BSR

Ah, another bullfighting fan in this forum! Something I've found helpful in getting people to accept bullfighting is to correct the notion so many have that a bullfight is a contest in which the odds are stacked horribly against the bull. Fans of la tauromaquia see it as an art in which the matador displays great skill and courage. Even with that explanation, some people will still hate it, but others come into it with a more open mind. If you're open to seeing a bullfight, look for a rejoneo (bullfight on horseback). They're much less common, but in my opinion, so graceful and elegant. The whole spectacle of a bullfight, whether on horseback or on foot, is an experience rich in Spanish culture and tradition. I get goosebumps when I hear the trumpets before a bullfight, but I realize not everyone will feel the same way.

Sorry, I couldn't find any shirtless shots, but here is a video of my latest crush, 20yo Lorenzo Musetti. This is a clip from his presser, after his match against Novak where Musetti was able to win the first 2 sets. The eyes, the olive skin, the silky wavy hair ... Musetti is your classic Italian beauty.

Not attending the Oscars for 10 years is more reward than punishment.

Hermès Birkin bags sell from $40,000 to $500,000. Millions of Americans, especially in the ever expanding service sector, don't even make $40K, forget $500K.

This guy swings a beautiful bat (photo shows up cropped, click open to see uncropped)

I don't know if tattoos are considered "traditionally unattractive," but a number of forum members hate them with a passion. Well-done tatts on the right physique are sexy as hell, imo. This is Diogo Piçarra, winner of Portugal's 2012 season of "Pop Idol." The left pic is after a 4-month training program. As much as I prefer beefier guys, I actually find the skinny version sexier. Either/or is so much sexier, to me, than no tatts.

Anyone who doesn't want to discuss or hear about Novak at #1 always has the option of avoiding this thread.

I found the 2021 version of the iconic "America" number last night on YouTube. Gotta say, I much prefer the 1961 original. Every dancer in the 2021 cast is superbly well-trained whereas the 1961 cast has one notable exception. Rita Moreno was not a trained dancer before auditioning for the part. As much as I love her, you can kinda tell. What Moreno lacked in formal training, however, she more than made up for with her fire and passion. While as a dancer Moreno falls an eensy bit short, as an actress she delivers perfection. David Álvarez (Bernardo) is a helluva dancer, but the 2021 choreography (granted, I saw only the one scene) doesn't showcase him enough. Plus, as good as he is, he lacks George Chakiris' panache and elegance. Chakiris hits lines and positions like no other dancer I've ever seen. Overall, I thought the 1961 version captured the humor of the song better. Even though I've seen the 1961 "America" 100+ times on YouTube, the corny sense of humor still makes me smile every time. Of course, I'll keep an open mind about the remake, but I can't say I'll be rushing to see it. One thing I gotta do is stop comparing the remake to the original and just appreciate the 2021 version on its own merits. Anyway, here are both the 1961 and 2021 "America" numbers ...

Singer Diogo Piçarra, winner of Portugal's "Pop Idol" in 2012.

Thanks for the review links. It's good to know that the play is well worth seeing on its own merits, with the full-frontal visuals as a bonus.

So many things can cause the same person to look very different in different photographs -- makeup, lighting, a good/bad night's sleep. Nonetheless, I am still struck by the change in Zelensky's appearance from Feb 23 to today ...

Hold the phone! Because Medvedev lost in the Miami QF, Novak hangs on to the #1 ranking by the skin of his teeth. Just 10 points separate Novak (8420) from Medvedev (8410). Since Meddy will be out for at least a month with hernia surgery, Novak should be safe at #1 until Roland Garros. #3 Zverev could conceivably take over the top spot if he wins every tournament he enters, but he's been playing like sh*t lately. #4 Rafa is also out 4-6 weeks with a cracked rib. #5 Tsitsipas is too far behind. For those who don't follow tennis that closely, 8420 is a very low point total for the #1 player. The #1 usually racks up between 10,000 to 12,000. At the peak of his dominance, Novak set the record for ATP ranking points -- 16,950! Novak does not have the record low for a #1 player, however. That dubious distinction belongs to Rafa, who took over the #1 spot on 8/21/17 with just 7645.

I remember watching the US Open boys final that year between Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul. While I usually don't bother with junior Slam finals (they're horribly unreliable predictors of future success), I tuned in to this one because it featured 2 Americans. My reaction, as Roger Federer once famously said of a young upstart named Novak Djokovic, "Honestly, not crazy impressed." I have since changed my tune about Fritz. While I can't imagine he'll contest Slam finals or come close to the #1 ranking (just too slow), I can see him as a consistent top 10 player (he's currently #13). If he can get to the ball, as he often did on the slow-as-clay IW hardcourt, he can wallop the cover off the ball on both sides, plus he has a good serve. If Fritz ever figures out the whole sliding thing, he could do really well during the clay season. Since he has only 180 points on clay to defend from last year, the 2 months on terre battue are a great opportunity to move up the rankings. Taylor has surrounded himself with a great coaching team. Unfortunately, none of those guys (2 Americans and a South African) ever figured out how to move on clay either.

I'm also a huge fan of the 1961 film, the only version I've ever seen (no stage productions nor the Spielberg remake). I've come to realize that I'm not a fan of the music (which is great, don't get me wrong) as much as the dance. Of course, I've watched the "America" number at least fifty times, maybe a hundred, nah, probably more. I've watched other dance scenes -- the prologue, dance at the gym, "Cool" -- more times than I can count. Oddly enough, I'm not a fan of Jerome Robbins' ballet choreography, or at least not the three I've seen. But his choreography for West Side Story is simply magic.

I am always uncomfortable with selective prosecution. Imagine a similar incident between two not rich, not famous guys: John Doe makes a joke about Joe Schmoe's wife, Joe laughs at first until he sees his wife upset, then Joe slaps John, and everything is caught on video & witnessed by a large crowd. Does Joe get prosecuted for assault? Yeah, duh. So why should Will Smith get special treatment? Yes, I am well aware that in the real world, the rich, powerful, famous, and well-connected live lives of privilege denied to the great unwashed. Nonetheless, the more our legal system treats all citizens equally, celebrity or not, the better for everyone. With a bit of googling, I found out that someone convicted of misdemeanor battery can get their sentence reduced to just probation (and you don't even need to be famous!). I doubt Chris Rock wants to see Will Smith do serious jail time, but if Smith gets convicted and sentenced to probation, then at least justice is served.

Small endowments I can understand, but I didn't realize hairiness was considered by many to be unattractive. I'm kind of obsessed by body hair and actually have a tough time getting turned on by a smooth guy.

For those of us who know nothing about Inside Hollywood, what are the other "perks"?

Not really funny, more like freaky. Watching the robot sludge move is almost hypnotizing. Pretty cool how it works, but I don't ever want that stuff moving around inside me.

The morning after the Oscars, people used to talk about who won, who got shafted, who looked great, who didn't, etc. Today, nobody is talking about a single film or actor because everyone is buzzing about The Slap. Must be a bit of a bummer to win an Oscar yet get totally ignored.

1) enjoy the shot, a lefty forehand winner by right-handed JJ Wolf, and 2) enjoy Wolf in a sleeveless T showing off his rippled physique

I love dogs. Any friendly, affectionate dog wll win my heart. I'm sure I'd love both dogs if I were lucky enough to meet them, but I'd ooh and ah over the Frenchy a lot more. Don't ask me to explain it. I imagine French and English bulldogs have that effect on most people, which is why so many people pay such hefty sums for them.

While I hadn't predicted this, I can't say I'm all that surprised. Ash Barty quit tennis once before (16yo, I think) saying she was burned out and just wasn't enjoying it. It seems like she still enjoys tennis but is physically done, "I just know I am absolutely spent. I know physically I have nothing more to give and that for me is success." Barty is just 25. The sport's superstars are winning Slams in their mid-30s. I won't be hugely shocked if she unretires and comes back to win a Slam or two, a la Kim Clijsters.

I think you can do both at the same time, feel pain, sadness, horror because of the atrocities of war while discussing how attractive (or not) Zelensky is. I am in the "not attractive" camp, although I admire him enormously and pray for him and his people every day. PS: While I didn't find him attractive, I have to admit he looks hella good in the video @Unicorn posted. But he isn't looking quite as buff nowadays. I doubt there are weight sets in those bunkers. Unfortunately, the only exercise he's getting lately is trying to stay one step ahead of Putin's hit squads 🥺

Actually, straight piano bars do indeed exist. I don't know if all these spots survived the pandemic, but there used to be four dueling piano bars on the Las Vegas Strip. I've never actually been to one but have walked by many times. The crowd looks pretty mixed, not particularly gay. The singing piano players who worked in them made some serious $$$. For their sake, I hope the lounges managed to survive.

Only if I'm allowed to giggle.