Jonny McGovern (born July 12, 1976) is an American
stand-up comedian,
actor,
musician,
songwriter and
podcaster. He has written the lyrics for many of his own songs, and recorded three comedy/dance-pop albums (including some under his alter-ego, The Gay Pimp). On television, McGovern initially appeared as a cast member of
Logo's late-night comedy sketch show, The Big Gay Sketch Show (2011), and has hosted the popular
YouTube talk show Hey Qween! (2014–present) for nine seasons.[1]
Early life
Jonny McGovern was born to Mary McGovern and Rob Gutowski in
Brooklyn, New York. His parents traveled often, and McGovern grew up primarily in
Egypt and
Thailand.[2] McGovern later returned to the United States to study
acting at
Boston University, where he earned a
BFA. He is
openlygay.[3]
Career
McGovern stated that he was inspired to create his signature comedic character, The Gay Pimp, after listening to rap songs and interviews by
Eminem. McGovern has said,
It started off with Eminem. I was appalled by him ripping on fags and talking mad shit. People were protesting, but how could you protest a pop star? I figured my best way of protesting was to write a big, flashy, glamorous, funny show... called The Wrong Fag to Fuck With: The Gay Pimp vs. Eminem. It was where the Gay Pimp was a pop star/superhero who came out at the
MTV awards to battle Eminem. Of course it did end with Eminem getting it up the butt and being humiliated while all the gay teens were set free.[4]
After the songs from the show began to get heavy rotation in New York City nightclubs, McGovern was approached about making a
music video for one of his songs, "Soccer Practice".[4]
The success of the single garnered attention for McGovern, and he contributed commentary on a variety of
VH1 shows (such as Best Week Ever, Totally Gay, and 40 Dumbest Celebrity Quotes) as well as earned a slot on
Comedy Central's all-gay comedy show Out on the Edge, hosted by
Alan Cumming.[5]
McGovern hosts his own YouTube show on StreamTV titled Hey Qween!, where he interviews various iconic celebrities, including drag queens, musicians, actors, adult film stars, and prominent figures within the LGBT community. From the series' debut in 2014 through 2020, Hey Qween was co-hosted by McGovern's close friend, the late icon
Ms. Lady Red Couture,[6] until her tragic passing in the summer of 2020. Lady Red often sang vocals for the series; for example, each episode closed out with her singing and improvising the words, "Hey queen, hey queen," through the credits. Lady Red and McGovern's close bond was evident on Hey Qween. The initial first half of each episode consisted of the two catching-up, chatting, joking and laughing together. During the guest interviews, Lady Red's quick-witted interjections and comedic banter was a highlight. As a tribute to her passing, McGovern released the 3-track EP Flowers (Songs to Lady Red) in November 2020, with
Adam Joseph as producer.[7][8]
McGovern hosts Gay Pimpin' with Jonny McGovern, a weekly free LGBT themed
podcast based out of Los Angeles since August 2010. It was based in New York City from January 16, 2006, to January 11, 2010.[citation needed]
Discography
Year
Tracks
2003
Dirty Gay Hits
Gay Pimp Intro
Dirty Gay Teen Pop Superstars
Soccer Practice
Hey Lil' Raver Boi
Dirty Gay Stuff
The Wrong Fag to Fuck With
Lookin' Cute / Feelin' Cute
Lookin' Cute Pt 2
Dream Boi Cream Boi
Koko Would Like A Bump - featuring KoKo Aviance
US Release Date: August 4, 2003
2006
Jonny McGovern Presents: This is NYC, Bitch! The East Village Mixtape
This is New York City (Bitch!) - La'Mady featuring
Kevin Aviance
Somethin' For the Fellas (That Like the Fellas) - TEAM PIMP
We Like to Freak - Jonny McGovern featuring Flawless Sabrina
In the twelfth episode of the third season of Queer as Folk, Soccer Practice can be seen and heard in the background of the bar scene at about 18 minutes into the episode.
"Soccer Practice" is played in the
HBO vampire series True Blood in the third episode of season one. McGovern mentioned it on his weekly podcast and says he highly approves.
Artist and raconteur
Robert W. Richards drew the album cover for Gays Gone Wild.
The photographs used on Jonny McGovern's site and ReMix album where shot by
Dick Mitchel.
By June 2007, the song "Somethin' For The Fellas (That Like the Fellas)" had held the top spot on
Logo's The Click List: Top 10 Videos for over 15 weeks
The video for "Don't Fall in Love With a Homo (A Song for the Ladies)" was released on May 1, 2008, with 25,000 views in the first day. It eventually hit number 1 on Logo's Click List and stayed there for 6 weeks.
McGovern's gay parody video of "Like A G6" with transgender diva
Calpernia Addams called "Likin Big Dicks" had over 400,000 views, and a club remix was produced by NYC electro-group
Naked Highway.
McGovern's spoof of Duck Sauce's "Barbra Streisand" dance track entitled "Marla Gibbs" (honoring the star of 227) was mentioned several times by Andy Cohen on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live!
He also has a web series "Celebrity Donkey Punch" which comes out bi monthly.