INsite Atlanta September 2008 Issue by INsite Magazine

20 08 S e p te m b e1r FREE Vo l. 17, N o.

Entertainment Monthly s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; a t n a l t A atlanta.com

UGA Running Back Knowshon Moreno

e www.insit

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Dining at Chin Chin is pure pleasure

CONTENTS • SEPTEMBER 2008 • VOLUME 17.1

2 NEW LOCATIONS!

MuLan Chin Chin Chinese and Sushi (Suwanee) ��

Chin Chin

�� (Alpharetta)

�� Buckhead/Brookhaven �� Cobb �� 2008 Best Chinese – Sunday Paper 2001-2002 Best Chinese by Atlanta Jewish Times Readers

1998-2007 Best Chinese by Creative Loafing "Mouthwatering Chin Chin spices things up." – AJC "Chin Chin...a window into Hong Kong." – Buckhead Weekly 2 1/2 Stars – Knife & Fork

�� & OTHER LOCATIONS DELIVERY (LIMITED AREA; MIN $10)

�� FULL BAR SERVICE

WWW.CHINCHINONLINE.COM Watch our Open kitchen & experience the Art of Chinese Cooking!

INTERVIEWS 10 KIEFER SUTHERLAND 12 SELMA BLAIR 13 ALAN BALL 20 BENITO MARTINEZ 23 THE GAME

FEATURES 05 ATLANTA ON THE CHEAP 08 BURRITOS 12 21 FALL TV PREVIEW 24 EDUCATION GUIDE 28 NFL PREVIEW 29 NCAA PREVIEW

COLUMNS 05 ON TAP 06 AROUND TOWN 07 UNDER THE LIGHTS 14 ALBUM REVIEWS 16 CONCERT CALENDAR 19 MOVIE REVIEWS 27 ROAD WARRIORS 27 WE GOT NEXT 30 FANATIC

www.insiteatlanta.com STAFF LISTING Publisher Stephen Miller steve@insiteatlanta.com National Managing Editor Bret Love bret@insiteatlanta.com Art Director Michael T. graphics@insiteatlanta.com Music / Sports Editor DeMarco Williams demarco@insiteatlanta.com Events Listing Editor Glenn LaFollette glenn@insiteatlanta.com Special Features Editor Marci Miller mmiller@insiteatlanta.com Entertainment Editor Matt Goldberg matt@insiteatlanta.com Web Design Kalico Productions info@kalicopro.com PG 4 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

Contributing Writers / Interns: John Moore, John Davidson, Jon Latham, John C. Snider Benjamin Carr, Ryan Loftis, Mike Brune, Matt Goldberg Mitchell Hughes, Alexis Gray, Rodney Hill, Rebecca Crosby, Zena Scott, Alex S. Morrison, Blue Sullivan Michele Fontanelli Arnett, Roger Presswood Dave Cohen and Russ Marshalek CONTACT US 2250 North Druid Hills Rd. #234 Atlanta, GA 30329-3118 phone 404-315-8485 website insiteatlanta.com ADVERTISING INFORMATION �� Editorial content of INsite is the opinion of each writer and is not necessarily the opinion of INsite, its staff, or its advertisers. INsite does not knowingly accept false or mi leading advertising or editorial content, nor do the publisher or editors of INsite assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. No content, i.e., articles, graphics, designs and information (any and all) in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from publisher.

Check out our Fall Education Guide on page 24!

LOCAL EVENTS

OnTap September EMAIL EVENTS TO ONTAP@INSITEATLANTA.COM

September 19: Wild Bill’s

WILD BILLS FIGHT NIGHT 14

Fight Night comes again to Wild Bill's on Friday, September 19 for a line-up of no less than 10 great fights. Wild Bill's Fight Night is a display of top mixed martial arts fighting live in the ring. This event is headlined by Jesse Forbes (UCF Veteran & Ultimate Fighter TV Show) and Bernard Rutherford (Former NFC Eastern US Heavyweight Champ). Fights start at 8:30PM. You must be 18 and up to attend. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations or by calling the Wild Bill's Fight Line at 404.626.2126. For more information, visit www.fullthrottlemma.com or www.wildbillsatlanta.com.

September 20: Atlanta Civic Center

AMERICA’S BEST DANCE CREW LIVE Due to overwhelming fan demand, Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew LIVE has added dates to its 2008 North American tour; expanding to 25 cities. The tour arrives in Atlanta on September 20 at the Atlanta Civic Center, on the heels of the top-rated smash MTV program. The tour will feature five of the hottest dance crews from the show's first two seasons as they battle it out, live on stage each night. Tickets are available now at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information about the tour, please visit www.dancecrew.aeglive.com.

Sept. 20-21: Centennial Olympic Park

2-DAY WALK FOR BREAST CANCER

Join thousands of Atlantans for the 6th annual Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer. This year's walk returns to beautiful downtown Atlanta, beginning at 7 a.m. at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel, with a lunch stop on the Governor's lawn and closing at Centennial Olympic Park. The 2-Day Walk's goal is to give back at least 70 percent of all money raised from the event to local breast cancer organizations. Visit www.2daywalk.org or call 404.531.4111, for more information or to volunteer.

Sept. 27: Stone Mountain Park

CHILI COOK-OFF

The Great Miller Lite Chili Cook-Off, the premier chili cook-off east of Texas, will draw over 300 teams from across the United States to the meadow at Stone Mountain Park. The cook-off has something for all ages from great music to great food and games for the whole family. All proceeds go to benefit Camp Twin Lakes. Tickets are $10 for adults and children under 12 are free. Doors open at 10:30am and the festival goes until 7pm. Please visit www.theatlantachilicookoff.com for more information.

Sept. 27: Georgia Dome

ATLANTA FOOTBALL CLASSIC The 20th Annual Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic (BACAFC) promises to deliver great football to Atlanta as well as tens of thousands of visitors who will arrive for the weekend of activities. The rivalry between the two outstanding football programs of Florida A&M and Tennessee State complemented with the spectacular demonstrations of the schools' renowned marching bands will make this 20th anniversary game the hottest ticket in town. For more info, please check out the website at www.atlantafootballclassic.com.

October 1-4: Road Atlanta

PETIT LE MANS SERIES

The 11th Annual Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta has announced the creation of a first-ever, series-wide "Green Racing Challenge." This new competition will encourage manufacturers to introduce and develop their "green" technologies and will be an incremental element of the Petit Le Mans, the series' signature event. The race opens Wednesday, October 1 with practice and qualifying, leading up to Saturday's 11:15 am start of the 1,000-mile, 10-hour race. Tickets start at $55. For more info, check out www.roadatlanta.com

ATLANTA ON THE

CHEAP!

TOP EVENTS FOR SMALL CHANGE IN SEPTEMBER If you know about a free or low cost event happening around Atlanta, please email us at atlcheap@insiteatlanta.com.

WEDNESDAYS IN WOODRUFF

Woodruff Park, Downtown Atlanta www.atlantadowntown.com 404.658.1877 COST: FREE

"Wednesdays in Woodruff" is back, bringing city dwellers a much needed weekly opportunity to relax and enjoy free live music. This years line-up includes Georgia Fire Flies (September 10), Kate Morrissey (September 17), Joe McGuinness (September 24). All shows are noon to 1PM.

CONCERTS ON THE SQUARE

Decatur Square, Decatur www.decaturga.com 404.371.8386 COST: FREE Spread out a blanket and enjoy an evening of musical entertainment Saturday nights in September. Morgan Rowe Band (September 6), One Leg Up (September 13), Atlanta 17 Big Band Music (September 20), Peachtree Station (September 27). All shows 7PM - 9:30 PM.

ATLANTA ARTS FESTIVAL

Piedmont Park, Midtown SEPT. 12-14 www.atlantaartsfestival.com 770.941.9660 COST: FREE 200 artisans, including painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal crafters and glass blowers, offer their works in an outdoor setting.

EAST ATLANTA STRUT

East Atlanta Village SAT. SEPT. 20 www.eastatlantastrut.com 770.941.9660 COST: FREE Now in its 11th year, the East Atlanta Strut is a community organized, one-day festival, featuring music, art, parade, events and 5K run to raise money for neighborhood charities and organizations and support local businesses. 5K run is $20 advance; $25 after Sept. 10.

SANDY SPRINGS FESTIVAL

Sandy Springs Heritage Green SEPT. 20-21 www.sandyspringsfestival.com 404.851.9111 COST: $5 adult; $2 kids aged 6-18 This award-winning festival event will feature an artist's market, children's park, collector car show, live entertainment, pet parade, silent auction and much more.

FIRST THURSDAYS ART WALK

Downtown Atlanta, Various Venues Oct. 2 www.atlantadowntown.com 404.658.1877 COST: FREE Art Walk is a self-guided tour of many of downtown Atlanta's art galleries. With no beginning or ending point, patrons are free to move through the participating venues at their own pace. Art lovers can visit the exhibits, tour the historic districts and enjoy various discounts at downtown restaurants.

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What’s so funny about living in Atlanta? Illustration by Lee Moyer and Bob Knuth.

September 19–October 26 The Second City: Too Busy to Hate... Too Hard to Commute A World Premiere written and created by the cast of The Second City Additional Material by Ed Furman and TJ Shanoff

This World Premiere is the can’t miss comedy event of the fall - a sketch comedy revue created in partnership with Chicago’s Second City that transforms the Hertz Stage into a cozy club, offering buckets of laughter... and buckets of beer. Comedic birthplace of Steve Carell, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Mike Myers and Tina Fey, The Second City turns its pen on Atlanta with a new show that’s sure to be a peach. Be prepared for a heaping portion of hilarious southern-fried comedy from the masters of sketch and improv comedy. Sponsored by

Supported by

Series on the Hertz

Visit facebook and play the Alliance Theatre’s new application “Fill ‘er Ups” inspired by the show and ﬁll in the blanks to create your own comedy stories: http://apps.new.facebook.com/ﬁllerups/.

Some performances already sold out.

Call 404.733.5000 or visit alliancetheatre.org. PG 6 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

Arrive early for table seating and advance drink service. Groups 10+ Save. Call 404.733.4690.

Under The Lights

Don’t Miss — Les Mis!

Theatrical Performances this Month

The Second City: Too Busy to Hate...Too Hard to Commute

Sept. 19 - Oct. 26 Alliance Theatre 404-733-5000 www.alliancetheatre.org

Les Miserables

Photo: Joan Marcus

Sept. 19-28 The Fox Theatre Box Office 404-817-8700

www.theatreofthestars.com The legendary award winning musical Les Misérables makes its return to the Fox Theatre this month in a brand new Theater of the Stars production. Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, Les Misérables is an epic saga that sweeps through three turbulent decades of 19th century France. It is the story of one man, the fugitive Jean Valjean, who is pitted against the cruel and self-righteous Inspector Javert. The story begins in 1815 when Valjean is released from prison for the crime of stealing a loaf of bread. He's spent nineteen years on a chain gang and now by law he must display a yellow card at all times and so is condemned to be an outcast. Only the saintly Bishop Digne treats him kindly and the parolee repays him by stealing his silver. Valjean is caught by police and is astonished when the Bishop lies to save him. Valjean vows to start his life anew. This powerful tale of love, loss, triumph and redemption includes memorable songs such as "One Day More" and "Do You Hear The People Sing?" In October 2006 Les Misérables became the world's longest running musical.

This fall, The Second City will transform the Hertz Stage into an underground comedy cabaret as this hilarious two-act satire mocks all things Atlantan. The Second City is written and created by the cast with additional material by Ed Furman and TJ Shanoff. Of the six-member cast, two local actors add to the Atlanta-centric nature of the show: Amy Roeder and Tim Stoltenberg (Go, Dog. Go!). These masters of sketch and improv comedy take a Southern-fried stab at Atlanta, creating a show that reflects the city in all its diversity, complexity and hilarity. This production gives the audience a chance to laugh at themselves while providing the city's comic and improv community an exclusive opportunity for national exposure. The Second City is the birthplace of many legendary comic geniuses including Steve Carell, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Mike Myers, John Candy and Tina Fey. Besides being a proven training ground for high profile comedians, it has a solid national reputation for irreverent, homegrown sketch comedy.

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PG 7 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

DINING

Taste of the Month... Burritos! Some great places to get a Burrito in Atlanta Willy’s Mexicana Grill

Mexico City Gourmet

15 Atlanta Locations / Athens 404.422.7107 Catering www.willys.com

2134 N. Decatur Rd. 404.634.1128 www.mexicocitygourmet.com

Willy's Mexicana Grill offers a host of Fresh-Mex menu items made from the freshest ingredients. These include Willy's award winning signature California-style burrito. Freezers and microwaves are noticeably absent from Willy's to keep the concept of freshness true. Every menu item is made from scratch using top-quality meats and produce (guacamole and tomatillo sauce is made twice a day and produce is delivered six days a week). Each order is custom prepared right in front of the customer. Vegetarian offerings such as marinated tofu and veggie burritos, tacos and quesadillas are also available. In addition, beans and rice are cooked using no lard or animal products. Enjoy a margarita and burrito on the patio at Piedmont Park or at the Howell Mill location. Howell Mill Happenings - Live Music every other Friday at 7pm and Sunday at 5pm, Trivia nights on Wed and Thurs at 8pm. Willy's Kennesaw - Trivia every Wed at 8pm - come early seating is limited! Willy's caters and delivers to a crowd! Taco Bars, Fajita Bars, Nacho Bars, Platters and more are perfect for tailgating, social gatherings or business functions of any size. Call 404 4227107 to speak directly to Willy's Catering. www.willys.com

For 25 years Mexico City Gourmet has been serving award winning cuisine to the Emory / Decatur area. The restaurant offers 3 dining rooms and bar area with multiple TV’s. They have a great vegetarian burrito called the Georgia which is stuffed with onions, peppers and potatoes. Mexico City also offers a Chicken burrito as a lunch special for just $6.50. This burrito is served with onions, tomatoes, poblano peppers and topped with adobo sauce, cheese and side of refried beans or rice. Another popular burrito is the Steak Taco Poblano, with grilled strips of steak served with sauteed onions, mushrooms, poblano peppers, and topped with Chihuahua cheese. For dinner they offer the Burrito Supreme which comes with ground beef, refried beans and topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream. Mexico City has a vast menu consisting of many authentic Mexican dishes. Some favorites include the Tacos al Pastor served with a combination of pork and pineapple as well as their seafood tacos. They are also known for their Chicken Enchiladas, Chile Relleno, and Quesadilla Especial. Classic margaritas are sold with a $3.00 special on Mondays and a $4.00 1800 Ultimate Margarita on Thursdays.

Tin Roof Cantina

Raging Burrito

2591 Briarcliff Rd. 404-329-4700 www.tinroofcantina.com

141 Sycamore St. Decatur Square 404-377-3311 www.RagingBurrito.com Raging Burrito opened on the square in Decatur in 1996. The restaurant offers a full service bar and features a large garden patio. They have many specialty burritos on their menu including the fajita, chipotle barbecue, blackened Tilapia and the Cajun Killer. However many customers decide to create their own. For those inclined to customize, choose from a flour, wheat or spinach tortilla and then pick from over 50 fillings ranging from jerk chicken to mushrooms, broccoli, feta cheese, & roasted garlic. The rest of the menu consists of gourmet tacos, salads, nachos, quesadillas, and their signature guacamole. Raging Burrito has 16 micros on tap and Atlanta's best margaritas.

Tin Roof Cantina is located between Emory and Brookhaven near the intersection of N. Druid Hills and Briarcliff. The kitchen grills marinated chicken and steak to order and their burritos are stuffed with the freshest ingredients, with salsa and guacamole made fresh daily. These authentic burritos are offered in four styles (Tin Roof, Classico, Especial, Fajita) but can also be built to order (and smothered in homemade queso if you like). Tin Roof is run by the guys who brought you CJ’s Landing in Buckhead. Much like CJ’s, this location offers a great outdoor patio featuring live music every night. They have flat screen TV’s inside and out that will be tunned to your favorite NFL and College football team this fall.

O C C I IT Y X E M Gourmet �� ½ – AOL City Search �� at $5.75 ��

Mon: $3 Margaritas �� $2 Tecate Wed: $3 House Wine $14 Bottle Wine �� $4 1800 Margaritas �� LIVE Music 7-10pm �� $3 Sangria

“Serving Emory / Decatur Since 1982” Located N. Decatur Plaza | 404-634-1128 | www.MexicoCityGourment.com PG 8 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

TV INTERVIEW

BURN NOTICE Q&A:

Creator & Executive Producer Matt Nix

get upgraded. So your training a few years ago isn’t necessarily good now, so you’ve got to kind of brush up on it and practice. So what’s the story on all the yogurt? It’s funny, people think it’s a big mystery. It was in the pilot. I wrote in the bit about the yogurt and getting the yogurt from the fridge so that you have when breaking in someplace, doing something innocuous, so as to make your break-in seem more innocent. And so I just threw out, “Grab something from the fridge, maybe a yogurt,” and then when they were shooting it Jeﬀrey had the yogurt and then he decided he wanted to eat the yogurt in the scene, and we thought that was funny and so then he ate the yogurt. And then when I was working on the ﬁrst episodes of the series, well, he needed to have something in his refrigerator. What does he have in his refrigerator? Well, we know he likes yogurt. And then the writer of the second episode, Alfredo Barrios, thought that was funny and so he threw a yogurt into his episode. And once you’ve got a yogurt in the pilot and two episodes, you’ve got to keep going. And so it becomes—it’s just sort of fun.

BY MATT GOLDBERG

OW IN ITS SECOND SEASON, “BURN Notice” sets the standard for spy shows. We spoke with the man setting that standard, show-runner Matt Nix about his fantastic show.

The show speaks with great confidence and authority and I was wondering how much of Michael’s narration is factual and how much is just made to sound factual so that people aren’t taking notes on how to build bombs. We never really give super-specific recipes. We’re pretty rigorous with the voiceover stuff in the sense that everything generally works. We don’t say that something is possible, that it’s not possible. A great example would be freezing a lock and smashing it. It’s actually possible to do that. When Michael replaces the trigger bar spring with a bobby pin, that’s actually possible. With regard to the building of bombs, we either fudge an ingredient, but usually we’re talking through things quickly enough that we’re not really listing all the ingredients in any case. If you want to go figure it out on your own, we’re not going to show you exactly how to do it, but we’re going to point to the fact that one can. Is there anything left for Michael to learn as far as his trade is concerned, certain skills? His vast knowledge is quite impressive. Is there anything left? Yes, absolutely. In an upcoming episode he has to get training in safe-cracking. Safes get upgraded like computers

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Multiple Atlanta Locations: www.JohnnysPizza.com PG 9 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

FILM INTERVIEW

KIEFER MADNESS After 30 Years in the Business, the 24 Star Hits His Stride quickly. So the genre was something I was really interested in. Alex had made The Hills Have Eyes, which was a film that really harkened back to the ‘70s horror films that dealt with things that I think were much more different than what now term as slasher films. The Amityville Horror, The Exorcist and The Omen all had character-driven plots that made you invested in the characters. The horror was really a combination of the affection that the audience had for a character, combined with the horrific circumstances that the character was put in.

BY B. LOVE

SIDE FROM ROBERT DOWNEY JR, no other member of the ‘80s Brat Pack can boast the sheer career longevity of Kiefer Sutherland. Coming along 15 years after his breakthrough roles in Stand By Me and The Lost Boys first made him a star, 24 tapped into the nation’s post-9/11 patriotic zeitgeist, and Sutherland’s anti-terrorist agent Jack Bauer emerged as America’s 21st century John Wayne. But with last year’s writer’s strike, the 41-year-old actor/executive producer got a break from his 15-hour days on the 24 set and teamed with director Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes remake) to make Mirrors, in which he stars as an ex-cop whose family is the target of an evil force using mirrors as a gateway into their home. In San Diego recently to promote the film at ComicCon, Sutherland sat down with reporters to discuss everything from horror films and how he thought Stand By Me would ruin his career to the burden of being Jack Bauer.

Are you eager to get back to work on season seven of 24? Yeah, but there is a two-hour TV movie that we just finished shooting about two months ago now in Africa. Was it hard for you guys to take such a big break from the show with the writers’ strike last year? As difficult as it was for us to take the break, I think the audience was affected the most. It was something that no one wanted to do. I don’t think the writers wanted to do it, the actors didn’t want to do it, and [Jon] Cassar didn’t want to do it, but it happened nonetheless. I think FOX made a very smart decision with regards to 24 because I think it is at its best when it’s released continuously, so you can watch all 24 episodes in a row. So we waited till January [to bring it back].

I HOPE I STILL APPROACH EACH PROJECT WITH THE SAME KIND OF YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE THAT I DID WITH SOMETHING LIKE STAND BY ME OR LOST BOYS, BUT HOPEFULLY IT’S TEMPERED WITH SOME EXPERIENCE AND THE ABILITY TO ADD A LITTLE MORE TO EACH PROJECT. THE JOURNEY FROM THERE TO NOW HAS BEEN AMAZING.

You’ve been a successful actor for over 30 years now. What lessons have you learned since the early days of Stand By Me and The Lost Boys? The lessons learned never stop. Stand By Me was the first film I got to do in the United States, and I remember when I first went to go see that film I thought my career was over. Then the film became the success that it was, and certainly at that time it was a part of American film history. I realized the first thing was that I should probably not watch my work. The best thing for me to do was to just make it and the audience would be the judge, which has served me quite well.

PG 10 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

Was there any upside to taking that time off? The one benefit if you’re looking for a silver lining is that the most difficult thing for 24 is the writing, so it gave the writers an unbelievable amount of time to really craft this season. We as actors had scripts available to us, which we’ve never had in the past six years of making the show, and I believe it’s the best work we’ve ever done. The stuff we did in Africa is really some of the stuff I’m the most excited about in regards to 24. We are certainly going after new fans. You used the break to film Mirrors. What attracted you to the project? Horror films for me growing up weren’t a genre that could give you any stronger a visceral reaction through watching it. I had always heard that, as an actor, that’s something that would draw you to a genre film. You can actually affect an audience so powerfully, and so

How do you think Mirrors relates to those classic horror films? If you took all the horrific elements out, it still plays as an unbelievable strong family drama. This idea of being able to meld these two genres– the drama of a man really trying to put his family back together, combined with the horrific circumstance– I found it an unbelievably exciting opportunity. Alex is an unbelievable filmmaker, with such a strong visual perspective of what he wants to do and how he wants to tell his story. For me, it really came down to our first meeting. I’d been shooting all night, and it was a breakfast meeting. This is a very funny topic to deal with first thing in the morning. I remember looking at him and I said, “I believe that I can make [audiences] care about this guy. You have to guarantee me that you can scare the shit out of everybody.” He smiled and said, “Absolutely!” And that was it. We literally agreed to work together at that point. Do you think being so well known as Jack Bauer

makes it more difficult for audiences to accept you as another character? Not really. 24 exists in such a strong backdrop that it’s very easy to counter-balance something against it. This character is obviously very different, and when you put the two together you can really see that this is a departure from that work. I’m still trapped in my own physical body, with my own voice and my sense of interpretation, so there are going to be similarities in everything that I do. But I think despite the fact that 24 is such a strong backdrop of where I am in my career right now, this film was a great opportunity to show another part of a reflected image. After 30+ years in the business, does 24 feel like the culmination of everything you’ve worked for? 24 has been an unbelievable experience for me. I think that acting is almost like working out. It’s a physical exercise that one has to go through, and the more you train it and the more you use whatever that instrument is– whether it’s your body, your brain, your voice or all those things combined– the better you get. It’s been an unbelievable tool for me to figure out things that work, and the things that don’t. I’ve certainly figured out over time the ways of breaking down material and interpreting it for myself, and I do it faster. I hope I still approach each project with the same kind of youthful exuberance that I did with something like Stand By Me or Lost Boys, but hopefully it’s tempered with some experience and the ability to add a little more to each project. The journey from there to now has been amazing.

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PG 11 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

FILM INTERVIEW

Coming Off the Success of Hellboy II, Selma Blair Returns to TV BY B. LOVE

HOUGH SHE INITIALLY BROKE through via teen-friendly films such as Cruel Intentions and Down To You, Selma Blair actually had a major TV role on Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane before she ever became a major movie star. Still, with scene-stealing turns in movies like Storytelling, Legally Blonde and director Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy series, it’s a bit surprising to see the 36-year-old actress returning to prime time for a role opposite Molly Shannon on Kath and Kim. An adaptation of a hit Australian sitcom from producer Ben Silverman (The Office), the show follows the title characters’ dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship, and landed a plum slot on NBC’s Thursday night lineup. Blair recently spoke with reporters in Beverly Hills, covering topics ranging from her childhood aspirations to why she had to fight to get back on prime time TV. When you were growing up in Michigan, did you dream of one day becoming an actress? No, I wanted to be a ballerina, a horse trainer, and then I wanted to be a photographer. I just never thought it was feasible for a girl from Michigan to ever make it to the stage or screen and tell a story. I always thought that this was the dream job for someone to have, and eventually I just wanted to be transported into a role like Sissy Spacek in Coal Miner’s Daughter. After graduating from college in 1995, my mother helped me pack my suitcase and I moved up to New York about a week later, not knowing if it would be photography that hit or acting. I knew I was going to study acting in New York and try to get a book together for photography and assist somebody, so that’s what I did. How did you approach playing your character differently in The Golden Army than you did in the first Hellboy? I knew that when we left Hellboy I, Liz obviously had taken some control of her power. I mean, after all, she saved the day at the end of Hellboy I, and did embrace Red at the end of that movie. So there was only one way to go, which was to move forward, leave her sad sack of a life behind her and become a more functioning, stable woman. So it was interesting to play her differently, because I kept wanting to play her as the Liz I knew. It was difficult for me to play her as a more stable girl, because the Liz I thought I knew was really so much more hesitant and afraid. But it was great to play her as a more engaged woman in life. PG 12 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

Guillermo del Toro has emerged as one of Hollywood’s greatest auteur directors. What’s he like to work with? The thing about Guillermo that’s so wonderful is that these are real monsters that were created. Everything in the troll market was really there, so you don’t have to deal with very much CGI. The Golden Army was the main CGI thing, so that was the only thing that wasn’t really there. And thank God, because once you create the Golden Army, you’re doomed. Would you be interested in the prospect of a Hellboy III? Guillermo will be very busy with The Hob-

We’re actually adapting it to a US version. I play Kim the daughter and Molly Shannon plays the mother, and no, it doesn’t have to make sense mathematically. In the original version, [the actresses were] the same age. It’s like a satire– they’re comedians, and it doesn’t have to be accurate. What is your character like? I play this very self-absorbed daughter who is obsessed with tabloids and celebrities, and it takes place in Florida. I’m married to a great actor, Mikey Day, who works at the Best Buy. I think I’m a trophy wife and I still wear my clothes from when I was 13. I think I’m a really big deal, which I’m not. Everything

of love. The mother and daughter really love each other, and they’re really close. But my character’s a bit demented, I have to say, not to mention very whiny, very loud and based on two people that I know very well. What convinced you to return to TV now, when your film career seems to be going strong? I was in Budapest shooting Hellboy II and I thought, I think I’ve had it with locations for a while. It was pretty lonely being away, even though I loved everyone on the movie so much. It’s like, God, I’d like to lay some roots down in one place for a while! I’ve been traveling so much I feel like such a gypsy, and kind of just wanted to get settled. So I was kind of looking for a TV show. Are you comfortable doing comedy? I really love comedy, though ironically I’m not very good with sitcoms because I get really nervous in front of big crowds. I’m always a bit uncensored, and I say the wrong things too often. I’m just going to get in trouble on a sitcom. Things are going to end very badly, so it’s best I just don’t put myself out there every week in that way. Which means this [project] was perfect. I had heard about it and I really fought for it, even though they didn’t want me for it and no one thought I was right for it.

I WANTED TO BE A BALLERINA, A HORSE TRAINER, AND THEN I WANTED TO BE A PHOTOGRAPHER. I JUST NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS FEASIBLE FOR A GIRL FROM MICHIGAN TO EVER MAKE IT TO THE STAGE OR SCREEN AND TELL A STORY. bit, but Hellboy II does set up Hellboy III as a very, very sad piece of material. Is it difficult, after working with someone like Guiillermo, to work with lesser talented directors? Guillermo spoils you so much, so everything is going to seem pretty mundane after you walk off a Guillermo Del Toro set. I mean, how do you then go to sitting in a living room, reciting regular lines, after you’ve been on the set of The Golden Army? But that’s kinda what you’ll be doing on Kath and Kim, right? How will it be different from the original Australian show?

is too tight on me, and I think I’m gorgeous when I’m not. So it’s similar to the Australian one, but definitely [set in] middle class America. How would you describe the comedic tone of the show? It’s almost done documentary style, shot kind of like The Office or Arrested Development. But it’s funny and strange, and I think it’ll take a couple episodes for people to catch onto it. I don’t know if you’re going to get it the first episode, because it’s a little dry and a little weird. It’s not sitcom-y, which is why I think it might take a minute for people to get it. It’s not so in your face, but there’s a lot

Why didn’t they think you were right for it? The producers had a different idea of what Kim was going to be. I don’t know what exactly, but I just don’t think I was anyone’s idea of it. I thought it was amazing writing, and I think Ben Silverman picks amazing projects that he adapts. There are so few female roles that are amazing characterdriven pieces, I just wanted to grab that one. This was the first time that I really went after something, because I just don’t usually have that kind of drive. (Laughs) But it paid off. I was really happy to get it. I made myself a little sloppier, because it was important that Kim thinks that she’s such a big deal, when she’s really not. Is it true you had top put on weight for the role? I don’t want to make this a weight issue thing, but it was an issue that a lot of people had. “Oh god, Selma can’t play this because she’s a skinny Hollywood girl and it’s so important that Kim doesn’t have those qualities, because middle America’s not like that.” So we just played it a little more middle of the road. But now I’m back at the gym, and the weight’s still not coming off! (Laughs)

ON THE BALL With His New Film & HBO

DIRECTOR INTERVIEW

Show, Six Feet Under Creator Alan Ball Gets People Talking BY BENJAMIN CARR

SCARWINNING SCREENWRITER Alan Ball, the Marietta native who created American Beauty and the HBO series Six Feet Under doesn’t shy away from edgy, controversial subject matter, preferring stories that deal with the gray areas of issues like racism and sexuality. Returning to the Atlanta area recently, we sat down at the W Hotel in Midtown to discuss his latest projects. Ball’s film directorial debut, Towelhead, hits theaters in September. With his own money, Ball bought the film rights to Alicia Erian’s novel about the sexual awakening and exploitation of a 13year-old Arab-American girl and adapted the screenplay because he identified very closely with the book. Also, his new television series, HBO’s True Blood, is based upon a series of Southern-fried vampire novels by Mississippi author Charlaine Harris. He said that he related to both stories, even though they are very different from one another. Which do you prefer, creating your own original material as with American Beauty and Six Feet Under, or adapting other people’s work? As I adapted this movie and the new television show, because both books were really in the ballpark of my own sensibilities, it felt very organic. What would you consider your own sensibilities as a filmmaker? I like things that are morally complicated. I like messy. I like not judging characters. I like letting their actions speak for themselves. I like not necessarily telling people what they’re supposed to think or feel, not saying, ‘Oh, this is a sad moment, so feel sad now!’ Or ‘OK, this guy, you’re supposed to hate him, so I’m going to shoot him from this angle and play this music when he shows up so you’ll hate him.’ That’s my sensibility. I gotta have some humor in there. Life’s too dark already. How do you feel about returning to Atlanta? It’s fun. I’m looking forward to the screening because I’ll get to see some friends that I haven’t seen in a long time. I wish I could stay in the area longer, but promoting the two projects is keeping me very busy. In Towelhead, a relationship between a 13-year-old character, played by Summer Bishil, and her much older neighbor, played by Aaron Eckhart, is explored with frankness and occasional humor. Was that difficult to film? I had a long talk with Aaron before we started shooting the movie, and he said, ‘I don’t want to play a pedophile. And I said, ‘Well good, because I don’t think this character is a pedophile.’ I don’t think this is a guy who lives with a structured, fetishbased sexual response to children. This is a

guy who’s very lonely who feels dead. And he meets this young woman and, unfortunately, because of a lack of supervision on her part and a lack of self-control on his part, this thing happens. He doesn’t hang around elementary schools. He’s not interested in children. What she does for him is that she makes him feel special and looked up to and desired in a way that he probably hasn’t felt since high school. Did you soften some of the more racist aspects of Eckhart’s character from the book? A lot of it, you realize, is walking a fine, political line between what you believe the movie needs to be and what the people who are paying for the movie want it to be. And you don’t want to piss them off because you want them to promote it. At the same time, you have to stand up for what you believe in … You know, quite honestly, when Warner bought the movie, they said, ‘We love it. We love how dark it is. We love all this stuff. We don’t want to change any of it.’ And then I got my first batch of notes from them and they basically said, ‘Can you remove all the sex and any racism?’ [I

removed one of his lines because] you pick and choose your battles. He’s much more vocal about his racism in the book. Though the character Jasira is 13 when she is molested, she doesn’t behave like a typical victim. That’s exactly what I responded to in the book. I didn’t feel like she was destroyed for life. Have you had adverse reactions from people because she’s not destroyed? I certainly believe that whatever language people need to use to deal with whatever traumatic events they’ve experienced is OK. But I do believe that the comfortable mythology into which we have put our cultural anxiety about childhood sexual assault is one in which the child is not complicit, the child is not curious, the predator is exactly that, subhuman, evil and monstrous. There is no enjoyment on the child’s part and, especially if it’s a girl, that she’s damaged, she’s damaged

I LIKE THINGS THAT ARE MORALLY COMPLICATED. I LIKE MESSY. I LIKE NOT JUDGING CHARACTERS. I LIKE LETTING THEIR ACTIONS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES...

goods, she’s damaged for life. But you’re talking about an experience that’s so common, one in three women … some statistics place it that high. And I personally had things happen to me when I was a child, and I don’t feel damaged, and I don’t feel victimized. And I think, especially in our culture that still has this weird, Puritanical idea about sex and female sexuality specifically, we like our women to be victims. I know a lot of women who’ve been through similar things or have been raped, and they are not victims. They’re not. They may be neurotic about this or that, but it doesn’t mean that they’re not able to form lasting relationships and that they’re never going to enjoy sex. I just loved that in the book because I thought throughout it that it was not going to turn out good … but she gets out of her father’s house and stands up for herself. She’s not destroyed, and it was really important for me to be able to show that. The studio was concerned about one shot showing a used tampon in the film. That’s strange considering how some horror movies can show people being ripped apart and mutilated. I don’t even understand that. That is such a weird, psychotic dichotomy that I can’t even begin to understand it. The only thing I can think of is that, as a culture, we are still terrified of female sexuality … There really was a concerted effort [from the studio] for me to take the shot of the tampon out of the movie, but I was, like, ‘Guys, if you take that out of the movie, then you essentially are becoming what the movie is critiquing, which is fear of female biology and how that fear stops people from addressing things which allows stuff like this sexual abuse to happen.’ So I guess that shot is my biggest win. One of the things about the film that surprised me is that every character reacts to the main character in a sexual way, but also everyone reacts to her with racism. Even an African-American teen character, who eventually goes back and apologizes, meets her by calling her a racial slur. Why does he have to be redeemed? He’s 14. Why do we need him to be perfect? Because he’s a minority, he can’t possibly have any racism himself? I think, ‘Here he is, one of the few people of color in a white, suburban Texas school, and all of a sudden somebody appears whom he can call names.’ But, within one day, he’s like, ‘You know what? That was wrong.’ I think it totally redeems him. PG 13 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

MUSIC

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By B. Love, DeMarco Williams, John Davidson, John B. Moore, Matt Goldberg & Jon Latham

JANELLE MONAE – METROPOLIS: THE CHASE SUITE (SPECIAL EDITION) (Bad Boy/Wondaland) The sound of the future �� VARIOUS ARTISTS – CALYPSOUL 70: CARIBBEAN SOUL & CALYPSO CROSSOVER 1969-1979 (Strut) Calling all crate-diggers... �� PG 14 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

�� THE GAME – L.A.X. (Geffen/Interscope) The West Coast rap prince bows out (?!) gracefully ��

�� YOUNG JEEZY – THE RECESSION (Def Jam) A welcome dose of maturity ��

�� V.I.C. – BEAST (Collipark Records/Warner Bros.) Average hiphop from a Soulja Boy clone �� ADAM MARSLAND – DAYLIGHT KISSING NIGHT: ADAM MARSLAND’S GREATEST HITS (Karma Frog) The very definition of hubris �� LARGE PRO – MAIN SOURCE (Gold Dust Media) & DJ MUGGS & PLANET ASIA- PAIN LANGUAGE (Gold Dust Media) True school hip-hop dusts itself off ��

�� EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING – PRIMARY COLOURS (Goner) & OH MY GOD – FOOLS WANT NOISE (Split Red) Giving post-punk a good name �� OPIO – VULTURE’S WISDOM VOLUME I (Heiro Imperium) Old soul, new mischief ��

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CONCERT

CALENDER

�� Yacht Rock �� Playboy After Dark �� Houserocker Johnson �� Brian Wilson & Friends �� The Winter Sounds �� Ellis Paul �� Frankies Blue Mission �� Ancient Harmony �� Impaled �� Anthony Green �� Zydefunk �� Craig Campbell �� The Hackensaw Boys �� Stereotype �� Aimee Mann �� Lee Brice �� Hell Bells �� Acoustic Garden �� Sandra Hall �� Tommy Ford’s I Got A Job �� Aclarion �� Dr. Dog �� Caroline Aiken �� Patrick Vining Band �� The Breaks �� Sgt. Kickass �� Hit the Lights �� Delta Moon �� That 80s Band �� Chris Knight �� Today the Moon �� Bullet For My Valentine �� Brian Wiltsey & Friends �� Tift Merritt �� The Drownout �� Craig Campbell �� The Boo-Hoo Ramblers �� Milhouse �� Blues Envy �� Oliver Wood & Geoff Atchinson �� Cornmeal �� Franny & Friends �� Songwriter’s Open Mic �� Uncle Sugar �� Trevor Turville �� Flannel Rock �� Summer Hostage �� Tru Skool Tuesdays �� Terry Flynn Band �� Hipnotic Unplugged �� John Cowan Band �� Crosstown Allstars �� SOJA �� August Burns Red �� Clay Cook �� Todd Wells Band �� Al Smith’s Midtown Jam �� The Electromatics �� Dixie Jam Night �� Gil Mantera’s Party Dream �� Adrianne �� Frankies Blues Mission �� GSU Jazz Night �� Heavy Heavy Low Low �� DJ Tubbystyle �� Graham Colton �� The NEC �� Musiq Soulchild �� Mike Veal Band �� Time 2 Shine Showcase �� Robin Rogers �� Miss Intown Atlanta �� Stereotype �� Wild Sweet Orange �� Jeremy Aggers �� Chickenshack �� Joe McGuinness & Oliver Wood �� Toby Keith �� Finch �� 1997 �� Radio Cult �� MC Battle �� J. Roddy Walston & The Business �� Sliptripman �� Disc Makers

PG 16 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

�� Slow Nerve Action �� International Soul Summit �� Sweet Betty �� Brandon Perry �� Anna Kramer & the Lost Cause �� Emily Kate Boyd �� Blues Cat �� Benevento Russo Duo �� Carcass �� Psyopus �� Soul Shakers �� Grayson Hill �� Toubab Krewe �� Othersound Festival �� Swami Gone Bananas �� Yard Dogs Road Show �� Luna Halo �� Jake Owen �� Tron Jackson �� Telepath �� Houserocker Johnson �� Indigo Girls �� My Friend Ian’s Band �� Dropsonic �� Basia Bulat �� The Radio Ramblers �� Stop Drop & Roll �� Children of Bloom �� Daedelus, Noot D’Noot �� Ike Stubbleﬁeld �� Girlz Girlz Girlz �� Stephen Kellogg �� Mess of Bones �� Brian Wiltsey & Friends �� Silver Jews �� Death Vessel �� Will Kimbrough �� Blues Envy �� Tutus for Tatas Beneﬁt �� Umphrey’s McGee �� Franny & Friends �� Galleon �� Songwriter’s Open Mic �� Uncle Sugar �� Redman �� Darkoom �� The Mighty Orw �� Summer Hostage �� Mogwai �� Tru Skool Tuesdays �� Stooge Brothers �� John Cowan Band �� Crosstown Allstars �� Obituary �� The Felice Brothers �� Tyler Reeve Band �� Al Smith’s Midtown Jam� �� Burnt Bacon �� Dixie Jam Night �� The Selmanaires �� ATL Star Songwriter Series �� Frankies Blues Mission �� Vortext Park �� Burn the Scenery �� Benjy Davis Project �� Shurman �� Wreckless Eric �� Puddle of Mudd �� Mike Veal Band� �� Xavier Rudd �� Nicholas Megalis

Brad Paisley @ ��(9-18) �� 3 on 3rd �� Hamilton Loomis �� Ian Schumacher �� Ghost Riders Car Club �� Chickenshack �� Ede Wright Group �� Brad Paisley �� Dead to the World �� One Atom 12

�� Leaving Araby �� Turnstile �� Atlantis Music Conference �� FREAKOUT!!! �� Gareth Asher & Friends �� Behind the Sun �� Atlantis Music Conference �� Sandra Hall �� Todd Wells Band �� GOC Lowery Music Showcase �� South City Blues Band �� Moon Goddess CD Release �� The Bastard Suns �� Street Dogs �� The Breeze Kings �� Blackberry Smoke �� Atlantis Music Conference �� Atlantis Music Conference �� Brian P. & Becoming Wheels �� Donna the Buffalo �� Frontiers �� Atlantis Music Conference �� Houserocker Johnson �� Aclarion �� Dead Confederate �� Marc Cohn �� Little Joey’s Big Band �� Whild Peach �� Third Day, Switchfoot �� Matt Costa �� Asher & Quick �� Holiday Parade �� The Greater Vavoom �� Ton O’Honey Reunion �� The Breakfast Club �� Atlantis Music Conference �� Atlantis Music Conference �� Brian Wiltsey & Friends� �� Marcia Ball �� Pierce Edens & the Dirty Work �� Kyle Patrick �� Blues Envy �� Dub & Reggae �� The Derailers �� Franny & Friends �� Songwriter’s Open Mic �� Uncle Sugar �� Hired Gun Band �� Jody Abernathy �� Summer Hostage �� Tru Skool Tuesdays �� Scissormen �� The Dandy Warhols �� Hipnotic Unplugged �� Black Kids �� Mike Kinnebrew �� Crosstown Allstars �� New Riders of the Purple Sage �� Pete Whitﬁeld Band �� Al Smith’s Midtown Jam� �� Fatback Deluxe �� Clutch �� Dixie Jam Night �� Sunset Rubdown �� ATL Star Songwriter Series �� Frankies Blues Mission �� Ron Sexsmith �� DJ Tubbstyle �� Sid Vicious Experience �� Steadlur �� Nerd Parade �� The NEC �� The Mars Volta �� Mike Veal Band �� Gogol Bordello

�� Asphalt Grunge �� The Hot Rods �� Martha Scalan �� Seminole Jackson �� Eva Kennedy �� 3 Doors Down �� Sub Cam �� Anger Within �� Tragic Flaw �� Mudcat �� Slippery When Wet �� Captain Soularcat �� Hank Williams Tribute �� Educators �� Stereolab �� Jeff Bates

O.A.R. @��(9-27) �� Blankety Blank �� 16bars & More �� Chick Willis �� Progpower USA IX �� Pistol Town �� The Queers �� Michelle Malone �� Tomi Isobe �� The Expendables �� Cut Copy �� Hollywood Undead �� Mudcat �� Trotline �� Soup Reunion Show �� Five Eight �� Nick Swardson �� Brian Wiltsey & Friends� �� O.A.R. w/ Matt Wentz �� Vivian Girls �� Matthew Kahler �� Blues Envy �� Andy Lee Stephens �� Franny & Friends �� Sonia Leigh �� Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband �� Uncle Sugar �� Summer Hostage �� The Kooks �� Tru Skool Tuesdays �� Pat The White �� Sarah Borges �� John Cowan Band �� Crosstown Allstars �� The Fratellis �� New Day Sun �� Tegan & Sara �� Gareth Asher & Friends �� Jenny Lewis

3 Doors Down @��(9-26)

�� Crane �� Producers Swap Meet �� Paul Geremia �� Hellish Rock World Tour �� Shamrock Marsala �� Mugison �� Lonesome Traveler �� Chickenshack �� Broke & Boujee �� Killer Mike �� Ratatat �� The Jaun McClean �� Poptart Monkeys �� Blueground Undergrass �� Stereotype �� Henry Rollins �� Heavy Pettin �� Mausiki Scales �� Bob Margolin �� Progpower USA IX

PG 17 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

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�� Expires 10-15-08

COMPLIMENTARY PASSES

��

Invites You and a Guest to a special advance screening of

��

CHOKE

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Thursday, September 25 7:30pm

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�� PG 18 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

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In Theaters September 26!

FILM

�� DEATH RACE:� � �� –John C. Snider DISASTER MOVIE:� ��

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�� –DeMarco Williams

HAMLET 2:��

�� –Rebecca Crosby

THE HOUSE BUNNY:��

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We love Jason Statham (above), but Hollywood is running out of ways for him to kick ass. In “Death Race,” he’s a convict who can win his freedom by somehow getting out of this car.

�� –Ryan Loftis

I SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND:��

�� –Rodney Hill

THE LONGSHOTS:� ��

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THE ROCKER:� ��

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STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS:�� –John C. Snider TOWELHEAD:��

�� –Benjamin Carr

TROPIC THUNDER:� ��

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�� –Ryan Loftis

TROUBLE THE WATER: �� –B. Love

TV INTERVIEW

THIS IS THE END: A Q&A WITH THE SHIELD’S BENITO MARTINEZ BY MATT GOLDBERG

AYBE IT’S BECAUSE I HAVEN’T SEEN THE WIRE YET, but for my money there’s no crime drama on TV quite as brilliant as The Shield. It’s a show that manages to shock its viewers six seasons after its debut, but never with a cheap ploy. It’s the disturbing honesty and depth of the characters that continue to hammer the characters. Benito Martinez plays Councilman David Aceveda, who had one of the most surprising storylines over the course of the series. Set up as the main antagonist to Michael Chiklis’ shady cop, Vic Mackey, the series has seen Aceveda elected, raped, and conspiring to commit murder, yet he’s not an evil man. There are no heroes and villains on the show, only people. We spoke with Martinez about playing the complex councilman and the show’s final season. Was there anything you were hoping to see David accomplish before the end of the series? Benito Martinez: Oh, that’s a good one. Wow, what I wish the audience could see more of was David out there serving the community a bit more in his political arena and how he was able to effect change that way. But, you know, it pales in comparison to what they were able to do. I lack the imagination that the writers have. I really have to say I am very satisfied and complete in the journey that David was. What has surprised you most about David’s transformation over the course of the series? When I first got the guy, got the role and everything else, I thought, and this is the fun part about taking everything from your own character’s perspective, but I thought the show was about me, and it was going to be about David’s personal life, it was going to be about his accomplishments, what a good guy he is, what a great leader he is, and I always saw the show from that angle. One side of my brain said, no, it’s not; it’s something else. The other part of me always said, it’s my story; it’s my journey. As it unfolded and the complications got thrown in there about different things for David, making misssteps and the time that David stole the kid’s bike because he thought he was doing the right thing, they showed a lot of wonderful aspects about human nature, in all the characters, but I really loved the way they played it in David because—and I said they, the writers, came up with these wonderful ideas. You never see this stuff with these PG 20 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

well-polished political figures on TV. You never see the little quirks and the little mistakes that they make, and the little blemishes that they may have. By writing a whole show about it on ours you really get the sense of who they are, their whole life, the complete person. Yet, at the same time, we as people, in this case our characters, struggle as hell to hide those blemishes to make sure no one sees our flaws. They really did a great job, and I think they had a blast doing that. Now that the show is entering it’s final season, how do you think The Shield has changed the nature of the crime drama? The nature of the crime drama? I don’t know if it will have changed it greatly, to be honest. I think that the biggest effect will be, and it’s still lasting today, is being able to produce quality work on extended cable. We kind of kicked open those doors and said that you can have quality drama on other than HBO or network. FX has continued along those lines with wonderful dramas and now the most recent one is Damages and Sons of Anarchy starting up in the fall. The Closer and Saving Grace, and the names escape me right now, but a whole slew of just wonderful shows. Is

it AMC or is it A&E that just has Mad Men, you have these wonderful shows that would not be picked up on network. They just wouldn’t. I think that’s where our legacy will be made, that we were able to mine this new territory successfully and really open up a quality vein in the industry. Can you talk a little bit about filming the final episodes or maybe the last few days on the set what the mood was like, and just kind of how people were, I guess, just coming to terms with the fact that this was kind of the end of the series? We have such a large cast that we were doing little bits and pieces, I’m talking about the last couple of episodes, that we kind of were seeing each other in the hallways and in passing, going “Did you finish your last scene on this? Oh, wow, we’ve only got one more episode.” We started realizing about this ending only towards the very end. Then, this being a business, we got a shocking reminder when the writers went on strike. We got our final script like the Friday before the Monday the writers went on strike. We read it. We had the table read. We all sat there. We read it. We cried. We had a great time, and we looked around and said, “This is fantastic. I hope this strike doesn’t happen.” Monday started and our leader, Shawn Ryan, was gone, the guy who has always been there as a support and a wonderful guide, so that last episode was hard. But, on the other side of that, we had Clark Johnson, who directed the pilot for us and we were by that point a very well oiled machine. We were doing it to the best of our quality, there was just a sadness because some people were unemployed and some people were fighting this well deserved battle about their rights and their contracts and stuff like that. So, it was murky waters to say the least. On the last couple of days we ran long, so we had a wrap party before we actually finished filming. We finished filming on a Monday, but we had the wrap party the Saturday before. There were little bits of stuttering to an end, not a big ending for us as far as filming and putting down the cameras, and walking away and saying “Well, that’s it.” It really helped ease the blow because it was very emotional for most of us to put these characters to bed and to finish this journey, and to do it in the middle of a strike, and our boss was one of the guys leading the strike. It was hard. It was tough. We really had to lean on each other a lot and the director a lot and the crew a lot. It was very effecting. That’s kind of the tone of what it was like getting that last script during the last two episodes. We never really ended with a big tah-dah. It was more like we’re done now, and the whole city was shut down. It was like, Okay, now the waiting is over. The strike is over. It’s going to come out in September. So, now we’re all coming back out of the woodwork going, “Hey, how have you been? I’m dying to see what happens.” I don’t know, kind of like that.

FALLPreview TV TV

BY RYAN LOFTIS

HE OLYMPICS ARE OVER, BUT TO THE NETWORKS, the real games have just begun. It’s that time of year when they unleash their new shows on the viewing public and then anxiously watch to see which shows are clicking with audiences, what’s generating the hot buzz, whether or not it was a good idea to invest all that money in a particular show. Who needs casino action when you’re a network executive? As George W. Bush once said, “Most of our imports come from other countries.” That’s certainly true this fall, when the networks seem to have often looked overseas for inspiration. Some of the biggest new shows this season are adaptations of programs that originally aired in England, Australia and even Israel. And it’s not just geography but history too playing a signiﬁcant role. Series from the ‘80s and ‘90s are being dusted oﬀ and introduced to a new audience. Many of the actors appearing in this season’s new crop are not well known, providing an opportunity for a number of breakout stars to emerge. The fall lineup is a mix of seeming sure things and titles that appear to have barely made it out of the gate. Of course, there have always been sure things that tanked, just like there have always been unknowns that catapult into ratings glory. Only the changing of the season will tell for sure.

CBS

THE EX LIST (Fri, 9 PM) THE STARS: Elizabeth Reaser, Rachel Boston, Adam Rothenberg, Alexandra Breckenridge, Amir Talai THE SHILL: A psychic tells Bella Bloom (Reaser), a 30-something business owner, that she has already met and broken up with her future husband. If she doesn’t ﬁnd him in a year, she will be single for the rest of her life. She begins exploring all of her failed previous relationships, hoping to ﬁnd a clue about the identity of her soul mate. THE SKINNY: Revisiting all one’s exes could be a rich source of material, but it’s important that the premise feels natural and not like a simple plot gimmick. Ghost Whisperer fans will likely stay tuned for this.

AMERICA’S TOUGHEST JOBS

ducing the Emmy winning shows Sports Night and Scrubs, a useful pedigree for a new show. The premise is very familiar, as it was already covered in two Meet the Parents movies, as is Smith’s role as a grumpy old dad, which he already played to perfection on That ‘70s Show. Lack of originality aside, Worst Week should do well in its cushy time slot between Two and a Half Men and CSI: Miami.

THE MENTALIST (Tue, 9 PM) THE STARS: Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, OwainYeoman, Tim Kang, Amanda Righetti THE SHILL: Baker is Patrick Jane, an independent consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation who uses his brilliant observation skills to solve crimes. Prior to his law enforcement career he was a psychic medium who falsely claimed to have paranormal abilities. His superior, Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon (Tunney), doesn’t like his attitude but has to admit he’s useful in cracking tough cases. THE SKINNY: With eight crime dramas already airing on CBS, not including the new Eleventh Hour, it would seem there would be no room for The Mentalist, but apparently not. Golden Globe nominee Baker is a rising actor, and TV heroes who aren’t always admirable are often more interesting than their noble counterparts – think Hugh Laurie in House. Crime drama fans are sure to ﬁnd it, since it’s perched between NCIS and Without a Trace.

ELEVENTH HOUR

ELEVENTH HOUR (Thu, 10 PM) THE STARS: Rufus Sewell, Marley Shelton THE SHILL: Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Eleventh Hour stars Sewell as Dr. Jacob Wood, a brilliant biophysicist who is employed by the government to investigate scientific abuses. Called on when time is running on, his investigations pit him against characters looking to corrupt science for their own personal gain. Shelton is the decorated FBI protection officer assigned to guard Wood. THE SKINNY: Expectations are high for this one: CBS paid $4 million for the pilot and agreed in advance to a pay-or-play license fee of approximately $1.75 million per episode for 13 shows. If Eleventh Hour fails, it will be painful for all involved. It’s not likely to fail, though – combining science with a crime procedural allowed Bruckheimer to create a brand name with the CSI trilogy, and Eleventh Hour follows that formula. Putting it after the original – and still most popular – CSI almost guarantees another Top 10 show on Bruckheimer’s résumé. WORST WEEK (Mon, 9:30 PM) THE STARS: Kyle Bornheimer, Erinn Hayes, Kurtwood Smith, Nancy Lenehan THE SHILL: In this adaptation of the British comedy The Worst Week of My Life, entertainment magazine editor Sam (Bornheimer) is in love with Melanie (Erinn Hayes), whose conservative parents (Smith and Lenehan) disapprove of him. His efforts to win them over are doomed for failure since he constantly makes a fool of himself instead. That’s going to make breaking the news that Sam and Melanie are engaged and expecting a baby difficult. THE SKINNY: Producer Matt Tarses has previous experience pro

GARY UNMARRIED (Wed, 8:30 PM) THE STARS: Jay Mohr, Paula Marshall, Jaime King, Ryan Malgarini, Laura Marano, Ed Begley Jr. THE SHILL: Painting contractor Gary (Mohr) is beginning a new life following the end of his 15-year marriage to Allison (Marshall). They share custody of their adolescent children, and Gary has the privilege of being seen as the fun parent. He’s reluctant to reveal the new romance he’s found with a client – until he learns his ex-wife is engaged to their marriage counselor (Begley). THE SKINNY: Mohr and Marshall are enormously appealing actors, but neither has what could be called a sterling television track record, particularly Marshall, who was called “show killer” by the Web site Television Without Pity. Still, placing this family friendly comedy after The New Adventures of Old Christine, also about a protagonist adjusting to life after divorce, should deliver ratings high enough to create the Wednesday night comedy block CBS is looking to establish.

ABC

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (Tue, 8 PM) THE STARS: J.D. Roth, various American families

THE SHILL: Each week host Roth will knock on a family’s door and invite them to participate in a game show that could earn them hundreds of thousands of dollars and a truckload of prizes. The questions are all family related, so the more the members know about each other, the better. The show will take place on the family’s front lawn after the 150-person staﬀ constructs the set. THE SKINNY: This show continues Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s tradition of giving ordinary families an opportunity at a better life. By targeting families looking for something to watch together, Opportunity Knocks could have the same mass appeal Who Wants to be a Millionaire? had for ABC nearly a decade ago.

LIFE ON MARS (Thu, 10 PM) THE STARS: Jason O’Mara, Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Jonathan Murphy THE SHILL: Based on a popular British series of the same name, Life on Mars tells the story of modern-day NYPD Detective Sam Tyler (O’Mara), who is hit by a car while chasing a suspect and finds himself transported back to 1973. Not only is the social climate different – the Vietnam War, women’s liberation and the civil and gay rights movements are hot topics – but Tyler must do without the hi-tech crime-fighting techniques he’s used to. Adding to his frustrations is his clashes with Lieutenant Gene Hunt (Keitel), who favors brawn over brains in fighting crime. While longing to get back to his 2008 girlfriend, he develops a friendship with female cop Annie Norris (Mol). THE SKINNY: If nothing else, Keitel and Imperioli will be at home on the streets of New York, but the show’s troubled past could hinder its success. The production was moved from Los Angeles to New York, all the original cast members save for O’Mara were fired after the initial pilot and reins of the show transferred from Emmy winner David E. Kelley to three producers whose last effort was the failed October Road, which aired in this show’s time slot. Everyone involved needs to hope producing a quality show wasn’t forgotten amidst all the turmoil.

NBC

AMERICA’S TOUGHEST JOBS (Mon, 9 PM) THE STARS: Josh Temple, 13 career people THE SHILL: A reality show that redeﬁnes a hard day’s work, as 13 men and women leave their regular jobs behind to participate in a series of hazardous occupations, including logging in the Oregon forest, drilling for oil in Texas and driving trucks on icy roads. Job performance of the novice contestants is expected to equal that of the professionals. Contestants are sent home at the end of each episode, and the last one remaining receives the combined annual salaries of every job featured on the show as the grand prize. THE SKINNY: The people on Survivor think they’re tough? They should try working a job with a fatality rate 90 times higher than average the way these contestants will. The inherent drama and suspense of inexperienced people thrown into diﬃcult situations should attract a lot of reality fans. The fact that this is a reality show actually dealing with real-life situations should also help.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

PG 21 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

FALLPreview TV TV

CRUSOE (FRI, 9 PM) THE STARS: Philip Winchester, Anna Walton, Tongayi Chirisa, Joaquim De Almeida, Sam Neill THE SHILL: Based on Daniel Defoe’s classic 1719 novel, Crusoe follows Robinson Crusoe (Winchester) and his native friend Friday (Chirisa) as they fight to survive being stranded on a desert island. Standing in the way of survival are militias, cannibals looking for their next meal, wild cats, deadly lighting storms and starvation. While looking for a way to escape, Crusoe reflects on courting his wife Susannah (Walton) and his relationship with his mentor Jeremiah Blackthorn (Neill). THE SKINNY: ABC is already tackling this basic storyline with Lost. It seems unfair to make this comparison, since Defoe’s novel precedes the ABC series by about 300 years, but it’s the truth. With no big names and a tough time slot, this show is highly unlikely to be as revered as the book. KATH & KIM (Thu, 8:30 PM) THE STARS: Molly Shannon, Selma Blair, John Michael Higgins, Mikey Day THE SHILL: Adapted from a popular Australian sitcom of the same name, this American version stars Shannon as Kath, a 40ish divorcee and Blair as her self-absorbed daughter, Kim. After separating from her husband, Kim decides to move back home, cramping Kath’s search for love. THE SKINNY: It’s great to see the talented Shannon doing weekly comedy again, and Blair is a good actress who can get laughs. What’s most important is that there’s the right chemistry between them. If it’s not there, all will be lost. MY OWN WORST ENEMY (Mon, 10 PM) THE STARS: Christian Slater, Mike O’Malley, Saffron Burrows, Yara Martinez, Cierra Ramirez, Taylor Lautner, Alfre Woodard THE SHILL: Slater is two different people in this drama. As Harry Spivey, he’s an efficiency expert living in the suburbs with his wife and kids. As Edward Albright, he’s a multi-lingual operative and trained killer. The only thing they have in common is a body, but when the line separating their lifestyles begins to blur, each man finds himself in a dangerous situation. THE SKINNY: The premise is interesting, but unfortunately Slater’s star dimmed a long time ago, and the show has a formidable time slot competitor in CSI: Miami. Expect the real enemy to be a lack of viewers.

KNIGHT RIDER (Wed, 8 PM) THE STARS: Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Bruce Davison, Yancey Arias, Paul Campbell THE SHILL: The hit 1980s series returns to NBC, this time featuring the Knight Industries Three Thousand (KITT), a car with an artificial intelligence that can break into almost any system, a first-rate weapons arsenal and a body capable of transforming itself into other vehicles. Bruening is Michael Traceur, the estranged son of the star of the original series, Michael Knight, who was played by David Hasselhoff. Like his father, Traceur uses his car to fight crime. THE SKINNY: In bringing back one of its ‘80s shows, NBC was right to update the real star: the KITT. Today’s tech-savvy audiences would demand it. Car enthusiasts will no doubt get a kick out of the new Knight Rider, but more than a cool car will be needed for this show to have staying power.

FOX

DO NOT DISTURB (Wed, 9:30 PM) THE STARS: Jerry O’Connell, Niecy Nash, Molly Stanton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Brando Eaton, Jolene Purdy PG 22 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

THE SHILL: A workplace sitcom set in one of New York City’s most popular hotels, The Inn. O’Connell leads the ensemble cast as Neal, the egotistical general manager determined to make sure the hotel and its employees measure up to his standards. Employees with various quirks make up the upstairs and downstairs staﬀs. THE SKINNY: FOX hasn’t had a successful live action sitcom since The Bernie Mac Show debuted 7 years ago, and O’Connell’s most recent TV eﬀort, Carpoolers, lasted only 13 episodes last season. Not a promising collaboration. This time slot should be vacant before too long.

FRINGE (Tue, 9 PM) THE STARS: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Kirk Acevedo, Mark Valley, Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole THE SHILL: FBI Special Agents Olivia Dunham and John Scott (Torv and Valley) are assigned to investigate when all the passengers and crew aboard an international ﬂight to Boston are discovered to have died grisly deaths. The search for answers leads to research scientist Walter Bishop (Noble), a genius who has spent 20 years in an institution and has an estranged son (Jackson), as well as corporate executive Nina Sharp (Brown). The agents eventually discover what happened to the passengers is part of a larger plot. THE SKINNY: Co-creator J.J. Abrams knows how to design shows that attract devoted audiences, as Alias and Lost have proved. The unexplained phenomena and sense of a large conspiracy at work is sure to satisfy X-Files fans. This has the potential to be a breakout hit, if the pilot episode being leaked on the Internet doesn’t hurt it.

moges (Archer) in Palm Beach. The twins are less than enthusiastic about this new authority ﬁgure, but Megan’s position does have its perks, including a private suite, her own convertible and a live-in chef. Then there’s the rich and handsome boy next door (Hallisay) who wants Megan but unfortunately is already dating her estranged sister. THE SKINNY: The 90210 audience will likely stick around for this, with its young, attractive cast and romantic storylines. If 90210 and Privileged connect with audiences in the way Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars failed to do two years ago, Tuesday could become the CW’s dominant night.

STYLISTA (Wed, 9 PM) THE STARS: Anne Slowey, Joe Zee, fashion enthusiasts THE SHILL: What does it take to work for Elle magazine? Eleven contestants will ﬁnd out during the course of this reality show, competing for a paid editorial position. Slowey, Elle’s fashion news director, consults with Zee, the magazine’s creative director, each week to decide who will be ﬁred. THE SKINNY: Wednesday is now Fashion Night at the CW, with this following America’s Next Top Model. With Elle being the world’s largest fashion magazine, Stylista certainly has a big potential audience. If any of the contestants worth rooting for, viewers will keep coming back.

TNT

RAISING THE BAR (MON, 10 PM) THE STARS: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben, Currie Graham, Jane Kaczmarek, J. August Richards, Jonathan Scarfe, Melissa Sagemiller, Natalia Cigliuti, Teddy Sears THE SHILL: Steven Bochco executive produces this legal drama that focuses on prosecutors, public defenders and judges. Showdowns will occur both inside and outside the courtroom as the relationships among people on opposing sides of the law are explored. THE SKINNY: TNT may be the place to be right now for crime drama, with the highly popular series The Closer and Saving Grace. Raising the Bar will fit right alongside them, and its cast, including Bochco veterans Gosselaar and Graham, is first-rate. Bochco, who certainly knows how to put together a good legal drama, should have his first hit since NYPD Blue debuted 15 years ago.

PRIVILEGED (Tue, 9 PM) THE STARS: Joanna Garcia, Ashley Newbrough, Lucy Kate Hale, Anne Archer, Brian Hallisay, Kristina Apgar, Michael Cassidy, Allan Louis THE SHILL: Yale graduate Megan Smith (Garcia) is ﬁred from a tabloid and becomes the live-in tutor for the rebellious twin teen granddaughters of cosmetics mogul Laurel Li-

TRUE BLOOD (Sun, 9 PM) THE STARS: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley, Nelsan Ellis THE SHILL: The invention of synthetic blood has allowed vampires to rapidly evolve from monsters to average citizens. Sookie Stackhouse (Paquin) is a waitress in the small town of Bon Temps, Louisiana with the ability to hear people’s thoughts. While the inclusion of vampires in mainstream society is bitterly debated, Sookie is openminded about it. But her attitudes may change as she is drawn into the world of Bill Compton (Moyer), a 173-year-old vampire who lives up the road. THE SKINNY: HBO has certainly never been shy about dealing with daring subject matter, and that’s no diﬀerent this time. What sounds like a cheesy exploitation series has a terriﬁc pedigree: The creator is Oscar and Emmy Award winner Alan Ball, who created another landmark HBO series, Six Feet Under. Paquin, the second youngest Oscar winner in history, successfully transitioned into mature adult roles long ago. Since it’s HBO, a lot of blood can probably be expected, too.

90210 (Tue, 8 PM) THE STARS: Shenae Grimes, Rob Estes, Tristan Wilds, AnnaLynne McCord, Dustin Milligan, Ryan Eggold, Jessica Stroup, Michael Steger, Lori Loughlin, Jessica Walter THE SHILL: The long-awaited spin-off of the iconic ‘90s teen drama Beverly Hills 90210 follows the Wilson family – dad Harry (Estes), mom Debbie (Loughlin), daughter Annie (Grimes) and son Dixon (Wilds) – as they move to Beverly Hills to watch over Harry’s mother Tabitha (Walter) a former television star and veteran of the Betty Ford Clinic. Annie and Dixon’s attempts to maneuver through the strange new world of West Beverly Hills High are made more difficult with their father being the new principal. Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty are among the Beverly Hills, 90210 cast members reprising their original roles in the new series. THE SKINNY: Perhaps the closest thing that the fledging CW has had to a surefire hit. Today’s teenage girls will watch because they already like One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl, while older women will tune in for nostalgia. The blend of new and old faces offers 90210 wider appeal than your typical soap.

HBO

TRUIE BLOOD

MUSIC INTERVIEW

L.A.X. is a Remarkable Album. The Game Explains Why it’s Probably His Last. This album is the most universal album since The Documentary. It entails every piece of hip hop music that you could possibly dream of getting from any rap artist on any album. That’s another reason why my name ﬁts as The Game. I don’t have a style. I switch up. I might sound like Nas on this one. I might sound like me on this one. I might play a joke like Luda on this one. I might get really

decision that I made was right for me and I didn’t give a fuck what Troy was talking about or what Jimmy was talking about. I killed HE GAME HAS A KNACK FOR NAME DROPPING. G-Unit alone. That’s just it. The niggas is dead. The new album is Be it on wax or off, the dude just can’t seem to help himtrash. It’s garbage. The label will tell you. It’s a wrap for them nigself. During this interview, in fact, the L.A. MC says Dr. gas. I put my blood, sweat and tears into demolishing them niggas Dre’s name four times. A roster of other industry types are tossed after I got kicked out the group. I felt like this nigga was gonna Ja into the air, too, some in a good light (Ice Cube); some in an unRule me. That shit hurt. I was there when [50] did pleasant one (Ja Rule). Two others, Harlem and King that shit. Ja Rule was the nigga on the radio every Justice, are also mentioned. They’re The Game’s young I CAN’T KNOCK ON EVERYBODY’S DOOR AND ASK THEM other day. Straight up, I don’t take nuthin’ away sons and they’re the primary reason the rapper’s from 50. That nigga is smart as shit and dumb at WHAT THEIR OPINION IS. I WON’T STOP ONE DAY FOR ONE the same time. Business-wise, that nigga can sell thumping new third disc, L.A.X., might be his last. In this candid Q&A, the 28-year-old talks retirement, NEGATIVE WHEN I TAKE ALL THE POSITIVE ONES IN STRIDE. body spray, toe nails, all kinds of shit. But that recording and refusing to bow to 50 Cent. couldn’t sell me on dissin’ the niggas that I WHEN YOU START LETTING PEOPLE’S COMMENTS AND WHAT nigga grew up listening to like Nas and Jadakiss. I had What was the thought process behind this album? THEY FEEL ABOUT YOU [AFFECT YOU], YOU’LL DIE A LONELY to go my separate way. I never wanted to be a part With this album, I knew there wasn’t going to be of G-Unit from the jump. I was signed to Dr. Dre. no [Dr.] Dre. I knew there wasn’t going to be no 50. I MAN. I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THAT, NOT IN MY LIFE. Jimmy Iovine thought that me jumping into G-Unit knew I had the label backing me. Everybody on this would speed the process of promoting me and my album came to Los Angeles, my studio. From Mary J. Blige to Ice album. It did that. It did a lot of wonderful things for me. It gave into it like Common. If you listen to “Angel,” you’ll hear me go into Cube to Busta Rhymes, Common Sense, Kanye [West], Chrisette Common’s style. This album is just for the people, man. The last me notoriety. It blew me up before it was my time. I remember Michele and Raheem DeVaugh, to Ludacris, Nas and Bilal, everyalbum was done like that on purpose. I had to go home. 50 was people wanting autographs before I even put mixtapes out, just body was in the studio with me. And it makes for a better reality. kickin’ my ass on the streets and I didn’t wanna get Ja Ruled. That’s from being seen with those cats. In that effort, I appreciate what 50 It makes the music come to life to me. Although everybody in this the term I called it. Being Ja Ruled hurts. I ducked it and started put into my project. But what he tried to take away was my talent. room, and everybody that listens to the CD, won’t be able to share He was trying to say he was writing my songs when he know damn fighting back. California is big. I could sell a million records in the experience that I did, it transcends through the music because California alone. So, I went home and made a West Coast record. well that he wasn’t writing my songs. I don’t have a problem writit was [recorded] like that. The two [release date] push-backs from The East Coast still appreciated it. Down South still appreciated it. ing songs and writing hooks. I can do that. It comes easy for me. June-to-July and from July-to-August were because of sequencing. It didn’t do the numbers that The DocFor somebody to try to take that away from me was like a slap in [The label] was on my ass, saying “Give us an album. Give us an alumentary did, but I didn’t have the face. I just wanted revenge. I was still halfway fucked up. I had bum.” I would rather push my shit back til Christmas than not have the full support of my label ‘cuz just come out the hood. I wasn’t that rich yet. I was still angry and it the way I want it. The Documentary was easy because I had Dre. I was being ornery and I hungry. I didn’t want my career to die. That Ja Rule shit hurt. When I was sequencing the album with Dre, he was like, “I’mma was doing things that [Inlisten to it and I want you to listen to it. We’ll come back and see You did a song about New Yorker Sean Bell who was killed by the terscope Records founder] what sequence you want it in and what sequence I want it in.” We cops. Talk about the frustrations in making it. Jimmy Iovine, [Interscope came back and we pretty much had the same thing, give or take VP of Urban Promotions] Outside of my kids, this is another reason why I take off my hat two or three songs. That was easy. I noticed that the sequencing of Troy Marshall and all and gracefully bow out of hip hop. It’s a lot of these hip hoppers an album was the most important part. When I listen to someof them thought that that say they’re hood and say they’re street. I don’t even care about body’s album and one song comes in that don’t make sense, I’mma I shouldn’t do. The that. You don’t have to be hood and you don’t have to be street. In kill the whole CD and change it without even thinking about it. my soul, in my hood, I’m street. I come from Compton, but I don’t So, that part of the album was key to me. [I learned] that on my do no fuckin’ drive-bys these days. I ain’t sellin’ no crack. I live in first two albums. We did the same thing on Doctor’s Advocate. I the suburbs behind a fuckin’ gate. I got the Scarface cameras up. did the best I could. With this album, it took me a lil’ bit longer A got a big nigga with a big fuckin’ gat. He’ll damn near blow the because I had a lil’ bit more guest features. And with this mailman away. That’s how Hollywood and not so hood we really album probably being my last one, I just took a lil’ bit more are. So, it’s not my reality anymore. But a lot of these cats act like time to get everything done. It took a while. But like I said, they’re this and that, but they don’t have no heart. I did a song for the most important thing to me was to take it back to the Sean Bell. I never met Sean Bell in my life. I talked to his wife and way of old. asked her for approval. I talked to her and Rev. Al Sharpton and they both said it was okay to do it. So, I took the initiative and did Why are you saying this is your last record? it. I got one of the most potent voices in hip hop, so I spoke on There’s the creative process, the three albums, the trips record. I did that song the first night I got out of jail. I did, like, around the world and the friends I’ve made in hip hop. 10 songs. “Big Dreams” was one of them. “My Life” was one of But the two elements that are left out are the two kids them. “The Cop Killer” was one of them. They were just songs that on the [L.A.X.] cover. Every time I talk about my kids I was writing in jail. I was only in jail for two weeks, but I didn’t -It can be a happy moment. It can be a sad moment- I have nuthin’ to do, so I was writing some songs. That was one of always tear up. When I think about my kids, man, I them that came out of it, man. I reached out to at least 10 or 15 think about securing the future of my family finanrappers. I didn’t need 15 rappers; I just needed two other cats. cially. If you liquidate everything that I got, I’ll walk Everybody was scared. I’m talking about straight-up sucka away with about $15 million I’ve accumulated over muthafucka, no-heart-having niggas. But you see niggas at my career. All of that shit don’t mean nothing to me awards and they’ll fight each other. See niggas outside and because all the time that I miss with my kids is so they’ll shoot each other and box to the death. But when you important. Although I know I take care of my kids. ask a nigga to stand up for something, they’ll run and hide They got Wiis, PSPs, Barneys and Elmos up the ass. and tuck his head under a table somewhere. [They have] Talking Barney, Dancing Barney, Spitting Barney, Dry Pot Barney. All of the shit I get my Who said they’ll do it? kids still don’t make up [for not being there] in my Nas said he’ll do it. I sent him the record. He was working mind. My sons’ mothers think I’m good. The grandon his album, but I couldn’t wait. I wanted to put it out that mothers think I’m great. The whole world always says morning. Nas couldn’t do it that night [before], but he ofhow I love the kids and always talk about the kids. But fered to do it. So, it was a wrap. It was just me. to me, the time that I miss is key to me in my life. And if I can’t find a chemical balance with hip hop and raisWhen it’s all said and done, what do you want people ing my kids, then I quit this shit. I got checked one day to tell your kids about you? when I didn’t even know where Harlem’s school was. They’re not going to hear nothing but life’s lessons, I was too embarrassed to call his mom and ask what learned hard by me and taught easy by myself. How the street the muthafucka was on. So, it took me three world feels about me? I can’t knock on everybody’s door hours to find the preschool. I know he was probably and ask them what their opinion is. I won’t stop one day sitting on the swing, kicking his feet and saying, “What’s for one negative when I take all the positive ones in stride. going on?” That’s the part of life I wanna be involved in. When you start letting people’s comments and what they feel about you [affect you], you’ll die a lonely man. I don’t The last album was decidedly West Coast. What did you set have time for that, not in my life. out for the tone of this one to be?

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

PG 23 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

FALL EDUCATION GUIDE Our Fall Education Guide profiles a diverse group of schools offering a variety of courses in different fields. Continuing your Education can Advance Your Career and Enlighten Your Life! degrees in Education and Counseling. ebration, film screenings, guest speakers, Alliance Francaise Francophonie Festival, trips to French speak- Programs feature dynamic curricula delivd’Atlanta ered in flexible class formats that make it ing countries, monthly diners , concerts, art 404.875.1211 www.afatl.com

Alliance Française d'Atlanta is an independent and non-profit organization, founded in 1912, serving the Atlanta community as the premier provider of French language and culture. With more than 1000 members served annually, it offers a variety of courses, social activities and cultural events. Alliance Française d’Atlanta is the only French language school in Atlanta that offers the complete French experience! From ordering your food in French and picking French wine to discussing books and current events, we will give you tips to parler your way into Paris and the French speaking world and top it off with Joie de vivre! The Alliance Française offers classes for all levels, from complete beginners to advanced, along with conversation and literature. AF teachers are all highly experienced and professionally trained, fostering a fun and effective learning experience. In addition to language courses, Alliance Française d’Atlanta offers its members a variety of quality cultural programs and social activities such as: Bastille Day cel-

exhibits and receptions.

Argosy University 800.377.0617 www.argosy.edu

Students looking for a more personal approach to education may find the answer at Argosy University, Atlanta. This leading institution offers a variety of degree programs that focus on the human side of success alongside professional competence. All graduate and undergraduate programs (and there are 48 nationwide, across 19 Argosy University campuses and 12 states) emphasize interpersonal skills as well as academic learning. And all are taught by practicing professionals who bring toplevel, real-world experience-and clear-eyed realism-into the classroom. So students graduate with both a solid foundation of knowledge, and the power to put it to work. Argosy University, Atlanta is located in the city of Sandy Springs, at 980 Hammond Drive, Suite 100. Argosy University offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Business, and graduate

easy to pursue a degree while meeting family and professional demands. Students choose from day and evening courses, on campus or online. Argosy University accepts students yearround on a rolling admissions basis, depending on availability of required courses. There's also a wide range of financial aid options for students who qualify. Applications and additional information are available online at argosy.edu/Atlanta or by contacting the campus at 1-800-377-0617.

International School of Skin & Nailcare

Classic Facials to Microdermbrasion Facials, to waxing, make-up, to manicures and nail art are taught at the renowned International School of Skin and Nail Care (ISSN). Our job placement is excellent and has remained near 100-percent for over a decade - no other school is close. Our long experience and being known in the Industry insures the graduate of a good job upon graduation. Over 320 active employers depend on ISSN for Esthetician and Nail Technician staffing. Our programs start monthly for the convenience of today's student. We have morning, afternoon, or evening class in the Esthetician program and day or evening classes in the Nail Technician program. We now offer a fully accredited Massage Therapy Division. We are conveniently located in the Prado, 5600 Roswell Road at I-295. We are an accredited school and approved by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology. A quick call to our Admission's office can answer all of your questions. When you call ask for a tour of the school. Call us today: Local 404-843-1005 or email us issn@skinnails.com

Janke Studios

(404) 843-1005 www.skin-nails.com

404-584-0305 www.jankestudios.com

The International School of Skin & Nail Care (ISSN) is celebrating 23 years as a school and day spa in Sandy Springs. ISSN is where all the people get trained that work in Spas, Salons, Network TV, Doctors, Cruise Ships and manufacturing companies. Anywhere skin care treatments are given or nail care beauty is performed. Courses from

If you have marveled at the beautiful freeform and controlled works of Dale Chihuly or watched a glassblowing documentary, you should know that there is a thriving glass blowing community heating up in Atlanta! Janke Studios is Atlanta's premier Glassblowing Studio and Functional Art Glass Gallery. Celebrating 11

if you want to SUCCEED, WE HAVE WHAT YOU NEED.

Our practitioner-based faculty, personalized approach, flexible on-campus and on-line learning options provide graduates with real-life tools to succeed. You can earn your Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in:*

Psychology | Business | Counseling | Education In all, we offer more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degrees across 19 campus locations nationwide. At Argosy University, we don’t just teach. Our personal approach will help lead you to the human side of success.

Learn more today at argosy.edu or call 800.377.0617 Argosy University, Atlanta | 980 Hammond Drive | Suite 100 | Atlanta, GA 30328 *Program names vary by location. Not all degree levels and programs are available at every location. ©2008 Argosy University® 08-AU-2978 – 8/08

PG 24 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

years in the metro area the Janke team continues to offer a variety of classes that will fit perfectly into your schedule. Courses are project based and designed for all from the novice to experienced glass craftsman and artist. Try a three hour paperweight workshop to get a feel for the process or if you are more adventurous, but short on time take a two day weekend workshop. During this workshop you will experience all the basic skills and glassblowing floor environment. Create your own paperweight, check out the process and meet new people. For the enthusiast, nurture your skills in an extensive five week class or host a Remote: hot glass on your site for demos, classes or educational purposes. Janke Studios is located at StudioPlex at 659 Auburn Avenue. For information on upcoming classes call 404-584-0305 or go to www.jankestudios.com

highly qualified, caring faculty and supportive peers. From the president to all campus employees, Life University is committed to creating a student-centered learning environment, featuring a student-faculty ratio of 15:1. For more information, please go to www.Life.edu or call 1-800-543-3202. "Life offers a philosophic underpinning to all of its students, chiropractic, graduate and undergraduate, in a way that's not found anywhere else. For me, as a chiropractic student, I came to Life for the quality of the technique instruction. It's also a beautiful, walk-able campus that offers a quiet and kind of quaint environment within a large and vibrant metropolitan area." -Adam Schwartz, chiropractic student from Port Huron, MI.

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SAE Atlanta

404-526-9366 www.sae-atl.com

Life University

NOW OFFERING THE ULTIMATE IN MASSAGE THERAPY TRAINING

770-426-2884 www.LIFE.com Life University was founded in 1974 as a school of chiropractic with only 22 students in its first class. Today, with more than 14,000 alumni, Life University, under the leadership of President Guy F. Riekeman and its fully committed Board of Trustees, has expanded to a complete university that offers two associate degrees, nine undergraduate degrees, a masters degree and a doctorate of chiropractic. With a diverse student population, Life University attracts students from all 50 states and 27 different countries. The College of Undergraduate Studies has nearly 500 students and offers two associate degrees in computer management and life coaching; nine bachelor degrees in business administration, computer information management, biology, exercise science, nutrition, dietetics, psychology, and biopsychology; and a master's degree in sport health science. The College of Chiropractic offers a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree and currently boasts an enrollment of approximately 1,400 students, doubling the enrollment numbers in just the past three years. This program features practice management courses that train students on how to manage a successful practice and provides valuable "hands-on" experience in the university's clinic system which includes clinics overseas. In every program, students enjoy the benefit of a highly supportive atmosphere where work is often in team and group settings with

International School Of Skin & Nails

Continuing the tradition established in 1976, SAE Atlanta educates students for careers in the entertainment industry with the focus of hands-on training. Students gain invaluable experience working on real-world projects every day. SAE Atlanta currently offers two programs: SAE's Audio Technology Program, where students can earn an Associate of Science Degree (unique to SAE Atlanta) or an SAE Diploma. SAE's belief is that in order for students to be autonomous and independent engineers, editors and artists they must have the combination of theoretical and practical knowledge - a combination that gives them the foundation necessary to solve problems, and work with various clients in a professional manner. Students have access to over 30 studios and workstations while studying at SAE Atlanta. Included are analog and digital mix-down stations by Mackie and Yamaha, FX stations, and Apple computers throughout to complete digital editing, Pro Tools, sampling, and remix exercises. To round off the educational experience the facility boast both the SSL 4000G+ and NEVE VR60 analog consoles. All graduates are provided job placement assistance and are eligible to become members of SAE's international Alumni Association. Financial assistance is available for those who quality and both full and part time classes are available. For more information please contact our Admissions Department at 404-526-9366 or visit our web site at www.sae-atl.com. SAE Atlanta is located at 215 Peachtree Street Suite 300, Atlanta GA 30303

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For an experience beyond books and lectures… Life University prides itself on instilling eight core life proficiencies in every course. From psychology to biology, students receive a solid foundation in integrity, citizenship, and leadership. Just to name a few. These skills and values will allow our graduates to not just succeed within their respective fields, but to succeed with an ability to change the world.

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LIFE.edu • 800-543-3202 PG 25 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

Road Warriors

This Month’s Hottest Shows BY JOHN DAVIDSON 09/05 AIMEE MANN

Variety Playhouse Aimee Mann continues her surprising renaissance, her once famous career as singer of 80s chart stars Til Tuesday now a decade in her past. 2006’s song cycle album, The Forgotten Arm, was a kind of a tough concept album, but she’s returned to more familiar waters on this year’s @#%&*! Smilers. Mann’s growth as a singer-songwriter remains a joy to witness.

09/06 TIFT MERRITT

Variety Playhouse Merritt’s wonderful Tambourine was nominated for a Grammy in 2005, showing that there is hope for that long maligned awards spectacle. Echoing Dusty Springfield at her most upbeat, Merritt has moved confidently away from singer/songwriter stuff and into much more memorable solo performances. Her new album Another Country is another winner and the house will be full for good reason.

09/11 MONTGOMERY GENTRY, TOBY KEITH Lakewood Amphitheatre Two of country’s biggest acts—no small feet given even country music’s withering sales— join together for a very strong billing. Montgomery

Gentry’s many polished hits over the past few years suit the tussle-and-scruﬀ, no-nonsense songcraft of Toby Keith. Now that the weather is starting to cool oﬀ a tad, a shed show is looking more and more attractive.

09/11 WHAT MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS

The EARL The little band with the long name ﬁnds itself getting more and more recognition, showing up in magazines and quite a few year end lists in 2006. Their eclectic blend of rock and pop recalls the stronger moments of the Flaming Lips with a dose of Ben Folds sarcasm, and this tour aims to capitalize on all the good press for their new album, What Doesn’t Kill Us. Indie winners Wild Sweet Orange open up the night.

9/13 INDIGO GIRLS

Chastain Park Amphitheatre A local institution and a wouldbe national treasure, Emily Saliers and Amy Ray haven’t digressed much from their formula of earnest folk music over the past twenty years. 2006’s Despite Our Diﬀerences is right up there with the best of their albums, and from this picture perfect venue, few can much this duos homespun charisma and charm.

09/13 DROPSONIC

The EARL Now that Dropsonic has finally rid themselves of the debacle that came with being the first rock act signed by hip-hop impresario Dallas Austin, they can finally get back to work on being the solid rock band they once were. Older and wiser doesn’t mean that the band is less hungry or even less good than they were a few years ago; this year’s The Low Life is pretty good for an act that is getting a little long in the tooth.

09/15 MOGWAI

09/24 THE MARS VOLTA

The Tabernacle At the Drive-In was once a powerful commodity, imploding just as the band was reaching its commercial zenith at the turn of the century. The members split up and formed two diﬀerent bands, Sparta and The Mars Volta. The latter has turned into a prog rock juggernaut while the former hasn’t seen nearly the recognition. But unless the wanky territory of prog is your interest, don’t wander into this show hoping to ﬁnd many elements of ADI.

Variety Playhouse What if a rock band spent their entire existence trying to create film soundtracks? Mogwai answers this question affirmatively and manages to change the sweeping images enough from album to album without coming off as pretentious or boring. But with only a handful of lyrics to their entire catalog, come prepared to watch the dense instrumentation and not a lot of messianic stage presence.

09/29 THE WHIGS

09/18 BRAD PAISLEY

Lakewood Amphitheatre Brad Paisley is the either the wittiest writer in country music or he has the funniest lyricists working for him this side of Letterman. Paisley’s snarky asides belie a deft touch of selfdeprecation, and his simple melodies are the legendarily catchy. As a bonus—or not!—the once famous folksinger Jewel is on the bill to strut her country stuﬀ.

The Loft At Center Stage They’ve raided their dad’s record collection. They’re the hottest young act in Scotland and maybe the entirety of the U.K., a gang of pubcrawling, skirt-chasing trouble boys whose knack for melody is so strong that it seems nicked on every track. They’re the life of the party, so easy to like that it brings on suspicion of authenticity and morning-after guilt. The Fratellis are young, dumb, and full of come.

09/23 THE DANDY WARHOLS

09/30 JENNY LEWIS

Center Stage The Dandies have never been a great live show given the extensive production involved in their studio albums, but a few of their hits (“Not Even If You Were the Last Junkie”, “Bohemian Like You”) come oﬀ pretty well. The new album Earth To the Dandy Warhols is a blend of indulgent tomfoolery, so expect a disjointed approach to the poppier stuﬀ.

WE GOT NEXT

Variety Playhouse They’ve finally found a good record label to call home, and it turns out that the addition of an A-level producer (Rob Schnapf) makes the Whigs sound pretty awesome. This year’s Mission Control was released back in January, and it kind of got lost in the shuffle. Too bad, as it’s as fine a rock record as we’ve had in the past eight months.

9/30 THE FRATELLIS

Variety Playhouse An essential half of Rilo Kiley rolls through town in support of her second solo album, a goddess among the indie kids if there ever was one. Lewis as a solo artist isn’t quite as satisfying as her work with her day job, but it’s admittedly pretty damn catchy despite the linger stench that her 15 minutes of fame quite possibly is dwindling.

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: Take Me to Town Why You Should Care: Handpicked out of near obscurity to tour their native Australia with the Foo Fighters, this

SKYBOMBERS For Fans of: BY JOHN B. MOORE

ITH AN EP FEW OUTSIDE OF their native Australia had heard, the Skybombers somehow managed to snag a spot opening for one of the biggest bands in rock, the Foo Fighters. In a matter of days, they literally went from playing to crowds of tens to tens of thousands. With the release of their brand new full length, the band has its sights

hard-rocking foursome would make fellow Aussies AC/DC proud.

The Hives, Jet and You Am I

set on the U.S. Lead singer/guitar player Hugh Gurney spoke with us recently about Take Me To Town, their new record. How did the band first get together? The band started when we were all in high school. We were in the same year level. Is it true there was a fight early on between members? We were not really friends before the band, and it is true that our drummer and our guitarist were enemies. We didn’t tell either of them the other one was in the band, so the first rehearsal was an awkward experience. What can you tell me about the new album? The new album is called Take Me To Town. It’s a record about growing up in the city, from finishing high school, getting girlfriends, going to parties and other youthful experiences. I feel plenty of people can relate to the themes of the record. We recorded it over six weeks in a slum in Los Angeles. It was a strange period... Why did you decide to record with Rick Parker? Rick was someone we were keen to work with, as we loved his records with BRMC. He saw us play at the Viper room and came up to us afterwards and said that he really wanted to work with us. It was a perfect fit. You guys were had a stroke of luck when you were asked to open for the Foo Fighters. How did that happen? I am not too sure how it happened, but I can remember when we found out. We had just played a pretty

depressing show in Sauget, Illinois and we were feeling pretty down. Then our mangers back home called us up and told us. The mood in the band changed very quickly, it was very exciting.

indie dance are all the rage. It is fun if you want to go out and dance. Bands such as The Presets and Midnight Juggernauts are really exploding back home, and I’m sure the rest of the world will catch the fever shortly.

What was that experience like? It was terrifying, before then we had only played to crowds of 1,500 people at the maximum, and we were used to small club shows, so to walk onstage in front of 12,000 people took my breath away. Our twenty minute set felt like it went in about 5 seconds. But the people really seemed to like us, and everyone involved with the Fooies was so nice to us. The last night of the tour was also Chris Shiﬄett’s birthday, so we partied at the hotel bar with the whole band and crew and some expensive champagne. Then I spewed out of a taxi as we drove to the airport.

As a relatively new band, is there anything that really surprised you about the music business or making records? Every day I am surprised by something related to the industry, for example, I am surprised by how many people are employed though the industry. When I was a kid I thought that the music industry was just the members of the bands and the fat cat, cigar smoking record label boss. I’ve now learned how many jobs there are out there if you are interested in being in the business.

How important is the US music market to Australian bands? It depends on the band. For some bands, it is vital, but other Australian bands are massive at home, but outside of Australia, no-one has heard of them. We are glad that we have had a little bit of luck in the US market so far, because tons of awesome Aussie bands never get that chance. What is the current state of rock music in Australia? Any good up and coming bands we should know about? Rock and roll is in a strange position in Australia at the moment. We have always had such a strong rock and roll heritage, thanks to bands such as AC/DC, The Easybeats and The Saints, but at the moment, electro and

So you guys are really starting to take off now, what advice do you have for bands who are just now starting out? I think the best thing young bands can do is to get their live show as exciting or as interesting as possible. When we started out we played anywhere and everywhere, just so we could play as well as possible live. Throughout these early stages I would try to write as many songs as possible, in varied styles, and test them out on the people you play too. What are your US tour plans? We are just finishing off our dates with Flogging Molly, and then we go have a run of shows with People in Planes. It is very exciting because we haven’t been to a lot of the places this tour will take us, such as New York, so we are really looking forward to getting out there. PG 27 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

SPORTS NEWS

Cowboys Up NFL Preview

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

OST FOLKS AROUND THE country either love the Dallas Cowboys or love to spit on the very ground they play on. “America’s Team” has always been that popular kid from high school, the one who couldn’t seem to do anything wrong but you knew, deep down, he had to have a terrible secret. To the dismay of Cowboys faithful worldwide, that secret exposed itself to a national audience a season ago- Dallas can crack under pressure. Wade Phillips’ squad has had seven months to get over their postseason meltdown. Tony Romo, T.O., Marian Barber and Adam “Don’t Call Me Pac-Man” Jones won’t flinch under the lights this year, ultimately stealing what ever cameras poised to beam on the Mannings, New England or that Favre fella. And trust, the Dallas Cowboys are gonna love every minute of it.

NFC 1. DALLAS

Marian Barber is an absolute workhorse. Last year, while sharing the carries with Julius Jones, Barber galloped to nearly 1,000 yards. As the primary steed in one of the most potent offenses, he’ll miss the 1,300yard marker by a nose.

2. NEW YORK GIANTS

What else can be said about the miracle season from Eli Manning and the surprise Super Bowl champs? Nothing, that’s why the team is squarely focused on keeping the Cowboys at bay and keeping their thoughts off Osi Umenyiora’s season-ending injury.

3. MINNESOTA

Tarvaris Jackson threw as many INTs and he did TDs a year ago. Jackson didn’t have a single 300-yard passing game either. If he tightens up just a bit at the QB slot, life gets a lot simpler for standout back Adrian Peterson.

4. CAROLINA

In ’07, one man’s body was hurt (Jake Delhomme). The other’s confidence was rattled (Julius Peppers). If the Panthers have both playing to their full capacity, the NFC South race could be a laugher.

5. SEATTLE

Though the Seahawks play some of the most ho hum football in the world, you can’t argue with Coach Mike Holmgren’s track record. The man has a career winning percentage better than Bill Walsh’s or Mike Dikta’s.

6. NEW ORLEANS

For a Saints offense considered to be so potent, the group only scored the ninth-most receiving TDs a year ago. Adding Jeremy Shockey to the mix should open up plenty doors for Reggie Bush and Marques Colston.

it to the NFC title game like they did in ’07. They can blame Bret Favre’s Big Apple defection for that. The Pack won’t loss 13 games and make it to the NFC basement either. They can thank heady new QB Aaron Rodgers for that.

9. WASHINGTON

LaRon Landry has evolved into one of the most exciting defensive players in the NFL. Basically, you just can’t lose watching a Redskins game because, on offense, Jason Campbell should be coming into his own on offense.

10. TAMPA BAY

Quietly, Jeff Garcia had a very solid season throwing (2,440 yards, 14 TDs). But if the Bucs were really posing a threat to Carolina and New Orleans in the NFC South, they needed to do something louder in the backfield –literally and figuratively- than Warrick Dunn.

11. DETROIT

Jon Kitna’s gotta feel good knowing that he can toss the ball 40 yards down either side of the field and Calvin Johnson or Roy Williams will grab it. Jon Kitna’s gotta feel crappy knowing the Lions are grooming Drew Stanton for his job.

12. ST. LOUIS

Bowl defeat. Though Tom Brady’s foot is hurting, the man’s ready to lead the Pats back down glory road. Randy Moss, Wes Welker and the rest can’t wait to start the journey.

2. INDIANAPOLIS

Peyton Manning, who hasn’t missed a regular-season start in his illustrious 10-year career, could skip the Lucas Oil Stadium opener while he heals from left knee surgery. The opposition better get the Colts while they’re gimpy.

3. SAN DIEGO

Just because Shawne Merriman’s season is over before it began doesn’t mean that the Chargers are finished, right? Right?! Well, LaDanian Tomlinson’s been banged up and flashy tight end Antonio Gates might start the season on the sidelines nursing a toe.

4. CLEVELAND

If Brady Quinn’s the future in Ohio, why then did the Browns re-sign Derek Anderson to three years/$24 million? We don’t have the answer on that one, but we do know that Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, Jamal Lewis and free-agent Shaun Rogers are unquestioned talents.

5. PITTSBURGH

There must be something about Ram meat because the injury bug just can’t get enough of this team. Though St. Louis went a tragic 3-13 last year, a lot of that can be blamed on aches. Isaac Bruce (signed with San Francisco) and Steven Jackson (contract dispute) aren’t around for other reasons.

Surprisingly, the Steelers O-line has given up 93 sacks over the past two seasons. It’s no wonder Ben Roethlisberger has looked a step slower in the pocket. Receiver Hines Ward and safety Troy Polamalu have burn to spare.

Matt Leinart (two TDs, four INTs in an injury-plagued season) will get another chance to become the Cardinals’ franchise QB. Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are already two of the franchise’s best receivers ever.

We like QB David Garrard a lot for the Jags. But we kinda feel bad for the guy, seeing as how a hobbling Jerry Porter and journeying Troy Williamson are his best long-ball options. Thankfully, his short yard choices, Fred Taylor and Maurice JonesDrew, are arguably the best 1-2 punch in the bizness.

13. ARIZONA

14. CHICAGO

Picking between Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman for the QB slot is like deciding between a marathon of The Hills and a matinee showing of Disaster Movie. You don’t really want either. But we’ll watch that defense all day.

15. ATLANTA

In this world of free agency, it’s hard for Falcons fans to grasp the term “rebuilding year.” But hey, they’re doing their best with it. If Michael Turner carries, Roddy White catches and rookie Matt Ryan keeps his composure, ’09 won’t have to hurry.

16. SAN FRANCISCO

6. JACKSONVILLE

7. DENVER

Conduct violations will keep the Broncos’ top receiver, Brandon Marshall, off the field the first two or three games. Quick-triggered Jay Cutler was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes earlier this year; Marshall’s suspension is nothing.

8. HOUSTON

With Matt Schaub under center, rookie RB Steve Slaton behind him and the surehanded Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels on both sides, these Texans will score. If they played anywhere besides the AFC South, folks would care.

11. BALTIMORE

B-More’s all of a sudden become the place for drama. What was once clearly Willis McGahee’s tailback position has turned cloudly now that rookie Ray Rice showed up. Same goes for the QB slot where Troy Smith, Kyle Boller and Joey Flacco still can’t decide who’s most average.

12. OAKLAND

The Raiders are arguably the NFL’s biggest wild card. If Jamarcus Russell and Darren McFadden grasp regular season speed quickly, there’s no reason the Black & Silver can’t make Denver and KC blue in the division.

13. CINCINNATI

Coach Marvin Lewis had had enough with the off-field antics, so he finally handed walking papers to problem receiver Chris Henry. Err, what’s this we hear about Bengals re-signing Henry the same week star wideout Chad Johnson admits to a labrum tear and Carson Palmer a broken nose?

14. BUFFALO

Fantasy players know all about wideout Lee Evans (849 yards receiving) and running back Marshawn Lynch (1,115 yards rushing). Most knew nothing about Trent Edwards (1,630 yards passing), before this breakout season.

15. MIAMI

Just off the fact that Chad Pennington is a significant upgrade at QB the Dolphins will win more than the one game it did last year. If a healthy Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams work together, they could get five or six.

�� The 49ers managed just 219 total points last year. (The Patriots, contrastingly, scored well over 500.) With J.T. O’Sullivan and Alex Smith fighting over the QB slot, the paltry number surely won’t rise much.

9. NEW YORK JETS

He was a veteran and five-time Pro Bowler elsewhere, so when he came to New York for $40 million this offseason, cameras were on his every move. O-lineman Alan Faneca has got loads of pressure. So, too, does that guy quarterbacking for the Jets named Brett Favre.

16. KANSAS CITY

It’s gonna be fun, as always, watching Larry Johnson shake tacklers off. It’s even gonna be nice chronicling rookie Glenn Dorsey’s development along the D-line. But the punishment soon to be unleashed on QB Brodie Croyle is nothing to see.

NFL PREVIEW

7. PHILADELPHIA

Longtime Eagle Donovan McNabb is back. Though new faces (free agent Asante Samuel, rookie Desean Jackson) are around the huddle, McNabb’s mission is the same as it ever was—keep the Cowboys and Giants in check.

8. GREEN BAY

The Pack won’t win 13 games and make

PG 28 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP  DALLAS OVER NY GIANTS

AFC

1. NEW ENGLAND

16 straight regular season wins. Two playoff triumphs. One unforgettable Super

10. TENNESSEE

Word out of Nashville is that this kid Chris Johnson is pure lightning between the seams. We also hear that Vince Young is growing patient in the pocket and Jevon Kearse is back up to his “Freak”-ish ways for the smoldering Titans D.

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP  NEW ENGLAND OVER CLEVELAND SUPER BOWL XLIII  DALLAS OVER NEW ENGLAND

SPORTS NEWS

Dawgs Have Their Day

2008 NCAA Football Preview BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

INCE. HERSCHEL. BUCK. LINDSAY. Around Athens, those names are bigger than Usher or Madonna will ever be. Their mere mention puts a smile on Georgia football fans’ faces. If either said they were starting a gator farm tomorrow, they’d still have supporters. That’s just how much the members of the 1980 national title-winning team mean to the city. Current UGA head coach Mark Richt, quarterback Matthew Stafford and running sensation Knowshon Moreno are already worshiped around Clarke County. Were they to side step major injuries and overcome a brutal schedule –LSU, Florida, Kentucky and Auburn in consecutive weeks!- to win the BCS championship on January 8 in Miami, they’d become living legends, too. Oklahoma, USC and Ohio State would love to ruin the story. But with the kind of talent, coaching and magic (the ’80/’08 thing just works) Georgia has on its side, INsite feels another happy ending is finally on its way to Athens.

1. GEORGIA

No matter how many magazine covers Moreno and Stafford grace, there isn’t enough ink to express just how important they are to the team. But on the same token, playmaker Mohammed Massaquoi and corner Asher Allen deserve a lot more press than what they’ve been receiving, too.

2. OKLAHOMA

The Sooners were spanked by 20 in last season’s Fiesta Bowl by West Virginia. QB Sam Bradford (threw for an NCAA freshman-record 36 TDs), tailback DeMarco Murray, strong safety Nic Harris and the entire offensive line will run through the Big 12 to get that taste out of their mouths.

3. OHIO STATE

The third time’s a charm, right? Buckeye Nation hopes so. For the past two years, OSU got to the BCS title game only to lose convincingly to a SEC team (Florida in ’06; LSU in ’07). If they’re to face UGA this year, they’ll need to beat USC in Sept., have QB Todd Boeckman’s confident in Oct. and RB Chris Wells unstoppable in Nov.

4. FLORIDA

Since 1990, UF is 100-12 at The Swamp. Hawaii, LSU and Miami visit this year. If Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, who ran or threw for 55 TDs a season ago, has his way, the high-scoring Gators will be 107-12 around Thanksgiving.

5. MISSOURI

The Tigers probably don’t mind that you’ve already forgotten that they went 12-2 and finished No. 4 in the AP last year. QB Chase Daniels doesn’t care that you don’t realize he was a Heisman finalist either. It does bother the stuffy D, however, when opposing offenses think they’re getting into the end zone.

6. USC

If the always-stacked Trojans, who’ve won six straight Pac-10 crowns, appear to be on the defensive, it’s for good reason: Just because starting QB Mark Sanchez is hobbled by a dislocated kneecap, it doesn’t mean the men of

Troy have an Achilles’ heel.

7. AUBURN

Backs Ben Tate and Brad Lester are gonna need to scarf down chunks of yardage if the Tigers are to improve on a total offense that ranked 10th in the SEC last year. The defense? Well, there’s not much you can do to improve on 6th best in the nation.

8. TEXAS

With two years of eligibility left, gunslinger Colt McCoy is already sixth on the Longhorns’ all-time list for passing yards. Sadly, top receivers Limas Sweed and Nate Jones are gone. If Colt can’t find another aerial option, so are UT’s Big 12 title hopes.

9. LSU

Ryan Perrilloux had promise behind center; the young man just made too many dumb off-the-field choices. Andrew Hatch, a Harvard transfer, takes over at QB. The defending champs hope it’s the smart move.

10. ILLINOIS

Nope, you weren’t dreaming. That really was the Juice Williams-led Fighting Illini in last year’s Rose Bowl. If they’re to have any chance of repeating their surprise 9-4 campaign, Juice’s crew needs a good showing against Mizzou and an even better one versus revengeminded Ohio State.

11. WEST VIRGINIA

This can’t be right. It says here that Mountaineers QB Pat White is only 22-years-old. It seems like the kid’s been running the spread

offense forever in Charleston. Speedster Noel Devine will help carry the load even more this year.

12. CLEMSON

Think BC’s Matt Ryan was the top-rated ACC QB last year? Yeah, we did too. In actuality, it was Tiger Cullen Harper. Had we asked offensive weapons C.J. Spiller, Aaron Kelly or James Davis, we wouldn’t look so stupid now.

13. KANSAS

The ’07 Jayhawks appeared in the school’s first January bowl (a 24-21 Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech). Because unheralded QB Todd Reesing and a nine guys off a D that allowed just 16 pts/game return, KU could make it the norm.

14. TEXAS TECH

Coach Mike Leach has led the Red Raiders to bowls in each of his first eight seasons. With the talent the man has (QB Graham Harrell, WR Michael Crabtree, lineman Colby Whitlock), a Gator Bowl repeat would be a letdown.

15. WISCONSIN

Since the start of ’04, the Badgers have only lost once in 26 home games. That’s great news for tailback P.J. Hill and Co. because OSU, Penn State and Illinois are all stopping by this season.

16. TENNESSEE

The Vols are taking the road less traveled with scheduling. Whereas most schools feast on the minnows in September, Tennessee’s going after big fish UCLA, Florida and Auburn. Survive that and the Dawgs are waiting on Oct. 11.

17. BYU

The Cougars are undefeated at home and in Mountain West play over the past two seasons. Because of one of college’s flashiest offenses (BYU scored over 30 seven times in ’07), we expect the latter to continue. UCLA, however, may have something to say about that first fact.

18. SOUTH FLORIDA

Surprise! South Florida, the Big East upstart that rose all the way to No. 2 last year, is back at it. They won’t sneak up on the Auburns and West Virginias like a year ago. QB Matt Grothe and DE George Selvie won’t need to.

19. ALABAMA

Forbes recently named Bama shot-caller Nick Saban the most powerful coach in sports. If Saban’s John Parker Wilson-toJulio Jones pass/catch combo delivers, last year’s embarrassing loss to Louisiana-Monroe will be old news.

20. ARIZONA STATE

While UGA might be focusing on LSU and Florida, it better not overlook the Sept. 20 match-up with Dennis Erickson’s Devils. Rudy Carpenter can throw. Keegan Herring can go. Troy Nolan won’t be able to tell the NFL no.

21. VIRGINIA TECH

ESPN/ABC loves airing Hokies games. This year is no different, as four Va. Tech matchups are slated for a national audience. With 13 ’07 starters gone, the network is hoping all the reserves are ready for their close-ups.

22. WAKE FOREST

After the Oct. 9 showdown with Clemson, we should know if these Demon Deacons will be the first to make back-to-back-to-back bowl games. Around then, we’ll also have a better understanding of how good QB Riley Skinner is.

23. OREGON

After Dennis Dixon went down with a knee injury last year, you could almost feel the life go out of the Oregon sideline. Safety star-inthe-making Patrick Chung and JUCO transfer LeGarrette Blount are the Ducks’ new lease.

24. MISSISSIPPI STATE

Coach Sylvester Croom was left for dead in Starkville two years back. But after a surprising 8-5 turnaround (which included a shocker over Auburn and a Liberty Bowl win), he’s on to stage two of the resurrection.

25. PENN STATE

The ’07 Alamo Bowl was icon Joe Paterno’s 500th game as the Nittany Lions coach. In that time, Joe Pa’s had some good receivers, but he may have never had a trio like Deon Butler, Derrick Williams and Jordan Norwood.

2630 ALABAMA, FRESNO STATE, NOTRE DAME, OREGON STATE AND PITTSBURGH PG 29 • insiteatlanta.com • September 2008

SPORTS NEWS

FANATIC BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS “I’m a competitor and I get the sense this marketplace doesn’t compete. Everyone is hanging on for dear life at both papers. I think probably the days of high-stakes competition in Chicago are over. To see what has happened in this business. … I don’t want to go down with it.” –COL UMNIST JAY MARRIOTTI, explaining his resignation from the Chicago Sun-Times Okay, the FANTASY FOOTBALL season has started. Your lineup isn’t regal but it’s respectable. Looking for a couple of guys to pick up on the waiver wire that might get you out of the middle of your 10-team heap? Why not give Jason Campbell (QB, Washington), Jabar Gaﬀney (WR, New England), Tarvaris Jackson (QB, Minnesota), Darrell Jackson (WR, Denver), Justin Gage (WR, Tennessee), Ben Utecht (TE, Cincinnati) and the New York Jets’ defense a shot? “It’s hard to put some concrete projections on his endorsement opportunities. It’s not going to be an opportunity, it’s going to be a buﬀet of opportunities.” -Chris Console, managing director of Steiner Sports and Entertainment, on MICHAEL PHELPS’ promising economic future Five September college FOOTBALL games that may decide what happens in January: Ohio State at USC (Sept 13); UCLA at BYU (Sept 13); Florida at Tennessee (Sept 20); Auburn at LSU (Sept 20); Georgia at Arizona State (Sept 20).

��

A Monthly Sports Must-See TV Wrap-up Top 5 Games This Month ESPN asked visitors to name the best players in the history of each NFL franchise. As you might expect, some teams didn’t have a clear winner. On the flip side, the following stars got over 80% of the votes for their respected squads: Walter Payton (Chicago), Tom Brady (New England), John Elway (Denver), Jim Brown (Cleveland) and Dan Marino (Miami). Detroit running back Barry Sanders (93%) earned the greatest percentage of votes. Former Minnesota wide receiver Randy Moss (27.3%) got the fewest. A kicker, Matt Stover (52.7%), won the Baltimore vote. In the wake of last weekend’s bump-and-run and post-race altercation at Bristol, is it going to get ugly between championship leaders Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards? “If Kyle has his way, it will get ugly,” says NA SCAR.com columnist Raygan Swan. “But I think Carl is ready to put the incident behind him. He’s not one that thrives on conflict like young Mr. Busch. But I see Kyle retaliating in some way -- taking his girlfriend, calling him Mr. Ed again, or something. Kyle, I don’t think, can leave well enough alone.” “Our DNA is different than theirs. We serve sports fans. It’s hard in our culture to fathom tape-delaying in the same way they have. I’m not suggesting it wasn’t the smart thing for them to do, but it’s not our culture. We did Euro 2008 in the afternoon. We’ve done the World Cup in the middle of the morning. We have different audiences.” -JOHN SKIP PER, ESPN’S EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR CONTENT, on the network bidding against ABC, Fox and NBC for the rights to the ’14 Winter Games and ’16 Summer Games And finally… Phelps’ most recent Sports Illustrated cover, the one where he’s showcasing the eight golds he won in the water, sold 72% more copies than the average issue… Chipper Jones is the first Major Leaguer to play 2,000 games for one manager (Bobby Cox) on one team (Atlanta Braves)… Actor Freddie Prinze Jr. has joined WWE in some unspecified creative capacity… Only five guys have hit 30 home runs in more than the 11 seasons NY Met Carlos Delgado has- Hank Aaron (15), Barry Bonds (14), Babe Ruth (13), Mike Schmidt (13) and Jimmie Foxx (12)… When you get a free moment, type in: www.tigerwoodsdubai. com. One word: Woooooow.

1 2 3 4 5

Ohio State at USC (September 13, 8PM, ABC)

The winner here won’t have a clear path to an undefeated season, but it’ll be about as smooth as one could hope.

NY Jets at San Diego (September 22, 8:30PM, ESPN)

LaDanian. Favre. Monday Night Football. Where are my damn Pizza Hut coupons?!

Georgia at Arizona State (September 20, 8PM, ABC)

INsite and nearly everyone else thinks this is the year for the Dawgs. They start proving it here in the desert.

Kansas at South Florida (September 12, 8PM, ESPN2)

Two Top 20 teams that are looking at this matchup as a We-told-you-we-belonged showing to the nation.

The Tour Championship

(September 27-28, TBA, NBC)

Mr. Woods won last year. Padraig, Phil and Mr. Perry putt it out this time in the PGA ﬁnale in Atlanta.

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