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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October
October 2008
Patch prez update
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
According to the eBay bids burning up the Internet Thursday, the real-life presidential ticket may be a bit lopsided.
Those one-of-a-kind Cabbage Patch dolls in the likenesses of John McCain, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin and Joe Biden? Well, the vice presidential dolls are actually racking up bigger bids than the tops of the tickets.
At deadline Thursday, the Palin doll (clad in trademark designer frames and a fancy red dress) was fetching leading bid of $1,025. The Biden model had a bid of $600, topping McCain’s $520 and Obama’s $510.
The online auction, a benefit for Toys for Tots, runs through Election Day. And never fear, the civic-minded Buzz will closely monitor the votes, er, bids, and report back to you.
PHOTOPOLL: Which Cabbage Patch Kid should be president?
Lady GaGa? Na-da
We planned to tell you all about meeting Lady GaGa, the hot new dance diva who performed a miniset from her brand new debut album, “The Fame” early Thursday morning at Bazzaar in Midtown. The 22-year-old performer was shuttled in from Gwinnett County, where she had opened for New Kids on the Block Wednesday night.
While in town, the singer also wanted to introduce her “retro glamour” self to the late-night hipster scene. French ginger liqueur purveyors Domaine De Canton blinged out a private, roped-off area for Lady GaGa. Outwrite owner Philip Rafshoon himself showed up to sell CDs. Celeb shutterbug Ben Rose was busy snapping away.
Alas, we were ejected from Lady GaGa’s private area by her tour manager (who possibly may be in need of some media training). Tossing us was a particularly impressive act since Bazzaar’s owner, the always gracious Bill Kaelin, had personally invited us inside.
Thankfully, Lady GaGa’s hot performance more than made up for the diss. A throng of fans happily sang along to “Just Dance,” Lady’s new instant club anthem.
A ‘devilish’ gig
Thankfully, a genuine rock icon, Pylon lead singer Vanessa Briscoe Hay, phoned into Buzz Central Thursday, partially restoring our shattered ego. The legendary Athens act is opening tonight for Deerhunter’s album release concert at Variety Playhouse in Little Five Points.
And Briscoe Hay is just as excited to see Deerhunter perform as Deerhunter brainchild Bradford Cox is to have Pylon on the bill.
“I was first introduced to Bradford when he came to one of our reunion shows,” Briscoe Hay told us. “He was down front, dancing. Later, he told us Pylon had been an influence on him, which was very sweet to hear.”
Cox later interviewed the singer and Pylon bassist Michael Lachowski for his Deerhunter blog (deerhuntertheband.blogspot.com).
Briscoe Hay also dished that Pylon’s classic 1983 LP “Chomp” is being readied for an extras-filled CD reissue next year. Finding a pristine transfer of the album’s master tapes initially proved problematic.
“The first one we found sounded, well, funky isn’t the right word because that’s good,” Briscoe Hay said, laughing. “It was a little less than terrific.”
Studio guru Jeff Calder eventually located a clean copy somewhere in New Jersey.
And yes, Briscoe Hay, who will be wearing “something devilish,” is encouraging fans to dress up tonight.
“But please, nothing pointy,” she cracked. “Be conscientious of your fellow dancers!”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Anchorman Dan Rather is 77. Actress Deidre Hall (“Days Of Our Lives”) is 60. Anchorwoman Jane Pauley is 58. Director Peter Jackson (“Lord of the Rings”) is 47. Drummer Larry Mullen of U2 is 47. Guitarist Adrock of the Beastie Boys is 42. Musician Vanilla Ice is 40. Actor Eddie Kaye Thomas (“American Pie”) is 28.
Contributing: Jennifer Brett 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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‘Presidential’ Cabbage Patch dolls to raise funds
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some prospective voters are right this minute all bleary-eyed, forever gazing at the latest presidential polls on Fox News and CNN.
Not at Buzz Central.
Starting today, we’ll have eBay fired up on our laptop as the Cabbage Patch candidates take over during a charity auction for Toys for Tots.
Yes, Cabbage Patch Kids in the likenesses of John McCain, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin and Joe Biden have been created for the special auction commemorating the 25th anniversary of the dolls originally birthed at Babyland Hospital in Cleveland, Ga., by creator Xavier Roberts.
The bidding begins at 9 a.m. today and the auction will end at 8 a.m. on Election Day. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the auction will go to the charity that supplies toys each holiday season to less fortunate kids across the country.
So, will the next Cabbage Patch commander in chief actually resemble its slightly less plastic human counterpart?
Naturally, Buzz will be on the case to bring you all the critical details as this very important election nears.
To bid or to rubberneck: www.ebay.com/cabbagepatchkids.
Haunts at home
Don’t want to brave the lines to get your knees threatened by a running chain saw at Netherworld Haunted House in Norcross tonight or Friday? You can settle back and flip on the Travel Channel, where the annual trick-or-treat trek is featured on “Halloween’s Most Extreme” (11 a.m. Friday) and “America Haunts” (midnight tonight). We’re told viewers can expect a behind-the-scenes look at one of the nation’s premier haunted houses, complete with exclusive, never-before-seen footage.
Still, for us, it’s not officially Halloween until we have the actual Netherworld experience (book your tickets at fearworld.com) when our life is annually threatened by a local theater student hopped up on Red Bull and dressed as a psychotic clown.
A Frenchman’s visit
The dauphin of France had himself a royal time in the ATL during his recent visit. HRH Prince Jean d’Orleans, descendant of Louis Philippe and duke of Vendome, visited with Rodney Cook Jr. and wife Emily on Oct. 22 at the Millennium Gate, the classically inspired landmark Cook masterminded. Le Dauphin admired many of the Gate museum’s holdings, including a musket of the Marquis de Lafayette which was used during the siege of Savannah during the Revolutionary War, and the silver campaign spoon of Gen. Rochambeau, who was George Washington’s partner in the American victory at Yorktown. The prince took in the treasures with locals Arol Wolford, Marianne Michaelis, Jean Astrop, Alexandra Cook, Bettijo Trawick, Cameron Adair, Cathy Callaway, Anita Kern, Maria Wiggins, Belinda Ossip, Roya Irvani and Chris Allen.
The evening of Oct. 23, the prince was off to opening night of the Atlanta Ballet’s “Swan Lake,” when Atlanta’s social royalty decided that he needed a young lady befitting his status to accompany him. The lovely and accomplished Marlene Alexander got the call.
She and Prince Jean attended the ballet with patrons Joanne Chesler Gross and Alex Gross, and enjoyed dinner at New York Prime afterward.
“It was a really lovely evening,” Alexander said. “He is really nice, well-educated and an interesting conversationalist, which, of course, makes for a fun evening.”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Grace Slick (below) is 69. Singer Otis Williams of the Temptations is 67. Actor Henry Winkler is 63. Bassist Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles is 61. Actor Harry Hamlin is 57. Actress Nia Long is 38. Country singer Kassidy Osborn of SheDaisy is 32. Actor Tequan Richmond (“Everybody Hates Chris”) is 16.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s like a letter to a friend and fun to be able to share something and say, ‘Gee, I did this.’ “
Romance author Danielle Steel, 61, whose children recently introduced her to something called the Internet. Consequently, she’ll be writing a blog starting today at daniellesteel.net.
Contributing: Jennifer Brett 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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Weather or not, it’s spring on film
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It took a little more than Hollywood movie magic to transform the set of the upcoming ABC Family original movie “Your Presents Requested” as it shot on location Tuesday at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
The Midtown tourist attraction dispatched its horticulturists and a whole lot of frost cloth Monday night and Tuesday morning as a cold snap threatened to kill the summer blooms the moviemakers wanted preserved for its springtime wedding reception scene featuring actors Melissa Joan Hart (“Sabrina the Teenage Witch”) and Joseph Lawrence (“Blossom”).
It wasn’t until director Gil Junger (“Ten Things I Hate About You”), his crew and countless extras turned up Tuesday morning that garden staffers finally removed the frost protection and fluffed the blooms. Set designers brought in hothouse flowers and pinned faux wisteria blooms on the roof of the gazebo to further the springlike vibe on set.
“When they booked the location months ago, I wondered if they knew about the possibility of frost here at this time of year,” display garden manager Amanda Campbell told Buzz on Tuesday.
With temps in the 30s early Tuesday morning, Hart emerged on set in — shiver! — a strapless bridal gown. The extras posing as wedding guests snuggled in sweat pants and coats beneath their finery until just before filming rolled.
“We were all bundled up in hats, coats and scarves,” Campbell said. “I have no idea how they managed.”
Still, the finished product, tentatively scheduled to air early next year, will look decidedly warmer on screen. Campbell says the sunny weather and blue skies make the gardens appear quite different than things felt out there.
“It didn’t look like a frigid day at all,” she said. “It’ll be very deceptive for people who didn’t watch the filming.”
Campbell was happy that the shoot would wrap by sundown, especially with another frost warning looming in the forecast.
Of the past-their-prime summer plants that will be rotated out of the display, Campbell said: “They’re all going to melt. We’re all happy this shot when it did.”
Goodbye to radio show
Dave FM has jettisoned its latest morning show featuring Zakk Tyler and Jane Monzures after just 10 months on the air. The show’s ratings didn’t appear to show any traction. The team also has been taken off the Dave FM Web site. Tim Orff, who had been part of the temporary morning show in 2007 with Holly Firfer, is off nights and back on mornings. The new show will be more music-focused to contrast with, say, the Regular Guys on Rock 100.5 or any other morning show that focuses on personalities.
Translation: Orff won’t be doing much talking. No prank calls, no call-ins, minimal gab. More music is likely a smart alternative for any station seeking a low-cost, low-risk way to get ratings, especially because good personalities are difficult to find and cultivate and require a level of patience many radio companies may lack in this tight economy.
Overscene
Monday night, as their City of Brotherly Love sports brethren the Phillies battled the Rays, torrential downpours, high winds, temps in the 40s and hypothermia during Game 5 of the World Series, the Philadelphia Flyers had a cozier time of it at Morton’s the Steakhouse downtown. The entire team and its coaches (52 folks in all), in town to play the Thrashers at Philips Arena downtown, ordered appetizers of mini crab cakes, shrimp cocktail and tuna tartar. We’re told that was followed by 24 orders of Morton’s double-cut filets, 13 rib-eyes and six orders of broiled salmon. Bottles of Cakebread Cellars’ merlot and cabernet sauvignon were shared around the tables. Half the diners splurged on Morton’s hot chocolate cake for dessert.
LL Cool J ditches tour
In yet another setback on her “Rock Witchu” tour, part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson has lost her opening act: LL Cool J.
The rapper-actor’s publicity firm announced that he has dropped out because of unspecified scheduling conflicts.
It’s the latest problem on Jackson’s tour, her first North American outing in seven years. The 42-year-old singer was forced to cancel a string of concerts because of a bout of migraine-associated vertigo. She recently resumed while being treated for the illness, which is characterized by dizziness, imbalance and other symptoms.
Jackson’s upcoming shows include a Saturday gig in New York. She is expected to announce more dates.
Celebrity birthdays
Actress Kate Jackson is 60. Actor Dan Castellaneta (“The Simpsons”) is 51. Singer Randy Jackson of the Jacksons is 47. Actress Winona Ryder is 37. Actress Gabrielle Union is 35.
HIGH FIVE
Television
The Top OnDemand programs for the week of Oct. 20-26, as determined by Comcast customers in metro Atlanta:
1. “Entourage,” “Gotta Look Up to Get Down” episode, HBO
2. TI, “What Up, What’s
Haapnin’ ” music video, Music Choice
3. “South Park,” “Make Love Not Warcraft” episode, Comedy Central
4. “SpongeBob Squarepants,” “Selling” episode, Nickelodeon
5. “Suite Life on Deck,” “Broke ‘n Yo-Yo” episode, Disney Channel
Courtesy: Rentrak’s OnDemand Essentials
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The money.”
“W” actor Richard Dreyfuss on “The View” Tuesday, explaining what persuaded him to portray Vice President Dick Cheney in the Oliver Stone-directed George W. Bush biopic.
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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WXIA’s Evenlyn Mims at SNL rehearsal after ‘Hillary’ goes into labor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WXIA’s own Evelyn Mims had a prime vantage point as “Saturday Night Live” producers, writers and cast members busily reworked material during the show’s dress rehearsal in New York on Saturday night.
She was in the studio audience and, lucky for us, she was able to send text updates to Buzz Central.
Initially, cast member Amy Poehler was scheduled to reprise her Hillary Clinton character during that Barack Obama variety show special sketch with former “SNL” pal Maya Rudolph, who played Michelle Obama in the bit. But then Poehler went into labor and delivered her 8-pound son, Archie, just before airtime.
“You could tell things were busy backstage,” the “Atlanta & Company” producer told Buzz on Monday. “But it was similar to when something happens here and people go into hyper mode and just get the job done.”
Mims was staying at the Meridian hotel nearby, where musical guest Coldplay also was booked. Mims also spotted actress Gwyneth Paltrow, wife of Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, at the NBC studios supporting her husband during the telecast.
In order to pad out the live 90-minute show, Coldplay was asked to perform a third song. The additional exposure for the English rock act did not prove problematic for Mims, who surprised Atlanta publicist Karen Canavan by taking her to “SNL” for her birthday.
“Chris Martin did one of those Elvis moves with his legs wide open right in front of me,” Mims told us with a sly laugh. “I didn’t really have a problem with all that!”
Mims put in her request for “SNL” tickets four months ago, way before the musical guest or host Jon Hamm (star of “Mad Men”) were booked or the Poehler pregnancy drama unfolded.
Said Mims: “I just lucked up. It was a great night.”
WWE meets NASCAR
Carl Edwards raced to victory Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway with one particularly muscular fan cheering him on. World Wrestling Entertainment star John Cena was among the huge crowd at the racetrack in Hampton.
“Carl’s my driver,” he said early Sunday afternoon, when it still looked like it might be points leader Jimmie Johnson’s day. Edwards and Cena met through their work with the Gillette brand. Edwards invited Cena to a race, and he’s been hooked ever since.
“NASCAR is such a fan-friendly sport,” Cena said. “It’s certainly exciting to see a race unfold. It’s like a finely tuned match.”
As for the folks who say drivers aren’t athletes, he’s not hearing it.
“People don’t realize the endurance these guys have to have for a 500-mile race,” he said.
As for his own line of work?
“It’s not a sport,” Cena conceded. “It’s for the good graces of our paying customers. What we do is entertainment — but we do get beat up.”
Overscene
Former President Bill Clinton sampling Trois chef Jeremy Lieb’s deep-fried risotto balls, spring duck rolls and tuna nicoise during a fund-raiser for U.S. Senate candidate Jim Martin in Midtown. The folks who ponied up $1,000 to attend got a keepsake photo snapped with Clinton. Before his motorcade whisked him to the airport, Clinton posed for pictures with Trois’ entire kitchen staff. … Actor David Duchovny, in town shooting a film with Demi Moore, dining at One Midtown Kitchen. Duchovny (who used an alias to make his reservation ) and his party shared smoked salmon croquettes and calamari. Entrees included steak frites, brisket and scallops. Duchovny enjoyed the duck while he drank Maso Canali pinot grigio. … Gov. Sonny Perdue and former “American Idol” contestant Michael Johns among the NASCAR fans taking in the Pep Boys 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Sunday tea
Chayil Inc., a nonprofit that helps survivors of domestic violence, held its annual tea Sunday at the InterContinental Hotel Buckhead. While the afternoon yielded some emotional moments, mistress of ceremonies and WXIA anchor Brenda Wood did her part to keep things light. During a conversation with one survivor who told how her children sometimes had to referee episodes between her and her husband, Wood replied, “They didn’t hit him on the butt, did they?” In addition to celebrating the nine women participating in Chayil’s program, about two dozen other metro Atlanta women, including radio personality Vikki Locke, Kysha Cameron of the Ryan Cameron Foundation and Deborah Danzig, a vice president at Beazer Homes, were honored for their professional accomplishments, community work and dedication to empowering women. The keynote speaker was Patricia Russell-McCloud, and no wonder her speeches are popular with women. “Housework will not kill us,” she said, “but why take the chance?”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Joan Plowright is 79. Country musician Charlie Daniels is 72. Actress Jane Alexander is 69. Actor-comedian Andy Richter is 42. Actress Julia Roberts is 41. Singer Ben Harper is 39. Country singer Brad Paisley is 36. Actor Joaquin Phoenix is 34. Singer Justin Guarini (“American Idol”) is 30.
Contributing: Jennifer Brett, Tracy Brown 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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‘Wicked’ cast helps spruce up Renaissance Park
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before the cast of “Wicked” turned the Fox Theatre green twice Sunday during two performances, they used their green thumbs to spruce up Renaissance Park in central Atlanta.
Partnering with the nonprofit Park Pride, the cast members, many clad in “Wicked” hoodies, grabbed pitchforks and wheelbarrows to distribute much-needed mulch around the public park.
“We picked something manageable for them to do, since they have a long day ahead of them,” Park Pride’s Ayanna Williams told us as cast members clustered around her. “The mulch is really needed for the trees right now because of the drought. There’s a noticeable difference immediately.”
Williams says the park projects have generated many green-minded volunteers recently.
“We even have the members of a bar mitzvah party coming out to help next month,” she added.
“Wicked” cast member Maia Evwaraye-Griffin was enjoying the cool sunny Atlanta morning. Much of her family is based here, and she’s been excited to be able to perform on the Fox stage for them. Her niece and nephew are also impressed with her cool role as one of the show’s signature flying monkeys.
“When you stand in the wings, and you look up at those stars it’s really amazing,” she said. “We love doing the show here. No matter what kind of day you’ve had, when you hit the stage and you hear those cheers, everything else just goes away. Atlanta really loves this show.”
Over the weekend, the cast celebrated its 1,500th performance as well.
“It’s a story that connects with everyone,” Evwaraye-Griffin explained. “It’s great to be a part of a show like that. Plus, today we get outside and have a chance to spread a little ‘Wicked’ joy around out here for this green project. I just hope I can get through those two performances now!”
“Wicked” runs through Sunday at the Fox Theatre. For info: www.parkpride.org.
Hawks pull shift at Edgewood center
Fresh off the heels of its first playoff appearance in years, the Atlanta Hawks mixed it up with the regular folks at the Edgewood shopping center Saturday, hoping to stir up some excitement for the upcoming season.
The premise: Place the players in various jobs for an hour at Target, Best Buy and the like. A Hawks publicist said the players were not given a choice where to work, but some players did express preferences.
Forward Marvin Williams had one of the easier “jobs,” playing “Madden 09” at Gamestop while forward center Zaza Pachulia beat up 14-year-old Dylan Smith 4 to 1 in the boxing game “Fight Night 3.”
“I wish I had played better,” Smith told Buzz. (But he’ll have a great story to tell his buds today.)
Hawks star Joe Johnson bagged groceries with head coach Mike Woodson at a busy Kroger. Did Woodson make any mistakes?
“If he did,” said professional bagger Serene Grant with a smile, “I corrected him.”
Meanwhile, first-year players Thomas Gardner (pictured above) and Flip Murray had to don gloves and hand out burgers at Five Guys. After Gardner gave him his order, Buzz asked Glen Satell if he was a Hawks fan. He looked sheepish and said, “No. I’m with Philadelphia.” (The Hawks home opener happens to be against the Sixers.) Before he walked away, he more boldly said, in earshot of Gardner: “Go Sixers!”
New restaurant to go whole hog
Bacchanalia chef-owners Ann Quatrano and Clifford Harrison have announced that Abattoir, their “meat-centric” concept inside the old meat-packing plant in the White Provision development near Bacchanalia, will open in early 2009. Abattoir means “slaughterhouse” in French.
Joshua Hopkins, who has worked as part of the Bacchanalia family since 2005, will helm the new restaurant’s kitchen. He will serve as business partner of the new concept as well. Hopkins’ most recent post for the James Beard award-winning couple has been as chef de cuisine of Bacchanalia. He has deep roots in Charleston, S.C., where he worked at two of that city’s most popular and prominent restaurants, Slightly North of Broad and High Cotton.
The concept for the restaurant revolves around what Quatrano calls “whole animal cuisine,” utilizing locally raised (when possible) and freshly butchered fowl, fish, beef, pork and game, with a focus on total utilization of product — so expect to see (and taste) the whole hog (etc.), from tongue to foot.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Ruby Dee is 84. Actor-comedian John Cleese is 69. Country singer Lee Greenwood is 66. Author Fran Lebowitz is 58. Singer Simon LeBon (Duran Duran)
is 50. Singer Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver) is 41. Singer Kelly Osbourne is 24.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Meridith Ford Goldman 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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NASCAR guy talks safety
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When NASCAR driver Jeff Burton idled up to Luella High School in Locust Grove this week in his AT&T Mobility Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS, the ninth-graders he came to hang out with may have had the wrong idea.
Yes, No. 31, who will hopefully spend most of this weekend blowing around Atlanta Motor Speedway, was there to talk to the driver’s education students about safety.
“A lot of people ask me how can I talk to young men and women about safe driving, given what I do for a living,” Burton told Buzz. “The truth is, we have a better appreciation for safety. I’ve been in wrecks out there. I’ve been put in dangerous situations because the guy next to me did something stupid. It’s all about the attention to details.”
Unfortunately, two Luella students have been lost recently to car crashes, so Burton’s words fell on receptive ears.
“Believe me, things were a lot different when I was their age, driving around in a 1950 Ford with an AM radio,” Burton said. “Now, young people have XM Radio, cellphones, GPS systems, you name it, to distract them.”
As the NASCAR vet signed autographs for a large chunk of the school’s 2,200 students, Luella principal George Eckerle gave Burton an “A” for effort.
“The students were thrilled that he was here,” Eckerle told us. “You know, when you hear the same things come out of Mr. Eckerle’s mouth day after day, the kids tend to tune you out. Jeff Burton gave the subject a fresh perspective today.”
Burton was happy to have his tires back on the track at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend for the Pep Boys 500 as well.
“What I really like about Atlanta Motor Speedway is that it has two very different personalities.
“It’s real slick on race day, but during qualifying there’s lots of grip. It’s a very challenging track. There are different grooves you can run. As drivers, it gives us more options.”
Currently third in the points race, the driver is hoping his standings only improve this weekend.
‘Closer’ confab
It’s not quite like a “Star Trek” convention, but 11 devoted fans of TNT’s “The Closer” have gathered in Atlanta this weekend to celebrate basic cable’s most successful show ever. Why Atlanta? Not only is this TNT’s hometown, but it’s lead character Brenda Lee Johnson’s hometown, too.
TNT hosted a luncheon at Turner headquarters on their behalf, replete with fried chicken, green beans and pecan pie. The marketing folks also gave the fans a surprise phone call from the show’s creator, James Duff. (Unfortunately, neither he nor any of the actors could be there in person, because the show is still in production.)
Duff gave the fans teasers on the five new episodes early next year, which will conclude their fourth season:
>> The cat named Kitty is ill but shows up in two episodes. Kitty is a hot topic on the forums. “To some people,” Duff joked, “the Kitty’s well-being is more important than the outcome of the election!”
>> Each season has a theme. Next year will be about change. “Brenda doesn’t like change, but that’s the only constant in life,” he said.
>> Boyfriend Fritz’s sister (played by Amy Sedaris) shows up, and she’s a ditz. “She claims to be a psychic and volunteers her services to help with a crime,” he notes.
>> Brenda’s parents will be in three of the five episodes, which implies a wedding might be near for Brenda and Fritz.
>> He also promises a resolution to whether the couple get hitched — or not.
The fans (mostly female) came from Boston; Austin, Texas; Raleigh; Chicago, and points in between. They first met via Abbey Leden’s fan Web site, www.thecloserforum.com.
“The show’s unique,” Leden said. “It’s drama and comedy. Brenda is uniquely flawed. I see bits of her in me.”
“As an ensemble,” added North Carolina college professor Monika Fleming, “they really click.”
TNT gave each person a version of Brenda’s signature oversized black vinyl purse.
Rapping about ‘The Ratio’
This past spring, Brandon Swafford and Daniel Baily made a goofy rap video about Georgia Tech to amuse their friends. Today at Tech’s homecoming, the two Tech alumni and fraternity brothers will celebrate the release of their CD.
“I was telling someone that it feels like several years in the making, but we came out with ‘M Train’ just five months ago,” said Swafford.
The irreverent seven-song CD (with two videos) is a mostly hip-hop celebration of all things Tech. “M Train” pokes at the Tech tradition of bailing out on the rigorous engineering school for the management program, known as “riding the M train.”
It’s scored more than 135,000 views on YouTube.
They made another video about the football team that’s shown at games. One track, “The Ratio,” bemoans the dearth of female students.
“Swaff” and “DBay,” as friends call them, will be on Fowler Street on campus today with their CD (titled “Look to Your Left, Look to Your Right,” another Tech inside joke) and posters. Look for the Ferrari. Seriously.
HIGH FIVE
Music
This week’s top-selling albums at Decatur CD:
1. Lucinda Williams, “Little Honey”
2. Ray Lamontagne, “Gossip in the Grain”
3. Bob Dylan, “Tell Tale Signs”
4. Kings of Leon, “Only by the Night”
5. TV on the Radio, “Dear Science”
—Courtesy: Decatur CD
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Saturday: Actress Marion Ross is 80. Singer Jon Anderson oof Yes is 64. Actress Nancy Cartwright (“The Simpsons”) is 51. Country singer Chely Wright is 38. Singer
Katy Perry is 24. Singer Ciara is 23.
Sunday: Actress Jaclyn Smith (“Charlie’s Angels”) is 63. “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak is 62. Musician Bootsy Collins is 57. Actor James Pickens Jr. (“Grey’s Anatomy”) is 56. Guitarist Keith Strickland of The B-52’s is 55. Country singer Keith Urban is 41. Actor Jon Heder (“Blades of Glory,” “Napoleon Dynamite”) is 31.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Ken Sugiura 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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Hawks “Paint the Town” promotion at Edgewood shopping center
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here are shots Buzz took at the Atlanta Hawks “Paint the Town” promotion Saturday at the Edgewood shoppign center. For an hour, the Hawks players were assigned to various “jobs” around the area. We caught them at Five Guys serving burgers, playing videogames at Gamestop and bagging groceries at Kroger, then sign autographs in the Target parking lot:
First years Flip Murray and Thomas Gardner were saddled with serving burgers at Five Guys while Marvin Williams and Zaza Pachulia got to play videogames.
Thomas Gardner helps out Glen Satell, an Atlanta resident who is actually a Sixers fan. “Go Sixers!” he said before eating his burger. (Hawks-Sixers are playing the home opener in early November.)
Flip and Thomas gab with coach Bob Bender, who was dealing with the fries while Thomas called out the order numbers.
Zaza Pachulia beat 14-year-old Stone Mountain Hawks fan Dylan Smith 4 to 1 in Fight Night 3. Pachulia played Muhammad Ali and did so quite well.
Marvin Williams beat 14-year-old Anthony Daugherty of Stone Mountain in a game of “Madden ‘09” 13-10.
Solomon Jones works the Kroger checkout line with as much diligence as he does on court.
I just enjoyed juxtaposing him with the Bed, Bath & Beyond sign.
Hawks coach Mike Woodson bags with Serene Grant, a regular Kroger customer service gal. Did he make any mistakes? “If he did,” she said, “I corrected him.”
My favorite shot. Maurice Evans taking a shot from the Target parking lot and I caught his hands practically framing the Target logo.
The Atlanta Hawk mugs for the camera and I made sure to have Petco in the background.
Joe Johnson goes for a shot at the Target parking lot.
Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Al Holford yuck it up at the autograph table.
Kraig, 14 (left) and Rick Doremus drove down from Woodstock to meet the Hawks after doing the same last year at Atlantic Station.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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‘Supernanny’ in Cobb airs Friday night
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jo Frost, best known as “Supernanny” on the ABC reality show, flew into Atlanta this past April to give Thomas and Cathy Winter of Marietta some help with their five kids. The resulting episode airs Friday night at 9.
Tommy Winter, Tom Winter, Cathy Winter, Tori Winter, Erica Winter, Kristin Winter and Kayla Winter. (ABC)
The Winters, native New Yorkers with accents to boot, are hardly the worst-case scenario Frost has ever seen. Buzz sampled the episode and relatively speaking, the kids weren’t monsters at all. But Cathy, with a short temper, had trouble controlling bath time and bedtime. Her husband Thomas struggled being by himself with his children and didn’t trust 16-year-old stepdaughter Kristen.
Frost taught them proper time-out procedures, gave them ways to entertain the kids during bath time and helped the ‘rents get 2-year-old Tommy to sleep in his own bed. (The first night, it took Cathy a whopping 72 times over an hour and 41 minutes to get Tommy to go nighty-night.) The dad also met Kristen’s friends and realized she isn’t a troublemaker.
Six months later, Buzz asked the Winters how life is going since Frost worked her magic. “She was amazing,” said Cathy, a pre-k teacher. “I have sometimes fallen back into old ways but for the most part, it’s better. I just have to be consistent and talk out my feelings more, too, which helps with the anger.”
“I realized I had to man up,” Thomas added. “I was being too soft. They still test me, but I’m much calmer now.”
If only the “Supernanny” could fix the economy, too …
Photos from the Supernanny visit.
Singing to Shirley
Throughout the run of Second City’s Atlanta-centric comedy revue, “Too Busy to Hate … Too Hard to Commute” at the Alliance Theatre’s Hertz Stage, cast member Ric Walker has hilariously belted out the satirical “Shirley Franklin Song” to a portrait of herzzoner. On Wednesday night, he had to sing it to the real deal.
Gulp.
“There were a few nerves knowing the mayor was in the house,” conceded Charles Swint, the show’s house manager. “Judging from the look on the mayor’s face, she may have been surprised by some of the song’s content.”
Like, perhaps, the line in the ditty that goes: “The first time I saw that platinum blonde hair and that big-[posterior] flower on your lapel, I thought, ‘Damn, that’s some platinum blonde hair and a big-[posterior] flower.’ And I was right.”
Walker, with the aid of a spotlight, crooned the number in the seat next to Franklin and even nuzzled up to her at one point.
Said Swint: “She was a great sport about it.”
Franklin later posed for pictures with the comedy troupe.
Even Walker.
Excerpt from ‘The Shirley Franklin Song.’
Under-40 achievers celebrate
Being surrounded by the 2008 crop of Georgia Trend magazine’s prestigious “40 Under 40” awardees, one just might begin to regret whiling away all those hours in front of Facebook, Twitter and TiVo.
After all, the young business professionals feted Wednesday night at the Fox Theatre’s Egyptian Ballroom by Georgia Trend publisher Neely Young, his son and associate publisher Ben Young, editor Susan Percy and managing editor Shannon Wilder represented some of the state’s best and brightest.
As 300 attendees nibbled on grilled asparagus and chicken piccata, Neely Young praised the recipients, telling the assembled: “They say that money doesn’t buy class, but class is what these young people give back to the community.”
Among the 40 deserving honorees: Fort Valley State University Dean of Students Terrance Smith, 33; Marietta resident Heidi Green, 32, the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s deputy commissioner; Lovely & Delicious CEO Chadwick Boyd, 36, a self-made food and lifestyle guru; Savannah’s Carla Case-McCorvey, 35, the fourth-generation owner of Case Veterinary Hospital; Ron Clark Academy founder Ron Clark, 36, and Ritz-Carlton Atlanta chef de cuisine Bennett Hollberg, 30.
Guests reserved some of their biggest applause for Albany kindergarten teacher Sherri Stone, 38, who overcame a childhood filled with abandonment and abuse to become the 2007 Teacher of the Year at Alice Coachman Elementary School. Said Stone: “I want to be the type of teacher I want my children to have.”
“40 Under 40” recipient Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall, 37, told Buzz he was inspired just by being included.
Said Hall: “I’m always humbled by the accomplishments of others. It was great to hear the other people’s stories from across our state here tonight. I want to keep that camaraderie going.”
Alas, one lonely award remained at the podium after the ceremony Wednesday. Honoree and Atlanta film director Tyler Perry, 39, was not present to pick up his award.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor-producer David Nelson (“The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet”) is 72. Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman is 72. Actor F. Murray Abraham is 69. Actor Kevin Kline is 61. Actor B.D. Wong is 48. Drummer Ben Gillies of Silverchair is 29. Singer Monica is 28. Singer-actress Adrienne Bailon of 3LW (“The Cheetah Girls”) is 25. Actress Shenae Grimes (“90210”) is 19.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Being a prince today, it’s not like in the past. You have to work.”
HRH Prince Jean d’Orleans, Duke of Vendome and son of the Count of Paris, at Thursday’s luncheon for the Atlanta chapter of the France Heritage Society. Prince Jean is the Dauphin of France, ready to reclaim the throne. For now, the former Deloitte & Touche consultant is putting his MBA to work speaking at conferences and promoting French culture and history.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Jennifer Brett 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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Obama-rita, Maverick Burger added to Atlanta restaurant menus
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Don’t want to face Election Day on an empty stomach? Thanks to the folks at Metrotainment Cafes and Roxx, you can now poll with your piehole as you ponder your presidential pick.
Over at Roxx on Cheshire Bridge Road, owner Dean Chronopoulos (right), who ran a close race for Fulton County commission chairman in 2002, has come up with the Maverick Burger and the Change Burger, along with the Blue and Red State Martinis for his politically minded patrons.
“We did this four years ago and our customers really seemed to enjoy it,” Chronopoulos told Buzz Wednesday. “With all the attention and hoopla, we thought ‘Why not?’ “
Chronopoulos says he briefly flirted with adding a bison burger as a way to pay tribute to vice-presidential Sarah Palin’s hunting prowess but ruled one menu item out early.
Conceded Chronopoulos: “I’m not sure that a moose burger would have been our biggest seller.”
Allen Sullivan / aesullivan@ajc
Joe’s on Juniper had a veep debate party on Oct. 2
Metrotainment Cafes, the folks behind Einstein’s, Joe’s on Juniper, Cheyenne Grille and Garrison’s Broiler & Tap, meanwhile, are offering up libations labeled McCain-aide (a bright red drink with Bacardi O, Raspberry Pucker Schnapps, cranberry juice, sour mix and Sprite) and The Obama-rita (a blue cocktail with Cuervo Gold, Blue Curacao, lime juice, simple syrup and Sprite). Both drinks are available at all Metrotainment eateries and will set voters back $8 a piece.
Says owner Jeff Landau: “We have had many lively debates within our own ranks over the years. Our tongue-in-cheek approach should in no way suggest our lack of seriousness this year. We just wanted to have a little fun doing it.”
At Joe’s on Juniper, the Obama-rita was the more steady seller Wednesday.
“I’m calling it the ‘Vote With Your Throat’ poll,” Joe’s server Nathan Hendricks told Buzz. “At this particular location, Obama has a solid lead.”
At Roxx, Chronopoulos reported a similar trend: “Obama is currently two burgers and one order of fries ahead.”
Both promotions continue through Election Night.
Help from the Hawks
Talk about community outreach: If you’re shopping at the Edgewood Retail District off Caroline Street and Moreland Avenue this Saturday, a member of the Atlanta Hawks might well be available to fetch an item off the top shelf for you at Best Buy or help you select tasteful flatware at Target.
As part of the team’s annual “Paint the Town” event, the entire roster of Hawks players and coaches will be out at the shopping center beginning at noon, to greet and help customers at the aforementioned shops, along with Kroger, Game Stop, Starbucks and Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries. At 3 p.m., the team will conduct a free public autograph session so fans can mingle with the players prior to their Nov. 1 home opener against the Philadelphia 76ers at Philips Arena. Fans should also look for Hawks inflatables and the A-Town Dancers. Alas, at deadline Wednesday, Buzz was unable to confirm that Atlanta Hawk Josh Smith (who recently signed a five-year, $58 million deal to remain in Atlanta) would be loaning out his black Am Ex card during the fan event …
Post-polls party?
Is your favorite restaurant, bar, sorority, nightclub, hotel ballroom, Kiwanis Club or your very own living room hosting an election night soiree for you and your friends? Buzz and Jennifer Brett, our Social Butterfly, would love to hear about the details as we plan our Election Night coverage. Do you have a funny theme, menu items, specialty drinks or particularly partisan party favors planned? We’re looking for the unique and the unusual, the fun and the fervent. Whether your theme is presidential, state or local in scope we’d love to hear about your plans. E-mail us at: butterfly@ajc.com or buzz@ajc.com.
Braxton booted
“Dancing With the Stars” viewers were shocked Tuesday night as part-time Atlantan Toni Braxton was sent packing on the ABC reality show.
The singer and her professional partner, Alec Mazo, were eliminated Tuesday from popular dancing competition. The pair received a score of 22 out of 30 from the show’s judges during Monday’s performance after a respectable West Coast swing routine. The “Unbreak My Heart” crooner was booted after that score was combined with viewer votes.
“My goal was reached,” said Braxton, who suffers from coronary microvascular angina, after she was dismissed. “I wanted to do better. I wanted to breathe better. And I was definitely breathing better. I’ve come a long way from Week One to Week Now.”
Braxton, who is on hiatus from her headlining show in Las Vegas, says the dancing competition has helped her toward her goal of getting back into shape to resume her Vegas duties.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Director Ang Lee is 54. Jazz singer Dianne Reeves is 52. Country singer Dwight Yoakam is 52. Singer “Weird Al” Yankovic is 49. Actor Ryan Reynolds (“Van Wilder”) is 32. Actress Jessica Stroup (“90210”) is 22.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Most critics refrained from overpraising ‘Dolemite,’ with the possible exception of John Leland, who wrote in The New York Times in 2002 that it ‘remains the ‘Citizen Kane’ of kung fu pimping movies.’”
From reporter Douglas Martin’s obituary of ‘Dolemite’ actor/creator Rudy Ray Moore in Wednesday’s Times.
Contributing: 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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Wedding gowns wow ‘em in N.Y.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While Buckhead bridal gown designer Anne Barge went up against pincushion peers such as Vera Wang, Reem Acra, Monique Lhuillier and Badgley Mischka last weekend, the 300 attendees at her Spring ‘09 fashion show held in the ballroom at the Jumeirah Essex House in New York saw something quite different on her runway.
Barge’s classic, romantic gowns are bucking the current strapless trends out there.
“The market has just been inundated with that look already,” Barge told Buzz from New York. “I wanted to go in a fresh, different direction.”
Barge’s latest designs offer petite sleeves, spaghetti straps and even a stylish off-the-shoulder number.
“Thankfully, even in this economy, people are still looking for romance,” she added.
Following that theme, unlike a lot of the other bridal fashion shows held last weekend in the Big Apple (the weekend has become the equivalent of Fashion Week for those in the wedding industry), the hundreds of media reps and buyers at Barge’s show across from Central Park South felt like they had walked into an actual wedding reception. Waiters had silver trays full of champagne flutes at the ready while selections from the Great American Songbook by Tony Bennett, K.D. Lang, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and even Bono were the soundtrack for the catwalk.
“It was the best show we’ve ever had here,” Barge said. “The reaction was so strong. It was extremely gratifying.”
And the West Paces Ferry shop owner says she never lets the New York fashion scene intimidate her.
Said a bubbly Barge: “I’m so pleased with this line, it could be a hit in Paris. Designers are really everywhere these days. The business has really evolved.”
Lucky for us, Atlantans can stroll into Barge’s shop and sneak a peek at her spring looks this week. But it’s BYOB (Bring Your Own Bubbly).
‘Dolemite’s’ gone
When we got the sad word at Buzz Central that “Dolemite” actor, soul singer and self-professed “Godfather of Rap” Rudy Ray Moore had died at age 81, we knew who we had to call. Thankfully, Starlight Drive-in manager Jim Stacy was feeling reflective Tuesday about the legendary blaxploitation actor he booked twice for appearances at the Moreland Avenue venue.
“He was a damn legend,” Stacy said. “Talk about guerrilla filmmaking. Those movies were done on a shoestring. The fact those movies got made at all is amazing. He would sit next to us when we ran ‘Dolemite’ and ‘Disco Godfather’ at the Starlight and give us all the dirt about what really happened while they were shooting the films.”
Stacy also recalled Moore’s eccentric branding of himself and his “Dolemite” character. “He would buy cheap clocks from Wal-Mart, stick his picture in the center and suddenly it was a ‘Dolemite’ clock!” Stacy recalled, laughing. “I actually own a Rudy Ray Moore back scratcher, too.”
Stacy says Moore was consistently surprised at how his 1970s film work transcended race as well. “He honestly couldn’t believe it when he would look out and see all these young white kids who turned out to see him. Regardless of race, he had become a cultural touchstone.”
Alas, the long-promised Starlight world premiere of “Dolemite 2000,” Moore’s final, underfinanced film, may exist only as an exciting 2-minute, 14-second trailer on YouTube.
Sighed Stacy: “Yeah, man, that’s probably never going to see the light of day now.”
‘Frank TV’ returns
Last year, Frank Caliendo and his various impressions were promoted endlessly during TBS’ post-season baseball games, flogging his new show, “Frank TV.” But because of the writers strike, only five episodes aired.
With the writers back and decent ratings in tow, TBS gave the comic a second season with 10 episodes. The half-hour comedy sketch show debuted at 11 p.m. Tuesday. It’s a bit tighter now, packed with more skits and a bigger cast of comics that Caliendo can play off.
“The sketches are the meat and potatoes of the show,” Caliendo told Buzz. “But I needed more help. I do 50 impressions. That could take up four shows. This enables me to spread out repeats of characters.” Among the characters: his signature John Madden (in a “Bachelor” takeoff), David Letterman, James Gandolfini and Sen. John McCain.
The show was taped months ago, so timely commentary about, say, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin wasn’t possible. But he said it’s just as well, given “Saturday Night Live’s” parodying of her. “At this point, the only person people care less about is Joe Biden,” he joked.
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Derek Jacobi is 70. Actress Annette Funicello is 66. Actor Jeff Goldblum is 56. Comedian Carlos Mencia is 41. Country singer Shelby Lynne is 40. Reggae rapper Shaggy is 40. Drummer Zac Hanson of Hanson is 23. Actor Jonathan Lipnicki (“Jerry Maguire”) is 18.
OVERSCENE
Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and actor Robin Williams dining separately at South City Kitchen in Midtown. We’re told that Williams ordered the fried whole catfish. NBA legend Patrick Ewing also was spotted there ordering brunch blueberry pancakes — sans the berries!
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Come on, what do you expect me to say? He’s my brother. Sarah Palin, no question.”
Actor Stephen Baldwin, on “Extra” discussing who was funnier in the Alec Baldwin sketch with the GOP vice presidential candidate on “Saturday Night Live.” In the bit, Palin told Baldwin that Stephen is her preferred Baldwin brother.
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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Boortz gets attention
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was difficult to tell Monday, what with all the Barack Obama bashing, the moaning over John McCain’s poll numbers and general spleen juice gushing through the radio, but Atlanta’s own Libertarian syndicated talk show host, Neal Boortz, may have been secretly pleased.
Last Friday’s on-air coup with GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin netted the yakker some national press. As listeners know, during the interview, Palin confirmed for Boortz that she would indeed be making an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” (her visit, incidentally, helped “SNL” score its highest ratings in 14 years, with about 17 million viewers tuned in).
Snippets of Palin’s comments, along with Boortz’s buttery tones, were later used by “Entertainment Tonight” and other national media outlets.
Of why she planned to do the late-night sketch comedy show, Palin told Boortz: “I want to show the American people that we can rise above the shots being taken.”
Naturally Boortz, an advocate for the fair tax, didn’t let Palin off the phone until he broached his favorite subject with her. Palin replied that she is familiar with the plan, adding that the current American tax code is “so doggone burdensome, anything would be better.”
Wedding singer speaks
Regulars of the old Buckhead watering hole Celebrity Rock Cafe would have instantly recognized one of the featured acts at the wedding of Spanx founder Sara Blakely and Marquis Jets co-creator Jesse Itzler over the weekend in Boca Grande, Fla. Sure enough, Band X banged through some of the couple’s namesake requests at the lavish party, including renditions of Rick Springfield’s “Jesse’s Girl” and Hall & Oates’ “Sara Smile.”
“We’re mostly a corporate band at this point,” Band X’s David Cole explained Monday to Buzz. “They happened to see our video on our Web site [www.bandxlive.com] and hired us. They just wanted something really over the top, high energy and fun. They took really great care of us.”
So since Band X plays a lot of corporate gigs, did Blakely and Itzler strike Cole as typical CEO types? Hardly.
“He wore sneakers with his tuxedo and she’s very elegant but you can tell she loves to have fun,” Cole said. “They’re very different, very artistic.”
In response to our obligatory question about a particular wedding guest, Cole told us: “I’m really not sure if Matt Damon got out there and danced or not. He might have, but the place was huge. I couldn’t see him!”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Joyce Randolph (“The Honeymooners”) is 83. Keyboardist Manfred Mann is 68. TV judge Judy Sheindlin (“Judge Judy”) is 66. Guitarist Charlotte Caffey of the Go-Go’s is 55. Actress Carrie Fisher is 52. Keyboardist Charlie Lowell of Jars of Clay is 35. Actor Jeremy Miller (“Growing Pains”) is 32. Actor Will Estes (“American Dreams”) is 30.
OVERSCENE
NBA legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving and pop performer Nelly ordering drinks and food and closing the joint at Lola in Buckhead.
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.
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Atlanta Spanx founder gets married
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With famous friends looking on, Spanx founder Sara Blakely married Jesse Itzler at sunset Saturday on the beach in Boca Grande, Fla.
The Atlanta entrepreneur first met the co-founder of Marquis Jets when she became a client of the New York groom’s private jet leasing company a few years back.
Guests included actor Matt Damon, playwright Eve Ensler, rapper Doug E. Fresh, Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland and his wife Michaeline, Atlanta morning radio personality Vikki Locke and her husband Michael Hughes, MRPR public relations firm founder Meg Reggie and her husband Rick Butgereit, Spanx employees past and present and members of the New York Knicks, the groom’s favorite team.
Valets were standing by to park each guest’s golf cart, which had been assigned to them upon check-in at the luxurious Gasparilla Inn & Club. The couple had rented the entire resort for the weekend. Complimentary flip-flops were lined up, according to size, for attendees to slip to avoid the particles of shells on the beach. Blakely wore her great-grandmother’s wedding gown (last used in 1918). The wind wreaked havoc with the bride’s antique veil, resulting in Blakely giggling and a wedding planner being dispatched to attend the errant accessory.
Daniel Itzler, the groom’s father, officiated; the bride had converted to Judaism for the occasion. Blakely bravely tackled a lot of the ceremony in Hebrew.
All weekend long, attendees alerted Buzz Central to ceremony updates via texts, iPhone photos, voice mail and e-mails.
Guests were led to a massive tent where a reception took place. The bride and groom selected “Hopelessly Devoted to You” as their first song (“Grease” is Blakely’s favorite film, we’re told). The bride then managed to shock her new husband when “Grease” actress and singer Olivia Newton-John strolled out on stage with a microphone to finish the song live and perform three other hits for guests.
After midnight, the tent was converted into a B.E.D.-inspired South Beach nightclub, complete with raps by the groom. Music fans may remember Itzler, who before his multimillion dollar jet business, was known as Jesse Jaymes, an early 1990s MTV rapper who had a hit with “Shake It (Like a White Girl).”
As guests waited in the moonlight for valets to bring their golf carts around, they were treated to midnight snacks of pizza and ice cream from trucks rented for the evening.
When contacted by Buzz while awaiting her flight home Sunday, Meg Reggie told us: “It was just an unbelievable experience. Every single detail was thought of in advance. They’re such an adorable couple.”
Overscene
Buena Vista recording artists KSM getting the star treatment at Carter-Barnes Hair Artisans before performing their hit, “Hero in You” at the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars over the weekend at Philips Arena downtown. We’re told that the Disney teenage girl group consisting of Shelby, Shae, Sophia, Katie and Kate scored some pink highlights and some chunky hairdos from the Buckhead style salon.
Celebrity birthdays
Actor William Christopher (“MASH”) is 76. Musician Tom Petty is 58. Actor Viggo Mortensen (“Lord of the Rings”) is 50. Drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld of Hootie and the Blowfish is 44. Rapper Snoop Dogg is 37. Actress Jennifer Nicole Freeman (“My Wife And Kids”) is 23.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“After two weeks of cancelled shows on her Rock Witchu tour, Janet Jackson revealed that she’s been suffering from migraine-associated vertigo. So while she might not be able to Rock Witchu, she can still Sit Witchu or Lean Against Something Real Sturdy Witchu.”
“Weekend Update” faux newscaster Amy Poehler on “Saturday Night Live.”
Contributing: 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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‘Runway’ star returns to city for AIDS walk
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Atlantan and “Project Runway” contestant Jack Mackenroth is back in town this weekend, and let’s hope his shoes are stylish yet comfortable as he joins in this Sunday’s AIDS Walk.
The budding designer, who distinguished himself in Season 3 of the Bravo reality series by publicly revealing his HIV status, is on the road promoting healthy discussions about being HIV-positive via Living Positive By Design. The 39-year-old held a gathering Friday night at the W hotel in Midtown.
“It’s really about combating the social stigma that exists,” Mackenroth told Buzz Friday. “We have to encourage people to talk about this.”
Mackenroth says it wasn’t a problem disclosing his status on national television.
“Ultimately, the decision was mine, but all my health information had been disclosed when I auditioned for ‘Project Runway,’ ” he explained. “It was not a spur-of-the-moment thing. The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. I’m so happy that I’m out there, able to show people that it’s possible to live a healthy, positive life.”
Mackenroth says he lived in Atlanta’s Poncey-Highland neighborhood from 1999 to 2000.
“I drove in from the airport on Thursday, and I’ve noticed some real changes. I’m looking forward to walking with my friends on Sunday. I know that the economy is an issue right now, but HIV is something that affects everyone. We need all the attention paid to it that we can get.”
For info: www.myspace.com/livingpositivebydesign or www.aidswalkatlanta.com.
Cash for Champions
Poet Maya Angelou, “Dr. Phil” McGraw, and breast cancer survivors, including WSB-TV anchor Monica Pearson and Barbara Dooley, were among those who helped B98.5-FM raise money to battle the disease Friday morning. Morning personalities Steve McCoy and Vikki Locke hosted Breakfast for Champions in front of a live audience of 98 breast cancer survivors who got up before dawn to drive to the station’s Midtown studios. The event raised nearly $420,000 to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate.
Naturally, Dooley, the incomparable wife of legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, was her hilarious self during the broadcast.
Dooley disclosed that she and Vince currently have a granddaughter who’s enrolled at — gasp — the University of Alabama. When the Crimson Tide rolled into Athens this season, family relations were put to the test.
It seems the Dooley grandchild wanted to wear her team colors and root for her team in front of her famous Dawg granddaddy.
Cracked Barbara Dooley on-air: “I thought Vince was gonna wring her neck! She’s got a lot of spunk. Wonder where she gets that?”
Vaughn on hold
Robert Vaughn, “The Man From U.N.C.L.E,” himself, has had to postpone his appearance at the Margaret Mitchell House that was scheduled for Thursday .
His manager, Joe Rinaldi, told Buzz that Vaughn, 75, had picked up some kind of serious bug on a recent trip overseas and needed a week or two of complete bedrest. He’s had to cancel or postpone a chunk of his tour to promote his new memoir, “A Fortunate Life.” Rinaldi says he will reschedule the Atlanta appearance as soon as possible.
“A Fortunate Life” is in some ways your standard actor’s autobiography (me-me-me), but it’s also full of surprises: how Vaughn recited Shakespeare for John Barrymore as a child in a saloon, dated (ahem) a teenaged Natalie Wood, and told a young Jack Nicholson not to give up, that his acting career would surely take off one day. Of course the stuff about “U.N.C.L.E.” is a hoot.
‘Trying to win’
Syndicated morning host Rickey Smiley, who joined Hot 107.9 earlier this month, admits to being a bit intimidated by his direct competitors in town, including Steve Harvey (Grown Folks 102.5), Tom Joyner (Kiss 104.1) and Frank and Wanda (V-103).
“I’m nervous,” he told Buzz Friday during his first show at Hot studios before hosting a free concert for listeners at the Rialto. “But I’m trying to win, dude. I’m going to go to schools. I’m going to work barber shops, soul food places, you name it.”
He plans to start a Monday night karaoke/poetry event at Uptown Comedy Corner next month and do his shows live from Atlanta at least one day a week.
On a somewhat chaotic first day at Hot, local artists Bobby Valentino, Gorilla Zoe and Yung Joc stopped by to wish Smiley luck.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Saturday: Singer-guitarist Chuck Berry is 82. Actress Dawn Wells (“Gilligan’s Island”) is 70. Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis is 47. R&B singer Ne-Yo is 29. Actor Zac Efron (“High School Musical,” “Hairspray”) is 21. Actress Joy Lauren (“Desperate Housewives”) is 19.
Sunday: Artist Peter Max is 71. Actor John Lithgow is 63. Singer Jeannie C. Riley is 63. Singer Jennifer Holliday is 48. TV host Ty Pennington (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) is 44. “South Park” co-creator Trey Parker is 39.
OVERSCENE
Julianne Chambliss, wife of U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, stopped by the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta’s Mistletoe Market Friday. Chambliss shopped and visited with vendors, accompanied by Market co-chairs Haley Kelly and Laurie Cates and League president Carey Merritt. The Mistletoe Market, which concludes at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Cobb County Civic Center, benefits the women’s service group projects.
Contributing: Phil Kloer, Rodney Ho, Jennifer Brett 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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Sparkling cap will set you back $125
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Debuting a $125 blinged-out ball cap in our current economic climate may be, well, Ludacris.
As in the Atlanta restaurateur-entrepreneur-rapper-actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, who has designed his very own Atlanta Falcons-inspired red-and-black, crystal-adorned collector’s cap with an Atlanta Braves “A” and Luda’s own Disturbing Tha Peace logo.
Between walks on the red carpet Thursday night at the Rialto Theater downtown for the Atlanta premiere of “Max Payne,” his new movie with Mark Wahlberg, the music mogul popped into the New Era flagship store on Luckie Street for a private party celebrating the arrival of the hat.
Starting today, fans can pick up the fashion accessory at the shop. New Era manager Stan Grzebinski expects sales to be brisk, despite the up-and-down Dow.
“We’ve got 32 of the hats, which is more than any other store has in stock, since this is Ludacris’ hometown,” Grzebinski told Buzz on Thursday. “There’s already been a lot of interest in it.”
Even in the bad economy?
Grzebinski laughed and added: “You’d be surprised. The die-hard collectors are all about this. They’re also real limited edition. There’s only 200 of them out there. It should do really well for us.”
The hats go on sale at 10 a.m. New Era is at 117 Luckie St. downtown.
Marist grad gets ‘Real’ TV gig
Atlanta native Catherine “Kit” Hoover is coming back to the area from metro New York in November for her 20th Marist School reunion — and she’ll have something to brag about: a new hosting gig on TLC.
“Real Simple. Real Life” is yet another makeover show with Hoover and a band of experts helping a woman redo her home, her clothing, her food, her exercise regimen, et al. The focus is taking clutter out of people’s lives and making them more productive.
“This is timely with the economy the way it is,” she told Buzz. The weekly show debuts at 8 tonight.
Hoover — who joins an illustrious line of guys with local ties who have hosted TV shows, such as Ryan Seacrest, Ty Pennington and Jeff Foxworthy — won multiple state track titles at Marist before breaking into entertainment as a cast member on the first season of MTV’s “Road Rules.”
She became an entertainment news correspondent for Fox News, then hosted ESPN’s “Cold Pizza.” Hoover, married with three children, has spent the past three years raising her kids.
On her trip to Atlanta, Hoover said she plans to grab some Fellini’s pizza and “a Naked Dog and an F.O. [Frosted Orange] at the Varsity.”
Sick bay update
Part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson has resumed her concert tour after being sidelined for two weeks.
“It feels so good to be back after being down just a little bit,” Jackson told the crowd this week at the less-than-full Verizon Center in Washington.
The two-hour, high-energy show went smoothly, but Jackson did appear winded at times. At one point, she paused to admire her backup dancers, and the audience roared with approval.
Jackson’s publicist said Wednesday Jackson was suffering from migraine-associated vertigo, which led to her canceling a string of shows. She is being treated for the illness, which is characterized by dizziness, imbalance and other symptoms.
“She’s a world-class entertainer and needs to be at the top of her game to give her fans the show they expect,” Jackson’s manager, Kenneth Crear, said in a release. “She’s feeling much better and is ready to hit the road again to finish the tour.”
This is Jackson’s first North American tour in seven years. The singer hits Philips Arena on Sunday night.
Celebrity birthdays
Singer Gary Puckett of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap is 66. Actress Margot Kidder is 60. Country singer Alan Jackson is 50. Animator Mike Judge (“King of the Hill,” “Beavis and Butthead”) is 46. Reggae singer Ziggy Marley is 40. Singer Chris Kirkpatrick of ‘N Sync is 37. Rapper Eminem is 36. Singer Wyclef Jean of the Fugees is 36.
OVERSCENE
Buzz readers report that Atlanta Falcons player Jerious Norwood was spotted shopping at the Discover Mills Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville in advance of his Sunday off this week. The running back was stocking up on hunting and archery gear.
ON MY TIVO
Former Nixon White House counsel John Dean: “I watch a lot of CNN and MSNBC and, because I share an agent with her, I’ve been watching Cloris Leachman on ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ [My agent’s] trying to talk me into going on the show. I said no. Mo [Dean’s wife, Maureen] would kill me since I haven’t danced with her in 38 years! She would put me out on the street.”
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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D.L. Hughley will add satire to CNN news
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With hunger for political humor cresting, Atlanta-based CNN is creating its own satirical show, starring comic and actor D.L. Hughley. CNN has committed for a year to the weekly program, set to debut at 10 p.m. Oct. 25, just 10 days before the presidential election. The still-unnamed show will feature Hughley’s skewering of the news and interviews with newsmakers.
“It’s going to be more [David] Letterman/[Jay] Leno than ‘Daily Show,’ ” said Hughley, who said he was drawn to CNN by its deep resources, as well as his deep respect for Wolf Blitzer. (Seriously; watch for a shout-out to Blitzer on the first show.)
Besides having had his own sitcom and a spot on the successful “Kings of Comedy” tour, Hughley packs his stand-up routine with sardonic political observations. He admits to leaning left, but says he’s cynical about all politicians.
CNN/U.S. President Jon Klein said Hughley caught his eye when he saw him do Glenn Beck’s CNN Headline News show a year ago. “He defied easy labeling. Yet he is very well-informed and his opinions are based on deep knowledge of the news and the world.”
Hughley said he knows half the country will be ecstatic Nov. 5, half devastated. He’d love to get President Bush as a guest, especially if Barack Obama wins. “I’d love to say to him, ‘You’ve been a horrible president. Your legacy is you were so bad, people said, ‘We’re going to try the black guy next!’ “
Though Hughley won’t get a sidekick or band, he will have a live audience. “Maybe one of the people in the audience will have an iPod we can use,” he cracked.
Some already ready for Santa
Buzz Central is still preparing for trick-or-treaters and maybe brining our Thanksgiving turkey, but holiday regulars at Phipps Plaza seem to be operating on a different schedule. The reservation system for a visit with Santa Claus went online at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, and about 1,400 appointments were made in the first 45 minutes.
Santa’s opening day at Phipps is Nov. 8, and his shop closes, of course, on Christmas Eve. (Other days off are on Nov. 10 and 17, Dec. 1, 8 and 15, and Nov. 27, Thanksgiving.) Reservations are for a spot in a 15-minute window of time, and are booked per family, not per child. For more information, visit www.santaatphipps.com.
What cookies say about the election
The way to voters’ ballots is … through their stomachs? A quadrennial Family Circle magazine contest that pits candidates’ spouses’ cookie recipes against each other — and has predicted the winner since 1992 — says Cindy McCain’s oatmeal-butterscotch cookies beat Michelle Obama’s shortbreads 54 percent to 44 percent. (Bill Clinton’s oatmeal cookie recipe got 2 percent of the vote before Hillary Clinton conceded the Democratic nomination.) The winning recipe can be found at www.familycircle.com/cookievote.
Criminal Records gets new home
After just a few days of moving and cleaning, Little Five Points music store Criminal Records is open in its new 5,500-square-foot location just around the corner. The shop closed its 1,800-square-foot space behind Junkman’s Daughter on Sunday and started a marathon move of stock to 1154-A Euclid Ave. N.E., between Bang-On and Porter Beer Bar. Owner Eric Levin says volunteers helped staffers move, just making the move more bittersweet.
Staffers hammered and sawed for months; now it’s just alphabetizing: CDs, DVDs and vinyl are on the floor, and the walls are loaded with comics. The “venue-level” stage shares the back wall with a DJ booth.
They’re still trying to find a place for a wall featuring comic art that Levin kept from the old store. Outdoor signs aren’t up yet, but Levin says local artist Ronnie Land is on the project. For now, they’ll tear down the white paper and try for something Halloween-y.
Celebrity birthdays
Actress Angela Lansbury is 83. Actress Suzanne Somers is 62. Guitarist Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead is 61. Producer-director David Zucker is 61. Actor-director Tim Robbins is 50. Actor Randy Vasquez (“JAG”) is 47. Bassist Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is 46. Singer Wendy Wilson (Wilson Phillips) is 39. Rapper B-Rock of B-Rock and the Bizz is 37. Actress Kellie Martin (“Life Goes On”) is 33. Singer-songwriter John Mayer is 31. Actress Brea Grant (“Heroes”) is 27.
OVERSCENE
Blowing out the candles for his 30th birthday Tuesday night: Atlanta R&B superstar Usher, the man of the hour at a private dinner at the Mansion on Peachtree Hotel. In attendance were his pregnant wife Tameka (who was showing), fellow Grammy winners Monica and Bryan-Michael Cox, Frank Ski, and leading the birthday song — Usher’s mother/manager Jonnetta and Ski’s co-announcer Wanda Smith. “Those two were the highlight of the night!” V-103’s Miss Sophia told Buzz. … In Norcross, Bow Wow was spotted talking with fans and hanging out with monsters at the Netherworld Haunted House.
GEORGIA’S OWN
Conyers native Dakota Fanning will be honored with the Rising Star Award at the 20th Palm Springs International Film Festival in January, organizers announced Wednesday. Fanning, 14, was selected for her work in the film “The Secret Life of Bees,” though she’s been rocking the big screen since age 5 in films such as “I Am Sam,” “Charlotte’s Web” and “War of the Worlds.” Past winners include Jessica Biel, Nikki Blonsky, Bryce Dallas Howard, Terrence Howard and Scarlett Johansson.
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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Designer fund-raiser enthralls
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As usual, Monday night’s 11th annual Dining By Design fund-raiser for DIFFA, or Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, was a senses-saturating gala filled with fascinating table concepts. This year, the evening was held inside a massive white tent adjacent to the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center in Buckhead.
Among the more fanciful concepts guests gawked at as they sipped martinis in massive glasses: The “Arabian Nights”-themed dining room created for the Stark Carpet Corp. by designer John Oetgen (right). Beside panels of puffy clouds and blue sky, guests dined atop a large “flying” carpet and plentiful pillows.
“Snakes on a plate!” one guest gushed as they noted the ceramic serpents resting on each plate. Guests of Stark Carpet, meanwhile, came dressed for the occasion in turbans and brandishing swords.
The Tiffany & Co. table was more sedate, with the jeweler’s signature robin’s egg blue painted walls and vintage “Breakfast at Tiffanys” movie posters. The stylish Hollywood homage was created by interior designer Lee Bryan. Throughout dinner, guests got to gaze upon Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly from the classic film via a flat-screen TV set up in the space. Guests at the table each got a goodie bag with a DVD of the film.
The design for Atlanta and New York retailer Jeffrey, meanwhile, stopped guests in their tracks with its colorful, whimsical tables and wacky hand-painted lampshades concept that appeared to be equal parts “Alice in Wonderland,” Dr. Seuss and “Pushing Daisies.”
This year, Buzz was seated at Atlanta caterer Tony Conway’s A Legendary Event table created by Steve Welsh. The table was a living backyard of sorts with floral blooms and lush green grass strategically placed around the table. (Buzz momentarily encountered an etiquette question, as we wondered if resting our butter knife on living blades of grass was really proper or not …).
“The entire table is living,” Welsh told us. “That was the challenge of the concept this year.”
Happily, we were seated next to film production designer Ina Mayhew, the creative dynamo responsible for the signature looks of all seven movies made in Atlanta by director-producer Tyler Perry.
Alas, Mayhew resisted passing along any “Madea”-inspired decorating tips to us. Well, at least not until “Madea Goes to Jail” hits theaters next February. Still, we may start shopping yard sales for doilies and Reader’s Digest Condensed Books …
Overscene
Ridiculously beautiful tennis pros Anna Kournikova and Andy Roddick at the W Midtown hotel. We’re told that the glamorous Kournikova checked in wearing a decidedly low-key outfit of jeans and a sweatshirt. Roddick was spotted dining at the hipster hotel’s Spice Market restaurant. The pros were in town to help Sir Elton John raise $400,000 at his annual Smash Hits tennis benefit.
Actors David Duchovny and Demi Moore, spotted dining at Ray’s Killer Creek in Alpharetta. They’re in town filming their new movie, a dark comedy tentatively titled “The Joneses.”
Seen celebrating Atlanta Falcon Jonathan Babineaux’s 27th birthday and that impressive win over the Chicago Bears at the Velvet Room were fellow Falcons John Abraham, Roddy White, D.J. Shockley, Lawyer Milloy, Michael Boley, Jamaal Anderson, Rod Coleman, Chauncey Davis, Grady Jackson, Brent Grimes, Kindal Moorehead, Chris Houston, Simon Fraser and Ovie Mughelli. Former Falcon Warrick Dunn was also there, as was singer Mary J. Blige, who surprised the birthday boy by serenading him.
‘It’s Atlanta!’ again
The Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics Torch may have made its way around the world, but its final home is going to be Atlanta. The Olympic symbol is being installed at 10 a.m. today at the World of Coca-Cola downtown. Sergey Bubka, a member of the International Olympic Committee and a pole-vaulting gold medalist, will present the torch during the installation. It will join a collection of seven other torches and be on display in the Milestones exhibit. So why the World of Coca-Cola? The Atlanta-based beverage giant is one of the Games’ biggest sponsors. Consider it one really expensive souvenir of the Summer of 2008.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Barry McGuire is 73. Actress Linda Lavin (“Alice”) is 71. Actress-director Penny Marshall is 66. Singer Tito Jackson is 55. TV chef Emeril Lagasse is 49. “Trading Spaces” host Paige Davis is 39. Singer Eric Benet is 38. Singer Ginuwine is 38. Actor Vincent Martella (“Everybody Hates Chris”) is 16.
Contributing: Leon Stafford 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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‘President’s Men’ pleases Nixon’s man
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Nixon White House counsel John Dean has remarkable powers of perspective. That personality trait explains how one of Watergate’s center figures can cite “All the President’s Men,” based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, as one of his favorite films.
The author and MSNBC commentator was in town Monday to shoot an intro with Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne in advance of the 1976 film’s debut on TCM, at 8 p.m. Nov. 2.
Dean, who was charged with obstruction of justice and served four months in prison in the Watergate scandal, first saw the film in a private screening with director Alan Pakula before its theatrical release. On the flight to Atlanta, he watched it again on his iPhone.
“It’s held up remarkably well,” Dean told us in a TCM green room. “[Oscar-winning screenwriter] William Goldman took a really tough book that wasn’t easily adaptable and turned it into a thriller. It’s a long film but it really moves.”
Ironically, Dean as a character is not in a single frame of the film nor is he referenced. Dean said when he pointed out that fact to Pakula, the shocked director asked him, “How can that be?”
Dean’s smiling response: “You tell me.”
Alas, Dean told us he and late Atlantan John Ehr-lichman were not close when the former Nixon aide, who served 18 months in prison, died here in 1999.
“John was a very charming man. Funny and witty and smart. But he got obsessed with this Watergate revisionist history. I think he was trying to get himself off the hook. He had trouble admitting his mistakes.”
Between takes in the studio, Osborne told us: “I didn’t quite know what to expect. He’s still so notorious in my mind. But I think that’s a real tribute to the American people. People forget and let you go and live your life. The information he has to share is fascinating.”
Tuesday night at 8, Osborne is joined by “The Office” star Rainn Wilson, who is TCM’s October guest programmer. One of Wilson’s picks floored Osborne: the MGM musical “Singin’ in the Rain.”
“Perhaps it’s the wit in the script that appeals to him,” Osborne theorized. One thing’s for certain: Because of Wilson’s visit, Osborne is now a fan of his NBC sitcom.
“I didn’t really get it until I watched a full season on DVD,” he explained. “But once you see the relationships of the characters, it’s quite wonderful. I’m addicted!”
Elton vs. Billie Jean
Judging from the playful trash-talking at the news conference Sunday, Buzz had no idea whether Team Elton or Team Billie Jean would emerge as victor at the 16th annual Advanta World Team Tennis benefit at Kennesaw State University. Sir Elton John cracked that his teammate, Andy Roddick, had never been on a winning Smash Hits team. Then John’s pal and opposing team captain, Billie Jean King, fired back of her team: “I’ve got youth and experience.”
But as it turns out, that wasn’t enough. Roddick turned his stats around, winning three sets to lead Team Elton to a 23-16 victory over Team Billie Jean.
Over the event’s 16 years, John and King are dead even at eight wins apiece. The real winner: The Elton John AIDS Foundation and Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund. The fund-raiser raked in $400,000 for the charities.
And obviously having the time of her life out there? Marietta’s own Melanie Oudin, who got to play idol Martina Navratilova.
A beaming Oudin, 17, told reporters of her inaugural Smash Hits benefit: “I get to hang out with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. I’m honored just to be here!”
T.I.: ‘I can’t excuse it’
In one of the wildest bookings in recent memory, Atlanta rapper and actor T.I. visited the ladies of “The View” live Monday morning on ABC. He was on to perform “Whatever You Like,” the hit single from his new No. 1 album, “Paper Trail.”
But first, the rapper had to answer some pointed questions regarding that guilty plea on those pesky federal weapons charges, stemming from his arrest exactly a year ago as he tried to purchase machine guns and silencers in a Midtown shopping center. The arrest occurred just hours before he was due to hit the red carpet down the street at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center as the most nominated artist at the 2007 BET Hip-Hop Awards.
“I can’t excuse it,” T.I. said. “When you’re in my line of work, more people want to kill you than congratulate you. I have a family to protect. It sways your judgment.”
With sunglasses perched atop his head, the rapper legally named Clifford Harris Jr. said he’s learned a few things since the arrest.
“You’ve got to walk with God instead of walking with the guys. It took me a while to learn that.”
T.I. is awaiting sentencing. But as a convicted felon, jail time is almost a certainty.
On another stint in stir, T.I. said: “I’m concerned, but I’m not scared. I’m not thrilled about it. I look forward to getting it over with.”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor Roger Moore is 81. Singer Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues is 62. Singer Thomas Dolby is 50. Country singer Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks is 34. Singer Usher is 30.
OVERSCENE
At Stats sports bar downtown: Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young cheering on his alma mater, the University of Texas, as the Longhorns outscored Oklahoma on Saturday. We’re told Young sat up in one of the Fight Room lounges and dined on nachos and shrimp quesadillas.
Contributing: 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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Elton John: Money from tennis fund-raiser will target AIDS in South
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For Sir Elton John, hosting his 16th annual Advanta World Team Tennis Smash Hits event back in his U.S. hometown meant a great deal more to him than just the luxury of not having to board a plane to attend the “tennis chic” affair.
“All of the money raised here today will stay here in the Atlanta market and in Georgia,” John told the AJC Sunday morning before picking up his racket at the fund-raiser at Kennesaw State University Sunday morning. “Forty six percent of AIDS cases are now being reported in the South. We are distinctly aware of the problems here and the South will continue to be a priority for the foundation.”
John was joined by his co-host and old friend Billie Jean King and pro tennis pals Anna Kournikova, Andy Roddick and Martina Navratilova, along with rising players and Smash Hits first-timers Jesse Levine and local gal Melanie Oudin.
RELATED:
- PHOTOS: Elton John, tennis legends stage Atlanta AIDS benefit
- Metro Atlanta tennis guide
- Elton John AIDS Foundation
- Connect to causes in Atlanta
At a blustery rooftop sold-out VIP brunch reception for 600, with fellow event co-chairs Sacha Taylor and Charlie Hendon looking on, Dr. Bobbie Bailey shocked the assembled by making a surprise donation of $100,000, the largest gift given by an individual in the event’s history
“I’ve been very lucky in life,” Bailey told us. “These stories in the Atlanta Journal about rising number of AIDS statistics here shocked me. I needed to do something to help.”
To help drive up a bid on an hour of private tennis tutoring with him, Roddick generously agreed to shed some clothing at the future lesson. The bid shot up to $11,000 when Roddick agreed to do the session shirtless. When he finally agreed to “the full Monty,” the lesson fetched $15,000 from a female fan.
As the live auction surpassed the $100,000 mark, EJAF board member Barron Segar breathed a sigh of relief standing in the back of the white tent.
“I’ll admit some of us on the board were chewing our cuticles last night, wondering how we would do today with the economic downturn going on,” Segar said. “But once again, Elton’s hometown has come through for us. It exceeded all our expectations.”
While Smash Hits was a success story Sunday, Elton John remains aware of the effect current economic uncertainties are having throughout the city on AIDS fund-raisers.
Over the weekend, it was announced that Project Open Hand’s signature “Party for the Kitchen” fund-raiser set for Oct. 23 has been cancelled due to current economic factors. Event co-chair Tony Conway explained Sunday that in the final analysis, not having the party made more economic sense. An estimated $100,000, combined from donated advance ticket sales and the event’s planned expenditures for food, alcohol and valet services will now go directly to POH clients (ticket holders seeking refunds will be accommodated, however).
Additionally, with one week to go until next Sunday’s event, AIDS Walk Atlanta organizers are challenged with both a venue relocation (the Walk has been moved over to 10th street, due to ongoing drought restrictions in Piedmont Park) and tightening wallets.
In 1991, John walked alongside then-mayor Maynard Jackson at the city’s inaugural AIDS Walk.
Said John: “It’s been such a part of the Atlanta scene for so many years, I would hope that it will continue to do well, Everyone needs to get out and walk. What else is there to do? No one will be shopping because no one can afford to!”
‘Talent’ hits Cobb Centre
Most people who watched Terry Fator win “America’s Got Talent” on NBC last year saw him in three-minute snippets. But he proved at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Saturday night he could sustain a nearly two-hour show, mixing humor, song and a cavalcade of puppets.
Fator, who has a $100 million, five-year contract with the Mirage in Vegas, gave a couple of nods to Georgia artists, courtesy of his puppet Julius, who sang an impressive version of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” and a snippet of James Brown’s “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.” (Cee-lo — you try singing that without moving your lips!)
And the most warped moment of the night: Fator dressed up as Michael Jackson to duet the country classic “Hey Good Lookin’ ” with his puppet Walter T. Airedale.
An emotional evening
Tears flowed along with the wine and the cash at the annual Men Stopping Violence awards dinner held Saturday night at the Atlanta History Center. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey dedicated her award to her mother, a 1985 domestic violence murder victim.
“This is the most humbling and moving award I’ve ever received,” Trethewey told the crowd. “This is for my mother, a woman who tried to escape the violence of a marriage.”
George McKerrow Jr., the evening’s True Ally Award winner, was introduced by his Ted’s Montana Grill business partner Ted Turner.
McKerrow credited Turner’s former wife, Jane Fonda, and her “Vagina Monologues” playwright pal Eve Ensler for “enlightening me and causing me to stop and think.”
Added McKerrow: “We have to treat each other with respect and dignity. We have to erase color and gender and become equals as human beings.”
Among the hot silent auction items garnering bids in an adjacent hallway: framed vintage vinyl signed by Bob Dylan and Bruce Springteen and a photo collage of college football bulldog mascots UGAs IV, V, VI and VII titled “The Dawghouse.”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Musician Paul Simon is 67. Singer Sammy Hagar is 61. Singer-actress Marie Osmond is 49. Actress Kate Walsh (“Grey’s Anatomy”) is 41. Actor Sacha Baron Cohen (“Borat,” “Da Ali G Show”) is 37. Singers Brandon and Brian Casey of Atlanta’s Jagged Edge are 33. Singer Ashanti is 28.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Who knew I was an artist, right?!”
Martina Navratilova, introducing Smash Hits attendees Sunday to her paintings created with Slovak artist Juraj Kralik. The pieces are created when Navratilova hits paint-soaked tennis balls onto a blank canvas. The pieces are valued at $20,000.
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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Trisha Yearwood at Taste of Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Country singer and Georgia native Trisha Yearwood took to the stage — a cooking stage — at Taste of Atlanta Saturday with her sister Beth and mom Gwen to highlight a couple of recipes from her book “Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen.” They first do cheese straws, followed by chicken and dumplings. Others who showed up on the stage over the weekend included Richard Blais, Ted Allen and George Duran.
Here are some photos Buzz took from the event:
ABOVE: Trisha Yearwood and her mom Gwen laughs it up with the audience at Atlantic Station Saturday. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
ABOVE: Fred Genovese, an executive chef and part of the “Chef and the Fat Man” radio show on Talk Radio 1160/AM at 3 p.m. Sundays, interviews Yearwood.
ABOVE: Yearwood shows off what her cheese straws look like before they become cheese straws.
ABOVE: Trisha throws some cheese straws into the crowd, with mixed results.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Brookhaven fest features Michael Bryant photos
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Browsers at this weekend’s Brookhaven Arts Festival will instantly recognize Atlanta photographer Michael Bryant’s sepia-steeped images at Booth No. 70.
For starters, Bryant’s iconic photos of Atlanta; Chicago; Paris; and Florence, Italy, are likely the only ones in the show taken with a $19 plastic Holga toy camera. This week, we were treated to a preview of Bryant’s new work at Outwrite Books, where a selection of his pieces is on display.
As we gazed up at the Eiffel Tower, Bryant told us: “I bought my first Holga on a fluke just before a trip to Paris in 1999. I loved the way it blurred the edges and the way it pulled and manipulated images and how it allowed light to leak in.”
In an age where digital cameras provide instant insight (not to mention instant gratification) into what you’ve just shot, Bryant says he prefers the mystery of the Holga and its old-school 120 film.
“The more you work with it and the more skilled you are, you’ll get a fairly good idea of what you’ve captured but still, you don’t really know until you have a look at the negatives,” he said. “For me, that’s part of the mystique.”
Also included in Bryant’s latest series: a set of iconic Atlanta images utilizing multiple exposures, including shots of the Majestic Diner on Ponce de Leon Avenue and the Fox Theatre on Peachtree Street.
“With the multiple exposures, there’s almost an abstract aspect to them,” Bryant said. And the storm clouds overhead in the shots are not the result of PhotoShop either.
Explained Bryant: “I took these the morning after the tornadoes hit the city in March. The sky was just so ominous and scary-looking, I had to do some shooting.”
Bryant, long a fixture in Piedmont Park as a Dogwood Festival artist, is thrilled the annual event is poised to return there in 2008 after being bumped to Buckhead this spring.
“I did OK at Lenox Square this year but it was complete luck,” Bryant said. “A businessman from Oregon had an entire office to decorate. He looked down from his window at the Ritz-Carlton and saw us. I was in the right place at the right time!”
The Brookhaven Arts Festival runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday on Apple Valley Road right behind the Brookhaven MARTA station. Info: Brookhavenartsalliance.com or michael-bryant.com.
Extended ‘Commute’
On Friday, the folks at the Alliance Theatre informed Buzz Central that its world premiere comedy revue, “The Second City: Too Busy to Hate … Too Hard to Commute,” featuring members of the legendary Chicago comedy troupe riffing on Atlanta, will extend for one week of performances. We hear that tickets have been snapped up quickly for the Hertz Stage shows. The show will run through Nov. 2. Tickets are on sale: $30 and $40. To purchase, call the Woodruff Arts Center box office at 404-733-5000 or visit www.alliancetheatre .org.
A grand employee of the month?
As the Dow dug a fresh basement Friday, we received word of a heartening nature. It seems a wallet was left at the Northside Parkway Flying Biscuit Cafe in Buckhead this week. Server Angela Cook retrieved it and turned it into manager John Kareem. Inside: a grand in cash and an ID. Turns out the wallet belonged to prominent attorney Marc Taylor of Taylor, Busch, Slipakoff & Duma. Taylor’s colleague at the firm, Charles Hoff, serves as general counsel for the Georgia Restaurant Association.
Taylor didn’t even know he was missing the wad and the wallet until Kareem Googled him and left a message on his office voice mail.
“With that amount of money, I kind of expected him to call,” Kareem told us Friday. “But we were glad to help.”
“I was stunned,” Taylor told us. “It must have taken them an hour on the Net to locate me. Plus, I’m not exactly the first Marc Taylor you come across in this city. And I’m not even going to try and explain the money. That was just stupid on my part. I honestly thought I had left my wallet at the office or in my car. It’s restored my faith in humanity.”
The kicker? Taylor’s firm actually does work for Biscuit’s parent company, Raving Brands.
Said Taylor: “I told them that employees with that level of integrity are what a successful company is built on.”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Saturday: Actor Luke Perry is 42. Actor Jane Krakowski (“30 Rock”) is 40. Rapper MC Lyte is 37. Actress Emily Deschanel (“Bones”) is 32.
Sunday: Comedian-activist Dick Gregory is 76. Singer Sam Moore of Sam and Dave is 73. News correspondent Chris Wallace is 61. Jazz musician Chris Botti is 46. Actor Hugh Jackman (“The X-Men”) is 40. Actor Adam Rich (“Eight Is Enough”) is 40. Actor Kirk Cameron is 38.
OVERSCENE
The entire Washington Capitals NHL team chowing down at Morton’s the Steakhouse downtown before their season opener against the Thrashers on Thursday night. The 30 players ordered double-cut filet mignons and Morton’s hot chocolate cake. The group started dinner with shrimp Alexander, broiled sea scallops and mini crab cakes. Much wine was opened. Oh, and one person in the party ordered a piece of tuna. Normally, this is where Buzz would insert a snarky comment. But these guys swing sticks and rearrange dental work for a living. …
Contributing: 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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Tickets still hot for Elton tennis tourney AIDS benefit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta real estate developer Charlie Hendon (below, top) has become one of Sir Elton John’s secret weapons as VIP tickets to this Sunday’s Advanta World Team Tennis benefit continue to steadily sell despite the current economic uncertainties.
Only a few of the $350 tickets remain for the Elton John AIDS Foundation benefit starring Sir Elton, his pal Billie Jean King and tennis pro pals Andy Roddick, Martina Navratilova, Anna Kournikova (with John at right at ‘04 benefit) and Donald Young.
“It’s frustrating when people look the other way,” Hendon told Buzz. “It’s not about contributing to the trendiest cause for me. It’s about a problem that has yet to be solved worldwide. This is not the time to stop. AIDS is nowhere near over.”
Hendon concedes the economic climate has shifted considerably since he first signed on this year to co-chair the benefit, which will feature Sir Elton, King, Roddick and the others playing spirited exhibition sets after a celebrity-soaked brunch.
But for Hendon, helping the Peachtree Road singer-songwriter’s favorite charity is a way to give back to the legendary performer.
As the child of divorced parents and an alcoholic father, Hendon says Elton John’s music helped him through a lot of rough spots growing up.
“Music was my drug and Elton’s music was my drug of choice,” Hendon told us. “His melodies and Bernie [Taupin’s] lyrics helped me on so many levels. It’s been wonderful to have had some success and now be at a place in my life where I can help give back to Elton a little of what his music has given me over the years.”
Buzz Central has also received a partial list of the impressive items included in this Sunday’s live auction. Among them: an original piece of art donated by Navratilova and Slovak artist Juraj Kralik (the pair utilize a technique Navratilova calls “tennising” which involves the tennis legend hitting paint saturated tennis balls onto a blank canvas) valued at $20,000. Also on the block: an autographed piano bench by Sir Elton and King’s personal Wimbledon center court tickets.
Remaining VIP tickets are available online at www.ejaf.org/smashhits08 or by calling 404-653-0240. Tickets for the tennis action only are available at etix.com or by calling 800-514-ETIX. Reserved seat tickets range from $70 to $110 and general admission tickets are $39.50. The VIP reception begins at 11 a.m. Tennis starts at 1 p.m.
Salie tackles sticky situations with Oprah
O magazine contributor Faith Salie tackled a series of sticky social situations on Thursday’s episode of “Oprah.” For starters, the native Atlantan and popular O mag “Now What Do I Do?” columnist had to answer a question from “Michelle,” an Atlanta mom, about her 12-year-old son receiving a sexual proposition via text message from a classmate. Salie’s hand shot up to her mouth when the problem was revealed on-air.
“My opinion was in the vast minority,” the North Springs High grad told Buzz Thursday. “I felt that preserving that openness she had with her son should be the top priority since that kind of closeness between a son and mom at that age is so rare.” Salie advised that the 12-year-old politely inform his classmate that she ought not send explicit texts because his mother reads them. Oprah’s audience disagreed.
Alas, Salie’s Southern upbringing prompted her to try to bring a teaching moment to Winfrey on the telecast. “I was hoping to teach Oprah how to deliver criticism by softening the blow,” she says. “The ‘bless her heart’ theory.”
So how did that go?
“Well, I didn’t really get it out since Oprah was talking. And we all know, when Oprah is talking, you listen.”
Half-off Blige, Thicke tix
Here’s a certain economic sign of the times. How slooow are ticket sales for the hot double bill of R&B sensations Mary J. Blige and Robin Thicke at Lakewood Amphitheatre this Sunday? From 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. tonight, concert fans can purchase half-price tickets to the show in the 200-level of the venue. Tickets go back to full price at midnight.
Go to ticketmaster.com or livenation.com to purchase the tickets or call 404-443-5000. Be advised: You’re still on the hook for all service charges and taxes.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor Peter Coyote is 67. Singer John Prine is 62. Actor-dancer Ben Vereen is 62. Singer David Lee Roth (Van Halen) is 54. Country singer Tanya Tucker is 50. Actor Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing”) is 49. Actor Mario Lopez (“Saved By The Bell”, above) is 35. Singer Mya (below) is 29.
OVERSCENE
NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin happily slicing into some perfectly grilled cow at Lenox Square’s Prime Restaurant with some business colleagues. Aldrin was overheard praising the steak, saying it was the best he’d ever eaten.
Contributing: 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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T.I.’s third CD debuts at top of the charts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When his new CD was released last week, Atlanta rapper-actor T.I. told us: “I am doing everything I can these days to ensure success.”
Wednesday, that work paid off.
The official results are in from Billboard magazine, and T.I.’s latest CD “Paper Trail” has debuted atop The Billboard 200 charts; making it the No. 1 album in the country.
“Paper Trail” is his third straight CD to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. And it is his biggest sales week ever — with a reported 568,000 copies sold in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It also marks the third-highest first-week sales this year. Plus it is the biggest sales week for his record label, Atlantic, since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991.
But the good news doesn’t stop there: T.I. also broke a record on the Hot 100, where he made the largest leap to No. 1 — a record he set himself only six weeks ago. “Live Your Life,” featuring Rihanna, the latest single from “Paper Trail,” jumped from No. 80 to No. 1, replacing the T.I. single “Whatever You Like.”
And since we’re talking hometown, here’s another interesting factoid for you: T.I. is the first artist to replace himself at No. 1 on the Hot 100 since Atlanta R&B superstar Usher switched out “Burn” for “Confessions Part II” in July 2004.
Getting ‘Real’ at W
A premiere party for “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” at the Perimeter W Hotel or the presidential debate that might decide the future of the nation? Several hundred people chose the former, including boxer Evander Holyfield (whose daughter works for “Housewife” Sheree Whitfield), Mark Hayes of “Good Day Atlanta,” former Falcon Chuck Smith (who knows four of the women personally) and Hot 107.9’s Rashan Ali. After the screening, the five women spent more than an hour posing for photos virtually nonstop, their thirst for attention seemingly unquenchable.
Real estate investor Gregg Leakes, “Housewife” cast member NeNe Leakes’ husband, watched on the sidelines with amusement, holding a big “wish” box his wife received as a gift from the hotel. Told he looked uncomfortable on the show, he noted, “I’m a behind-the-scenes guy.”
But he enjoyed his wife on the first episode and all the drama she created: “I love NeNe because she’s real. It’s always good to be real.”
New Birth viewing party
Want to take in the final presidential debate in a bipartisan atmosphere? New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s Bishop Eddie Long is opening up his stadium-sized venue in Lithonia next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The free event will feature a Q&A discussion session led by Long, and the candidates themselves will address attendees via a live video feed message during the evening. Given New Birth’s size, the venue also could double as one-stop shopping for pollsters post-debate.
Falcons freebies
Got tickets for this Sunday’s sold-out Falcons game against the Chicago Bears at the Georgia Dome downtown? You may not want to immediately head out for the beer concession at half-time. The Falcons front office informed Buzz Central on Wednesday that R&B sensation Robin Thicke will be performing tunes from his new album, “Something Else” during halftime. Need further incentive, you say?
In a promotion with Ford, the Falcons will be handing out John Abraham action figures to the first 10,000 fans into the Dome on Sunday. One note of warning: Given the figure’s menacing stance and ripped jersey, don’t be surprised if the thing sacks you in your sleep.
OVERSCENE
Former New York Jets running back and Kyma regular Curtis Martin introducing his pal, Atlanta director Tyler Perry, to the critically acclaimed Buckhead Greek restaurant. We’re told that Kyma chef Pano Karatassos made sure the table had an order of loukoumades (Greek doughnuts), which are Martin’s faves. … Lawyer Milloy of the Atlanta Falcons ordering the gumbo and pork entree at Two Urban Licks.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“They are so good!”
Vice presidential candidate Joe Biden laughing uncontrollably (to the point of creepiness, actually) on “Good Morning America” as Diane Sawyer showed him a clip of “Saturday Night Live” cast member Jason Sudeikis’ “psycho” Biden in SNL’s vice presidential debate parody
Celebrity birthdays
R&B singer Nona Hendryx (LaBelle) is 64. Singer Jackson Browne is 60. Manager-TV personality Sharon Osbourne (“The Osbournes”) is 56. Actor Tony Shalhoub (“Monk”) is 55. Actor Steve Burns (“Blues Clues”) is 35. Singer Sean Lennon is 33. Actor Zachery Ty Bryan (“Home Improvement”) is 27. Actor Tyler James Williams (“Everybody Hates Chris”) is 16.
Contributing: Sonia Murray, 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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Finding brick a special feat for gymnast
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Olympic gymnast and newlywed Blaine Wilson returned to Centennial Olympic Park downtown Tuesday in search of a very special snapshot.
The now 34-year-old silver medalist was on the U.S. men’s gymnastics team during the 1996 Summer Games here.
His new wife, Aliane Baquerot, also competed in ‘96 as a rhythmic gymnast.
“She’s never been able to find her Olympic brick here,” Wilson told Buzz. “I found it for her and took a picture and sent it to her. She got a little emotional.”
Wilson concedes Atlanta has changed a lot since he competed here. “A lot of things have moved around and the skyline is different. But the aura I get walking in Centennial Olympic Park is exactly the same. It’s still really exciting.”
Wilson, who announced his retirement from the sport this spring, was in town Tuesday to promote the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars Oct. 17 at Philips Arena. Other gymnasts participating include his wife, Shawn Johnson, Chellsie Memmel, Shannon Miller and Paul Hamm.
He was also the guest of honor Tuesday at West Clayton Elementary School in College Park as part of the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers school assembly program.
The tatted-up jock dazzled the small fry by doing a back flip and walking across the assembly on his hands.
“It’s so much harder for kids to stay active now,” Wilson explained. “Recess is no longer mandatory in a lot of school systems and kids tend to sit around playing video games or hanging out on Facebook. When I was a kid, I was playing football in the street, getting all scraped up.”
Wilson says he’s enjoying his time on the 37-city superstars tour.
“I don’t have to worry about scores or judges,” he said. “I’m happy!”
Earlier this year, Wilson was toying with one last Olympic run, but he called his father from the floor during what turned out to be Wilson’s final competition.
“My dad asked, ‘Why are you calling me from the floor?!’ ” Wilson recalled. “I just told him, ‘I think I’m retired.’ It was just too taxing. He said, ‘Well, let’s get out of here then!’ “
For superstars tickets: www.gymnasticssuperstars.com.
NE-YO VISITS TYRA
Atlanta R&B singer-superstar songwriter Ne-Yo has the No. 3 album in the country (“The Year of the Gentleman”), a Grammy in his new multimillion-dollar penthouse (featured recently on VH1) and still, apparently, a few things to complain about. At 1 p.m. today on “The Tyra Banks Show,” he discusses:
• The music industry: “It’s kind of sad the way the music industry is now. Back in the day it was about your talent. It was about your accomplishments. Nowadays it’s about what celebrity you’re dating or what drug you’re doing or how many times you get arrested in a year — that’s what a lot of the press is making people pay attention to.”
• The press (or more specifically, his lack of): “I’m on my third album; I won a Grammy with my second album. I’m not trying to pat myself on the back, but these are a lot of really big accomplishments but you’ve never seen me on the cover of Vibe magazine, People magazine, Rolling Stone. I’ve heard that when somebody says ‘Ne-Yo is a great singer, Ne-Yo is a great songwriter, there’s nothing else to say about him.’ I’m like why is that not enough?”
• And that ill-fated tour with R. Kelly: “This is my personal opinion — I feel the reason he kicked me off the tour is maybe he was thinking I was stealing a little bit of his shine. Which I was not trying to do. My intent was not to outshine nobody. It was nothing like that; I actually tried to go to him and thank him for letting me get on the tour and his security people shoo’d me off like I was an annoying fan. It was a lot.”
STORK REPORT
It’s a girl!
Former “American Idol” contestant Paris Bennett has given birth to a daughter named Egypt.
Bennett was in labor for five hours before her 5-pound, 15-ounce baby was born Monday in Minneapolis.
The first-time mother is reportedly doing well.
In a news release, the 20-year-old says she’s “so excited to finally see my little angel.” Bennett adds, “Man, does she have lungs on her. I guess she’s gearing up to be the next American Idol.” See Idol Buzz.
Bennett is scheduled to release her first Christmas CD, “A Royal Christmas,” on Oct. 14. Little Egypt’s great-grandmother is Grammy-winning Fayetteville singer Ann Nesby.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor Paul Hogan is 69. Actor-comedian Chevy Chase is 65. Author R.L. Stine (“Goosebumps”) is 65. Actress Sigourney Weaver is 59. Singer Robert “Kool” Bell of Kool and the Gang is 58. Comedian Darrell Hammond (“Saturday Night Live”) is 53. Actress Emily Procter (“CSI: Miami”) is 40. Actor Matt Damon is 38. Actor Nick Cannon (“Drumline”) is 28. Actor Angus T. Jones (“Two and a Half Men”) is 15.
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.
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Perry opens studio with ‘Dream’ party
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“A Place Where Dreams Believe.” Guests were greeted with those words etched in glass as they entered director Tyler Perry’s lavish new film and television studios in southwest Atlanta Saturday night.
Dressed in a cream-colored tuxedo, Perry, 39, told Buzz: “There comes a time in life, when your dream takes on a life of its own. That’s what ‘A Place Where Dreams Believe’ is all about.”
Perry proceeded to politely excuse himself when he caught singer Patti LaBelle out of the corner of his eye.
The film producer dashed down the red carpet for a quick hug and kiss.
Then Buzz overheard the multi-millionaire tell the member of R&B royalty: “Excuse me, I was in the middle of an interview. I’ll see you inside!”
Miraculously, Perry then returned to the likes of us.
Our logical follow-up: Why?
Perry laughed as he looked around him at the screen legends Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee and Cicely Tyson surrounding him. He shook his head and added: “This is just overwhelming to me. This abandoned building was built the same year I was born. It’s like it was here waiting for me. And to get to share this evening with these people is just unbelievable.” Quoting Poitier’s legendary line from “In the Heat of the Night,” Perry told us: “They call me Mister Tibbs.’ Sidney Poitier taught me it’s OK to demand respect as a black man. These people paved the way.”
LaBelle, clad in a gorgeous black gown and red clutch, told us admiringly: “Tyler’s like my son. I love how grounded he remains. To this day, if he approaches me at an event, he always introduces himself to my hair and makeup people. Unlike a lot of people in this business, they’re not invisible to him. That’s the key to his success.”
BASEBALL’S BEST
Both of baseball’s home-run kings were on hand to help Perry celebrate over the weekend as well.
On Tyler Perry Studios’ status as the first film and television studio owned and operated by an African-American producer, Barry Bonds (right, with his wife, Liz) told us: “This is history here tonight. What’s he’s done here is amazing. Sorry, Oprah!”
Earlier, Billye Aaron told us: “We wouldn’t have missed this for anything tonight.” Added Hank Aaron: Not only is Tyler a success but he’s giving back to this city and to southwest Atlanta by opening his studio here. Now, our black children can walk down the street here, take a look at this impressive building and say to themselves, ‘If Tyler can do it, so can I.’ That’s a lasting gift.”
ROYAL REUNION
Inside the studios Saturday night, Buzz was delighted to spot screen legends and old friends Tyson and Poitier catching up with each other.
Poitier had Tyson laughing so hard she was stomping her tiny feet. One thing Tyson takes seriously? Her now classic monologue Perry wrote for her as the matriarch in “Madea’s Family Reunion.” In the speech, delivered on the steps of a slave-quarters shack on a real plantation, Tyson takes today’s generation to task for not fully appreciating the ground that has been broken for them.
Of the scene, Tyson reflected: “I read that script, and I remember thinking, ‘It’s about time someone said this.’ And I was thrilled to be the person to get to say it.”
As Poitier posed for pictures with Perry just before having Stage 1 named for him, Poitier told the studio’s owner: “I’m glad I’m the old man here tonight and you’re the young man!”
Dressed regally in black with a white blossom in her hair? Perry fan Oprah Winfrey, who let the tears flow as an emotional Poitier was honored.
COMICS ON THE CARPET
Actor Will Smith clowned around on the red carpet with the press before striding up to “Entertainment Tonight’s” make-shift set. Resident Tyler Perry movie scene stealer Jennifer Lewis was her usual outrageous self as she announced to Buzz that she remains on the prowl for a husband. Of her comic roles in “Meet the Browns” and “Madea’s Family Reunion,” Lewis said: “Tyler knows I’m gonna bring it for him whenever he hires me. He knows he’s going to get that energy. The only time I turn it off is when I’m asleep!” As for Perry’s choice of real estate for the studio, Lewis added: “It’s right where’s it’s supposed to be. Right here. In the community. Perfect!”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
“The View” co-host Joy Behar is 66. Musician John Mellencamp is 57. Gospel singer Michael W. Smith is 51. “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell is 49. Singer Toni Braxton is 41. Singer Thom Yorke of Radiohead is 40. Singer Damian Kulash of OK Go is 33. Singer Taylor Hicks (“American Idol”) is 32.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“What else did we expect from Tyler Perry? He’s a master of knowing how to turn a phrase and how to create memorable moments. But I’m holding back the tears because I don’t want to re-do my make-up!”
Party attendee WSB anchor Monica Pearson, reflecting on the fireworks and the fragrant canopy of fresh flowers overhead as guests took “the walk of faith” to the studio’s backlot stage dedications
Contributing: 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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ATL’s Poprah breaks out on new VH1 show
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not many people would have the audacity to create a nickname for themselves which combines P. Diddy and Oprah. Then again, most people are not like Kim “Poprah” Kearney of Duluth. She is the breakout star of VH1’s “I Want To Work For Diddy,” which concludes Monday night.
To deal with the rather demanding Diddy seems to require a certain level of humility and willingness to be subservient, traits that Poprah distinctly lacks.
The producers clearly brought her on the show to cause ripples (if not a few waves). She did not disappoint.
Several team members found her loud, obnoxious and overbearing and tried to vote her off early on.
They didn’t believe her when she skipped a strenuous challenge because of asthma.
Poprah isn’t surprised she got so much airtime. “I have the most engaging personality,” she told Buzz last week. “I’m born to be on camera”
She also doesn’t care what the other contestants thought of her. “I’m used to that,” she said. She got stuck at first, she said, “with a bunch of idiots with no experience in the business who were intimidated by me. It was all fakery, pretension and B.S.”
Last week’s episode featured a cliffhanger. Poprah was unable to get the VIP list for a party. Diddy got angry and fired her on the spot. Will she be able to talk her way back into his good graces? We’ll find out.
Poprah isn’t her first nickname. She was a minor hip-hop star in Europe in the 1990s under the name Tempest. She had already honed her drama queen skills on the ABC show “Fat March” under her real name Kim. She clashed with a personal trainer and complained nonstop before quitting after just three days, costing herself $100,000.
Radio vets named to Ga. hall of fame
The Georgia Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2008 included a couple of WSB-AM news vets and a trio of legendary Braves announcers.
The inductees, announced Saturday night, included the late Skip Caray along with Ernie Johnson and Pete Van Wieren, who helped make even the bad Braves teams sound good in the late 1970s and 1980s. WSB-AM traffic veteran reporter Capt. Herb Emory and morning host Scott Slade also made the cut.
Jackson on hold
Part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson postponed her Sunday night concert at the Philips Arena after it was determined she had not yet fully recovered from a recent illness, it was announced late Saturday.
The concert has been rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 19, according to a spokeswoman for tour organizer LiveNation. Tickets for Sunday’s performance will be honored on the new date. The nature of the illness has not been disclosed. More than a few fans, however, are left wondering if the pop star may just have a bun in the oven with steady Jermaine Dupri.
Random bits
Sirius radio host Howard Stern got married Friday to longtime girlfriend Beth Ostrosky, with some big-name guests watching including Kelly Ripa, the Trumps, Jimmy Kimmel, Chevy Chase, Joan Rivers, Barbara Walters and Billy Joel, who sang two songs, according to People.com …
ABC confirmed with People that beach vollyeball champ and “Dancing With the Stars” competitor Misty May-Treanor was injured Friday but won’t know until Monday if she’ll be able to continue. Details were sketchy. …
Former “Idol” runner-up and Snellville resident Diana DeGarmo unveiled new country song “Turn To Me” at Underground Atlanta Saturday during the Go Arts Month celebration. She told Buzz she is developing her country music career and her songwriting, working on a new album with John Rich and still seeking the right record label to market and distribute it.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon is 57. Actress Elisabeth Shue is 45. Singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet is 44. Actor Jeremy Sisto (“Law and Order,” “Six Feet Under”) is 34.
OVERSCENE
Netherworld Haunted House
Hawks player Josh Smith made his annual sojourn Saturday night to Netherworld Haunted House to enjoy the meat-oriented thematics and elaborate zombies. The celebrity quotient dropped off markedly after that with Davis Mallory, formerly of “Real World: Denver.”
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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Ed Gordon brings ‘Promise’ bond to Morehouse
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Emmy Award-winning V journalist Ed Gordon will host a town hall meeting Monday at Morehouse College to encourage strong bonds between fathers and daughters as part of an initiative called “Daddy’s Promise: A Lifetime of Love.”
Gordon, who is targeting African-American families, is touring colleges and churches across the country encouraging fathers to be actively involved in their daughters’ lives.
He also wants to talk to young people about the importance of treating women with respect.
“We are going to be candid and talk about the hypocrisy. Men want their daughters treated a certain way, but they may not be treating women themselves with respect,” Gordon told Buzz.
The town hall-style discussion will take place at 7 p.m. at Morehouse’s Sale Hall.
It’s open to the public.
Gordon, who is father to 14-year-old daughter Taylor (with him, at right) and former contributing correspondent to “Dateline,” said “Daddy’s Promise” also is designed to “salute men who are doing the right thing — and there are a whole lot of them.”
Gordon also told Buzz that Big Boi of Outkast will be on the panel with him.
Gordon is planning to return to Atlanta in the coming months to ask fathers to take the “Daddy’s Promise pledge,” in which fathers commit to being supportive, encouraging and “the best father I can be.”
Criminal Records spins to a bigger space
In this day and age of downloading and dwindling CD sales, many indie record stores are closing up shop as well. Not Criminal Records, the Little Five Points store. It’s moving to a location with triple the space.
The current Criminal Records, a jam-packed 1,800-square-foot space next to Junkman’s Daughter, will shut down Oct. 12 after a weekend of concerts, a 25-percent- off sale and “general shenanigans,” as manager Shannon Mulvaney described it to Buzz on Friday.
Soon after, the new Criminal Records will open about a block away at 1154-A Euclid Ave. N.E., in a spot with 5,500 square feet. All CDs and DVDs — and plenty more vinyl, a surprisingly hot growth area for the store — will be on the floor instead of behind the register. There will be a stage for bands to perform.
Owner Eric Levin is aware that he’s taking a big risk but said, “We’ve always done everything with no budget, seat of our pants, on a whim. I can’t think of a better time to invest more into our future, even in dark economic times.”
Criminal Records, which still generates about 70 percent of its income from music, has become a magnet for fans of local indie rock bands. “We really try to cultivate a sense of community,” Mulvaney said. “And you won’t find that snotty record store clerk attitude.”
A fair share of celebs have shopped and performed there, from Bruce Springsteen to the Indigo Girls to Beck. Buzz’s favorite visit? Techno musician Moby in 2005, who spent nearly three hours sipping tea one on one with 200 fans to promote his oddball cookbook “Teany Book.”
Italian writer to give ‘Confessions’ at Emory
Renowned Italian novelist Umberto Eco, who wrote “The Name of the Rose,” will be in Atlanta this weekend to give a series of free lectures at Emory University. Eco calls the series “Confessions of a Young Novelist,” which might seem a strange title for a 75-year-old whose works of fiction have sold many millions of copies.
“He didn’t start writing until he was 50, so even though he’s 75, he still considers himself a young novelist,” said Ron Schuchard, an English professor at Emory and founder of the Richard Ellmann Lectures in Modern Literature.
Eco is scheduled to deliver three lectures, give a reading and attend a book signing during his three days here. On Sunday morning, he’s scheduled to have brunch at the Buckhead mansion of Ted Turner’s son, Rhett Turner, and Rhett’s Italian-born wife, Angela Della Costanza Turner, who is said to be a big fan of Eco’s writing, said Schuchard.
For more information about the lectures: www.emory.edu/ellmann.
Falcons player’s party tackles hurricane relief
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux will celebrate his 27th birthday Oct. 12 at the Velvet Room.
The party begins at 10 p.m. And many of his teammates have confirmed they’ll be in attendance, including Keith Brooking, Michael Turner and D.J. Shockley, according to publicist Cherry Bañez. A portion of the proceeds will go to the hurricane victims in Port Arthur, Texas, Babineaux’s hometown.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Author Anne Rice is 67. Actress Susan Sarandon is 62. Actor Bill Fagerbakke (“Coach,” “SpongeBob SquarePants”) is 51. Rap producer Russell Simmons is 51. Singer Jon Secada is 47. Actress Alicia Silverstone is 32. Actress Rachael Leigh Cook (“Josie and the Pussycats,” “She’s All That”) is 29.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Kirsten Tagami 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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‘Star Wars’ rules in TV exec’s galaxy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thanks to Cartoon Network’s “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” the hot new LucasFilm series debuting at 9 tonight on the Atlanta-based basic cable channel, CN animation president Stuart Snyder already has the Force with him.
But Friday, for good measure, Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall also will present Snyder with a city proclamation announcing that Friday is ” ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ Day in Atlanta.”
It’s only appropriate that Snyder should accept the honor since he spearheaded the LucasFilm-Cartoon Network partnership after he took over at CN in 2007.
“I flew out and they showed me four episodes in a screening room,” Snyder told Buzz on Thursday. “When the lights came up, I told the LucasFilm folks, ‘You had me at hello.’ “
The city proclamation honors will take place in the gymnasium at Atlanta’s Benteen Elementary School. But in an attempt to stave off a completely boring civics lesson for small fry, Snyder is bringing along a copy of the first episode of “Clone Wars” to screen for students. A costumed clone trooper will be on hand to deliver a Death Star-full of “Star Wars”-themed books for the school’s library as well. Students also will score posters and temporary tattoos after the screening.
Alas, Snyder himself will not be dressed as a storm trooper. Still, he understands the devotion to the sci-fi franchise. He saw the original “Star Wars” flick in the theater in 1977 as a teenager.
“I’ve picked out an outfit to wear but I’ll probably leave the costumes to somebody else,” Snyder said, laughing. “I’ve always loved the ‘Star Wars’ series and the world George Lucas created. But I never redecorated my living room.”
He’s hoping that when the first show airs tonight, it’s an opportunity for dads who grew up on the franchise and their kids to watch together.
Said Snyder: “I’ve been inundated with e-mails from dads who are essentially telling me, ‘Thanks for messing up my Friday nights!’ But that’s what we were going for. Hopefully, we’ve got event television happening here.”
CRAFT-ING A DEBUT
The signage is lit outside New York restaurateur Tom Colicchio’s Craft Atlanta eatery at the Mansion on Peachtree in Buckhead. And on Thursday, Buzz Central finally received word when Atlantans might get a peek inside and a taste of Craft. The 135-seat restaurant will begin accepting reservations on Nov. 15. Colicchio also has named Kevin Maxey as chef de cuisine for the Buckhead property. Maxey most recently helmed the kitchen at Craft Dallas. We’re told that Atlantans can expect an “upscale, contemporary American menu of straightforward dishes that showcase the integrity of a single ingredient.” Dishes will be served family-style and will include menu items such as beet and Roquefort blue cheese salad, roasted scallops with vermouth butter and lemon beignets with lemon curd.
Our take, judging from what we’ve seen on recent drive-bys of the bare-bones interior of the eatery? Colicchio may want to hire an additional construction crew (or two) or some industrious Disney cartoon mice to work on the very unfinished joint to hit that holiday deadline. For info: www.craftrestaurant.com or call 404-955-7580.
TIME TO REGISTER
As the Monay deadline to register to vote nears, the local star power encouraging you to register bumps up its wattage. For example, Bow Wow is taking a brief break from his hip-hop career (his next CD is titled “New Jack City, Part II” ), his TV endeavors (he’s on this season’s “Entourage”) and his movie star duties (his upcoming film with Oscar winner Forest Whitaker is “Hurricane Season”) to launch his Walk Across America campaign. He’ll be traveling by foot and bus to at least 12 other cities, stopping at colleges, universities and radio stations to encourage 18- to 30-year-olds, in particular, to register.
And from 1 to 3 p.m today, local R&B singer songwriter Keri Hilson is scheduled to join BET’s Dorion Standberry at Clark Atlanta University for a voter registration drive/performance at the Vibe Yardfest. And this evening, Atlanta actor Boris Kodjoe is hosting another registration initiative — and fashion show — at Uptown Restaurant and Lounge (201 Courtland St.) with renowned DJ Kid Capri.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Chubby Checker is 67. Magician Roy Horn of Siegfried and Roy is 64. Singer-guitarist Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac is 59. Drummer Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) is 46. Singer Gwen Stefani of No Doubt is 39. Singer Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys is 37. Singer India Arie is 33. Actor Seann William Scott (“Dukes of Hazzard,” “American Pie”) is 32. Singer Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is 24.
WE HEAR THAT…
Former Atlanta Braves player Brian Jordan is still looking for a few fellow motorcycle riders for Sunday’s Ride to Combat Domestic Violence. Jordan is serving as grand marshal of the event benefiting the Women’s Resource Center for Domestic Violence. The ride will begin and end at Perimeter Mall at 1400 Ashford Dunwoody Road. Registration starts at 9 a.m. For info: www.dekalbsheriffsreserve.org.
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.
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Janet Jackson’s Philips show still a go
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson is out of a Montreal hospital but questions remain about why she was admitted.
The 42-year-old singer became “suddenly ill” and was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital on Monday night shortly before her scheduled concert in Montreal, which was canceled, according to a statement released by W&W Public Relations.
Jackson was at Royal Victoria but released two hours later, said Rebecca Burns, representative for McGill University Health Centre, which runs the hospital. Representatives for Jackson would not elaborate on her condition, simply saying that she was ill and was “recuperating.”
Meanwhile, Jackson’s shows in Boston and Philadelphia on Wednesday and Thursday night were postponed. She is now due to resume her tour in Greensboro, N.C., on Saturday. She’s booked to hit the stage at Philips Arena on Sunday night.
SYMPHONY WILL HELP YOU CAR POOL
The endless loops of long gas lines on her television screen this week have inspired Atlanta Symphony Orchestra CEO Allison Vulgamore.
That’s why the ASO has quickly partnered with eRideShare.com so symphony patrons can use alternative travel methods for concert dates at Symphony Hall in Midtown and at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta beginning tonight. Concertgoers are encouraged to visit asorideshare.erideshare.com and enter the group name “ASOPatron.” On the Web site, users will be linked to message boards with car pooling concertgoers in your neighborhood.
“With so much uncertainty about fuel supplies, we wanted a way to offer our patrons an alternative to the find-the-fuel game going on out there,” Vulgamore explained Wednesday. Taking a tip from ASO employees who have started car pooling into work at the Woodruff Arts Center this week, the organization set up the eRideShare.com option.
Vulgamore is hopeful that solution will continue to be used this season, even after gas lines dissipate.
Thursday night, Friday and Saturday, the ASO will offer its “B-Loved: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms” concert conducted by Robert Spano. At Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre this weekend, Alan Jackson performs Saturday night and the Black Crowes with Phil Lesh are booked Sunday night.
“We just felt that everyone could use a good dose of music right now with everything going on,” Vulgamore told Buzz. “We didn’t want the gas situation and transportation issues to get in the way.”
As for Vulgamore and Spano, they have commutes many of us would kill for. They both live in Midtown and walk to work.
OVERSCENE
Elton John buying six 2 1/2-ounce bottles of Creed “Love in Black” perfume at the Lenox Square mall Neiman Marcus. Retail price per bottle? $230. … Rapper/actor Bow Wow stocking up on veggies at the Buckhead Whole Foods salad bar.
FINNERAN GOES ‘FACE TO FACE’
Want to congratulate Atlanta Falcons receiver Brian Finneran on his impressive comeback this year after that lengthy knee surgery rehab left him out of action for two seasons? Pop into the ESPN Zone in Buckhead tonight at 7:30 when Finneran will be the featured guest during the taping of 11Alive’s weekly “Falcons Face-to-Face” pregame show.
The taping is open to the public and fans in attendance will have the chance to win prizes, including Falcons tickets and gear, and a chance to score Finneran’s John Hancock. The show will air Saturday at 7 p.m.
NEWMAN NIGHT AND DAY
Atlanta-based Turner Classic Movies has scrapped its schedule and booked a full 24 hours to pay tribute to late Hollywood icon Paul Newman on Oct. 12. The actor died last weekend at the age of 83.
The blues eyes will start sparkling at 6 a.m. with “The Rack” (1956).
Other Newman films on the schedule include: “Until They Sail” (1957); “Torn Curtain” (1966); “Exodus” (1960); “Sweet Bird of Youth” (1962); “Hud” (1963); “Somebody Up There Likes Me” (1956); “Cool Hand Luke” (1967); “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1958); and Newman’s directorial debut, “Rachel, Rachel” (1968), which co-stars his wife, Joanne Woodward.
The finale, at 4 a.m., is “The Outrage” (1964), co-starring Edward G. Robinson, Laurence Harvey and William Shatner.
We’re told that TCM host Robert Osborne is readying special intros and outros for the evening’s prime-time lineup that will be taped next week.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Don McLean is 63. Guitarist Mike Rutherford of Genesis is 58. Musician Sting is 57. Actress Lorraine Bracco (“The Sopranos”) is 54. Country singer Gillian Welch is 41. Actress-talk show host Kelly Ripa is 38. Singer Tiffany is 37. Gospel singer and former “American Idol” contestant Mandisa is 32.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“You have to give me credit, as far as relationships crashing and burning go, come on, I did pretty great. I mean, scorch that earth!”
“Rachel Getting Married” actress Anne Hathaway discussing her ex, accused money launderer Rafaello Follieri, on “Letterman”
Contributing: 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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5 chefs have their way with 5 pigs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you give a chef a pig, you end up with a barbecue. If you give five chefs five pigs, then you have a porkfest for the history books. Such was the scene at Five Seasons Brewing Co. in Sandy Springs on Monday night, where more than 200 porkaterians bellied up to the trough for a fund-raiser called “Amuse Cochon.” Each of five cheftestants received a heritage-breed pig and prepared it any way they saw fit. The crowd, along with a panel of judges, rated the porcine offerings for creativity, classic appeal and best overall taste. Jay Swift of 4th and Swift in the Old Fourth Ward won the creativity award for his lineup of whole-animal yummies, including head cheese, truffled pate and pork confit. Allan Benton, who has a top-rated smokehouse in Tennessee, walked off in the classic category with his assortment of hams and bacon. Kevin Rathbun scored the top award for best overall taste with a taco stuffed with roast pork and cracklin’s in a homemade hoisin sauce. (The two other competitors were Todd Mussman of Muss and Turner’s and the kitchen crew at the Five Seasons.) Hoisting his pig-topped trophy in the air, Rathbun proclaimed, “This’ll be on the hood of my car.”
A taste of ‘Hell’ So you think maybe you should be a cheftestant? It might be your lucky day. Or unlucky. “Hell’s Kitchen,” Fox’s sometimes sizzling, sometimes silly look into chef Gordon Ramsay’s demented way of running a kitchen (last season he threw up in a trash can after tasting a contestant’s food), is having an open casting call here. If you’re a chef, cook or otherwise culinary-related professional, you’re eligible to take your chances at the show’s open call at Artistry restaurant in Midtown. The date: Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “We’re trying to focus more on established chefs this season,” said Louis A. Caric, “Hell’s Kitchen” casting producer, “but of course we welcome any Cinderella stories out there.” After all, Atlanta’s Julia Williams, a Waffle House cook, made it all the way to the top four in Season 4. The open call will consist of an application and verbal interview; applicants winnowed from these will be asked to callbacks. More information: www.fox.com/hellskitchen.com.
Usher’s golden tickets on auction Only three days remain for you to put in your bid for the Usher Premium Seat Meet and Greet Auction. For Usher’s hometown date on his new tour — Nov. 10 at the Tabernacle — regular tickets are $101 and $126. If you want to spend more, Ticketmaster is having an auction where the winners get premium seats and entry into a “meet and greet” with Usher, as well as a sound check party. Last Buzz checked, the minimum bid was $145. Ex-Falcon Dunn back on runway Former Atlanta Falcon Warrick Dunn will be back in town Oct. 13 for his foundation’s sixth annual gala, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Buckhead Westin. The bash features music, live and silent auctions and Dunn and fellow athletes modeling the latest fashion (last year he sported a fur coat during one turn down the catwalk). Tickets are $175. Information and tickets: www.warrickdunnfoundation.org. TV host Bush breaks into radio Billy Bush, seen daily at 7 p.m. on WAGA as host of “Access Hollywood,” appears to be emulating fellow fair-haired TV personality Ryan Seacrest by dabbling in radio, too. Bush can now be heard on a syndicated nightly show on Q100 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. “There’s something so much more visceral about radio,” Bush told Buzz on Tuesday. “And it’s much harder than reading a TelePrompTer.” He said radio is another outlet to break news and do celebrity interviews that can’t be done on camera. He also said he’s not going to just regurgitate stories from the Web or other TV shows. So far on Q100, he is doing mostly pre-taped pop culture bits a few times an hour between songs.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
