Happy New Year's Eve!

Are you ready to party, my friends?

It's new year's eve, so surely you're all getting ready for big plans to ring in 2010.

Myself, I'll be partying with some of my favourite friends in Toronto.

To get you in the spirit, take a listen to the above mashup by DJ Earworm of Billboard's top 25 hits of 2009. That includes songs by Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Kings of Leon, Lady Gaga, T.I., Kanye West and Katy Perry.

Dubbed "Blame It On The Pop," the remix makes me feel so great about 2009 that I hardly want the year to end!

You can download the track here to take it as a souvenir into the new year.

Have a great evening! See you back here in 2010!

Best of '09: top songs (part one)

Okay, so the list of my top songs of the year is not exclusive to those released in 2009. Rather, it outlines those songs that helped define my year by playing at just the right moment, or most likely, on repeat.

Check out part one today, and come back tomorrow to see what songs made the top ten!

20. Robocop, Kanye West
Kanye may be a huge douchebag, but songs like this remind me how great life would be if he'd just shut up and sing.

19. Wavin' Flag, K'Naan
Not going to lie. I feel a little bit more credible for liking a song by a Polaris nominee.

18. Knocks You Down, Keri Hilson f/ Kanye West and NeYo
So I'm still waiting for love to come around and knock me down, like the song promises. Maybe if I listen a few more times . . .

17. Please Don't Leave Me, Pink
After saying "So What?" to men in '08, Pink slowed it down to beg for a little companionship in '09.

16. Camilo (The Magician), Said the Whale
The first Said The Whale song I'd ever heard, and it was a winner! Reminds me of sunny summer days.

15. The World Should Revolve Around Me, Little Jackie
Come on, look at the song title and tell me it wasn't written for me.

14. I Want It that Way, Backstreet Boys
Ten years after it was initially released, I Want It That Way made a huge comeback in my life, with singalongs on the NYC and Montreal road trips.

13. Weighty Ghost, Wintersleep
Brought to my attention thanks to the Joshua Jackson Canadian road trip film One Week, Weighty Ghost inspired me to check out Wintersleep at its free NXNE show.

12. Kids, MGMT
I have no idea when this song was released, or when I first loved it. But I do know I spent many a dance party singing along, not even trying to get the words right. "Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba."

11. Paparazzi, Lady Gaga
After that hella dramatic VMA performance, Paparazzi flew to the top of my fave Lady Gaga song list. Though, admittedly, people were disturbed when I tried to recreate that whole bloody eyeballs spectacle at parties.

Best of '09: a little excitement in my so-called life

I can't lie. As much as I complain about being bored all the time, it's likely because the past year has been so full of fun I don't quite know what to do with the occasional breather.

Though impossible to really rank the great experiences I've had with family and friends over the past year, here are five events that helped define my 2009.

5. Summer staycation (with special guest Jillian from Vancouver!)
"Left to our own devices on the streets of Toronto this week, we did a lot of eating, drinking, and photographing ourselves. We put our seal of approval on the wings at Pauper's Pub and danced the night away at the Gladstone."

4. My 25th birthday; inevitably sweaty apartment dance party
"As per usual, our spontaneous dance outbursts alienated half the party guests, who slowly moved to the exit, or at least out of the way of our flailing arms."

3. White water rafting
"We promised each other that if we were thrown into the water, we'd start singing the Kelly Clarkson hit My Life Would Suck Without You. Because when you fear you might die, it's nice to know someone will miss you."

2. Karlee's wedding
"Miraculously, summer weather actually showed up for the occasion! We could not have asked for a better day. From ceremony to reception, the only way I can describe the whole event is 'perfect.'"

1. New York City!
"The other day at work my coworker says to me 'What's so funny?' I had been recounting a particularly hilarious moment from my recent trip to New York City in my head, and the delight was apparently showing on my face."

Young, Cummings named to Order of Canada

Neil Young and Burton Cummings are among 25 new officers of the Order of Canada, Governor General Michaëlle Jean announced yesterday.

Established in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation.

Jean also announced 32 new members, including hockey legend Mario Lemieux and Giller-Award winning writer David Adams Richards.

I wrote my final English essay in OAC about Richards' book Mercy Among The Children. I don't remember much about it, besides the fact that it was depressing as shit. Pretty sure I got a good mark on the essay though, so I guess we all win.

Best of '09: best of the rest

The following few items didn't quite fit anywhere else in my year-end roundup, but I would be remiss if I didn't make note of how awesome they are.

BEST KELLY CLARKSON ENCOUNTER


Kelly Clarkson's MMVA Rehearsal, June 21, 2009
"Kelly sounded amazing as she performed My Life Would Suck Without You three times in jeans, a pink top, black poncho and flip flops."


BEST CHIP TALK


Lauren Horten and Dre Morel, of MTV's Peak Season, October 20, 2009




BEST ONLINE VIDEO SERIES


Bryan Safi's That's Gay, June 8, 2009
"Well today I stumbled upon the above video, which is hilarious in its accuracy of the Gay Best Friend role I catch myself playing sometimes. More importantly, it explains that's it's not my fault I'm a stereotypical gay, and it's not my fault that straight girls love me. It's TV's fault."

Best of '09: TV turn-ons

The Gosselins, Jay Leno and that sorry excuse for a 90210 reboot gave us every reason to turn our TVs off for good over the past year.

But if you waded through the crap, you likely found at least a few series, episodes, or fleeting moments worthy of your time.

Here are seven reasons I was glad to have a TV to turn on in 2009.


7. Grey Gardens
It had nothing to do with teenagers, singing, dancing or hot young men. But brilliant performances by Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, and an enthralling, heartbreaking story had me glued to the screen.

6. Brothers and Sisters' two hour "movie event"
"On a network that tends to hold Desperate Housewives, Lost and the Bachelor up as its biggest trophies, Brothers & Sisters is a consistently high quality show boasting a stellar cast. It sure deserved the extra jolt of creative energy and publicity it received last night."

5. Lady Gaga's VMA performance
"Lady Gaga surprised me with her decent singing voice. But more than that, I was pretty damn enthralled by the theatrics of her dramatic Pokerface/Paparazzi performance."

4. Dustin Lance Black's Oscar speech
"Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay tonight, and gave a brilliant, goosebump-inducing acceptance speech."

3. Glee!
"If you love singing, dancing and the awkwardness of adolescence, I suggest you watch."

2. Jakob Karr on So You Think You Can Dance season six
"As I watched Jakob Karr dance a Viennese waltz with Mollee Gray on last night's So You Think You Can Dance, I flashed forward to my wedding day when my (still to be determined) husband and I may just perform something similar as our first dance."


1. Scrubs' (shoulda-been series) finale
"The success of Scrubs as a TV show relied on the relationships between these characters, perfectly embodied in the show's final moments."

Hey, I've been there!

New stills of Atom Egoyan's film Chloe have been released, and there's something distinctly familiar with the one pictured above.

Oh, that's right. Julianne Moore and Amanda Seyfried are sitting at Rivoli on Queen St., right across from one of my fave hangouts, Club Monaco.

Now if we're being honest, the Queen St. Club Monaco is usually my third choice. There are two others in the city with hotter, more personable staff members. But I mean, if I'm in a pinch I'll go to the Queen St. store and hope I escape without someone turning their nose up at me.

Chloe was shot in Toronto last winter, and premiered at TIFF in September. In the film, Moore's character hires Seyfried's character to test the fidelity of her husband, played by Liam Neeson.

Chloe is set for release March 19, 2010. For more stills from the film, click here.

Kelly Clarkson covers Mary Jane

As part of her recent All I Ever Wanted tour, Kelly Clarkson performed VIP sessions before her big show, where she debuted a number of new songs in addition to a bunch of covers.

My favourite discovery of the set, naturally, is her cover of Alanis Morissette's Mary Jane. Oh I could listen to her cover Alanis forever! Then I could go listen to Alanis' originals forever after that.

Click on over here to listen to Kelly's new songs, as well as covers of Elvis, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow, Patty Griffin, Hank Williams, the Dixie Chicks, and Shane Mack songs.

Best of '09: fierce fashion

Surely it's not easy getting red carpet ready. It must be a lot of pressure choosing the right dress and matching it with the right shoes, knowing there's a gaggle of paparazzi waiting to photograph you, so blogger types can pass judgement.

Luckily the following five women won my praises over the year, and can look back knowing they had at least one major fashion win.

5. Maggie Gyllenhaal at the Golden Globes, in Lanvin
"Maggie Gyllenhaal was one of the few people to try something different on the Globes red carpet and actually pull it off (sorry Renee Zellweger)."

4. Leona Lewis at the MTV Europe Music Awards, in Vivienne Westwood
"She arrived to the show in simple harem pants, but changed into this extravagant combination of tulle and PVC for her performance of new single Happy."

3. Leighton Meester at the VMAS, in Emilio De La Morena
"Now that's how draw some attention at an awards show! Girl wasn't even nominated for anything, and she stands out as the knockout of the night."

2. January Jones at the Emmys, in Versace
"TV's Betty Draper flashed forward to 2009 in a silk satin evening gown with geometric bustier by Versace, and shoes by Jimmy Choo. Simple hair, flawless makeup."

1. Kate Winslet at the Oscars, in Yves Saint Laurent
"'Are you having an Oscar-gasm?' my roommate asked, upon hearing the sounds out of my mouth when Kate Winslet appeared on tonight's red carpet."

Best of '09: guest blogs

It sometimes took a little kicking and screaming to get you going, but 2009 saw the emergence of some fine guest blogs over here on outisthrough.com.

From quality Q&As to scathing reviews of Blake Lively's hair, y'all proved you really get everything this website stands for.

Well, most of you anyway. Number one goes to the blog's very first, and coincidentally most outlandish, guest entry.

5. My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding has a really long title, and not much else going for it, by Howard Jamieson, November 25, 2009
"Two minutes in, I realized I had made a terrible error in judgement, resulting in what will likely go down in family lore as the worst birthday gift my mom ever received."

4. Q&A: Said The Whale's Tyler Bancroft, by Jessey Bird, June 30, 2009
"So, when I heard that Vancouver’s Said the Whale would be playing not one, but two shows for Ottawa’s massive Canada Day celebrations, I was more than excited. I’ve happily had their album on repeat ever since I ended up on a cross-America road trip with only two CDs in my borrowed truck."

3. Janice Wong's Pop Montreal Top 10, by Janice Wong, October 8, 2009
"If anyone knows me, they know that I am a very awkward anti-dancer. So then you can imagine how FUCKING FANTASTIC Think About Life's set at Réunion was if it had me jumping up and down and skipping and dancing up a storm for the duration."

2. Vanessa, on the Emmys, by Vanessa, September 20, 2009
"on a side note, blake lively's hair looked like a horse's ass . . . literally. it was braided like the hair that covers a horse's ass."

1. Amy Winehouse is hot, by Seth Green, April 6, 2009
"She's often photographed leaving bars all haggard and gross. So? That's totally bad ass. It's hotter than when you do the same thing (not you, Chris) or, for that matter, when I do the same thing."

For more entries from people who aren't me, click here.

Thanks to everyone who's contributed over the past year. Let's keep it coming in 2010!

How do we feel about . . .

. . . the fact that my Uncle Gerry has the most ridiculously amazing Christmas tree in his house?

Yup, he and the fam went and chopped that sucker down themselves. It's tradition for their tree to take up at least 75 per cent of the room, and I just love it.

We tried to cram 40 people into that room on Sunday night to do our Secret Santa, but capped out at about eight.

Conveniently, there's no real need for a star at the top of a tree that could just pop through the skylight anyway.

Toy Story 3's got my attention

Oh my god, you guys. The above clip from Toy Story 3 has me excited about a Disney movie for the first time in aaages. (Sorry, Up just didn't do it for me).

I don't remember how old I was when the first Toy Story was released, but I remember seeing it in the theatre, followed by repeated viewings on VHS.

In Toy Story 3, Woody, Buzz and the gang have to deal with uncertain fate when their owner Andy leaves for college and his toys end up in the trash.

How could someone let such a thing happen?! I know where my stuffed panda bear Domino and all his friends are at all times.

Based on this preview, looks like we're still dealing with top notch animation, and I can't wait to see the adventures that ensue for my fave characters.

Toy Story 3 will be released June 18, 2010.

Best of '09: live theatre

My live theatre-going experiences in 2009 were dominated by two themes that, based on my own adolescence, go hand in hand: teen angst and boy bands.

While a handful of shows failed to leave a lasting impression on me (Sound of Music, Toxic Avenger), the three that follow drew me in emotionally, or at least had me swooning over that dreamy Neil Haskell.

3. Altar Boyz, New World Stages (New York City), March 29, 2009
"The story is pretty thin, but the pop songs were carefully crafted and covered the gamut of late 90s styles performed by the greats."

2. Dog Sees God, Six Degrees (Toronto), April 3, 2009
"Perhaps my history as a rejected teenager helped me relate to these characters, but I found moments of the show downright poignant."

1. Spring Awakening, Canon Theatre (Toronto), March 19, 2009
"The result is like an entire season of Degrassi crammed into a two-hour stage production, with music written by Duncan Shiek."

The best Toronto Star article of 2009

It may be December 28th, but the Christmas surprises just keep coming.

Today a photo of my lovely face was featured on the front page of the Toronto Star.

No, it didn't accompany a particularly gripping column I had written. Nor did it relate to a super amazing accomplishment I'd made that will positively influence generations to come.

Rather, I was quoted as a regular guy in a story about a new Facebook application.

Hey -- I'll take it!

Click on over here to ch-check out what is likely the best Toronto Star article of 2009.

Man, this means I need to think of a new goal for 2010!

Best of '09: Monday deliciousness

It's the last Monday of 2009!

And boy what a delicious year it has been.

It was no easy task narrowing down all the hot men featured on the blog over the past year (without getting all hot and bothered). The things I do for you people.

Here's hoping we see a lot more of these men in 2010!

5. Ryan Gosling, October 26, 2009
"Canadian boy Ryan Gosling was looking super fine as he carried equipment into Toronto's Opera House in preparation for his band Dead Man's Bones' gig."

4. Jake Gyllenhaal, March 9, 2009
"Man, nothing can get me to see a movie I have otherwise no interest in seeing like shirtless Jake Gyllenhaal can. I bought the Jarhead DVD for that sole reason."

3. James Marsden, June 29, 2009
"My goodness. Have I mentioned lately how much I love young hot dads? James Marsden was photographed looking all kinds of hot in Maui with his two children."

2. Zac Efron, March 16, 2009
"Sure, in a perfect world that naked chick on top of him would be naked Chace Crawford. But I know I can't have it all."

1. Luke MacFarlane and Matthew Rhys, April 20, 2009
"A shirtless, same-sex makeout sesh on primetime network TV? I could hardly believe my eyes!"

For all kinds of deliciousness from 2009, click here.

Happy Monday!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, my friends!

I'm at home in Oakville with the fam, and just finished watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia's A Very Sunny Christmas.

Looking forward to all kinds of fam jams over the next few days. And I'm quite certain I've already received my favourite gift of the year.

My mom revealed last weekend that she had gone to my grandparents' house and dug out my Grandpa's singing Christmas tree, above.

I still remember how much he laughed showing it off to us for the first time when we were kids. Grandpa was born on Christmas day in 1927, so I'm pretty stoked to now have this festive reminder of his heart and humour.

Hope you're all enjoying the season with loved ones. They make the flashing lights, Christmas specials and overeating all the more enjoyable.

Happy Holidays!

Chris

Best of '09: top mag covers

Hot men, gossip girls, cute couples and funny guys did the best they could to send magazines flying off the racks over the past year.

But no cover got me more excited than the one that reunited a group of early 90s TV high school students.

Here's what caught my eye on the magazine rack in 2009 . . .

7. John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer, Entertainment Weekly, October 2, 2009
“'It’s about keeping this relationship as real as we can instead of making it a television romance,' explains Krasinski."

6. Chace Crawford, People Magazine, June 29, 2009
"While this is certainly an honour, if Chace would just give me a call I’d gladly help him become one half of People’s Hottest Couple of the year. Ifyknowhatimean."

5. Zac Efron, Nylon Guys, November 2009
"When I saw Zac Efron's new Nylon Guys cover photo last night I just about died from hot and bothered-ness."

4. Ryan Reynolds, Entertainment Weekly, June 24, 2009
"Alright, Ryan Reynolds, you win! I'll see the Proposal! Just promise not to put those abs away! Ever!"

3. Blake Lively and Leighton Meester, Rolling Stone, April 2009
"They were shot along with the rest of the cast cast by photographer Terry Richardson, who brought candy, ice cream and bed sheets to the set."

2. The new comedy legends, Vanity Fair, April 2009
"Okay, Paul Rudd has earned a spot in that feature (in addition to my heart), and I’d accept one of Seth Rogen or Jason Segel. But Jonah Hill? Really?"

1. Saved by the Bell cast, People Magazine, August 10, 2009
"Elizabeth Berkeley: still taller than everyone else. You’re going to have to slouch down for that dance contest at the Max later."

For a look at who else covered the year's magazines, click here.

Zack Morris gets me in the Christmas spirit

It's Christmas Eve!

If you're not in the Christmas spirit yet, might I recommend you get your hands on a copy of the classic two-part 1991 Saved By The Bell episode "Home For Christmas."

Jesse and I watched it last night, and Christmas can now officially happen.

Not only is it highly enteraining, it teaches you so many great lessons about generosity and homeless people.

Specifically, at Christmastime you should probably befriend a homeless man and his daughter, and invite them to live with you indefinitely (never to be seen on screen again).

Next up in the queue is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Elf, our family's traditional Christmas Eve viewing.

Magazine cover of the week

Canadian sweetheart Rachel McAdams appears on the January cover of Vogue Magazine, in promotion of her new film Sherlock Holmes, in theatres tomorrow.

McAdams is gorgeous, and of course appeared in two of the greatest movies ever made, Mean Girls and the Notebook.

But as if that wasn't enough to love her, McAdams reveals we both suffered from similar television addictions growing up. (She grew out of it, I haven't).

"I grew up watching so much television -- I was really into soap operas," the 31-year-old, St. Thomas, Ont. native tells the mag. "I'd begin with Days of our Lives, then Another World, and finish off with General Hospital. And before dinner, I'd watch Oprah."

I've alway been more into the daytime talk shows than soap operas, but anyone who's up for spending eight straight hours on the couch is one quality human being.

Candace Cameron not so sweet on UnSweetined

Well, I've only got one more day to wait and see if Santa brings me UnSweetined, meth addict turned mom Jodie Sweetin's inevitably overdramatic tell-all.

One person who won't be looking for it under her tree is Sweetin's Full House costar Candace Cameron Bure.

Asked last week whether she'd read the book, Bure smiled, shook her head and said, "I have not."

Now that doesn't sound like a very supportive Tanner sister!

"Well, I am a little curious, but I can pass," she said.

Ouch!

I wonder if she also passed on all those Mary-Kate and Ashley straight to VHS movies back in the 90s.

Best of '09: hottest messes

Oh what a year the celebs have had assaulting our poor eyes.

For every impeccably dressed leading lady and well-coiffed man, there seemed to be a panty flash, a nip slip, or some asshole stuffing cupcakes into his face for breakfast.

So let's take a look at the best of the worst -- those sights so scarring they're now seared into my memory.

Number one goes to what's likely the most-commented post in outisthrough.com history. Thanks guys!

5. Kate Moss, March 20, 2009
"I mean, sure it's become commonplace to flash your panties (or lack thereof) while getting out of a limo . . . But to simultaneously expose your full right breast?! That takes practice and impeccable timing."

4. Mickey Rourke, June 19, 2009
"When I’m out eating lunch with a dude, I don’t want to be distracted by his leathery man boobs all exposed. I’m sorry, I just don’t."

3. Paris Hilton and Doug Reinhardt, May 23, 2009
"Why is Paris giving this shit away for free? Doesn't she remember she can make mad cash by videotaping and selling it?"

2. Amy Winehouse, October 30, 2009
"Like, that's not even a slight nip slip. That's Amy Winehouse walking around with her tits out like she just don't care."

1. Me, April 3, 2009
"Sometimes it just takes an unflattering photo taken by a friend to realize the new low you’ve reached."

To look back on all of the year's hottest messes, click here.

No tour planned for SYTYCD season six

First the dancer of my dreams Jakob Karr comes in second to Russell Ferguson on the season six finale of So You Think You Can Dance.

Now comes news that neither of them will be dancing their way to Toronto, as there are no plans for the fall season's top ten to hit the road with a tour of their best routines.

"Each season we strive to deliver a stellar tour for the fans and are still open to touring opportunities with the season six dancers in the future, but nothing has been set at this time," a rep for the show says.

To which I say: BOOOOOOOOOO!

Now how will I lure Jakob to Toronto in order to seduce -- er, I mean -- admire his dancing?!

Whoever scheduled this fall season is truly messing with my happiness.

Last minute gift idea: Said The Whale's Islands Disappear

It's two days until Christmas. If you're still stuck on what to get that last person on your list, might I recommend a little Said The Whale.

The Vancouver-based indie band released an EP entitled West Coast Christmas on their website earlier this week, available for FREE.

Once you've gone and downloaded that, perhaps I can tempt you to purchase Islands Disappear, the band's full length album released in October.

The 13-song release features light, folk-infused indie rock, with lyrics inspired from experiences on the road in Canada.

A song entitled Gentleman particularly speaks to me with the lyric "I am an uncool Canadian kid / Uninspired by all the popular guys." I can only assume it was written about my high school experience.

Seriously though, in this grey winter that's now officially begun, it's nice to have a few songs to help fill the void the sun left behind.

Take a listen on the band's MySpace, then go make the purch.

Aaron Walpole works again

Hey, recognize the name Aaron Walpole?

If not, that's kind of okay.

Walpole came in third place in the second season of Canadian Idol back in 2005.

Four years later, his name has popped up again as he's nabbed the role of the narrator in the Mirvish production of Rock of Ages, set to premiere in Toronto in April 2010.

Starring in the production is Elicia MacKenzie, who previously won the role of Maria in Mirvish's Sound of Music through the CBC reality show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

Rock of Ages follows MacKenzie's character move from Kansas to L.A. to make it in show business. Plenty of 80s rock music ensues.

Betty White knows her priorities

Living legend Betty White paid a visit to the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Monday night, where she revealed how she's been keeping busy this holiday season -- as a Salvation Army bell ringer.

"There's nothing like the feeling of a big pair of bells in my hand," the Golden Girl quipped.

Most impressively, White revealed she feels the same way I do about helping people.

At Craig's encouragement for the audience to give to charity, White interjected and urged them to buy her movie the Proposal on DVD instead.

"Hey, Betty White's gotta eat!"

Classic.

Dave Coulier noticed too . . .

. . . though he skipped me, and just retweeted John Stamos.

Whatever, Uncle Jesse was always my fave anyway (if the ornament didn't already make that abundantly clear).

WWIB: Less is more? edition

Blake Lively and Rachel McAdams both walked the Sherlock Holmes red carpet in New York last week in black, though the young actresses took on decidedly different looks.

Lively donned a Dolce & Gabbana minidress that exposed almost Gaga amount of leg, with a pair of Louboutin pumps.

McAdams, who stars in the film, took the opposite approach. I quite like the Jasmine Di Milo top with chainmail rosettes she wore, though I'm not a huge fan of the wide-legged Catherine Malandrino pants she paired them with.

What do you think -- is less really more in this case?

Best of '09: top Sighting!s

Oh Jake Epstein. How you've fallen.

For the first half of 2009, we were spotting you all over Toronto. Then you went and took that role in the touring production of Spring Awakening, and we haven't seen you since.

Somehow, we've managed to fill the void with close encounters with the likes of Oscar nominees, Jonas Brothers, and . . . stars of Video On Trial!?

5. Michael Moore, NASDAQ building (New York City), by me
"Obviously he's no Chace Crawford, but we were happy to have a celebrity sighting so early in our trip."

4. Mickey Rourke, Portobello market (London), by Kristen
"who doesn't love a man who wears his sunglasses on top of his winter toque in the dead of summer?"

3. Gossip Girl cast, New York City, by Renee
"Dan Humphrey walked by me today while I was deciding whether I should go left or right. He went straight so I followed."

2. Jonas Brothers, Fresh at Bloor and Spadina (Toronto), by me
"First, I spotted Joe Jonas, and I thought to myself, 'Hey, that's Joe Jonas.' Then, I looked across the table and spotted Nick Jonas, and thought 'Whoa! Nick Jonas is dining at Fresh with Joe Jonas.'"

1. Laurie Elliott, Elgin St. (Ottawa), by Renee and Jackie
"She was walking across Elgin with a Wine Rack bag - so Jackie and I came to the conclusion that she got some wine for her comedy show (if she had one)."

To look back on all the year's best Sighting!s click here.

A social media dream come true!

Oh my god you guys, I had a huge Twitter milestone yesterday -- I was retweeted by none other than John Stamos!!!

You see, on the weekend I decorated the family Christmas tree, and snapped a photo of the above Christmas ornament. It's a wooden picture frame that my younger brother painted back in '94. A couple years ago we took his photo out and replaced it with a photo of mulleted, late 80s Stamos. Classic!

So yesterday I uploaded the photo to Twitter, with the following message:


Yeah, I @ replied John Stamos, hoping he would notice me.

And he did!

Hours later Stamos retweeted my message to his followers, and declared it "FUNNY":



Oh my god, can you believe John Stamos called me/my ornament/my tweet funny?! Can you think of anything more exciting?

I mean, maybe a real life encounter with Uncle Jesse would be a little more exciting. Or if he like, sang me a song of forgiveness after missing our picnic at Disney World. That would be pretty romantic.

But in this web 2.0 world, this is pretty much a Christmas miracle! Love it!

Update: Paul Walker still exists, still pretty

I'm not really sure where Paul Walker's been the past ten years, and I'm not sure I really care.

All that matters right now is that the She's All That and Fast and Furious star has popped up looking fine as hell in January's GQ.

The 36-year-old actor models a few examples of how to liven up your office wardrobe.

But just to remind you he only looks hotter in less clothing, click here for the hottest film scene Paul Walker has ever appeared in (NSFW).

How do we feel about . . .

. . . these photos from Hills star Stephanie Pratt's Maxim Magazine photoshoot?!

When I look at them, I only think one thing: trashy.

I saw a candid of Pratt recently and actually thought it was Lo Bosworth, she's changed her face so much.

I'd object to her glamourizing smoking in these photos, but that would imply the she-Pratt is somehow glamourous herself. Clearly far from the truth.

If for some reason you want more, more, more, click here.

Best of '09: top concerts

It's that time again!

Time to look back and reflect upon all the greatness the past year brought us.

Now some may see this as a chance to regurgitate past blog posts. But I have to say, when I was looking back in my archives I was pleasantly reminded of a) how much great stuff I've experienced over the past year, and b) how hilarious my blog is.

So get ready to relive some of the best moments on outisthrough.com. Today, I give you my top concert experiences of '09.

5. Broken Social Scene, Byward Market, July 12, 2009
"I went basically because it was happening, and it was free. But I had no idea it was going to be so much fun!"

4. Jay Brannan, El Mocambo, October 17, 2009
"His soft, smooth voice accompanied by acoustic guitar was as appealing as his sincerity."

3. Adele, Massey Hall, April 29, 2009
"With knowledge of only a handful of Adele’s songs, a delightful infusion of jazz, soul and pop, I quickly learned she is one of those rare creatures who can open her mouth and make singing seem so effortlessly beautiful."

2. New Found Glory, the Phoenix, April 28, 2009
"By the band's second song I recognized that even if I'm no longer living vicariously through their lyrics, it's the heart and energy they put into their live show that keeps long-term fans like myself coming back."

1. No Doubt, Air Canada Centre, June 16, 2009
"I walked away from the band's 90 minute set impressed not only with their performance, but with the fact that after more than 20 years together they appear to genuinely enjoy themselves."

Jesse recommends . . .

So I was back home in Oakville over the weekend for some Christmas festivities.

As always, this included a whole bunch of overeating, traditional family bickering, and my younger brother Jesse recommending his favourite online videos.

His top pick this time around was Crazy Hockey Mother, above. (Be warned: language NSFW).

This video is pretty great, because in my youth I regularly found myself with my parents at the hockey arena watching Jesse's hockey games. So I know this behaviour is completely plausible.

Luckily, my parents are relatively calm and sane, and refrained from this type of humiliating spectacle. Though there was one hockey tournament, where a player on the opposing team had the unfortunate distinction of going through puberty before every other player. This made him a few feet taller and slightly wider than everyone else on the ice, and the Oakville fans were. not. having it.

Poor guy was heckled to the point that he attacked another player and was kicked out of the game. We all cheered. His younger sister cried beside us.

Harsh? Maybe. But we're talking minor hockey here. And when you're playing Oakville, you just need to expect shit to get real like that.

In our defense, at least we never called anyone a fucking cock sucking piece of shit. And I think that's something to be proud of.

Miss Piggy on the Bonnie Hunt Show

Miss Piggy's been one busy Muppet, making the talk show rounds over the past week to promote A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa

Piggy was on her game when she appeared on the Bonnie Hunt Show on Friday, discussing celebrity crushes, A-Rod, and her signature fashion.

Check out Miss Piggy exhibit some of her trademark facial expressions at the 3:00 mark. Hilare!

Sighting!

Nicolas Cage could run, but he couldn't hide from the power of Janice Wong's Coolpix P90 stalker lens, while on set in New Orleans earlier this month.

On December 8 I received a text message from the incomparable Ms. Wong, who just so happened to be traveling in New Orleans at the time.

She had just stumbled upon Mr. Cage on the set of The Hungry Rabbit Jumps, and simply had to alert me.

Here's her take of how it went down:

On the day I was finally going to go to Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World, I hopped on the free ferry to Algiers on a whim. When I found out that the Mardi Gras World there had been shut down and moved to the other side of the water yrs back, I had half an hour to kill til the ferry could take me back. Wandering around, I stumbled onto a movie shoot with Nicolas Cage BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I spoke to one of the security guards who told me that he'd been on set since 5am that morning (it was 11am) and they were only just BEGINNING to shoot the scene, which consisted of Nic running alongside the river for about 20 seconds. Enthralling, I know! I texted Chris immediately.

And boy am I glad she did! Great photos!


photos by Janice Wong

Monday deliciousness

Don't pretend you're not turned on.

A man who spends all year preparing to shower you with gifts, and would be totally okay with your excessive cookie-eating habit?

What else does one need?

I bet that Mrs. Claus has one helluva Boxing Day.

Happy Monday!

Adam Lambert on Chelsea Lately

Leave it to Chelsea Handler to make someone I previously found obnoxious and irritating seem somehow bearable.

Adam Lambert appeared on Chelsea Lately this week, and after they got over talk of the American Music Awards, I found Lambert almost -- gasp! -- likeable.

Take a look, and let me know if it's just me.

Stacey Farber gets 18 to Life

Ch-check out the first trailer of 18 to Life, a new comedy series starring Stacey Farber, and premiering on CBC in January.

Farber, of Degrassi: the Next Generation fame, and Life With Derek's Michael Seater, play a couple who become engaged at the age of 18.

(Supposed) hilarity ensues when they break the news to their families, and navigate life from there.

Well, marriage was one storyline Farber didn't get handed on Degrassi, so this should be fun!

MTV News Canada's Twitter fail?

Just last night I had a conversation about how I hate when the media uses tweets as quotes in stories.

So it's a good thing I'm not the media, because this story's kind of too fun to pass up.

Yesterday MTV News Canada tweeted some big news about a new T.I. album to be released in the new year. And I quote: "T.I. releasing "Halfway House" in January. Can't wait to hear it!"

But wait: T.I. isn't releasing an album called Halfway House in January. Rather, he's being released from prison to a halfway house, according to reports. That's something completely different!

Subsequently, MTV News Canada tweeted "CORRECTION: T.I. being released TO halfway house. #factcheck."

Pretty hilarious. Thanks for the chuckle!

Jakob Karr dance of the week

Why did Jakob Karr have to get assigned a Tyce Diorio broadway routine on last night's performance finale of So You Think You Can Dance? WHYYYYYYYYYY?

Not that Jakob didn't pull it off. He performs everything to perfection. I pretty much offered myself to him after his Viennese waltz last week, remember?

But Tyce Diorio's choreography is so overrated and very rarely delivers "wow" moments anymore that help a dancer win the competition.

LUCKILY, Jakob and Kathryn McCormick later got to to dance a contemporary piece by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson. It's a bit of a slow start, (and it's unfortunately choreographed to a Michael Buble song), but stick with it until they end, and there's definite wow factor. It even got all three judges on their feet!

I sincerely hope Jakob wins the competition when the results are announced tonight. He consistently set the highest bar possible, and has never been among the bottom vote-getters.

But it sure does seem that the show's producers/judges are gunning for a win by Russell Ferguson. The show's first krumper in the top 20 definitely got some of the best choreo last night, and the judges love cooing about how far he's come. Plus, if he wins it'll kind of make up for the fact that they let three tappers into the top 20, only to eliminate them all almost immediately.

That's not to say he's undeserving. In fact, this season has been a definite improvement over last, in terms of casting excellent dancers with story and personality. Which is why it is so unfortunate that it's been cut short a week to accommodate a little thing some people call Christmas.

As opposed to four finalists dancing in the finale, we had six. That meant producers had to cram nine performances into just one hour.

That also meant there was no time for pre-taped packages of rehearsals, which I learned really add something to the show. It helps to see the dancer's personality, the context of the dance, how they work with their partner, and their choreographer.

It also meant there was no time for solos, group dances, an all-girls dance and an all-guys dance.

Christ, this season's dancers really got short-changed! And such a shame, because so many of them are actually so good.

Hopefully next time FOX experiments putting a summer show in its fall season it'll have the foresight to ensure it's scheduled with enough time to do the production and its cast justice.

Snoop Dogg charms the ladies of the View

Snoop Dogg charmed the ladies of the View (and, ahem, me) when he appeared on the daytime talker yesterday to promote his just released album Malice N Wonderland.

Because the View's audience is probably the key demo Snoop's going after with his new album.

After presenting each of the hosts with a little Christmas gift he said, "I'm such a fan of the show, I love what you ladies do. I wake up every morning and I watch you guys and I'm so inspired by how y'all get in."

Throughout the interview Snoop sounded off on the Tiger Woods scandal, writing his new CD for the women in his life, and the state of the music industry.

"The rap game is doing beautiful, look at me, I'm on the View," he said.

WWIB: topless on GQ edition

So, looks like naked is the new clothed, as Rihanna and Miranda Kerr go topless for GQ and GQ Germany, respectively.

My reactions to both covers have done nothing but reaffirm my gayness, as the first thought to come to mind when I saw the Rihanna cover was "ugh, I wish she'd do something about that hair."

As for the Kerr cover, once I realized it wasn't actually a heavily photoshopped Britney Spears, I thought "What a cute bow. Like a festive Christmas package."

So, um . . . anyone else have any comments on this? Because I'm pretty sure I'm missing the point.

Wednesday deliciousness

Exciting news, everyone!

I've finally finished all that real world work that's been keeping me from the blog!

Woooohooooo!

It was a trying time that I really only got through by playing Alanis and Kelly on repeat. Oh, and a lot of caffeine.

(Sick confession: there was one day I drank three Pepsi's, a large regular from Tim Horton's, a tall caramel brulle latte from Starbucks, and a large travel mug of instant coffee. I'm currently detoxing).

Anyway, I've now got nothing but time on my hands until January, so let's catch up!

And what better way to reconnect than by collectively ogling Hugh Jackman, all shirtless and wet and stretchy.

The Wolverine star was photographed being all of those things in St. Bart's over the weekend.

Honestly, that man is just so generous. It's like he thought to himself "It's Christmas. What can I offer my legions of fans all over the world? Hm . . . how about photos of my hot, hot body? But I'm not just going to stand there and pose for the camera. No no. I'm going to show everyone what it can do."

Will Santa skip my house if I say I've already received a pretty great gift?!

Happy Wednesday!



[photos via JustJared]

Kris Allen is totally edgy too, you guys

Man, it can't feel great to be Kris Allen these days.

Despite the fact that the squeaky clean musician won last season's American Idol, it's runner up Adam Lambert that's getting all the media attention.

Because apparently if you're gay and let that be known during an awards show on ABC, it's controversial. (And according to Barbara Walters fascinating no less!)

Anyway, in an attempt to push his way back into the spotlight, Allen was photographed backstage at last week's Jingle Ball concert in New York exhibiting some pretty racy behaviour. Let's break it down . . .



"Hey look, I'm holding dolls. That's gay, right?"



"I like to stick other things in my mouth too."



"Hold on a sec, I've got to take this call from my mistress . . . no I'm just kidding, it's my mom."



"I like the strawberry and the grape nerds. That's right, I swing both ways."



"This is what people call a douche, right?"



"I just jizzed in my pants . . . like, seriously. Budget clothes by Matthew Williamson really do it for me."

Okay, so dude couldn't do racy if he tried.

But it looks like he had fun posing with that random assortment of objects, right?