My love for Stephen Colbert is well-documented. My love for R.E.M., not so much ... probably because I'm not really a big fan. But try and tell me that this clip from Wednesday's Colbert Report, which features Colbert's insano-pundit alter-ego interviewing the rockers from atop an enormous stool and using their new record to cover his junk, isn't one of the best band interviews ever. And don't miss out frontman Michael Stipe's winking responses to the questions about writing songs about girls...

Michael Stipe: He's here, he's queer ... he's on TV!

In a continued effort to bring you all that is important in the world of gay entertainment and ensure that you are being spoon-fed images of gorgeous, commoditized manflesh, we present the newly-minted AfterElton Briefs. Following the usual assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

• The very gay Michael Stipe is still gay, and he and his confirmed not-gay R.E.M. bandmates performed on The Today Show this morning.

• Wait, they do April Fool's in England? Eminem reported set to play Elton John in upcoming biopic. As if.

• Speaking of April Fool's pranks, while our article about Katie Heigl splitting with BFF T.R. Knight was a gag, the story about Kylie Minogue divorcing her gay bestie may not be.

• AfterElton Hot 100-er and ABC go-to guest Eddie Cibrian will be guesting on Ugly Betty. Not that we get excited about that kind of OMGOMGOMGHOTTESTTHINGEVAARRRR ... ahem ... thing.

• The Advocate published a petition letter complaining about their positioning of the Lawrence King murder in an article called "Mixed Messages", which asked if we gays led Lawrence to doom by encouraging him to be out and proud.

And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

In a continued effort to bring you all that is important in the world of gay entertainment and ensure that you are being spoon-fed images of gorgeous, commoditized manflesh, we present the newly-minted AfterElton Briefs. Following the usual assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

• There's been some buzz over the past few days about R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe "coming out" in SPIN magazine. Interesting, considering that he actually came out to TIME magazine back in 2001 ... guess that's too "fringey" a publication to count? How many times does the poor guy have to come out?

• The new album from The B-52s (the first in 16 years) doesn't street until next week, but the whole shebang is streaming for free over here (t/y Popcandy for the tip!). I got a copy last week and I gotta say, there are some catchy tracks on this one.

• The football soccer clubs over in the UK are making good on their promise to clean up hate-speech at matches: Just this week nine Blackpool fans were banned from games due to racist and homophobic rants. Said the club's secretary: "There is no place in society for racist or homophobic behaviour and we will not tolerate such behaviour." Amen!

• In case you missed it, we have a piece on the main page about last night's 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, which features more pics of gay celebs and award-winners like the ones you see here. And yes, AfterElton.com totally won the award for Digital Journalism, for the Gay Newsmen - A Clearer Picture article by author James Hillis. Woo-hoo, James!

• Any Flight of the Conchords fans out there? The wiry, self-effacing Kiwis posed nearly-nude for Maxim. (Warning: Contains gratuitous fake mustaches and bearskin rugs.)

And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

Tim Campbell gets his SHOUT! on

In a continued effort to bring you all that is important in the world of gay entertainment and ensure that you are being spoon-fed images of gorgeous, commoditized manflesh, we present the newly-minted AfterElton Briefs. Following the usual assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

• Above, recently-out Aussie actor/singer/cutiepatootie Tim Campbell stars in SHOUT! The Legend of the Wild One, currently playing in Melbourne. I have no idea what this play is about, but it sounds loud.

• There's a full trailer up for Bruce LaBruce's gay zombie romance Otto; or Up With Dead People. (Warning, NSFW for various reasons entirely unsurprising to anyone familiar with his work.)

• At a recent AIDS benefit, a walk-on part in Little Britain USA auctioned for £9000, nearly triple the take of a shopping trip with noted Charlotte Rae enthusiast Joan Collins.

• Out R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe doesn't speak often about his personal life or his coming out, but in this interview (an excerpt video is above) he clears up why he was reticent in the past.

• Um ... KittyWigs! Okay, it's a slow news day.

And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

Broadway crossover (and Mrs. Taye Diggs) Idina Menzel

Every Friday our friend Colin over at NewNowNext tips us off to what's hot in popular music. Enjoy!

Video of the Week: R.E.M. - "Supernatural, Super Serious"

The lead single for the band’s upcoming Accelerate album just hit the Web, and it features a sullen Michael Stipe moving from a dark recording studio, to the Lower East Side streets and, finally, to a happy reunion. Check out the video after the break!

Idina Menzel Interview with NewNowNext

Rent and Wicked star Idina Menzel has a new album and a hot husband – yup, Taye Diggs – so find out about their first date and who the gays love more!

Kanye West “Flashing Lights” Video

Is this how Kanye really meets his end? Or is it just Part 1? Watch the shocking new Graduation video here.

Watch New Panic at The Disco Video - “Nine in The Afternoon”

Panic is back at it with a new Pretty.Odd album, and the video for “Nine in The Afternoon” lives up to the name.

Ferras

Ferras Interview with NewNowNext

American Idol fans, you may already know this season’s new loser anthem, “Hollywood Is Not America,” by newcomer Ferras. Find out how he went from southern Illinois to impersonating Elton John and all the way to Idol.

New Cascada “What Hurts The Most” Video

The German dance group behind the irresistible “Everytime We Touch” has a new album headed for The States - and we’ve got the video for the lead single.

Out singer Darren Hayes

Every Friday our friend Colin over at NewNowNext tips us off to what's hot in popular music. Enjoy!

Video of the Week: Darren Hayes – “Casey”

Gay Australian singer Darren Hayes does futuristic-meets-‘80s-video-game for his third single from solo album The Delicate Thing We’ve Made. That Casey-mobile takes him all sorts of places! Check out the video after the break!

Raveonettes video – “Candy"

Lust, Lust, Lust may be the name of the game for The Raveonettes, but the Danish duo’s latest work is more bare and affecting. Watch their new music video for single “Candy.”

Robyn NewNowNext interview

Pocket Swedish songster Robyn will take you down! Konichiwa B*tches! Before her first U.S. live performance ever, Robyn spoke exclusively with NewNowNext about her new video and her duet with Snoop Dogg.

New R.E.M. single - "Supernatural Super Serious"

From their upcoming album, Accelerate – the guys will be on CD Number 14 with this one – R.E.M. has a new single, “Supernatural Super Serious,” ready for listening.

Out R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe

Missy Elliot video – “Ching-a-Ling”

It’s the first ever 3-D music video, but if you’ve misplaced your specs, Missy Elliott’s “Ching-a-Ling” video is still major entertainment.

New Nada Surf – Lucky

New York band Nada Surf has a Lucky new album – and could be poised for a much-deserved popular breakthrough.

The Birthday Boy, Eddie Izzard

In a continued effort to bring you all that is important in the world of gay entertainment and ensure that you are being spoon-fed images of gorgeous, commoditized manflesh, we present the newly-minted AfterElton Briefs. Following the usual assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

• Hey, Mitt: Don't let the screen door hit you in the ass on the way out. Not that it, or anyone else, would want to.

• He's not gay but we love him anyway: Happy Birthday, Eddie Izzard! Here's to hoping he got a nice new party dress.

• Hey Texas: R.E.M. (with out frontman Michael Stipe, of course) was just announced in the SXSW lineup, along with about two zillion other bands. Check 'em out.

• Despite being apparently designed by Monk, NYC's new coin-op toilets still aren't clean enough for me to set foot in. And what's with the 550lb weight restriction? Two's company but three's a crowd?

• The Hitchcock-inspired pics from Vanity Fair's 2008 Hollywood Issue are just genius. Check out Milk's Emile Hirsch (taking the role played by bisexual actor Farley Granger) and James McAvoy in Strangers on a Train above, and check out this behind-the-shoot video for more.

And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

Every Friday our friend Colin over at NewNowNext tips us off to what's hot in popular music. Enjoy this family-sized dispatch to get you through the next week!

Video of the Week: Xiu Xiu – “I Do What I Want, When I Want”

The queer-led band from San Francisco has been called “experimental” and “challenging,” so if you’re in the mood for something different (Fruit? Vacuum cleaners? Jackass?), check out their new video. Watch it after the break.

Sugababes Video – “Denial”

Now, if you’ve got a sweet tooth (ha!) for the poppiest-of-the-pop, then Sugababes are for you. The British gals indulge their inner models like there’s no tomorrow.

Janet Jackson Video – “Feedback”

We hope you’ve heard Janet’s new song at this point – we can’t stop listening to it! – 'cause she brings the Discipline in this bizarre, cosmic video. Maybe you can tell what’s going on…

New R.E.M. Album Buzz

The R.E.M. trio, including gay front man Michael Stipe, announced their new album, Accelerate; and we’ve got all the info.

Record labels Drop Idol Winners

M.I.A.’s Katharine McPhee may be the latest victim, but at least she didn’t win, right? Major labels have officially dumped two American Idol winners.

New Goldfrapp single – “A&E”

You may think “Ooh La La” when you hear Goldfrapp, but it’s time to think again. Alison has taken a turn for the slow and dreamy with the ballad, “A&E.”

• Michael Stipe presented at last week's MTV Europe Awards. Awards are so much more elegant over there, no?

• If you're near a computer tonight and curious as to what's going down at the Out 100 Awards, be sure to check in here on the blog, as I'll be Twittering live from the event! (That's sort of like liveblogging, only more bird-like ... and with pants.)

• Best Week Ever gets to the heart of why Chuck & Larry is so disappointing: it feels like it's being narrated by the 13-year-old kids sitting behind you ... and on DVD, that's really creepy.

• Big ups to Joe.My.God. for winning the 2007 Best LGBT Blog Weblog Award!

• Did Ellen cross a picket line at the writers' strike?

• Be sure to study up on all the latest in Michael's Best.Gay.Week.Ever. column, and have a great weekend!