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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 02 > Entry
TV producer juggles series, chain saw
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jackyl lead singer Jesse James Dupree has a huge hit on MTV, but for once, it has nothing to do with taking a chain saw to inanimate objects onstage.
Dupree’s Kennesaw-based Humidity Entertainment created and shot “Two-a-Days,� the monster MTV high school football reality series, that, in its inaugural season this fall, has even eclipsed “Laguna Beach� in the ratings.
The series chronicles the lives and loves of the Alabama state champion Hoover High School football program. Humidity Entertainment is on location shooting Season 2 for broadcast in 2007 (with a 9-1 record, Hoover is once again poised for the state playoffs this fall).
“I’ve never been busier in my entire life!� Dupree told Buzz on Thursday as he blew off a dozen or so other phone calls during a 15-minute interview. Dupree and his business partner, Jason Sciavicco, a 10-year sports television production pro, pitched MTV on the project more than a year ago, 14 days before the start of the 2005 football season.
“Jason almost came out of his skin when I started talking about capturing the ‘Laguna Beach’ soap opera drama,â€? Dupree says. “He knew we had a great football story here. He didn’t want the integrity of that to be lost. The Hoover High football booster club raises half a million dollars a year. These folks are serious.â€?
While the duo waited on contracts from MTV, Dupree took out a second mortgage and the pair came up with $100,000 out of pocket to start shooting.
Humidity Entertainment begins filming a high school basketball reality series in Indiana this month.
Will Dupree, who still performs at festivals with the hard-rocking Jackyl, ever completely give up his chain-saw-wielding ways?
“Why should I?� he said. “Anytime I get to act the fool, tear some stuff up and sell some T-shirts, I’m gonna do it.�
ON MY TiVo
Dave FM morning DJ and WXIA-TV “Atlanta & Co.� co-host Holly Firfer:
“ ‘Jericho,’ because I love the suspense. Also my news side needs ‘Real Time With Bill Maher’ and ‘Meet the Press.’ I record it so I can sleep in on Sunday morning. Oh, and ‘Footballers’ Wives’ on BBC America. It’s my guilty pleasure.â€?
A $300,000 leash
About 350 pet lovers — and 20 four-footed friends — partied at the Buckhead home of Guy and Ginny Millner on Wednesday night to benefit New Leash on Life. The organization works to improve the lives and care of lost and homeless cats and dogs in Atlanta.
“We are going to spay Georgia this year,� announced Ginny Millner to her guests, “so we will have no unwanted animals.� She, along with Rhonda Milner , founded the animal advocacy group last year.
One of the favorite four-legged guests up for adoption was a blind 7-year-old Yorkie-Silky mix. Party attendee Jennifer Noffsinger is considering adopting the brown/gold dog. “I’m a sucker for a special-needs dog,� she said. “I had a deaf Dalmatian at one time.�
The evening raised close to $300,000 for spay-neuter programs for Metro Atlanta rescue groups, including Atlanta Pet Rescue and Southern Hope Humane Society.
Prez on politics
With a hip-hop group billing itself as Dead Prez in town Friday night at the Loft in Midtown — and the elections next week — Buzz thought they’d be up for a couple of political questions. No. 1: Who’ll rule after Tuesday — Republicans of Democrats? “Honestly, I think both parties are the same,� said M-1, who, along with Atlanta’s Stic Man, make up the underground rap group. “And the opportunity for self-determination is still the same, no matter who’s leading what branch of government.�
No. 2: Should Barack Obama run for president? “If he does, it’s important that he shows some kind of accountability to those on the grass roots level,� M-1 said. “Otherwise, he’ll just be another one of those politicians who get into these high-falutin’ positions and do what they want; not what we need.�
Overscene
Pro wrestler turned “Yoga for Regular Guys� task master Diamond Dallas Page dining Wednesday night at Roberto’s World Tapas in Duluth. He sampled filet mignon medallions with caramelized Gorgonzola crumbs and blackberry melba sauce, Korean kalbi ribs, mixed seaweed salad, spicy marinated Korea cabbage salad and Moroccan-rubbed lamb lollipops with parsnip and mascarpone risotto. Oh, yes, he also had dessert: a molten chocolate cake, about which Page said: “I can eat this because I worked out today.�
Celebrity birthdays
Composer John Barry is 73. Singer Lulu is 58. Actress-comedian Roseanne Barr is 54. Actress Kathy Kinney (“The Drew Carey Show�) is 53. Actress Kate Capshaw is 53. Comedian Dennis Miller is 53. Singer Adam Ant is 52.
Contributing: Marylin Johnson, 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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