"I want to preserve and celebrate the stories of LGBT artists."
Jonny McGovern Launches the 4th Season of His Popular Web-TV show, Hey Qween! By Joe Gerbino
Each week, comedian Jonny McGovern and his co-host, Lady Red Couture, welcome the top drag queens in the country to the Hey Qween! couch. Everyone from RuPaul, Laganga Estranja, Courtney Act, Candis Cayne… the list goes on and on. Fans tune in for the uproarious comedy and musical stunts: the lap dances that range from sexy to the hilariously awkward, the “Black Lady Screamin’” segment with Lady Red belting out the show’s theme song, and, of course, who doesn’t love the “Look At Huh!” game? You haven’t seen the show, you say? Well, hop on board this gay train, honey, because season four is pulling out! Host Jonny McGovern explains.
Why is season 4 the biggest, gayest season of Hey Qween! yet?
Jonny McGovern: We have a new set, amazing guests and a new addition! Adam Joseph, the music producer behind all my albums has joined the cast as our bandleader. We are calling them Adam Joseph and The Go To Bed Wigs.
How would you describe Hey Qween! to someone who hasn’t seen the show?
It’s like the classic tonight show if Johnny Carson was a big gay lumberjack and Ed McMahon was the largest drag queen in captivity. We are a place for gay stars and underground legends to come and tell their stories in a way you can’t find on any other show. We cut up, have a kiki, and a gay ol’ time. At the end of each show, our star gets to snatch a trophy and wins a lap dance from one of our in-house strippers. It’s a half hour of pure fun!
What is your goal with the show?
After a decade of making gay music videos, I was ready to reinvent myself. The Gay Pimp is a fun character but it’s only one aspect of what I do. Hey Qween! allows me to be myself. There are aspects of all the things I love in the show: comedy, music, fun and interviewing. I love helping our audience get to know the artists they admire even better and showing a lil’ bit of who they truly are. I love curating exciting new stars and cool artists for our audience to discover. I want to preserve and celebrate the stories of LGBT artists. That, alone, is rewarding. Ultimately, I want to make the show as big as it can be, whether that’s staying on the Internet and creating our own Hey Qween! web community or taking it to television.
What makes Lady Red Couture the perfect sidekick?
She was the first person I thought of when creating the concept of Hey Qween!. We are best friends in real life and we always have a blast. We bring that energy into the studio. If a guest’s energy is lacking, or they’re being difficult, I can always throw to Lady Red to lighten the mood, make a joke or throw a lil’ shade. The audience loves to see her snacking during the show.
You’ve named your ultimate dream guests as Andre Leon Talley and Jackee from 227. Why?
They both personify the outrageous, larger than life and supremely talented guests we love at Hey Qween!. Both made their own way in some very competitive industries and both are hilarious.
Visit http://heyqween.tv
