Kandi Burruss and co-owner Peaches Chin at the first anniversary party last November. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com

Kandi Burruss, the most business savvy of the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast members, owns a boutique called TAGS in Smyrna, has made a decent amount of coin as a songwriter and is now set to launch a line of sexual items that could be euphemistically called ‘intimate luxuries.’

She is holding an invite-only party tonight in New York City to launch the line and will have another private party next week. The YBF broke the story.

The line will launch in October, said her publicist Tresa Sanders. “It’s feminine and it’s strong at the same time,” she said. There is no Facebook or website just yet but I’ll update this when I get them. And hopefully I can talk to Kandi about it, too.

Kandi on ‘Real Housewives” and her web show “Kandi Koated Nights” has been very open talking about sex and started dating again last year after the death of her fiance.

There are rumors …

Continue reading Kandi Burruss starts a new line of ‘intimate luxuries’ »

So goodbye, Muse and Nirvana. Hello Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood!

Leslie Fram has gone country.

Fram, who was part of the seminal Morning X team in Atlanta during 99X’s rock heyday and ran the shop there for much of that time, has found a new job: senior vice president of music strategy at CMT.

Fram was most recently the program director at 101.9/WRXP-FM, the rock station in New York City, which is switching to a news format.

In the 1990s, she worked closely with current CMT president Brian Phillips, who was her boss at 99X.  So it’s a reunion for those two. She starts Sept. 1.

She didn’t waste much time between jobs. Her unemployment will end up lasting barely six weeks.

What does she know about country music? I have no idea. I tried to reach her via phone and text. No response yet. Ditto with Phillips, who is out ill, a spokeswoman emailed to me.

“Leslie Fram is beloved throughout the entire industry,” said Philips in the press release. “Everyone knows of her …

Continue reading Former 99xer Leslie Fram goes country, joining CMT »

TV Guide last week had an interesting story estimating the salaries of various TV personalities. It’s by no means complete but there are plenty of surprises. If you want to see the entire list, which is a fair sampling, you’ll have to go and buy an actual print copy.

Judge Judy is one of the richest folks on TV. CREDIT: AP

1- Who is paid more? Jay Leno or Judy Sheindlin (”Judge Judy”)?

Answer: Judge Judy! Her show is by far the most popular syndicated judge show, doubling the ratings of Judge Joe Brown. She gets a jawdropping $45 million a year vs. a still hefty $25 million for Jay Leno, who is the highest paid late night host.

2 – Who is paid more? Hugh Laurie (”House”) or Mark Harmon (”NCIS”)?

Answer: Hugh Laurie is the highest paid actor in a drama on “House” at $700,000 an episode. That comes out to about $15.4 million over 22 episodes. He has certainly earned it with multiple Emmy nominations for the role (though no win to date) and the show has been a consistent top …

Continue reading Who gets paid what on TV? »

AM 750 and 95.5/FM News/Talk WSB drew $1.3 million for its annual Care-a-Thon last week.

The funds raised will support the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Over 10 years, the radio station has raised $9.7 million for the organizations.  Listeners have pledged more than $1 million every year since 2005. The biggest year was 2010 when the station raised $1.43 million.

Several stations in town do similar promotions for charities. WSB regularly pulls in the most cash for its respective charitable groups.

According to a news release, here were some highlights over 37 hours:

• Throughout the Care-a-thon, donors met all of the matching hours, which included:  Aflac over $200,000, Dan Amos $50,000, Curing Kids Cancer $30,000, SCANA Energy $10,000 – among others.
• During the Care-a-Thon, two surprise match hours came in from various donors.
• Popular artist Steven Penley donated an original work of the American flag …

Continue reading WSB AM 750/ 95.5 FM raises $1.3 million for Care-a-Thon »

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By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog

Continue reading Video talking about Melanie Moore, Derek J, Paul Ossmann »

Derek J of Atlanta is the only surviving judge from season one of 'Hair Battle Spectacular." CREDIT: Oxygen

Oxygen did well with its show last year “Hair Battle Spectacular,” which showcases hair designers who create the best fantasy hair for a $100,000 prize. With Atlanta’s Derek J as the primary mentor and judge, it was a bit like “Project Runway”-meets-”Shear Genius”-meets-”RuPauls’s Drag Race.”

So it’s back for season two, starting August 15. But there are some changes. “Baywatch” actress Brooke Burns is gone as a hostess, replaced by Eva Marcille, a former “America’s Next Top Model” winner. And Lindsay Alabanese was replaced by Taylor Jacobson as a judge. Jacobson worked as an assistant to Rachel Zoe, a celebrity stylist who has her own show on Bravo. Zoe fired her in 2009 over alleged missing clothing.

The only surviving cast member is Atlanta’s own Derek J, who owns a hair salon in Buckhead called the J Spot.

“They wanted a different dynamic,” he said in a phone …

Continue reading Derek J returns for second season of Oxygen’s ‘Hair Battle Spectacular’ »

CREDIT: TNT

TNT is ending the seasons this Tuesday for “Memphis Beat” and “Hawthorne,” two shows that have yet to get renewals. (Ratings are down for both this year.)

MTV is also closing shop for the year on the initial season of “Teen Wolf,” which is shot in metro Atlanta and drew enough viewers to merit a second season.

CBS also finishes up he season for the Canadian cop drama “Flashpoint” Friday.

And on Wednesday, check out a special about the South and its impact on American culture on History Channel.

MONDAY
“Eureka” 8 p.m. Syfy — Syfy announced that next year’s fifth season will be this show’s final one.
“Monday Night Football” 8 p.m. ESPN — The lockout is over and pre-season football has begun with the New York Jets vs. the Houston Texans.
“The Closer” 9 p.m. TNT — Brenda considers a lawyer to fight off the civil suit.
“Gloria: In Her Own Words” 9 p.m. HBO — Learn a bit about feminist Gloria Steinem.
“HGTV Design Star” 9 p.m. HGTV — …

Continue reading TV best bets with season finales of ‘Teen Wolf,’ ‘Memphis Beat,’ ‘Hawthorne,’ ‘Flashpoint’ »

CREDIT: promo photo

It took the insanely popular Katy Perry and her “Last Friday Night” to finally take over as most popular song in Atlanta radio over Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” which dominated the top of the market for nine weeks.

Perry garnered her fifth No. 1 song in the past 18 months with “Last Friday Night.” It’s tops in airplay on Star, Wild and Q100.

Meanwhile, Adele finally got dropped from top rotation on Q100 and Wild, which caused it to lose its vaunted top spot.

Top 10 last week, artist, title, spins in Atlanta (change week over week)
1. Katy Perry “Last Friday Night” 261 (-3)
2. Adele “Rolling in the Deep” 241 (-24)
3. Lil Wayne “How to Love” 200 (-7)
4. Pitbull “Give Me Everything” 198 (+28)
5. Kelly Rowland “Motivation” 191 (+3)
6. Lady Gaga “The Edge of Glory” 174 (-13)
7. DJ Khaled “I’m on One” 168 (+5)
8. Nicki Minaj “Super Bass” 166 (+39)
9. LMFAO “Party Rock Anthem” 162 (-2)
10. Beyonce “Best Thing I Never Had” 157 (+9)
SOURCE: Mediabase 24/7

New …

Continue reading Katy Perry upends Adele’s nine weeks on top of Atlanta radio »

The Lassiter High School crowd awaits Melanie Moore's victory. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com

Here are some highlights from the mass phone press conference Marietta’s Melanie Moore did today after winning “So You Think You Can Dance.”

- Her plans during her 10 days in Atlanta after the win and before the tour:  “I am definitely going to my studio and take some classes. That’s one thing. I can’t sit still for long! I’ll be asleep a day, then ready to go again! And my boyfriend Mitchell is moving back to Athens and UGA. He’s been out of the whole time [in Los Angeles] and I’m going to help his get his stuff together. I want to make it about him. I’m ready to step out of the spotlight for a couple of minutes.”

- Plenty of options for the future: “My dream is to be in a company. I feel like as far as my movement, I’d be more suited for a company atmosphere. Also, I’d love to do tour work. I’ve always wanted to dance. I didn’t care whether it was in the back of a commercial… I want …

Continue reading Melanie Moore, winner of ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ shocked by margin of victory »

TNT photo

With ratings for TNT’s “Leverage” on the upswing on Sunday nights, the Atlanta-based network made the easy decision to give the caper show a fifth season.

So Timothy Hutton’s ragtag gang of Robin Hood types will be given 15 more episodes for the summer of 2012.

The summer finale is August 28 with a few bonus episodes in November and December. (Yes, TNT likes to do that if it can so people don’t forget about the shows.)

“Rizzoli & Isles” and “Fallen Skies” have already been given a thumbs up for new seasons in 2012. “The Closer” closes shop for a spinoff next year as well. “Franklin & Bash” received a recent renewal for season two, too.  “Southland” is set for another season, too.

Only  “Men of a Certain Age” got the ax.

Those in question now for renewal: “Memphis Beat” and the network’s currently lowest rated show “Hawthorne.”

“Leverage” is averaging 4.9 million viewers (DVR usage included), up 10 percent year over year.

“While many shows decline in their second, …

Continue reading TNT renews ‘Leverage’ for a fifth season »