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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > April > 05 > Entry
Teri Hatcher not denying ‘Idol’ kiss
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Those tabloid photos of Dunwoody High grad Ryan Seacrest and “Desperate Housewife” Teri Hatcher apparently weren’t Photoshopped, after all. On Tuesday’s edition of “Access Hollywood,” Hatcher was grilled by “AH” correspondent Billy Bush about her recent beach dalliance with the “American Idol” host, photos of which seem to be everywhere this week. Said Hatcher: “Well, I guess what’s caught on film is caught on film, and it would be hard for me to stand here and say that it wasn’t me. I’m not a liar, and I wouldn’t do that.” When asked if she were attached, Hatcher replied, “I’m not.”
History center ball leaves much to reflect on
As of Tuesday, the Atlanta History Center was the proud recipient of about $500,000 raised during the Buckhead facility’s annual Swan House Ball on Saturday night. This year’s wistful theme, “Reflections of Peachtree,” boasted a replica of a streetcar from Peachtree Street’s trolley era. Formally attired guests posed in front of it for pictures. There also were rotating black-and-white images of Atlanta’s most famous street beamed onto the walls of the Grand Overlook hall throughout the evening. The photos were replaced briefly on occasion by NCAA Final Four scores, provided for the college-basketball-minded.
The event boasted the services of a genuine Peachtree chef, Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene, who toiled behind the scenes with the staff of A Legendary Event to serve up a Southern-inspired four-course dinner for the sold-out event.
Along the way, Hopkins achieved a rarity: Via a chilled pea panna cotta soup, Buzz consumed — in the line of duty — a foodstuff made out of the small spherical vegetable for the first time in decades. Diners also enjoyed cracker and tomato fondue, crusted cod and a dessert of brandied Georgia white peach tarts.
Perhaps the most touching moment of the evening came when longtime Atlanta History Center and Swan House supporter Louise Allen, wife of the late Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen, was given a standing ovation. While Allen did not attend in person, many in the crowd could recall her watering the foliage at the Swan House during its lengthy restoration.
The evening’s auctioneer was former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes, who raised a few eyebrows as he unloaded trips to London and Paris with airfare donated by an ailing airline and Atlanta institution. “The flight is courtesy of Delta, if they’re still there,” said Barnes. Perhaps gauging the quality of the quip, he quickly added: “And I’m sure they’ll always be there.”
As he attempted to honor Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Hale, the evening’s honorary chairs, Robert Steed’s remarks were, at times, as creaky as the streetcar out front.
Steed steadily trotted out dog-eared commentary on Alabama and Mississippi that, oddly, only men of a certain age in the audience found incredibly hilarious. Someone at our table whispered, “I think this is what they call Southern humor.”
Ah.
Goodbye not an option for Baron
After more than 12 years on alternative rock station 99X, Jimmy Baron said he was told after Monday morning’s show that he will not be returning on air. He said his contract ends today, but he was informed by his boss Mark Renier that he couldn’t say goodbye to the listeners.
“Why do a farewell?” Renier said. “We don’t know that he’s going away. We’re still in negotiations with him.”
Baron declined to comment about the negotiations but gave the impression that talks have stalled. “I wish I could have been given the courtesy to say goodbye and thank people for how fantastically they’ve treated me here all these years,” he said. “I certainly have no intention of throwing anybody under the bus.”
As he noted, both Steve Barnes in 2003 and Fred Toucher last month got to say goodbye on the air.
A couple of years ago, Baron revealed his base salary to listeners: $315,000. But 99X’s ratings have dropped sharply in recent years, and his pay may no longer be commensurate with the revenues the morning show generates.
Baron’s obsessions about dogs, Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, wrestling and the Thrashers helped 99X draw huge ratings throughout the 1990s. He even stuck around when the Morning X was partly blown up in 2003. Recently, he has been testing a talk show at a San Francisco radio station. He said he’ll know more by the end of the week.
Couric CBS-bound?
Katie Couric may mark her 15th anniversary as “Today” show anchor this week by making the decision to leave.
The Associated Press is reporting that she’s talking with CBS about taking over as “CBS Evening News” anchor, according to a non-network person close to the negotiations, and neither CBS nor NBC is disputing reports that she could announce a deal as early as this week. At press time Tuesday, it was being loudly whispered that she might even announce the deal live this morning on “Today.”
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Max Gail (“Sons and Daughters,” “Barney Miller”) is 63. Actor Mitch Pileggi (“The X Files”) is 54. Guitarist Mike McCready of Pearl Jam is 40. Country singer Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry is 39. Rapper-producer Pharrell Williams is 32.
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.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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