Only in New York can you ignite your banal Tuesday night via a coffee klatch with one of New York's (and thus the world's) most formidable gossipmongers- and get him to sign his new book for you. Barnes and Noble's in Chelsea served as the backdrop for a fab "literary set" this night- Michael Musto reading from his collection of pop culture ruminations, entitled La Dolce Musto: Writings by the World's Most Outrageous Columnist. Musto's musings on pop culture and celebrity actually make him part of pop culture himself, so it should be interesting to see what the "Hunter S. Thompson of snark" has to say in his book. As everyone knows, his column appears weekly in the Village Voice (required reading for us bloggers, who "make me have to work harder in my column" says Musto), and he also writes for Out magazine (being a proud "out" journalist his entire life) and a correspondent on MSNBC, E! and VH-1 ("an UNPAID correspondent!" he's quick to let us know!). Now he is poised to add the title of author to that list (a PAID author!).
Outfitted in a white silky pirate blouse hanging on his very slight shoulders ("my Seinfeld shirt" he mused), and a pair of black slacks cinched around his waist courtesy of a dark brown leather belt, Musto took the podium to much applause and adoration. While not exactly known for his fashion sensibility (I mean, who wears a pirate shirt these days without a sense of irony?), the fabulous Mr. Musto adjusted his trademark black horn-rimmed glasses, and responded in his fey Bensonhurst accent to questions from his rather fashionable friends who came out to support him. Barney's creative director Simon Doonan (who is RATHER impish in real life), took the mic to ask him about his worst experience with a celebrity, while Paper magazine's "shmashion maven" Mickey Boardman shouted his rather hilarious questions ("Who's the most fabulous magazine fashion editor you've met in your 23 years at 'The Village Voice'?") over my head during the question and answer period. Uber-ubiquitous photographer Patrick McMullan was there playing shutterbug and supporter, as were some downtown asian Harajuku girls, a rather regal black woman sitting two seats from me (thus bringing the number of African Americans in the audience to TWO!), progressive white couples and some members of the Pink Mafia joining the artistic fray giggling at Musto's witticisms ("Oh please! Clay Aiken IS gay!!! And a BOTTOM!!!").
Musto regaled the crowd with two readings from the book, one detailing his nightmarish run-in with film "goddess" Anita Eckberg during her press junket for The Red Dwarf and the other recounting his mental pseudo-"fourgy" with the four members of the comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall (I guess that would be a "Five-gy" with him included). With the book being dedicated to "...Anyone who can still manage to exude glamour with mud dripping down his or her face" and with chapter titles 'Confessions of a Sound Bite Whore', 'Pianist Envy: a visit with Liberace', and 'Teri Hatcher is sweet and other disturbing possibilities', any pop culture junkie worth his salt (present company included) should be chomping at the bit to read about his prose on Eartha Kitt, Michael Jackson, Mel Gibson, Jim McGreevey, Michael Alig, a then-closeted Rosie O'Donnell and the like. Surprisingly, while Madonna makes several appearances throughout the book, she is one of the celebrities that Musto has NOT met in person. Well, Madonna and the Olsen twins. I'm sure they will be mentioned in Musto's next book.
1 comment:
Isiah Washington seems to have some serious issues. He spews hatred with ease, as if he does not know the pain that such words can inflict. He stands there with his dark chocolate face and tightly curled locks, unaware of the irony. Perhaps his hate stems from the feelings that stir inside of him when he observes a handsome man whose musculature reshapes a tailored shirt or hears the richness and depth of the male voice caressing his eardrums. In his attempts to kill the character of his fellow castmate, he seems to be slaughtering his career. I feel sorry for him.
With regard to that American Idol piece- Hilarious!! That little twirp was too fierce. He sure did get more than his 15 minutes of fame. He strutted into the studio with that thick Jersey accent draped in a bottom-of-the-barrell chinchilla stole. Then homeboy had the audacity to demand Simon's visa! I couldn't stop laughing. That clip made my day. I had watched American Idol that night, but I missed that part. Thank you chad. You are always on top of things.
Peace and love--Thema
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