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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 27
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
‘Raisin’ ratings help make ABC No. 1 for evening
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“A Raisin in the Sun,” Atlantan Kenny Leon’s TV film directorial debut, delivered a very respectable 12.7 million viewers, Nielsen is reporting. The Monday broadcast with Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald helped propel ABC to the No. 1 position for the evening. The three-hour event handily won every hour of prime time except the 8 p.m. slot, when it trailed NBC’s dreaded Howie Mandell-hosted game show “Deal or No Deal” (15.3 million).
Locally, the show did about 37 percent better than the national average, bringing in about 450,000 viewers, among those 18 to 49 years old. We’re told the film in metro Atlanta nearly doubled the national audience share. Leon sent an e-mail to the subscribers of his True Colors Theatre, telling them: “I am very proud of this film, and even more proud of the over-the-top effort of the team who came together to make it happen. Nothing happens by itself. I have always known that, but with this, my first film experience, I saw it in action in a very big way. From the Broadway play [which Leon also directed], to the shooting of the film, to the editing, to the music composition, to Sundance, to the premiere here in Atlanta a couple weeks ago… well, to say it’s been humbling is the understatement of the year.”
A BIT OF ‘BETRAYED’
In the grand tradition of Star Jones Reynolds’ “Shine,” we valiantly picked up a copy of “Betrayed: The True Life Story of Lisa Lynette Clark” (Phoenix Publishing, $14.99) Wednesday so you wouldn’t have to. The salacious story of Clark, the Douglasville 37-year-old who married her teenage lover and later gave birth to their child, is certainly, well, a page-turner. The extremely explicit “as-told-to” tell-all, written by Jennifer Grant, hit stores just as Clark was exiting prison last week.
The tawdry tome sheds much light on the pair’s unconventional — not to mention illegal — coupling. For example, here’s a glimpse into their courtship, via Page 39: “I put in Marilyn Manson and turned it up loud. I left him in the car as I walked into the Kroger. When I came back to the car, he told me he was without a doubt in love with me. We went to Krystal to eat. We went through the drive thru and ate in the parking lot. We talked and laughed a lot. We had mint chocolate chip ice cream.”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor Charles Durning is 85. Actor Gavin MacLeod (“The Love Boat”) is 77. Actress Kelly Bishop (“Gilmore Girls”) is 64. Atlanta singer Cindy Wilson of The B-52’s is 51. Singer Pat Monahan of Train is 39.
OVERSCENE
Forbes Inc. CEO and former presidential candidate Steve Forbes lunching at McKendrick’s Steakhouse on Ashford Dunwoody Road.
Contributing: Meridith Ford 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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Ne-Yo back behind the wheel
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Grammy winner and alleged leadfoot Ne-Yo pulled up at Rick Ross’ listening party in a convertible Bentley on Monday night — properly licensed, Buzz presumes. The ever-smiling R&B singer said “everything is going to work out fine” with his traffic charges in Cobb County. He was arrested last week for reckless driving — reportedly over 100 mph — and driving without a license. Ne-Yo was released the same day from the county jail on a $1,300 bond. His case is scheduled to be heard in State Court March 25.
“I’m good, good, good,” Ne-Yo added as he joined Ross (whose “Trilla” CD is in stores March 11), fellow rappers Gorilla Zoe and Big Kuntry King, DJs Don Cannon, Trauma and Blak, and former Atlanta Falcon Bob Whitfield at Whitfield’s Patchwerk Studios in Midtown.
Mableton’s Ne-Yo should be good, at least professionally — he has three songs on part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson’s new CD “Discipline,” and he’s preparing to tour with R&B superstar Alicia Keys, he told us.
By the way, to our friends in TV land who had Ne-Yo’s mugshot on the air with “Rapper Arrested” underneath — the singer-songwriter behind a contender for Grammy’s record of the year (“Irreplaceable,” by Beyoncé), hasn’t rapped on any record we’ve heard lately. (Even when the crooner recorded under his given name, Shaffer Smith). And one local TV news outlet even erroneously reported last weekend that the singer had been locked up on DUI charges.
AT CHASTAIN, IT’S TICKET TIME AGAIN
Unlike many of the city’s summertime traditions, Chastain Park Amphitheatre isn’t exactly prone to drought conditions (we’re fairly certain that we still have downpour-deluged damp undergarments from a 2003 Tony Bennett show, for example …). Thusly, tickets to Live Nation’s 2008 Summer Concert Series A will go on sale as usual this Sunday at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.
Among the hot shows announced in the lineup sent to Buzz Central on Tuesday: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are booked for the venue July 10 and Cyndi Lauper’s gay-friendly “True Colors” tour returns this summer on June 16 with Lauper, The B-52’s, Rosie O’Donnell and Tegan & Sara.
Other shows on the schedule include The Moody Blues on April 19; Santana on April 25; Sheryl Crow on May 3; Duran Duran on May 17; James Taylor does two nights May 24 and 25; ZZ Top on June 7; Chicago and The Doobie Brothers on June 24; REO Speedwagon with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts on June 29; Donna Summer on July 1; Earth Wind & Fire returns on July 14; and Mark Knopfler whips out his guitar on July 29.
Bear in mind, only series and mini-series tickets go on sale this week. Individual tickets will become available later. Oh, and the Crow and Plant-Krauss concerts are “No Tables” affairs (translation: don’t bother hauling the candelabra, china cabinet, the case of chardonnay and the wine steward from home).
One last thing, according to the news release: “Please note buying both James Taylor performances does not constitute a mini-series package.”
For more info: call Chastain Tickets at 404-233-2227 or visit www.chastainseries.com or www.livenation.com.
OVERSCENE
Author and new age guru Deepak Chopra enjoying the salad a la mode and beef oxtail and sipping on a Perrier at Trois in Midtown. Mychael Knight of “Project Runway” and Jai McGee of “Make Me a Supermodel” lunching on a pepperoni pizza at Lobby at Twelve at Atlantic Station.
Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell and daughter Amy checking out Chuck’s sister, local actress Judy Leavell, appearing as Ann Landers in ART Station Theatre’s production of “The Lady with All the Answers” in Stone Mountain.
Lightweight boxing champ Floyd “Money” Mayweather celebrating his 31st birthday at a private party at Lobster Bar in Buckhead. The dinner party of 30 guests was hosted by Mayweather’s pals, including TLC member Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas. We’re told that everyone enjoyed signature steaks (the birthday boy nibbled on filet mignon) and seafood. The guest of honor also scored lots of high-end birthday presents. There were apparently gifts all around, with many of the guests bringing high-end loot for the guest of honor.
Apparently, wanting to test the alertness of his six bodyguards, we hear that at one point during the evening, Mayweather sprinted toward the door to see if his security detail would follow. They did.
Still, Buzz is left to ponder why a boxer would require six bodyguards …
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Joanne Woodward is 78. Actress Elizabeth Taylor is 76. Singer Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd is 48. Singer Chilli of TLC is 37. Keyboardist Jeremy Dean of Nine Days is 36. Singer Josh Groban (below) is 27.
ON MY iPOD
Chaka Khan, legendary R&B, funk and jazz singer: “Of course I have an iPod! I listen to it when I get in my car — a little Johnny “Guitar” Watson. Joni Mitchell. A few other artists. Mostly older artists. And some jazz. That’s good driving music!”
Contributing: 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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