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Pair makes selves at home on strip circuit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Yes, we were relieved when those Barbie Bandits came along,” Duluth resident Lisa Ann Taylor conceded to Buzz Wednesday, laughing. After all, Taylor, aka the alleged “Mansion Madam” and her friend Nicole “Naughty Nikki” Probert got knocked off media radar screens earlier this year after teens Ashley Miller and Heather Johnston allegedly knocked over a Bank of America inside a Cobb County Kroger and took off to get makeovers at Carter-Barnes Hair Artisans at Phipps Plaza.
In January, Taylor, a former Penthouse Pet, and fellow adult entertainer Probert were arrested and accused of running a high-end prostitution business out of Taylor’s pricey Sugarloaf Country Club home. The women, who have yet to be indicted on the charges, were back on the radar Wednesday, booked as the star attractions at Atlanta strip club Tattletales Wednesday night.
Prior to their appearance, Taylor and Probert, who both previously worked as Realtors, talked to Buzz about their lives. As the AT&T Classic tees up outside her house this week, Taylor, who says she could have fetched $4,000 renting out the home this week to golfers, hasn’t had any takers. However, the pair has become a hit on the national strip circuit. At Tattletales, the pair had worked up two themed routines as vampires and race car enthusiasts.
“The fans have been absolutely wonderful and very supportive,” said Probert. “I’m a veteran in the commercial real estate business, but this is how we’re earning a living right now.”
Cracked Taylor: “Nobody really wants their husband driving around with me to look at homes right now!”
DOOLITTLE, TOO LATE FOR FINAL ‘IDOL’ TWO
Despite consistently solid vocal performances throughout the contest, Nashville backup singer Melinda Doolittle just missed making the finals of “American Idol” Wednesday night.
The modest Doolittle, 29, fell just short in the charisma department. Nonetheless, she should take comfort that judge Simon Cowell embraced her, telling her early on that she was no longer a backup singer. He heaped even more praise on her Tuesday night, believing she deserved a spot in the final two.
But that wasn’t to be. Instead, it will be a showdown next week between Seattle’s plaid-wearing beatboxer Blake Lewis and Glendale, Ariz., teen Jordin Sparks. While neither were as vocally talented as Doolittle, Lewis has a more contemporary feel and Sparks possesses potential to be even better. Host Ryan Seacrest gave a total vote count from Tuesday night (60 million), but didn’t indicate how close it was.
A NEW MORNING TV MAN AT WSB
WSB-TV has hired Fred Blankenship, the third male morning co-anchor in the past two years for veteran co-host Pam Martin. A Los Angeles native with stops in Kansas, San Francisco and San Diego, Blankenship will co-helm the top-rated 5 a.m. and noon telecasts starting June 25. He replaces Collins Spencer, who was let go last month after only about 18 months on the job .
FIRST LOOK AT THE ‘07 FALCONS
Season ticket holders will get their first look at the 2007 Atlanta Falcons team and cheerleaders at a swanky soiree set for Monday night at the Fox Theatre. Falcons owner Arthur Blank and new head coach Bobby Petrino will be among those on hand to debut the 2007 Falcon draft class and will also premiere the team’s 2006 highlight film. Falcons rep LaRhonda Jackson told Buzz Wednesday that they’re expecting 1,500 fans at the event (and yes, you may still attend if you become a season ticket holder this week. Details: www.atlantafalcons.com).
At presstime, there was no word on whether a special off-field Michael Vick highlight reel was also being readied …
PARIS’ MOM SPEAKS
In a beautiful bit of May sweeps synergy, Kathy Hilton publicly traded on her friendship with Barbara Walters to release a statement to young people who will hopefully learn from her 26-year-old socialite daughter, Paris, who is facing 45 days in jail for violating her probation.
“We can only hope that something positive will come from all of this. Hopefully, young people who look up to people like Paris will learn from this,” Hilton said in a statement read Wednesday on ABC’s “The View” by the show’s founder.
Kathy Hilton called her Tuesday night and offered the statement, Walters said.
“She didn’t say ‘my child didn’t do it’ or ‘this is terrible,’” said Walters. “She’s saying, ‘You have to take responsibility.’ I thought it was a very strong and very good statement.”
Co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck disagreed.
“You want to discipline your children before the criminal system does,” she said.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor-director Dennis Hopper is 71. Singer Taj Mahal is 65. Actor Bill Paxton is 52. Actor-comedian Bob Saget is 51. Singer Enya is 46. Actor Craig Ferguson (“The Late Late Show,” “The Drew Carey Show”) is 45. Musician Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails is 42. Singer Jordan Knight (New Kids on the Block) is 37.
OVERSCENE
Actress Vivica A. Fox enjoying the chicken and watercress soup with mini matzo balls and truffle oil at the Lobby at Twelve at Atlantic Station.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“My favorite thing to do is eat, and I do not think I could date someone who does not eat more than one course. I need a two-course girl.”
— “American Idol” host and Dunwoody High School grad Ryan Seacrest in US Weekly on why he may potentially never date again while residing in Los Angeles.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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