Talk of the Town - Why ask why? September 02 2000

I understand that I do not understand everything, but I like to at least think I have a clue. Which makes it even more difficult for me to understand when things occur that the rest of our city accepts as normal. For instance, Bill Campbell’s mustache. Well, let’s not go there. But I do want to discuss “Survivor,” CBS’ wildly popular reality television show on which a collection of loony toons were stranded on a deserted isle. “Survivor” pulled in banner numbers of viewers all summer for the Tiffany network. Still, I managed to go the summer without watching a single episode, until last Wednesday’s grand finale.

Color me surprised: The show was great. I found myself pulling hard for Kelly, the dumb contestant that bore a striking resemblance to one of Popeye’s goons. I was aghast with delight when truck drivin’ Susan (who they kept calling “Sue”) ripped into Kelly and when Rich the bitch wrested away votes at the last second.

After watching “Survivor,” the appeal was obvious to me. Who wouldn’t like to watch a bunch of lonely people stranded with other lonely people who they can’t trust? But even after coming to that conclusion, there were other questions that I needed answered.

Take the AJC, a newspaper written and laid out so that basically every day is “News For Kids,” with big goofy graphics and completely useless articles. I enjoy, “Peach Buzz” and Terence Moore’s sports columns, but when the first thing you turn to in a newspaper is the crossword puzzle, that’s not a good sign. Still, the paper remains popular. I can’t wrap my mind around this one. Hey Ted Turner, I heard this week that you get my column in your clippings, so please give me a call. Let’s start a daily that’ll blow everyone away. And I promise I won’t write anything about your marriages.

And then there’s the Atlanta restaurant scene, in which the same eight people open and close restaurants at will as the favorable buzz continues to follow them around. One of these days, even the erudite will wake up and realize that there’s a reason places like Fusebox only stay open 18 months while the Waffle House can’t stay open long enough.

Occasionally even the coolest joints have to close. The popular Yin Yang Music Cafe downtown is closing shop Sept. 9 thanks to a weird situation, even though they still are packing ‘em in on Thursdays when local group the Chronicle throws down. We hear that club manager Freddie Luster and his gal, local writer A.S. Reid, are heading to New York.

The rock music industry is crazy here, too. 99X rules with an iron fist, deciding who gets to be a star and who doesn’t. If you’re nice to Barnes, Leslie and Jimmy, you’re in. But occasionally talent gets a say. Last week it was announced that the single “Reasons Why” from local band Brand New Immortals has been added to the 99X playlist. Featuring former Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt and ex-Follow For Now thrasher David Ryan Harris, BNI are the local group that should make it big. And, after making nice with the Morning X zoo crew, BNI will be headlining the locals stage at the Big Day Out show at Lakewood on Oct. 1.

And in the most bizarre news of the week, jettisoned Atlanta Hawks bad boy Isaiah “J.R. for the ladies” Rider signed with the L.A. Lakers. Think about it: If J.R. had acted right last year, he would have signed a multi-million dollar deal to stay with the middling Hawks. Instead, he did some serious partying, got to leave the Hawks and now he gets to play on the best team in the NBA. Talk about a survivor.

And then there are anonymous callers like the one I had last week who asserted that I was a “fucking wigger.” Sorry sir, but it’s “Whitaker,” not Wigger.

What’s up, Atlanta? Hit me up at 404-688-5623 x.1502 or lang@creativeloafing.com.