of Folsom Street East - that takes place on Sunday June 17th and yes I'll be emceeing there again. More on my cohosts and performers throughout the spring!

I'm also pleased to announce this year's Bad Boys on the Hudson is scheduled for Sunday July 8th. Michael Brandon and Lance Navarro have signed on already for the 9th Annual event that will benefit Braking the Cycle, the annual 300 mile bike ride from Boston to New York that raises funds for the HIV/AIDS services at the LGBT Center. Tickets will go on sale soon and I advise if you've been before or if you've ever wanted to go, that you should get your tickets early as we did sell out this past summer. Naturally I'll let you know when it's time for that (do I ever miss an opportunity to get the word out?? LOL Our DJ for the night and the other stars in the lineup will be announced as they're booked. There simply isn't another party like this - others try to approximate it but

we have a certain spirit missing from other porn star events (granted, I'm biased).

That's looking pretty far in the future - and I have other stuff to announce that'll happen in March (like the Black Party, the BP Expo and Night of a Thousand Gowns and of course the international celebration that takes place for weeks before, during and after March 9th <wink>) but that's enough for today. 

No matter where you are or what you're up to today, make sure that you make the day the best that it can be!

And, in honor of Betty White's birthday (I missed the big special last night - I was so beat from the weekend, that I ended up face down, fully clothed on the couch saying to myself, I'll get up and get the remote in a minute - and then eventually I woke up and it was long since over .. oh well!) here's a little video that I only discovered today - I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I (and Betty) did!

 

 

Have You Heard About HUSBANDS The Series? #TeamHusbands

One of the many gems I discovered today at the New York Comic Con was the panel led by writer Jane Espenson and actors Cheeks and Sean Hemeson who star in the web only series, HUSBANDS, about a couple of gay guys who wake up one drunken morning to find themselves married after Marriage Equality has passed.

More on the panel later but I have to say that I saw the next episode (which I think is the season ender) and it's pretty fabulous. If you haven't experienced the magic that is HUSBANDS, this is even better than VERY MARY KATE (which I realized today I haven't posted about in a long time!) and you can check out the first ep below.

BTW afterwards the guys were joined at the autograph section by co-star Alessandra Torresani whom fellow sci-fi fans will recognize as Zoe from the now canceled CAPRICA.

As I approached their table, Allessandra said to the guys, "Look at his ass, you could bounce a quarter off it. I'd tap that."

Which is kind embarassing, flattering and of course true - one CAN bounce a quarter off of my ass. I do believe however, that that is the first time in my whole life that someone has said to me "I'd tap that". Awesome! :) I should mind being objectified, but somehow I don't. :)

Anyway, I found it remarkable (and telling of how far web only series have come) that the line for the stars of HUSBANDS was as long, if not longer than, the lines for stars Kevin "Hercules" Sorbo and James "Spike" Marsters who were on either side of them.

Check out the first episode of HUSBANDS below and if you like it, the rest of the eps are available on the site by clicking here and the final ep of the season is posted on Tuesday October 18th. Enjoy!

(Husbands is Directed by Jeff Greenstein)

 

Happy Tuesday Peeps, It's Been One Strange Day/Week So Far

It's a strange week so far and when life is like this, you just have to sort of metaphorically throw your hands up in the air and let God, the universe, whomever, give things a shot. And that's what I'm doing.

And just when I'm sort of at the end of my rope, One Life to Live amps up the crazy which is always hilarious and entertaining. Like today's episode with the return of Tina Lord and her little dog David Vickers (named after Tuc Watkins character by the same name) who is bringing a brand new energy to the show.

All My Children is gone (but the finale rocked in my opinion even though that is a minority viewpoint) but One Life to Live continues to bring the soap bounty. I know it's unlikely, but wouldn't it be great that since the show is doing gangbusters in the ratings (routinely number 1 or 2 in key demos) that the network would just keep the show on air after The Spew tanks in the ratings this autumn (I don't know how well or how bad the first couple days have been but they sure do have a serious PR problem and that's not going away).

Tomorrow night, Wednesday September 28th, I've got the bestest and brightest coming from the Imperial Court as my guests on The Will Clark Show feat. P*rno Bingo and, as a special treat, I'll have singer/actress Bianca Leigh joining us to talk about her new one woman show at the Laurie Beechman on Mondays through mid October. Jeff Witty (Avenue Q) and the wonderfully talented Taylor Mac (The Lily's Revenge) have contributed songs.

I saw the original version at a theatre on the lower east side over a year ago and it was pretty awesome. Theatre Askew, the group that's producing the show, has reworked the material and so if you think you've seen the show, you haven't. Anyway, Bianca will be on the show doing a number and talking more about the revamp. You can also check out a really neat Time Out article on New York gender benders and of course Bianca is one of them.

After a stop at this past Sunday's Broadway Cares Flea Market, I can kinda sorta join that crowd - after posing as a nun at the Sister Act table. I look all pious and stuff, I guess it's just a habit. Har.

I think I just talked myself into a better mood.

As always you can keep up with me via Facebook (which you can see by clicking here). I'm over my Friends limit but you can subscribe to my feeds and you can email me.. so I'm not sure I entirely understand what the difference is.

I'd throw my hands up in the air, but they're already there.

Take care all and be back soon!

As ALL MY CHILDREN ends, THE CAVANAUGHS Returns

As you all know, I'm an avid soap fan and the next week being the last week of ALL MY CHILDREN - I'm so not convinced that they'll make the leap to the Prospect Park online version so I'm considering Friday September 23rd as the finale of the show, not just 'the finale for now".

I've watched the show all my life. And when I say that, I mean, ALL my life. I was 6 when the show debuted and our housekeeper (Mrs. K) would turn the show on while she was doing the ironing and the cooking (mmm homemade dumplings!). Mrs. K was pretty terrific and I learned a lot of life's lessons from her- especially the lesson that you don't cross a woman who has access to a big wooden spoon and isn't afraid to (humorously) threaten to use it ("where's the stick!?") to punish an unruly 6 year old. <G>

Through the years I've kept up with the show through the good and bad times (both mine and the show's) and did things like arrange college classes so I could be available for Greg and Jenny's wedding (yeah, I had a party with friends who were also fans - we dressed up and drank champagne, it was a lot of fun).

I kept up on the show through the 90s and mostly through the 00s... until it was apparent that the network had a vested interest in killing the show off. If you truly value a piece of entertainment history, you don't make decisions that turn your entire audience off. You can say it was OJ and women working and the expansion of options on cable, but no one just ditches their soap habit because of some interruptions, work or an opportunity to watch a repeat of MASH on channel 795. People ditch their soap habit when their favorites do things like murder people or eat poison pancakes; when writers unabort a fetus or glorify a baby snatcher as the show's heroine. They leave in droves when you break their trust. And when your storyteller betrays your trust, it's really hard, maybe impossible, to get it back.

Anyway, next week will be tough. Yeah, I know. It's a TV show. It's a Soap. I've heard it all in the past few months since the show was canceled. It's hard to generate a lot of understanding at this loss from non soap viewers.

But for 41 years it has been a constant companion - through everything that life has thrown at me, it's been one thing I could rely upon. The one thing that wouldn't end. But the upside is that the network did give the show a few months to wrap things up. And all and all, it's been a pretty nice last go round. (Today's ep featuring a new verbal joust between Erica and Brooke was classic ALL MY CHILDREN. Julia Barr's exasperated look trying to manage Erica's bitchiness was priceless).

The future of the genre lays not on network television but here on the internet. And there are already a host of serialized projects that have started up in recent years (We Love Soaps covers these shows in great depth btw) and on October 6th, the indie gayish serial THE CAVANAUGHS returns for it's third season starring hottie Grant Landry.

I've not seen the show although I've heard good things about it. And certainly it's a pretty cast. (hey that counts for a lot). You can check out an interview with Landry by clicking here and that'll direct you to where you can find Season 1 and Season 2 episodes so you can catch up. One of the upsides of the internet soaps, is that it's easier to catch up than a network show. And maybe that'll make a difference, long term, for the genre. As they say, stay tuned.....

Will Clarks Journal: Colleen Zenk and NJ Leatherman Robert Vitale Join to Raise $1000 for NJ Buddies

On Wednesday April 27th, "As The World Turns" star Colleen Zenk joined us for another great night sponsored by our friends Roger and Damon over at We Love Soaps .

From her days as bad girl Barbara to her struggle with oral cancer to a triumphant return to the stage in an upcoming cabaret show (details coming soon!), we got to spend a very special evening with one of the legends of the world of daytime drama.

The night benefited the New Jersey based group, NJ Buddies, an HIV/AIDS support organization.

Mr. New Jersey Leather Robert Vitale spoke passionately about the need for the organizaiton to keep the vitally important nutritional supplement Ensure on hand - and how it's incredibly expensive.

And then, Zenk stunned the entire room when she revealed that she knew very well what Ensure was, as she had been on it during her illness. And that it had saved her life.

The night raised $1000 which did indeed go to buy these very supplies. If you're able to help NJ Buddies buy more Ensure (and other nutritional supplements) don't be shy about clicking here and going to the Buddies site and making a donation.

A testament to the strength and will of one person who has been to hell and back Ms. Zenk inspired us all that night to keep on going no matter what... and with a beautiful smile to boot!

The leather and soap worlds met when Robert presented Colleen with a "leather community starter kit" which included lots of awesome items including a medal that read: "Ms. Leather Soap".

You can see the free gallery by clicking here. And check out bios and our sponsors for the night by clicking here. (Photos by AB)

The Will Clark Show: WIN KYLIE TIX THIS WEDNESDAY!

It's going to be a night that we might call West Village Story - and instead of Sharks and Jets, we have soap fans and leather men and women... and in addition to As The World Turns star Colleen Zenk and Mr. NJ Leather Robert Vitale AND the New Jersey boys of Leather we'll have tickets up for auction for the Saint at Large's Bimbo Jones/Freemasons May Day (that's May 1st btw) dance party at Amnesia and Weekend Passes for the International Mr. Leather festivities in Chicago (that would be over Memorial Day weekend, more on this in upcoming days btw) but just minutes ago (relatively speaking) I've been offered two tickets to the May 4th Kylie Minogue concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom courtesy of our new friend Carlos Melia.

And 100% of the proceeds from all of this will go right to NJ Buddies, an awesome non-profit, community-based organization, is a resource center offering a network of support for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. That's Wednesday April 27th from 8pm to 10pm at Pieces... see you there!!

Hoover Boycotts ABC Over Cancellation of AMC and OLTL

Well, it definitely SUCKS that ABC pulled the plug last week on two of it's three soaps - but huzzah to Hoover for coming out publicly in support of the shows - and against the network.

  Word on Nikki Finke is that Hoover is boycotting advertising on ABC as of this Friday April 22nd and is calling for other advertisers to do the same.

This is great news but will it, and the passionate outcry from loyal fans be enough to save the shows? And if the network is so hell bent on getting rid of them (other shows have lower ratings than these programs do and yet they are getting the boot.... why?

Are television networks not in the business of entertainment?

What happened to putting on a show for a sake of putting on a show?

I mean, I know this is a business and all but they sure ain't losing money on these shows -is it just laziness that compells daytime exes (like ABC Daytime President Brian Frons who is loathed possibly even more than ousted NBC Prez Jeff Zucker after he removed five hours of scripted programming on the prime time schedule replacing it with the god awful Jay Leno show) to do this or is did a daytime drama kill Brian Frons' cat?

Because the seething anger that this exec has against daytime dramas is kinda creepy and pathological. It's also just plain mean to move a cast from New York to LA and after less than a year declare the move a failure AND then reveal that the whole time he and his team were ordering pilots to replace the show when (not if) it failed. Brian Frons, that's not just mean, that sure is fucking cold.

It's unlikely that the shows will get a reprieve but if you are, like me, hot under the collar about this, write to the folks at Hoover and tell 'em what you think of this sitution. email: SaveTheSoaps@Hoover.com

They'll deliver the messages to ABC. Pass this along and even if it doesn't make a difference (I mean, they have a multi episode arc already planned on making meatloaf scheduled for the new cooking show, The Chew - no, it's not a show devoted to tobaccy) at least it might make the network sweat a little bit..... and while not AMC or OLTL level entertainment, all around good fun watching the suits squirm and spin their way out nonetheless. :)

 

 

A Good Time That Was Had By All - A Night of Evil Twins, Girl Partys and Florencia Lozano - Feb 9 Bingo Pics Posted

It should have been a night to remember  - that is if my guests hadn't been so much fun, creating a crazy party atmosphere that packed the house, raised $700 for God's Love We Deliver and got us all trashed so that much of it even the next morning was forgotten.

But here is what I do remember: One Life to Live star Florencia Lozano ("Tea Delgado") and singer Deni Bonet were my guests of the evening and they rocked it.

First Flor showed up in some hot leather jacket thing that made me remember that yes I am a perfect Kinsey 6.

Although when she pulled me close into a Harlequin romance cover kiss, and well, maybe not so much.

Right off the bat I knew I was in for a challenge when, as I was listing all the trials and tribulations of her character, I asked if she had had "an evil twin" on the show - and she blurted out "no, Will YOU'RE my evil twin".

Well, that was my lead in to push her to do her infamous horror movie scream from last year when she pushed her arch rival, Blair Cramer out of a window!

When asked about the possible Sapphic tension between her character and said Blair Cramer, Flor commented "I think she's a little gay". Fabulous.

Many drinks and bingo games later, our musical guest Deni Bonet came up to the stage and did a couple of numbers including her newest "Girl Party". We jammed, people were groovin and I looked at the clock and I thought "this will be the latest we've ever gone" (and those of you who come know that for me to make that statement is saying something).

As always when Deni performs at one of my events, she's brilliant and later on in the show while I got some air, Damon brought her back up to stage and they called a round together.

You know, when you're having fun and you have two fabulous guests, a roomful of people excited about them, prizes to give out, drinks being handed to you and lots of friends around like Damon L. Jacobs and Roger Newcomb from We Love Soaps, Bianca Leigh, Tre Xavier and a variety of our regulars and newcomer soap fans as well as a couple cool soap mag photographers.... well, you just don't really care that much about the time anymore. Plus, our friends Basil and Daniel really helped to make the night easier for me, AB our photog and Chris our DJ.

We went til about 11 and then stood around and gabbed some more because it was just that great of a night. Check out the pictures and you'll see just what I'm talking about... truly, a good time was had by ALL. (Photos by AB)

GOOD MORNING ONE LIFE TO LIVE FANS

it was an incredible night last night at Pieces as One Life to Live star Florencia Lozano and singer Deni Bonet joined me for a fabulous night of fundraising for God's Love We Deliver Was it a great night because I got to kiss both of my guests? (maybe), was it because we raised hundreds of dollars by auctioning off two sets of tickets to Priscilla Queen of the Desert?? (that's a start!) or was it because I had a rip-roaring good time with a bar full of fans, friends, press and supporters of our charity, stars and Will Clark Show regulars? (the answer is: yes).

Favorite quote of the night when asked about her character Tea Delgado and her frenemy relationship with Blair Cramer, Florencia said of herself on the show "I think she's a little gay" which of course elicited rip roaring cheers from the crowd!!  As far as rumors about a Roger Howath return as "realTodd" she thought the idea was fantastic but said "I know nothing. I'd spoil it for you if I knew but they don't tell us anything!" And of course everyone in the place just erupted with applause! :)

More in a day or two as soon as my schedule slows down a bit to post pics from the night... but here's my favorite (so far) after taking a quick peek at the pics this morning... enjoy!!

Meanwhile, check in with the We Love Soaps site for their coverage of the night and I'll be back tonight or over the weekend with the full recap and gallery of images! Have a great Thursday everyone!!