8/31/2006
Village People Add Episcopal Bishop to Band Lineup
Left: No man does it all by himself
(New York) Disco group The Village People, seeking to update their look, announced Wednesday that they will be adding an Episcopalian bishop to their cast of gay-themed characters.
"Given the willingness of the Episcopal Church to embrace gay bishops, we thought it was time to recognize the contributions of clerics, as well as embrace them ourselves," chuckled group member Felipe Rose, who plays the Native American character in the group. "Of course, Robbie [the bishop character] is not a real bishop, but he did go to vacation Bible school as a kid."
Rose said that the group considered bringing in a female to play the gay bishop role.
"We had a problem with songs like 'Macho Man,' though," he admitted. "Whenever we would audition a lesbian bishop, the song came across kind of, well, threatening and butch. It just didn't work, you know?"
The addition of the bishop seems to be adding a new dimension to concerts, added Rose.
"We have him walk out and sprinkle the crowd with holy water during 'In the Navy,'" he said. "The only time it was a problem was when a fan grabbed the vessel and drank it. Robbie got really pissed and smacked him with his scepter. It was a bad scene, but what are you going to do? Some people just can't have a good time without spoiling the party for everyone else."
(New York) Disco group The Village People, seeking to update their look, announced Wednesday that they will be adding an Episcopalian bishop to their cast of gay-themed characters.
"Given the willingness of the Episcopal Church to embrace gay bishops, we thought it was time to recognize the contributions of clerics, as well as embrace them ourselves," chuckled group member Felipe Rose, who plays the Native American character in the group. "Of course, Robbie [the bishop character] is not a real bishop, but he did go to vacation Bible school as a kid."
Rose said that the group considered bringing in a female to play the gay bishop role.
"We had a problem with songs like 'Macho Man,' though," he admitted. "Whenever we would audition a lesbian bishop, the song came across kind of, well, threatening and butch. It just didn't work, you know?"
The addition of the bishop seems to be adding a new dimension to concerts, added Rose.
"We have him walk out and sprinkle the crowd with holy water during 'In the Navy,'" he said. "The only time it was a problem was when a fan grabbed the vessel and drank it. Robbie got really pissed and smacked him with his scepter. It was a bad scene, but what are you going to do? Some people just can't have a good time without spoiling the party for everyone else."