The Full Package: Anderson Cooper

Contrary to popular belief, we queers aren't attracted just to gym bods and pretty faces. We're looking for it all -- intelligence, charm, heart, style, talent, accessibility ... and that unexplainable sumthin' sumthin' called the "X-factor" that makes our hearts go thump.

From the worlds of entertainment, art, sports, business, politics and other realms we've plucked the very few people who fit these criteria, and we present them to you through our weekly series "The Full Package."

Cuckoo for Coop

More magnetic than George Stephanopoulos. Better bred than Chris Cuomo. Nattier than Matt Lauer. Able to report as passionately from war-torn Rwanda and Katrina-ravaged New Orleans as effortlessly as he can chew the fat on comforting morning fluff like ABC's "Regis and Kelly" or command a crowd at the Times Square New Year's Eve bash. It's a bird! It's a plane! It's the youthful silver fox who translates into network gold! It's Anderson Cooper -- the intrepid, intelligent and unassumingly sexy CNN anchor we can't get enough of.

We gays have claimed him as our own (whether he really is "one of us" or not). But why do we love him so much? Is it that he's a scion of one of the wealthiest families in American history yet comes across with the sharp yet boyish everyman appeal of a Jimmy Stewart? Is it that -- in 007/Indiana Jones fashion -- he looks as good in muddy khakis out in the jungle as he does in a tailored Ralph Lauren suit and perfectly knotted tie at a celebrity function? Is it that, at such an uncertain and pivotal time, when we're confronted with the confusions of Barack, Bush, Iraq, Hillary, McCain, he's made American politics and global issues accessible to us in a way that's by turns easygoing and charmingly earnest, but always insightful? Is it that he's shown his vulnerability by being candid about the tragedies in his personal life, or that he gives us a glimpse of his cocky side when he riffs with Kelly Ripa about his Manhattan social life? Or do we just love him for his trim build, his angular cheekbones and his blue eyes, made even more striking by his full, handsome and prematurely white head of hair?

The answer is: We like him for all of the above.

Bravo Casting Call!

Bravo's latest stroke on the reality canvas will be an hour long creative competition series among contemporary artists. The "Untitled Art Project" will bring together thirteen aspiring artists to compete for a gallery show, a cash prize and a sponsored national tour. Open calls for artists interested in competing in this new competition series will be held in cities across the country starting in July.

In each episode of the series, contestants will create unique pieces highlighting art's role in everyday life, while they compete and create in a range of disciplines including sculpture, painting, photography and industrial design (to name a few).  In working beyond their preferred mediums, artists will have to adapt quickly in order to succeed. Completed works of art will be appraised by a panel of top art world figures including fellow artists, gallerists, collectors, curators and critics.  The finalists' work will be showcased in a nation-wide museum tour.

When Gays Play Straight: Double Standard?

Everyone remembers “Monster’s Ball” as the movie that won Halle Berry her weepy Oscar and got her mauled by Adrian Brody during her acceptance speech.  Because of the enormous success it brought Berry, Billy Bob Thornton’s work in it is often overlooked. And it’s a shame, really, because it must have been hard for him to, …you know…have to act like he was in love with a black woman.  And those sex scenes! There really should be a special award for actors like him who have to suffer for their art like that.

Watch it Live: San Francisco Pride Parade!

If you've never been able to afford a trip to the world famous San Francisco Pride Parade, we've got great news.  PlanetOut.com will be streaming SF Pride in it's entirety.

Starting at 10:00am PST today, the SF Pride Parade will stream live until 2:30pm.  Just click the "Play" button below to watch it all. Grab a cocktail and get your Pride on!

[Update, 2:00pm PST:  The live stream of the SF Pride Parade is now over.  Thanks so much for watching!]

Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden

Grammy winning cutie Michael Bublé just released a new DVD/CD, “Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden," last week. Take a look at the live performance of Buble singing, "I've Got the World on a String" below.

Remembering Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted "King of Pop" who emerged from childhood superstardom to become the entertainment world's most influential singer and dancer before his life and career deteriorated in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. He was 50.

The person said Jackson died in a Los Angeles hospital. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

Say Goodbye to Farrah

I’ll always remember Farrah Fawcett as Jill Munroe, one-third of the iconic “Charlie’s Angels” silhouette, standing in karate pose, with her hands drawn amid explosive fire. She was just shy of 30 back in 1976, already a worldwide phenom thanks to the poster hung around the world, which featured the blonde, blue-eyed actress in a sexy red swimsuit. Her sex appeal was undeniable, and her curly lion’s mane hairstyle would be copied for the remainder of the decade.

But Farrah was more than her blonde locks. She was a credible actress, not only appearing in such big-screen classics as 1970's “Myra Breckinridge,” and 1976’s “Logan’s Run,” but also in more challenging roles, as a battered wife in “The Burning Bed” (1984) and a sexual assault victim in “Extremities” (1986), for which roles she was nominated for an Emmy and Golden Globe respectively. It would be on TV that Fawcett would hit her stride throughout 1980’s with bio-pics on heiress Barbara Hutton and legendary photographer Margaret Bourke-White.

Never Forget How "Beautiful U R"

Deborah Cox has released a blistering new Jody Den Broeder remix of her smash hit "Beautiful U R."

In the tradition of Whitney Houston and Kelly Clarkson-type dance anthems, "Beautiful" conveys the struggle we all go through in the quest for empowerment, self esteem and freedom.

Positive and uplifting lyrics along with Jody's top notch remix skills make it the perfect combination for a big gay summer classic.

Get ready -- this track will be landing on dance floors everywhere, if it hasn't hit yours already.

Watch now ...

Perez Hilton Says He Was Bullied By The Black Eyed Peas

I don’t always agree with Perez Hilton, but I am firmly in his corner today, and I believe he is telling the truth about the Black Eyed Peas incident in Toronto over the weekend.

Have you heard about it?

In brief, Perez contends that Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas tried to intimidate him and that he was actually physically attacked by Liborio "Polo" Molina, the manager of the Black Eyed Peas. According to The Toronto Star, Molina has indeed been arrested by Toronto police and charged with assault in relation to the case.

In an emotional video just posted on PerezHilton.com, Perez says the trouble started when Fergie approached him at the rehearsals for the MuchMusic Video Awards and asked why he was putting down the Black Eyed Peas latest release on his blog. Perez, who, not surprisingly, is used to getting flack for what he writes, says he tried to keep the situation cool and even told her that the band’s new single had grown on him.

Later that night, Perez said a member of the Black Eyed Peas entourage “shouldered” him as they were walking by. Then at an after-party at Ultra, Fergie came up to him again and wanted to know what he had against the Black Eyed Peas. Perez says he once again tried to placate her.

How Much Do You "Want" It?

"Want" by Adam Lambert is the first single from the album "On With The Show," and will be released later this summer. Adam co-wrote many of the tracks on the new album, which is material recorded over the course of the past two years -- right before his meteoric rise on "Idol." Listen now and tell us whether or not this song will be a big hit with his fans.