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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October
October 2007
Local audition wants next ‘Y&R’ soap opera star
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Considering the usual 40-plus pages of memorization, blocking and taping normally involved in an average workday, “The Young and the Restless” actor Michael Graziadei has a comparably light schedule here in Atlanta Thursday and Friday.
The two-time Daytime Emmy nominee who portrays Daniel Romalotti on the popular CBS sudser merely has to Taser his way through a thousand or so fans auditioning to become his co-star.
The soap has selected Atlanta as the first city to “screen test” one female fan between the ages of 18 and 30 to be flown to Hollywood to appear in an episode of the daytime drama.
One red-eye flight across the country and a radio and TV appearance later Wednesday, Graziadei contemplated pigging out on the bacon that arrived with his salad entree at Trois in Midtown as he happily answered our questions.
Wearing a backward Boston Red Sox baseball cap and a “Stay Weird” T-shirt, the young actor who portrays the offspring of rock star Danny Romalotti and the forever scheming Phyllis Summers Abbott on the show explained what he’s looking for at the auditions.
“They need to step up to the plate and be someone who will challenge me,” he told us. “We’re not necessarily looking for the most beautiful girl in the world, but they have to act.”
Oh, and you should be accustomed to potentially societally sensitive plot twists. Graziadei’s most recent storyline has centered on Daniel’s descent into an Internet porn addiction, a problem that appears to have doomed the character’s fan fave marriage to Lily Winters.
“When the executive producer told me about the story, I did some research and found that this has become a real problem out there,” Graziadei explained. “I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from people who have gone through this for real. It’s kinda shocking.”
In order to participate, potential actresses must go to www.theyoungandthe restless.com, download and fill out the necessary forms and bring them to AmericasMart, Building One downtown today from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today. Call backs will take place on Friday.
Author McCarthy tackles autism
Comedienne and author Jenny McCarthy will speak at next week’s National Autism Association conference, planned for Nov. 8-11 at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. Her talk is scheduled for 4-4:30 p.m. Nov. 9. In a recent piece for CNN, she described the day she learned her son Evan, 5, is autistic, and her efforts to seek treatment for him.
“Don’t give up hope and remember that acceptance of your child’s condition does not mean giving up; it’s just simply loving your child for being the perfect little spirit he or she is,” she wrote in the CNN piece. McCarthy told People magazine a while back about the special relationship her beau Jim Carrey has with Evan. Her book, “Louder Than Words,” about her experience dealing with her son’s autism, was No. 9 on the Oct. 28 New York Times nonfiction bestseller list. For details on next week’s conference see www.nationalautismconference.org.
Jackson: ‘I’m an Atlantan’
Atlantan and Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married?” actress Janet Jackson phoned in on Q100’s “The Bert Show” Wednesday morning to thank fans for supporting the locally based film director’s latest No. 1 box office comedy. And record producer Jermaine Dupri’s main squeeze also told listeners that she now considers the ATL home. “I definitely feel a connection here,” Jackson said. “I’m definitely an Atlantan.” And then Perry himself, a Q100 listener, phoned in to join his “Married” co-star. On the possibility of getting hired as one of the pop star’s dancers for her next tour, Perry cracked: “Sure, and Janet and I are going on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ next season!” Jackson also disclosed that she’s hard at work here (with Dupri eventually joining her) on a new album, due out early in 2008.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Country singer and former Decatur resident Bill Anderson is 70. Country singer/author Kinky Friedman is 63. Singer Lyle Lovett is 50. Singer Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers is 45. Drummer Rick Allen of Def Leppard is 44. Country singer Big Kenny of Big and Rich is 44. Actress Toni Collette (“The Hours,” “Muriel’s Wedding”) is 35. “American Idol” runner-up Bo Bice is 32.
OVERSCENE
Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan taking in the treats, tricks and terror at Netherworld Haunted House in Norcross. The popular seasonal attraction is open through Saturday night. OutKast’s Andre 3000 at Canoe enjoying a special vegan tasting menu whipped up for him by executive chef Carvel Grant Gould.
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.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Kiefer Sutherland’s art will grace 99X’s CD
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Between saving-the-world stints, “24” actor Kiefer Sutherland has found time to create the CD cover artwork for “Live X 12” the latest charitable disc from 99X.
As always, the locally recorded live cuts culled from the rock station’s roster will benefit the I Am 99X Foundation.
Over the past year, the Emmy winner has become a friend to the co-hosts of the station’s “New Morning X” as they’ve helped to break singer-songwriter Rocco DeLuca, a recording artist on Sutherland’s Ironworks record label. When the Morning X traveled to Los Angeles earlier this year to cover the Grammys, 99X program director Leslie Fram and co-worker Sean Demery got an exclusive tour of the Ironworks facility, including Sutherland’s living quarters.
“I was just walking around and noticed this painting area and this dark beautiful painting,” Fram tells Buzz. “Sean was busy touching his Emmys and I was nosing around looking at his art. It was pretty cool.”
Afterward, Fram made an official request for Sutherland to do the project’s artwork (previous contributors include Peter Max, Michael Stipe, David Bowie and Howard Finster, mind you).
This year’s “Live X” compilation features DeLuca, Perry Farrell, The Shins, Queens Of The Stone Age, Tom Morello, Rilo Kiley, Silversun Pickups, 30 Seconds To Mars, The Bravery, Dinosaur Jr. and others.
The disc will be released Nov. 20 exclusively at all metro-area Best Buy locations for $9.99.
The station will host a CD release party Nov. 7 at Smith’s Olde Bar in Midtown with a special performance by DeLuca.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
Q100 waging uphill battle to collect letters for U.S. troops
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Q100’s Bert Show is riding high in the ratings, but the show isn’t just about warped psycho relationships and giggles over Britney Spears’ latest mishap.
Less than two weeks ago, Bert Weiss and his colleagues came up with an ambitious feel-good goal — get listeners to send hand-written thank you letters to every U.S. military person overseas during Thanksgiving.
That’s a daunting 375,000 letters. Given the logistical logjams, the deadline for the campaign was last Friday but as of Monday afternoon, Weiss told Buzz he had no clue how close they are to that goal and won’t know until today. “We’re navigating by the stars,” he said.
A week ago, Weiss said, they only had 30,000 letters so he thought the final goal was “insurmountable,” but he’s hoping a late-week surge will get them over the top.
Schools have jumped aboard while Taco Mac’s 20 or so locales provided dropoff points throughout Atlanta and Pitney Bowes covers postage.
The idea of doing a hand-written letter (rather than e-mails or mass Xeroxed form letters) was the personal touch we seldom see anymore in this day and age of IM and e-mail.
This could make even an anonymous letter special to a soldier stuck in Iceland, Iraq or some isolated island in the Pacific.
Weiss so far has received more than 7,000 e-mails on the subject, more than any topic since the Six Flags giveaway this year that went awry when too many people showed up too early, unexpectedly tying up I-20 for hours.
‘Survivor’ went as far as she could
There are several ways to go far on CBS’s “Survivor.” You can connive your way to victory via artful dodges, feints and lies. Or you can stay likably under the radar. Atlanta fourth-grade teacher Sherea Lloyd, ousted Thursday, tried to be indispensable at immunity challenges.
But her weak tribe Zhan Hu tended to lose despite her efforts. Lloyd chose not to play mind games, and her opinionated, Type-A personality clashed with some tribe members. So when rival tribe Fei Long kidnapped Lloyd two episodes ago, she became vulnerable. Even worse, Frosti Zernow, another kidnapped Zhan Hu member, accidentally spied the immunity Idol this past Thursday, protecting his survival for now.
Lloyd could have lasted longer if Zhan Hu had thrown the immunity challenge a second time this past Thursday, but they weren’t sure if she was trustworthy once the two tribes merged. She hurt herself when she chose not to talk to Zhan Hu member Peih-Gee Law during the reward challenge.
Overall, Lloyd said she had a good time. “I made it as far as I could and I’m proud of that,” she said. But she did say that “I wasn’t connecting with all the people day by day. You never knew what was going on.”
At least she got to sightsee around China the remainder of her time instead of semi-starving on rice and fish.
HIGH FIVE
V-103 For the week of Oct. 19
1.“No One” Alicia Keys
2. “Good Life” Kanye West
3. “My Drink N My 2 Step” Cassidy
4. “Let It Go” Keyshia Cole
5. “Shawty Is A Ten” The-Dream — Mediabase 24/7
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Grace Slick is 68. Actor Henry Winkler is 62. Actor Harry Hamlin is 56. Actor Kevin Pollak is 50. Singer-guitarist Gavin Rossdale (Bush) is 40. Actress Nia Long is 37.
Got a tip for Peach Buzz? 404-526-2749 or buzz@ajc.com
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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Monstrously good, with no pretensions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
That same ol’ Morpheus outfit from “The Matrix” just wouldn’t cut it anymore. Buzz had worn that diddy to about 40,000 Halloween parties since last year, and we wanted to wear something, well, different for the Monster’s Ball on Saturday night, hosted by Dwight Eubanks, Rick Smalls, Charles Sims and Jamell Young.
So what did we become for the charity event at Eubanks’ Purple Door salon in the historic Sweet Auburn district?
Ernestine, the Forgotten Pussycat Doll. Yes, it was a hot mess.
But of all the parties we’ve had the honor of attending, we must admit this could very well be the best — and we don’t use superlatives around here very often.
Needless to say, walking two blocks up Auburn Avenue to the salon dressed as a hairy drag queen in leopard print was a serious challenge, so we sprinted as fast as we could. Awaiting at the front door was a horse-drawn carriage that whisked guests off on a nerve-calming trip up the street and back to the red-carpet entrance in the rear.
Once inside, eerie cobwebs and two real coffins set the mood as DJ Chaoss spun his own web of hip-hop, old-school R&B and house music. Light fare was served, from turkey and dip to fruit and salmon to cakes and more cakes. Everything was set up stylishly well for the event that benefits Pampering for Peace, which aids victims of domestic violence.
Three bars poured, and Footwork, a dance group made up of Morehouse, Spelman and Clark Atlanta students, danced their hearts out, the highlight being their superbly replicating Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video.
But what took the cake here was seeing all the ghosts, goblins and about 150 other costumed night stalkers — gay, straight, white, black, young, old — partying without pretensions, grooving like there was no care in the world.
Anyone can throw tons of loot into a soiree and call it a success, but Buzz likes it most when people from diverse backgrounds can come together and dance and mingle with perfect strangers (in outrageous getups, at that) and leave having made new acquaintances and friends.
And that’s what you found here. People coming to support a good cause and creating a wonderfully festive and united vibe. This is one for the memory books.
But no matter how much fun we had, don’t expect to ever hear about Ernestine, the Forgotten Pussycat Doll, again.
Interesting tidbits behind ‘Halloween’
While we’re on the subject of Halloween — one thing about Buzz, we love a good horror flick. Anyone who can appreciate a good, B-list scare will recall such cheap thrills as “C.H.U.D.,” “Evil Dead” and “Trilogy of Terror,” with that icky little demonoid doll chasing Karen Black around her apartment. We’re still wondering why that hasn’t made it to any “scariest movie moments” list.
Anyway, John Carpenter’s “Halloween,” made in 1978, had the makings of one of those flicks that came and went. And with a tiny budget of $300,000, it was definitely in the cheap thrill category. We already know how the movie went on to become a major studio hit and made Jamie Lee Curtis and Carpenter household names. But some interesting tidbits really caught our attention while watching “Backstory” on AMC on Saturday morning.
*The Michael Myers mask originally was a William Shatner mask from “Star Trek,” bought from a costume shop. Carpenter, making some adjustments to it, liked it because of its natural blank look (hope Shatner’s ego isn’t too crushed).
*Donald Pleasence’s role as Dr. Loomis was originally offered to horror honchos Peter Cushing (he wasn’t available) and Christopher Lee (he turned it down). Lee said later it was the biggest mistake of his career.
*The film, made for the aforesaid $300,000, went on to gross more than $70 million worldwide in its original release.
*Carpenter intentionally had Curtis keep losing her weapon (hanger, knitting needle, butcher knife) to maintain her sense of vulnerability to the audience.
*Actress P.J. Soles, Curtis’ sex-thirsty friend who was strangled soon after sending her boyfriend for a drink in the middle of making out, also played Norma, the wild teen in pigtails who helped mastermind the pig-blood stunt in “Carrie.”
Catch “Halloween” Wednesday at 10 a.m. on AMC.
A princely $41,000 for the first ‘Potter’
The “Harry Potter” empire is still strong, folks.
A copy of J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel sold at auction Thursday for almost $41,000, according to The Associated Press.
A signed, hardback copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” published in 1997, was sold to an anonymous private bidder for $40,326 at Christie’s auction house.
The seventh and final installment, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” was published in July. The seven books have sold nearly 400 million copies and have been translated into 64 languages.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Kid Rock smothers, covers Waffle House fight details
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So, what is Kid Rock’s take on that take-down outside a DeKalb County Waffle House last weekend that landed the self-professed “hick-hopper” in jail?
“It started with me celebrating a great show that night,” Rock told Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show this week. “We were hungry. It was late at night.”
“I know the people work hard at Waffle House so I tipped people behind the counter and gave $300 to split up. Bought everyone breakfast in there,” he said. “This one kid just started talking. … And then one thing led to another, windows were breaking. …”
Kid Rock explained: “He said, ‘I hope you get mad, I’ll sue the hell out of you.’ I’m like, ‘Take a number.’”
The rapper and five members of his entourage were taken into custody on a misdemeanor charge of simple battery. He was released on bond Sunday afternoon.
NASCAR meets moonshine
At age 76, NASCAR legend Junior Johnson’s life has whipped around as circular as one of the racetracks he once blew down while racking up 50 career wins. Today he’ll idle up to the 40th annual Mountain Moonshine Festival in Dawsonville in a 1940 Ford, a vehicle very similar to the one in which he used to transport the family business in the backwoods of Wilkes County, N.C.
And sometimes just a fender in front of the boys in blue. Johnson will be at the festival to introduce folks to Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon Carolina Moonshine, an 80-proof, legal version of the family recipe now being produced by Piedmont Distillers in Madison, N.C.
“I could never have imagined seeing our family’s moonshine in a bottle shop with me out promoting it!” Johnson told Buzz on Friday laughing.
Johnson acquired many of his racing skills evading law enforcement through the rural stretches separating the family still operation and its many customers. (“I’ve still got my marks on a bunch of those trees all along the roads there.”) In 1956, just a year into his NASCAR career, he got popped by police at the family still and spent 11 months in an Ohio prison.
On Dec. 26, 1986, President Ronald Reagan pardoned the then-NASCAR team owner, restoring his right to vote and his passport.
“No maybe about it,” Johnson says solemnly. “Best Christmas gift I ever got.”
While the entrepreneur professionally left NASCAR behind in 1995 (he doesn’t plan to attend Sunday’s Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway), Johnson still keeps up with the sport.
“The drivers today are a different breed,” he explains. “Back then, we came up the hard and crude way. Now, the kids are sophisticated and educated.”
And like many of us, Johnson concedes that he too talks to the TV some Sundays when a race is on.
“I offer some advice to the television, sure!” he admits with a laugh. “I say, ‘I’d show you something, boy!’ from time to time.”
Johnson will be at today’s 40th annual Mountain Moonshine Festival in Dawsonville from 9-10 a.m. and the RK Package Store in Dawsonville from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Hitting the Goal
Playwright Eve Ensler delivered a bold keynote address at Friday’s “Going for the Goal” luncheon, held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza.
“Decide if you want to be liked or admired,” she said, reading from an essay. “Insist the world be theater and love the drama. It’s easier to be mean than smart, but that isn’t who you are.”
Goal works to promote self-esteem and leadership potential in girls and young women (goalonline.org). The group’s surging growth was represented by Friday’s venue; originally scheduled for a smaller space, it was relocated to the Westin because of demand.
At Goal, we believe girls are the experts in their own lives,” CEO Gail Rothman said. Ensler concluded her remarks with a piece inspired by a girl she once interviewed who told her, “I am an emotional creature.”
“I love — hear me — I love being a girl!” Ensler said.
Tastefully tacky
Sure, there was plenty of the ornate and gorgeous at Thursday night’s 10th anniversary of DIFFA’s Dining by Design AIDS benefit at Mason Murer Fine Art.
But Buzz naturally gravitated toward the tackier-themed table displays. But tacky doesn’t necessarily translate into cheap.
The folks at Edelman PR, for example, hired designer Sandy Thigpen to create an outdoorsy table, complete with plastic camping trays, mason jar vases and a mini fully functional silver Airstream trailer that guests happily traipsed through. Behind it, Concentrics Restaurants touted the arrival of Tap, its busy new Midtown gastro pub with a table treatment by Oetgen Design Inc. and Rowina Amick. The chief kitschy accessory stacked around the table? Empty beer kegs.
On the opposite end of the style scale? The colorful, artful first course served up by A Legendary Event. The eye-popping plate of micro greens, toy box tomatoes, goat cheese crotin, corn shoots and paper-thin slices of watermelon radishes had some attendees briefly contemplating framing the appetizer.
Sir Elton 1; BALTIC, 0
On Friday, British prosecutors confirmed what art collectors have known for years: American photographer Nan Goldin isn’t a pornographer. Officials determined that the photo in question, owned by Elton John, isn’t an indecent image,
The BALTIC Center for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, northeastern England, alerted police Sept. 20 amid child pornography concerns. The photo shows two girls dancing; one of them is naked.
The gallery then closed “Thanksgiving,” an exhibition of 149 pictures by Goldin, at John’s request.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Today: Actress Ruby Dee (right) is 83. Actor-comedian John Cleese is 68. Singer Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran is 49. Singer Kelly Osbourne is 23.
Sunday: Actress Joan Plowright is 78. Actress Julia Roberts is 40. Country singer Brad Paisley is 35. Actor Joaquin Phoenix is 33. Singer Justin Guarini (“American Idol”) is 29.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s like porn for boys, isn’t it?” — Singer Sinead O’Connor to fellow mom Mara Davis, discussing the seemingly endless appeal of “Thomas the Tank Engine” for male small fry on Dave FM Friday. The performer was booked at the Tabernacle downtown.
Contributing: Jennifer Brett and news services.
Got a tip for Peach Buzz? 404-526-2749 or buzz@ajc.com
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Alge Crumpler in ‘hall of fame’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Alge honored Former Boys & Girls Club of America member and current Atlanta Falcon Alge Crumpler was inducted into the Atlanta-based nonprofit’s Alumni Hall of Fame on Wednesday night during the organization’s annual Southeast Chairman’s Dinner at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. What’s more, former “American Idol” winner (and previous BGCA alum hall of fame winner) Ruben Studdard serenaded the football player at the posh dinner. We’re told that Crumpler “grew up attending the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pitt County in Greenville, N.C., while his mother worked.” Alge’s mother addressed the crowd before her son’s induction Wednesday, crediting the BGCA for helping to teach her child important life lessons.
Crumpler told the assembly that the club was where he first learned how to use a computer.
Coppola nephew knows family drama
For a generation of cult comedy fans, actor Jason Schwartzman will forever be Max Fischer, the troubled prep school kid from director Wes Anderson’s “Rushmore” of nearly a decade ago. The actor and musician is also “Godfather” and “Rocky” actress Talia Shire’s son. His uncle is Francis Ford Coppola, and he grew up playing with cousins Nicolas Cage and Sofia Coppola.
Lineage not withstanding, Schwartzman was completely unassuming, bright, funny and low-key over lunch Thursday as he polished off a fifth pecan pie dessert (roughly the size of a shot glass, mind you) at Seasons 52 in Buckhead.
Schwartzman was in town to talk about his latest film with Anderson, “The Darjeeling Limited,” the quirky comedy that hit Atlanta theaters last Friday. But just because he’s got some bold-faced names in the fam, Schwartzman says he and Anderson wanted to write about the universality of families in crisis when they set out to write the screenplay for “Darjeeling.”
In the India-set film, Schwartzman and co-stars Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody play the estranged wealthy Whitman brothers who come together again for the first time since their father’s death.
“Wes said to me, ‘I want to do a film about three brothers on a train in India. I don’t know what happens. But I want to write it with you, and I want it to be filled with really personal things from our lives.’ “
Two years later, they had a script centering on bickering brothers still grappling with the death of their father (who, depending on your interpretation, may or may not be played in “Darjeeling’ by Bill Murray).
“No matter who you are, a death in the family is like a grenade going off,” he explained, tugging a lock of hair away from his face. “And you end up pulling that emotional shrapnel out of your body for years.”
The actor says that “Hotel Chevalier,” the short film featuring his “Darjeeling” character Jack Whitman and directed by Anderson a full year before the “Limited” shoot began (the 13-minute short, which has been downloaded more than 400,000 times on iTunes, will get officially tacked onto the beginning “Limited’s” theatrical run starting today) was key to him finding his character.
“Every actor should have that experience,” he recalls. “It was an incredibly gentle way to reconnect with Wes as a director. I was able to wear Jack’s clothes, grow out his mustache, play with his iPod and find him.” He says the film’s organic shoot, shot largely in sequence, helped him, Wilson and Brody connect emotionally as well.
And then there were the unique living conditions the trio found themselves in.
“We all lived together in this house that has been converted into an eight-bedroom hotel,” Schwartzman explained. “We played badminton and watched movies together. It was like being in summer camp. Not to get all Marvin Gaye on you, but we discovered we’re all sensitive people.”
Curtis: ‘Freaks’ progress?
Thursday’s luncheon featuring actress Jamie Lee Curtis offered nourishing food for thought.
Addressing the Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s 11th annual “Numbers Too Big to Ignore” luncheon, Curtis urged the crowd of more than 2,000 to honor and respect their “unique magnificence.”
“We don’t make change by following the same path,” Curtis said. “We make change by making and forging new paths.”
Curtis, who caused something of a stir a while back when she posed sans makeup for a More magazine photo shoot, had harsh words for the whole stick-thin-is-chic look.
“Women today look like freaks,” Curtis said. “Is that progress?”
Proceeds from Thursday’s luncheon will help enhance AWF’s grant-making initiatives and women’s leadership programs. Since its inception, AWF has granted more than $9 million to more than 250 nonprofit organizations serving women and girls in metro Atlanta.
Celebrity birthdays
Actress Jaclyn Smith (“Charlie’s Angels”) is 62. “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak is 61. Musician Bootsy Collins is 56. Actor James Pickens Jr. (“Grey’s Anatomy”) is 55. Guitarist Keith Strickland of The B-52’s is 54. Actor Dylan McDermott (“Big Shots”) is 46. Country singer Keith Urban is 40. Actor Jon Heder (“Blades of Glory,” “Napoleon Dynamite”) is 30.
OVERSCENE
Actress (and Joan Collins’ former “Dynasty” mud-wrestling partner) Linda Evans taking in the Dalai Lama’s “Mind & Life” symposium at Emory University.
ON MY iPOD AND TiVo Katt Williams, comedian:
” ‘The Tudors’ and good stuff like that I want to watch at my leisure. And ‘Entourage’. All the hip-hop events and awards and important things, like [VH1’s] ‘Hip Hop Honors’. I’m a TV Land addict. And then whatever’s on Cartoon Network, because I have eight kids.” “As for music, I’m kind of a rare person, I buy like 30 CDs a month, but I don’t download a lot from like iTunes or anything. I go to the store. Read all the liner notes. Then put it on my computer. And my playlists range from everything from Lil Wayne and some Dipset and my new album on one, Big & Rich and Larry the Cable Guy on another, and Nelly and Yung Joc and E-40 on another. I do it like that. I do it all.”
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.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Dallas Austin gives students a taste of biz; Hannah Montana tix a $1500 bargain
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On Friday, Cedar Grove High School will become one of the first schools in DeKalb County to partner full-time with Grammy-winning Atlanta music and film producer Dallas Austin as a host for his burgeoning public school music program.
Austin’s Don’t Stop the Music project kicks off its Cedar Grove partnership with a program at the school, joining an existing after-school program called Youth Vibe to give students a taste of the music industry.
The project is an outreach of the Dallas Austin Foundation. Cedar Grove principal JoAnn Williams-West said the foundation is footing the $37,000 bill to install a recording studio at the school, which also will be available to students during the school day.
The foundation already has installed recording studios in at least five Atlanta public schools, where students learn marketing, songwriting and music production.
“Music just goes throughout the curriculum,” Williams-West said of her expectation that the studio will get lots of use — never mind the star power behind it. Williams-West has been told not only to expect Austin at Friday’s kickoff, but special guest artists as well.
“Music is seemingly an interest to most students,” Williams-West said. “To have someone with the name of Dallas Austin … is just phenomenal for us.”
Austin has said his long-range goal is to take the program national, and Williams-West said foundation officials hinted they are almost ready to make that happen.
Overscene
Well, at least veteran Atlanta Falcons nose tackle Grady Jackson was well-fed before he was unceremoniously served his walking papers this week. On Monday night, Jackson, along with teammates John Abraham, Jamaal Anderson, Keith Brooking, Jonathan Babineaux, Rod Coleman and Alge Crumpler were among the Falcons who turned up for dinner at Lobster Bar in Buckhead. We’re told the outing — where the rookies foot the bill for the veterans — is an annual ritual for the players. We’re told that Jackson delighted his servers and earned some ribeye-related ribbing from co-workers when he ordered the center-cut lamb chops as an appetizer before wolfing down a 22-ounce bone-in steak entree. The bubbly beverage of choice at the table? Dom Perignon champagne.
Overheard
We hear that a certain Hollywood type with artistic leanings has been commissioned to provide the artwork for a prominent Atlanta radio station’s upcoming benefit CD. And while we’ve been sworn to secrecy until next week when we can officially share the details (and a cover image) exclusively with Buzz readers, we can tell you one thing about the artist. He or she adapts well to tight deadlines. Oh, and they may just have a family member with a not-so-secret, growing reputation as a dirty old man …
Moolah for Montana tix
Sure, the station’s sultry syndicated DJ Delilah flew in and B98.5 FM personalities, including Kelly & Alpha, and Kelly McCoy were in attendance, but the real star of the “Tickled Pink” breast cancer benefit last weekend at the Cobb Galleria Center didn’t even show. B98.5’s Will Gara tells Buzz that the bidding “got a little crazy” during the live auction for two tickets to the upcoming long sold-out Hanna Montana show here. Listener Jan Bunch successfully ponied up $1,500 for the pair. So exactly where did the station get the much-sought-after tickets for the auction?
Explained Gara: “All I was told was, ‘We have two tickets. Don’t ask questions!’ It was all very hush hush.”
Considering that scalpers are now asking $1,695 per pair, Bunch still got a deal. And it was tax deductible. The evening raised about $24,000 for the Susan G. Komen folks.
Celebrity birthdays
Country singer Jeanne Black is 70. Guitarist Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest is 60. Actress Nancy Cartwright (“The Simpsons”) is 50.Guitarist Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies is 37. Actor Mehcad Brooks (“Desperate Housewives”) is 27. Singer Ciara is 22.
ON MY iPOD and TiVo
Lance Bass, singer/author who signs his memoir “Out of Sync” at Outwrite Books in Midtown tonight at 8.
“My iPod is full of everything from Dixie Chicks to Damien Rice. I have it all. My new favorite songs are on the new Maroon 5 album. I am the TiVo whore. I TiVo it all, ‘Ugly Betty,’ ‘The Office’ and I do like reality. I love that new ‘Kid Nation’ show. It’s sad if you see my TiVo. I have to have two TiVos because I fill it all up.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“If people leave here saying, ‘I had a blast in Scranton,’ then we’ve achieved our goal.” — Pennsylvania architect Michele Dempsey, who came up with the idea for this weekend’s convention inspired by “The Office.” The East Coast town is where the comedy’s fictitious paper company is located.
Contributing: Elizabeth Cobb, Kristina Torres and news services buzz@ajc.com.
Got a tip for Peach Buzz? 404-526-2749 or buzz@ajc.com
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 60’ DVD set packed with sweet gems
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For Elton John fans, this year’s 60th birthday celebration may double as a one-of-a-kind gift this holiday season. The Peachtree Road resident’s reps thoughtfully sent Buzz Central a review copy of the new “Elton John 60: Live at Madison Square Garden” DVD set.
Surprisingly, the entire 3 1/2-hour evening from March 25 remains intact for fans who weren’t fortunate enough to be in the New York arena (traditionally, these things wind up edited for length). Elton aficionados get the full concert experience from his opening song “Sixty Years On” to the final chords of “Your Song.”
In addition to the beautifully produced show, the two disc set also contains “Live, Rare and Unseen” concert footage dating from his earliest shaggy haired appearances on Swiss TV in 1970 to a 2006 “In Session” taping. For rarities-seeking fans, however, a four-song mini set from Edinburgh’s Playhouse Theatre shot in Scotland on Sept. 17, 1976, is a major find.
Another nice touch? Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears provides a thoughtful essay in the set’s accompanying 36-page program booklet. In it, the singer details his first close encounter with an Elton John LP: Shears came across a used copy of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” in a junk shop while searching for a couch with $50 in his pocket and ended up with the album and nothing to sit on.
He also provides a touching tale from the 60th birthday show where he was seated in MSG near an incredibly animated Brian Wilson, one of Sir Elton’s musical heroes. When Shears later dished about the Beach Boys legend’s behavior to his equally famous friend, Shears writes: ” ‘Did he like it?’ [Elton] asked eagerly. ‘Like it? I thought he was going to rush the stage,’ I replied. ‘Oh, God,’ he sighed like a teenager. ‘I just love him so much.’ “
Perhaps, the only thing missing from the package? Our fave celebrity sighting from Section 76, where Buzz observed with amusement as an extremely polite Elton fan and “24” action hero Kiefer Sutherland nearly got tossed from the arena by a maroon-suited usher when TV’s Jack Bauer couldn’t immediately produce his all-access laminate.
‘Paparazzi,’ ‘Gossip’ and a good cause As every other hipster nightspot is seemingly readying an All Hallow’s Eve-themed event this weekend, Geisha House at Atlantic Station has opted for a more “upscale and sexy” route.
On Saturday, beginning at 10 p.m., the eatery presents “Paparazzi,” a benefit for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Motorcars of Georgia has graciously donated a Lotus luxury automobile to be raffled off at the event (raffle tickets are $100) for the charity. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at maumaus.com.
In addition, the evening is a closing night party for “Gossip, Lies and Secrets,” the Angela Barrow-Dunlap play running this week at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center. Its stars, including Malik Yoba, Blu Cantrell, Lisa Raye and Kenya Moore, are scheduled to walk the red carpet as is rapper Young Jeezy, who we’re told already has RSVP-ed.
So how do you go about getting a high-end auto donated to a fund-raiser?
“You ask really nicely,” Dolce Group special events director Clayton Morey told Buzz when we inquired Tuesday. “We’re expecting a capacity crowd of 600. It’s the first big fund-raiser at Geisha House in Atlanta. We’re looking forward to doing more.”
Katz feted in NYC for excellent spirit Three music industry A-listers, including Atlanta’s Greenberg Traurig law firm’s entertainment law chairman Joel A. Katz, were scheduled to be honored at the T.J. Martell Foundation 32nd Annual Awards Gala in New York on Tuesday night.
Katz (or as we refer to him at Buzz, the miracle worker who de-Dubai-ed Dallas Austin last year) was feted along with Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy.
Katz received the organization’s Spirit of Excellence Award. Each honoree was selected “for his personal involvement and long-term support of the Martell’s mission to fund research for treatments and cures for leukemia, cancer and pediatric AIDS.”
Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Michael McDonald, Boys II Men and Natasha Bedingfield were among the evening’s scheduled entertainers.
Amanpour honored by Queen Elizabeth For her services to journalism, globe-trotting CNN reporter Christiane Amanpour was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) from Queen Elizabeth II Tuesday.
CNN’s chief international correspondent “is one of a very small number of journalists to have received the CBE,” CNN reps tell Buzz. Her investiture by the Queen took place in Buckingham Palace, where Amanpour was accompanied by her parents, husband and son.
Amanpour told CNN after the ceremony: “What’s important to recognize in the current climate is that, with so much lack of seriousness, so much weight put to sensationalism and tabloidism, I think this is — I say for myself personally — a really nice moment to recognize that actually serious journalism is being recognized.”
Given that we were busy tilting our head and watching “The View,” trying to discern what plastic surgeon hack has been allowed near Mariah Carey while Amanpour was on CNN Tuesday, we’re a tish embarrassed …
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman is 71. Actor F. Murray Abraham is 68. Actor Kevin Kline is 60. Singer Monica is 27. Singer-actress Adrienne Bailon of 3LW (“The Cheetah Girls”) is 24.
ON MY iPOD J Holiday, Atlanta R&B singer: “Believe it or not, I just downloaded Jay-Z’s ‘Black Album.’ I know, I’m late. But it’s not like [four] years later it still isn’t good.”
Contributing: Sonia Murray and news services
Got a tip for Peach Buzz? 404-526-2749 or buzz@ajc.com
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Edited Atlanta magazine profile less Vick-torious
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Let’s hope this doesn’t become a journalistic trend. In the November issue of Atlanta magazine, the 348-page glossy monthly republishes its original 2003 positive piece on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick by writer Donnell Alexander.
With some notable edits.
The changes reflect the recently disgraced NFL player’s guilty plea on federal dogfighting charges. The new, less Vick-torious version of the story is titled “Second Draft.”
Explains Atlanta editor in chief Rebecca Burns in a cover letter sent to Buzz with the advance issue: “When news broke and kept on breaking about the Michael Vick dogfighting scandal, it was hard not to forget our glowing feature that raved, ‘What the league needs now is Vick, Mike Vick.’ We’ve decided to eat our words.”
In a call to Buzz Monday, Burns added: “It’s a cautionary tale about hero worship.” The re-edited piece is filled with red pen slashes through the original copy and fresh edits inserted. For example, Alexander’s original sentence, “Now is the first time Atlanta has a franchise truly in the running for ‘America’s Team status,’ ” has been replaced with “Most Humiliated status.”
Burns openly hopes that this month’s cover subject, WSB consumer guru Clark Howard, doesn’t suffer a similar fate.
The cover line? “Clark Howard 2009? Mr. Cheap Could Be Mayor. Really.”
Still, the issue provides one absolute certainty for those of us who have ever inevitably ordered Rathbun’s pastry chef Kirk Parks crazy good banana peanut butter cream pie only to be told that other addicted diners already have scarfed down the last slice. In the new issue, Parks supplies the mag with the recipe. Be warned: to prepare, the divine dessert requires eight fluted tart shells, a double boiler, a pastry bag with a large star tip, a stand mixer with whisk attachment, a candy thermometer and a propane torch. The magazine hits stands Nov. 1.
Far from a bust The local women who donated artfully accessorized plaster castings of their chests in August made quite a lasting impression at last week’s benefit at Luxe Atlanta boutique downtown. On Monday, Buzz was informed that the fund-raiser for Keep a Breast Foundation and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure raised $10,000 for the charities.
The edgy breast cancer awareness month benefit (which resulted in several flack-inflicted aneurysms at a certain cable news outlet’s public relations offices in two major American cities last summer when we initially wrote about it) boasted busts of female radio and TV personalities along with other notable local female fund-raisers. We’re told that the bidding was especially spirited between the husbands of said women and Atlanta jeweler Ken Goldwasser. Shawn Arnold, husband of Dave FM’s Holly Firfer, and George McKerrow Jr., co-owner of the Ted’s Montana Grill chain and hubby of Atlanta charitable fund-raiser Ginair McKerrow, both were determined to take home their wives’ casted corsets.
Explained Firfer via voicemail: “There was actually a bidding war for my boobs. Who knew?!”
“It was a wonderful result for a first-year event,” rep Kitsy Rose told Buzz Monday. “We couldn’t be happier.”
No whiffing on Wiffle Ball benefit Elsewhere on the fund-raising front, once (and future?) Atlanta Brave Tom Glavine and his wife, Chris, helped raise a whopping $20,200 for a luncheon and Wiffle Ball game in their Country Club of the South backyard. At a recent benefit for CURE Childhood Cancer, the Glavines’ unique auction item initially went for $10,100. The original bidder then re-donated the event back to CURE so cancer patients could attend the event and also has pledged to outfit the patients with baseball equipment and T-shirts. A second successful set of bidders was five families who split the cost for a one-of-a-kind father/son outing with the pitcher.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS Director Ang Lee is 53. Jazz singer Dianne Reeves is 51. Country singer Dwight Yoakam is 51. Singer “Weird Al” Yankovic is 48. Actor Ryan Reynolds (“Van Wilder”) is 31. Actress Masiela Lusha (“George Lopez”) is 22.
ON MY TiVo and iPOD Karrine Steffans, author of “The Vixen Diaries”
” ‘Mad Men’ on AMC is amazing. Very smart. ‘Californication’ on Showtime, with David Duchovny, I love it. Love it! It’s not on now but ‘The Tudors,’ also on Showtime, is must-see TV in my house. I’m starting to watch ‘Tell Me You Love Me’ on HBO. It’s very confusing, but I’m still watching. … On the iPod, I just downloaded a lot of John Lennon stuff. Lots of Elton John. I listen to a lot of oldies.”
Contributing: Sonia Murray and news services
Got a tip for Peach Buzz? Contact 404-526-2749 or buzz@ajc.com
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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10/21: Brett Butler - Grace Under Darkness
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For about 45 minutes on late Saturday night, the Funny Farm became Medieval Times.
While standup comic Ryan Maloney was finishing up a run of jokes about Al Gore, the entire “entertainment” complex holding the Funny Farm comedy club in Roswell plunged into darkness, the electricity cut off as headliner and Marietta native Brett Butler waited in the wings.
The room was saved from going completely black thanks to a couple of exit lights lit by a backup generator and candles on the tables.
“First, you have a water drought,” a befuddled Maloney cracked, “now you don’t have electricity!”
But the blackout didn’t cause a 1977 New York City-style riot. Rather, a bachelorette party, awash in blue glow sticks, ran up on stage to provide Maloney a modicum of light. And the Funny Farm sound man jumped up and stuck a pen light over Maloney, providing a very weak spotlight.
Some crowd members began yelling at Maloney to “Take off your clothes!” The standup eventually mimed a striptease but didn’t do a full monty or anything close to it. “First we lost electricity,” he said, “then I lost my dignity.”
In an interview after the show, New Yorker Maloney — who has been doing standup for a decade — said he vamped for several minutes in hopes the lights would come back on in time for Butler’s appearance. But it didn’t. After 10 minutes, Butler decided to hit the stage anyway and as Maloney passed the torch, he noted, “I want to thank you for the most bizarre evening of my career!”
As the sound guy held a tiny, thin light over Butler, the former star of “Grace Under Fire” did a truncated 30-minute set without a microphone. She noted she was moving back to Georgia, where she already owned a farm. In L.A., she noted, “I’ve seen idiots and beautiful people. I grew up in Marietta where there are lots of beautiful idiots.”
It was difficult to hear her in the back. One customer began yelling “Lights!” and “Mike!” as if she had power over the power. Butler tried to go with the flow but eventually said, “There are one or two people in this room who think I’m funny!” After some fans applauded, she noted, “I’ve done this for 25 years and I cant tell you I’ve done fine without your help.”
The guy and his date eventually left in a huff. In fact, several people cut out without paying as the poor wait staff struggled to tally up the bills under candlelight using hand-held calculators and good ol’ pen and paper.
With no air circulation, the room soon got stuffy. “I’m having hot flashes,” Butler cracked near the end of her truncated set. “That fan [the one that wasn’t operating] is mocking me!” At one point, she noted, “I like the opera. I’m going to write one about this!”
As she wrapped up, she hugged the spotlight guy, joked with a few patrons, then left as quickly as she could.
“She was pro and a trooper to keep doing the show,” Maloney said later.
Customers were given free passes for future shows for their troubles. And naturally, the lights came back on about 30 minutes after the show ended. Manager Marshall Chiles, who wasn’t at the show, said Sunday that a transformer blew but he wasn’t sure why that happened.
If you want to see a lighted, miked version of Butler, she has another show Sunday night at 8 for $20. Here’s more info to buy tickets..
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A little bit of country, a lot of painkillers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When we learned of CMT’s latest reality show on Friday, two thoughts crossed our migraine-pained brain: There’s not a lot of meaningful post-“American Idol” employment out there for Diana DeGarmo, and former Alpharetta resident Bobby Brown must be feeling better after his recent trip to the hospital.
Early next year, CMT is threatening to release something called “Gone Country” in the atmosphere. We’re told that the incredibly in-depth concept centers on non-country singers who will live in a mansion and compete to see who could best adapt to becoming a country singer.
The celebrities (and we’re using the term loosely here) include Snellville’s own former Idol contestant DeGarmo, as well as the soon-to-be ex-hubby of Whitney Houston, ex-Wilson Phillips singer and “Surreal Life” alum Carnie Wilson, “Brady Bunch” and “Celebrity Fit Club” alum Maureen McCormick, Sisqo (“The Thong Song”), Julio Iglesias Jr. and Dee Snider (Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”).
Production is currently under way in Nashville, according to a story posted on Cmt.com.
The celebrities will bunk together in a Nashville mansion together a la “The Surreal Life” and will compose songs with Nashville songwriters.
The cast “will compete against each other in challenges that will test them musically and physically to adapt to a country music lifestyle, both on and off the stage.” John Rich of Big & Rich will be among the judges.
The show is set to air over six episodes in January, which means we all have plenty of time to purchase pain relievers with codeine and set our TiVos…
How justice rolls
Attention, Wal-Mart shoppers: That man parking his massive motor coach near you just might be Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Speaking Thursday at an Atlanta Press Club luncheon, the Georgia native confirmed that yes, he has a big RV that’s a bit like a big, fussy baby (“You put, like, 150 gallons in it.”). And yes, when he and his wife, Virginia, take it out for spins, they sometimes overnight in Wal-Mart SuperCenter lots with people who know them as just plain, petro-guzzling folk. “Someone told us some of the best people in the country are in the RV parks, and it has
been a delight,” Thomas
said.
Less delightful: That time he drove it through Atlanta. “I’ll avoid that now,” Thomas said to hoots of laughter. “There’s a lot going on around Atlanta on the interstate.”
Tell us something we don’t already know, Mr. Justice.
Winfrey school matron suspended
A dormitory matron at Oprah Winfrey’s school for disadvantaged girls in South Africa has been suspended amid allegations of serious misconduct.
No details were disclosed about the alleged offense at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls at Henley on Klip, just south of Johannesburg.
Police confirmed they had been informed of the allegation, but weren’t investigating at this stage.
Chief Executive Officer John Samuel said an internal inquiry had been initiated “based on one serious claim of misconduct involving a dormitory parent.”
The accused was no longer on campus, Samuel said in a statement Friday, and immediate action had been taken “to ensure the safety and well-being of the academy’s learners.”
“Nothing is more serious or devastating to me than an allegation of misconduct by an adult against any girl at the academy,” Winfrey said in a statement.
South Africa’s Child Protection Services have been notified, and U.S. and South African private detectives have been engaged to investigate, Samuel said.
To ensure an impartial investigation, the head of the academy has agreed to take a paid leave of absence, Samuel said, making clear the woman wasn’t the subject of any allegations.
The school was opened in January amid much fanfare.
SICK BAY
Porter Wagoner has been hospitalized with an undisclosed ailment and is in serious condition, his publicist says.
Darlene Bieber said the 80-year-old Grand Ole Opry star “is asking for prayers from his friends and fans.”
She had no other information, Bieber said.
WSMV-TV reported that Wagoner was admitted to the hospital earlier this week for observation.
He was hospitalized for two weeks in July 2006 after suffering a stomach aneurism. In May, he celebrated his 50th year on the Grand Ole Opry.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Today: Actor William Christopher (“MASH”) is 75. Musician Tom Petty (above) is 57. Actor Viggo Mortensen (“Lord of the Rings”) is 49. Rapper Snoop Dogg is 36.
Sunday: Actress Joyce Randolph (“The Honeymooners”) is 82. TV judge Judy Sheindlin (“Judge Judy”) is 65. Guitarist Charlotte Caffey of the Go-Go’s is 54. Actress Carrie Fisher is 51. Keyboardist Charlie Lowell of Jars of Clay is 34. Actor Jeremy Miller (“Growing Pains”) is 31. Actor Will Estes (“American Dreams”) is 29.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Jill Vejnoska and news services. buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Brag on kids? Here’s your chance to do so
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Baby, what a day.
And when we say “baby,” we mean it in the most literal sense because it’s all about them during the March of Dimes “Every Baby Has a Story” tour stop. On Sunday 2-6 p.m. and Monday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in Lenox Square mall’s main parking lot near the valet, the organization will be collecting memorable, inspiring and funny tales about all kids — healthy, premature or disabled.
“We want to bring the whole community together to celebrate babies,” says Brittney Gray Gove of the March of Dimes Georgia Chapter.
Gove says guests can go to “story stations” in the tour bus and have their stories videotaped for free. Stories and pictures will be shared online at www.everybabyhasastory.org on an interactive U.S. map.
Also, for every story collected on the bus, Farmers Insurance will donate $20 to March of Dimes and its efforts to prevent birth defects, premature births and infant mortality.
The event leads up to Premature Awareness Month in November, and if families can’t make it to Lenox for the tour, they can log on to the Web site to share their stories and download pictures.
The bus is on a 16-city tour through October to collect stories from across the country, and Buzz believes this is a wonderful chance for metro Atlantans to brag about what special children we have right here in Georgia.
Oprah speaks out about her health
Oprah Winfrey is an open book about most of her life. Now she’s sharing with the world her thyroid condition, how it slowed her down and caused her to gain 20 pounds.
“My body was turning on me,” she says in the October issue of O, the Oprah magazine. “First hyperthyroidism, which sped up my metabolism and left me unable to sleep for days. [Most people lose weight. I didn’t.]
“Then hypothyroidism, which slowed down my metabolism and made me want to sleep all the time. [Most people gain weight. I did! Twenty pounds!]”
As she wrapped up her season in May, Winfrey was feeling very sluggish and tired, according to The Associated Press, and eventually she discovered her out-of-balance thyroid.
Hyperthyroidism also can cause a fast heartbeat, among other symptoms; hypothyroidism, the opposite condition, can result in fatigue and weakness.
Winfrey took a monthlong break in Hawaii to regain her health. Tuesday, she talked about her condition on the “Oprah” show, saying she “wanted so many other women who are going through the same thing to check on yourself and recognize that … it’s an issue we all share in common,” according to the AP.
‘Innovative’ drink to hit local clubs
There’s a new drink finding its way to Atlanta nightclubs next year, folks. From the makers of the outstanding Hpnotiq comes Nuvo, a sparkling vodka liqueur for women.
The sleek, glamorous bottle looks like a fancy European perfume ready for spritzing. Instead, it’s meant to excite the palate.
“It’s fabulous. It’s one of the sexiest and most innovative drinks out there,” says Tiffany Patterson of Atlanta, who got a chance to taste the beverage at a New York party. “It’s strong, but that’s what I I love about it.”
Patterson says its sparkling fruitiness reminds her of the inexpensive Boone’s Farm brand.
“It’s like they took the cheap stuff and said this is how it’s supposed to be,” she says. “This is the real thing.”
Company officials, in town last week doling out the pink stuff during the BET Hip Hop Awards, say Atlanta is the next market Nuvo will hit. It’ll be in nightclubs as well as package stores.
And Buzz, being firmly in touch with our feminine side, couldn’t help but sample the product to see what the hype is all about surrounding the drink, which is made with French vodka and fruit nectar.
Our verdict: The sparkle hits you first, then the blast from the vodka follows for a nice kick. Its fruitiness and color are a bit over the top in its pitch to women, but one sip lets you know this is no pink champagne. It’s better.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor John Lithgow is 62. Singer Jennifer Holliday (below) is 47. TV host Ty Pennington (above) (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) is 43. “South Park” co-creator Trey Parker is 38. Comedian Chris Kattan (“Saturday Night Live”) is 37. Singer Pras Michel of the Fugees is 35.
Contributing: News services. If you have a Halloween event coming up, let David Graves, the leisure guy, know at dgraves@ajc.com. Or mail info to 72 Marietta St. N.W., 8th floor, Atlanta, GA 30303.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Duluth man leading in baseball playoffs’ ‘sexiest fan’ contest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Another drawback to the Atlanta Braves not snagging a spot in the playoffs? Duluth residents like Chris Piela think it’s actually OK to root for the Boston Red Sox. Not only that, as of Wednesday afternoon Piela was the top vote-getter on People magazine’s and Major League Baseball’s “Sexest Fan Alive” contest online.
Piela has a comfortable lead in the contest with 20,203 votes.
As his wife, who nominated Piela, explains: “He is amazingly good-looking, extremely fit, a wonderful husband, and even more importantly, the best father.”
There are currently eight other finalists in the competition. The winner will score a pair of tickets to the World Series and be featured in an ad in People’s annual “Sexiest Man Alive” issue. The voting continues through Oct. 26 at: sexyfan.people.com.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]A Rush in donations
Each year, before the city’s annual AIDS Walk, Senior Citizen Services of Metro Atlanta’s Steven Hargrove and Positive Impact supporter Craig Pigg engage in a friendly wager about which will haul in the most money for Atlanta’s AIDS service organizations. Hargrove phoned Buzz on Wednesday to say that — due to an unlikely benefactor — Pigg is well ahead of him this year. Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh has pledged a $10,000 donation to Pigg and the AIDS Walk. We’re told that Pigg met the radio personality through his friend and former Limbaugh gal pal, ex-CNN anchor Daryn Kagan.
“I’ve actually used Rush’s donation as an incentive with my friends,” Hargrove told us. “I basically tell them, ‘Look, if Rush Limbaugh can donate $10,000, you can come up with some cash.”
For info on this Sunday’s walk: www.aidswalkatlanta.org.
On tour: Carter and Thomas the Tank Engine
His grandson Hugo Wentzel’s opinion not withstanding, former President Jimmy Carter was the undisputed star this week as he arrived in Cordele to read to more than 100 children as the city celebrated the fifth anniversary of the tourist-friendly SAM Shortline Excursion Train. Second on the bill? Kiddie fave Thomas the Tank Engine was waiting to take the small fry on a ride. Travels with Thomas will continue this weekend and next. For schedules, go to www.samshortline.com. Organizers tell Buzz that Carter read a “Thomas & Friends” storybook to the wee ones. And since 150 hate-spewing e-mails weren’t waiting for us at Buzz Central Wednesday (as when we wrote about Carter reading from his 2006 controversial tome, “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid”), we’re inclined to believe them. …
HIGH FIVE
Top downloaded TV shows this week:
1. “Let the Truth Sting,” Grey’s Anatomy, ABC
2. “Bad News Blair,” “Gossip Girl,” CW
3. “Believe it or Not,” “Family Guy, Fox
4. “Le Petit Tourette,” “South Park,” Comedy Central
5. “The Game,” “Desperate Housewives,” ABC
— iTunes
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer-guitarist Chuck Berry is 81. Actress Erin Moran (“Happy Days”) is 47. Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis is 46. Country singer and “American Idol” contestant Josh Gracin is 27. Actor Zac Efron (“High School Musical,” “Hairspray”) is 20. Actress Joy Lauren (“Desperate Housewives”) is 18.
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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RuPaul returns to ATL with film remake
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The fabulous crossdresser RuPaul is coming back to Atlanta to show off the remake of a film he did for virtually no budget 20 years ago, a spoof called “Starrbooty.” The new version is being screened Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema for the “Out on Film 2007” festival. This time, he self-financed a jazzier version. The plot: Starrbooty (played by RuPaul) is an undercover cop who plays a prostitute in order to rescue a kidnapped niece. On the way, he finds out secrets about his family along the way.
RuPaul will be at the screening to take Q&A and sell copies of the film. “I’ll be dressed as Starrbooty,” he promised Buzz recently in a phone interview from his home in Manhattan.
Check out the trailer here..
The first version, RuPaul said in a recent interview, was shot in Atlanta when he was still living here in the mid-1980s. “The original was an homage to John Waters and everything that was subversive in Atlanta at the time,” he said. “Midtown was really a lot of wild childs from all over the Southeast.”
Back then, it was an art project in which he borrowed his brother-in-law’s video camera and had his friends pitch in as actors. (The original is not readily available on videotape.)
So why remake “Starrbooty” two decades later? “I thought it was time in a world that is so sterile and blue liquid correct. It had never left my mind. There were clips of the original on YouTube. It was very raw, very homemade. The difference now is I’ve made a bunch fo Hollywood films and I have more experience. We actually had a script this time. We had craft services and a crew. We had actual dressing rooms. The early one, it was all in my head. We just shot it like that.”
He wouldn’t reveal the budget of the remake but said “it looks like a million bucks on screen. It’s campy. It’s sensual. It’s sexy. It’s also completely irreverent and wrong.”
RuPaul, who has lived mostly in New York City (with a stint in L.A.) since he left Atlanta in November 1987, said he filmed “Starrbooty” in 2005 has been showing it at film festivals this year.
He said he left Atlanta because “it’s important not to stay in the same place.”
Whenever he visits about once a year, he said, “it’s like seeing a friend you used to grow up with and was best of friends. But that friend has had extensive head-to-toe plastic surgery. You know it’s your friend and you still laugh at the same things. But you can barely recognize him.”
Although RuPaul is now in his 40s, he said “I still feel 25. I keep my body fit. And I keep an influx of new ideas. Hopefully, that will keep me in a place to continue being excited about living.”
Since his “Supermodel” success in the early 1990s, he said he’s “chosen to do things that excite me rather than sell out for money.” That means mostly doing his nightclub act before friendly audiences rather than give in to the temptation of doing VH1-type celebreality shows. “I don’t want to be in a position where people laugh at me and not get on board with me,” he said. “It’s part of our cultural obsession with putting other people down to make themselves feel good.”
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Stars will appear for Fonda’s 70th
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Brothers & Sisters” Emmy winner Sally Field is among the celebrity celebrants already confirmed for Jane Fonda’s upcoming 70th birthday celebration, the two-time Oscar winner tells Buzz. Pals Eve Ensler, Gloria Steinem and Rosie O’Donnell are also due to fly into Atlanta for the Dec. 14 fund-raiser for the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention. Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt has been booked as the evening’s entertainment while invitations also have been extended to Fonda’s “9 to 5” co-star Lily Tomlin and her favorite ex-hubby Ted Turner.
So, how does one get on the guest list?
A black American Express card would help.
Months ago, the Poncey-Highland resident and activist decided to observe her seventh decade by instituting a new G-CAPP program that will mentor 70 sixth-graders over seven years through high school graduation with counseling in education, family life, finances, arts, sports, medical care and sex ed.
G-CAPP is asking each potential birthday party participant to join the nonprofit’s “Inner Circle” by pledging $7,000 per year for seven years or a total $49,000 commitment. Only 70 slots are available and G-CAPP organizers tell us that 31 of those already have been acquired by corporate and individual donors.
“This is completely unprecedented for us,” G-CAPP president and CEO Michele Ozumba told us. “We’re basically trying to raise a seven-year budget in six months. But people have been really open and excited about this. Our goal here is to build a legacy to leave Atlanta and the state of Georgia.”
When asked if her favorite basic cable fake news man and “Colbert Report” anchor Stephen Colbert is on her birthday party guest list, Fonda fondly recalled her PDA with Colbert during her appearance on the late-night Comedy Central show this year.
“Wouldn’t that be great?!” she said, laughing. Then she slyly added: “You know, he’s a good kisser. Very soft lips!”
For info: www.gcapp.org.
Fado fades ‘til ‘08
The taps at Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant will go dry, starting this weekend as the popular Peachtree Road watering hole makes way for the in-progress Buckhead Village makeover. A new bar, being built by the Irish Pub Company of Dublin, is on order and will be shipped to the states at Fado’s new location one block east near the corner of Buckhead and North Fulton avenues as part of developer Ben Carter’s new Streets of Buckhead development project. Look for the new Fado to debut in January. Meanwhile, fans of Rugby World Cup finals can catch matches through the end of business Saturday night before the Guinness goes dry until 2008.
Lap time with Santa going fast
We were still trying to finalize a Halloween “fun size” candy bar purchase Tuesday when we got word that half of the Phipps Plaza Santa’s 5,000 seasonal appointments had vaporized overnight. Santa arrives Nov. 9, you see. At 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, www.santaatphipps.com began accepting online reservations. In the Web site’s first hour, 2,500 appointments were booked (these are obviously the same deeply troubled parental figures willing to explore the dark recesses of the black market for Hannah Montana tickets …).
Q100 DJ Melissa Carter, who recently launched www.campaigntosavehalloween.com in an effort to keep the head elf at the North Pole until the nation has collectively gnawed on a turkey leg next month, was not amused.
“Seriously?” she asked from a Q100 restroom when we phoned (she swears she wasn’t tapping her foot). “I may start throwing pumpkins.” Atlanta, you’ve been warned.
‘A.I.’ honcho on ATL
Five years ago, 46 people from the Atlanta “American Idol” auditions made it to Hollywood. Last week, only 49 people were even trotted before Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. (We don’t know how many made it to the next round.)
“Idol” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told Buzz that this isn’t necessarily a reflection of less talent emanating from the auditions. “We’ve been very, very picky this year,” he said Tuesday during a phone conference promoting the “Idol” spinoff show “The Next Great American Band,” debuting Friday. “We’ve just cut out a lot of crazies. The truth is once we have them on tape, we can use them in montages. It seems silly to waste the time of the real judges.”
Of the seven audition cities this year, he said San Diego was the strongest while Dallas was the weakest. “With Kelly Clarkson the only big star out of Texas, it’s truly the Lone Star state,” he joked.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I’m extremely proud to accept this award on behalf of my office and employees. We were among the first in the nation to realize the implications animal cruelty portends for our communities. I’m happy, and just for Peach Buzz, you might say I’m doggone pleased.” — Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard, on his office’s 2007 Humane Law Enforcement Award given out by the Humane Society of the United States Saturday night in Alexandria, Va.
HIGH FIVE
Top-selling albums at Decatur CD
1. Bruce Springsteen, “Magic”
2. Iron & Wine, “The Shepherd’s Dog”
3. Ben Harper, “Lifeline”
4. Mark Knopfler, “Kill to Get Crimson”
5. Eddie Vedder, “Into the Wild” soundtrack
— Courtesy: Decatur CD
Celebrity birthdays
Daredevil Evel Knievel is 69. Country singer Alan Jackson is 49. Reggae singer Ziggy Marley is 39. Singer Chris Kirkpatrick of ‘N Sync is 36. Rapper Eminem is 35. Singer Wyclef Jean of the Fugees is 35.
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.
Fonda project gets ultimate house gift
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s always tasteful to take along a hostess gift when you attend a party. But Jane Fonda, founder of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, couldn’t tote what CDM International CEO Christian Michael de Medici brought to the “Blue 2 Do” fund-raiser at Midtown’s Blue Med Spa over the weekend.
The entrepreneur and philanthropist presented the two-time Oscar winner with the keys to a new house.
The structure will be used for G-CAPP’s ambitious new Doula Project, which will pair an experienced birth attendant with pregnant girls. The doulas will assist during the birth and supply necessary emotional and social support to their charges before and after the birth.
More than 300 invited guests turned out for the tented occasion, which served as the second birthday for the popular Midtown spa run by John Stupka.
Upstairs, taking a brief break from the gaggle of guests, Fonda — with her favorite pooch Tulea napping in her lap — filled Buzz in.
“It’s so crucial for these girls to have that support system,” Fonda said. “It’s important to give them information, but they also need to know that they’re loved.”
Fonda then introduced us to de Medici, a self-professed former “circuit boy and trust fund baby” who gifted the house to the nonprofit.
“When 9/11 happened, it served as a wakeup call for me,” said de Medici. “Suddenly, I realized that life is not gifted to anyone. I was tired of writing checks. I wanted to get more involved. Because of things I’ve gone through in my own life, Jane Fonda’s work and G-CAPP’s work is very important to me.”
Not your mama’s bacon recipes
It’s Porky’s nightmare, and a bacon lover’s delight. For the next two nights, Tennessee bacon master Allan Benton’s famed smokehouse creations get star treatment at two Atlanta restaurants. Benton will be in the house for both meals, taking a break from producing the country hams and bacons that have won praise this year from Gourmet and Saveur magazines and AJC dining critic Meridith Ford.
At Repast, chef/owner Joe Truex plans a four-course, $45 menu Wednesday night that includes panini with Benton’s country ham, figs, mascarpone and Maytag blue cheese; pan-fried pork cutlet with bacon, capers and dried cherries; and bacon, date and almond ice cream.
Truex usually focuses on wine for the monthly dinners, but wanted to spotlight Benton’s pork this time.
“Who doesn’t love bacon?” Truex asked Monday. “When the mailman delivers his invoices, I can smell the smoke on the envelope. That’s cool.”
At Food 101 in Morningside, chef Ron Eyester will offer a seven-course menu of Benton’s best on Tuesday for $52. Among the courses: potato stuffed with bacon, balsamic roasted mushrooms and trout caviar; chicken and country ham wellington with potato puree and tomato-pork jus; and (see if you can spot the pork here) strawberry and fennel turnover with arugula ice cream.
To reserve: Repast, 404-870-8707; for Food 101, 404-347-9747.
And about that pork in the turnover? Praise the lard and pass the pastry.
Young Georgians get dose of reality
Georgians are keeping us deeply entertained on both CBS reality shows “Kid Nation” and “Survivor.”
“Kid Nation,” which opened to mucho controversy but has been a disappointing ratings performer, has seven Georgians among the 40 participants.
Two have been standouts — haughty beauty queen 10-year-old Taylor of Sylvester and delightfully quirky 11-year-old Jared of Dunwoody.
Taylor’s critics have accused her of being stubborn and lazy. Taylor, already known for spitting out the phrase “Deal with it!” doesn’t seem to care.
“As the upper class, we don’t really have to work to get our paychecks. We can laze around all day!” she said. After being bumped down to cook level after her yellow team came in third on a challenge, she said: “If you don’t like our food, you can starve yourselves.”
While shirking dishwashing duties and drinking root beer instead at the saloon, Taylor said: “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care!”
Jared is a quote machine. “I am not the kind of person who does the cheering stuff,” he proclaimed last week. “I meditate.”
Meanwhile, over on “Survivor,” opinionated Atlanta teacher Sherea Lloyd has survived four rounds of eliminations unscathed although she was considered for ouster this past Thursday. Her problem? She doesn’t work much in camp and saves her energy for the challenges, where she has done fairly well.
Her petty arguments with tiresome model Dave Cruser made for good TV but didn’t endear her to the tribe. Fortunately, the rest of her team found Dave more irritating and voted him off. — Rodney Ho contributed to this article
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Fonda’s project for teen moms gets a house
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s always tasteful to take along a hostess gift when you attend a party. But Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention founder Jane Fonda couldn’t handily tote what CDM International CEO Christian Michael de Medici brought to the “Blue 2 Do” fund-raiser at Blue Med Spa in Midtown over the weekend.
The entrepreneur and philanthropist presented the two-time Oscar winner with the keys to a new house.
The structure will be used for G-CAPP’s ambitious new Doula Project, which will pair an experienced birth attendant with pregnant girls. The doulas will assist during the birth, but also supplies necessary emotional and social support to their charges before and after the birth.
More than 300 invited guests turned out for the tented occasion, which also served as the second birthday for the popular Midtown spa run by John Stupka.
Upstairs, taking a brief break from the gaggle of guests who all brought $100 gift cards to help furnish G-CAPP’s latest acquisition, Fonda — with her favorite pooch Tulea napping in her lap — filled us in on the project.
“It’s so crucial for these girls to have that support system,” Fonda told Buzz. “It’s important to give them information but they also need to know that they’re loved.”
Fonda then introduced us to de Medici, a self-professed former “circuit boy and trust fund baby” who gifted the house to the nonprofit.
“When 9/11 happened, it served as a wake up call for me,” said de Medici. “Suddenly, I realized that life is not gifted to anyone. I was tired of writing checks. I wanted to get more involved. Because of things I’ve gone through in my own life, Jane Fonda’s work and G-CAPP’s work is very important to me.”
Later, on stage downstairs as the actress-activist introduced two of the doulas who will be working with G-CAPP, you could have heard a bead of condensation inch down a glass of chardonnay as Fonda spoke emotionally and passionately about the program.
“You’re 16, you’re alone, you’re pregnant and you have no one,” Fonda told the crowd. “You’ve got to go to the hospital for the first time and you’re terrified. The doulas are there to help and to love.”
Fonda also stressed the importance of teaching breast-feeding.
Joked Jane as daughter Vanessa Vadim stood in the back, smiling: “My daughter is here tonight. She breast-fed for three years! That bonding is so important. And the mothers realize that this isn’t just a puddle of poop and pee and trouble in her arms. This is something that needs love.”
As she surveyed the crowd, an emotional Fonda blinked back tears as she told the assembled: “I can’t tell you how moved I am for the wonderful community that has been created for us here in Atlanta.”
While we were at the party, we also managed to secure details on Fonda’s elaborate 70th birthday plans here in December. Look for the full scoop in Wednesday’s Buzz.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Parties fill weekend for BET Awards
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wow, what a busy weekend! Buzz was all over town checking out the who’s who and what’s what surrounding the BET Hip-Hop Awards. There was plenty of action — so much in fact, it all won’t fit in this column. So go to accessAtlanta.com and check out Buzz Extra. It’s our chat with Jermaine Dupri at his Saturday afternoon book signing at Border’s as he dishes about his new tome, the hip-hop industry and his upcoming projects.
In the meantime, we caught up with Ne-Yo Saturday night at his BET Awards midnight after-party in downtown Atlanta.
“Being myself is taboo. I have to be what others want,” says the candid artist, who rolled up to the party in an impressive white Bentley with black drop-top roof and leather interior. “Luckily, the industry is coming to a point where it’s swinging back toward talent more than image.”
As the likes of Atlanta Falcon Ovie Mughelli, Bootz and Buckey of VH1’s “Flavor of Love” fame, and Kandi Burruss of Xscape sipped cocktails and nibbled on omelets, grits and bacon, Ne-Yo sat upstairs contemplating his sex appeal.
“At the end of the day, I’m a big nerd,” he says. “Sexy? Nothing’s further from the truth. I look at guys in the club with dark shades thinking that’s cool. The coolest guy is the one being who he is.”
Related
Just when Buzz thought the R&B superstar would mention being on top of the world with current hits like “Because of You” and racking in huge songwriting royalties from Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable,” we found a humbled, down-to-earth guy a bit unamused by a lot of today’s music.
Of course, the subject of Ne-Yo idol Michael Jackson came up, and he counts the video “The Way You Make Me Feel” among the best ever. Huh?
“It was Mike trying to be something he wasn’t. So he gets an A for effort from me.”
Studio 72 delivers on star power
By 12:30 a.m. Saturday at Dupri’s kickoff party at Studio 72, the party cranked up, with rapper Chamillionaire, Johnta Austin and Ed Lover finally flexing star power on the red carpet.
“It feels so good to see the ATL still bubbling,” Lover told Buzz.
Chamillionaire expressed his continued love for Atlanta and appreciation for a best video nod.
“It’s good to be nominated,” he told us. “That’s dope.”
Then, soon after, Ciara drove up in a shiny new white-on-white Rolls-Royce Phantom two-seater with black-cloth roof (those things run upward of $350,000, you know). Easily the best red-carpet moment of the night, folks.
When she walked the carpet in a sexy blue dress, we were honored she sent Buzz a jubilant “Heeey!” through the crowd.
We asked about her pricey toy.
“No, it’s not mine. I’m just out enjoying it,” she said with her ever-glowing smile.
“I wanted to come out in something cool, something funky.”
Other star sightings include David Banner, Nelly, Ashanti, Busta Rhymes and Chingy.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I don’t have an iPod. I lose everything! This is my fourth phone. And if you want to keep your car keys, don’t give them to me.”
Ne-Yo at his BET Awards after-party at Carrington House
Fashion goodies abound at Opera
Buzz hung out at Opera nightclub Friday afternoon as celeb types like Q of R&B group 112, fashion enigma Mychael Knight of “Project Runway,” Gorilla Zoe and Burruss stopped by to pick up gift bags and sip on Absolut 100, eat munchies and enjoy spa treatment before the weekend festivities.
But it was the makeup artists, stylists and other industry insiders who clamored most over the gift bags from various shops and clothing lines.
“We’re here to get the culture across,” says Bobby Patterson of Young Jeezy’s Eight 732 store. “We got people here from New York and Texas. We’re here to show them fashion is in the South right now.”
So what were the goodies? Let’s break it down.
Bottle of Nuvo sparkling vodka for women, value $100. Box of skin care products (shower gel and moisturizer), value $60. Flip-flop sandals in a silk bag, value $68. Anthony shower gel for men, value $25. Graphic hip-hop T-shirt with skull and rhinestones designed by The Grind, value $100. Flight chain and T-shirt by Eight 732, value $37. Jie Junio T-shirt, value $75. Marilyn Monroe T-shirt, value $40. Limited edition Avia 800 series gym shoes and boots from Laced Up and Triple 5 Soul, value $80-$200. PZI jeans, value $79.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Linda Lavin (“Alice”) is 70. Actress-director Penny Marshall is 65. Musician Richard Carpenter of the Carpenters is 61. Singer Tito Jackson is 54. TV chef Emeril Lagasse is 48. Singer Ginuwine is 37. Singer Keyshia Cole is 26. Actor Vincent Martella (“Everybody Hates Chris”) is 15.
If you have a worthwhile event coming up, let David Graves, the leisure guy, know at dgraves@ ajc.com, or mail info to 72 Marietta St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Buzz Extra: A chat with Jermaine Dupri at his book signing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Buzz Extra
Don’t let Jermaine Dupri’s size fool you.
He’s a tiny thing who stands approximately 5 feet 5 inches, and his hand easily gets swallowed up in a firm handshake. But the man who traded his grungy braids and street persona for a manicured, debonair look, complete with sunglasses and high fashion, is doing big things today.
In other words, he’s a hip-hop giant.
David Graves
Jermaine Dupri signs a copy of “Young, Rich and Dangerous” for aspiring rapper Mark Buford, who drove eight hours from W. Virigina to come to the signing.
He’s now hardly ever seen without one or two mountain-sized bodyguards, who were with him Saturday as he stepped inside Border’s bookstore on Peachtree Street to promote his autobiography, “Young, Rich and Dangerous: My Life in Music,” before the BET Awards show that night.
“It’s only right to put this book out,” the musician says from behind designer stunners as he pecks away at his mobile do-hickey before the signing. “I want to inspire people.”
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Dupri said he wants to lay a foundation for up-and-coming hip-hop artists so that 5 to 10 years from now, “they can look back and say this inspired them.” He said he never had that sort of reference as he grew up in the industry.
And what else is awry with the hip-hop industry?
“Losing all the great people we’ve lost — Biggie, Tupac, Jam Master Jay,” he noted. “They were most important to hip-hop because of the energy they brought to the game. We’re missing that now.”
Dupri said to never see these acts perform again is a tragedy, because young artists like Bow Wow and Chris Brown can’t see the passion they brought to the stage.
“I’ve never been to a concert where I’ve sweated like that back in the day.” he said. When going to a show, “you’re not as excited now. You’re just there. Seeing Chris Brown imitating Michael Jackson is good, but I bet he never seen Michael Jackson in concert.”
One of the first in line at the book signing was Debbie Maehr of Norcross, who’s purchased three copies of “Young, Rich and Dangerous” — officially in stores Tuesday. “I just think he’s a wonderful influence on music,” Maehr, the CEO of a project management/project control company, said of Dupri. “I love his music. I think he has just an incredible talent.”
And why three books? “I have a friend in Uganda I’m sending one to, because she loves the American music. So I send her a lot of music and stuff. I think she’ll just be thrilled to death to get a personalized book from Jermaine Dupri.”
Besides hosting BET Awards parties at his Studio 72 nightclub all weekend in Lawrenceville, Dupri — who reportedly earned $14 million in 2006, according to Forbes — says he’s busy producing songs for Mariah Carey’s and Janet Jackson’s upcoming albums. He also owns Cafe Dupri in Atlanta and has a greatest hits album coming out Oct. 23 — and let’s not forget So So Def Records and Island Urban Records.
Dupri’s one of the hardest working men in hip-hop, and it’s all part of the plan for this 5-foot-5 giant.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
49 get a shot at show biz idolatry here
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“American Idol” returns to the airwaves in early 2008, and Atlanta is poised to get its own evening as an audition site. This week, Idol judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, along with host and Dunwoody High grad Ryan Seacrest all re-convened at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park as they treated and tortured their eardrums with local auditions.
For 12 hours Wednesday, Carter-Barnes Hair Artisans makeup artist Kiev Osborne had a front row seat to all the action. And the agony. Osborne was the backup makeup person for Abdul. The judge’s new BFF, New York makeup guru Billy B, stayed in town to do up Abdul for the taped segments that will air this winter. Carter-Barnes stylist Ron Massey, meanwhile, kept busy as well, giving Abdul “a lighter, richer chestnut”-hued hair color and “a modern, soft and layered” cut.
But let’s get to the dish.
Osborne says out of the thousands of singers who auditioned here, 49 made it through to audition for Abdul, Cowell and Jackson in front of the cameras.
“There was some really great talent, some really bad singers and some crazies,” Osborne told Buzz. She said the judges spent up to 15 minutes with each singer.
“It’s really edited down for TV,” she said.
Another thing that surprised her?
“It’s obvious they all genuinely like each other and get along really well,” she said. “That [on-air animosity] between Ryan and Simon seems created for TV.”
According to Osborne, Abdul’s on-air waterworks are for real as well.
“One contestant had recently lost her parents,” she recalled. “Paula got very emotional. She’s the most genuine celebrity I’ve ever been around.”
‘Idol’ Overscene
According to our sources at Dolce, Abdul has a new beau as well — J.T. Torregiani, who’s a partner in The Dolce Group.
Torregiani accompanied Abdul to Atlanta this week and wooed her with dinners at the company’s Atlantic Station properties. The couple was spotted having a romantic dinner in the private room at Dolce Enoteca in Atlantic Station on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday they dined at Geisha House before an outing to Ten Pin Alley where they bowled in the private room. One diner at Geisha House reported seeing Torregiani “ordering everything off the menu for her to try. It was very cute.”
Randy Jackson, meanwhile, was spotted with a female companion at South City Kitchen in Midtown. Jackson enjoyed shrimp and scallops served over stone-ground grits with garlic gravy and ordered banana pudding for dessert.
Fulton DAs feted
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard and Laura Janssen, senior assistant district attorney, will be among the honorees tonight at the 2007 Humane Law Enforcement Awards in Alexandria, Va.
Howard and Janssen are being feted for their legal work on behalf of animals in Fulton County, specifically the conviction the pair secured in the high-profile puppy torture case in February. The Humane Society of the United States presents the annual awards.
“They are truly on the front lines of the animal cruelty battle,” the HSUS’s Ann Chynoweth told Buzz Friday. “It’s our hope that other prosecutors in other cities will examine their work and look at what they can do in their communities.”
A Spice-y dish
During an interview with Q100’s “Bert Show” that aired Friday morning, rapper/ restaurateur Ludacris let a few plans slip in relation to the space formerly known as Spice on Juniper in Midtown. Luda allowed that he initially became interested in the purchase as a real estate investment “and the restaurant came with the property.”
While he didn’t disclose a time frame or a name for the project, Luda did dish about possible dishes on the menu:
“I’m in love with Asian and Singapore cuisine.”
A ‘Taste’ of Rocco
After his dispiriting experience with Rocco’s 22nd Street, documented by the 2003 reality show “The Restaurant,” Rocco Dispirito has stayed out of the restaurant business, opting to be more of a food personality.
This means writing books (“Rocco’s Real-Life Recipes” comes out Nov. 6), making TV appearances (“The Today Show,” “Top Chef”) and doing food demonstrations at events such as Taste of Atlanta at Atlantic Station today.
Buzz talked to him by phone earlier this week:
On his book: “We found that Americans don’t use the recipes for soups, salads and side dishes as much as entrees. So this book is all entrees focused on America’s favorite proteins, 10 ingredients or less and done in under 30 minutes.”
What he learned from “The Restaurant”: “You can only do so many things and do them well. I was stretched too thin.”
Shortcut foods: “Frozen peas are good. Frozen corn is horrible. Chicken stock is good. Canned beef broth is horrible. Chopped garlic in a tube is good. Chopped garlic in a jar is bad.”
Atlanta’s own
Thanks to Delta Air Lines, there will be something non-cringe-inducing to watch during the “Monday Night Football” broadcast at the Georgia Dome next week. And no, we’re not recommending the Atlanta Falcons (who are rapidly becoming the Britney Spears of the NFL this season). R&B singer/songwriter and recent ATL transplant Ne Yo is set to perform during halftime as part of Delta’s efforts to increase awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness month. Delta plans to distribute pink luggage tags while mascot Freddie the Falcon — dressed in a pink-accented jersey — will pass out pink carnations.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Today: Musician Paul Simon is 66. Singer-actress Marie Osmond is 48. Country singer Rhett Akins is 38. Actor Sacha Baron Cohen (“Borat,” “Da Ali G Show”) is 36. Singer Ashanti is 27.
Sunday: Actor Roger Moore is 80. Country singer Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks is 33. Atlanta singer Usher is 29.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Elizabeth Lee 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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Buzz bounced from Jenna Bush reception
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
To be certain, getting ejected from a posh Buckhead cocktail party in front of folks you routinely report on is a tad humiliating.
Especially, when the generous couple who own the private home (and whose terrace you’re standing on) and the UNICEF director and staff who invited you are powerless to do anything about it.
It just makes you feel, well, like you’ve selected the wrong cologne or something.
But as we’ve learned through watching countless seasons of “24,” you really shouldn’t argue with multiple secret service agents when they issue a request.
Such was the situation Buzz encountered Wednesday night as we attempted to cover the UNICEF cocktail reception for former UNICEF intern and first daughter Jenna Bush. The president’s offspring was in town to promote “Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope,” based on her experiences in Latin America and the Caribbean with the global nonprofit.
As waiters politely passed bites of salmon on silver trays and celebrity shutterbug Ben Rose snapped away, UNICEF supporters Rutherford Seydel and his wife Laura Turner Seydel, Herb Miller and Sally Dorsey and CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta were greeted by hosts Monica and Paul Hagedorn.
In honor of Bush’s Atlanta visit, the Hagedorns were about to announce the donation of $100,000 to UNICEF.
Southeastern UNICEF director Barron Segar told Buzz the gift was one of the largest individual donations in his office’s history.
The check was earmarked as a matching grant.
“It enables us to raise up to $200,000 for our work in Latin America and the Caribbean ,” Segar told us. “Not only is it an amazingly generous donation but it also works as an inspiration for others to get involved as well.”
Inside the house, Buzz inspected a cellophane-wrapped Atlanta themed gift basket that awaited Bush, filled with T-shirts, a commuter mug and a paperback of “Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn” by Gary Pomerantz.
Perhaps, not coincidentally, that’s about the time where our posterior met the pavement.
Segar’s clearly embarrassed UNICEF co-workers arrived to inform us — the only press present — that the Secret Service was requesting that we leave.
As it was explained to us, there was a “recent incident” involving Bush and the press at the launch party for “Ana’s Story” in New York. It seems that the first daughter “was unaware the press was present,” made some offhand jokes about drinking and, subsequently, an unflattering piece was published this week in The New Yorker’s “Talk of the Town” section.
(Immediately upon returning home Wednesday night, Buzz pulled out the Oct. 15 issue and found the offending article. One snarky sentence in particular explains that the Bush twin’s emergence as an author is “a surprising turn of events, given Jenna’s previous image as the girl voted to Most Likely to Trip on Prom Night.”)
So, after beating a hasty retreat from the soiree, Buzz decided to honor the budding Bush author appropriately: We met up with friends in a nightclub and ordered a Texas margarita, extra salt, please.
On Thursday, Segar happily reported that UNICEF is already halfway toward matching the Hagedorns’ donation. UNICEF supporter and 2007 Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee Bobbie Bailey contributed $50,000 during the gathering.
Cracked Segar: “I told everybody else: ‘Don’t worry, I have your credit card numbers on file. Just expect a charge on your next statement!’ “
‘Fresh out — again
Considering that we’ve probably purchased enough of their tomato and basil soup to refill Lake Lanier, a considerably warmer welcome awaited us when we popped by MetroFresh’s second birthday party on Monroe Drive on Wednesday night. For the second year in a row, hundreds of owner/chef Mitchell Anderson’s customers devoured every speck of free food set out for the occasion.
“Sixty pounds of slow-cooked meat just vanished,” said Anderson, still a little wide-eyed at the thought. “It was so packed, people were sitting on the curb out in the parking lot with their plates.”
Added MetroFresh general manager Topher Payne: “When we say that we offer curbside service at night, that’s not exactly what we mean.”
The evening, a benefit for Gilda’s Club Atlanta, raised $480 in donations through a 50/50 raffle. The entire pot ended up being donated to Gilda’s Club, however, and Anderson supplied the winner with a $250 MetroFresh soup gift certificate.
OVERSCENE
Jenna Bush and photographer Mia Baxter (who some diners mistook for Jenna’s twin, Barbara) enjoying the Love Cakes at The Flying Biscuit Cafe in Midtown…Pop star Nelly working up a sweat during a game of basketball at Crunch Fitness in Buckhead.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Comedian-activist Dick Gregory is 75. Singer Sam Moore of Sam and Dave is 72. Actor Hugh Jackman (“X-Men”) is 39. Actor Adam Rich (“Eight Is Enough”) is 39. Fiddler Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks is 38. Actor Kirk Cameron is 37.
News services contributed to this report.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Urban will play Alzheimer’s benefit with Ga. songwriting friend
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Musician Monty Powell says he’s only too happy to fly under the mainstream radar even as he’s become one of Nashville’s most sought-after songwriters. The North Georgia native behind Chris Cagle’s 2007 country hit, “Miss Me Baby” and a string of chart-toppers with Keith Urban, including “Days Go By,” “Tonight I Want to Cry,” “It’s a Love Thing” and “These are the Days” is bringing his armload of hits home for a good cause.
After losing his father, Calhoun resident Richard Powell to Alzheimer’s disease, Powell created Better Start Livin’, a unique fund-raiser for the Alzheimer’s Association, set for Nov. 28 at the Cobb Energy Centre.
“It’s such a horrific disease,” Powell told Buzz. “It just robs you and your family of everything.” Powell says the unsung heroes for him and his family were the caregivers and members of the Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Society of Atlanta. Powell hopes the event here will serve as a springboard for benefits nationally.
And since the evening is named after a lyrical line from “Days Go By,” a No. 1 ditty made famous by his songwriting pal Urban, the Australian country superstar has graciously agreed to join Powell onstage at the Nov. 28 show for the benefit.
During the stripped down, intimate “storyteller” acoustic evening, Powell and Urban will perform some of their biggest songs co-written together while giving fans the back stories on the tunes you’re not likely to get when Urban performs in arenas.
“I make it a rule not to ask for favors from artists,” Powell explains. “But if I was ever going to ask for anything, this would be it. It’s something that’s terribly close to my heart. Keith didn’t hesitate for a second. He just said yes. He was really excited that we named the evening for ‘Days Go By.’ “
Acclaimed jazz singer-songwriter (and Powell’s wife) Anna Wilson will round out the evening’s bill.
Powell says fans can expect just a few acoustic instruments, some great stories and an evening’s worth of country radio hits next month.
“It’s really going to be about deconstructing the songs — the difference between a pencil sketch and a finished oil painting,” he explains.
Tickets for the event go on sale Friday. Patron tickets (which include access to a post-concert reception) are $300 each (available only through www.alz.org/georgia) while other seats are priced at $100 and $65.
Tickets will be available at ticketmaster.com and cobbenergycentre.com | • Map & Plan.
ATL “AMA” nominees
Metro Atlantans make up a great deal of the American Music Award nominees, announced Tuesday in Los Angeles.
While Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Linkin Park and Daughtry lead with three, local R&B, rap and Christian acts Akon, Young Jeezy, T.I., Ne-Yo, T-Pain, Casting Crowns and the Shop Boyz are contenders. In fact, the soul/rhythm & blues male category is made up of all Atlantans: Akon, Ne-Yo and T-Pain.
The 35th annual awards show will air Nov. 18 on ABC. Jimmy Kimmel hosts.
TRANSITIONS
While Star 94 is dropping Steve McCoy when Vikki Locke leaves next month because it’s hard to imagine one without the other, WGST-AM Wednesday kept the Randy Cook half of the long-running Randy & Spiff team but let go Spiff Carner (right).
“He didn’t fit with the vision of the morning show we wanted,” said program director Randall Bloomquist, who also fired veterans Tom Hughes and Kim “The Kimmer” Peterson last year. Carner, who is still under contract with WGST, declined to comment.
Randy & Spiff have been a team for more than two decades, 18 of those years here in Atlanta at four different radio stations, most notably with the now-defunct oldies station Fox 97.1. The pair have been at the news/talk station for eight months. Carner always has been known as the wisecracking jokester while Cook played the straight man.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates is 58. Actress Joan Cusack is 45. Actor Luke Perry is 41. Actor Jane Krakowski (“30 Rock”) is 39. Rapper MC Lyte is 36. Actress Emily Deschanel (“Bones”) is 31.
Rodney Ho, Sonia Murray and news services contributed.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Bobby Brown suffers heart attack
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
R&B singer and former Alpharetta resident Bobby Brown is recovering today from “a mild heart attack,” the performer’s Atlanta attorney Phaedra C. Parks confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution today.
“He was admitted [Tuesday] night and he’s due to be released later today,” said Parks. “At this point, we don’t know for sure the exact cause but it may be stress-related.”
As Peach Buzz readers are aware, Brown and his wife, Whitney Houston, are in the process of finalizing their divorce as each try and jump-start their individual music careers.
The couple separated last year.
The pair recently returned to the Alpharetta area in August as they helped to get their daughter Bobbi Kristina enrolled in high school here.
Parks said hospital tests did not reveal any blockages but that the pop singer was suffering from “severe inflammation of the heart.”
Said Parks: “Bobby’s in good spirits. His prognosis is pretty good. I’ve spoken with him several times today. I’m probably more upset about this than he is. He’s like a family member.”
Parks declined to disclose the name of the California hospital Brown was admitted to, citing concerns about the potential for celebrity tabloid paparazzi “swarming” her client.
Parks said Brown remains hopeful that he could still honor a commitment to perform at this weekend’s second annual “Taste of Soul” street party in Los Angeles. The vocalist is on a bill with Angie Stone and other acts.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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NY Daily News says Diddy daddy again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Remember how most of us were all mystified when Atlantan Kim Porter suddenly ditched Diddy Combs, her longtime on-again, off-again boyfriend this past summer after a wedding finally appeared to be on the horizon for the couple? Suddenly, things are a bit clearer. The New York Daily News is reporting that the Atlanta restaurateur has conceived a 15-month-old daughter with Atlantan Sarah Chapman.
The Macy’s TV commercial star tells the Daily News that he’s “committed to being a good father” to baby daughter Chance. After a blood test confirmed the infant’s paternity, Combs decided to go public with the information.
“At first, I wasn’t sure if this was my child,” he tells the News. “Now that it has become clear she is, I will take care of her for the rest of her life.”
For those keeping score, Combs, 37, and Porter, 36, welcomed daughters Jessie James and D’Lila Star late last year. The pair also have a son, Christian, 8. Combs also has a 13-year-old son, Justin (and Atlanta eatery namesake), with an ex,
‘Toon puts ‘Boondocks’ out of print, for now
While we had “Boondocks” creator Aaron McGruder on the phone the other day, we felt obligated to ask about his decision last year to discontinue his ground-breaking daily newspaper comic strip (seen in the AJC and more than 300 other U.S. newspapers).
Especially, since he was decidedly mum last fall when the Universal Press Syndicate announced that fans’ daily dose of social satire would depart just prior to the age of Michael Vick dogfighting indictments and Jena 6 rallies.
Instead, McGruder has devoted himself to the second season of “The Boondocks,” his award-winning Cartoon Network Adult Swim animated version of the strip that had its second season premiere Monday night.
“It was a tough decision to make,” McGruder told us. “Having that daily [forum] is something that I miss. Now, I just shout at the TV like everybody else.”
McGruder says helming both the TV series and trying to keep up with current events while continuing the daily strip proved too much.
“It would have been easy to continue to do both and crank out crappy versions of both,” he explains. “I couldn’t continue doing the daily and do it at the level the readers deserved. If you respect the audience, it was better to concentrate on one and make it the best TV show we can possibly make.”
Still, with a medium that can take more than a year to produce from script to finished product, McGruder allows that he misses the immediacy of connecting to a print audience, especially when a juicy topic like Vick or Jena emerge in the news.
Of the racially charged stories that kept much of America glued to news sources this past summer, McGruder says: “I guarantee you, both of those would have been territory for me. There’s no way to ignore stories like those. That’s when I miss [the strip].”
Still, for “Boondocks” fans, McGruder isn’t drawing himself into a corner just yet.
“It could always come back either in print or online or through wireless,” he says. “I wouldn’t rule anything out.”
For fans of the strip, however, McGruder has worked one of his old newspaper storylines into the new TV season of “Boondocks.”
“Relatives of Granddad’s displaced by Hurricane Katrina move in,” McGruder explains. “With so many people still affected by [the aftermath of Katrina] it’s still timely for us to tackle with the show.”
Naturally, Huey, Riley and Robert Freeman end up being, well, less than hospitable.
Previews McGruder, laughing: “They’ve got plenty, but they’re not really good about sharing!”
“The Boondocks” airs on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim on Mondays at 11:30 p.m.
Overscene
First daughter and author Jenna Bush and “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul being beautified separately at Carter-Barnes Hair Artisans in Buckhead. Bush is in town promoting her new book “Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope” while Abdul is here enduring, um, enjoying auditions for the next season of “Idol.” Bush also was spotted dining at the Capital Grille in Buckhead.
Former “Family Ties” actress Meredith Baxter strolling the Atlanta Botanical Garden and hitting the gift shop at the Midtown tourist attraction.
ON MY TIVO
R&B and gospel songstress Ann Nesby and manager-husband Tim Lee. The Fayetteville-based couple was in town to promote the former Sounds of Blackness Grammy winner’s new album, “This is Love”:
” ‘Oprah,’ ‘Dateline,’ ‘60 Minutes,’ and ‘20/20,’ ” Lee initially listed for Buzz.
And?
“Well, we also watch [“Talk Sex with] Sue Johanson on Oxygen,” Nesby admitted with a giggle. “She’s wonderfully straight- forward and she delivers a lot of educational information. And I have to watch Food Network with Rachael Ray and Paula Deen.”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer John Prine is 61. Actor-dancer Ben Vereen is 61. Singer Cyril Neville of the Neville Brothers is 59. Country singer Tanya Tucker is 49. Actress Julia Sweeney (“Saturday Night Live”) is 48. Actor Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing”) is 48. Actress Wendi McLendon-Covey (“Reno 911!”) is 38. Actor Mario Lopez (“Nip/Tuck,” “Saved By The Bell”) is 34. Singer Mya is 28.
Contributing: News services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
Stevie Wonder encore at Philips on Nov. 1
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Given that his recent Chastain concert sold out instantly, R&B icon Stevie Wonder is heading back to Atlanta for an encore. On Nov. 1, the singer/songwriter is due back for a gig at Philips Arena downtown.
Tickets priced at $97, $77 and $47 will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. at livenation.com and ticketmaster.com or — if you wanna get as old school as some of the classic tunes in Wonder’s repertoire on this tour — the Philips box office as well. For info, call 404- 249-6400 or go to www.steviewonder.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Abdul gets Billy B touch-up during Perimeter W stop
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Celebrity makeup artist Billy B had a surprise model in the house when his “American Beauty Tour” plunked its blush brush down the Perimeter W hotel on Sunday. Sitting discreetly in the back of the ballroom? Fan and “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul.
In town for “Idol” business, Abdul, long a fan of the Aberdeen, Miss., native’s work on Sharon Stone, Beyonce, Pink, Mary J. Blige and other A-listers, had initially tried to get into the $145 session to no avail.
“They kept hanging up on her!” attendee and Buckhead businesswoman Aida Perez Flamm told Buzz on Monday. “They didn’t believe it was really Paula Abdul. Can you imagine?”
Abdul happily complied when Billy B asked her to strike a pose as his model. The makeup artist, who works in Los Angeles and New York (and is the owner of numerous restored Victorian homes in Aberdeen), then proceeded to remove all of Abdul’s makeup.
The “Straight Up” singer had one request for the crowd of about 25 onlookers: Please, no picture-taking while she was sans makeup.
“She told us, ‘I don’t want to end up on Tmz.com looking like this! ’ ” explained Flamm.
After she was properly glamorized, however, Abdul happily posed for the flashing digital and cell cameras.
“She was absolutely lovely,” Flamm said. “Everyone had a great time with her.”
Flamm and Abdul hit it off so well Flamm invited her back to her posh Buckhead home for a small informal reception for Billy B where guests noshed on shrimp and grits, corn stuffing and jambalaya from Avenue Catering while Marc Anthony blasted from the stereo system.
Abdul graciously declined the invitation, saying she’d rather take in a quiet movie on her day off from “Idol” duties.
Carter on Sudan, Iran and marriage
Former President Jimmy Carter turned up early on the set of “Good Morning America” Monday to promote his new book, “Beyond the White House: Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, Building Hope” (Simon and Schuster, $26), a tome commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Atlanta-based Carter Center’s work here and around the globe. The Plains Sunday school teacher discussed his eventful recent visit to Sudan with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and gamely discussed why he chose diplomacy with Iran over issuing a military strike during the 1979 hostage crisis.
Carter also said he was pleased with the Democrats running in the current presidential race, stating that any of the candidates would “do a much better job than is currently being done.”
When “GMA” correspondent Chris Cuomo ended the segment by congratulating Carter on his 61-year marriage to wife Rosalynn, Carter grinned and quickly added: “And that’s to the same woman, by the way.”
The unexpected aside generated guffaws from even the crankiest of cameramen on the “GMA” set.
Esquire award puts Trois on serious list
Trois owner Bob Amick and chef Jeremy Lieb were in New York on Monday to pick up some serious hardware for the year-old, three-floor Midtown eatery: Trois has been named one of the country’s best new restaurants by Esquire magazine. The selections were to be announced by Esquire food critic John Mariani Monday night at Anthos restaurant on West 52nd street. The results will be published in the mag’s upcoming November issue.
“It’s great not only for us but for the city of Atlanta to have national recognition like this,” Amick told Buzz Monday from NYC. “But I don’t necessarily think this automatically results in a long reservations list tomorrow. It’s more about building a solid résumé with us.”
So, how does Amick, the co-creator behind One Midtown Kitchen, Two Urban Licks and Piebar, feel about suddenly being labeled a “serious restaurateur?”
Explained Amick: “I’m serious about every concept that we do. While I’m proud that Trois is being perceived as a ‘serious restaurant,’ I also don’t see a problem with having fun when you eat.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I didn’t cry over the other people leaving, only you.”
— “The View” co-host Joy Behar to former co-worker and current “Today” show co-anchor Meredith Vieira as she returned to the ABC chat show as a guest Monday. Since Vieira’s exit, the show has also seen the er, not-so-quiet exits of Star Jones Reynolds and Rosie O’Donnell.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Jackson Browne is 59. Actor Robert Wuhl (“Arli$$”) is 56. Manager-TV personality Sharon Osbourne (“The Osbournes”) is 55. Actor Tony Shalhoub (“Monk”) is 54. Country singer Gary Bennett (BR549) is 43. Singer Sean Lennon is 32. Actor Tyler James Williams (“Everybody Hates Chris”) is 15.
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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Invitations help get the party started
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta knows how to party. Some of the invitations that come to the AJC are as pricey as they are memorable.
So we thought we’d share several of the more elaborate invites we’ve received during the past several months. Here goes …
In March, a private notice arrived for a 50th birthday party for Usher’s mother, Jonetta Patton. The long sleeve was a rich, beige heavy stock of papyrus-like paper. The engraving was gold cursive with a gold dot stamp sealing the fold. Inside, a rectangular box continued the elegant papyrus texture and gold/beige color. It opened to silky fabric cradling a marvelous scroll. The things we won’t do for mom. …
We also liked Atlanta Peach’s recent party invite for the relaunch of Lenox Square’s Luxury Wing — featuring Calvin Klein, True Religion, Zara and Diesel — that came etched onto a clear 10-by-3-inch plastic plaque. Unique and classy.
We received a divine wedding invitation in July. Eric Snow of the Cleveland Cavaliers and his wife, De Shawn, renewed their vows after 10 years of marriage. The couple lives part-time in Alpharetta with their three boys between game seasons. The invitation was an elegant cream and gold with “ESD” embossed on the front. It opened to a glossy photo montage of the couple at the altar, at leisure and a shot of their wedding bands. How was it packaged? Inside a gift bag of Godiva chocolates, no less.
To get into Young Jeezy’s private birthday party at the DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, you needed his specially designed black American Express card invite. Fly and totally hip-hop.
All the way from Los Angeles, a black alligator skin-like box from Hennessy opened to an engraved, heavy, metal plaque cushioned by velvety foam. It was for a private party at Paramount Studios with Pharrell Williams and Fall Out Boy. Funky, contemporary and totally hip. Hate Buzz will have to miss that one.
Obviously, grabbing attention is the name of the game. Celebs and companies oftentimes hire high-powered marketing firms to go all out, because invitations act as the initial contact and set the tone for an event. When done right, their creativity and ingenuity screams “You must be here. Not there, here!”
How to grab attention on a short budget (besides the proverbial E-vite, which Buzz swears by)? Rachel Roe of Paper Affair at Perimeter Mall says try vellum paper. It’s a specialty translucent stock that adds richness and class to invites at a low cost, she says.
One recommendation for the season, Roe notes, is to incorporate fall colors into the invite. “Brown is a hot fall color,” the sales associate says, and collecting leaves, letting dry for a couple days, and spray-mounting between two sheets of clear vellum paper is a creative and cheap way to perk up an invite.
Mikala Johnson of Swoozies in Midtown’s Brookwood Shopping Center says try layering colors. “It’s what’s popular now. Putting an invite atop a different-color background gives it pop.” She also says punching a hole in the top center and tying a bow can perk up an average invite. “Letters in a bottle are a fun, inexpensive way to go. For small parties, try hand-delivering invites in a gift bag stuffed with raffia paper,” she says. “It’s more personal.”
Save up to savor next Taste of Atlanta
Taste of Atlanta is gearing up Oct. 13-14 at Atlantic Station. It’s when 70 of the city’s savviest and best-known restaurants show their chops and parade their culinary prowess. Watch out for Ted Allen (of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” fame) and super chef Rocco DiSpirito as they perform cooking demonstrations. College Park chef and former “Hell’s Kitchen” contestant Julia Williams also will be on hand to show what she’s made of. Buzz got the scoop on some of the restaurants and the goodies they’re planning to serve (subject to change):
Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante — Burrata cheese, Escarole soup, gnocchi with oxtail and veal ragu
Emeril’s — Bloody Mary and lump crabmeat shooter, mini banana cream pie
No Mas! Cantina — Taco de pescado with jicama coleslaw, Pollo Relleno with cilantro mashed potatoes
Sweet Auburn Bread — Sweet potato cheesecake, red velvet presso cupcakes, hot water gingerbread with lemon sauce
Oprah loves book by Nobel laureate Oprah has announced her new Book Club selection! It’s called “Love in the Time of Cholera.” It’s a love story by Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
“If you love love, this book is the best love story ever,” the talk show host said Friday on her show.
Winfrey also noted that a film adaptation of the book is scheduled for November release. The movie starring Javier Bardem and Benjamin Bratt was directed by Mike Newell (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”).
OVERSCENE
“Project Runway” runner-up Mychael Knight chatting with other fashionistas at Lenox Square’s Luxury Wing private opening party
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS Actor-comedian Chevy Chase is 64. Actress Sigourney Weaver is 58. Singer CeCe Winans is 43. Actor Matt Damon is 37. Actor Nick Cannon (“Drumline”) is 27. 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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Janet Jackson on ‘Married’ and marriage
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At the Los Angeles premiere for her new Tyler Perry film, “Why Did I Get Married” this week, part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson spilled some scoop about her relationship with Atlanta producer Jermaine Dupri for “Extra.”
When quizzed about why she and her longtime boyfriend haven’t tied the knot, Jackson said, “I don’t need a piece of paper to validate what we have. That’s just me, though.” And if she and Dupri did decide to marry? Jackson would totally take his last name. Reasoned Jackson: “Of course I would. Isn’t that crazy? It’d be JD and JD.”
When asked for marriage advice, Jackson laughed and replied: “Don’t ask me that question. You want to ask somebody who’s been married twice and divorced twice?”
If you miss Libby like we miss Libby …
The last time many Atlantans saw singer and actress Libby Whittemore, the year 2007 was a mere fetus. The vocalist and pal Lisa Paige were inspiring mass weeping as the pair performed “For Good” from “Wicked,” which served as the swan song for Whittemore’s club, Libby’s Cabaret, on New Year’s Eve.
After taking a break, Whittemore is set to return to performing at “Cabaret 2007,” a Nov. 2 benefit for Actor’s Express as the downtown theater celebrates its 20th anniversary. Earlier this year, Whittemore worked the boards there as a cast member of “The Great American Trailer Park Musical.” In 2002, Whittemore memorably portrayed Mama Rose in the hit Actor’s Express production of “Gypsy.”
“I have really missed the club and our regulars this year,” Whittemore told us Friday. “I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with everybody.”
The singer says she’ll be belting out “Some People” from “Gypsy” for the November benefit because “it tells you exactly who Rose is and besides, I remember all the words!”
Whittemore also has a holiday surprise in store for fans of Libby’s Cabaret.
Her annual holiday show — a staple at the club for six years — will relocate to Actor’s Express on Monday and Tuesday nights this December when the theater’s production is dark.
And yes, Connie Sue Day, “The 31st Lady of Country Music” (Whittemore’s alter ego from “Della’s Diner”) will return for the festivities as well.
“Of course, Connie Sue will be there,” Whittemore says. “The show’s like ‘A Christmas Carol’ at this point. I’m not changing anything that people want and expect.”
For tickets and info about the “Cabaret” benefit, call 404-875-1606 or www.actorsexpress.com.
‘College Hill’ cameras return
MTV’s “The Real World” has managed to bypass Atlanta the past 15 years, picking alternatives such as Philadelphia, Key West, Fla., and Denver instead. But BET is giving the ATL plenty of love. The network’s popular version of that MTV classic “College Hill” recently began shooting its fifth season here, gathering four male and four female college students in a home and hoping for the usual fireworks. The next season is set to air in the spring of 2008. “College Hill” cameras were seen at Young Jeezy’s birthday party this past Sunday and will be at the upcoming BET Hip-Hop Awards at the Atlanta Civic Center. (In addition, BET’s “College Hill: Interns” spinoff, set to debut Oct. 23 and shot in Chicago this past summer, features three Atlanta students.)
Fueling up for the Thrashers
The entire Washington Capitals NHL team — a party of 28 — dined privately Thursday night at the downtown location of Morton’s The Steakhouse. We’re told that the team chowed down on broiled sea scallops, filet mignon steaks, lobster tails and Morton’s legendary hot chocolate cakes. The Capitals were in town to face off Friday night at the Atlanta Thrashers’ season opener at Philips Arena.
OVERSCENE
Film fan and Oscar party host Elton John checking out “The Bourne Ultimatum,” “Eastern Promises” and “In the Valley of Elah” at AMC Phipps Plaza.
Among the gospel and R&B notables packing in at singer Marvin L. Winans’ listening party for his new “Alone But Not Alone” disc on Northside Drive: Darwin Hobbs, Byron Cage, Q of 112, Damita Haddon, Men of Standard members Isaac Carree and Lowell Pye, PJ Morton, Bishop Paul S. Morton and radio personalities Larry Tinsley, Reggie Gay and Derek Harper. Event planner Jamahl King of S.T.E.P.S. even had a group of people behind a velvet rope cheering every guest who entered the star-studded evening.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Today: Singer Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon is 56. Actress Elisabeth Shue is 44. Singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet is 43. Actor Ioan Gruffudd (“Fantastic Four,” “Horatio Hornblower”) is 34.
Sunday: Singer Al Martino is 80. Musician John Mellencamp is 56. Gospel singer Michael W. Smith is 50. Simon Cowell is 48. Singer Toni Braxton is 40. Singer Thom Yorke of Radiohead is 39. Singer Damian Kulash of OK Go is 32. Singer Taylor Hicks (“American Idol”) is 31.
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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‘Stew’-ing the ‘Video Vixen’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Self-proclaimed “Video Vixen” Karrine Steffans isn’t due in town until today, but she’s already encountered some less-than-Southern hospitality. Syndicated radio personalities the 2 Live Stews, based here at 790 the Zone, conducted an occasionally combative interview with the author of The New York Times best seller “Confessions of a Video Vixen.” It ended with Steffans saying “Judge not [female canine]” — and apparently she hung up. Needless to say, Buzz doesn’t expect the Stewart brothers to be in line at Steffans’ local signings of “The Vixen Diaries,” her new book about the two years since the publication of her tell-all about her alleged sexual encounters with such celebrities as Diddy, Bobby Brown and Shaquille O’Neal.
Those signings are scheduled today at Waldenbooks at the CNN Center at 12:30 p.m. and the Verve Lounge at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Steffans will be at Borders Books and Music at the Mall at Stonecrest at 7 p.m. Also, on Oct. 14, she is scheduled to do a taping of “Ryan Cameron Uncensored” at Center Stage, which is open to the public.
Solving the snow problem
So, during a commercial break while watching “The View” on Thursday, Buzz decided to solve all the problems regarding Stone Mountain Park’s proposed but problem-plagued Coca-Cola Snow Mountain attraction. As you’ll recall, due to statewide water restrictions, locals weren’t thrilled when the AJC reported this week that the attraction would require using about a million gallons of DeKalb County water for its snow machine.
But wait a sec, here. Doesn’t the Coca-Cola Co. already own the Dasani water brand? And as Coke has had to concede, Dasani is merely filtered, purified tap water. Surely, Coke already owns more than enough bottled H2O to create a winter wonderland without draining the state’s supply. Oh, and we also came up with a name: “Coca-Cola Snow Mountain presented by Dasani.”
And yes, we do anticipate becoming a ridiculously well-compensated Coke executive by the time you read this …
Star 94 to bid adieu to pair of stars
What has been whispered about for months finally became official Thursday: After a successful, nearly unprecedented 17-year run, Star 94’s morning team of Steve McCoy and Vikki Locke will leave the airwaves Nov. 2.
Earlier this year, citing continuing health concerns, Locke announced her intention to leave the show when her contract expires at the end of the year.
McCoy, a veteran voice on the city’s morning airwaves for decades with stints both at Star 94 and the old Z93, will now depart with his on-air partner.
“It’s really been an incredible run,” Star 94 general manager Mark Kanov told Buzz. “We’re going to spend the month of November looking back on their many, many accomplishments. Steve is supplying us with 17 years of tapes and audio. They have a lot to be proud of.”
Star 94 will salute the pair’s tenure on air with a monthlong retrospective of McCoy and Locke’s “all-time greatest bits, gags and stunts” that will run through Thanksgiving Day. The look back will be co-hosted by morning show regulars Tom Sullivan and Shannon Holly.
Kanov says the station is continuing its nationwide search for a new morning show “that will hopefully run another 15 or 17 years on our airwaves.”
In a statement, Locke said: “My husband and I agree that my health is the most important thing. My doctor says a low-key schedule and more sleep will help get me back to 100 percent.”
There was no statement in the release from McCoy regarding his plans.
Like Locke, McCoy’s contract with the station was due to expire later this year.
A call to McCoy’s cellphone seeking comment was not immediately returned Thursday.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Richard Street (The Temptations) is 65. Singer-guitarist Steve Miller is 64. Singer Bob Geldof is 53. Comedian Bernie Mac is 50. Singer-actress Heather Headley is 33. Actress Kate Winslet (“Titanic”) is 32. Guitarist James Valentine of Maroon 5 is 29. Bassist Paul Thomas of Good Charlotte is 27.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Popular Star 94 pair bids adieu
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What has been whispered about for months finally became official Thursday: After a successful, nearly unprecedented 17-year run, Star 94’s morning team of Steve McCoy and Vikki Locke will leave the airwaves Nov. 2.
Earlier this year, citing continuing health concerns, Locke announced her intention to leave the show when her contract expires at the end of the year.
McCoy, a veteran Atlanta morning voice for decades with stints both at Star 94 and the old Z93, will now join his on-air partner.
“The Star 94 family and our listeners are sad to see the Steve & Vikki Show come to an end after such a successful run,” said Mark Kanov, WSTR Sr. VP/General Manager via a press release sent to Buzz. “We couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments and invite listeners to help us celebrate their success.”
According to station reps, Star 94 will salute the pair’s tenure on air with a month-long retrospective of McCoy and Locke’s ” all-time greatest bits, gags and stunts” that will run through Thanksgiving Day. The look back will be co-hosted by morning show regulars Tom Sullivan and Shannon Holly.
A nation-wide search for a new morning show will continue, according to the release. In a statement, Locke said: “My husband and I agree that my health is the most important thing. My doctor says a low-key schedule and more sleep will help get me back to 100%.”
Interestingly, there was no statement in the release from McCoy regarding his future plans.
Like Locke, McCoy’s contract with the station was due to expire later this year.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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DeAngelo Hall on SI’s best-dressed list
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While benched Atlanta Falcon Michael Vick’s lawyers once again huddled in a Virginia courtroom Wednesday, there was actually positive news regarding one of the quarterback’s teammates.
DeAngelo Hall is being praised for his fashion sense. Sports Illustrated’s Web site is giving readers a chance to vote on the best-dressed player in the NFL. Hall is a nominee on the list, along with one-time Atlantan and Dallas Cowboy Terrell Owens (you may recall that the two players are so friendly that Owens was fined $35,000 by the NFL last season after the pair exchanged words and some bodily fluid when the Cowboys played the Falcons).
Also on the list: Tom Brady, Reggie Bush, Braylon Edwards, Dwight Freeney, Dhani Jones, Matt Leinart, Darren Sharper and LaDainian Tomlinson.
In the photo posted online, Hall is crisply dressed in a white shirt with French cuffs, a gray vest and matching tie. SI’s online editors were less generous, however, with the description posted with the image: “Thankfully, his wardrobe’s rarely as loud as his mouth. Memo to a self-absorbed Deion [Sanders] wannabe: Your 67 penalty yards in one drive? Let your play, and clothes, do the talking.”
And since Hall just may spend more time at the gym than Buzz, we hasten to repeat that those are Sports Illustrated’s words, not ours. To vote: sportsillustrated.cnn.com/.
Young Jeezy OK after accident
When fans scanned our online photo gallery of Young Jeezy’s store opening, they may have noticed an image of him with a bandage on his head. Well, it turns out that the day before the Atlanta rapper cut the ribbon on “Eight” on Auburn Avenue, he totaled his Lamborghini. “I have a new appreciation for life,” Jeezy told Hot-107.9’s “A Team Morning Show.” “I walked away from that with a scratch.”
Regular Guys update
A year has passed since 96rock fired the Regular Guys for taping and airing the Viva morning guys in the bathroom and neither Larry Wachs nor Eric Von Haessler have been able to find full-time radio employment. Meanwhile, Von Haessler is testing out a weekly “news jog” podcast (available on iTunes for free) with former 99Xer Jimmy Baron. And Wachs said he’s about to launch a satirical online-only news show called “What’s Your Story” on the Adult Swim Web video site.
Top-selling celebs
On the off chance you’re able to completely resist gazing at those salacious magazine covers while in line at the Publix, Forbes.com has graciously calculated which celebs generate the most attention. Former “Friends” actress Jennifer Aniston sits atop Forbes.com’s first-ever analysis of top-selling famous faces, based on several factors, including newsstand sales of celebrity weeklies People, Us Weekly, In Touch Weekly, Life & Style, OK! and Star over a six-month period ending June 30, as supplied by the Audit Bureau of Circulations.
The 38-year-old actress graced six covers — appearing on every magazine except In Touch Weekly at least once during the time period — with her face collectively selling more than 5 million copies.
Aniston’s ex-hubby, Brad Pitt, takes second place on the list, followed by Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Reese Witherspoon, Katie Holmes, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Valerie Bertinelli and Kelly Ripa.
Train wreck of the week Britney Spears isn’t on the list even though the 25-year-old pop star snagged 18 single covers during the six-month period. Spears’ face fails when it comes to sales, Forbes.com said, and she is only slightly more likable than Paris Hilton.
Consumers have grown tired of Spears’ consistently bad behavior, In Touch Weekly Editor in Chief Richard Spencer is quoted as saying.
“Usually there’s a roller coaster of emotions,” he says. “But unfortunately for Britney, there’s been no roller coaster lately — there’s just been the downhill.”
Also missing in action from the list: Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Simpson.
HIGH FIVE
Top downloaded cellphone ringtones this week:
1. John Carpenter, “Halloween” theme
2. Henry Mancini, “Pink Panther” theme
3. Grupo Montez De Durango, “Adios Amor Te Vas”
4. Koji Kondo, “Super Mario Brothers” theme
5. 50 Cent Featuring Olivia, “Candy Shop”
— Source: Billboard
OVERSCENE
Rapper and actor Bow Wow taking in the frights and sounds at Netherworld Haunted House in Norcross.
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Charlton Heston is 84. Author Anne Rice is 66. Actor Clifton Davis (“Amen”) is 62. Actress Susan Sarandon is 61. Actor Armand Assante is 58. Rap producer Russell Simmons is 50. Actor Liev Schreiber (“The Manchurian Candidate,” “Scream 2”) is 40. Actor Abraham Benrubi (“Men In Trees,” “ER”) is 38. Country singer-guitarist Heidi Newfield (Trick Pony) is 37. Actress Alicia Silverstone is 31. Actress Rachael Leigh Cook (“Josie and the Pussycats,” “She’s All That”) is 28.
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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Elton pulls photos after porn concerns
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not all museums are as gracious as the High Museum of Art when it comes to exhibiting photographs owned by Peachtree Road resident Elton John.
As you’ll recall, Sir Elton’s U.S. hometown was quite receptive back in 2000, when the High hosted “Chorus of Light,” an exhibition of the pop star’s photography collection.
Last month, however, at The BALTIC Center for Contemporary Art, in Gateshead, England, the cops were called in relation to an exhibition of photos by American photographer Nan Goldin. The 149 images in the show were on loan to the gallery by John, the collection’s owner. The British gallery then turned over a photo of two naked girls to police amid child pornography concerns.
Now, the gallery is announcing that it has closed “Thanksgiving,” the Goldin installation, at John’s request.
“After the removal of one image from the series it was no longer possible for BALTIC to exhibit the collection of works as the artist intended,” the gallery said in a statement. “Therefore BALTIC is sympathetic to Sir Elton John’s request and supportive of the decision.”
The gallery alerted police Sept. 20, and authorities are investigating whether the photo violates child pornography laws, The Telegraph in London reported. Police confirmed they were looking at the picture to assess whether an offense had been committed but have declined further comment.
John, who purchased the “Thanksgiving” installation in 1999, said last week that the picture, “Klara and Edda Belly-Dancing,” had been exhibited across Europe and the United States without any objections of which he was aware.
A statement from Atlantan Jane Jackson, curator of the Elton John Photographic Collection, posted on the performer’s Web site said: “It was always intended that the installation be exhibited as a whole, and not on a piecemeal basis, and our decision has been made with regard to the artistic integrity of the work and the artist.”
O’Brien: voice of freedom
CNN’s Soledad O’Brien had a busy day in town Tuesday. Over lunch at Thrive downtown with Morehouse School of Medicine president Dr. John Maupin and Dr. Henrie Treadwell, the school’s director of Community Voices, the newswoman learned more about the Morehouse award named for her.
“The Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award reflects the courage, integrity and excellence of the woman whose work has inspired it,” explained Maupin in an
e-mailed statement sent to Buzz. “Ms. O’Brien’s accomplishments in her field, her commitment to cover stories that might otherwise go untold, and her steadfast willingness to be a voice for those in our society who are unseen and unheard set a high standard.”
O’Brien will receive the award at the inaugural Community Voices’ first Freedom’s Voice gala at the High Museum set for April 11. The soiree follows the first Freedom’s Voice conference, a three-day event “that will bring together national leaders on the issues of health care disparities and access to justice.”
“To be perfectly honest, I’m still a little overwhelmed,” O’Brien conceded to Buzz after lunch. “It’s going to be a bust of my head. My husband is telling me, ‘You will be unbearable now.’ In all seriousness though, it’s wonderful to have your hard work and the hard work of your colleagues recognized.”
On Tuesday night, O’Brien emceed the Women in Cable Telecommunications Red Letter Awards Gala at the Intercontinental Buckhead.
Drought dampens doggy wash
The state’s current drought conditions and water restrictions have resulted in some minor tweaking for the third annual dog wash charity event set for Saturday in Marietta. The fund-raiser for the Humane Society of Cobb County has been altered from a “wash” to a “brush.” From 11 a.m. to
3 p.m., volunteers will happily help groom Fido at Harry’s Farmers Market, 70 Powers Ferry Road in Marietta. Donations will be accepted.
HIGH FIVE
Television
Top downloaded TV shows Tuesday:
1. “Grey’s Anatomy” season premiere, ABC
2. “Gossip Girl” episode two, CW
3. “CSI” season premiere, CBS
4. “Chuck” pilot, NBC
5. “Ugly Betty” season premiere
— Source: iTunes
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“This is the last ‘The Hills’ I will ever have to watch?!???!? And it sort of makes me sad, because when I watch ‘The Hills’ I forget about war and poverty and basic math.”
— Out-going “The Hills” recap blogger Alex Balk on Gawker.com Tuesday, waxing eloquently about the highly addictive, brain-damaging MTV reality soap
Celebrity birthdays
Singer Chubby Checker is 66. Magician Roy Horn of Siegfried and Roy is 63. Singer-guitarist Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac is 58. Drummer Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) is 45. Singer Gwen Stefani of No Doubt is 38. Stone Mountain singer India Arie is 32. Actor Seann William Scott (“Dukes of Hazzard,” “American Pie”) is 31. Singer Ashlee Simpson is 23.
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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Baumgartner delivers inter-‘Office’ cooking show
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Sandy Springs resident and Atlanta actor Brian Baumgartner, who plays accountant Kevin on the ever-increasingly twisted NBC sitcom, “The Office,” has his very own “extra” on the show’s new season three DVD collection.
On disc two of the set, Baumgartner hosts his own impromptu cooking show, “Kevin Cooks Stuff in the Office” in the corporate cubicle kingdom’s break room.
Taking items from the office vending machine (or as Kevin describes it: “the supermarket that only takes quarters”) and utilizing the microwave and a toaster oven, Baumgartner hilariously demonstrates how to whip up a cheese quesadilla and creme brulee. The ingredients: snack chips, fluorescent orange cheese, a pudding cup and a packet of sugar.
Baumgartner as Kevin then shows the mockumentary film crew his secret stash of fermenting ale at his accounting cubicle. Or as he rationalizes: “The rules specifically say you cannot bring beer into work. It says nothing about making beer at work, however. Genius, huh?”
Blowing past the competition
With a bubble of 5 1/4 inches, Marissa Chamison of Lawrenceville became a bubble gum-blowing champion Sunday in New York.
Marissa, 10, a fifth-grader at Craig Elementary, won a contest held by bubble-gum maker Bubblicious. Her bubble won the 8-10 age group at the event, hosted by NBA star LeBron James. She won a $500 prize, which she had said before the competition that she would use to get a dog.
To win Sunday, Marissa had to emerge as one of the top four bubble-blowers in her age group, then win two head-to-head elimination contests.
She qualified for her trip by winning a competition at Lake Lanier in June. Marissa and her mother, Lyndi Chamison, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
The other metro Atlanta competitor, Michele Metzger of Alpharetta, reached the final four of her 11-14 age group, where she lost. Michele is a freshman at Alpharetta High School.
Overscene
“BET Comic View” and “Def Comedy Jam” comedian Pierre hosting the annual Mayor’s Bowl: Strike for Camp Best Friends benefit.
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and attendees enjoyed crabcakes, steak pizza and bite-sized mini macaroni and cheese balls.
Urban takes spill
Part-time Nashville resident Keith Urban was uninjured Monday when he crashed his motorcycle near his home in Sydney, Australia.
In a statement issued by his publicist, Paul Freundlich, the country singer said he was “out riding to an AA meeting, a time when my privacy is especially important to me, [when] I felt myself being pursued” by a photographer on another motorcycle.
“I sped up, and in an effort to elude an oncoming car which was making an illegal U-turn, saw no choice but to drop my bike,” the 39-year-old Urban said.
“In actual fact, my pursuer came to my assistance, without taking photos, and helped me from the road,” Urban said. “I returned home, got my car, and continued on my way.”
He said the incident resulted from “one person’s desire to do his job and my desire to maintain my privacy.”
Urban completed a three-month stint in rehab for alcohol abuse this year.
He checked himself into the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., last October, less than four months after his wedding to Nicole Kidman. The couple have a home in Nashville.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Don McLean is 62. Actor Avery Brooks (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”) is 59. Musician Sting is 56. Actress Lorraine Bracco (“The Sopranos”) is 53. Singer Freddie Jackson is 49. Country singer Gillian Welch is 40. Country singer Kelly Willis is 39. Actress-talk show host Kelly Ripa (“All My Children,” “Live With Regis and Kelly”) is 37. Singer Tiffany is 36.
ON MY TIVO
Jerry Powers, Atlanta Peach magazine publisher:
“I love watching [“Real Time With] Bill Maher on HBO. I like the fact that he’s a little out there and a little sick. He’s somebody who’s replaced [1960s counter-culture radicals] Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin. Also, ‘Entourage,’ definitely and ‘CSI: Miami.’ “
Contributing: 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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O’Jays, friends sing sweet tribute to Levert
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s a moment for the ages. Eddie Levert of the O’Jays conjures the spirit of his gone-too-soon son, and in a flashback moment of sheer Gerald Levert-dom, it’s gyrating, sensual, get-down-to-the-nitty-gritty hysteria Saturday night at the Gerald Levert Tribute Concert at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center.
Before then, though, when the Manhattans with Gerald Alston took the stage, all hormones broke loose. They cranked out hit after hit from “Kiss and Say Goodbye” to “It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad,” which had ladies all but throwing themselves on stage.
But it was Alston’s rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” that really got the crowd going. Dedicated to the “Jena Six” in Louisiana, it was as moving as it was mesmerizing to see this man whip up so much chutzpah as if he not only wanted change but an overhaul.
Angie Stone had her harmonies in the bag during her show. Her neo-soul and funk tracks included “Brother,” “No More Rain,” “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” and “Everyday.”
Stone’s classic line, “This is old school. This is true school,” gave the evening an appropriate theme, and her perfect melodies, set against superb background music and singers, let folks know she bear-hugs her notes and blesses them before giving them to fans.
Then, when the O’Jays stepped out about 11 p.m. to thunderous applause, it proved to be a highlight. Standing ovations. Screams — and not one note had been belted yet.
Eddie Levert first took a moment to reflect on his son’s life and legacy, and then pleaded with the audience, the world, to make a difference, starting with the children.
“We need to stop using one another and start loving one another,” he said. Then the jam session and pelvic thrusts began. It was Eddie’s clear tribute to his son, who, despite his girth, could rival any skinny man in his libido-inspired moves.
This was O’Jays at its best, with the steady steam of a choo-choo train that keeps going and going. It was “Love Train,” “Used to Be My Girl,” “Backstabbers,” “I Love Music” and “Family Reunion” that had groups dancing in the aisles and jetting happily down memory lane.
And this was, indeed, a family reunion. Gerald’s brother Sean Levert performed. And his daughter Carlysia, a freshman at Spelman College, provided the other highlight of the evening.
“Thanks for all your support,” Carlysia said as a once- screaming crowd fell to a cricket-chirp silence. “I’m sure my dad is watching right now with a big smile on his face.”
Project 9-6-1 tries ‘man’s man’ show
Since 96rock’s Regular Guys and 99X’s Fred Toucher left Atlanta airwaves last year, the city has been devoid of that snarky testosterone-driven “man’s man” show. 96rock’s younger-skewing rock station replacement Project 9-6-1, after 10 months of playing music in the mornings, may be finally filling that void today at 5 a.m.
Standup comic “Giant Brian” Carothers, who last worked with a Philadelphia rock show as a producer, will be hosting the new “Giant Show” morning team with Shaffee, a pro wrestler who has done night radio shows at different stations in Michigan.
The radio station introduced the pair on air Friday afternoon, where Carothers quickly mocked rival station 99X and its year-old morning show: “We’ll be the Viva morning show with the green card. We’ll be the white V-103 morning show. We’ll be the new Morning X with talent.” Pause. “I know what you’re thinking: 99X still has a morning show?”
Current Project 9-6-1 program director and afternoon jock Chris Williams used to be the program director at 99X and has since clashed with his former boss and current 99X program director and morning host Leslie Fram. Project has taken a chunk of younger viewers from the veteran rock station 99X, which has been steadily losing listeners in recent years.
7 chefs in kitchen at Floataway event
Too many cooks in the kitchen? Not at Floataway Cafe on Friday, as seven of Atlanta’s most celebrated chefs collaborated on a six-course menu for the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America dinner.
Chef Joel Antunes took a break from preparing gazpacho with tomato sorbet to tell Buzz he’s happy to be cooking again at the recently reopened Joel.
We spotted a “Rathbun” placard on one table and wondered if chef Kevin Rathbun was going to sit this one out in the dining room. Turns out it was a placecard for his wife, Melissa, who was sharing a table with restaurant designer Bill Johnson. Rathbun planned to stay in the kitchen and prep the meal’s main course of roasted lamb.
Over at EcoManor, Rutherford and Laura Turner Seydel’s house in Buckhead, another chef was cooking to wow a crowd Friday night. Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene and his wife, sommelier Gina Hopkins, provided nibbles to promote Grow for Good, a Food & Wine magazine outreach on sustainable farming.
Stuffed eggs, pork belly and ham biscuits gave a Southern flavor to the event, which drew the magazine’s publisher, Jean-Paul Kyrillos, Atlanta corporate philanthropic consultant Dominique Love, along with dozens of other corporate, civic and social players.
Top 5
Rock songs
1. Foo Fighters, “The Pretender”
2. Linkin Park, “Bleed It Out”
3. Three Days Grace, “Never Too Late”
4. Finger Eleven, “Paralyzer”
5. Paramore, “Misery Business”
Celebrity birthdays Actor Tom Bosley is 80. Actress-singer Julie Andrews is 72. Actor Randy Quaid is 57. Singer Howard Hewett is 50. Model-actress Cindy Margolis is 42.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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