Cinematic Crush: Jason Priestly

Crush object: Jason Priestly, actor/director/producer.

- He catapulted to fame as dreamy boy-next-door Brandon Walsh on the classic 90's teen soap Beverly Hills, 90210, a role that netted him two Golden Globe nominations. In addition to playing Brandon for most of the series' ten seasons, he also directed several episodes and served as executive producer in later years.

- Following his exit from Beverly Hills, he appeared as a regular on the TV series Tru Calling, Love Monkey and Side Order of Life.

- On film, his best known roles are as Deputy Billy Breckinridge in Tombstone, former teen idol Ronnie Bostock in Love and Death on Long Island and sexy bisexual Tony Parker in Die, Mommie, Die!

- He made his feature film directing debut with the documentary Barenaked in America, which chronicled his tagging along with the band Barenaked Ladies on their 1999 American tour.

- In addition to episodes of the original 90210, he has directed such series as The Outer Limits, Grosse Pointe, 7th Heaven and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Most recently, he has come full circle to helm a recent episode of the new 90210.

Awards Watch: Tony Awards 2009

Proving my prediction of 15 months ago correct, Billy Elliot, The Musical swept the 63rd Annual Tony Awards earlier this evening, winning 10 trophies total.

In addition to Best Musical, Best Director (Stephen Daldry) and Best Featured Actor ("Dad" Gregory Jbara), the inspirational tuner made Tony history when its three young leading men — triple threats David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish —triumphed in the Lead Actor category, the first time an acting honor has been shared by more than one person. Ironically, the man whose idea it was to adapt the Billy Elliot movie to the stage in the first place —Sir Elton John —went home empty-handed; in an upset win, he lost in the Best Score race to Next to Normal (this year's pick for the show I'd least like to see).

Other notable winners of the night included Angela Lansbury (now tied with Julie Harris as the most Tony'ed actor of all time) for Blithe Spirit, Oscar winners Geoffrey Rush (Exit the King) and Marcia Gay Harden (Best Play winner God of Carnage) in the leading play performance categories, Karen "Un Hombre Así" Olivo for West Side Story, the Shrek costumes, and Liza's at the Palace…! for Special Theatrical Event.


Highlights of the ceremony were host Neil Patrick Harris' cheeky "11 o'clock number", Lifetime Achievement honoree Jerry Herman's moving acceptance speech, and the show-stopping performance of the title song from the year's Best Musical Revival winner Hair, complete with cutie Gavin Creel serenading Anne Hathaway and sexy Will Swenson straddling fellow nominee Christopher Sieber in the audience.

Low points included the overall muddled direction, sound problems and a dreadful rendition of "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat" from Guys and Dolls, the show most likely to close within the week.

MD Poll: Isn't It Romantic?

With Gay Pride month in full swing, we're getting a little romantic with the latest MD Poll.

This month's survey asks you to pick your favorite cinematic Gay Romance, with selections from the classic (Making Love, Maurice, My Beautiful Laundrette) to the current (Little Ashes, Shelter), tragic (Brokeback Mountain, Yossi and Jagger) to the happily-ever-after (Beautiful Thing, Latter Days). And if one of these doesn't set your heart racing, there's a slot to vote for "another gay romance"; list your choice in the comments section below. (And if you're wondering where all the gay rom coms are, remember we did that one already.)

Place your votes in the latest MD Poll located in the right hand sidebar, and check back next month to find out what movie has been chosen as your favorite gay romance!

UPDATE: This poll is now closed; click here for the results, and click here to vote in the next MD Poll.

MD Poll: Secretary's Day

It may not be nominated for a Best Musical Tony Award, but 9 to 5: The Musical can take solace in being named your favorite "screen to stage" Broadway production of the 2008-2009 season in our most recent MD Poll. Two tuners who are up for the top Tony, Shrek The Musical and Billy Elliot, The Musical, came in second and third, respectively. See the comments section below for the complete stats.

And speaking of the Tonys, this year's ceremony will be broadcast live from New York tomorrow night on CBS. Performing on the three-hour show will be the casts of all the nominated musicals (Next to Normal and Rock of Ages, in addition to Billy Elliot and Shrek) and musical revivals (Guys and Dolls, Hair, Pal Joey and West Side Story), as well as special performances from the touring companies of Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde and Mamma Mia! And last, but certainly not least: Elton, Dolly and Liza.

Joining host Neil Patrick Harris as presenters will be such stage (and screen) faves as Kristin Chenoweth, Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, Edie Falco, Carrie Fisher, Jane Fonda, James Gandolfini, Lauren Graham, Colin Hanks, Marcia Gay Harden, Nicole Kidman, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Lange, Frank Langella, Angela Lansbury, Audra McDonald, David Hyde Pierce, Piper Perabo, Oliver Platt, Susan Sarandon, Kevin Spacey, John Stamos and Chandra Wilson.