Did you catch me on QueerFM tonight talking about Vancouver's Next Gay Top Model 2009? The Terry Costa Experience landed me a semi-regular gig as a behind-the-scenes correspondent on 101.9 FM. The host is a riot. Here's when you can catch us next:

**Tune in to 101.9 QueerFM on Sunday February 15th between 7:30pm and 8:00pm for a complete Vancouver's Next Gay Top Model recap and Sean Horlor's thoughts on who's going to make it to the final. Hosted by Heather Kitching.**

And now for your weekly instalment from:

On Thursday, January 29, the Vancouver's Next Gay Top Model 2009 hopefuls came out to Score on Davie for Sports Night. This event was standing room only, this time fans came in droves to vote for their favourites. And a reminder: your votes count and may actually help your favourites avoid elimination at future VNGTM events.

As far as theme nights go, this one was pretty straightforward. The models were asked to dress up in their favourite sports kit and then participated in a light-spirited Q&A with last year's winner Aaron Ursaki, whom it turns out is quite the smart-mouthed comedian when given a microphone and a captive audience.

Here's some news: British Airways came on board as a sponsor, which means the winner of the competion is going to receive a round-trip flight to London. And that's England, people, not Onterrible.

Roughly halfway though the night's proceedings, one thing became clear. The majority of our model hopefuls favour ball sports (surprise surprise). I, for one, was personally hoping for more crowd-friendly sport/sex double-entendres from the contestants. After all, what tennis players doesn't like to take it deep and hard in the back of the court? I mean, really...though I guess there's something to be said for keeping it clean and safe. Good sportsmanship and all that. With the exception of Adam, who plays full back for the Out for Kicks Vancouver soccer team, and I quote: "My position on the field is full back and for the record, my position on the field is the same as my position in bed."

That's what I'm talking about, boys...BAM!

Which brings me to my next point: there are a couple of models (Adam, Joel F, Reese) who have an easy way with the microphone and from what I can see in their photos so far, this charisma comes out loud and clear in their photos. On the other hand, you have models like Stephen and Micheil who have a definite "look" that separates them from the rest of the pack. We have eleven models left. I'm hoping everyone makes a conscious decision to step up their game in preparation for Gossip Night at 1181 on Davie and help make this thing HOT.

We also said good-bye to Stephane and Will. Here's a photo from the VNGTM 2009 site, courtesy of David Sandford:

"Stephane (with tennis racket) and Will (with yoga mat) were eliminated from the competition, while Stephen (the tallest of the bunch) can continue to live his life of extreme sports including VNGTM2009 experience..."

As noted above, the next VNGTM night is taking place at 1181 on February 12 at 8pm, so mark your calendar. See ya there.

**Reminder: come down and check out the next round of Vancouver's Next Gay Top Model 2009 tonight at Score. The contestants will be modeling sports wear and I've heard there may be additional eliminations, though no promises. Show starts at 8pm. And on separate note, afterwards, come down to Celebrities to see who gets crowned "Entertainer of the Year"**

Last Sunday, Vancouver's Next Gay Top Model 2009 held a Winter Wonderland night at Pulse and this year's hopefuls were required to wear white (see my previous coverage of VNGTM 2009 here and while you're at it, check out Trevor Ellestad's reviews here and here. He's a fantastic writer and will be covering VNGTM on his Stinkwallet blog for the course of the competition). Photos follow below and come courtesy of Terry Costa, Mirateca and the mad photographic skills of Chad Walters.

The bold, beautiful, ballsy and, in some cases, bespectacled young men took the stage to DJ Marty Funkhauser's superior spinning skills and regaled the audience with quick Q&As. We were also treated to a Go-Go performance by the saucy and delicious Starlen Gold. For the record, Miss Cotton killed it as our MC. I am falling in love. You are gorgeous, baby! GORGEOUS! 

DJ and fellow audiophile Marty Funkhauser. First this guy will take over your club...and then your heart. Sigh.

Damn that Starlen Gold straight to sexy hell!

Just when I was thinking there weren't enough saucy minxes in this town, Miss Cotton tumbled into my life. Oh, sexy she-devil in heels...Take me, but be gentle.

Now I'd like to give you a little snapshot of what my life is like somedays. To judge or not to judge. Judge lest ye be judged, which therefor makes judging just for those who are both jurisprudent and unapologetically judgemental etc etc...so on and so forth. Amen.

Unfortunately, this week we lost Daniel:

and Brent:

And finally, here are your semi-finalists: 

Haha - just kidding.

Just saw Slumdog Millionaire...loved how the story unfolded, loved the concept, loved the actors and loved the cinematography...but wait a minute, was it just me or was the last five minutes of the film just a little bit...you know...not as good as the start?

Anyway. Here's something you should give that friend who swoops in after you've laid all the groundwork with someone new and ends up taking them home after ditching you at the club without saying goodbye:

Note: You should also give that friend a punch in the face. These lovely calling cards are for sale at Orange32 and here's the write up:

Blocker Cards
 
Wether you are a guy or a girl, it's happened to you before. When the cockblock goes down simply reach in your wallet or bag and hand out this card to the perp, hopefully they get the hint and step the hell off. If they don't we suggest wearing our cool PUNCH Tee to help the perp make a better decision!!! By the way, the guy in the pic is our friend Kevin and if you don't buy these cards we're gonna send him to every place you hang out, for real!!! Package includes 25 cards.  

Here's Kevin:

I love the Golden Girls. A buddy of mine sent me this video (Pistol Youth's "In Your Eyes" - it's like classic Weezer). And since I love Golden Girls, I love this video, especially since they lifted the infamous Maestro, how about a little something with some more OCTANE! danceoff scene between Blanche, Dorothy and Rose:

Pistol Youth - In My Eyes from Pistol Youth on Vimeo.

Hubba hubba. That's what I'm talking about.

Check back tomorrow for a review of the most recent Vancouver's Next Gay Top Model 2009 update.

Maybe you've seen a couple of these around town recently?

Here are the facts: Vancouver's Next Top Gay Model is back for another season and on Sunday, January 18, this year's hopefuls came down to Celebrities to toss their name in the ring. Up for grabs so far:

• a 2-yr modeling agency contract with  I Model Management;
• partnerships with Sweat Under Gear, Nancy Black, Miriam Melanson, the Flaming Angels Boutique and Otter Fashion;
• a trip to WinterPRIDE in Whistler; and
• the opportunity to be judged by me.

Sure that last "prize" sounds crappy at first, but really, you should be that mothereffin' lucky. I, of course, am happy that I've finally been given a chance to use my judgementotality/mad judging skills for the power of good, rather than for the forces of darkness, as I usually do.

So my buddy Rob called me Judge Judy the other day. What are you going to do about?

Heads up: all the following photos are by Melissa Dinsdale - check out her work here: http://melissa.mtbin.com

The competion on Sunday started off strong, with Terry Costa explaining what's expected out of the contestants and a visit from Mark Edwards, who went far in last year's competition and has since been signed to an agency:

L-to-R: Terry Costa, Mark Edwards threatening "Keep It Sexy...or else!"

Micah Gilbert and Tyrone McPherson, who also competed last year, also made appearances.

And since I know you're all wondering what the first day of a competition like this entails, it's sort of a model boot camp: walk-offs, two-point posing at the end of a catwalk, an abs class, an underwear romp and, of course, the requisite ticklefight followed by a sexy party and some champagne. Some of those things really happened. Others happened while I was daydreaming.

There were also a couple repeat try outs from last year, one of whom admitted to losing 52 lbs to prepare for the 2009 season. This year's hopefuls also featured a gymnast, a welder, a landed immigrant...you get the idea. I sort of felt like I was in a reality show for "Making the Village People: 2009".

Terry Costa (left) explains how useful it is to have Zoolander's 'Blue Steel' look perfected, "to be used in modeling emergencies only!"


I like this photo because it looks like the contestant fourth in from the right is doing some inappropriate touching...and the guy fifth in from the right IS LOVING IT

Here are an assortment of judges, my new Xtra! co-hort Malcom, PR-pro/Vancouver socialite Idris Hudson and his entourage, and some other people who didn't give me their business cards. I agree that P is for Porn buddy - you went there. UGHN!

And here's me using my judging superpowers for good:

Sean Horlor thinking: Why did that last contestant blantantly stuff his underwear with what appears to be a hotdog bun, and more importantly, why does he think we can't tell?

Come join us Sunday night - my good friend Marty Funkhauser is spinning and you'll get to see who gets to be this year's finalists: