Did anyone catch this last night on VH1? I thought it was really good. They spent most of the show discussing GM's inner struggle with his sexuality and his first relationship. Of course they spent some time on his arrest and how good his current relationship seems to be. Everything seemed very even-handed and there was absolutely no "ick factor" associated with the gay content. Check it out if you get a chance.

I saw part of it and enjoyed it. But - whatever happened to Andrew Ridgeley? :confused:

UGH! z-z-z-z-z-z-z Any guy (especially a public figure) who is outed because he was caught getting it on in a public toilet is a disgrace to our community.

I wouldn't go that far. He's entitled to a mistake. He got caught and paid the price.

I just have no use for a coward who wouldn't own up to being gay until he was arrested...then, he runs to us expecting us all to welcome him with open arms. I'd prefer for him to just go away and retire in oblivion.

You know....I really disliked George in the 80's, but I've grown to have a deep respect for his newer music, his talent and his song writing ability.

All of us have had some sort of moment of being "caught"...our own personal outing...perhaps not in such a public way, but his was the price paid for celebrity...

I don't condone public bathroom sex..gay or straight....but...

He came clean....I mean...some men would have denied it, said it was a mistake or "its not how it seems".....he could have turned to Jebus ala Ty Herndon....etc..etc...

Oh yeah....Andrew Ridgely married one of the girls from Bananarama and lived happily and richly ever after....or so I hear.

NJ

Wow, I am shocked about the explicit detail CMT allowed on their page about him. WOW! eek!

[ June 21, 2005, 08:18 AM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]

I have always liked George. Way before they hit big in the States, I enjoyed him as part of Wham (then known as Wham UK). I remember being all excited about seeing them appear on American Bandstand for the first time and my dorm mates laughing at me for liking what they thought was a no talent hack. Awww memories.

Wow, Bobby, your thoughts about George seem really harsh and unforgiving, but you are entilted to your opinion.

Personally, I don't hold the bathroom incident against him. I have always liked his music so I will continue to support him.

I missed the VH1 show so I will have to look for it when it reruns.

Plus, I guess I've really never liked the "no talent hack".

But what if he came out & said that he had a hobby of raising Sea Monkeys???

Then, he would be a one-talent hack!

George Michael has always been, and will always be one of my favorite male singers. His songwriting and singing are several notches above the overwhelming majority of artists. This is why I can forgive his indiscretion with the bathroom incident. No talent hack? Ok... To each his own I guess.

I consider his "outing" a strike against him. Sure, he didn't deny it once it came to light, but at the same time, he didn't mention it UNTIL it came to light.

Oddly, an ex of mine was asking about George Michael's music a month or so ago, and so I put together a collection of Wham! and solo stuff for him. I like most of his stuff, but I do think he's gotten overly fussy over the last decade plus. His music is very "professional" and well-done, but the hooks aren't really there. After putting together the collection, it was the older stuff - "I'm Your Man", "The Edge of Heaven", "Monkey" and "Freedom '90" - that stuck in my head days afterwards.

LXN

Anyone who can listen to "Amazing", "Cars & Trains", & "Round Here" and say he has no talent...have poor taste in artists.

"Precious Box" is a masterpiece.

People in glass houses.....

NJ

Listen to the excellent writing on "My mother had a brother", probably the best song off that cd.

i've not followed g.m.'s personal story very closely. but i wonder, lxn, how loudly and to whom a celebrity must proclaim his sexual orientation to satisfy our community.

was this guy critical or unsupportive of lesbians and gays? or did he simply keep his private life to himself? not saying you're wrong, just wondering...

My mother had a brother
They say that I was born on the day that he died
Someone to cling to,
she said
When all the noises and the shame came calling

My mother had a brother
I thought I knew them all, I thought I knew
But she lied
I said, "Show me his face again, tell me again why he died"

She said he couldn't wait for the things that I've seen
She said he wasn't strong enough, he never dared to dream a life like mine

My mother had a brother
Over-sensitive and kind
Seems it all became too much for him..
It seems he took his own life
Mum, I can't imagine the joy and pain in equal measure
Tears in the dirt, and all over your newborn treasure

I guess he had to wait until my momma had me
I guess he couldn't wait another moment to be free
In endless sky.....

But mama will you tell him from your boy
The times they changed
I guess the world was getting warmer
And we got stronger
Mother will you tell him about my joy
I live each day for him
The sun came out, yeah, and I'm just breathing it in

[breathing...]

My mother had a brother
Same desire, different time
Seems the empty spaces tortured him
Until he took his own life

I don't know why I waited so long for love
I just don't know what I was thinking of..
All that wasted time

But mama will you tell him from your boy
The times they changed
I guess the world was getting warmer
While we got stronger
Mother will you tell him about my joy
I live each day with him
Your son came out, yeah,
And I'm still breathing it in

And I swear now that freedom is here
I'm gonna taste it all for you boy
I'm bad to the bone, I'm just a little torn
I'm making so much love

So those of us who have nothing to fear
We've got to make damn sure that it was worth it
I'm bad to the bone, I'm just a little stoned
I'm making so much love

I was a prisoner, but he saved me
Broke into my dreams and said, "Who cares?"
I was a prisoner, so disgrace me
I'm glad to be home
And I don't believe they care

Always liked George Michael, even before he was "forced out". Though I haven't heard or noticed, any of the music he's made since then. But I don't listen to anything but classical or news stations anyhow.

And I don't think there's anything wrong with raising sea monkeys. You learn,in a relatively harmless way, that things can die, like with most pets. And that can be good for kids, or adults who missed out on that in their childhood.