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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 13
Friday, October 13, 2006
Star 94 staff lets out post-stunt sigh of relief
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The cuticle chewing emanating from the Star 94 on-air staff was almost audible Wednesday at Buzz Central as the station went jockless for more than 24 hours.
Between songs and music, a voice-over told the radio station’s listeners to tune in at 7:20 a.m. Thursday when Star 94 would “unwrap” its new lineup.
Consistently during the day, word came into Buzz that DJs, fearing a format change, had become so concerned for their jobs, they were ringing their lawyers and agents while consoling at least one staffer who was in tears.
As listeners now know, the bit was all a stunt to promote a Star 94 concert.
At 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Star 94 general manager Mark Kanov conference-called the staff together to end the agony and to let it in on the surprise.
“There was some angst,” Kanov conceded to us Thursday. “Others figured it out. But the only way to keep a secret is not to tell it. If we had told the staff, I guarantee you, in 10 minutes, you and [ajc.com radio blogger] Rodney [Ho] would have had it online. The rap on radio is that it’s now so corporate and boring. Star 94 is anything but.”
The Ashton Kutcher-style antics, however, don’t really jibe with Kanov’s long-established business practices. During his nearly 40-year tenure in the Atlanta radio market, Kanov has consistently emphasized treating listeners and staffers like family.
“Some of the staff said they didn’t sleep a wink, worrying about it. But hey, I got to punk the whole station,” Kanov reasoned. “It was fun. Now, everybody can say, ‘Whew!’ “
Q100: What’s in a name?
Perhaps not coincidentally, down the dial Thursday morning, Q100’s “Bert Show” had its own big announcement timed for 7:20. The morning show’s longtime stunt guy, Phil Terrana, announced that his actual name is Mark Owens, now that he’s departing the show for a “Morning X” producing gig at sister station 99X.
Show namesake Bert Weiss then went on to explain that the Terrana moniker actually is the given name of another well-known Atlanta radio personality. “We did it to get into their heads a little bit,” Weiss told listeners. “There’s a little psychological warfare, a competitive thing going on. Every time this guy uses a credit card, somebody is asking him, ‘Aren’t you that guy from ‘The Bert Show?’ “
Wringing out Wash ‘n Wear
A few final tidbits of dirt drifted our way Thursday from this week’s successful Wash ‘n Wear benefit fashion show at the King Plow Arts Center downtown. First, our eyes backstage informed us that many of the Atlanta Falcons models involved, including Warrick Dunn, Patrick Kerney, Alge Crumpler, Brian Finneran, DeAngelo Hall, Michael Vick and Keith Brooking, heavily favored boxers over briefs during their quick changes.
Also, just as Vick was about to take the stage, his diamond-encrusted Oyster Perpetual Pearlmaster Rolex wristwatch unexpectedly flew off. While he didn’t have time to retrieve the timepiece, Vick motioned for T boutique owner Teresa Hebert to pick it up. When Vick caught up with Hebert afterward, the Rolex had a new home — on her wrist. The estimated price tag of the trinket? $150,000. We’re hearing a deal was struck in exchange for the safe return of the watch, but at presstime, we were still trying to pry loose the details from the involved parties.
‘Runway’ recap
All four fashion designers, including Atlantan Michael Knight, are still in the hunt for the top prize on Bravo’s reality series “Project Runway.” On Wednesday night’s episode, design mentor Tim Gunn announced their final challenge: Design 12 looks to be featured at New York Fashion Week. They had two months and $8,000 to complete the assignment.
In Wednesday’s episode, Gunn visited each designer. In Atlanta, he warned Knight to make sure his collection was “cohesive.” Back in New York, he suggested to Laura Bennett to “youth up the styling.” Visiting Uli Herzner in Miami, he advised her “to surprise” the judges with her safari-inspired line. And in Los Angeles, he praised Jeffrey Sebelia’s work, saying, “I am in awe of what you are doing with zippers.”
Days before Fashion Week, the entire clan reconnected in the Big Apple. But controversy struck when Sebelia’s nearly perfect workmanship in the final collection was not consistent with his previous offerings, resulting in speculation that he had outside help. Sebelia claimed innocence. Did the designer get booted off “Runway”? Tune in Wednesday for the finale.
Celebrity birthdays
Musician Paul Simon is 65. Actor Demond Wilson (“Sanford and Son”) is 60. Singer-actress Marie Osmond is 47. Actress Kate Walsh (“Grey’s Anatomy”) is 39. Singer Carlos Martin of Il Divo is 38. Country singer Rhett Akins is 37. Singer Ashanti is 26.
Contributing: Marylin Johnson 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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