One of the highlights of IFFBoston 2008 was when I got to play host/wrangler/butt o’ joke to the always sassy but incredibly endearing Jay McCarroll and the directors of the documentary about Jay’s first post-Project Runway Bryant Park show, ELEVEN MINUTES. Of the 96 films we screened during the festival, this was one of the ones I was most looking forward to.

Having been a diehard PR fan since Day 1 and a champion of the documentary, I was really looking forward to how fun a night with Jay and directors Michael Selditch and Rob Tate could be. It was my last Intro/Q&A of the festival and I knew anything was possible.

After playing Rock Band (courtesy of our fab sponsor Harmonix) with Jay (myself on drums, he on the mic), threatening to shove drum sticks up each others asses and cackling, it was time to hit the stage. It was hands down my most out of control Introduction of the fest. Not only did it turn into a spectacle, it almost cost someone an eye!

I went on stage (for a crowd of 300+) and did my fest shtick then thought I was introducing Michael, Rob and Jay to help throw out some shirts and then giveaway Rock Band to one lucky audience member but when the curtains parted, out came my fest comrade and Ducky reader Nancy (aka falsemaria). We tossed out some shirts, Nancy pegged some girl in the eye then the curtains opened again and it was Michael and Rob’s turn to toss some goodies. It opened one more time and was Jay anywhere to be found? YES! This time Jay and fellow fest organizer Christine step out to give away Rock Band! The crowd was raucous and Jay only made them fall in love with him more.

After the film, we all took the stage for the Q&A which was hilarious. Michael and Rob were entertaining and engaging while Jay was self deprecating and a comic genius. While I won’t go into all of his thoughts on Project Runway, Tim Gunn, or his new QVC line I will let you know that he’d so tap some Duckster.

I believe the random quote went something like this: “Dan’s cute, I’d totally fuck him.” On stage. With a mic in his hand. Audience. Yeah… Who wouldn’t really. I kid. Jon might have a thing or two to say about that! That Jay McCarroll is one funny gay and I couldn’t be happier that I had the privilege of handling him during the festival.

Directors Michael and Rob were incredibly nice, funny, generous and kickass so I have no complaints at all. They’re working on a new docu-series for Sundance called ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL (premiering Fall 2008). If you get to catch ELEVEN MINUTES at a fest near you, I beg of you to go. You won’t be disappointed. The blood, sweat, and yes the tears that went into making Jay’s first show is mind boggling and I’m shocked any designer can get it together enough to show at Fashion Week. It’s one beautiful disaster after another.

I haven’t watched SMALLVILLE in a couple years but I’m smart enough to know that a loss like this has to hurt the fans. As you now know, Smallville’s bad boy Lex Luther has left the haystack. Michael Rosenbaum is leaving the show after seven seasons.

My lovely CW reps sent this personal letter from Rosenbaum to the Smallville fans so I wanted to post it:

Dear Smallville Fans,

Well, it’s been seven wonderful years. Your support is what has made Smallville so successful, and I appreciate you all more than you know.

That being said, it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life and career. I hope that I gave you some enjoyment over the years, and that you found my portrayal of Lex Luthor to be satisfying. I am truly grateful, as Smallville fans are the best fans out there. I sincerely hope that you will continue to follow my career through my hair growth period and beyond.

I’m very excited about what the future holds, but certainly, Smallville will always be a part of me. I will definitely miss the greatest crew in the world, and the wonderful cast that has been like a family to me.

Thank you Al and Miles for creating the show. Thank you writers, producers, directors and editors. Thanks Tollin, Robbins and Davola for being there for the pilot. Thank you Peter Roth for employing me for ten years. Lisa Lewis, I miss you already. John Glover, thanks for helping me feel more comfortable touching other actors, while acting. Bizarre, but helpful.

Mostly, I want to thank Greg Beeman for directing the “Oh Sherry” video, by Steve Perry, back in the 80’s.

Thanks crew. Thanks fans. Thanks Smallville.

I love you all,

Michael Rosenbaum

To try and fill the void left by the bald one, Smallville is bringing in two new villians. Doomsday and a female nemesis will make things complicated for Clark when Season 8 kicks off this fall. Casting is currently underway.

BroadwayWorld.com has a great article on My BF Neil Haskell (So You Think You Can Dance-Season 3) now that he’s taken over the role of Luke in ALTAR BOYZ. Read the interview and check out some pictures.