betcha didn't know kathie lee gifford was once a disco queen. come to think of it, it's not entirely surprising. the talk-show goddess has always been more than meets the eye. during her gospel music days, she released the album finders keepers under the name kathie lee johnson. at the time she was married to her first husband, paul johnson, a well-known gospel music producer and songwriter who produced this album and wrote all the songs, including the disco-tinged title track. this was in 1978 -- before frank gifford, before regis, before cody and cassidy and, judging from the album cover, before art direction.

kathie lee has always elicited a strong reaction from people. (just ask howard stern.) this was especially true during her 15-year stint co-hosting "live with regis and kathie lee" with regis philbin. she was a lightning rod for criticism, provided endless tabloid fodder, and was on the end of numerous blatant, malicious attacks upon her character, for no other reason than those people didn't like her. i've never made it a secret that i absolutely love kathie lee gifford. when i was in high school i would record "live" and watch it first thing when i got home. it was one of the few opportunities i had to laugh. (if you've read about my high school experience, you know exactly what i'm talking about.) without that daily dose of laughter she provided those four years of high school, there's no telling where i'd be. because she was being bullied by the media in real-time as i was being bullied by my classmates, i think i unconsciously felt a kinship to her. i championed her career even after "live." (yes, i was one of the 4 people who bought her 2000 pop album heart of a woman.) in the the last few years she's found renewed success, once again, in daytime television, as the wacky, feisty, wine-guzzling co-host of the fourth hour of "today" opposite hoda kotb.

there is a certain camp appeal to kathie lee gifford. some may find the term "camp" derogatory, but i think it's a badge of honor. you can't create camp on purpose. it has to happen. when it does, and it works, it's magic. whether it's a movie, song, youtube video or television show, once something becomes camp it takes on a life of its own, almost an immortality. "finders keepers," which finds kathie lee cooing with breathless anticipation over disco strings and impassioned backup singers, may not be an immortal camp item but it sure comes close. there's a naive sexuality to it that's almost uncomfortable to listen to. this was a gospel album after all. a song that followed "finders keepers" was called "isn't that just like jesus." but i think jesus would have dug "finders keepers" as much as i do. gay men love camp.