Month: October 2022

Emmy-winning actor Leslie Jordan, perhaps best known for his roles in “Will & Grace,” and “American Horror Story”, has died in a car accident at age 67.   Jordan was behind the wheel of his BMW in Hollywood on Monday morning when he crashed into the side of a building at Cahuenga Blvd. and Romaine St. It was suspected he suffered some sort of medical emergency.  Jordan’s agent David Shaul said in a statement: “The world is definitely a much darker place today without the love and light of Leslie Jordan. Not only was he a mega talent and joy to work with, but he provided an emotional sanctuary to the nation at one of its most difficult times. What he lacked in height he made up for in generosity and greatness as a son, brother, artist, comedian, partner and human being. Knowing that he has left the world at the height of both his professional and personal life is the only solace one can have today.”

The diminutive Jordan (who stood 4-foot-11) was a veteran actor, writer and singer whose credits also included “Hearts Afire,” “The Help,” “The Cool Kids” and “Call Me Kat,” which is currently airing its third season on Fox. He won the Emmy Award for guest actor in a comedy series for his work on “Will & Grace” in 2006 where he played socialite Beverly Leslie, ‘frenemy’ of Karen Walker (Megan Mullally).  Jordan also played three different characters on three different seasons of Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Story,” recurring in the “Coven,” “Roanoke” and “1984” installments.

Jordan became hugely popular to an entire new generation of fans in 2020, gaining millions of Instagram followers due to his humorous videos posted throughout the pandemic. He released a gospel music album titled “Company’s Comin’” in 2021 and, later that year, appeared as a guest panelist on “The Masked Singer,” where he performed gospel standard “This Little Light of Mine.”

Jordan was also an LGBTQ icon: during the AIDS crisis, he was involved with the AIDS Project Los Angeles and Project Angel Food, and he received the GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics’ Timeless Star award in 2021.  Jordan also appeared on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” as a guest judge in 2013, and again in 2022 as a guest director.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Monday’s episode of ABC’s The View was interrupted by protesters during an interview with Texas Sen. Tex Cruz.  The protesters emerged from the audience shouting over Cruz and the show’s co-hosts, calling out for action on climate change. After one group of protesters was removed from the studio audience, another took their place.

The protests started when Cruz avoided a question about reproductive rights and instead began talking about the economy, at which point shouts and chants of “government funding now!” built up in the audience. Co-host Sunny Hostin explained that the protesters were calling out about climate change, but the second round of protesters made it clear that this was about more than media representation. Co-host Whoopi Goldberg addressed the protestors, saying: “Ladies, let us do our job. We heard what you all have to say but you’ve got to go. You’ve got to let us do our job.”  

After some of the protesters were reportedly removed from the studio, Cruz and the panel got their discussion back on track before more shouts overtook them. Those protesters were muted and the broadcast cut abruptly to commercial break. After returning to the broadcast, order seemed to be restored in the studio, with co-host Anna Navarro telling Cruz: “I’ve been very vocal and critical of you, but I’m sorry that this has happened in our house.”

Following the broadcast, an ABC spokesperson said in a statement: “Three members of the audience interrupted The View today during Sen. Ted Cruz’s appearance protesting about climate. They were promptly escorted out by security.”

‘The View’ Interrupted By Climate Protesters During Ted Cruz Interview

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com