Entertainment
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
When Carnie Wilson returns to The Newlywed Game on October 12 to resume her hosting duties for a second season, she'll be bringing a few new gay friends along with her. George Takei of Star Trek fame and his husband, Brad Altman, will be the first gay couple to be featured on the show since it began pitting freshly married couples against one another in 1966. We caught up with Wilson to chat about the newly gay game show, find out about the upcoming Wilson Phillips 20th Anniversary reunion, and to get to the bottom of that puzzling lesbian reference on Wikipedia.
Out: I read that you were instrumental in finally getting gay couples on The Newlywed Game.
Carnie Wilson: Last year when we had our first season with me hosting, I asked, Why dont we have gay couples on the show? And the network looked at me and said, Uh, were not really sure. It just was never really even discussed. Maybe I sparked something -- I hope that I did -- but I think that it couldnt have happened soon enough. Its the real world, its the real deal and it really comes down to one thing and thats love. Thats what this is about: love is love.
Is there any difference between the way George Takei and Brad Altman play the game and how the straight couples play?
No. Everything is the same, from the way theyre interviewed to the questions that they are asked -- its all the same. The thing that I love about the show is that were not separating or segregating. Its very, very mellow and the way it should be. Because I think if we did make it like, And introducing The Newlywed Game with our first gay couple! it would just be sensational to me and more of a political thing and its not. I think it will become sensationalized in a way because some people will disagree and some will approve and hopefully most will approve, but all that is inevitable.
Its another way to start an important conversation, but in an unexpected place.
Its wonderful. Its just about time. And you know what? Its with the times. That is whats happening now: theres much more acceptance. And I think people, no pun intended, are really coming out with it because its everywhere.
Has the fight for gay marriage touched you personally?
My best girlfriend since childhood is gay and married. And my dear soul mate/brother, Daniel, has been with his partner for 20 years. Im very open and accepting of anyones preference to love someone no matter if they are the same sex or a different sex. I think its great.
I was trolling your Wikipedia page -- which I know can be a dubious way to find out information about someone -- and theres an entry stating that you had publicly acknowledged a lesbian experience as a teen.
I didnt have a lesbian experience. Things just get so twisted and weird.
Thats why I thought Id ask -- because Id never heard that before.
I think thats just -- not appropriate. Its not the case. My girlfriend gave me a kiss on the mouth and I was like Ew! Thats gross! And that was my lesbian experience. So if you want to call that a lesbian experience, then fine. I dont.
You are going on tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Wilson Phillipss debut self-titled album.
Were setting up dates right now. We did about 10 shows last year and hopefully well do at least 10 this year. Were thrilled. And were trying to get in the studio to record a new album. Were not sure what the concept is yet. It might be a greatest hits with three new songs or it could be another covers album -- maybe of 60s girl group songs?
That first album was one of the first CDs I ever bought with my allowance.
Thats so sweet. I cant believe its been so long.
Do you hear that a lot?
Its very, very emotional and very, very close to my heart. At The Newlywed Game, my sisters [Wendy, who is also in Wilson Phillips] husband is doing the sound in the audience and he does a song for the show. He blasts Hold On every day at the end of the day and the audience is on their feet going crazy! Every day I cry. I cant explain what its like to have somebody shouting your song and dancing along to it and smiling at you. It is the most touching thing ever in the world.
If you were to run into Carnie Wilson from 20 years ago, what advice would you give her?
I would just say prepare for the ride. [Laughs.] Get ready to have fun and be fulfilled and be surprised and be accepting and stay positive.
Youve lived your life very publicly over the last 20 years -- from your struggles with your weight to being in Playboy. Do you have any regrets?
No. No! I really think about things before I take a plunge. I believe in taking risks, for sure, and I write about that in my books. I talk about being honest with yourself and making decisions. Its hard to make decisions sometimes because theres a ripple, theres an effect. I just try to think, If I make a decision to do this, how is it going to affect my career? And now that I have children, the tables are definitely turned. Now its How is my family going to be affected? How are my girls affected? How does it take up my time? How am I expending my energy? A lot of it is just trying to keep a balance between being a mom and working and staying loyal and truthful to my joys, which are music and hosting this show. I truly, truly adore hosting The Newlywed Game. Every day Im saying how grateful I am and I tell the audience that too. I hope it goes on for 10 more years because its just a blast.
Have you met the shows original host, Bob Eubanks?
Ive never met Bob but I loved watching The Newlywed Game when I was young. I didnt understand everything, but I was pretty sexual from an early age -- aware of my body, you could say -- I know that sounds weird, but its true. I always loved the show and I thought it was really funny. Bob took command. He was kind of sexy in his own way. Hed smile and he wouldnt comment too much but his facial expressions alone would say it all. It sounds like bragging but I thought, I really think this job is perfect for me. I love people, I love talking about sex, I love talking to couples about their sex lives -- I feel like Im giving sexual advice backstage! Its not always about sex, its really relationships and everything involved in a relationship. And its also newlyweds. Theres definitely a different energy around newlyweds. Theyre in their pink cloud time, so its definitely fun to be talking to them at that stage.
Theres a famous 1977 episode of The Newlywed Game where Eubanks asks a wife What is the strangest place youve ever made whoopee? and she responds In the ass. Have you had any moments like that?
We sure have. Oh yeah, we sure have! And this season Id say we went about 30% more risqu. Its funnier -- some of the questions are absolutely hilarious. Some of them are really simple and arent even sexual but theyre just so funny. Like, If you had to wear a donkey costume with your wife, who would be the ass and who would be the head? Its just funny! Questions like that can really make people chuckle and thats what we want. We want people to laugh and be lighthearted and have fun. But at the same time we want them to wonder, What will he say? We baffle them, too, which is kind of funny with the reactions.
The Newlywed Game's second season premieres on GSN (Game Show Network) on October 12. Check local listings for time and channel. George Takei and Brad Altman's episode airs on Tuesday, October 13. For more information, visit GSN.com.Send a letter to the editor about this article.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
41 male celebs who did full frontal scenes
September 16 2024 2:02 PM
39 LGBTQ+ celebs you can follow on OnlyFans
November 19 2024 9:39 AM
33 actors who showed bare ass in movies & TV shows
September 17 2024 5:43 PM
26 LGBTQ+ reality dating shows & where to watch them
July 03 2024 4:21 PM
21 times male celebrities had to come out as straight
November 19 2024 3:33 PM
15 queens who quit or retired from drag after 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
July 09 2024 11:33 AM
52 steamy celebrity Calvin Klein ads we'll always be thirsty for
August 27 2024 1:08 PM
15 things only bottoms understand
October 08 2024 5:18 PM
15 gay celebrity couples who make us believe in love
October 03 2024 5:43 PM
A gay adult film star's complete guide to bottoming
September 16 2024 8:50 AM
Latest Stories
Khalid shares new update clearing the air about being outed
November 26 2024 3:38 PM
No, Ariana Grande wasn't paid more for 'Wicked' than Cynthia Erivo
November 26 2024 2:16 PM
How Jonathan Bennett became the Gay King of Christmas
November 26 2024 12:00 PM
Elton John reveals heartbreaking health update: 'I can't see anything'
November 26 2024 10:47 AM
Barlow & Bear discuss working in 'Moana 2' & making Disney history
November 26 2024 9:00 AM
Nancy Mace's bathroom ban backfires with aide's unlawful entry
November 26 2024 7:49 AM
Finding fun, family, and friends on our first luxury LGBTQ+ cruise
November 26 2024 7:30 AM
KATSEYE reveal why it was 'weird' to watch themselves in Netflix doc
November 25 2024 5:59 PM
I feel for Shawn Mendes. My coming-out was ruined by the gay labelers
November 25 2024 5:47 PM
'Queer' puts Daniel Craig on a trippy tour de force—but how gay is it?
November 25 2024 5:12 PM
Ozian realness! See how 'Wicked' fans are dressing up for the movie
November 25 2024 4:42 PM
How low will Matt Gaetz go in the pursuit of cold, hard cash?
November 25 2024 4:40 PM
Holding space for 'Defying Gravity': Out's favorite memes
November 25 2024 4:00 PM
Very mindful! 'Demure' is Dictionary.com's Word of the Year
November 25 2024 1:35 PM