Wanted: Memorable duck voice. Tacky tweeters need not apply. See www.quackaflac.com for details.

Columbus-based Aflac needs a new duck voice, with comic Gilbert Gottfried ousted for his tasteless tweets about Japan.

The insurer is soliciting new squawkers on its web site. Click here to throw your quack into the ring.

Meanwhile, Aflac is filing the silence with … silence.

TMZ got a hold of this new commercial, rendered as a “silent film.” A pretty clever strategy until they get a new beak lined up.

On a more serious note, our colleague Scott Trubey had a superb story the other day explaining how the Georgia-based company came to do the majority of its business in Japan. Click here to read it.

- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com

Continue reading Aflac seeks Gilbert Gottfried replacement »

Photo credit: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros

NeNe Leakes of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and more recently, “Celebrity Apprentice,” will appear on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” today. The show airs weekdays at 4 p.m. on WXIA.

According to a transcript the show sent us, they’ll be discussing Leakes’ fellow “Apprentice” cast member Star Jones.

They’re not exactly best buddies.

“She is bossy, she is manipulative, conniving,” Leakes said of Jones. “She is controlling. I think that she knows. Yeah. She looks in the mirror, she better know.”

By the way here’s a comprehensive “Celebrity Apprentice” recap from our colleague Rodney Ho. If you’d like to see RoHo talking about the show click here for his video.

Jones has been vocal about Leakes as well, telling Daytime Confidential, “We’re not on the same level. Let’s make that clear. We’re on the same show.”

In case that was unclear she added,  ”Cream rises to the top and water seeks its own level.”

Jones also noted, “They cast the show …

Continue reading NeNe Leakes: Star Jones “is a disaster” »

Jennifer Garner, who’s here filming “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” dined at Nava the other night and was nice enough to pose for this photo with assistant manager Lauren Heflin.

Actor Ron Livingston of  “Office Space” and “Sex and the City” had dinner on El Taco’s patio Monday night. It was a nice evening for a margarita.

Actress Hilary Duff visited Bethune Elementary School in Atlanta on Monday to promote “Blessings in a Backpack,” a weekend program that serves children who participate in their schools’ free or reduced-price meal programs during the week.

AP Photo/John Amis

And actor Shia LaBeouf is here filming a movie called “The Wettest County in the World,” a tale of Depression-era moonshining based on the novel by Matt Bondurant.

The project has set up shop south of the city and we hear LaBeouf has become something of a regular at Ted’s Montana Grill in Peachtree City.

Our sources say he’s partial to the beef filet and bison meatloaf.

Moonshine, sadly, is not on the …

Continue reading Star sightings! Jennifer Garner, Ron Livingston, Hilary Duff and others »

Longtime local radio personality Melissa Carter told listeners recently during an emotional on-air segment that she has decided to leave Q100 next month, after nearly 10 years.

“I try to live my life as aggressively and honestly as possible,” she said, fighting back tears. “To think about it is overwhelming.”

In other words, it is time for some chocolate.

You can indulge in your favorite sweet treats and wish Carter well at Friday night’s Celebrity Chocolate Buffet at the Four Seasons. The event is from 9 p.m. to midnight and tickets are $25 per person.

Make your reservations by calling 404-253-3840 or online at opentable.com. Tweeting about the event on Tuesday Carter said, “I’ll try to share.”

We’re assured there will be plenty for everyone!

- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com

Continue reading Come send Melissa Carter off in style…with chocolate »

This gem-encrusted belt is among the Elvis items traveling around to promote new exhibits at Graceland.

Elvis stopped by the AJC today!

Well, actually some of his stuff did.

A team from Graceland is touring 32 states in seven weeks to promote three new exhibits that have opened recently at the King’s home in Memphis. If you’re interested in visiting click here for a coupon worth $4 off admission.

Angie Marchese, Graceland’s director of archives, and Jackie Jones, who works in marketing, arrived with two suitcases of Elvis gear.

They put on white cotton gloves before unpacking the small but priceless trove: Elvis’ first Grammy award, for “How Great Thou Art;” his first gold record, for “Heartbreak Hotel;” the honorary police badge former President Nixon gave him; and a sterling silver-over-gold belt, encrusted with diamonds, rubies and sapphires. The bling was a gift from the International Hotel in Las Vegas (now the Hilton) to commemorate his successful run of performances …

Continue reading Elvis was in the building! »

Cee-Lo Green and others will join in a celebration of former President Bush and the spirit of volunteering. AP photo

A roster of entertainers including Kid Rock, Cee-Lo Green, Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire is on deck to salute former President George H.W. Bush and the importance of volunteer service on Monday.

The event, themed “All Together Now – A Celebration of Service,” also will feature Garth Brooks, Miranda Cosgrove, Sheryl Crow, Heather Headley, Jonny Lang, Sam Moore, Jim Nantz, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Mavis Staples.

It takes place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Former President Bill Clinton is the event’s honorary co-chair. Since leaving office he and the 41st president have forged a friendship and have teamed up to rally Americans to respond to those in need. They have partnered on efforts such as Hurricane Katrina relief and the U.S. response to the 2004 tsunami, for example.

Former presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter will attend with …

Continue reading Cee-Lo Green, Carrie Underwood, others to fete former President George H.W. Bush »

Steve and Marjorie Harvey. Photo by Philip Shone, www.pshone.com

Steve Harvey doesn’t take static from the audience – especially when he is working for free.

The comic, author and radio host served as emcee of Fine Art + Fashion Thursday night. The party and fashion show at Neiman Marcus benefited the National Black Arts Festival.

From the beginning Harvey adopted the relaxed, freewheeling tone that fans of his comedy shows know and love.

“If you can’t really hear or see me, that’s the size of your donation,” he quipped.

He admitted that although organizers had sent him a script ahead of time, he hadn’t bothered to read it. He asked for help pronouncing “High Museum” and joked that he has never mastered the art of reading from a script while maintaining periodic eye contact “Y’all pray for me!” he said.

Artist Radcliffe Bailey with his wife, actress and author Victoria Rowell. Photo by Philip Shone, www.pshone.com

The event honored artists Radcliffe Bailey and Danny Simmons …

Continue reading Steve Harvey takes on audience members »

Garrison Keillor and Decatur artist Caroline Herring performed together at the Fox last year.

Radio host and author Garrison Keillor, whose show, “A Prairie Home Companion” came to Atlanta most recently last spring, said he will retire in 2013.

He told the news to a most fitting outlet – the AARP Bulletin.

“I sure don’t want to make a fool of myself and be singing romantic duets with 25-year-old women when I’m 75,” Garrison said in the article. “But on the other hand, it’s so much fun. And in radio, the lighting is right.”

During his show’s May 22, 2010 performance at the Fox Theatre, Keillor shared the stage with Decatur native Roy Blount Jr. and Decatur singer-songwriter Caroline Herring. He spoke to the Atlanta Press Club the day before.

He was back in November, for a solo appearance at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. His daily “Writer’s Almanac” segment, featuring a poem of the day, airs just before 11 a.m. on WABE.

- Jennifer Brett/The …

Continue reading Garrison Keillor announces retirement »

Actress Minnie Driver, who's in town shooting a CBS pilot, attended a Sunday performance of "Peter Pan" and posed for this photo with cast members Emily Yetter (Tinker Bell), from left, Ciaran Joyce (Peter Pan) and Samantha Hopkins (Wendy Darling). Photo Credit: Jennifer Walker

Actress Minnie Driver is here in Atlanta, working on a new CBS pilot called “Hail Mary.”

In this new drama she plays a savvy suburban mom who joins forces with a “street hustler” to solve crimes. It has been filming in the East Atlanta area today.

Driver has been enjoying her time here, taking in the live performance of “Peter Pan” with her son Henry this past weekend. She posed for this nice picture with the cast!

In other news “Joyful Noise,” the Dolly Parton-Queen Latifah movie, is filming downtown today. Queen was spotted Sunday night running into the CVS at Ansley Square, about 10 p.m. She had a good time cutting up with the staff and even spilled a little scoop about the movie – there’s apparently …

Continue reading Filming updates! Minnie Driver, Dolly Parton-Queen Latifah projects shooting today »

AP photo

Gucci Mane does not dream small.

The Atlanta rapper talked to The Source Magazine for its April “Green” issue.  He said he wants to be “the richest person in Atlanta,” and that he’s becoming so famous he can scarcely live his life.

“I’m so big in Atlanta right now, I can’t even go outside,” Gucci says in an excerpt the magazine sent us. “It never used to be like this. Now old people, white people, all people know who I am. Like people almost wrecking their car to take a picture of my car.”

Gucci says people have followed him home seeking an autograph and that a police office once pulled him over just to see his ride.

“Yesterday, I’m in my Ferrari, I get pulled over, the cop comes to the car and says, ‘Sorry, I just wanna see the inside of your Ferrari.’ I swear to God.”

Gucci was detained briefly when Henry County authorities raided the home of fellow rapper Waka Flocka Flame in December, but he didn’t discuss that.

“I can’t really go into detail, but I was …

Continue reading Gucci Mane: “I’m so big in Atlanta” »