New url for Peach Buzz
Bookmark this new url for Peach Buzz.. We have moved to Wordpress!
Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 07 > Entry
TV anchor dishes with Paula Deen
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When we asked “Action News” anchor Monica Pearson to describe the subject of Thursday night’s “Monica’s Close Ups,” she laughed uproariously and said: “She is one hot mess!”
Naturally, Pearson is talking about Savannah restaurateur and Food Network sensation Paula Deen, who is interviewed along with her sons Jamie and Bobby Deen for Pearson’s latest primetime special at 8 p.m.
“Most of the people I’ve interviewed over the years appear a certain way on camera and another off camera. But Paula is exactly as she appears on television!”
When Pearson rolled up to Deen’s hotel for the interview, she caught her outside sucking on one of her trademark Virginia Slims ciggies. Deen also dishes about the many odd jobs she’s held over the years, including a stint mopping floors at Kroger.
And of course, the conversation eventually turned to hair (Pearson recently has allowed her natural gray to creep into her current distinguished short style).
“We talked about our gray hair, and I mentioned to her that I was wanting a little more length in mine these days,” Pearson said. That’s when Deen removed her hair extension and clipped in onto Pearson’s head. “Most people would never even admit they were wearing extensions, let alone take it off and let you borrow it!” Pearson said. Deen later slipped the anchor the name and digits of her hair connection.
So what’s that one dish that Deen can’t cook that Pearson’s been teasing to in promos this week?
Said Pearson playfully: “I’m not gonna tell you. You’ll just have to watch!”
‘Single’ scores for Peachtree TV
Pearson isn’t the only local Monica known for scoring impressive ratings. Atlanta Grammy winner Monica and a feisty gal named Madea managed to beat out Fox’s “Kitchen Nightmares” and “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” on ABC with the premiere of “The Single: Monica” on Peachtree TV on Tuesday night. According to overnight ratings, the show pulled in an estimated 3.6 household rating and ranked as the No. 1 program in primetime among adults 18-34.
“We’re very thrilled,” Peachtree TV rep. Sarah Schmitz. “It’s nice to know that people gravitated to a special about a woman making her mark instead of watching people breaking limbs.”
The show also had help from Atlantan Tyler Perry, whose hit flick “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” provided the lead in to “The Single: Monica.” Peachtree TV execs are contemplating turning “The Single” into an ongoing series featuring a variety of recording artists.
Young Jeezy: ‘I’m for Obama’
Forget those complimentary comments about Republican presidential candidate John McCain in Vibe magazine this month. Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy tells us he’s firmly behind Barack Obama.
“Despite what people may have misinterpreted from that Vibe story, I’m for Obama,” he told Buzz. Then he tugged at his Obama shirt and added: “This is the answer right here. The answer to all of our problems. Or at least we hope so.”
Last weekend, Young Jeezy and a small fleet of black SUVs rolled up at Metro Lanes bowling facility to surprise 200 kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs to distribute school supplies.
Problems are a big focus of Jeezy’s upcoming CD, “The Recession,” due in stores Sept. 2. “But today I’m about the solutions,” he said as he handed out bags stuffed with Nike bookbags, crayons, pencils and notebooks. “I’m always about helping the people. The youth. And I have to start at home first.”
Celebrity birthdays
Writer-producer-humorist Stan Freberg is 82. Humorist Garrison Keillor is 66. Country singer Rodney Crowell is 58. Actor David Duchovny (“The X-Files”) is 48. Actor Harold Perrineau (“Lost,” “Oz”) is 45. Actress Charlize Theron is 33.
HIGH FIVE
Television
The top OnDemand programs for the week of July 27 through Aug. 4, as determined by Comcast customers in metro Atlanta:
1. “New York Goes to Hollywood,” VH1
2 “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Bossy Boots” episode, Nickelodeon
3, Yung Berg, “The Business,” music video, Music Choice
4. “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Something Smells” episode, Nickelodeon
5. Miley Cyrus, “7 Things,” music video, Music Choice
— Courtesy: Rentrak’s OnDemand Essentials
BABIES ON BOARD
Lisa Marie Presley is expecting twins, her spokeswoman, Cindy Guagenti, said Wednesday.
The babies are expected to arrive in the fall.
Presley — daughter of Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla Presley — announced her pregnancy on her MySpace page in March.
Presley married music producer Michael Lockwood in January 2006.
“It’s her time to celebrate with her husband,” Priscilla Presley said Tuesday in an interview with “Entertainment Tonight.” She said twins run in the family “on Elvis’ side and on my side, too. I have twin brothers, and then, of course, Elvis had a twin brother [who died at birth].”
Contributing: 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.
Comments