Tyler Perry blogs about his cameo in 'Star Trek'
There were audible gasps across metro-area movie theaters early Friday when local movie fans recognized a certain high-profile Atlantan in "Star Trek."
Sure enough, that was Atlanta director-writer-actor Tyler Perry in two pivotal scenes as a Starfleet commander.
But perhaps the biggest shocker?
Perry's presence in any film he didn't write, produce and direct himself here at his multimillion Tyler Perry Studios.
As "Trek" film fans know, Paramount Pictures is betting heavily on "Lost" creator and "Trek" director J.J. Abrams' lavish, expensive summer flick to re-boot the 40-year-old franchise so the studio's sci-fi financial fortunes might live long and prosper.
So why did Perry take the role?
We'll let the vertically blessed actor speak for himself via his latest blog posted on tylerperry.com.
Blogs Perry: "I love sci-fi! Did you know that? I do! One of my favorite movies is 'Aliens.' It is a very small part but it was so cool being a part of it. And working with J.J. Abrams was the best.
Of his two scenes in the film, Perry advises: "Don't blink because you'll miss me. Seriously, if you have to go to the bathroom forget about it. You'll really miss me. So hold it ... LOL."
In a much more serious vein, Perry publicly addresses for the first time this week's Fulton County grand jury indictment of Dawne Wilson, the 35-year-old Marietta woman charged with stalking him.
Wilson was arrested April 15 at Perry's studio facility in southwest Atlanta after she allegedly violated a restraining order by answering Perry's casting call for extras.
An order was issued in Cobb County last year barring her from Perry's home and business after she allegedly sent the "Madea" star inappropriate e-mails and making unwelcome visits to his home.
Writes Perry on his Web site: " I know a lot of you had concerns about this woman. Thanks for the well wishes on the [message] board. All I have to say about it is don't be concerned. It's all fine. I can't talk about it as she is in jail and this has to run its course through the court system. Just know that I'm fine. All is well here. I gotta tell you when I imagined doing well, I didn't see all of this ... But I wouldn't regret this blessing for nothing in the world. Smile. ... TP."
Aldean barrels up Billboard charts
Jason Aldean's on top again. It's been more than three years since the Macon native scored his first No. 1 country hit with "Why," from his self-titled debut album. Now, "She's Country," the first single from his third album. "Wide Open," puts him back at the country pinnacle in the latest Billboard rankings. He's had several Top 10s in the years since that debut, but it's always better to be the king.
And Aldean has a lot of Georgia company.
It's looking like a banner year for Georgia country. At No. 3 is the ever-reliable hitmaking duo Sugarland with "It Happens." Move a little further down the chart and you'll find the locals in the Zac Brown Band (at No. 11), Georgia's country elder statesman Alan Jackson, the Augusta boys in Lady Antebellum (No. 14), Atlanta's the LostTrailers (No. 17), and Rincon's Billy Currington (No. 21).
Overscene
"Grey's Anatomy" actress Katherine Heigl dining at Chops in Buckhead. We're told it appeared to be a family dinner (the actress's father Paul lives here). Chops spies spill that they "asked for an out of-the-way table and tried hard to be incognito." As one diner described it, the stab at anonymity would have worked more efficiently "if Heigl wasn't so hot!"
The "Knocked Up" star is in town shooting "Five Killers" with Ashton Kutcher, Catherine O'Hara, Tom Selleck and Martin Mull.
Tweet of the Week
From WSB-AM Washington D.C. correspondent Jamie Dupree's Twitter page: "Hillary Clinton draws laughs in White House briefing room: 'You know, I successfully avoided this room for eight years.'"
Celebrity Birthdays
CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace is 91. Actor Albert Finney is 73. Producer-director James L. Brooks is 69. Actress Candice Bergen is 63. Singer Billy Joel is 60. Actor John Corbett ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Northern Exposure") is 48. Singer David Gahan of Depeche Mode is 47. Rapper Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan is 39. Actress Rosario Dawson ("Grindhouse," "Rent") is 30.
Contributing: Shane Harrison and news services.
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