Sex, nudity, dirt, sleaze: A superb Canadian export

The story about the NHL player who's not gay or bisexual but posts cellphone pictures of his shaved private area and poses with his tongue in another dude's mouth led us to a part of Canada we'd never did much thinking about: a very raunchy and colorful celebrity and gossip scene hidden behind perceptions of hosers, beer, heavy coats and a large Asian immigrant population.

Our staff's search for the photos of Jiri Tlusty's (as in "Too lusty"), err, staff, led us to many blogsites posting apologies for having removed the photos and a lawyer's letter scaring them into doing so, before we found Is This Happening, "Your #1 Source for Canadian Celebrity Gossip"-- "I know what you're thinkin'"-- the site that first posted the pix of the Toronto Maple Leaf winger's wang and then got the interview with the English-impaired Czech that others copied into a factoid in which he denied being gay.

Here's the text:

Zack Taylor: Why are were there pictures sent to us of you and another man licking each other's tongues?

Jiri: Because was really good night after his birthday and we had really good time all our group from home town

Zack Taylor: Are you gay or bisexual?

Jiri: I am not gay or bi nothing

Zack Taylor: What are your views on homosexual hockey players - whether it be in the NHL or just in general?

Jiri: I don't know nothing about the homosexual

As we scrolled down Is This Happening?, the site revealed itself to be Canada's equivalent of the most evil Fleet Street rag imaginable! It's what the corporate porn-pushing gossip site TMZ.com would be if it wasn't corporate and had some smarts and wit, and what Defamer promised to be before it was mysteriously, suddenly sapped of its mojo and devolved into a reflection of two gay guys sitting on their couch all day watching and recording The View and Oprah. And what makes the site all the more fascinating is that it's dedicated entirely to celebs from Canada-- or celebs who had the misfortune of showing up in the Great White North.

Above, Avril Lavigne, allegedly caught flashing at a party two years ago, identified by her "skin tone and belly ring"...

Chubby Sinatra singer Michael Buble (left), snapped by a "sluty (sic) blonde" with whom he's allegedly been loveratting... Howie Mandel's bar mitzvah photo... Jessica Alba chumming with her body double... Canadians you didn't realize like Sandra Oh... Anne Murray.

And even our pal Gene Simmons (right--who seems to be getting frantic lately) humping chicks at a Toronto nightspot.

The site's said to be run by one Zach Taylor, a radio host and comedian. In any case, it's a lively encapsulation of an overlooked scene-- and the jaded Hollywood scenesters should take note. Meanwhile, we add Is This Happening to our list of links.