Big hair and skinny ties are suddenly all the rage again in Atlanta. On the set of a new AMC pilot, anyway. "Halt and Catch Fire" is a new series set in America's shoulder-pad years. Its plot, according to imdb.com: "Set in the early 1980s, (the) series dramatizes the personal computing boom through the eyes of a visionary, an engineer and a prodigy whose innovations directly confront the corporate behemoths of the time. Their personal and professional partnership will be challenged by greed and ego while charting the changing culture in Texas' Silicon Prairie." It stars Lee Pace, Scoot McNairy, Kerry Bishé and Mackenzie Davis and filmed this week in locations including the Cobb Galleria Centre and Chops Lobster Bar in Buckhead. We were able to watch a little of the filming on Monday, when the project had taken over the downstairs at Chops. We won't give anything away but saw lots of teased bangs and pencil-thin mustaches.
Sneak a peek at early ‘Downton’ debut
The next season of "Downton Abbey" launches in January, but why wait? Georgia Public Broadcasting offers a sneak peek at the next season at a special advance screening at 7 p.m. Dec. 17. Ahead of time, there will be an opportunity for you to nab some nifty "Downton"-themed gear just in time for the holidays by displaying your trivia skills. The event will be held in Studio C at Georgia Public Broadcasting, 260 14th St. N.W. in Midtown. If you've never been, we assure you it is magnificent watching "Downton Abbey" on the big screen. In addition to the viewing, the sneak-peek preview will feature a swinging party with a 1920s jazz band, elegant sips and nibbles and a fun auction. Tickets are $75 and proceeds benefit Georgia Public Broadcasting. For more information, see www.gpb.org/downtonabbeysneakpreview.
A ‘Fast and Furious’ tribute
Universal Pictures confirmed reports earlier this week that production of "Fast and Furious 7" is on hold. The project had been filming in Atlanta since mid-September, and the studio now faces the delicate task of how (or whether) to move forward with a movie series that features high-speed wrecks after the fiery car crash that killed actor Paul Walker on Nov. 30. For now, Universal plans to donate a portion of proceeds from DVD sales of "Fast and Furious 6" to Walker's charity, Reach Out WorldWide. "We share in the deep grief of his family, friends and the countless fans who love him," Universal Chairman Donna Langley said in a statement. "F&F 6" will be released for home viewing on Tuesday.
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