Where It's At

New York artists chart body, mind, and spirit in "Above + Beneath."

• by Carol Knowles

Southern Comfort

From one of our spies, who woke up to find her East Memphis neighborhood covered up by the cast and crew of Southern Comfort, an in-progress TV pilot which has been called a Southern Sopranos: “Several large panel trucks were parked across the street. The one directly in front of my house said, ‘Paskal Lighting – Hollywood.’ A couple of hours later, four tractor trailers, golf carts, cherry pickers, vans, security cars, and a police detail on three motorcycles arrived. Television cable was run for what seemed like miles. Little campers parked on the street were each marked with a character’s name — ‘Demetria,’ ‘Tripp,’ etc.

“The actors’ waste cans were out on the sidewalk. One was overflowing with Winston cigarette wrappers and Diet Coke cans. I spotted Eric Roberts in a suit and tie standing with an actor who appeared to be his double. Madeleine Stow, in jeans and a baseball cap, was taller than I expected. Lots of Starbucks and smoking. The actors milled about in the street or on the driveway. One of the teen actors was having a blast driving a golf cart. I wondered if acting was boring….”

If the action picks up, we’ll let you know.

• by John Branston

This, Unlike Pimping, Was Easy

Ever since Three 6 Mafia’s March 5th Oscar win for “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” there’s been a proliferation of writers using the phrase “It’s hard out here for a (fill in the blank).” You’ve got your New York Times’ March 12th headline ''It's Hard out Here for a Pope'' and BusinessWeek.com’s March 20th story “It’s Hard Out Here for a Lobbyist,” just to name two.

This got us wondering how many times the phrase has been used, so we Googled it, which led us to the discovery that many others have already beaten us to it. (It’s hard out here for a Pie-Butt????) Check it out at the Language Log Web site.

• by John Branston

Q&A: Wendi Thomas

Departing metro columnist at The Commercial Appeal

• by Mary Cashiola

The Man Who Made Memphis

“If you have ever mixed multiple patterns in a single room, painted one wall a daring color, purchased a teapot with a little bird that whistles when the water's hot or infused your house with inspiring objects from other cultures, there are experts who'll say it's due to the influence of Ettore Sottsass and his group.

"Sottsass is one of the greatest designers of the 20th century and one of the greatest poets of design of all time," says Paola Antonelli, curator of architecture and design at New York's Museum of Modern Art. "What he did was revolutionary, from the 1960s on. First, designing typewriters and mainframe computers for Olivetti, then doing the first decorative plastic laminates for Memphis, which are still in use today.”

Yes, she said “Memphis,” but what Antonelli is talking about is the famous Memphis Design Cooperative, an Italian group founded by Sottsass in the 1980s. Sottsass, now 88, is here in America for his first U.S. museum show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Read more about Sottsass and how he decided to call the most influential design movement of the late 20th century Memphis (it involves wine and a Bob Dylan song) here.

• by John Branston

The Cheat Sheet

• by Michael Finger

Walking in Memphis

Seven Days of Spring Fashion

• by Mary Cashiola

Hard Times Indeed

If you can manage to keep a career going in Hollywood for three decades, you're doing all right. And we're awfully proud of the beautiful, if difficult, Cybill Shepherd, really we are. Why, Cybill was the queen of the ’80s, "Moonlighting" with up-and-comer Bruce Willis, and later starring in her own sitcom. And she absolutely thrilled us with her spot-on portrayal of domestic nightmare Martha Stewart. (Favorite line in the movie? "HEY SLUT! I'm writing your mother a letter and telling her you're a WHORE!"). But, good times they are a-fleeting. Cybill is still working, but we have to wonder if her agent is on the sauce, letting her take on a movie directed by, ahem, Mario Van Peebles, aptly-titled Hard Times. Insert your own joke here. More info on the sure-to-be-blockbuster:

• by John Branston

Mad Hot Memphis

• by Mary Cashiola

You Want Fries With That?

It started nearly two decades ago with a “double drive-thru” in Mississippi, and was the first quick-service chains to introduce 100 percent black angus beef. Now, Memphis-based Back Yard Burgers boasts 173 restaurants in 20 states, and the company is looking for a new president/CEO. Founder Lattimore Michael, a former grocery store owner, will continue to serve as chairman, while Joseph Weiss, a major stockholder and franchisee, will serve as interim COO until a new leader is named. Get your application in early. Experience preferred. Read all about it here.

• by John Branston

Married to the Mob

Fox Mafia drama shoots in Memphis.

• by Bianca Phillips

Back to the Trees

Trying to describe, even remember, something beyond words.

• by Paul Gerald

DJ Pris, y'all

Priscilla Presley did more than hobnob with Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton when she visited Graceland Monday morning for the attraction’s official designation as a National Historic Landmark. She also yakked it up on Sirius Elvis Radio, thanking fans for attending the ceremony and remembering how the “68 Comeback” for NBC-TV was the first time she saw Elvis perform a live concert. Disguised just a little behind aviator shades, DJ Priscilla also played a few Elvis tunes: “If I Can Dream” and a rendition of “America.” For more photos of Priscilla looking sharp in the Elvis Radio studio, go here:

• by John Branston

And Now for Something Completely Different

Looking for an unusual night of theater? Book a seat for Saucy Jack and the Space Aliens, playing through April 2nd at the Circuit Playhouse.

Set in a galaxy consumed by eco-wars, a seedy nightclub on a distant planet offers refuge to the depraved and disco-deprived. But as murderous mayhem lurks, the crime-fighting Space Vixens shine a mirror-ball beacon of hope through the boogie nights. A futuristic, fun-filled musical tribute to the era of bubble-wrap and glitter boots, this campy post-millenium Rocky Horror Show will have divas of disco grooving with a ‘Saturday Night Fever’ until the ‘last dance.’

Circuit Playhouse, 1705 Poplar, 726-4656

• by John Branston

Appearing Today on Fox, MSNBC, and CNN

The national media crime watch shifts to Selmer, Tennessee, this afternoon when Mary Winkler has her first court appearance. The minister’s wife and mother of three small children is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of her husband, Matthew Winkler, the preacher Fourth Street Church of Christ in Selmer. Over the weekend Winkler hired well-known Mississippi defense attorney Steven Farese, who was interviewed Monday morning on CNN. The motive in the murder has not been revealed yet, although investigators say they know what it was. The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

• by John Branston

We're Here To Help

Sunday’s Commercial Appeal ran the last column by Wendi C. Thomas, who is moving to Baltimore to work for The Baltimore Sun.

According to Thomas, she’s been crying so much as to wipe out the area Kleenex supply. While we suspect much of that crying has been crocodile tears, we’ve found these sites, where she can buy tissue in bulk. Check them out here, here, and here.

And, given all the barbecue she’s reportedly been eating, we thought she could use some wet naps as well.

• by John Branston

New Arena, Old Issues

Two Republican candidates cause concern in the GOP's establishment ranks.

• by Jackson Baker

S.O.L. for Term Limits Plaintiffs

The state Supreme Court has concluded a lengthy judicial process that began two years ago when three veteran Shelby County commissioners sued to overturn a 1994 referendum term-limiting them out of power. The decision means the end of the line for their days on the County Commission for plaintiffs Walter Bailey, Cleo Kirk, and Julian Bolton. Bailey and Kirk, have filed for reelection this year and were listed on the ballot. (Bolton has talked of entering the race for Congress in the 9th District.)

The Court overruled a state appellate court’s temporary stay and sustained Chancellor Tene Alissandratos’ earlier judgment against the plaintiffs. It found that there was “no compelling reason” to interfere with the rights of a “chartered county” to “impose term limits on the members of a legislative branch.”

So what will they do? Allow us to recommend a nice movie.

STATE SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS COUNTY'S TERM LIMITS LAW

Affirmation of the county's 1994 referendum means that plaintiff commissioners Bailey, Kirk and Bolton are ineligible for reelection.

• by Jackson Baker

POLITICS: Smorgasbord

It’s campaign time, and do you know where your candidates are?

• by Jackson Baker

Puffin' Stuff

From The Chattanoogan: State Senator (and US Senate hopeful) Rosalind Kurita has proposed a 71-cent per pack tax on cigarettes in order to deter teenage smoking and raise $100-million for healthcare in Tennessee. It’s a bold plan that would bring the comparatively low price of tobacco products in Tennessee in line with the rest of the country. On the other hand it could lose Kurita the crucial chain-smoker vote.

• by Flyer Staff

Plante: How It Looks

• by Bruce Plante

Git-R-Elected

Joe Cooper, who's run for more offices than Time-Warner has channels, said Saturday that he hopes to avail himself of the services of Dan Whitney (a.k.a. Larry the Cable Guy), the standup comic who stars in a new movie, Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, directed by Cooper’s son Trent. Candidate Cooper says he wants Whitney, who’s been featured lately on the Don Imus show, The Tonight Show, and other national TV venues, to do robo-calls (automated telephone messages) for Cooper’s current campaign, a race for the District 5 county commission seat.

No mention of Whitney’s position on bison at Shelby Farms or whether the comic might sign a lifetime contract for races Cooper has yet to run.

• by Flyer Staff

Eight is Enough

The Memphis Tigers climbed to the NCAA's Elite Eight Thursday night, but faltered Saturday night trying to take the next step -- to the Final Four. Cold shooting from the floor and turnovers at critical moments cost the Tigers a chance to live up to their number one seeding. The Tigers made only two three pointers, both in the final minute after the game was all but decided. UCLA's tenacious defense stifled the U of M, which was also saddled with foul trouble for Rodney Carney, Joey Dorsey, and Shawne Williams. Go to SI.com for complete coverage. If you can stand it. AND/OR: See John O'Leary's take on the disaster ("GURGLE, GURGLE," in Sports Beat).

• by John Branston

GURGLE, GURGLE...

...If someone chokes completely, do they make a sound?

• by John O'Leary

FROM MY SEAT: End of the Dance

• by Frank Murtaugh

Whither DeAngelo?

With the NFL Draft (April 29-30) less than six weeks away, whose eyes are on Memphis All-American DeAngelo Williams? Early speculation had him going to Arizona, but the Cardinals signed All-Pro Edgerrin James to fill their tailback void. Check out how Williams grades on Scott Wright’s Draft Countdown.

• by John Branston

Sixteen-Step Program

Charting the Tigers' course for the Final Four.

• by Frank Murtaugh

Coincidence or cosmic?

Just last Saturday, the University of Memphis lost to UCLA in the NCAA tournament’s Oakland Regional final, a stark reminder of what happened 33 years earlier, when the Bruins beat the Tigers for the national championship. In that 1973 title game, a center who would later gain fame for his beard — Bill Walton — scored 44 points.

Fast forward to the present (okay, Tuesday night), when a bearded center for the Memphis Grizzlies — Pau Gasol — scored a franchise record 44 points at FedExForum. Why not celebrate our Barcelona bull’s big night with a visit to his personal website?

We particularly liked the charming Spanglish text. A sample: These last two weeks through that Pau Gasol is living it seems that it has no limits. Throughout this week Pau has turned into the maximum rebounder of Memphis Grizzlies´ history. ... These 44 points, it is also a Grizzlies´ scoring record, no player dressing the Memphis T-shirt had... See what we mean?

• by John Branston

Homer

Take Me Out scores; Saucy Jack camps it up.

• by Chris Davis

Seventh-Inning Stretch

The Memphis International Film Festival grows up.

• by Chris Davis

Ain't Got No Home

Documentarian Robert Mugge considers Katrina's musical diaspora.

• by Chris Davis

No Thanks, Mr. President

• by Flyer Staff

Flashback

The Tigers face Bradley in the NCAA tourney -- and it's deja vu all over again.

• by Bill Burk

Exemplary Agency?

Riverfront Development Corporation claims big savings, but some aren't buying it.

• by John Branston

Scientific Americans

Confused by all this talk about intelligent design? Micro- versus macroevolution? Memphian Jim Derych in Confessions of a Former Dittohead (due in mid-April) says it’s all a matter of time. “Microevolution is observable and scientifically provable,” Derych writes. “[And] since [the proponents of intelligent design] can’t prove that microevolution doesn’t exist (because there’s proof to the contrary), followers of ID instead draw the line at macroevolution.”

Huh?

Derych clarifies: “[Macroevolution] is basically the idea that Monday’s pond scum is Tuesday’s Tom DeLay."

Got it.

• by John Branston