PEACH BUZZ: Clark Howard calm, upbeat about cancer

WSB-AM and CNN Headline News host Clark Howard has early-stage prostate cancer. The popular consumer guru made the announcement on his radio show Wednesday. Howard told Buzz that, since the doctors detected it so early, his chance of full recovery is almost 100 percent.

After extensive research (would you expect anything less from Howard?), he plans to have laproscopic surgery, though he has yet to set a date. Howard said when he does the surgery, he will be out of work for two weeks during his recovery.

Howard, 53, said he was on his annual trip with his employees, this year to China, when his wife, Lane, called him with the news.

“There was no shock, no fear,” he said. “This isn’t what’s going to kill me. It’s probably going to be something like driving down 285 that will kill me.” (He also used to ride a scooter around town, but his wife forced him to sell it.)

He’s encouraging male listeners to get checked.

“Guys don’t go to the doctor,” he said. “That’s a big mistake. What kills guys are silent killers. We don’t do the basics we should, like go for physicals and checkups.” Women generally “are more used to being poked around. Guys are really wimps about this stuff.”

Howard notes that, in Europe, doctors often go into “watchful waiting” for early detection cancer patients, checking every 90 days. But only 9 percent of patients in the United States take that option, he said. Here, people would rather get the surgery over with pronto.

The beloved cheapskate is such an upbeat, amiable guy that when he tells colleagues and friends about it, they sometimes don’t believe him.

“Everybody reacts in their own way,” he said. “If they had a family member die of a brutal cancer, it’s doom and gloom. If they had a family member have a minor cancer, they’re cool.”

For a primer on prostate cancer, see today’s AJC Living section.

‘Punk’d’ in Douglasville?

Buzz Central is now “following” Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore on Twitter. The reason: This spring, the actor is due to begin filming his next film in Douglasville. We’re hearing the exteriors will be filmed in a planned community and that the film actor will play a CIA assassin who bolts the agency for a less action-packed existence with his family in idyllic suburbia. Complications ensue. Since Kutcher is one of the celebrity investors at Atlantic Station’s Ten Pin Alley, Dolce and Geisha House, chances are excellent that he and perhaps his actress wife (who, incidentally, goes by “Mrs. Kutcher” on Twitter) will be popping into the eateries/entertainment destinations.

Braves wants bands

Budding local bands looking to rock out this season at Turner Field can now submit their info to the Atlanta Braves. The Braves organization informs Buzz it’s looking for country, rock, pop and cover acts “who think they have what it takes to energize and entertain thousands of fans at Turner Field before a home Braves game.”

“There is an abundance of great musical talent in our region,” explains Scott Cunningham, Braves director of game entertainment, in an e-mail. “This contest gives us an opportunity to tap into the wealth of talent for our fans to enjoy, while supporting up-and-coming musicians by providing them a venue and audience at the major league level.”

Bands selected to perform before a home game during the 2009 season will receive free tickets for their members to that night’s game and a special discount code to pass along to their loyal followers to see them live in action.

One group will be named the “Braves Band of the Year” and win a free suite at the final home game of 2009. The “Band of the Year” will be chosen by the Braves game entertainment staff, who will judge the groups based on a combination of factors, including crowd participation and enthusiasm. For info: www.braves.com/bravesbands.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

Singer Smokey Robinson (above) is 69. Guitarist Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath is 61. Actor Jeff Daniels is 54. Singer Seal is 46. Actress Justine Bateman is 43. Actor Benicio Del Toro (“Traffic”) is 42. Drummer Daniel Adair of 3 Doors Down is 34. Singer-actress Haylie Duff is 24.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Oh my god!!! At curtain call, Tulea got away from the dog sitter and came out on stage just as we were bowing!!”

Jane Fonda’s Twitter update after her pet made an unexpected Broadway debut during a preview of “33 Variations” Tuesday night.

Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services.

Got a tip for Peach Buzz? 404-526-2749 or buzz@ajc.com