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My first column has thoughts about Pauly Shore and Richard Simmons, Andrew Scott and Taylor Swift

This is my first post for Pop-Eds (working title)—my takes on various aspects of pop culture, including entertainment, sports, news and more.

And I’m going to start by telling you something: You’re not going to agree with everything I say. But that’s just fine because I’m doing my thing. If you don’t agree with what I feel, maybe we can (politely) hash it out.

And HERE we go….

—The Shore thing: So Richard Simmons is back in the news—not that he particularly wants to be.

Richard Simmons in 2010. Photo by Andrew Davis

Pauly Shore is apparently playing him in a biopic—and is already playing him in a short film called “The Court Jester.” (The teaser is here.) However, Simmons (on his verified Facebook page) disavowed any knowledge/implied endorsement connected with the biopic, so it seems that this is an unauthorized film.

For the kiddies who may be unfamiliar with Simmons, he is a former fitness instructor (and, later, frequent David Letterman target—although Simmons seemed to have been playing along) who became huge in the 1980s and ‘90s, in part, because of his larger-than-life, but very caring, persona. (I met Simmons in 2010, hence the photo above—and he couldn’t have been nicer.)

When I asked people’s thoughts on Shore playing Simmons (on Facebook), the responses were varied. Some people (jokingly?) said that they pretty much thought the two were the same people, and many people wished Shore luck.

However, a few people also talked about another aspect: the LGBTQ+ component—specifically, non-gay actors playing gay people. One passionate soul talked about how it’s unfair that yet another straight actor is taking a role that should be played by a gay person.

And I definitely understand that (especially being part of that demographic myself). But a couple other thoughts came to mind. First, Simmons has never actually come out—and I know, I know: People are going to say he’s gayer than a Pride parade with fireworks because of how he acts. But I’ve learned not to stereotype. He may be asexual and not have feelings for anyone, for all I know—so maybe an “ace” (a term for an asexual person) play him.

Remember—Just because he’s fey doesn’t mean he’s gay.

Second: Was this a passion project for Shore? It seems that way. After a meme went viral talking about their resemblances to each other, Shore said that he contacted Simmons about the possibility of a film. If Simmons is gay (and, again, I don’t know who he likes, if anyone), then it might’ve been nice if a member of the LGBTQ+ community went ahead with a project about Simmons, too—and that still might happen. (You never know.) With all the gay heavy-hitters in Hollywood, such as Ryan Murphy, another Simmons project could happen—although there’s no guarantee that one would be endorsed, either.

—Not-so great Scott: Irish actor Andrew Scott first appeared on my radar a few years ago, when he played James Moriarty on the great BBC series Sherlock. He has been consistently amazing throughout his acting career, and he has Oscar buzz surrounding his performance in the 2023 movie All of Us Strangers.

Andrew Scott on Late Night with Seth Meyers. Screenshot via YouTube

But something he said at a recent The Hollywood Reporter roundtable of actors caught my attention. Scott (who is gay), said that he’d like to get rid of the term “openly gay,” adding that it’s an invention of the media; he also stated that no one says, “I’m openly Irish,” for example. (Another gay actor at the event, Colman Domingo, nodded in agreement.)

However, the problem is that you wouldn’t need the term “openly gay” if you didn’t have the term “closeted gay.” People have not entered into relationships or marriages of convenience to hide being Irish. Coming out as Irish (as ridiculous as that sounds) wouldn’t potentially hurt an actor’s career or box-office impact.

I love Scott’s acting—but I’m going to have to disagree with him about this. It’s a sad truth, but the term “openly gay” is still needed. Here’s hoping that “openly” can be dropped someday.

—Shake it off: Football commentator/former NFL coach Tony Dungy made news recently by saying that Taylor Swift is the reason the league is losing fans and why some people feel “disenchanted.”

According to an article in USA Today, Dungy said, “There's so much on the outside coming in. Entertainment value and different things that's taking away from what really happens on the field."

Photo by Dave Adamson on Unsplash

Wait: The NFL is LOSING fans? I was under the impression that the NFL had gained fans, in part, because of the non-stop focus around Swift and beau (and Kansas City Chiefs player) Travis Kelce. Before this current season, there were arguably far more people who didn’t know the difference between a touchdown and goose down. (Actually, the article backs that conclusion, stating, “The league saw its average viewership rise 17.9 million viewers, tied for the second-highest average since 1995.”)

My suspicion is that Dungy—already known for his conservatism—is one of those “Get off my lawn” people who’s resistant to change. Swift might represent an entertainment component he’s unfamiliar with; he might resent her more liberal stances—or maybe he doesn’t know how to dance to “Shake It Off.”

Now look what you made me do. Apologies (or you’re welcome) if those songs are in your head all day now.

Taylor Swift in the music video for “Look What You Made Me Do.” Screenshot

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Thanks so much for reading this! If you have tips, hot news, constructive criticism or something else, email me at future3733@yahoo.com. Be sure to put “POP-EDS” in the heading.

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