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New York I Love You: Berman & Pulcini’s Schmaltz Soaked Latest

Nostalgia, especially in large doses, tends to hobble the authenticity of a text, whether in the literary or cinematic realm. On a superficial level, serving as a love letter to a bygone era of 1980s New York, Eleanor Hendricks’ novel Ten Thousand Saints falls under the quirky spigot of directing duo Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, the team behind the Oscar nominated American Splendor from 2003. In the decade since that critically championed title, they’ve continued with a particular strain of fluffy cornball items. Following a brief assay into studio filmmaking with The Nanny Diaries (2007), they were responsible for a pair of sickly sweet titles headlined by prized performers like Kevin Kline in The Extra Man (2010) and Kristen Wiig in Girl Most Likely (2012). Though their latest venture is slightly more sobering, at least in a notable absence of...

Brett Smock and Drew Brody will present an Industry-only reading of their new musical The Mudge Boy, on November 29th, 2012 at 3pm. The event will feature Donna McKechnie Irene, James Crichton Duncan Mudge, Mike Masters Edgar Mudge, John Arthur Greene Perry Foley, Jennifer Simard Emily Foley, Brent Black Juster Pelkey Merritt Foley, Lilli Cooper April, Caitlin Kinnunen Tonya, Bart Mather Travis, Jim Schubin Scotty.This powerful, controversial new work is based on Michael Burkes 2003 film, The Mudge Boy and has been in development for several years. This reading will serve as its official launch.

Aaron Paul, the younger lead star in AMC's "Breaking Bad", has joined the indie feature "Right Angle" reports Variety.

Based on Adam Niskar's "Busted", the story follows a hard-drinking, promiscuous salesman who becomes a quadriplegic after a tragic accident and struggles to come to terms with his predicament.

Michael Burke ("The Mudge Boy") directs from a script he co-wrote with Mike Young. Gary Gilbert and Jordan Horowitz ("The Kids Are All Right") will produce. Shooting will take place in Michigan.

Have a question about gay male entertainment? Ask the Monkey! (Please include your city and state and/or country.)

Q: I am an avid Heroes fan, and despite the original intentions for Zach -- who can forget that debacle? -- there hasn't been much love for gay characters. Is there any chance we will see a legitimate gay "special" on the show? -- Vincent, Sicklerville, NJ

A: “There was some talk about making Danko gay,” Bryan Fuller, consulting producer of Heroes (and the creator of the canceled gay fave Pushing Daisies), tells AfterElton.com. “It was decided it was best to not have our first gay character be a villain, but a gay hero is definitely on the docket for season four in terms of things we'd like to do.”

Željko Ivanek plays the evil "Danko" on Heroes.

Originally intended to be gay?

Q: So Sean Maguire, who played gay...

PARK CITY -- Showtime Networks and indie distributor Strand Releasing are teaming to roll out writer-helmer Michael Burke's drama The Mudge Boy theatrically in April. The move marks the second collaboration between the banners, which also released Arthur Penn's Inside, starring Nigel Hawthorne. The deal is part of the cable net's Showtime Independent Films, which was formally launched this year to "demonstrate the network's commitment to working with established specialty producers and directors to fully finance and produce low-budget films targeted for theatrical premiere," the company said. SIF's Baadasssss! was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics this year and is screening at the Sundance Film Festival.