David Magazine V7-i21 | Suit Up

V7-21 05.24.23

Sustainable Beachwear By 2EROS Jeff Hiller is Somebody Somewhere

Vince Shifflett Quotes Change +Photos & More

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Whatever You Do Don’t Touch Jeff Hiller’s Head

By Chris Azzopardi Photos: HBO

was so cis, hetero, male, white, which I know sounds like I fit into a lot of those categories, but I just don’t.

I would be on an improv team with all the queer people, all the women. We found each other because we needed each other because we were drowning in a sea of what we weren’t. So I absolutely agree. Chosen family is a lifeline. It’s the way that you survive. And I think that’s especially true when you’re in a red state and you have people who are maybe not nice to you at the grocery store. It helps a lot to have friends to play poker with in their basement.

How did finding your chosen family help you navigate the comedy world and the industry as a whole?

They helped me find my voice, but even just logistically, It’s hard to imagine Jeff Hiller making people mad. But if you look at my resume, there are so many roles on in 2004, that was the 46-year-old comedian and actor’s my IMDB page that you can directly trace to... It’s all job. It was his responsibility to get folks angry — those women. Just because it’s basically any woman who got people being contestants on MTV’s hidden-camera a show out of Upright Citizens Brigade put me on it reality show “Boiling Points” — and, as he remembers, because we had a bond. “if they didn’t stand up for themselves and just took it, you would give them $100.” The point is, Hiller has Your involvement in “Somebody Somewhere” doesn’t moved onto bigger and brighter and less stressful (“I stray too far from the trend. hate conflict”) things, from roles as a flight attendant So true. [Bridget] just wasn’t at UCB but other than on “30 Rock,” which he says still gets him recognized, that. to parts in “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” the Pop TV sitcom “Nightcap” and, more recently, in “American In the second season, Joel goes on a romantic journey.

Horror Story: NYC,” as a terrifying serial killer.

What was it like exploring that?

It was really great. I’ve never played anything romantic.

But it’s his role in “Somebody Somewhere,” as the I mean, don’t get me wrong, Chris. endearingly playful Joel, the kind of loyal, loving friend who’s game for just about anything, that feels You know how to light a candle. like a dream for the actor. Here, he happens to be Oh, I have loved and left. You know what I’m saying? best friends with Sam, played by cabaret performer [Laughs.] But I haven’t ever played that. And so it was and actress Bridget Everett. The HBO show, which is a little scary, but it was also obviously thrilling and fun. based on Everett’s life and just returned for a second And I love, love, love working with Tim Bagley. I know season, examines grief through the lens of family, both this word gets thrown around a lot, but he’s a bit of an chosen and blood. Ultimately, it’s Joel and Fred Rococo icon in the queer comedy world. And we kiss. And the (comedian and NYC drag king performer Murray Hill) intimacy coordinator, who was this really wonderful who help Sam feel most at home in her small Kansas person, and they were great, but they contacted me town. and asked, “The kiss is coming up, is there anything that you don’t want? You could say, if you don’t want Recently, Hiller jumped on the phone to chat about him to touch your head.” And I was like, “Oh wow.

Joel’s pursuit of love in the latest season of “Somebody That’s fine. I guess don’t touch my head. Sure.” And Somewhere,” his extremely legit concern with sitting then they went to Tim and they were like, “Jeff would on a toilet for an extended amount of time for one like you to not touch his head.” So anyway, now Tim particular scene and breaking new ground for queer thinks I’m just some sort of weirdo who was like, “My characters on TV — this time, the kind who have a “touch of the fugs.”

Well, congratulations on the success of this show. I already feel like the second season’s picking up a lot of steam. I remember watching the first season and how it really resonated with me because my own chosen family has been my lifeline. What has your experience been with queer and ally chosen family?

Well, I should say my exceptionally close nuclear family, I was always very close to because I was so bullied and didn’t really have any friends growing up. So I know this is very unusual for a gay man to say, but I was very close with my mother. [Laughs.] I’ll say that when I finally came to New York and I was in the comedy world, it

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I grew up in the suburbs of Michigan.

So that’s pretty Midwestern. I grew up in Texas, so it’s not quite the same as the Midwest, but it’s got some serious overlap. And I think that so much of your social life is lived via the church community. For me, when I was first coming out, it was actually a really progressive pastor who helped me see that it was OK to be both gay and Christian. That was in the ’90s. It was rare.

Was that why you wanted to be a pastor yourself?

Oh, completely. A hundred percent. And I don’t even know if there was anything else.

In the sense that, “I could also help people”? That was on your mind? head is my erogenous zone. Please leave it alone.”

And also, “Those people are safe.” Those people were nice. No one else was. So maybe I’ll go there. But a Outside of that experience, what was it like working couple of them showed their colors when I actually with an intimacy coordinator? came out.

They were actually very helpful in just navigating, even with the poop scene, just being like, “Can you put the At what point did you realize you wanted to be a camera down when we cut?” Which I hadn’t even comedian and actor instead? considered, but I was like, “Yeah, I guess that’s better Well, first I was a social worker. I did have a former to not have the monitors show me standing up with my pastor who I found out was saying some gross things. butt out.”

And that’s what made me think, “Never mind. I don’t want to be a pastor.” But then I was a social worker, and Speaking of the bathroom scene, how do you get I went to audition for an improv team with my friend through a scene like that? You were probably really Katie. busting a gut. I guess I shouldn’t say that. Not the right turn of phrase.

And now, with your first recurring role, does it feel like I think that was the perfect one. [Laughs.] Well, before it’s overdue? Does it feel like the right time?

I saw the episode, a couple of people were like, “Wow, Oh, that’s such a good question. I definitely wanted that scene was really a lot.” And I was like, “It wasn’t this exact job. I wanted to be on a prestigious comedy that bad.” And then when I saw it with the sound on HBO, and I feel like that’s what this is. And for effects, I was like, “Oh my god.” I was like, “Oh, this is over 20 years, I was actively trying that. And I really very vulnerable.” completely understand and comprehend that I just got lucky because I have so many friends who are just as How did it feel to strip down and be so raw in that talented, if not more talented, than me, who are cater moment? waiters and do shows in Ohio when they can. And so Honestly, during the moment I was like, “Don’t actually I’m fully aware that I got lucky, and I’m very grateful to poop. Don’t actually poop.” You got your bare butt on be lucky enough to get this role, because this role is not a real toilet. a role that you could really even predict coming up. And yeah, I’m really very happy that I have it.

Do you have a gauge on what Joel means to smalltown rural queers who don’t get this kind of representation?

I have had some folks reach out, and I feel like we’ve had a lot of great shows, which by the way, I watched and loved, about sexy gay people, like “Queer as Folk” and “Looking.”

They weren’t pooping on camera.

Exactly. [Laughs.] This is my pioneer moment. Move over Rosa Parks; I had one too. That’s terrible. That’s such a tacky joke. Anyway, my point is I think it’s just nice to see someone who isn’t perfect on TV. And I mean that in lots of different ways. I’m not physically perfect. But also, I’m not a saint and, I don’t know, not This interview has been condensed and edited for a serial killer in this one. I think people really are moved clarity. to see someone who’s got a touch of the fugs.

Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source And then there’s also the faith component, and as Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ somebody who grew up Catholic, that resonates. wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of When I was a teenager, I felt like I had to choose superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey between gay or God. And I did ultimately choose and and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New moved away from religion because I just felt like I York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via couldn’t live my life and be myself. But Joel has found Twitter @chrisazzopardi. a way to reconcile both in his life.

And I know a lot of people who did too. Where did you grow up?

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Vince Shifflett Quotes Change

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Vince Shifflett is an author, speaker, and registered nurse who has helped countless people evolve and transform their lives through his writing and public appearances. Following the 2021 publication of his first book Relationship or Relationshit, Vince is back again with another book filled with helpful quotes to inspire toward a better relationship. David caught up with the author to talk about his new title, Nurturing Notes.

You have just published your second, but before we with that. There is no right or wrong. We each get the get to that, tell us a little bit about how your first book privilege of deciding what we want our relationship to did? look like void of any judgement. Ultimately, whatever My first book far exceeded my expectations. The works for you is the path you should follow. We’ve been reviews I’ve received from the over 3500 people indoctrinated by religion and society to believe it must who purchased the book have moved and inspired be one way. You meet that one special person, have the me. So grateful to each and every one. The book 2 kids, house with a white picket fence, and live happily also allowed me the honor of being a guest on ever aXer. Sounds like a fairy tale and I believe it is just multiple podcasts across the country as well as that. Again, do what feels right for you and the person speaking engagements to audiences of all types. or persons you are involved with.

So, your new book, Nurturing Notes, is still in the self- What’s the best relationship advice you have ever help realm, but the format is very different – can you heard (and live by)? tell us a little bit about that?

Well, I’m gonna have to say it’s one of my quotes. “Be a Yes, the first book was more autobiographical in nature partner and not a parent.” Allow your partner to go, do, whereas, Nurturing Notes is more a book of quotes to and be themselves without you trying to parent them. help us all have happier healthier relationships. The Questions such as, “I tried to call you, where were book is a book + workbook all in one. It challenges you?” “Who was that on the phone?” “Why are you the reader to think and reflect on their own personal 30 minutes late coming home from work?” Those are relationships, particularly the relationship with self. all questions a parent would ask their child and none The goal of my writing is to create change and stimulate of us are children. self-healing. I think this book does exactly that. There will be something in each book that will help you evolve What is your best relationship advice? into a be0er version of yourself.

Love and Allow The more focused you are on your life and your evolvement, the less time you’ll What inspired you to write this book? have to be worried about what your partner I always write from my own personal experience. The is doing, and you can just support each other. fact that it resonates with so many is an added blessing for me. Many of my readers had requested that I Finally, where can we find you – and where can we compile my quotes into a book. That led me to think purchase your book(s)? about it more and ultimately, that is what I did. I also You can certainly find me on Facebook and Instagram talk about each quote in the book as well as what the as well as on my website at www.vinceshifflett.com My quote means to me and how I was inspired to come up books can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes and Noble with the quote. Each quote has a story. Writing is my or anywhere you buy books. Your local bookstore is way of getting it out. It is a very therapeutic process for also a great way to support smaller business so you me. I am always inspired to write as my way of dealing can always get the books there. If they don’t have the with life experiences. books in stock, they will order them for you.

Without giving too much away, what are some of the key takeaways from your book?

Every single relationship benefits the evolution of our consciousness. They all have a purpose. Sometimes they hurt. Sometimes they bring us joy. None the less, they are sent our way as part of our purposeful path. Allow your relationships to teach you something.

Relationships, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, are evolving and going beyond traditional structures. What are your thoughts about that?

I could write a book on this alone. I will try to sum it up as best I can. I say people must decide what works for them and find the person or persons that align

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YOU CAN’T STOP THE BEAT

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I am seeing this great guy, and we are really moving ahead in terms of dating more seriously. But one time, after having what I thought was mind-blowing sex, I asked him about the best sex he ever had (hoping he would say the sex we had just had), and he proceeded to give me detailed description about how him and his ex would always climax at the exact same moment. Obviously, I am upset, and I don’t even know if I want to continue dating him because how can I never reach that kind of sexual perfection? Should I just dump him?

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Hold your horses! Although it was clearly not the cleverest move by your lover to recap a past sexual encounter when you both were in post-orgasmic throes, you clearly had ulterior motives with your question as well – and now the lack of validation stings!

Sure, it’s understandable, but instead of painting all of the future black, why don’t you take the opportunity to talk about what you can do together to create your own fireworks. Most of the time, it takes a while to hit that perfect sexual groove, and that’s obviously what he had with his ex. But now he is with you, and the two of you have the chance to hit your own stride in the bedroom! So don’t pout, get over yourself, and go and seduce this guy right now!

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We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page.

Want to join in on the b*tch session?

Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.

Why is everyone always so f*ckin delighted on LinkedIn Please stop announcing that you are single. We see you. We seen it. But we don’t want you.

There are two types of people in this world. Avoid both.

Why call it blue balls when you could just call it a cummy ache?

If a guy doesn’t like your Instagram post, it’s because he hates you…

You know you’re lifelong friends, when you ask how their job is going but don’t know what the hell they’re doing.

Oh, you know that I’m going to ‘disturb anyways’ even though you put your phone on DND.

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