THE PIPELINE: NOVEMBER 2003
www.ElegantAngel.com
It’s that time again everyone. Time for me to bring you all of the comings and going from Porn Valley. As usual, there are a few major stories to go along with the usual signings, mainstream spottings and childish bickering. (Don’t you just love the internet?) Before we get to that, let’s take a moment to congratulate the Florida Marlins who walked away with the 2003 World Series. As I write this, much of Southern California is in flames. The wildfires that are still raging out of control have claimed more than a dozen lives and nearly three thousand homes. The burn areas are already bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island, but so far the porn companies are safe.
Just a few months after Red Light District pulled off the biggest porn coup in recent history, things have taken a step backwards. 3-time Performer of the Year and director Lexington Steele has parted ways with the company. When Lex made the leap from Anabolic to RLD, it was a huge signing and it opened the door for Erik Everhard and Mike John to follow. With this trio of additions, RLD had assembled a dream team of talent in front of and behind the camera. After a few months and a handful of releases, Lex’s defection has left people wondering where he will end up and who will fill the huge void at RLD. Red Light owner Dion Giarusso gave his side of the story on www.adultdvdtalk.com “Believe me, I wish things could have been better between Lex and Red Light District. I had big plans for this, but we just see things differently.” Dion said. Citing irreconcilable differences, he continued. “I wanted him to be more in front of the camera with young, new, fresh girls and with Mike John shooting camera. Lex likes older girls that have been around longer and he wants to do more of his own camera work. This business isn’t rocket science. A big black dick and a little white, new chick is a beautiful thing. Keep it simple. If he had listened to me, he would have gotten rich at Red Light.” His final comment on the split left little down as to how Dion feels. “I wasn’t happy with the work Lex did at Red Light District and he didn’t feel comfortable here. I’m happy he is gone and I’m sure the feeling is mutual.” Lex’s reasons for leaving are still private as we were unable to set up a time for an interview before he left for Europe. When he gets back, I’m sure he will have plenty to say about this move and where he might end up.
With the Rog Reviews Fan Faves polls set to kick off in mid-November, the first name has already been crossed off the list. Last years winner for Best Female, Bisexual Britni will not defend her title. In an unprecedented move, Britni contacted me and asked that her name be removed from consideration this year. To be considered, a performer must usually be active. Britni retired earlier this year, but as the reigning champion, her name would have been included in the field of 64. In an email sent to me last month, Britni graciously bowed out, saying “Though the reining champion, I do not wish to try to defend that crown. I can win more easily this year then I did last year and there is really no point since I am not even making movies any more. Let’s let another girl win this year, shall we? I made my point last year and need not do it twice to prove anything further.” That opens it up to someone new this year and assures that there will be no repeat winner.
Last month Elegant Angel announced plans to drop features from their future lineup. That left award-winning director Thomas Zupko in limbo. Fresh on the heels of his “Best International Director” at the Barcelona Erotic Film Festival, Zupko has announced that he is staying put. He will be shooting two gonzo lines for Elegant and will co-direct a western with Patrick Collins next year. “It’s an 80-page script I’ve been working on for almost six years,” Zupko says, “It will be directed by Patrick and myself. William H. and Glenn Barren will be the directors of photography for all the sex scenes and Michael Cates will helm the overall cinematography. Patrick is giving me the biggest budget I have ever had in my entire career. I’m really looking forward to this project.” Though he is known primarily for his ground-breaking (and sometimes disgusting) features, Zupko started out as a gonzo director and is ready for the challenge. Of his new line, Zupko said “Big Wet Ass” is a tribute to the female posterior and the scenes we’ve shot so far include some of the most hardcore anal footage I have ever seen. Gorgeous girls with big round shitters, drenched in vegetable oil, every position literally paying homage to the female ass–it was great shit. William H. is really one of the most underrated cameramen in the business. In many ways, it was a relief from the complexities of my features, which I will still be shooting for Elegant every four months.” B.W.A. stars Katja Kassin, Ana Nova, Rhiannon Bray, Holly Day, Gia Paloma, Rosanna de la Vega and Mick Blue and will be released in early January.
Former Elegant Angel director Mason has been gone for a while, but she is back with a vengeance. It’s been eight months since Mason split from Elegant, but her Platinum X Pictures debut “Mason’s Sexual Disorder” has all of the intensity that earned her a reputation for shooting hard sex. Described as “a visceral fusion between the raw, nasty, aggressive Gonzo style that has become her trademark, combined with a fresh, mature visual flair, compelling narrative, and polished, technical execution, that has never been seen before in her work. With its October 15th release date, Sexual Disorder is destined to raise the bar once again in the medium of Gonzo porn, with this uniquely beautiful, deviant, psycho dramatic fuck flick” this movie is sure to raise a few eyebrows as well as countless trouser trees.
Just when you thought that reality TV couldn’t get any more bizarre, along comes Ron Jeremy. With a documentary about his life on video store shelves, Jeremy will be squeezing his larger than life personality onto the boob tube. Season two of “The Surreal Life” will feature Jeremy joining a cast of former celebrities and other oddballs living in a house together. Ron will share living space with 70’s TV star Eric Estrada and Vanilla Ice. To matters even more fun, the Hedgehog will be breaking bread with former televangelist Tammy Faye Baker.
Ron Jeremy isn’t the only porn star to be making mainstream news. Ginger Lynn has landed a recurring role on the new Fox series “Skin.” The show follows the Romeo and Juliet style love story between the son of a DA and the daughter of a porn king played by Ron Silver. Lynn will play an aging porn queen with a drug problem. I checked out the first episode and picked up cameo appearances by Aurora Snow and Asia Carrera. I’m pretty sure I saw Jessica Drake as well. I’m sure that the producers will take full advantage of the lovely women of Porn Valley for future episodes. Ginger’s recurring role will begin with the November 3rd episode.
Porn fans who are looking for their favorite girls in mainstream projects may also want to hit the video rental store. Legendary performer Ashlyn Gere can be seen in the 2003 release “Willard.” While we don’t get to see Ashlyn sweating with a Hedgehog or taming penile pythons, she does encounter some pretty mean rats in this cheesy remake of the even cheesier original horror flick.
So ends another month’s news and notes. Things never seem to slow down in the world of XXX, so tune in next time for even more fun and games. By next month, we will have the AVN nominees for the year to go over. Expect more on Lex’s movie (Will he be with West Coast by next month? Will he be with Evil Angel? Or perhaps a return to Anabolic?) It’s that time of year, so watch for some roster moves as well. Just as we watch major league baseball teams start snatching up choice free agents, we will no doubt see a number of hot young babes come and go. (Will Taylor Rain actually stay retired? Or is she coming back with a “bang?”) Also on tap for next month is an update on the Fan Faves poll results and the announcement of the Rog Reviews Critic’s Choice nominees.
