Johnny Cakes, we hardly knew you.

Last winter who among us didn't find themselves using the word Brokeback to describe a certain arrangement some contend Jesus would shower with his frown of love.

It was such a flexible word. You could say "that's kind of Brokeback," or "are you going Brokeback on me?" or even "I heard he's a little Brokeback." Upon doing so, you could prove a point, garner a little chuckle and seem to be on top of it culturally -- all the while avoiding the potential hurt that goes along with a phrase like "I hear he likes to chug the c*ck."

The Brokeback phenomena came on strong, but fizzled out in surprise Oscar defeat.

Suddenly there was a void. For many Americans the subject of homosexuality became taboo again.

Then come Vito Spatafore. This portly captain in Tony Sopranos crew had a secret desire. A desire that exploded when Vito connected with a handsome short order cook, whose specialty was a cornmealy take on pancakes he liked to call "Johnny Cakes."

The phrase Johnny Cakes quickly proved to be just as flexible as the word Brokeback. Discussion of homosexuality was safe again. As they had with Brokeback, the media declared "Johnny Cakes" a sensation.

But it didn't last long. Sunday night Vito was no more. It didn't end well. Let's just say James McGreevey is thanking his lucky stars fictional New Jersey mobsters and real New Jersey democrats react quite differently when it is revealed one of their colleagues has an embarrassing taste for Johnny Cakes.

Again the void.

Will it be filled?

I can not say.

I can only hope.

Any suggestions are welcomed...