If you happened to turn on Chelsea Lately last night and heard a high-pitched buzzing, it wasn’t killer bees attacking the studio. Former Tonight Show punchline intern Ross Matthews, 31, was sitting in for host Chelsea Handler. And we gotta say he did a good job—riffing with the straight boys and totally bonding with panelist Arden Myrin (not to mention gushing over guest Joey “Whoah!” Lawrence.)
It’s all part of E!’s plan to groom the flamboyant (that’s TV speak for “utterly, undeniably gay”) comic for his own chat show. Matthews has subbed for Handler before on the cable channel, where he’s also appeared Live from the Red Carpet and E! News. Elsewhere on the dial he still stops by The Tonight Show, as well as The View, Celebrity Fit Club and Days of our Lives—and is also a spokesperson for Jenny Craig. “I’ve been earning my stripes for the past decade,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter. “And really honing my craft as far as surrounding myself with people that inspire me… I’ve been so lucky that they provided my opportunity to develop a clear voice that the audience has responded to.”
Clear voice? Honey, you could shatter crystal with that thing. We kid, we kid—best of luck, boychick!
Image via HelloRoss.com/E! Entertainment
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christopher di spirito
Ross Matthews seems like a nice guy. I’m pleased an unapologetic queen is getting a leg up in a business that isn’t usually friendly to unapologetic queens.
Tom Cruise is the exception.
Keke
I agree, He did an excellent job last night taken over for Chelsea.
he was adorable gushing over Joey too. and Joe didnt seem to mind either.
also glad to see Ross doesnt hide the fact hes a big mo with a voice that
could wake the dead. the joke about he and arden doing coke in mexico
was hilarious.
alan Balehead
he’s great and such a nice guy..good job dude!!
Stace
Notice nobody said he was hot or desirable. I know, “preferences” just like racial or weight preferences. Equality means everyone not just those who are physically porn appropriate. I applaud his strength of character in the face of everyone who assigns him a place in the pantheon of acceptable gayness. Would I sleep with him? I don’t know him. So probably not right off.
Little Kiwi
i LOOOOOVE him! YAY!
Daniel S
We’re feeling a little snarky toady Mr. Avery, lol, but for real, Ross is awesome. He is funny and he has a high flamboyancy level without making guys like Josh Wolf freak out because they are to busy laughing.
Zee
Yay…he’s funny. I like the dude.
Interesting
His voice is like Fran D’s but I like her, and I liked his performance on the show. I hope he gets his own gig.
otis
I think Ross is hysterical. He was a hoot last night. Fun Fun Fun!
Ian
@Stace: WTF? What’s your point?
Jimmy Fury
I like Ross 34057340587 times more than I like Chelsea.
jeff4justice
The gays are taking over all the talk shows. On YouTube too – example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIRgLf2LBIU
iDavid
I used to think he was like nails on chalkboard, now I find him totally adorable. I’d like to see him get his own show. He’s really inspiring and a great guy.
Prosski
Luv,luv, M Ross, he is so nice, unlike prosski twtr.
dianshias
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Pat Duffy
I love Ross and do hope he does get his own show….and that it ISN’T some “Queer Guys” or RuPaulish knockoff that Breeders in Power like to put us in…
Michael in Toronto
From the first time I saw him I though, wow, this guy is totally comfortable with himself and with that, makes other people comfortable with him as well. No small feat!
the crustybastard
@Stace:
Consider the possibility that not everyone calculates another person’s fuckability factor in every equation.
Try it sometime.
Stace
Really?! And which posts here don’t ask you to consider sex or imply it’s concern?
timncguy
@the crustybastard: @the crustybastard: you’re joking right? Or are you talking about things outside of Queerty? LOLOLOLOLOL
Ryan
I remember in some of his earlier Leno appearances he sounds a BIT lower in the voice and then after a while he actually pitched it up a bit…I wonder if he’s actually going higher on purpose ’cause it’s his whole schtick.