T-Boz tries out reality TV with "Totally T-Boz" on TLC. CREDIT: TLC

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins for two decades hasn been part of Atlanta’s TLC, a trio who had a raft of huge hits in the 1990s including “Unpretty,” “No Scrubs” and “Waterfalls.”

But since Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes died in 2002, T-Boz has had more than her fair share of financial, personal and medical problems. The worst of it: a life-threatening brain tumor in 2007 which caused her to lose part of her hearing, her sight and her balance. She divorced and filed for bankruptcy protection a second time in late 2011.

T-Boz, who has chronic sickle cell anemia, said she has flareups which makes it tough for her to tour. But she said she’s healthy and ready to get back whole hog into the music business to “reinvent” herself. So it’s time to do a reality program, debuting on TLC called “Totally T-Boz.” It’s more like a test run given that TLC committed to just four one-hour programs starting Tuesday at 8 p.m.

The premise: she …

Continue reading T-Boz talks about her new TLC reality show ‘Totally T-Boz’ »

"The Walking Dead" is the hottest show out there and it's shot locally. CREDIT: AMC

I’m all for brevity so here’s a year in review about TV, national and local, using no more than 140 characters, in Twitter form:

- AMC zombie drama “The Walking Dead” (shot in Senoia) infected even more fans, breaking 10 million viewers a week. But we still miss T-Dog!

- Andy Griffith’s 1960s show remains as popular as ever in Atlanta, gets 7:30 p.m. slot on WATL-TV. Soon after, he goes fishin’ in that great lake in the thereafter.

- Atlanta lost MTV’s “Teen Wolf” to Los Angeles, but USA’s “Necessary Roughness,” VH1’s “Single Ladies” and many BET shows still thrive.

- Farewell to classy Channel 2 Action News anchor Monica Pearson after 37 years and 3,700 hairstyles.

Honey Boo is visited by my colleague Jenn Brett a few months ago. CREDIT: Jennifer Brett/ajc.com

- The world redneckonized pageant girl Alana ‘Honey Boo Boo’ Thompson and her wacky Georgia family. Sure beats being Kate Gosselin!

- …

Continue reading 2012 TV year in review in Twitter form: Walking Dead, Andy Griffith, Honey Boo Boo, Amanda Davis »

PBS’s biggest hit in many years (thanks to those Brits) is “Downton Abbey,” which returns to GPB Sunday for a third season.

Watch for spoilers online because the show debuted in Britain more than three months ago.

NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” is back the same night after taking the fall off and is bringing in kids for the first time. And Jillian Michaels returns after a break. Atlanta’s Dolvett Quince is back for a third cycle.

And those nutty “Mob Wives” return Sunday on VH1 for a third round. (The spinoff out of Chicago died after one cycle)

Three Atlanta-based reality shows also arrive on Tuesday: Kennesaw’s “Double Divas” on Lifetime, “Totally T-Boz” on TLC and “The Sisterhood” right afterwards on the same network.

MONDAY

“New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Celebrates Dick Clark” 8 p.m. ABC — Jenny McCarthy and Fergie host a celebration of the late great Dick Clark, who turned New Year’s into a big TV event four decades ago. Later, Ryan Seacrest hosts with live performances by Taylor …

Continue reading TV best bets with returns of ‘Downton Abbey,’ ‘The Biggest Loser,’ ‘Mob Wives’ »

NeNe shows off a $$$ dress on Sunday night's episode while being photographed for Ebony magazine. CREDIT: Bravo

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Everyone’s relationships seemed so sanguine during the just concluded Anguilla trip – save for the Kenya Moore/Walter Jackson charade.

But a gossip website I’ve never heard of in July claimed Phaedra Parks and her husband Apollo were getting a divorce.

What? Where did that come from?

I somehow missed that so-called “news” at the time and five months later, it has not come to pass. But it became the primary storyline tonight in an episode which also featured a tepid rehash of what happened in Anguilla re: Kenya.

Peter Thomas, Cynthia Bailey’s husband, read about the Phaedra/Apollo rumors and everyone wondered what was going on.

The producers then tried …

Continue reading ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ (’Dress Down and Strip Bare’): season 5, episode 9 »

Reality television blossomed after “Survivor” debuted in 2000 and has expanded into dozens of sub genres. Music shows. Paranormal activities. Auctions and pawn shops. Weddings.a

Three new shows debut Tuesday follow particular archetypes – all with metro Atlanta ties and all targeting women.

Let’s break them down:

“The Sisterhood”9 p.m. Tuesday TLC

Descriptive style: Bring ladies with strong personalities together and let the fur fly!

A gentler cousin to: “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” “Mob Wives.” “Basketball Wives.”

What makes this one special: The focus is on five diverse metro Atlanta women who are preacher’s wives. As a result, the women say they are held to higher standards. This means no cursing and physical violence, as seen on other shows, but they do get into verbal fisticuffs. Early standout is Tara Y. Lewis, whom another cast member dubs “bananas.”

Quotes: “People expect me to have it all together. I should never struggle. I should never go through …

Continue reading Three Atlanta-based reality shows debut on Jan. 1: ‘Double Divas,’ ‘Totally T-Boz,’ ‘The Sisterhood’ »

Frank Ski's final day at V-103 was Dec. 20 after 14 years on the station. What's his next move? We shall see in 2013. CREDIT: Frank Ski

2011 was a quiet year in Atlanta radio. No major format changes. A handful of personality changes. Not too much action.

But 2012 was all about crazy upheaval, easily the most changes on the dial in a calendar year since I began covering radio in 2001.

At least five AM/FM radio station formats disappeared and several new ones appeared. Pop, sports talk and news fans benefited. Rock and 1980s/90s nostalgia fans? Get thee to Pandora or Sirius/XM! And the biggest morning show in town ended on Dec. 20.

In no particular order, here were the biggest stories of the year:

A big goodbye: Frank Ski and Wanda Smith ended their 14-year reign at No. 1 at V-103 after the two sides couldn’t agree on a new contract. They brought the station a steady mix of humor, pop culture, spiritual vitamins and serious discussions. Hometown favorite Ryan Cameron takes over …

Continue reading 2012 Atlanta radio year in review: hello the Game, Power 96.1, All News 106.7; goodbye WGST, Project, Dave, Frank Ski »

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 01: Radio personality/producer Ryan Seacrest attends KIIS FM's 2012 Jingle Ball at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on December 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)

While I was on vacation, “Idol” sent me this note six days ago. There is an advanced screening on January 9 at Discover Mills (apparently now Sugarloaf Mills) in Atlanta, a week before the actual debut.  I wouldn’t be surprised if this is already full but you can certainly try to RSVP. A live Q&A with the judges will be available on www.livestream.com or www.americanidol.com.  I will attend the local event for sure.

This is clearly an attempt to generate some advance buzz for a show that in years past hardly needed any.

FOX TO WORLD PREMIERE SEASON 12 OF “AMERICAN IDOL” FOR FANS

WITH ADVANCED SCREENING AND LIVE Q&A EVENTS NATIONWIDE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9

Live Interactive Q&A Featuring

Ryan Seacrest, Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Keith …

Continue reading For first time, ‘Idol’ holds screening parties for season debut, including Discover Mills (now Sugarloaf Mills) »

AMERICAN IDOL: SEASON 12: L-R: Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Ryan Seacrest, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban. CR: Michael Becker / FOX.

This was not a banner year for “American Idol,” though it had little to do with the actual talent presented to the world.

Besides the inevitable, inexorable aging of the show’s audience, which is now about 50 years old (vs. 32 when it debuted in 2002), the show was buffeted by competitive forces in the form of  “The Voice” and “The X Factor.” Ratings fell about 25 percent year over year to its lowest level since season one, when the show aired over the summer.

Here are my top 10 “Idol”-related stories of the year, which includes career updates of many of the biggest stars of “Idol” over the years.

10) Marry me! During the “Idol” finale, season 5 singer Ace Young proposed live to season 3 runner up Diana DeGarmo. She was genuinely surprised in one sense but the two have bonded closely since they met on Broadway during a production of “Hair.” The …

Continue reading Top 10 ‘American Idol’ stories of 2012: new judges, successful alums, Seacrest »

Merry Christmas all! Here is my annual compilation of the most played songs and artists from Atlanta radio stations in 2012, courtesy of Mediabase 24/7, which tracks this info.

But once a station format is dead, all that info disappears so we have nothing on Dave FM, Project 9-6-1 or Atlanta’s Greatest Hits. Smaller stations such as Streetz 94.5 and 98.9/The Bone are not tracked, nor are those outliers such as South 107.1 or Joy 93.3.

Still, if you are fans of any of these stations, these song titles and acts will be very very familiar.

Trey Songz with Kelly Rowland in the video for "Heart Attack," the most played song at V-103 in 2012.

V-103
Most played songs
1. Trey Songz “Heart Attack”
2. Miguel “Adorn”
3. Usher “Climax”
4. Drake “The Motto”
5. Beyonce “Love on Top”

Most played artists
1. Trey Songz
2. Beyonce
3. Drake
4. Usher
5. Future

Chris Brown in video for "Strip," the most played song in 2012 at Hot 107.9

Hot 107.9
1. Chris Brown “Strip”
2. Ca$h Out “Cashin’ …

Continue reading Top 2012 songs and artists on Atlanta radio: Katy Perry, Trey Songz, Flo Rida, Kenny Chesney »

This is more a week for college football and at least on Monday and Tuesday, Christmas classics such as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “A Christmas Story” and “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.”

Plus, TNT is curiously airing the final episode ever of “Leverage” on Christmas Day.

Otherwise, enjoy the holidays and whatever new devices you may get from Santa that will enable you to watch more… TV.

MONDAY

“Are We There Yet?” 9:30 a.m. TBS — Nick attends his high-school reunion but must face an embarrassing incident from his past.

“Disney Prep & Landing” 8 p.m. ABC — A veteran elf is passed over for a promotion and gets paired with a rookie.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” 8 p.m. NBC — George will lasso the moon and pull it down once again.

“A Christmas Story” 8 p .m. TBS — Where you learn that sticking your tongue on a flagpole in the winter time isn’t necessarily a wise move. Then you can watch it another 10 times or so over another 24 hours.

“Home Alone” 9 p.m. ABC Family — Where child services …

Continue reading TV best bets with ‘Leverage’ series finale, many a Christmas classic »