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> Rosie O'Donnell has signed a deal to star in her own one-hour variety show, due to air live on Thanksgiving night. Tentatively titled Rosie's Variety Hour, the program will feature a monologue by the comedian along with skits, appearances by special guest stars, musical acts, and a "giant" giveaway for both the studio audience and some lucky at-home viewers. “This is a dream come true for any performer," O'Donnell said in a statement. "Old time variety, live from New York with a nod to Ed Sullivan, Carol Burnett and memories of Sonny and Cher.” Sounds good, but we can never get really pumped about a new Rosie project until Donald Trump has had a chance to throw a few nasty comments her way. Any second now...
> While we can't wait for Gus Van Sant's new biopic about gay rights legend Harvey Milk starring Sean Penn and Out cover boy James Franco, apparently not everyone shares our excitement. Yesterday Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill which would have made Milk's birthday a state-wide "day of significance." Milk was the United States first openly gay man to hold a public office and was murdered, along with San Francisco mayor George Mascone, in 1978. Conservative groups pressured the governor to employ his veto power. Schwarzenegger said he respected the intent of the bill, but "contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level." Brilliant thinking, Arnie. It's not like Milk went down in history as being pivotal in changing the course of civil rights (which affect(ed) everyone -- not just gays) in this country, or anything. Martin Luther King, Jr., watch your back.
> Responses to Clay Aiken's coming out continue to pour in. Among our favorites are Clay's former mentor and nemesis on American Idol, judge Simon Cowell who told Extra, "Wow, that's a shock. It's like being told Santa Claus isn't real -- unbelievable." Lance Bass, who like Aiken came out via the cover of People magazine, took a few moments out of his hectic Dancing With the Stars rehearsal schedule to remark, "I think it's amazing. He's probably heard it all before... He's just going to be living his life like he wants to. Everyone's going to be very supportive and he's going to be the happiest he's ever been." As for any fears Clay might have about the potential shrinking of his female fan base, Bass says, "I swear, when I came out, I had more female fans." And if you keep dancing the way you've been dancing, we have a feeling you've got quite a few more -- along with a whole bunch of gays -- headed your way, Lance.
-- NOAH MICHELSON
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