Just in time for Thanksgiving, filmmaker Tyler Perry and Food Network personality and author Paula Deen are making sizable gifts to area hunger relief organizations.

Deen and representatives from Smithfield Foods will be here Monday to deliver more than 25,000 pounds of protein to Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless.

“We want to get as much food as possible to as many needy families as possible,” Deen said.

Meanwhile, Perry is supplying the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless each with a $50,000 donation of food and a $25,000 contribution toward operating expenses.

“There are so many people who need so much more this year, and Tyler Perry’s generous donation will make a big difference in so many lives,” said executive director Elisabeth Omilami.

Taking a cue from the boss, the cast and crew of “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns” and “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” are donating more than 2,250 pounds of edibles to area food …

Continue reading Tyler Perry, Paula Deen donate thousands to Atlanta charities »

Actress-comedian Kaye Ballard is 84. Actress Estelle Parsons is 82. TV personality Richard Dawson is 77. Comedian Dick Smothers is 71. Singer Norman Greenbaum is 67. Actress Veronica Hamel is 66. Broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff is 63. Actor Samuel E. Wright (Sebastian in “Little Mermaid”) is 63. Musician Joe Walsh is 62. Actor Richard Masur (”One Day at a Time”) is 61. Actress Bo Derek is 53. Drummer Jim Brown of UB40 is 52. Actress Sean Young is 50. Pianist Jim Brickman is 48. Drummer Todd Nance of Widespread Panic is 47. Actress Ming-Na (”ER”) is 46. Rapper Mike D of the Beastie Boys is 44. Rapper Sen Dog of Cypress Hill is 44. Actress Marisa Ryan (”New York Undercover”) is 35. Country singer Dierks Bentley is 34. Actor Joshua Gomez (”Chuck”) is 34. Country singer Josh Turner is 32. Actress Nadine Velazquez (”My Name Is Earl”) is 31. Bassist Jared Followill of Kings of Leon is 23.

Continue reading Celebrity birthdays: Nov. 20 »

Oprah Winfrey will end her talk show in 2011.  Her production company said the media powerhouse will make it official on Friday’s episode, according to reports.

For decades, her talk show has set the standard for TV. Until recently, her ratings were consistently strong (an appearance by Sarah Palin Monday boosted sluggish ratings, said the AJC’s Rodney Ho). She helped new talents like Tyra Banks, Dr. Oz, Rachel Ray and Dr. Phil start their own shows (though as a colleague reminded me, we aren’t sure what will happen to best friend Gayle King). There was also the resounding support for Pres. Barack Obama during his election bid.

Consistently one of the highest earning women in the world, Oprah turned living room book clubs into million-dollar ventures.

For Atlantans, she’s been even closer to home, by being close friends with Atlanta’s own movie maker Tyler Perry. Most recently the two went cross-country as producers and mega-watt promoters of the film “Precious,” starring …

Continue reading Oprah to end talk show in 2011 »

Actor Alan Young (”Mr. Ed”) is 90. Talk show host Larry King is 76. Talk show host Dick Cavett is 73. Media mogul Ted Turner is 71. Newsman Garrick Utley is 70. Actor Dan Haggerty is 68. Fashion designer Calvin Klein is 67. Sportscaster Ahmad Rashad is 60. Actor Robert Beltran (”Star Trek: Voyager”) is 56. Actress Kathleen Quinlan is 55. Actress Glynnis O’Connor is 54. Journalist Ann Curry is 53. Actress Allison Janney (”The West Wing”) is 50. Drummer Matt Sorum of Velvet Revolver (and Guns N’ Roses) is 49. Actress Meg Ryan is 48. Actress Jodie Foster is 47. Actress Terry Farrell (”Becker”) is 46. Drummer Travis McNabb (Better Than Ezra) is 40. Singer Tony Rich is 38. Singer Jason Albert of Heartland is 36. Country singer Billy Currington is 36. Dancer-choreographer Savion Glover is 36. Singer Tamika Scott of Xscape is 34. Rapper Lil’ Mo is 32.

Continue reading Celebrity birthdays: Nov. 19 »

(AP)

Pop star Janet Jackson admits that she and Atlanta super producer Jermaine Dupri are just friends.

In a primetime interview Wednesday with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, she said, “I adore him. Love him to death.” In fact, Dupri, whom she dated for about seven years, was the one who taught her to love her … assets. She said he taught her that there’s nothing wrong with her body – curves and all (he just picked up some extra points with that move).

Speaking from her Malibu beach house looking amazingly beautiful in a winter white fitted dress, Jackson, 43, also spoke candidly about her family and brother Michael’s death in June.

“You have to accept what is, but it’s hard.” She said that the family tried interventions to stop Michael’s drug use several times but she felt like he was in denial.

She’s still soft-spoken and seemingly shy, admitting that she gets embarrassed when people stare at her. “I’m in the wrong business.”

Roberts took …

Continue reading Janet Jackson confirms break-up with Jermaine Dupri »

Rapper Gucci Mane, known around the Fulton County courthouse as Radric Davis, will be spending some time in the slammer. After pleading guilty to assault in 2005, he was sentenced earlier this month to a year in the clink for a probation violation – failing to fulfill his court-ordered community service. As the AJC reported, he was arrested last week in Atlanta.

In a curious bit of timing his new CD, “The State vs Radric Davis,” comes out Dec. 8. The album, put out byAsylum/Warner Bros. Records, features Keyshia Cole, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, Keri Hilson and Usher.

“I have accepted full responsibility for my actions and I am ready to deal with what is in front of me right now,” Mane said in a statement. “Thankfully, my label is still moving forward with my album release so I will have plenty to look forward to when I get out. I am remaining positive and want my fans to know that I am grateful for their loyalty and continued support. I will get through this.”

Continue reading Gucci Mane looks forward to life after year in jail »

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Johnny Depp was named “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine for the second time (he also won in 2003).

We know how dubious these honors can be, but it does give us an excuse to have a little fun.

As for Depp, we appreciate the actor’s laid-back sex appeal and brooding aura, but we’re left wondering should someone else top this list?

We can think of many, many, men who might qualify .. whew!

And yes, we know that there are several who should/could be on People’s list − and ours.

So take our poll and tell us what you think.

Continue reading Sexiest Man Alive? »

“Dancing with the Stars” contestant Aaron Carter owes the U.S. government more than $1 million in back taxes, according to documents obtained by EOnline.

The pop singer, and younger brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter, reportedly has a bill dating back to 2003.

He was voted off “Dancing” last week, just shy of the semi-finals, and was visibly crushed. (Find out who made it to the finals show on Rodney Ho’s Radio/TV blog.)

We’re thinking owing Uncle Sam a milly is more heart-breaking.

Continue reading Aaron Carter owes $1 million in back taxes »

Actress Brenda Vaccaro is 70. Actress Linda Evans is 67. Actress Susan Sullivan is 67. Country singer Jacky Ward is 63. Actor Jameson Parker is 62. Actress-singer Andrea Marcovicci is 61. Singer Graham Parker is 59. Comedian Kevin Nealon is 56. Actor Oscar Nunez (”The Office”) is 51. Singer Kim Wilde is 49. Actress Elizabeth Perkins is 49. Guitarist Kirk Hammett of Metallica is 47. Singer Tim DeLaughter of Polyphonic Spree (and Tripping Daisy) is 44. Actor Owen Wilson (”The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Zoolander”) is 41. Singer Duncan Sheik is 40. Actor Mike Epps is 39. Actress Peta Wilson (”La Femme Nikita”) is 39. Actress Chloe Sevigny (”Boys Don’t Cry”) is 35. Rapper Fabolous is 30. Rapper Mike Jones is 29. Actor Nathan Cress (”iCarly”) is 17.

Continue reading Celebrity birthdays: Nov. 18 »

John Mayer says working with Taylor Hicks wasn’t just a gimmick.

With his new CD “Battle Studies” out this week, the former Atlantan said that he needed a “Stevie Nicks” to pair with his “Tom Petty” kind of mood because he had written a song that was melodic and to the point.

Of course now that Taylor has been crowned the Princess of country, complete with her history-making CMA for Entertainer of the Year, everyone in the music biz will want a piece of her.

Continue reading John Mayer, Taylor Swift team up on new CD »