Hi everyone, hope you had a great Memorial Day holiday.

I am on vacation this week and will be back one week from today.

To tide you over here’s what I know. “Good Deeds,” the new drama from Tyler Perry; “The Three Stooges” remake from the Farelly Brothers and “Necessary Roughness,” a new USA pilot, have all been filming around town. If you come across a camera crew on your travels this week, it’s likely one of those projects. Billy Bob Thornton is here too, working on a film project. I’ll find out more when I get back and fill you in.

Have a nice week!

Jennifer

Continue reading On vacation: see you next week »

“The Three Stooges,” which has been filming in Atlanta, needs talented youngsters for a big scene. The Farrelly brothers film will star Will Sasso, Chris Diamantopoulos, Sean Hayes, Jane Lynch and Larry David.

Casting folks are looking for boys and girls of all ethnicities, ages 6 to 10, who can sing and dance.

They also need a few with stand-out gymnastic skills. An open casting call is planned for 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Your Act Acting Studio, 3041 N. Decatur Rd. The kids will be asked to sing a few bars from a favorite song and perform a few scripted lines.

Bring a photo. Callbacks will be 7 p.m.to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the same location. They don’t have room for a big entourage so it’s one parent per kid. E-mail thecastingofficeopencall@gmail.com with questions.

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

Continue reading “Three Stooges” movie plans kids’ casting call »

CNN’s Don Lemon will read from and sign his new memoir, “Transparent,” at 7:30 p.m. June 22 at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse.

(In related news Outwrite says it is struggling and has issued a plea for support).

The anchor, who last year stunned audiences when he said he was molested as a child,  revealed he is gay as the book was being released.

In an interview with the New York Times, he said going public with his orientation was a bit nerve-wracking. “I’m talking about something that people might shun me for, ostracize me for.”

In an interview with HLN’s Joy Behar he said,  “It’s about the worst thing you can be in black culture. You’re taught you have to be a man; you have to be masculine. In the black community they think you can pray the gay away.”

This article from Bay Windows, a GLBT newspaper in New England, says being black and gay in Atlanta is difficult.

“If you’re LGBTQ in “Hot-lanta” you stay in the closet, as Lemon once did,” the article …

Continue reading CNN’s Don Lemon plans Atlanta book signing »

A long line formed outside Outwrite Bookstore when RuPaul visited last year. AJC Staff photo by Hyosub Shin

Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse is struggling to keep things going and has issued a plea for support.

“Although our doors are still open, our sales have not been immune to the downturn in the economy and the impact technology has on how people buy and read books,” founder Philip Rafshoon said in an open letter to the community. “We’re realigning our business model, refocusing our products and services, and upgrading the store to meet the changing needs of our customers and the community. But we can’t do this without your help.”

The LGBT bookstore, which has been located for 15 years at the corner of Piedmont and 10th Street in Midtown, is asking its supporters to step up their purchases of books, CDs, gifts, jewelry and other merchandise and also to consider booking the coffeehouse lounge for business meetings and even pitch in as volunteer workers.

Outwrite hosts …

Continue reading Struggling Outwrite Bookstore issues plea for support »

There were no cars or vacations or other surprises. Nothing hidden under studio guests’ chairs.

Instead, Oprah Winfrey ended her 25-year daytime television reign on a subdued note: “To God be the glory.”

The final episode of the show felt something like a church service or motivational session.

“You are responsible for your life,” Winfrey said. Many times during the show she spoke of her staff’s dedication to service, and she urged her viewers to embody that concept.

“Each one of you has your own platform,” she said. “Mine is a stage in a studio. Yours is wherever you are. That is where your power lies. You will receive in proportion to what you give.”

The set for the last show was simple: Winfrey and a chair that she never sat on. Instead, she moved around the stage but instead of the “hootin’ and hollerin’” she said she has enjoyed on past shows, she was low key. But there was a quiet power in her words.

“Stop wasting time,” she said. “Live the life that’s calling you and …

Continue reading What did you think of the Oprah finale? »

In this AJC staff archive photo, crowds enjoy a movie at "Screen on the Green" last summer.

Earlier this month the Piedmont Park Conservancy announced that its annual “Screen on the Green” series of summer flicks had been canceled, due to a lack of sponsorship.

But here comes word of a “major announcement” regarding Screen on the Green. Mayor Kasim Reed, members of city council, members of the Conservancy and assorted staffers will be on hand for the 3 p.m. announcement on Wednesday.

So will representatives of Delta Air Lines and Georgia Natural Gas.

Could it be that Delta and Georgia Natural Gas might have signed on as sponsors to salvage the movie series? We’ll know tomorrow.

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

Continue reading Has “Screen on the Green” been saved? »

In this AP photo taken during her big farewell, Oprah Winfrey is flanked by BFF Gayle White and Atlanta's Tyler Perry.

A pressing phone call to the Atlanta Girls’ School the other day sent Pinney Allen into the lunchroom.

It thrummed with the energy of her young charges. With breaking news to deliver, Allen, the head of school, needed their attention. She might as well have walked outside to try to still the wind.

She flicked the lights. The din persisted. (The school’s 217 students, in grades 6 through 12, all have much to say.)

Then Allen pulled a magic arrow from her educator’s quiver: Who wants to be on “The Oprah Winfrey Show?” That captured 217 senses of imagination.

Pinney Allen is the Atlanta Girls' School head of school

This week, members of the school community will be watching the final episodes of Winfrey’s show, hoping for a glimpse of themselves. Winfrey’s gift of $175,000 in 2008 helped the school meet a $1 million grant challenge (an anonymous …

Continue reading A nod to Atlanta Girls’ School during a final “Oprah” »

A concert that was to have featured George Duke, Marcus Miller and David Sanborn, planned for May 30 at Chastain Park as part of the Atlanta Jazz Festival, has been canceled. It’s unclear why.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Atlanta Jazz Festival will not be presenting at the Chastain Park Amphitheater,” read a news release sent out about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

It quoted Camille Russell Love, director of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs, saying, “We regret any inconvenience this may have caused and urge those who purchased tickets to seek a refund from their original point‐of‐purchase. We look forward to hosting an exciting weekend of live jazz at Piedmont (Park).”

Other events scheduled for Mary 28 and 29 will proceed as planned. For a full lineup and other details see www.atlantafestivals.com.

Now in its 34th year, the festival has featured such artists as Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Etta James, Hiroshima, The Neville Brothers, Al Jarreau, …

Continue reading Atlanta Jazz Festival scraps Chastain concert »

The happy couple, right after becoming engaged on May 7.

Within two days of posting a unique  proposal video, Matt Still and Ginny Joiner of Henry County became Internet stars.

The 7-minute YouTube video, named “Greatest Marriage Proposal Ever,” was posted three days ago and has logged nearly 3 million hits.

Here is a link to the video.

“We were extremely shocked by it,” said Still, 30, of the viral hit. “We posted it just so our friends and family who couldn’t be in the audience could see it. It just spread.”

In the now-famous clip, Joiner is at a McDonough movie theater with her brother on May 7, unaware of what Still has planned. Instead of the previews you would expect, a clever video that Still created with his friend Michael Escobar rolls. The ending, of course, is a happy one, with Still bounding into the theater and Joiner accepting his proposal.

“He got me good,” said Joiner, 26. She now sports a custom-designed ring with a round center diamond encircled by smaller …

Continue reading Henry County couple’s proposal video goes viral »

Oprah is flanked by BFF Gayle King and Atlanta's Tyler Perry, along with Maria Shriver, at the taping of her farewell. AP photo

Ready for the End of Oprah?

The B 98.5 Morning Show with Vikki Locke and Kelly Stevens and WSB-TV are teaming up for a super exclusive advance sneak peek of the finale of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

The viewing party will be held at 1 p.m. next Wed., May 25, at an undisclosed location in Atlanta. The show airs weekdays at 4 p.m. on WSB-TV.

A number of prominent Atlantans will be featured in the final show, which has already been taped. Tyler Perry, Usher and choral singers from Morehouse College all joined the Queen of All Media for her star-studded signing off. (Here is a gallery of photos from the farewell).

Listen to B 98.5 FM weekdays from 5 to 9 a.m. for a chance to win tickets to the advance viewing.

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

Continue reading Win tickets to advance viewing of Oprah finale! »