"Daddy Alan Cumming Redefines Reality TV Hosting

On a dreary Thursday afternoon in the East Village, one can spot Alan Cumming at his iconic venue—Club Cumming.

This multifaceted establishment serves as a bar, performance space, and a hub for the queer community.

[{"selector":"#anim-ef446452-6237-49eb-a124-de377977f954 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Club Cumming comes alive with vibrant drag shows, featuring emerging queer comics, and occasional performances by Cumming himself.

[{"selector":"#anim-ef73a181-e2b2-4e76-9dfa-cb88e9cfd72a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

However, on quiet weekdays, the space lies dark and serene, with empty bentwood chairs surrounding Cumming.

[{"selector":"#anim-a2e28126-aef1-4d40-b809-4bc0551ee366 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

He graciously invites me to join him, arranging his plush white coat on the adjacent bench as a cozy resting place for his longtime television co-star—Lala, his petite black silky-haired rescue dog.

[{"selector":"#anim-17d6f54e-a625-408a-a8d1-7aaedf57ca55 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Fresh off a gay cruise where he teamed up with Ari Shapiro for their show, "Och & Oy!," Alan Cumming reflects on the contrasting experiences of his recent cruise performances.

[{"selector":"#anim-9dab4387-be02-4397-af89-39ef1ed1e50c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Recalling a past cruise akin to a "zombie film" with boys in jockstraps, he humorously notes the shift to a more "murder-mystery" vibe on the latest one, expressing affection for both scenarios.

[{"selector":"#anim-9ffcae1a-b8ef-4129-b020-9ee70eab59b7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]