Update here.
Last night the 2008 GayVN Awards show was held here in San Francisco, in the trade-show-cum-Folsom-dance-event space known as the Gift Center. Surprisingly the buzz about this event has been largely negative.
For one it seems everyone was disappointed that Kathy Griffin was not hosting it again given how sucessful she was last year when it was at the iconic Castro Theatre. No explanation has been forthcoming on this but its widely known Kathy Griffin herself was miffed about this as well. Her competing live comedy show, at the Castro Theatre (touche!), sold out while the GayVNs which sold out last year did not sell out this year. Now I will say the Gift Center can probably hold a much larger crowd and I don’t know how many more tickets were on offer this year than last. I’m just saying Kathy Griffin took the night last night.
Second, the Castro Theatre is a gay icon in itself that seemed to work perfectly for the GAYVNs last year. And the location is central ‘hood. The Gift Center compared to the Castro Theatre, well, let’s just say it should have been a last resort. Probably logistically easier to set up and arrange everything. But there’s no ambience my dears. And its in the middle of nowhere. I mean, who wants to pull up in their stretch limo all muscled up in tux over ripped jeans and tank top ready for the gay-parrazzi only to step out and find – there’s nobody else here. Lord, they might as well have kept it at a hotel in the San Fernando Valley.
Last Night’s Big Winners:
Best Picture – Grunts (Ben Leon, Chris Ward)
Performer of the Year – Jake Deckard
Best Actor – Jake Deckard
Best Supporting Actor – tie of Ricky Sinz and Christian Cruz
Best Solo Scene – Ricky Sinz
More coverage from The Sword here.