"Is it true that 'Playgirl' offered Ace Young $100,000 to pose nude in their magazine?"

-- Jay Leno to Simon Cowell.

"Ryan [Seacrest] offered him $200,000!"

-- Simon Cowell to Jay Leno.

While we don't have any nude shots of Ace, we do have a shirtless one on display at BillyMasters.com.

While everyone was watching the American Idol finale, Billy was at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown L.A. with Joan Rivers, who was filming a comedy special for Bravo. Actually, three ladies filmed comedy specials this week at the same venue -- Paula Poundstone, Caroline Rhea, and Auntie Joan. But unlike the other ladies, La Rivers taped two concerts on the same night, and I had a hunch the later show would be somewhat racier. I wasn't disappointed -- Rivers was on fire! No target was off limits -- including the possibility of setting her grandson up with Michael Jackson for a few million bucks! Definitely worth watching when it's on Bravo next fall.

Back at the Kodak Theatre, Taylor Hicks became the latest American Idol. Ho hum. The event wasn't without drama -- at dress rehearsal, Ryan Seacrest was standing on a glass table that shattered beneath him. Since he claims to be 10 pounds lighter than moi, I have nothing to say -- except to mention that I'm also an inch taller!  You'll be either happy or disappointed to learn that Ryan was not injured during the mishap.

Just because Katharine didn't win, don't feel bad for her. Many non-AI winners have gone on to have stellar careers. Why, just last week, William Hung was crowned "Artichoke King" at the Castroville Artichoke Festival. Before you scoff, Marilyn Monroe was the first "Artichoke Queen" at the 1947 festival.

Just as we were putting this column to bed, Jared Leto came out!  Yes, in an exclusive AOL Music Interview, Jared said: "I'll give you an exclusive ... I'm gay as a goose!"  No word if he was pulling our leg, or if the goose community is going to protest the new CD of his band 30 Seconds to Mars. God help him once PETA gets wind of this!

Last week, I got the chance to hang out with Sara and Keren of Bananarama at Micky's in West Hollywood (where, days later, I hosted an evening with porn legend Ryan Idol). I don't know who was more surprised by the capacity audience of young gay men -- me or the girls. Believe it or not, a record number of autographed copies of the new Bananarama CD Drama was sold during the evening. The gals told me that gay men have been the overwhelming majority at every stop on this promotional tour. Sara asked me if there would be an audience if the duo did a concert tour of gay clubs around the US. Honey, if you sing it, they will come!

I've previously referred to singers Jason and deMarco as a gay Christian pop duo (there's a niche market if ever there was one). The sexy singers have a new CD, Till The End Of Time, due out on June 27. The single "Trying To Get To You" is currently on the Billboard Dance Chart (the remix is by Tracy Young, who also remixed Madonna's single "Hung Up"). You can get their CD and more information at www.JasonAndDeMarco.com.

The Go-Go's are celebrating the group's 25th anniversary with a mini-tour, which commenced last week with a live performance on the Today show (if anyone taped it, do let me know). While the band was in DC, Belinda Carlisle visited some of the historical buildings in our capital with her son. Little Duke Mason may only be 14, but he's already taller than his famous mom -- and we'll post a pic of them on our Web site.

New York City was filled with folks in town for the network's upfront announcements -- including Lance Bass, Shannon Elizabeth, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and Reichen Lehmkuhl Burke Arndt Whatever-last-name-he's-using-these-days (I wish he'd just use his first name -- like Cher, Madonna, and Charo). This quartet was seen in the basement of the Ritz-Carlton, where Lucky magazine set up "The Lucky Club" to provide stars with "complimentary shopping." Many, many other columnists claim to have the first photos of Reichen and Lance together, but all of these exclusive photos have the boys separated by a number of other people (including the aforementioned two girls -- neither of whom I could identify in a police lineup). However, we at BillyMasters.com have the first -- yes, the first -- photos of the two standing side-by-side. And not only photos -- video footage, too.

I'm a bit psychic. I can telepathically hear the chorus of my readers screeching, "What does this all mean, Billy? Are Reichen and Lance a couple?" Of course, that's not a possibility -- according to Reichen himself! Back in January, The Amazing Race winner revealed that he'd been dating a closeted television star who no one would ever guess was gay (and don't ask me). "We'd have a wonderful time when we were together privately, but it wasn't worth it. He promised everything would be great as long as I kept it quiet. With the money he makes, he's able to keep everything really quiet. But that's not me. Someone has got to be out in Hollywood, just trying to do his or her best. That's what I'm going to do." So, obviously, Reichen wouldn't be in a romantic relationship with someone who wasn't openly gay. Or else Reichen lied -- and I refuse to believe that.

With Idol fever peaking, I wasn't surprised by this "Ask Billy" question from Reggie in Orlando, Fla.: "I thought that Anthony Federov [an Idol contestant last year] had a great voice and was so sexy. Lots of previous contestants have acted or recorded. Any chance Anthony will? And do you have any shirtless pictures of him?"

Aside from some appearances on the talk show circuit (Tyra, Tony Danza, and Regis and Kelly), Federov has kept a relatively low profile. There was talk of a record deal, but I don't believe anything came of it. However, last year, Anthony was on a special reality stars edition of Fear Factor. During one of his tasks, he did indeed take off his shirt -- actually, he stripped down to his shorts to wade through some waist-deep mud. So, not only do we have shirtless pics of him at www.BillyMasters.com -- he's also dirty!

When Jared is gay as a goose -- and I didn't even know geese were gay -- it's definitely time to end yet another column. Last week I told you that I'll be hosting L.A. Gay Pride along with Drag Diva Momma on Sunday, June 11. But I have another reason to toot my own horn (and let's face it -- my horn likes attention): I've been named one of the "Icons of L.A.” I'm not exactly sure what this means -- I suppose like a historic landmark, no one can destroy me. I know two things -- I'm in good company with the other "Icons", and there is no cash involved. Oh, well -- the Lord giveth... Some of the other "Icons" are "Karaoke King" Kenny Morse, "Rivals" Momma and Jackie Beat, "Songstress" Irene Soderberg, "Boys Next Door" the Lane Twins, "Directrix" Chi Chi La Rue. The "Icons" project is the brainchild of Livonia Speaks, and we've all been photographed by Carlo Capomazza. There's going to be an exhibition of these photos at "Sassy" at iCandy here in WeHo on the eve of Pride, June 9, and a book will be published. I'll post more information at www.BillyMasters.com. For any gossip-related inquiries, you can write me at Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before I run out and buy a goose costume! Until next time, remember, one man's filth is another man's bible.