“I have just as much experience as he has – I just wasn’t in ‘ Wicked.’ Kris Allen responds to a reporter on the eve of his “American Idol” coronation. I’m told it wasn’t as catty sounding when he said it.

This past week, the networks announced the fall schedule, sending good and bad news to so many of our favorites. On the positive side, Sherri Shepherd gets her own sitcom, “Sherri,” on Lifetime – the de facto gay network, if you ask me (and I know you would if you could).

FOX cancelled “The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” This isn’t one of my shows, but I took an interest when I heard that Thomas Dekker who plays “John Connor” (the part taken on by Christian Bale in the upcoming big screen flick) made a Web video pleading for the show to be renewed. In the funny clip, a shirtless Dekker says (in part), “I have extra need to be picked up – Daddy’s got bills to pay.” I’m sure some daddy out there would be happy to pick him up. The phrase “as a goose” comes to mind!

In a strange twist even by daytime television standards, Thom Bierdz will soon return to “The Young and the Restless.” Will he return as “Phillip Chancellor III.” That’s the question. His character apparently died in a drunk driving car accident. Since then, he’s returned as a ghostly apparition. Lately, there’s been some question about who he was and who was buried. With Bierdz joining the cast as a regular in August, it looks like we’ll find out some of those answers.

Far more predictable casting is John Barrowman joining the West End cast of La Cage aux Folles. After Graham Norton’s stint as “Albin/Zaza,” people felt the show would promptly shutter. Then it won a number of Olivier Awards (the U.K. version of the Tonys). Suddenly there was renewed interest. I’m told that Norton passed on the chance to return to the production, and in walked Johnny. Incidentally, his lover will be played by Phillip Quast, who played Barrowman’s lascivious uncle in the West End production of the musical The Fix.

Closer to home, our own Alan Cumming is in talks to return to Broadway in the highly-anticipated musical version of Spiderman. The show, which has music by Bono and is being helmed by theatrical whiz Julie Taymor, is said to be the most expensive show in Broadway history – and Taymor wants Cumming as her “Green Goblin.” YAY!

On the cusp of Gay Pride Month, the New York theatre community came out in full force to support Gov. David Paterson’s proposal to legalize same-sex marriage in N.Y. Love, Peace, and Marriage was organized by Broadway Impact co-founder Gavin Creel (who is currently in the Broadway cast of Hair and nominated for a Tony). Speakers and performers included Gov. Paterson, Creel, David Hyde Pierce, Audra McDonald, a very pregnant Ana Ortiz, and Cheyenne Jackson. Another speaker was “Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon, who took this opportunity to say she’s engaged to marry her girlfriend Christine Marinoni.

In what would normally be happy news, Boy George has been released from prison. It’s not all good news – his freedom will likely cost him a significant drop in sexual activity. Be that as it may, he was quite fortunate to only have to serve four months of his 15-month sentence for false imprisonment and assault of a male prostitute. The reason for his premature ejection was “good behavior.” He will, however, have to maintain an early curfew and wear an ankle bracelet – which I’m sure he’ll accessorize smashingly.

Richard Hatch is one step closer to freedom. Last week, the “Survivor” winner was moved from the federal prison he’s been calling home for the past three years to a halfway house. He’s expected to be released on Oct. 7.

Speaking of halfway houses, hetero porn star Mary Carey is putting her time on “Celebrity Rehab” and “Sober House” to good use – as the premise for a porn flick. After a three-year hiatus from porn, Celebrity Pornhab with Dr. Screw hits the shelves with Mary Carey taking on the role of the rehab nurse, rather than a patient. She has a girl/girl scene with Lexxi Tyler, who plays patient “Tanya Clitaen.” I’m fairly certain Carey could have gotten the real thing if she asked nicely.

Carey ain’t the only one showing some skin. Shirley Jones is hoping to become a Playboy centerfold. I know – freaky, right? But Jones’ wacky hubby, “comic” (and I use that term loosely) Marty Ingels is trying to make this plan a reality. “She’s still drop-dead gorgeous, and at the age of 75, a natural beauty.” Of course, Shirley hasn’t publicly signed off on this idea and Playboy hasn’t shown any interest. But Marty’s giving interviews.

Hunk of yesteryear, Steve Antin, has announced that he’ll direct a big screen musical for Screen Gems called Burlesque. And sexy Steve has his eyes on some big names for the flick. He’s asked Cher to play the owner of a burlesque club where Christina Aguilera works as a singer. Antin knows a bit about the subject matter – his sister is “Pussycat Dolls” founder Robin Antin.

While Gilles Marini didn’t win the coveted mirrorball trophy on “Dancing with the Stars,” he did nab a role on “Brothers & Sisters” next season. He’ll recur as Rachel Griffiths’ love interest. I wouldn’t wish that job on anyone – on screen or in person – but that’s just me.

This week’s “Ask Billy” question is about someone with a new job. Steve in Dallas asks: “What do you know about the guy who was just cast as ‘Thor’? I saw a report on one of those entertainment shows, and was excited because I’m a comic collector. I love that Marvel is making a movie about him, but I didn’t recognize the name.”

You may not know the name Chris Hemsworth, but you might know the face – he’s in the new Star Trek flick as the father to “James T. Kirk.” While he only gets 12 minutes of screen time as “George Kirk,” the 25-year-old made enough of an impression on the folks at Marvel to be handed the lead role (incidentally, the flick is being directed by actor/director Kenneth Branagh). Chris has also signed a deal to star in a remake of the 1984 flick Red Dawn, taking on the role originated by Patrick Swayze. What do we know about this Hemsworth guy? Judging from his shirtless pics, he’s like a hotter version of Chris Pine, which ain’t all that bad. Oh, and he’s a popular Australian actor – which means he’s big down under. Bada-bing!

By the by, he honed his craft on the Aussie soap “Home and Away” which brought us such luminaries as Heath Ledger, Simon Baker, Daniel Goddard, Ryan Kwanten, Julian McMahon and Guy Pearce. They seem to have a knack for casting awfully hot guys!

When a Partridge and a porn star have something in common (other than Danny Bonaduce), it’s definitely time to end yet another column. It’s here – Gay Pride Month is upon us. And, you know what I’m proud of? That this column will soon celebrate 15 years in print. In fact, I’ve been serving you since 1998 – or, to put it simpler terms, before anyone else. And you know what that means? I’m old! But not so old that I can’t answer each and every letter. So drop a note to billy@billymasters.com, and I promise to get back to you before Boy George and Richard Hatch hook up! Until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.