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‘White girl lesbian rappers’ appeal to products of the ’80s
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gina Bling, one hilarious half of the hip-hop/pop duo Team Gina, explains the appeal of the Seattle-based act thusly: “We noticed there was definitely a niche that needed to be filled in music when it came to white girl lesbian rappers so we filled it.”
Bling and Gina Genius hit town Wednesday night to take over Mary’s in East Atlanta for an 8 p.m. show, featuring selections from their just-released second album, “Products of the Eighties.”
True to its title, on the legwarmer-loving pair’s MySpace.com/TeamGina page, the 20-something singers cite Debbie Gibson, Janet Jackson, Tiffany and 1980s-era TV “Jem and the Holograms” and “Saved By the Bell” as influences. They describe their sound as “two hyper fly ladies with verbal dexterity and excellent taste in shoes.”
But the pair’s probably not going to throw down with T.I. over lyrical content anytime soon.
Team Gina’s video for their 2007 single, “Butch/Femme” has received more than 40,000 hits on youtube.com. The song comically details the disparity between feminine-looking lesbians and their more masculine counterparts.
The duo’s follow-up for “Products of the Eighties” is their latest single, “Wife Swapping.” It covers similar same-sex societal insights.
Explains Bling: “It’s really a song about how there are really only 12 lesbians in the world and we all date each other’s exes.” While lesbians love the act, its appeal is actually wider than one might expect. Hundreds of Atlantans of all sexual orientations have piled into past shows at Eyedrum downtown.
On Monday night, for example, half the crowd at Hangovers in Myrtle Beach, S.C. consisted of fraternity brothers.
Reflects Gina Genius: “Anytime we receive high-fives from straight frat boys, we consider that a good show!”
One warning, Atlanta: Team Gina is expected to break out matching neon Spandex outfits.
Says Bling: “We travel with one laptop and six trunks of costumes. It’s awesome!”
Or as SF Weekly recently described the duo’s live act: “Hotter than the opening credits of ‘Barbarella.’ “
A Beijing victory lap
It’s big enough to be deemed a “News Bulletin” at Marist.
“Kathleen Hersey ‘08 to compete in summer Olympics,” flashed across the Atlanta private school’s Web site Monday morning.
That’s right, while the rest of us were easing into a long holiday weekend of eating our weight in hot dogs and dogpaddling around the hot tub, the Roswell teen swam her way onto the top-ranked American squad that will descend on Beijing next month. With her parents, Brian and Regina Hersey, and various SwimAtlanta cohorts looking on, Kathleen, 18, finished second in the grueling 200-meter butterfly at the U.S. Olympic Team trials in Omaha, Neb.
Even better, it seems, the University of Texas-bound swimmer achieved every teenager’s fondest dream: Rendering her parents absolutely speechless.
“We became like two stone statues,” Regina Hersey laughingly recalled about Thursday night’s tense finals. Like any self-respecting veteran swimming parent, she had all the necessary stat sheets to monitor her daughter’s progress during the race, but: “I never checked them once. I couldn’t tell you anything that happened!”
A four-time gold medalist at last summer’s Pan Am games and the 2007 national champion in the 200 meter butterfly, Kathleen’s Olympic berth was somewhat predictable. Then again, American swimming’s talent pool is so deep (sorry!) that upsets sank several favorites at the trials that concluded Sunday night.
“It wasn’t a given ‘til she hit the wall,” said Regina, adding that she and Brian hoped to be able to travel to China. “I have the scratches in my arm to prove it.”
A cure for Philbin’s throat
If “Live With Regis & Kelly” co-host Regis Philbin’s throat is improved on-air Tuesday, he may owe Q100’s Bert Weiss a thank-you note.
During a live interview with “The Bert Show,” an ailing Philbin apologized for the condition of his voice. Weiss then recommended Throat Coat, a product radio folks use. Minutes later, during “Live,” Philbin gave the product a plug in front of millions when he told Kelly Ripa: “I was talking to Bert Weiss in Atlanta and he said I should use Throat Coat.” Ripa then informed Reege that the product does indeed work for her as well.
We learned about the less-than-scintillating cycle of events when we heard the interview live on Q100. Then we watched “Live.” And then we received a text from Weiss.
And a follow-up e-mail.
Buzz was tempted to reach into our desk for our own handy work-related remedy: Ego Away …
Overscene
Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and his team taking in an early morning workout at the Peachtree Center Athletic Club downtown prior to his town hall meeting in Cobb County.
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Richard Roundtree is 66. Actor Jimmy Smits is 53. Actor Tom Hanks is 52. Singer Courtney Love is 44. Actor Scott Grimes (“ER”) is 37. Actor Fred Savage is 32. Actress Georgie Henley (“The Chronicles of Narnia”) is 13.
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Tiffany delivers some pop princess nostalgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In a dazzling display of public service, Buzz braved a performance by 
Tiffany as she hit the Coca-Cola stage behind the Atlanta Civic Center on Sunday night. Alas, the 1980s pop princess was not wearing her Reagan administration era-acid-washed jean jacket. During her 30-minute set on the closing night of the Atlanta Gay Pride celebration weekend, the singer, now 36, mostly performed selections from her re-invented career as a dance diva, performing high energy anthems like, well, “Higher.” Oh, and the one phrase you don’t want to hear at a Tiffany show, circa 2008? “We’re gonna do another new one for you now!”
But the former mall singer finally gave fans what they wanted near the close of her set when she “went old school” and performed her hit covers of “I Saw Him Standing There” and “I Think We’re Alone Now.” As an added bonus, Tif climbed off the stage to pose for pictures with the beachball-batting fans down front.
And until the plaintive piano opening notes of “Could’ve Been,” her 1987 hit, started playing, we had completely forgotten about the singer’s power ballad. Thankfully, she didn’t and gamely belted it out for the nostalgic crowd.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Money is not a factor, and we would like people to remember us as we were. Young, exuberant, full of energy and ambition.”
— ABBA member Bjorn Ulvaeus at the London film premiere of “Mamma Mia!” a new musical featuring the Swedish super group’s considerable songbook. The band split for good in 1982. The group continues to sell about 3 million records worldwide annually.
STORK REPORT
It’s a girl!
Oscar winner Nicole Kidman gave birth Monday to a baby girl named Sunday.
In a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press, Paul Freundlich, a publicist for Kidman’s husband, country singer Keith Urban, said: “Nicole and Keith Urban are delighted to announce that Nicole Kidman gave birth to a baby girl on Monday morning, July 7, 2008, in the United States. Sunday Rose Kidman Urban weighed 6 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces. Husband Keith was by Nicole’s side and mother and baby are very well.”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Steve Lawrence is 73. Actor Jeffrey Tambor (“Arrested Development,” “The Larry Sanders Show”) is 64. Actor Kevin Bacon is 50. Actor Michael Weatherly (“NCIS”) is 40. Singer Beck is 38. Guitarist Stephen Mason of Jars of Clay is 33. Actor Milo Ventimiglia (“Heroes”) is 31.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services
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Turner movie host Osborne a classy pro
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We somehow resisted the urge to dash past Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne and leap onto one of the familiar red leather chairs and put our feet up on the large round red ottoman during a recent visit to the Midtown Atlanta set. After all, Buzz was taught to behave ourselves when you’re invited into someone’s home (even if it’s a totally cool urban loft TV home). Later this year, the Hollywood Reporter scribe and author of the history of the Oscars will tape his 50,000th classic film intro here for the basic cable channel.
One week each month, the New Yorker flies here and, with a well-oiled production team over four or five days, records 112 to 124 intros for the next month’s primetime lineup.
As our eyes became adjusted to the studio’s decreased illumination, the 6-foot-plus, silver-haired Osborne extended his hand and said: “Good to have you with us!” Thankfully, watching Osborne operate was unlike our other experiences watching TV folks at work (for example, a CNN Headline News anchor once leaned over to us during a commercial break to ask us how to pronounce something).
Between takes, the reporter’s jacket is off, revealing suspenders. Working with a TeleprompTer editor, Osborne fine-tunes batches of the intros before filming (he also spends two weeks each month in NYC writing and researching the bits as well). If during filming he wants to add more information or tweak something, he dashes off set to rewrite or edit.
Oh, and that green coffee mug you see on the set? It’s filled with hot water to keep Osborne’s voice warmed up. We’re assuming it comes in handy (David Letterman would request a sweater if he did his show at the Turner TCM studio).
While we can’t divulge exactly what you’ll be seeing on TCM in coming weeks, viewers can expect tributes to Hume Cronyn, Gregory Peck (Osborne refers to him on-camera as “Greg”) and an evening of films loosely based on real-life crimes.
Over lunch in the TCM “Canteen,” Osborne told us he loves his job.
“We never repeat a script so it’s important to find a different slant or present new information on even well-known films like ‘The Philadelphia Story,’ ” he explained. “Some people tell us watching TCM is like going to film school. That’s nice to hear but our approach is to make it a little more informal and conversational.”
So how does the print journalist fare now that his famous face is recognized at Hartsfield-Jackson?
“There’s no downside, really,” he said. “People are usually very kind and treat me like they’re running into an old friend.”
SO, YOU THINK YOU CAN SING?
MTV is coming to Atlanta to hold auditions for a nationwide search for the next great singing group. Selected groups will compete for a chance to win $100,000. Groups must consist of three to six members and must be at least 18 years of age. Auditions will take place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday at J-Pat Management Pop City, 3996 Pleasantdale Road in Doraville. To book an audition time, go to Myspace.com/mtvsinginggroup.
OVERSCENE
Tameka Raymond, aka Usher’s wife, recently was spotted at Hair-Ex in Sandy Springs purchasing 32-inch naturally curly 100 percent human hair imported from India. Word on the street is Mrs. Raymond was prepping her ‘do for a photo shoot with a national magazine. It seems she’s in good hair company. Singers Monica and Ciara, as well as V-103’s Porsche Foxx, are all reported to be customers of the 2 1/2-year-old hair boutique.
RADIO HOST JUDD’S HEADED FOR ALTAR
For 94.9/The Bull’s Cledus T. Judd, perhaps the fourth time will be a charm.
The thrice-married/thrice-divorced morning host met Amy Cameron, a massage therapist (the legitimate kind), while recuperating a few weeks back from a softball injury and fell in love.
“I”m off the market,” he told Buzz. “The first time I kissed her, I knew that was the girl for me. … I fell about as hard for her as anybody in my life.”
The marriage date is July 18. Honeymoon: Destin, Fla.
In other Bull news, for all you fans of Jamie Massey, she’s not only leaving town, but she’s also taken.
Massey, formerly of Star 94 and Q100 and a morning co-host with Judd since January, decided to follow her heart and move to Phoenix, where she has a boyfriend. Her final day on air here is July 18.
In Phoenix, she’ll join sister Clear Channel country station KNIX-FM, where she’ll work part time while also teaching horseback riding. Her boyfriend Chad Jennings is an Air Force fighter pilot. (And yes, that does sound like the name for a fighter pilot, eh?)
Massey is bringing her horse Demure with her, but she anticipates he won’t be too pleased with the 110 degree temps: “He’s going to freak out!”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Saturday: Actress Katherine Helmond (“Who’s The Boss,” “Soap”) is 79. Actress Shirley Knight is 72. Musician Robbie Robertson is 65. Singer Huey Lewis is 58. Actress Edie Falco (“The Sopranos”) is 45. Singer Jason Wade of Lifehouse is 28. Musician Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum is 26.
Sunday: Actress-singer Della Reese is 77. Actor Sylvester Stallone is 62. Actor Geoffrey Rush is 57. Rapper 50 Cent is 32.
Monday: Drummer Ringo Starr is 68. Singer David Hodo (the construction worker) of The Village People is 61. Country singer Linda Williams is 61. Actress Shelley Duvall is 59. Bassist Mark White of the Spin Doctors is 46. Singer-songwriter Vonda Shepard (“Ally McBeal”) is 45. Bassist Ricky Kinchen of Mint Condition is 42. Actress Jorja Fox (“CSI”) is 40. Actress Cree Summer (“A Different World”) is 39.
Contributing: Helena Oliviero, Rodney Ho and news services.
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Grand lineup for Southern Exposure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bruce Wells, the architect behind this weekend’s two-day Southern Exposure concert series at Front Page News on Crescent Avenue in Midtown admits he was possibly a little too enthusiastic when booking the festival.
“Originally, it was going to be a three-day event,” conceded Wells, laughing Thursday. “And then I came to my senses. On paper, it was beginning to look like Live Aid!”
Still, the lineup of 22 gay and lesbian singer-songwriters and musical acts Wells has assembled for the 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. shows Friday night and Saturday during the city’s annual Pride festival is impressive.
Among those participating: Richard Solomon, Mike Rickard, the Sexual Side Effects, Angela Motter, Eric Himan, the Wayne Fishell Experiment, Sean Kagalis, Richard Bicknell and the Shameless Lovers, Guyton Maurice, Tracy Rice and Flat Cat.
Southern Exposure began a year ago as a weekly live music series at Blake’s on the Park.
Currently, it runs Thursday nights at F.R.O.G.S. Cantina in Midtown. Wells, a graphic designer and illustrator by day, says the eclectic musical mix of acts reflects his own tastes.
“Typically, whenever you go out to a gay club, the first thing you’re hit with is some dance remix of something. I was kinda raised by hippies. I grew up listening to Leonard Cohen, Dylan and punk. Now, I listen to everything from Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Pink Floyd and electronica. I remember thinking: ‘I can’t be all by myself here.’ “
Subsequently, over the course of a year of Thursday nights at Southern Exposure shows, Wells has made a lot of new friends. Atlanta’s gay and lesbian musical community, along with photographers and other artists have been introduced to one another and have become fans of each others’ work.
In fact, Wells’ MySpace page for the Southern Exposure series has evolved into its own networking universe.
“It’s so gratifying,” he says. “I’m not an activist in the traditional sense, but this has become really important to me to put this music and positive energy out there for everyone to enjoy.”
Details: www.myspace.com/southernexposureatlanta.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Advice columnist Abigail Van Buren is 90. Actress Eva Marie Saint is 84. TV talk show host Geraldo Rivera is 65. Percussionist Domingo Ortiz of Widespread Panic is 56. Guitarist Kirk Pengilly of INXS is 50. Bassist Matt Malley of Counting Crows is 45.
OVERSCENE
Ubiquitous Atlanta hip-hop sensation T-Pain was seen watching the Dethklok concert at the sold-out Tabernacle Wednesday night. This was a live-band version of Adult Swim’s cartoon heavy-metal band from its show “Metalocalpyse” and part of 28-city national tour.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Richard Eldredge, Shane Harrison and news services
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After 40 years at Manuel’s, Curtis McBride gets a party
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Curtis McBride was scheduled to work the bar at Manuel’s Tavern on Tuesday night for a big Maloof family party. When the family that’s owned the bar for so long is there, they need a man with experience, and McBride’s got 40 years in at Manuel’s.
What McBride didn’t know is that the party was really for him, to celebrate his four decades at the Poncey-Highland bar.
Bill McCloskey, who has worked there for a paltry 35 years, said McBride had hardly mentioned the anniversary, but the staff planned to gather family, long-time customers and former employees in his honor.
“He’s always dependable, he’s always been here,” McCloskey said. “It’s just part of the place.”
And how has the bar changed in allllllll those years?
Hardly at all, McCloskey said. The fixtures, from the people to the look, are all the same.
“Just waiting on different generations,” he said.
IT’S TIME TO GIVE
You’ve got a few chances to be generous, with a reward other than the warm-and-fuzzy glow of giving: Atlanta Braves fans who donate a new, unwrapped toy worth at least $10 at games tonight and Thursday will receive a two-for-one ticket coupon and an autographed item, while supplies last, with a limit of two per person. Donations will be accepted at Turner Field’s Monument Grove from 4:30 p.m. through the end of the first inning. The Braves play the Philadelphia Phillies at 7 p.m. both nights. Toys will be delivered to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals in July.
Warped Tour fans heading to Lakewood Amphitheatre on July 9 to see Say Anything, Angels and Airwaves, Relient K and all the other bands can donate used cellphones to Cell Phones for Soldiers to receive a “Warped Tour-themed gift.” (No word on what it will be.)
Cell Phones for Soldiers buys pre-paid phone cards for active-duty military members; phones from any carrier will be accepted at the AT&T Drop Inn area.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor Ron Silver (“West Wing,” “Veronica’s Closet”) is 62. Writer-director Larry David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Seinfeld”) is 61. Model-actress Jerry Hall (below) is 52. Actress Lindsay Lohan is 22.
OVERSCENE
7:30 p.m. Sunday. WSB sports director and anchor Chuck Dowdle pulled into the Varsity to grab a bite to eat, despite a huge crowd gathering around a big black SUV in the parking lot. The onlookers snapped cellphone photos and passed Varsity boxes to be signed. “Who’s in that car?” he asked the big guy guarding the vehicle. “T.I.,” the man said. And there was the rapper, signing everything people put in front of him, taking every photo requested. “He could not have been nicer,” Dowdle said. And for the record, two people asked for Dowdle’s autograph.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services
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Club legend out of hiding for birthday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fittingly, the invitation was delivered to Buzz Central with a Frank Sinatra commemorative stamp. After all, for Atlanta nightclub insiders, the announcement is something akin to the Chairman of the Board’s 1976 surprise visit to the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon — with Dean Martin in tow.
On July 10, venerable nightspot Johnny’s Hideaway is hosting “The Annual 39th” birthday bash for the club’s namesake and former owner Johnny Esposito. In 1999, Esposito’s business partners bought him out when he decided to retire. During the transition, some not-so-nice words were exchanged. Mothers may have been maligned. Some witnesses claim hexes were uttered.
As a result, Esposito didn’t set foot in the Sinatra sanctuary for nearly a decade. Until Esposito turned up unexpectedly a few months back for a former customer’s party at the Roswell Road club.
During the visit, some of the iciness between Esposito and current co-owner Mike Dana melted. In recent years, diabetes has taken its toll on Esposito’s circulation and he quit drinking.
“I’m a Catholic, and we were taught forgiveness,” Esposito told us. “Also, they probably know I might be running short on birthdays these days and that I’ll be out of their hair soon! Seriously, it was very nice of them to do this for me.”
“What the hell,” reasoned Dana when we called Monday. “Let bygones be bygones. With a lot of style, we’re going to pay tribute to a nightclub legend.”
Former Atlanta mayor Sam Massell is one of Esposito’s old pallies who’s been invited to speak at the soiree/ceasefire.
“I was surprised for several reasons,” Massell told us. “Yes, I was surprised that the Hideaway is hosting it. It’s a very nice gesture. I was also surprised to learn from the invitation that I’m one of the ‘special guests.’ And I’m surprised that Johnny Esposito is celebrating yet another birthday. You know that he’s older than all of us put together, don’t you?”
So which birthday is this for Esposito?
Says the lifelong nightclub huckster: “People will just have to show up to find that out!”
Complimentary drinks and a free birthday buffet are scheduled from 7 to
8 p.m.
Molotov cocktails are not on the menu.
YOUNG JEEZY TO MCCAIN: ‘IT’S ROUGH OUT HERE’
Who says presidential candidate John McCain isn’t attracting the young hipster vote? In the August issue of Vibe on stands this week, none other than Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy talked about chatting with McCain. It seems the pair shared a hug recently as the credits rolled on “Saturday Night Live.”
“No disrespect to my man Barack [Obama] …” says Jeezy in Vibe. “He greeted me like a G. … The fact that he acknowledged me was crazy. I said, ‘I’m Young Jeezy, and it’s rough out here.’ He blew me off at first. I was like, ‘Nah, for real. It’s rough out here, so what you gonna do to change it?’ … I like Barack, but at the same time I wanted to see what McCain was talking about.”
Jeezy continues: ” ‘You gotta fix it, you know that, right?’ And he gave me a look back, like, ‘I know.’ “
At the very least, the encounter gives McCain some much-needed street cred.
Atlantans will recall that just last month the rapper also known as Jay S. Jenkins was arrested here and charged with speeding, no proof of insurance, open container, reckless driving and driving while impaired by alcohol/drugs, according to Atlanta police.
‘FULL HOUSE’ DAD NOT SO SQUEAKY CLEAN
To most of Middle America, Bob Saget remains Danny Tanner, that goofy “Full House” dad, and host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”
But as many of his biggest fans know, he’s a dirty, dirty man. So filthy he’d make Andrew Dice Clay blush. Buzz checked out his show at the Tabernacle on Friday night, and it’s 50 percent potty humor, 45 percent sex jokes and 5 percent usable material for this news-gathering operation.
“I don’t know if you can tell,” he cracked, “but I’m divorced!”
Yet Saget is so good-natured, so amiable, even the nastiest bestiality reference comes across as oddly sweet. He acts as if the obscenities coming out of his mouth even shock him.
“You’re going to go home and watch reruns of ‘Full House’ tonight and say to Danny, ‘Don’t pick up the kids! Don’t pick up the kids!’ “
And a tidbit about submissions for “Funniest Home Videos:” “People sent us porn! Porn! And I have all of it!”
GEORGIA STATE STUDENT GETS CROWN
It was a good night for Georgia State University at the Miss Georgia contest Saturday.
Chasity Hardman, a 23-year-old GSU music education student, became the second African-American chosen to represent Georgia in January’s Miss America pageant. Hardman, a Columbus product who now lives in Atlanta, was second runner-up in the 2007 Georgia contest.
“It’s all a blur,” Hardman told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer shortly after winning the title Saturday night at the RiverCenter in Columbus. “I’m just very, very excited.” Hardman said she looks forward to traveling as Miss Georgia, as well as to pushing her personal interest in using music in education.
University of Georgia student Lauren Edmunds of Americus was first runner-up. Second runner-up was Georgia State student Kristina Higgins of Dacula.
COUPLING
This is also now official: actress Uma Thurman is set to marry financier Arpad “Arki” Busson.
“I can confirm she is engaged,” Thurman’s representative, Stephen Huvane, told The Associated Press in an e-mail.
Huvane didn’t immediately respond Monday when asked for further details.
Thurman filed for divorce from Ethan Hawke in 2004. They have two children.
The 38-year-old actress was previously married to Gary Oldman.
Busson has two sons with Elle Macpherson.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Olivia de Havilland is 92. Actor Jamie Farr is 74. Actress Karen Black is 69. Gospel singer-choir leader Andrae Crouch is 66. Singer Deborah Harry of Blondie is 63. Singer Fred Schneider of The B-52’s is 57. Rapper Missy Elliott is 37. Actress Liv Tyler is 31. Actress Hilarie Burton (“One Tree Hill”) is 26.
OVERSCENE
At the W hotel in Midtown: former “American Idol” contestant Diana DeGarmo, NBA legend and broadcaster Charles Barkley, producer/author Jermaine Dupri and singer Robin Thicke.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, news services.
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Jill Scott engaged to Atlanta drummer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eagle-eyed BET Awards viewers may have noticed a certain significant ring on R&B singer Jill Scott’s left hand when she performed her tribute to soul pioneer Al Green this week. Well, her drummer Lil John Roberts — a staple on the Atlanta music scene from the Yin Yang and FunkJazz Kafe days to the Tuesday Jam happening weekly at Sugar Hill — gave it to her.
As Buzz reported last month, they were walking hand-in-hand at the Fox Theatre when Scott made a surprise appearance during the Roots and Erykah Badu show. Her reps confirmed to us that he has popped the question, and the fairly recently divorced Scott is engaged again.
CELEBRITY DOCKET
Country singer Mindy McCready has been arrested in Tennessee and charged with violating her probation.
Authorities are accusing the 32-year-old of falsifying her community service records. Williamson County Sheriff’s Department officer Charlotte Spencer says McCready turned herself in this week, posted the $5,000 bond and was released two hours later.
She is on probation for a 2004 drug charge.
Her attorney, Lee Ofman, declined to comment on the new charge.
A corrections official says McCready will go before the judge who sentenced her, and he will decide what, if any, action to take. McCready’s court date wasn’t immediately available.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Saturday: Comedian-director Mel Brooks is 82. Actress Kathy Bates is 60. Actress Mary Stuart Masterson is 42. Actor John Cusack is 42. Actress Tichina Arnold (“Everybody Hates Chris”) is 37. Country singer Kellie Pickler is 22.
Sunday: Actor Gary Busey is 64. Comedian Richard Lewis is 61. Actor-turned-congressman-turned-radio host Fred Grandy is 60. Singer Colin Hay of Men At Work is 55. Actress Melora Hardin (“The Office”) is 41. Rapper DJ Shadow is 36. Singer Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls is 30.
HIGH FIVE
Television
The Top OnDemand programs for the week of June 16-22, as determined by Comcast customers in metro Atlanta:
1. Take a Bow,” Rihanna, music video, Music Choice
2. “SpongeBob,” “Whale of a Birthday / Karate Island,” Nickelodeon
3. “Family Guy,” “Patriot Games,” TBS
4. “2 Pistols — She Got It,” T-Pain & Cuto, music video, Music Choice
5. “Bust It Baby Girl,” Plies, music video, Music Choice
— Courtesy: Rentrak’s OnDemand Essentials
UNCOUPLING
Actor Bill Murray and his wife of nearly 11 years are divorced. A judge in Charleston County in South Carolina has signed off on the divorce agreement barely a month after Jennifer Butler Murray asked for the separation. The couple were married in July 1997.
The couple’s four children will live with their mother, while the 57-year-old actor-comedian will have visitation rights and pay child support, according to court papers. Jennifer Murray also will get their home on Sullivans Island, S.C., and a second house in Hemet, Calif. Other documents detailing the divorce were sealed at the couple’s request. The court papers were first obtained by the Web site TMZ.com.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Sonia Murray and news services.
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‘Millionaire’ in town for auditions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Buzz has learned that producers for the television show, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” will have auditions for contestants from 7 to 11 a.m. Friday at Medieval Times in Gwinnett County.
The game show’s seventh season will be taped in New York from July to November. Selected contestants pay their own expenses.
Candidates are being sought for the program’s regular trivia format and its specialty-themed episodes.
“Netflix Million Dollar Movie Week,” is based on movie trivia. “Wedding Week” features engaged couples.
“Famous Names Week” showcases contestants with famous names.
“Three Generations Week” consists of three-member family teams, such as a grandparent, parent and child.
And during “Halloween Week,” contestants will dress in costume. (If you’re interested, come to the audition in costume or bring a photograph.)
The audition process is painless, says Trisha Miller, who handles public relations for the show.
Potential contestants will take a general trivia test and a movie-oriented trivia test.
A movie question might be something like, “In ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding,’ Julia Roberts tried to derail Dermot Mulroney’s marriage to what actress?”
If you pass the test, producers will call you back for an afternoon interview.
“That’s to gauge your personality to see if you would be entertaining on TV,” Miller says. “Then they will send you a postcard in a week or two to let you know if you’ve been chosen.
Medieval Times is at Discover Mills, 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. For more information, call 1-888-935-6878, or visit www.medievaltimes.com.
OVERSCENE
Jane Fonda enjoying a leisurely dinner with a friend at Trois in Midtown. We’re told the two-time Oscar winner enjoyed the halibut and the Trois signature cocktail made out of mint-infused Tanqueray gin, green tea and hints of rose water and fresh lemon.
Olympic gold medalist and Morehouse grad Edwin Moses at Vita in Buckhead having martinis and dinner in the bar area.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys is 66. Actress Julia Duffy (“Newhart”) is 57. Country singer Lorrie Morgan is 49. Writer-director J.J. Abrams (“Lost,” “Alias”) is 42. Actor Tobey Maguire (above) (“Spider-Man”) is 33. Actor Drake Bell (“Drake and Josh”) is 22. Actor Ed Westwick (“Gossip Girl”) is 21. Actress Madylin Sweeten (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 17.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Well, the main difference, of course, is that he’s larger than life and better looking.”
Former Atlanta mayor and U.N. ambassador Andrew Young on the new downtown statue of himself during an interview with the AJC Thursday after Buzz informed him that we wave at his likeness daily on the trek to work
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Adrianne M. Murchison and news services
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‘Millionaire’ in town for auditions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Buzz has learned that producers for the television show, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” will have auditions for contestants from 7 to 11 a.m. Friday at Medieval Times in Gwinnett County.
The game show’s seventh season will be taped in New York from July to November. Selected contestants pay their own expenses.
Candidates are being sought for the program’s regular trivia format and its specialty-themed episodes.
“Netflix Million Dollar Movie Week,” is based on movie trivia. “Wedding Week” features engaged couples.
“Famous Names Week” showcases contestants with famous names.
“Three Generations Week” consists of three-member family teams, such as a grandparent, parent and child.
And during “Halloween Week,” contestants will dress in costume. (If you’re interested, come to the audition in costume or bring a photograph.)
The audition process is painless, says Trisha Miller, who handles public relations for the show.
Potential contestants will take a general trivia test and a movie-oriented trivia test.
A movie question might be something like, “In ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding,’ Julia Roberts tried to derail Dermot Mulroney’s marriage to what actress?”
If you pass the test, producers will call you back for an afternoon interview.
“That’s to gauge your personality to see if you would be entertaining on TV,” Miller says. “Then they will send you a postcard in a week or two to let you know if you’ve been chosen.
Medieval Times is at Discover Mills, 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. For more information, call 1-888-935-6878, or visit www.medievaltimes.com.
OVERSCENE
Jane Fonda enjoying a leisurely dinner with a friend at Trois in Midtown. We’re told the two-time Oscar winner enjoyed the halibut and the Trois signature cocktail made out of mint-infused Tanqueray gin, green tea and hints of rose water and fresh lemon.
Olympic gold medalist and Morehouse grad Edwin Moses at Vita in Buckhead having martinis and dinner in the bar area.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys is 66. Actress Julia Duffy (“Newhart”) is 57. Country singer Lorrie Morgan is 49. Writer-director J.J. Abrams (“Lost,” “Alias”) is 42. Actor Tobey Maguire (above) (“Spider-Man”) is 33. Actor Drake Bell (“Drake and Josh”) is 22. Actor Ed Westwick (“Gossip Girl”) is 21. Actress Madylin Sweeten (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 17.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Well, the main difference, of course, is that he’s larger than life and better looking.”
Former Atlanta mayor and U.N. ambassador Andrew Young on the new downtown statue of himself during an interview with the AJC Thursday after Buzz informed him that we wave at his likeness daily on the trek to work
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Adrianne M. Murchison and news services
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Author Jackie Collins parks in ATL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Many big-name novelists tend to interact with the public only reluctantly or quietly.
And then there’s Jackie Collins, who’ll hit town Thursday in an enormous touring bus once used by Mariah Carey and currently sponsored by Harrah’s Entertainment. The woman who made the phrase “Hollywood Wives” a part of everyday language will appear at Outwrite Books at 7:30 p.m.
It’s all part of the promotional push for her new book, “Married Lovers,” about a megawatt movie star, a randy late-night talk show host, a gorgeous young fitness guru — and the mysterious figure who may end up killing them all. Not that that will stop any of them from having lots of colorful sex, of course.
“They are raunchy, but moral,” Collins laughed by phone last week from her latest tour stop at Caesar’s Indiana, referring to her books. “The good guy gets what he wants at the end.”
Atlanta’s getting what it wants with this Collins appearance, said Outwrite owner Philip Rafshoon.
“She hasn’t been here in years,” said Rafshoon, who had 350 books on hand late last week and was expecting a big crowd. “She’s one of the first big writers to write popular books about modern relationships, all kinds of relationships.”
Nor does the fun end after Collins finishes schmoozing and signing at Outwrite. There’s an afterparty, featuring a Jackie Collins lookalike contest, at neighboring bar Blake’s on the Park.
SIR SALMAN RUSHDIE
Queen Elizabeth II conferred a knighthood on “The Satanic Verses” author Salman Rushdie on Wednesday, a year after the announcement of the knighthood provoked protests from the Muslim world.
“I really have no regrets about any of my work,” Rushdie told reporters after being asked about “The Satanic Verses.”
“This is, as I say, an honor not for any specific book but for a very long career in writing and I’m happy to see that recognized,” he said. Rushdie, 61, published his first novel, “Grimus,” in 1975. He is currently a Distinguished Writer in Residence at Emory University.
ATLANTA COUPLE WED AT ‘TODAY’ LIVE TV ALTAR
When Atlanta couple LaDonna Bradford and Darnell Suggs got hitched at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, they didn’t have to hire a videographer.
The nuclear reactor inspector and computer engineer just had to remember to set the TiVo.
The winners of the “Race to the Altar” contest on “Today” were married live on the venerable NBC morning show. The show’s outdoors Rockefeller Plaza studio in New York City was magically made into an “East meets West”-themed wedding chapel, complete with hanging white and pink paper lanterns. The decor, along with the bridal gown, bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen tuxedoes and a honeymoon to Bora Bora were all selected by “Today” viewers in recent weeks.
The bride walked down the aisle to Etta James’ “At Last.”
A 22-image online photo gallery of the wedding was exclusively shot by Atlanta-based celebrity wedding photographer Denis Reggie, who was flown up to capture the special occasion. The online photo album can be viewed at www.today.msnbc.com.
The one thing the couple did have control over? They wrote their own vows which they expertly remembered and recited on live television.
The pair made a big chunk of America reach for the tissue box as Suggs gazed into Bradford’s beaming face and told her: “I offer my heart and soul to you and I pledge my love to you for life. You’re my best friend and my confidante. I would go to the ends of the earth to see you smile.”
Bradford replied: “I love you dearly. I promise to be there through thick and thin. I will love you with every beat of my heart.”
Later during a toast with “Today” co-hosts Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer, Bradford said the couple had no regrets about allowing America to decide the details of their special day.
“Not at all,” she said. “I can only imagine dealing with everything you all dealt with for us.”
“American Idol” contestant (and the bride’s cousin!) Melinda Doolittle surprised the couple at their 65th floor Rainbow Room wedding reception by singing “Never Felt This Way” for the couple’s first dance.
“Today” then temporarily transformed into “Dancing With the Stars” as Suggs and Bradford cut loose with a carefully choreographed dance routine featuring dips and lifts.
As Vieira observed: “You now have the best wedding video out of all of your friends!”
COUPLING
Season 2 “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard has found love in the ATL and is set to marry an Atlanta flight attendant this Saturday in his hometown of Birmingham.
Studdard’s manager Cedric Evans told Buzz that Studdard, 29, met Surata Zuri McCants, 30, at a CD signing at the Howell Mill Road Wal-Mart in October 2006. “I think it was love at first sight,” Evans said. “He’s on cloud 12.”
Studdard’s next album will feature covers of R&B standards by the likes of Donny Hathaway and Marvin Gaye. He’ll be at the Fox Theatre in mid-November in a production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’ .”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Musician Mick Jones of The Clash is 53. Singer Chris Isaak is 52. Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson (“Magnolia,” “Boogie Nights”) is 38. Actor Sean Hayes (“Will and Grace”) is 38. Actor Chris O’Donnell (right) is 38. Country singer Gretchen Wilson is 34.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Jill Vejnoska and news services
