I just learned from CNN that Peter Boyle passed away due to heart problems last night at the age of 71. Most people will remember him from Everybody Loves Raymond, but my fondest memory of him will always be his role in Young Frankenstein. May he always be remembered for making us laugh for more than thirty years.
Oh, Doogie! Tonight the prayers of millions of 30-something gay men have been answered in the form of Neil Patrick Harris coming out! (Though, Michael has long insisted on this fact, so it's hardly a People exclusive.)
Seriously, though, not that it should really matter to anyone (except Neil and whomever he sleeps with) whether he smokes the pickle. Our culture tends to objectify celebrities, particularly entertainers, in such a way that we almost feel like we own them. Nobody owns Neil Patrick Harris and he owes the public nothing. We don't need to know anything about his personal life.
I salute Mr. Harris for having the integrity to not live a lie to satisfy the public's urge to own him. This can be a scary decision for a high-profile entertainer (and the low-profile ones, too). Especially for the star of a highly-rated sitcom, whose career in network television could be derailed as a result. Even if that does happen, Broadway and independent film will always love you, Neil.
