Leslie Gray Streeter

Pop Stuff: VH-1 update; the power of Melissa Manchester

I'm not sure how I missed the premiere last week of "Bret Michaels: Rock of Love," the Poison lead singer's version of "Flavor of Love" (alternate title: "Rap Fans Aren't The Only Skanks Willing To Cut Somebody"). I'm gonna catch up, but I can pretty much guess what I missed - Bret rhapsodizing about wanting a special lady to sing "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" to, the ladies (ahem) are introduced and immediately prove themselves to be combative, tacky and (snort) all in this for love. Somebody probably gets smacked. There is much drinking and bleeping involved.

Also: Twisted Misters, the lads who beat my World Series of Pop Culture team, have made the finals. Whoopee.

Call Miss Cleo and tell her the news: I do believe I'm psychic.

Fly high and proud: I have previously admitted my addiction to the karaoke (Clubland Michael and I can be seen most Wednesdays at the John Bull pretending to be rock stars), but last night's go-round was special in a way that had nothing to do with my kick-butt version of Concrete Blonde's "Joey" (although it was spectacular.)

I met a singer named Diane, who began her song, Melissa Manchester's "Don't Cry Out Loud," from her wheelchair. She explained that she had recently lost more than 200 pounds - i assume she had some sort of surgery), and had not been able to stand for more than five years. She sat through her song, but was able to get up and out of her chair for short periods. I can't be the only person who was tearing up a little, because that's a brave thing, to not only go out and say "Here is where I've been" but to belt the mother of all 1970s weepy power ballads. She's my new hero.

For those too young to know much Melissa Manchester, the chorus goes:

Don't cry out loud
just keep it inside
learn how to hide your feelings

Fly high and proud
and if you should fall
remember you almost had it all

I applaud Diane for not hiding her feelings, and getting out there and shouting that stuff! And as for flying high...she's already doing that.