The Out Spotlight focuses today on John Barrowman, openly gay star of the BBC's Doctor Who and Torchwood. Barrowman has had an extensive career on films, TV and the stage. He is also an accomplished singer with several recordings to his credit. Today's song is Barrowman's version of Cole Porter's Anything Goes. Ironically, Barrowman was considered for the role of gay man Will on the American series Will and Grace, but was rejected for being "too straight."
Barrowman has been with his partner, architect Scott Gill, since 1991. The couple had a civil partnership last year. Click the link to see the beautiful photos of their ceremony from Barrowman's official website. They are coming up on their one year anniversary this month.
Wicked, thank you for the fascinating profile! John and Scott, along with their families, sound absolutely wonderful. I am very happy for them.
ReplyDeleteBtw, can the rest of you whisper your comments? I have a headache.
If only. If only some day.
ReplyDeleteI sure need me some J and A.
John Barrowman on out actors as romantic leads:
ReplyDelete"Hopefully I'm starting something because I know, and I could name a few, but I'm not going to, but there are quite a few romantic male leads ... But it's not my responsibility to out people. Because people might not want to come out. I hope they don't not to come out because they are discovering things about themselves they need to resolve before they do it, but if it's solely because you're afraid you're going to lose your job or the public aren't going to like you, well, my reaction to that is f*** you, and you're not helping at all."
http://www.afterelton.com/blog/michaeljensen/john-barrowman-rocks-the-tca-house
Yay! Thanks for this. I adore John Barrowman - gorgeous, hot, and his own man. But I guess now he's his partner's man too! :* He definitely deserves his own spotlight segment, in addition to being on our Continuously Updated List of Famous Gay People. That Torchwood episode was incredibly romantic. *sigh* I love his voice, and anything by Cole Porter. Happy Sunday, all! :)
ReplyDeleteI am a new fan of Torchwood, and I really admire John Barrowman. Wish our Jake had some of his confidence, maybe in time?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but Torchwood will always be one of the biggest pile of drivel on the tv in my eyes, a grown-up sexed up Dr Who for middle aged saddos who can't get over the thrill of watching the Daleks when they were seven.
ReplyDeleteInteresting the new Dr Who is written by Russell T Davies who also wrote Queer as Folk.
This doesn't detract from the fact that John Barrowman's openess shouldn't be celebrated, just wish he was in a better series.
John Barrowman on Jonathan Ross
ReplyDeletePart 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxZFA1mxvTA
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKopViW0TlY
the doctor, I agree with you. That show is a pile of ... Cheesy at best.
ReplyDeleteBorrowman is pretty cool though.
moi.. I've just seen a clip of Barrowman from Children in Need (big UK Christmas charity thing) and he is pretty cool. Torchwood is still cheesy though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info re Barrowman. I do like him a lot and didn't know that much about him. I've been watching Torchwood, mainly to support him. Last nights finale episode was particulary bad. The death monster was beyond cheesy. But it just goes to show that some fans will hang in there for someone with the courage to be out.
ReplyDeleteJohn Barrowman is a great choice for the Out Spotlight. Thanks Wicked.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see that there are actors and entertainers who can have the life they want and don't compromise either personally or professionally to have it.
I loved hearing him during an interview speak with his Scottish burr.
P, great comments from Barrowman about out actors being romantic leads. I hope he's starting a trend, too!
ReplyDeleteI love Dr Who and am curious about the haters here - Torchwood is a wonderful series as were the two new versions of Dr Who. Interesting and well written - not at all for "saddos". What-ever!
ReplyDeleteAlso, John Barrowman is wonderful in both.
As I sit mourning another season coming to an end today in chilly wintery Philadelphia I am also happy with the thought of the end of another act Jeese:-) We've got Christmas, NY's Eve and award season to get through. I see no reason for Jake or Reese to be on the red carpet. Zodiac may receive some nominations but not for Jake. I feel quilty saying it but I am almost releived.
ReplyDeleteI can't make any definite judgements about Torchwood since I've yet to watch an entire episode. Barrowman, however, catches my attention every time he's on the screen. He's gorgeous and extremely charismatic. I'm still thinking about how romantic his scenes with Captain Jack were.
ReplyDeleteI also really like his comments about romantic leads - thanks, p.
Actually those scene might have been romantic but definitely beyond cheese. Hey, all kind of stuff gets their fans, including superlative untalented individuals, and terrible show, and great performances go unnoticed as well, you must...
ReplyDeleteI feel quilty saying it but I am almost releived.
ReplyDeleteSorry Tom, but why do you feel releaved? I don't understand it.
Plus everyone was junping up and down predicting showers of photos for Thanksgiving and we got zippo. What makes you believe we will get pics for Christmas etc.
Thing is, if thy are for real they are and there is no closing the eyes and go down in denial to pretend they are not. If they were a sham for whatever reason it should be clear by now it did not work so I don't expect any more Jeese.
If they were a sham for whatever reason it should be clear by now it did not work ...
ReplyDeleteI think that tabloid readers have no problems with Reeke story.
Just nervous opinion. Kind of laying low to avoid the storm. I certainly hope you are right. I just see and opportunity for Jake and Reese to be together on the red carpet as toooo tempting for Evelyn and her posse.
ReplyDeleteI love John Barrowman and noticed him right away in the nu-Dr Who (though I never got into Torchwood). He seems to be one of those great people who make their own happiness, and his honesty is refreshing. Oh, and I like him as an American more than as a Scot :)
ReplyDeleteTalk about beyond cheese, that's who this is all being directed to, the tabloid readers, I'm convinced. Poor Jake.
ReplyDeleteI actually don't get BBC America (yet!), so I can't comment on Torchwood either, but I did see that romantic clip and was very impressed - well done and quite beautiful. An RAF pilot and American Pilot/Soldier - masculinity x 2. Despite the horror, I find those periods in time can have a lot of romance. I'm looking forward to seeing Atonement too. I just find John very captivating, and respect him for being out. It's nice that we can all express our opinions, whatever they may be, isn't it? ;)
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ReplyDeleteIs there anyone who is claiming 6:07 as theirs?
ReplyDeleteRemember -- post need names.
who's that I think the general consensus was that tabloid readers have no problem with that but also could not care less about this particular pairing? Also, regular tabloid readers aren't that concerned about what Ted says. Reg tabloid readers might have been impressed and convinced to go see Rendition but that failed to happen as well. So if it is a fake pairing I see no point for it to continue.
ReplyDeleteReading about John Barrowman was total bliss yet made me shake my head while thinking about the time warp HW seems to be caught in. Thanks for that beautiful out spotlight no 3 Wicked; these special Sunday treats are becoming very addictive. :) On the same vein, have you checked the AfterElton's Readers' Poll about the top 25 gay TV characters? Sorry if it's been posted in the previous threads. Again reading this you can't help but think that HW is actually a little village frozen in time: Top 25 Gay TV Characters
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to Jake with Natalie. I know Nat is not to everybody's liking but I've always had a thing for that girl since I saw her in "The Professional" with French actor Jean Reno.
Watching Austin yesterday (on videotape as I still have to join the DVR crowd) the words "never enough" came to mind. Actually I love the fact that he was a little brusque, it adds an unexpected "layer" to his character. Let's hope the poster who said he had several episodes lined up had solid info.
Well the Christmas tree's up and the Holiday madness is in full swing over here as far as I can judge by the crowds at the malls and the restaurants. By the way, living in a mostly French-speaking province can be nice as our Santas can still utter "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and be completely politically correct! :D :D
Thanks for the link, Frenchy. That list was fun to read and it brought back some great TV memories. And how fitting that John Barrowman's character on Torchwood, Jack Harkness, was voted as number 10. :)
ReplyDeleteIf they were a sham for whatever reason it should be clear by now it did not work so I don't expect any more Jeese.
ReplyDeleteIt may not matter whether this showmance works or not. Hollywood has an institutional response to actors who are gay- cover it up. That's what Hollywood does. I can think of so many showmances that didn't work, but did that stop them? Nope. Hollywood keeps doing this because it doesn't know any other response.
I watched Austin on FNL just now and thought if it were only a boy his character Noah was suspected of getting busy with... That would make his storyline way more interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteAs for Torchwood, I think they toned down Captain Jack way too much in his own show. I'm hoping for more adventures and less angst in the next series.
I still haven't checked out Torchwood; I was never a Dr. Who fan and Torchwood has gotten mixed reviews. But after reading the post and After Elton I may have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteIt may not matter whether this showmance works or not. Hollywood has an institutional response to actors who are gay- cover it up. That's what Hollywood does. I can think of so many showmances that didn't work, but did that stop them? Nope. Hollywood keeps doing this because it doesn't know any other response.
ReplyDeleteI agree. And I'll add that the mere fact that this show features RW makes me think it won't be cancelled in the short term. Not with the barrage of pics, clips and stories we got up to now. Not with Reese's current image. Not with those gay rumors which refuse to die down.
I forgot to add: I did not want to cross-post but I have to point out that I got the link to the AfterElton article at WFT. So there: I'm giving credit where credit is due. :)
ReplyDelete