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Real hillbilly? Naw, just call him true ‘grits’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Back in the prehistoric early ’90s, one of the most memorable characters on MTV’s seminal reality series “The Real World” was Jon Brennan, the Kentucky good ol’ boy country singer.
About 14 years and 17 “Real Worlds” later, MTV has resurrected the “country boy” archetype courtesy of Blue Ridge, Ga.’s Cohutta Grindstaff.
The affable, big drawlin’ 23-year-old Grindstaff joined six other young men and women going to Sydney, Australia, for three-plus months of partying, drinking and soap-operatic machinations.
Grindstaff, who works construction, auditioned after his buddies teased him into it and he was soon Down Under on his first overseas trip.
“Sydney was really clean,” he said. “There ain’t a whole lot of trash and the sidewalks are all brick. It’s a pretty city.”
But he said he missed the North Georgia mountains: “I’d rather see trees and build buildings.” (While in Australia, he especially enjoyed snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and bungee jumping.)
Don’t expect to see him partaking in the big tiffs and love triangles the “Real World” producers pray for. “I got along with everybody,” Grindstaff said. “I don’t think the house changed me. I sure hope I didn’t hurt anybody.”
And he’s not worried about MTV editing him. “They may make me this rube hillbilly but I am who I am. I’m a small-town Southern boy who loves sweet tea and grits.”
“Real World: Sydney” premieres at 10 tonight on MTV.
‘Out of Sync’ in ATL
Outwrite Books owner Philip Rafshoon tips us that his Midtown bookstore has booked former ‘N Sync boy band member Lance Bass for an 8 p.m. Oct. 25 book signing in Atlanta. The out-gay singer and former cosmonaut-in-training will be on tour this fall, supporting his upcoming memoir, the inevitably titled “Out of Sync.” We’re told that in the autobiography, “Bass tells all about his life, his music and his sexuality in candid and compelling terms.”
However, his appearance here might prove the teensiest bit awkward since the singer’s ex, “Amazing Race” reality star Reichen Lehmkuhl had a, er, memorable signing at Outwrite this year that, according to celebrity bloggers (and countless anonymous e-mail tips sent to Buzz Central), resulted in the pair’s break-up.
It seems that after he signed copies of his book, “Here’s What We’ll Say” and a visit to Midtown’s WET Bar and an alleged tryst with an Atlanta-based TV reality star here in January, Bass and Lehmkuhl split.
In an open letter to fans posted on the Web, Lehmkuhl later acknowledged his lapse in judgment while in the ATL.
Of the ongoing dish, Rafshoon told us: “I’m certain that I wouldn’t know anything about all that. We’re just very pleased to have booked Lance.”
Riches v. Vick, Part 2
Bless his heart, enterprising litigant Jonathan Lee Riches just doesn’t quit. As Buzz readers will recall, Riches recently filed a handwritten lawsuit against embattled Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick alleging everything from stolen copyrighted property to “microwave testing” to a shady arms deal with Iran. In his latest dispatch, Riches, a prisoner in Salters, S.C., demands the judge in the case recuse himself.
He doesn’t actually name the judge.
Now, Riches alleges Hizzoner has certain conflicts of interest that could taint the previously filed case. That’s the one, legal scholars no doubt recall, where he claims Vick stole Riches’ dogs for dogfighting purposes, sold them on eBay and used the proceeds to buy missiles from the Iranian government. In that filing, Riches demanded $63 billion “backed by gold and silver,” and delivered by Atlanta-based UPS, for his trouble.
In the Aug. 6 motion, Riches ticks off a slew of alleged violations of his state and federal constitutional rights and says he wants the judge’s “yearly financial disclosure forms.” He lobs in a few more complaints against Vick, claiming No. 7 “hired robotic guards” at the prison Riches is in, and that Vick supposedly sold Riches’ name to a CNN producer.
That’s not all. “Michael Vick threw snowballs at plaintiff’s car,” the motion alleges.
We learn a little more about Riches in his latest missive. Namely, he says he’s doing time for “wire fraud, identity theft, hacking, ‘phishing,’ spamming and conspiracy.”
Overscene
“How Stella Got Her Groove Back” actress Angela Bassett and former L.A. Lakers and Boston Celtics player Rick Fox dining at Chops in Buckhead. We’re told the pair was “dressed down” during what appeared to be a business dinner. Our insiders report that the attractive duo was “un-fussy and gracious.”
Celebrity birthdays
Film producer Dino De Laurentiis is 88. Actress Esther Williams is 86. Actor Dustin Hoffman is 70. “Inside Edition” anchor Deborah Norville is 49. Guitarist the Edge of U2 is 46. Rapper Kool Moe Dee is 45. Singer Scott Stapp is 34. Country singer Mark Wills is 34. Singer J.C. Chasez of ‘N Sync is 31. Singer Drew Lachey of 98 Degrees is 31.
Contributing: Jennifer Brett, Sharon Gaus, 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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