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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 31 > Entry
Roberts goes from CNN to ‘The Insider’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For Atlantans wondering why they haven’t seen former CNN Headline News anchor Thomas Roberts at the local Starbucks or the Publix lately, we have an update.
Roberts has relocated to Los Angeles where he’s been hired by “The Insider,” the news magazine corporate sister of “Entertainment Tonight.”
CBS Television Distribution made the announcement Friday.
“Thomas is a seasoned reporter whose sincere disposition on and off camera gives him an extraordinary rapport with viewers,” “Insider” executive producer Linda Bell Blue said in a statement.
Still, we wanted a few additional details so we rang up “Insider” press rep. Lisa Summers Haas’ office in Los Angeles.
Alas, we were almost embarrassed that we called.
When “The Insider” debuts its new season on Sept. 10, we were told that Roberts will have his own segment called “The Rumor Report” where he “will cover the full gamut of what’s going on in Hollywood.” Roberts will also work on other stories for “Insider.” At CNN, Roberts notably co-anchored coverage of the Columbia shuttle tragedy and the ongoing Iraq war.
But Roberts’ local fans won’t have to become insomniacs to catch his new gig.
While “The Insider” is currently seen in the wee hours on WSB-TV, it is scheduled to relocate over to WXIA-TV weeknights at 7:30, starting Sept. 10.
‘Gimme More’ or less Britney?
Britney Spears is trying to defibrillate her non-tabloid related career via a new single. “Gimme More,” debuted locally Thursday night on Q100’s Adam Bomb show, and a new album is due for release Nov. 13 by Jive Records, the label’s representative, Wendy Washington, told The Associated Press on Friday.
The song — a clubby, flirty dance track produced by Danja, a protege of hit-maker Timbaland — has the 25-year-old singer bringing back the thumping beats and breathy come-ons of her pop-star past.
On Friday morning, Q100’s The Bert Show also gave the song a spin. Response was mixed. Some listeners called in to say Spears had cribbed too many notes from Madonna’s playbook. Show namesake Bert Weiss conceded the point.
“With all Britney’s sketchiness, a lot of people just seem closed to her right now,” Weiss told Buzz. “A few years ago, it would have been a different story.”
Spears was last on the airwaves momentarily in 2004 with a cover of Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative.” Since then, her primary activities have consisted of marrying and divorcing various men and spawning two car seat-resistant, soda-slurping moppets. The former pop princess is currently embroiled in a nasty custody fight with fedora-favoring ex-hubby and upcoming “One Tree Hill” guest star Kevin Federline.
Calling the cheese police
This weekend’s Dragon*Con is still mostly about costumed Jack Sparrows, Darth Vaders and garden variety wenches, but the sci-fi/fantasy orgy throws in a few random pop-culture icons — including former “CHiPs” actor Erik Estrada.
Though Estrada’s sci-fi cred is zero, his cheese cred is off the charts.
And during a Q&A session Friday with Estrada at the Hyatt Regency, Ponch had no problems mocking himself and his penchant for reality shows.
“I don’t mind laughing at myself,” he said. “But I don’t like comedians who are vicious and don’t know me.”
An example: George Lopez. Lopez asked him to be on his sitcom and Estrada said he had a conflict. But Lopez bad-mouthed him on talk shows. “It didn’t hurt my feelings,” Estrada said. “It [expletive] me off!”
When Buzz asked him about his “Surreal Life” castmate, the late Tammy Faye Bakker, Estrada said: “We were like brother and sister. I sent her an invite last year when I had my Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony, but she couldn’t make it. She called me crying. But she was dealing with her cancer. She really walks with Jesus. I made sure nobody in that [‘Surreal Life’] house was ever rude to her. I’d get in their face.”
After the session, he was escorted quickly to the “Walk of Fame” autograph room ($25 for an 8x10, $15 for a photo with him), where he joined the likes of James Marsters (Spike on “Buffy”) and William Katt (“The Greatest American Hero.”)
“Brad Pitt coming through!” he joked, gladhanding admirers on the way. “Tony Orlando coming through!”
OVERSCENE
The Dolce Group’s and former “Big Brother” houseguest Mike “Boogie” Malin with 50 Cent at the rapper’s listening party for his new album held at Geisha House Atlanta at Atlantic Station. Fitty gave sampled tracks for locals who “danced and bobbed along to the tracks,” we’re told. Spies at the party said that 50 Cent was “holding court at the best table in the house.”
ON MY iPOD
Swizz Beatz, producer and rapper :
“I don’t really download too much but I did just get UGK’s new CD [‘Underground Kingz’]. Common’s new CD [‘Finding Forever’] and Collie Buddz’ [‘Collie Buddz’]. I’m all over the place. But I usually like to buy the CDs though. I like to see the credits. Hold it in my hand. Live it.”
Celebrity birthdays
Today: Comedian-actress Lily Tomlin is 68. Singer Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees is 61. Talk-show host Dr. Phil is 57. Singer Gloria Estefan is 50. Actor Ricardo Antonio Chavira (“Desperate Housewives”) is 36. Guitarist Joe Trohman of Fall Out Boy is 23.
Sunday: Jazz pianist Horace Silver is 79. Sportscaster Terry Bradshaw is 59. Actor Mark Harmon is 56. Actor Keanu Reeves is 43. Actress Salma Hayek is 41. Actress Cynthia Watros (“Lost”) is 39. Drummer Spencer Smith of Panic! At The Disco is 20.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Sonia Murray 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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