FOF #942 – In The Pink With Varla Jean Merman
Standard Podcast [52:44m]:
Here's the latest in the category Drag Queens & Kings
13 commentsVarla Jean Merman! You’ve seen her on Project Runway, All My Children and in the fun movie Girls will be Girls now discover the fabulous person behind the big red wig!
Is Varla Jean as sweet as she appears on stage and screen? Listen to today’s show and find out.
Today we have Jeffrey Roberson, the man behind drag queen talking about how he developed Varla Jean Merman into one of today’s most popular acts.
Jeffrey shares with us his roots in New Orleans, his friendship with the gals from Girls Will Be Girls the popular film and short web series and the secrets of what’s it’s like behind the scenes of Project Runway and All My Children.
Is it just a coincidence that Varla’s favorite colors are orange, pink and fuchsia, the same colors used by Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ Donuts or is there something more to it?
Make sure you check out Varla’s YouTube channel for lots of fun videos. If you are in Palm Springs, check out her production of Shut Up Sweet Charlotte which opens today at Palm Springs Art Museum.
There are several kinds of drag queens, which one are you?
• Tasty Fakes (Drag Queens who mimic a celebrity) Example: Cher Impersonators.
• Freaky Chicks (Exaggerating aspects of femininity) Heklina, Lady Bunny
• Sloppy Joes (Those who don’t put much effort into their look) You know who you are.
• Glamour Pusses (Fashionistas, those concerned with passing as a runway model) RuPaul.
• Cirque du So Gay (Fantasy costumes, more glitter than lipstick)
Meow! Illusionists Siegfried and Roy return to the Las Vegas Stage for a final farewell act. Will they be working with the same kind of tigers that attacked Roy several years ago?
Every time you download Feast of Fools, a drag queen gets her wig.
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Varla Jean Merman – The Very Worst of Varla Jean Merman: iTunes
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FOFA #772 – Mask On!
Standard Podcast:
I simply can’t stop looking at Maskon.com, one of my all-time favorite websites.
Mask-on is a support site dedicated to trannies who like to “mask.” “Maskers” enjoy cross-dressing as women by using masks instead of make-up to create the illusion.
They don’t really try to fool anyone into thinking they are actual flesh and bones women, but rather they create a look that resembles a living mannequin.
One of my favorites from the photo gallery is Carolyn, who has been cross dressing since the Kennedy Administration and enjoys walks in the park in full masked-up drag. Imagine running into her strolling though the woods!
Many maskers simply repaint a rubber Halloween mask which gives them a very creepy Michael Myers look from the movie Halloween. It’s haunting, scary and very very beautiful.
On today’s show Tracy Tyler gets inspired by the maskers and does her own style from a crude Whole Foods paper shopping bag. I think the look is ravishing, don’t you?
Listen as we talk about Tracy’s favorite YouTube cosmetologist, Clay Aiken’s maybe soon-to-be fatherhood status, molestation syndrome and “My Beautiful Mommy”- the unsettling book that tries to explain plastic surgery to children.
I still think the title should have been “Mommy Looks a Little Different Now In Order to Please Daddy and Save Our Marriage.”
Whether you’re in drag or wearing a paper bag, we’re here for you- Feast of Fools.
[Originally posted 06.03.08]
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FOF #937 – A Taste of Ongina
Standard Podcast [57:56m]:
In the latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the reality TV show created to produce the next drag superstar, one of the contestants, Ongina, tearfully revealed she was HIV positive.
Today we’re talking to Ongina, also known as Ryan Palao, about what it was like to boldly share this intimate detail with millions of viewers and how it’s affected his life.
Ongina also clarifies some common misconceptions people have about drag queens, gay men and Filipinos and brings some sass and class into our discussion on how costumes help us be the people we want to be.
Ongina shares with us her behind-the-scenes insight into whether Rebbecca Glasscock was trying to manipulate the outcome of the challenge in her favor by having an emotional breakdown which forced the judges to keep her on the show and get rid of Chicago’s gal, Jade.
How could the show kick someone off after they cried about having a friend with AIDS without appearing to be heartless jerks?
One thing’s for sure, after winning half of the challenges on the show so far, Ongina is the girl to lick!
I’ve asked several drag queens why they didn’t try to be on the Drag Race, since obviously it would have been great publicity and opened a lot of doors. They said they feared that drag queens would be negatively represented on the show and decided to steer clear of it.
It doesn’t make any sense to me. If RuPaul told me to jump on an airplane, fly to Los Angeles and walk the runway in drag, I’d do it in second. And so should you.
What makes these types of TV shows so fascinating to watch is how they illustrate the obstacles we all place in front of ourselves because we fear being rejected. We put those roadblocks in our way because we’re afraid to look at where we’ve failed. We feel that we aren’t good enough.
What’s probably the most uncomfortable for the contestants is how the program asks them to take the wig and makeup off, and look in a mirror. The show asks us to embrace our strength and our flaws. In that sense, RuPaul’s Drag Race and the contestants are all winners.
Listen as we also talk about Ioana Cioanac, the 71 year old Romanian woman who’s knitted an entire wardrobe out of her own hair.
Irish police struggle after they confused the Polish words for Drivers License for 50 different driver’s names- Pradow Jazdy.
Dustin Lance Black at the Oscars.
Talk about giving mixed signals! The City of New York is now offering classes on how to be a better hooker in order to rehabilitate people who’ve been arrested for cruising for sex in a dirty book store.
A big thanks to Iris for hooking us up with Ongina.
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FOF #934 – Under the Hood with Jade
Standard Podcast [1:01:11m]:
The new reality tv show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” may be a hit, but “where’s the drama mama?” It’s not like drag queens don’t know how to throw a little shade.
On today’s show we have Jade, a rising star in Chicago’s nightlife, here to take us under the hood of the hit TV show. Jade was the only drag queen from Chicago that made it on the series.
Jade’s also a woman of many talents. When she’s done with her act, she cleans up and returns to the stage as a hot male dancer.
She can even do the splits! If you like Jade’s style, check her out as the show director for Wild Thursdays at Sangria, an 18 and over club.
She’s also appearing March 4, 2009 at Hydrate.
Listen as Jade fesses up to her part in the disappearance of a local drag diva’s dress. Did she take it or did someone else? Also, Akashia may have been the bad guy on the show so far but who is it really that Jade and many of the others can’t stand. Find out on today’s show.
Beau Breedlove, the young stud who had an affair with Portland Mayor Sam Adams poses naked for Unzipped Magazine.
How to deal with haters and their hateful hatings ways.
Does Facebook own your ass or not? After much complaint for their user base, Facebook returned to its original terms of service so no, they don’t own your ass anymore than use to own it.
And Michael Jackson is selling almost everything, including his famous sequined gloves.
Please vote for Feast of Fools in the Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago 2009 for “Best Gay News Source.” Your vote will help raise our public profile and ensure the longevity of the show.
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FOF #927 – RuPaul’s Drag Race Wins
Standard Podcast [1:00:48m]:
Work the runway sweetie! RuPaul is back on television, sashaying and shantaying her way into our hearts in her critically acclaimed new show RuPaul’s Drag Race.
On today’s show we’re talking to Supermodel of the World RuPaul about how the Drag Race project came together and who she thinks is going to be the winner of the show.
“Drag Race” delivers on all six cylinders a lighthearted but touching behind the scenes look at what it takes to become a great drag queen. Borrowing from programs like “Project Runway”, “Big Brother” and “Survivor” RuPaul and her motely crew of drag queens delivers a show that’s a hit with audiences and critics alike.
Join us as we chat with RuPaul about whether there will be a resurgence in drag, what made her cry during the show and what she thinks of Lady Bunny’s sassy comments about Ru’s appearance on Project Runway.
Click here to buy a season pass of the RuPaul’s Drag Race on iTunes. We highly recommend it!
Obama is tired of your shit. Before he became our nation’s 44th president, Obama recorded an audio book “Dreams from my Father” where he quoted his foul-mouthed classmate Ray and now bloggers have extracted audio clips with hilarious results. Will Obama’s cussing be this week’s Christian Bale’s freak out? [Thanks to Marcin for the news item!]
We had such a great time at the Equality Illinois Annual Gala dinner on Saturday night. We even got to give a big hug and kiss to openly gay Ron Huberman, the newly appointed CEO of Chicago Public Schools! Marc played it cool, but I couldn’t resist tackling this hot former Chicago police officer. You have the right to remain sexy!
Click here to see photos from the gala.
Also on today’s show: Christian Bale apologizes for his outburst, Freedom to Marry Week and eunuch murders in Pakistan
Our nation’s swear jar is overflowing with quarters! Let’s break it open and rescue the economy!
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FOF #903 – Jackie Beat Speaks
Standard Podcast [58:36m]:
Good drag queens are just like Christmas-
loud, tacky and over the top!
We’re so happy to have the award-winning drag queen, comedian and all around dirty bird- Jackie Beat for a very late night chat.
We caught up with Jackie before her very very late night performance at Berlin nightclub, where she wowed the crowd that fought the terribley awful weather to see her all dressed up and perform in all her Christmas glory. How does the girl do a 40 minute set at 2 AM?
Jackie is best known for her over the top song parodies warping the hits of celebrities with razor-sharp satirical lyrics and her one-woman show “Jackie Beat Is A Whole Lotta’ Love” ran a record 18 months at NYC’s premiere cabaret. She has appeared several movies including Flawless with Robert DeNiro and the cult hit Wigstock – The Movie.
Jackie is a regular columnist in LA Magagazine Little Miss Know it All in which she berates the unsuspecting public. She is also a cruise ship performer and lead singer of the popular electroclash band Dirty Sanchez.
Listen as Jackie shares with us the moment she decided on her name, her friendship with comedian Roseanne Barr and surviving the success of her band Dirty Sanchez.
Giving you a ho, ho, ho for Christmas- Feast of Fools!
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Jackie Beat – JB is the Holiday Ho!: Site
Dirty Sanches: iTunes
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FOF #887 – Inventions Gone Wild
Standard Podcast [1:02:00m]:
If necessity is the mother of invention, then drag queens are the children of finding a shortcut to looking fabulous!
When Teri Yaki isn’t busy entertaining audiences in Chicago, she buries herself in her basement coming up with real-life inventions to patent, with hopes of making enough money one day to own her own nightclub.
Hailing from Detroit, Teri Yaki can fix a car blindfolded, hot glue herself a dress in seconds and make a one-hitter out of a tube of lipstick.
Think of Teri Yaki as Ron Popeil in drag. She’s actually come up with some remarkable ideas, including a mouse trap that plays a song whenever it catches it’s prey!
Will mousetrap jingles replace cell phone ringtones in the future as revenue sources for the music industry?
Listen as we talk with Teri Yaki about the nostalgia of Thanksgiving, the Chinese karaoke cab driver, the dangers of hairspray, and the Vatican gives a posthumous pardon to musician John Lennon for saying the Beatles were more popular than Jesus in 1966. Been a long time coming!
At least they didn’t wait over 400 years to forgive him, like they did with Galileo.
On Halloween, Oct. 31 1992, Pope John Paul II expressed regret for how the Galileo affair was handled, and officially conceded that the Earth was not stationary, as the result of a study conducted by the Pontifical Council for Culture. Galileo spent the last days of his life under house arrest for daring to suggest that the Earth revolved around the sun.
More popular than Proposition 8 is with queer people- Feast of Fools.
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FOF #826 – The Day After
Standard Podcast [1:08:42m]:
What a night! Trannyshack’s Kiss-Off party came and went without a hitch, marking the end of an era in San Francisco’s drag scene and the start of a new one for all involved.
Over 3,000 delighted fans showed up at the Regency Center on Saturday night to watch some of the country’s best drag queens and drag-inspired musicians dazzle the audiences with their elaborate, colorful and majestic performances.
Click here to see photos taken from the event. (More to come)
In many ways the Trannyshack Kiss Off was a collection of the best moments from one of the longest running and influential drag shows in the country.
On today’s show we hang out once again with gender illusionist and Daughter of Satan Peaches Christ and the delightful Curtis Jensen to look at the final moments of Trannyshack’s Kiss Off Party and to help us say goodbye to this wonderful city as we head home to Chicago.
Listen for the juicy behind the scenes details as we dish up the dirt on what rocked and what was mocked at Trannyshack.
Can the hilarious Lady Bunny read and write her own name? Maybe, but one thing the hilarious founder of Wigstock can do is make you laugh with her raunchy collection of rotten jokes. You can look forward to our backstage interview with her next week.
Plus- Raya Light and Hoku Mama Swamp’s crowd pleasing performances, Beyond the Valley of the San Francisco Underground Short Film Festival and Obama’s pick for President, whoops, I mean VICE President Sen. Joe Biden.
He’s the one who misspoke several months ago about Obama being “clean.” What do you think about his pick for VP? Will this alliance unite the democratic party?
Vote baby vote- Feast of Fools.
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Call direct at: (415) 673-2332
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Peaches Chrsit – Idol Worship (free with DVD purchase): Site
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FOF #825 – Is This DEEE-END of Trannyshack?
Standard Podcast [51:03m]:
I love having celebrities in my hotel room. On today’s show we’ve got three delicious stars in our penthouse suite at the Hotel Mark Twain in San Francisco- Peaches Christ, Heklina, and Lady Miss Kier!
The three of them, along with a multitude other fabulous performers will be working the stage on Saturday night at the Trannyshack Final Kiss-OFF Party, a big adieu to the weekly club show that has influenced drag queens for over 12 years.
But as they say in show business, nothing ever really dies. Will “Lash Out” be the next project in the works or will Trannyshack continue in a different form?
Lady Miss Kier is best known as the lead singer and co-producer for the mega-hit band DEEE-LITE, who’s songs “Groove is in the Heart” and “What is Love” defined the sound for a whole generation. Today their music still gets an enthusiastic response from people everywhere.
As a art director and fashion designer her influence was felt throughout the 90s in club kid fashion, video and in graphic design.
Join us for an intoxicating fun show as we dish it up with Heklina and Peaches Christ about the final night of Trannyshack in San Francisco, the impact of Dee-Lite’s music, and living in the 1990’s
Plus questions from you, our listeners.
What is fabulousness? Feast of Fools.
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Hotel Mark Twain
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Call direct at: (415) 673-2332
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Deee-Lite – The Very Best of Deee-Lite: iTunes | Amazon
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FOF #802 – Frida Lays it On
Standard Podcast [55:25m]:
Ricardo Avila came to the US to pursue a career as a school teacher, but years later ended up as one of Chicago’s most popular drag queens, Frida Lay.
On today’s show, the delightful Frida joins us to talk about her unexpected career as one of Chicago’s most entertaining drag queens.
Although Frida is now one of Chicago’s most sought out performers, she thinks she’s a phony and not a real drag queen. Why does she think she has no act? I think her simple charm and calm demeanor help her stand apart from the crowd and she’s got a great sense of humor.
Frida hosts the last Thursdays of every month Roscoe’s Wet Boxer Contest, where guys get warm water sprayed on them to see who’s got the nicest package.
We like the idea of this so much, we HAVE to go see it for ourselves. So be sure to join us on July 31 as we help Frida with the contest by pouring water on the hot guys.
Check out Frida Lay’s MySpace page for a complete list of her Chicago appearances.
Listen as we talk with Frida about the sexy Roscoe’s Wet Boxer Contest, Falling in Love and why she won’t sleep with any of her fans.
Yum yum! Here’s a gay ice cream story. Vermont ice-cream company Ben and Jerry’s just announced their new flavor in honor of musician Elton John- Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road.
The pop singer well known for his hits Candle in the Wind and the Bitch is Back collaborated on the flavor, asking the ice-cream makers “just make it chocolate and peanut butter guys, if you can make something like that work.”
Like the Bluebell ice-cream down in Texas, Elton takes a similar approach to the product, he eats all he can and sells the rest. Just kidding folks!
Here’s another sign the economy is in bad shape. It also sounds like Jeff Foxworthy joke: “You might be a redneck if…” you sell your unborn baby boy’s name for a $100 gas card to a radio station.
David Partin recently heard that a local radio station was giving away $100 worth of free gas to the listener who called in with the most interesting item to trade. He won. But seriously, for $100? With today’s oil prices, that’s not even two tanks of gas.
Partin’s girlfriend Samantha says “At least my son will have an interesting story about how he got his name.”
Savor the flavor- Feast of Fools.
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