By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Sunday, February 7, 2016
Several TV shows with Atlanta ties took home NAACP Image Awards tonight, which aired on TV One:
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Mike Epps – "Survivor's Remorse" (Starz)
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini- Series, or Dramatic Special Queen Latifah - "Bessie" (HBO)
Outstanding Variety (Series or Special) "Family Feud" (Syndicated)
Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety Program (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble Steve Harvey- "Family Feud" (Syndicated)
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series Mara Brack Ali, Jameal Turner, Keli Goff - "Being Mary Jane" – Sparrow (BET)
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television) Dee Rees - "Bessie" (HBO)
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
ABC's weight-loss show "My Diet is Better Than Yours," which aired in January, featured five metro Atlantans using different diet/fitness plans to shed pounds.
Atlanta's Jasmine Queen ultimately took home the prize: a $50,000 cash prize, plus $20,000 in Earthfare credit and a feature in People magazine. Ratings were modest so a return of the show is questionable.
But, in an interview, Queen said she loved the experience and on the show, she came across largely chipper and upbeat. She had a supportive husband, which helped. "I went in with an open mind. I just kept changing," she said. "It obviously paid off."
She used the Super Food Swap diet created by Dawn Jackson Blatner . Blatner created a system where she provided healthier versions of "bad" foods people tend to eat. "You can still have sweets and alcohol," Queen said. "You don't have to be deprived."
And the show kept Queen at home the entire time - unlike NBC's long-time winning show "The Biggest Loser." "I have kept living my life homeschooling my daughter," Queen said. "I still have to take her to karate. I have to do the dishes and laundry."
Ultimately, Queen lost more 53 pounds over 14 weeks and since the show ended in the fall, she said she has maintained her weight.
The runner up Kurt Morgan lost more total weight (65 pounds) but the competition was based on percentages since women tend to weigh less.
Taj Robinson quit before the final weigh in. She was clearly having some personal problems that extended beyond weight loss. "We were really sad when that happened," Queen said. "We had developed a bond. You hate to see someone just kind of give up when they're so close. She had been working her butt off the whole time. Taj had her reasons. I was sad."
Queen said she watches 11 Alive news to catch Latasha Givens, who is a reporter there. "She's such a stunning beauty," Queen said.
And Jeff Benedict, who works part time at 92.9/The Game, continues to look for balance between work, family and fitness, she said. "He's still going to the gym and eating right," she said. "He's in a good mindset. He's like my brother."
***
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Fox 5's chief meteorologist David Chandley, who graduated UGA, will receive the DiGamma Kappa Award for Distinguished Service for Broadcasting at DGK's annual awards dinner, Friday, Feb. 19 in Athens. He was not part of DGK but the organization has honored different media types over the years.
And on Saturday, the Cobb County Schools Foundation will be presenting Fox 5's Ken Rodriguez with their outstanding alumni and community leader award at their Cobb Legends and Leaders Ball.
About the Author
