News Brief

Gay Wired: I can see how the New York Fire Department was kind of pissed when their cover model for last year’s beefcake calendar turned up drunk and flopping his meat around for the cameras on Guys Gone Wild. And I can definitely see how Disney might be taken aback by PG and virginal High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens sending nudie pics from her cell to her co-stars. But firing a soap hunk because he posed for Playgirl—that’s got Vanessa Williams and the Miss America scandal written all over… and we hope Marcus Patrick becomes a household name for it. Until yesterday, Patrick played Jett Carver on "Days of Our Lives". He also had a stint on "All My Children" and can currently be seen in the indie gay flick Dirty Laundry. Pick up the latest copy of Playgirl and you’ll see a whole hell of a lot more—because unlike most actors who post for the magazine, he elected to go full frontal. Nice.

New York Daily News: Eric returns to the runway today on "The Bold and the Beautiful" with a new collection of Forrester gowns - and a new woman by his side. "He's got his exciting new line and his new muse," says John McCook, who has played the Forrester patriarch for 20 years. "He makes that a big point. The whole week leading up to it, his kids and his wife make it a big deal, too: 'Look, we know you're making a choice about your life here, but don't do it front of everybody. It will just pull focus away from the new line and Forrester Creations.'"

Jewish Journal: Let's hope that super geek Richard Rubin keeps his clothes on at this second installment of Aaron Kemp's JCafeLA mega-mixer. Joined by Shayna Rose, a beauty from "Days of Our Lives" (ex-Stephanie), Rubin will once again emcee the fest that strives to be different from the rest. The highlight of the night is sure to be the Bob Dylan impersonator contest (open to males and females), in honor of the Dylan film opening Nov. 21, "I'm Not There." Back by popular demand will be the survey questionnaire icebreaker, facilitated by yours truly, The Calendar Girls. Catch you at the JCafe!

Manchester Evening News: Hundreds of shoppers - and a couple of TV stars - braved the cold to enjoy the first day of Manchester's Christmas markets, yesterday. "Hollyoaks" actress Sinead Moynihan, who plays Beth Clement, was in St Ann's Square to open Oxfam Unwrapped selling alternative charity gifts.

Broadway World: Dozens of Broadway, TV and film stars will tend the bar at the annual "Celebrity Barte nding Night" at Frank's (410 West 16th Street, between 9 the and 10th Avenues) on Monday November 19 from 7PM-11PM. Participating celebrities include: John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys), Christopher Sieber (Spamalot), Donna Murphy (LoveMusik), Michael Arden (Times They Are A Changin'), Dana Fuchs ("Across The Universe"), Richard Blake (Legally Blonde), David Eigenberg ("Sex and the City"), Jenny Powers (Grease) and her "Pink Ladies," Bree Williamson ("One Life to Live"), Laurence St. Victor ("Guiding Light"), John Driscoll ("Guiding Light"), Robert Clohessy ("Oz"), Michael Gladis ("Madmen" on AMC), Robert Bogue ("The Guiding Light"), Ernest Waddell ("The Wire"), Robert Newman ("Guiding Light"), John-Paul Lavoisier ("One Life to Live"), Murray Bartlett ("Guiding Light"), Josh Grisetti ("Knights of Prosperity" on ABC), Richard Belzer ("Law and Order SVU"), Matt Servito ("The Sopranos"), Mandy Bruno ("The Guiding Light"). All bartenders' tips will go to Stockings With Care and be used to buy holiday gifts for children whose families either live in homeless shelters or are in jeopardy of becoming homeless and cannot afford to celebrate their holiday.