News: Josh Weston Dead at 39

Porn superstar Josh Weston has passed away. It was announced yesterday that the 39-year-old model had died on Sunday, December 16. But today, Hot House, one of the studios he worked for, said that he had succumbed due to HIV-related complications. Weston got his start as a dancer at the Nob Hill Adult Theatre in San Francisco. There, he was seen by director Chi Chi LaRue and began his gay porn career in 2001 as an exclusive for Falcon Studios, where he appeared in films such as The Dark Side, Fleet Week and The Hunted, among others. He then went on to work for Hot House (in movies such as Trunks 3 and Communion), COLT Studio Group, Channel 1 Releasing and with co-stars such as Robert Van Damme and Tyler Saint (in The Muscle Pit). Later, he appeared in low-budget bareback scenes before dropping out of sight in 2009. Weston will be missed by his many fans.

News: Jeff Stryker Returns to Live Performing

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News: Next Door Launches Clothing Line

An online porn studio is branching out into fashion! Next Door Entertainment kicked off a new clothing line last weekend at Share Nightclub in Las Vegas. “Our new underwear collection is the beginning of what we hope to turn into a full clothing line,” Next Door president Stephan Sirard says. “We started by offering consumers and fans a product that is both comfortable and stylish, while remaining true to the Next Door brand.” The line includes boxer briefs, briefs and a jock made of 94 percent cotton and 6 percent Spandex. The undies are available in gray and blue. For more information, visit NextDoorClothing.com.

News: Ryan Idol Sentenced to Jail Time

In a sad turn of events, porn superstar Ryan Idol has gone from Broadway to behind bars. The attempted murder case (which was tried in September of last year) that has been pending for the past several months has been decided. Unfortunately, Idol, who has long been retired from the industry, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. According to his onetime agent David Forest, Idol appeared in Sacramento Superior Court last week where the judge denied his motion for a new trial and instead sentenced him. Idol was given a total of 466 days credit for the jail time he’s served in the past year. According to Forest, Idol’s attorney will file for an appeal. “I will get everyone Ryan’s prison address once he reaches the first stage of the journey,” Forest adds. “I’m sure he will appreciate some support.”

News: Donny Wright Signs With Next Door

Didn’t this happen already!? We feel like we reported this a while back, but Next Door Studios officially announced last week that Donny Wright has signed an exclusive contract with the online studio. Wright has appeared in numerous scenes for big-name studios over the past couple of years. Earlier this summer, he won a Fleshjack contest voted by fans, which means his mouth, cock and ass will be molded for future generations. More recently, the 24-year-old stud did a “special scene” with Cody Cummings for Next Door titled “Master Masseur.” (In other words, he did all the work!) Next Door president Stephan Sirard says, “We are so proud of Donny here at the studio. Donny is a gorgeous young man, a great performer and a real pleasure to work with.” For more information, visit NextDoorStudios.com.

News: Drew Warner Passes Away

PHOTO BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Sad news: Director Drew Warner has died. San Diego Gay & Lesbian News is reporting that Warner (aka Andrew Briskin) passed away on Monday following an illness. The paper did not name the illness or cause of death. Warner, who lived in Puerta Vallarta, was 44 years old. In recent years, he had started a travel company in Mexico, but he was known to most as an award-winning videographer, editor, director, producer and sometime performer in the gay porn industry. He ran his own Sports & Recreation Video studio in the late 1990s, and rented out his West Hollywood loft for the filming of numerous films. He also discovered and guided the careers of many porn superstars, including Dean Phoenix and Jeremy Hall. Drew (pictured above right with model Rhett O’Hara) also went on to work with several dance artists, and produced and promoted music events in San Diego and elsewhere. We did this interview with him in 2001, in which he talked about how he got his start in the industry. It was refreshing to talk to someone who pulled no punches and told it like it was. In 2002, Vince also wrote for a magazine Warner started called Inside Porn. Drew was never at a loss for ideas, inspirations or projects. He will be missed.

Sneak Peek: The Ultimate Top

Jet Set Men is back doing what it does best. The studio, famous for gay porn parodies such as this and this, has just wrapped production on its latest one. The Ultimate Top is a send-up of the hit reality show The Ultimate Fighter (which actually has some pretty hot non–porn star guys on it!). The film stars new exclusives Kris Jamieson and Nick Ryder. Director Chris Steele has created an “in-your-face style parody with sweat-dripping man-on-man action in the ring of competition,” says casting director Rob Romoni. The cast includes Derek Van Damme, Mike DeMarko, Jason Goodman, Logan Vaughn, Tristan Baldwin, Charlie Roberts, Gavin Waters and Brody Wilde. The Ultimate Top is set for a September release. For more, visit JetSetMen.com.

Seen: Zeb, Brent and Rocky at Mickys

Last week, we told you about Brent Corrigan and Rocky Houston appearing at Cocktails With the Stars at Micky’s in West Hollywood. As expected, Rocky announced his big return to the big business, but the surprise of the night was that the guys were joined by superstar Zeb Atlas (who just signed to shoot four more scenes for Raging Stallion and Falcon). Muscle stud Atlas and timeless twink Corrigan ended up stripping down for the crowd in the packed upstairs lounge, while Rocky gave out copies of his 2009 Jet Set Men film Hung Country for Young Men. Also seen: superagent David Forest, who organized the event through his Premiere Artists company. Where’s host Scotty B!?

Event: Brent and Rocky Have Cocktails in Weho

Micky’s popular Cocktails With the Stars night just keeps keeping on. This week, the West Hollywood event hosted by Scotty B is welcoming superstar Brent Corrigan (who is working legit these days as Sean Lockhart) and returning star Rocky Houston. The appearance, which is presented by superagent David Forest and MeetTheXXXStars.com, is Houston’s first in three years. He was originally brought to Los Angeles about five years ago by Randy Blue. He did several scenes for the online studio before going on to work for director Chris Steele and Jet Set Men in this film. Now, Rocky, who is 29 and based in Ohio, is back and committing to the big biz once again. With Forest and Premiere Artists repping him in all adult areas, who knows where he’ll wind up! You can see Brent and Rocky on Wednesday, August 8, from 7 to 10 pm, at Micky’s (8857 Santa Monica Blvd.).

News: Zeb Atlas Signs for Four More Scenes

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Seen: Cockyboys at NYC Bar Event

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New Release: Trunks 7

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Seen: Brandon and Alencar at Sea Tea in NYC

PHOTOS BY VINCENT LAMBERT

The ninth-annual Bad Boys on the Hudson cruise sailed last weekend, giving sweaty New Yorkers a break from the heatwave gripping the city. But within an hour of leaving the pier, this horny bunch of passengers was sweating bullets, thanks to a steamy live sex show! Porn veteran Will Clark hosted the event aboard the dilapidated Queen of Hearts. But the guests didn’t seem to mind, as long as they got to watch porn superstars Michael Brandon and Rafael Alencar groping each other and swapping blowjobs (and jizz!) onstage. Also shaking their moneymakers for charity (Breaking the Cycle and Housing Works benefited this year) were Collin Stone, Scott Spears, Lance Navarro and Spike. Imperial Court Empress Witti Repartee was a trouper, manning the raffle segment with a dead mike and no lighting, and DJ Jonny Mack kept those interested swaying to the beat. Until next year—if the ship doesn’t sink by then!

News: Benjamin Godfre Solos for Falcon

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Event: Will Clark’s Bad Boys on Hudson 2012

Are all you sea-faring gays ready for the ninth-annual Bad Boys on the Hudson cruise!? Well, ready or not, it sets sail this Sunday, July 8, from 6 to 10 pm on the Queen of Hearts. Porn veteran Will Clark is once again helming the event, which this year benefits Breaking the Cycle and Housing Works. The roster of featured stars is similar to previous years, so in case you missed it, here’s your chance to cruise the high seas with Michael Brandon (and his monster), Rafael Alencar (pictured below), Collin Stone, Scott Spears, Lance Navarro and Spike. DJ Jonny Mack will spin the tunes, and there’ll be a special appearance by the Imperial Court’s Empress Witti Repartee (cute name!). Tickets are available in advance ($22) or at the door ($25). For more information, visit SeaTea.com.

Web Watch: Live on Cam…Jimmy Fanz!

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News: Director Jerry Douglas Pens First Novel

Jane Fonda is all over these days talking about the “third act” of life in her book Prime Time. Well, guess what? Porn peeps get to have a third act too! Director Jerry Douglas, who has written and directed gay porn since before your balls dropped, has penned his first novel! (He has also done legit theater, and we reviewed his most recent play here.) And with The Legend of the Ditto Twins, Douglas is walking some familiar terrain. Anyone remember his 1996 movie Flesh & Blood? Well, it starred Kurt Young and was about…twins! Jerry’s first novel is about twin bros Eric and Derrick, who play “secret games” at night in bed together. According to the press release from publisher Bruno Gmünder, the books follows these newbies “on their journey from a modest dairy farm in America’s heartland to the glamorous world of Berlin’s physique models, from the wonderland of Prague’s adult film industry to the fast lane of New York’s glittering club life. And ultimately, all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.” To where!? WTF!? Well, it beats hanging at The Abbey! Although twincest remains a hot button topic with gay porn fans (some love it, some hate it), we’re sure Douglas brings his witty tone and seasoned point of view. The author will be interviewed about the book this Wednesday, June 20, on The Derek & Romaine Show (Sirius XM satellite radio channel 108). Tune in to hear a master storyteller.

News: Erik Rhodes Dead at 30

PHOTO BY VINCENT LAMBERT

It’s a sad day for gay porn as Falcon Studios has confirmed the passing of superstar Erik Rhodes. The New York–based model is believed to have died of a heart attack in his sleep early this morning. He had turned 30 in February. Rhodes worked with the San Francisco–based Falcon for eight years as an exclusive. He debuted in 2004’s Super Soaked and went on to appear in more than 30 films, including Fleet Week, Ringside and Pledgemaster: The Hazing. He also directed eight movies for the studio’s Mustang line.

In an official release, Falcon states, “Erik was an equally beautiful human being who lit up a room, and brought fun and joy to our studio and his fans that was unparalleled. He was a giving person with a special wit, and he put his all into every performance. [Erik, we] are celebrating your life and your achievements, but we will miss you and all the special moments you have given us forever.”

As news of his death spread, friends, fans and industry vets immediately started weighing in on Twitter with fond memories of the porn icon. And although he will be remembered for his award-winning body of work (and some of the fun, crazy things he did), Rhodes was often known more for his private life and the personal demons that haunted him. In his online blog, the buff bodybuilder was brutally honest about his bouts with drug abuse, depression and addiction.

On a personal note, we only met him once at a GAYVN event in San Francisco, where the above pic was taken in 2008. He was a big, strapping man who commanded much attention, seemingly to his own surprise. We hope that he’s finally found the peace that eluded him in life.

Falcon has created a special “Celebrating Erik Rhodes” memorial page on the studio’s blog where fans can leave messages for Erik and his loved ones. To leave your message, click here.

News: Dean Flynn Returns in New HH Scene

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News: Cockyboys Unmasks Bravo Delta

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News: Peters Twins to Retire

A set of famous (or is it infamous!?) identical-twin models is packing it in…together! Bel Ami has announced that the Peters Twins are ending their joint porn career. Milo and Elijah Peters made a splash in this film in 2009, and controversy seemed to follow them as they grew, er, closer and closer. During their time working for the studio, they increased membership at its Web site by 25 percent and sold more than 20,000 copies of their Taboo title. (In gay porn sales terms, those are huge numbers.)

“The Peters Twins are without doubt a porn phenomena,” a company publicist says. “They are still young guys and feel it’s time to focus 100 percent on their studies and their future outside of the adult world—a move Bel Ami has always been supportive of and one that they have helped facilitate.” The brothers’ final four scenes are set for release in the coming months, and their farewell scene will be a duo. Just the two of them. Lord only knows what they have in store for their fans! For more information, visit BelAmiOnline.com.

News: Phenix Saint to Exit Porn Industry

One screen star leaves and another returns! This week, Cockyboys announced that pornster Phenix Saint has filmed his final scenes for the online studio. Saint, who is now 30, has appeared in numerous scenes over the past five years. “I’ve had a great ride in this business,” Saint says. “It has allowed me to do and see things I might have never had the chance to do or see otherwise. I wouldn’t want my last scene to be with anyone else.” And that “anyone” is returning Cockyboy Bobby Clark, who has been absent from the big biz for the past couple of years but is now back to shoot a fond farewell with Phenix. Cockyboys owner and director Jake Jaxson comments, “I’ll miss shooting Phenix, but I’m happy he’s doing what he wants to do by moving on to a new phase in his life. Cockyboys wishes him nothing but the best.” To see a reunited Saint and Clark (they did a scene together four years ago!), visit Cockyboys.com.

New Release: The Last Day

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News: Jimmy Fanz Signs With RSS/Falcon

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News: Cockyboys Signs Max Ryder

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New Release: Roommates

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News: Five (and We’re) Alive!

What do you give for a fifth anniversary!? Is it wood!? VincentLambert.com is still here, kids. Yup, we’re still blogging away as the industry burns around us. We kid! But it’s true—we’ve been typing about gay porn for five years now (on this site, though 16 years total!). The big biz goes up and down, and this year was no different. But first, a brief history of our history: We started year one with a bang (and the controversy surrounding our interview with Johnny Hanson about his decision to bareback); survived year two (this interview with Jordan Young from 1999 got picked up by The Insider when Lara Spencer was the host!); and year three (when we dined with both Simon Dexter and Jeremy Feist); then there was year four (we had the inside scoop on the Robert Van Damme arrest, including his first post-prison photos and interview, and Vince did guest spots on the Cock2Go Show and LA Talk Radio’s The Alternative to plug the site).

Now, in the past 12 months, we were back on the radio for The Barry Kirkey Show (one of our most fun interviews ever!); hung with our favorite talk show host for Gay Pride (how you doin’, lady!?); got exclusives with superstars Zeb Atlas and Jason Adonis (thanks, superagent David Forest!); saw (Randy Blue) stars at Splash; missed the hookers at HustlaBall NYC, but caught them at the International Escort Awards; and sadly reported the loss of this beloved porn star. Vince also branched out, becoming a (paid!) blogger for the fab GayDemon.com. You can read his full-frontal posts here.

And so it goes. As usual, we want to thank the readers and porn fans for visiting, the supportive fellow bloggers (the ones we still like), and the studios and publicists who supply us with their great content. Oh, and the porn stars too, of course. They give more than anyone! It’s our tradition to picture our dream man Rusty Joiner (above) each year. He still hasn’t given in, but we still think he Should Do Porn. Some things never change!

Seen: Porn Stars at BPX: Black Party Expo

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News: Charlie Harding Signs With RSS/Falcon

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Guy Candy: Marcus Mojo

Why!? Just because! We love this pic of porn star Marcus Mojo. Oh, and he has a new site, MarcusMojo.com, via Next Door Entertainment. Check out the blog (where you can read all about Mojo’s weekend getaways and movie nights…with his girlfriend!) and watch original online content (like Caught Creepin’, a hot new scene in which Duke Ryder videotapes sleeping beauty Marcus before sucking him awake. Slurp!). Happy Monday! :)

New Release: Casting Couch 266

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Seen: Jesse Santana at Cocktails in L.A.

COCKTAILS PIC COURTESY PHOTOS BY LARRY

If you weren’t at Micky’s in West Hollywood last week, you missed studly Jesse Santana. The Raging Stallion exclusive put in an appearance at the weekly Cocktails With the Stars event, where he looked adorbs as always and was even spotted smooching some lucky guy. But if you do have a TV (and cable), you had the chance to catch Jesse in a brief cameo on the latest episode of the popular RuPaul’s Drag Race on Logo. Santana sported a sailor cap and strutted on stage for a runway show with several other hotties. While we’re hearing all sorts of rumors about Logo, which is doing about as well in viewership numbers as Oprah’s OWN, and its upcoming programming (What? No more trashy A-List reality “stars” to kick around!?), at least Ru is going strong. Jesse, too!