Photo credit: Freddy O, www.freddyo.com. Used with permission.

Kim Kardashian and NeNe Leakes of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” hit the town together Wednesday night.

The two reality stars had dinner at STK, a swank new steakhouse in Midtown. As you’d expect both were dressed to impress. NeNe was rocking her short blond ‘do and wore a black leather jacket and distressed jeans while Kim wore her tresses long and was sporting a pair of black Christian Louboutins.

Kim’s here to film a guest role on “Drop Dead Diva,” the Lifetime show filmed in Peachtree City. Far as we know the two were just out having dinner, sans Bravo or E! cameras, although “Kim and NeNe Take Atlanta” does have a nice ring to it.

We’re told the ladies arrived without entourages and had a pretty low-key evening. They posed for this photo below with Joey Crawford, Atlanta radio sales marketing manager for Cox Media Group. He happened to be there with some colleagues when the two reality stars appeared.

Continue reading Kim Kardashian and “Real Housewife” NeNe Leakes together in Midtown »

Snooki Polizzi is said to be expecting a little Snooklet. The reality show star of “Jersey Shore,” who is also a published author, is reportedly expecting. The father is her boyfriend, Jionni LaValle, and she’s about three months along, according to reports.

The tiny star with the large personality spent some time in Atlanta last year filming a cameo role as herself in “The Three Stooges.” That movie is due, pardon the pun, out in April. Here’s a link to the trailer; she appears at the very end.

And here’s a video about Snooki’s joyous news.

Continue reading A new role for Snooki: Mom »

Taylor Lautner, for educational purposes only.

You’re sexy and you know it? Perfect. The Lifetime show “Drop Dead Diva” is looking for your foxy self.

The show is casting for “hunky handsome guys” age 30-37 for a “featured love scene.” (I don’t know who the love scene is with but do keep in mind Kim Kardashian’s going to be a guest star in some upcoming episodes..)

For reference here’s a photo of Taylor Lautner in his often shirtless role as Jacob in the “Twilight” series. (He’s many years too young for this Diva gig, of course).

The Diva casting folks are looking for people to stand in (or lounge in) an upcoming “shirtless” shoot. Email photos and your information to diva4atl@gmail.com if you’re interested and sufficiently buff.

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

Continue reading Drop Dead Diva seeks handsome hunk »

Octavia Spencer, looking like a goddess on the red carpet, won the best supporting actress Oscar for her role as Minny Jackson in the movie adaptation of "The Help," by Atlanta author Kathryn Stockett. AP photo

Octavia Spencer’s speech? Meryl Streep’s three-peat? The Oprah moment? Angelina Jolie’s right leg?

What was your favorite Oscar moment?

The Academy Awards honored a lot of fine work and full roster of superb performances Sunday night. Here is a link to the full list of winners. “The Artist” had a huge night, winning five trophies including best picture, best actor for Jean Dujardin and best director for Michel Hazanavicius.

Spencer’s award, not surprising, was nonetheless moving, and the actress looked positively regal during her emotional acceptance speech. Streep, collecting her third Oscar, spoke with formidable authority.

Billy Crystal did his usual fine job as affable host although we could have done without the agist joke at the expense of Christopher Plummer, …

Continue reading Oscars: Your thoughts? »

Happy Birthday Sir Charles!

Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley have long been known for their flair on the court and off. In Orlando for the NBA All Star game, the guys enjoyed a lighthearted night out to celebrate Sir Charles’ birthday.

These photos were taken at the Orlando outpost of Buca di Beppo, a chain of Italian restaurants where meals are served “family style.” (The metro Atlanta location is in Alpharetta).

Barkley, who spends a good deal of time in Atlanta as an NBA commentator, is now a prominent spokesperson for Weight Watchers and credits the program for helping him maintain a healthy lifestyle. (Note these photos do not actually show him eating anything!)

Shaq hams it up for the camera

By the way, AJC NBA writer Michael Cunningham is in Orlando reporting on the All Star Game. Here’s a link to a Q&A with several players that he posted on Friday. They discussed a number of topics including the NBA lockout and of course, Jeremy Lin. In related news, “Linsanity” …

Continue reading Shaq treats Charles Barkley to an “All Star” birthday dinner »

Photo courtesy of Blackbird Public Relations/The Brandman Agency

NBA player turned analyst Kenny Smith has clinched a classy new gig. The former Atlanta Hawks player has signed on as celebrity spokesman for Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey.

“The brand stands for being a gentleman, drinking responsibly – not swinging from the chandelier,” said Smith during a launch event held at Southern Art, the new restaurant in the InterContinental Buckhead. “I’m not a swinging-on-the-chandelier guy. I like elegance. I like charm. I like sophistication.”

A New Yorker who played college ball at the University of North Carolina, Smith noted that he spent many summers growing up visiting relatives in South Carolina.

“I’m a New Yorker with Southern charm,” he said.

Joining Smith for the launch event was the visionary behind Southern Art: Chef Art Smith (no relation). Chef Smith is no stranger to celebrity encounters. Once Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef, he just opened a restaurant in New …

Continue reading A classy new gig for NBA player turned analyst Kenny Smith »

My coffee table.

Are you outraged over the National Enquirer’s cover photo of Whitney Houston lying in repose?

It’s generated a great deal of criticism, but it’s not a new idea.

The photo on the right is the National Enquirer from Sept. 6, 1977, showing Elvis in his open casket. I bought it at a silent auction for 20 bucks at a charity event last year. I keep it on my coffee table, to keep me humble and reflective.

When John Lennon died in 1980, the National Enquirer was back with more necro journalism, featuring the slain Lennon’s final image on its front cover. This time the photo was in color, and was a closer shot of Lennon’s face, but the layout was otherwise very similar to the Elvis shot, which was in black and white. Even the text blocks about “The Untold Story” and “The Last Picture” were identical. Makes you wonder if they had a celeb death template at the ready.

These covers have much in common with the Whitney Houston open casket photo that the National Enquirer …

Continue reading Outraged over the National Enquirer Whitney Houston casket photo? »

Kelly Preston meets a dolphin along with Georgia Aquarium director of animal training Michael Hunt.

John Travolta is here filming a movie and brought his family, too. His wife Kelly Preston and their kids toured the Georgia Aquarium and spent some up-close quality time with at least one of the flippered residents.

Travolta’s movie is “Killing Season,” co-starring Robert De Niro. After filming in Rabun County in the north Georgia mountains the project has moved closer to metro Atlanta. Shooting for some scenes has taken place in Douglas County and elsewhere.

On Wednesday, during his remarks to the Atlanta Press Club former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, who is now chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, said he had visited the set on Stone Mountain.

The movie is set in the Appalachians, hence all the rugged filming sites.

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

Continue reading Kelly Preston and family visit Georgia Aquarium »

AP photo

Tyler Perry is offering to pay for your laughter.

The Tyler Perry Studios Extras Casting Department needs men and women 18 and older to participate in the recording of a studio audience. In other words, to provide the laugh track for Perry’s television shows. Basically, you show up, a comedian entertains you for a while, you split your sides laughing and the studio people record it so they’ll have laugh tracks. Ha!

If interested you need to be available for four to six hours on Friday. The recording takes place at Tyler Perry Studios here in Atlanta and the pay is $50.

To sign up see TPSExtras.com and click on the “Audience Member Information” tab for full details. If they select you, they’ll call.

Keep in mind there are numerous policies surrounding this laughing gig. First, don’t think you’re going to show up with an entourage. You’ll need to provide legal ID and only those persons previously contacted will be admitted.

Second, don’t think you’re going to be …

Continue reading Tyler Perry is hiring for television laugh tracks »

This Air Tran ad touts its popular and affordable business class, which new owner Southwest plans to eliminate.

Numerous aviation blogs had a good chuckle at this Dallas Morning News story about Southwest CEO Gary Kelly flying first-class on Delta the other day. He was returning from Atlanta after the launch of Southwest, with its no-frills business model. (Southwest doesn’t fly nonstop from Atlanta to Dallas at the moment).

Southwest, of course, has acquired AirTran and plans to eventually eliminate its business class. It isn’t really what you’d call deluxe – first crack at a pack of cookies and a pre-flight drink – but neither is it very pricey to upgrade. The upgrade fee starting at $49 has made the roomier environs of business class an easily attainable mini-splurge.

But that’s not the Southwest way. Goodbye, roomy. Hello, “open seating.”

Not everyone is excited about this change. The publisher of a travel newsletter predicts business travelers will migrate to Delta.

On …

Continue reading Do you prefer to fly first class? »