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Approximately 50 Oprah Winfrey fans are set to gather outside the Carter Center at 11:30 a.m. today for a world-peace prayer vigil. The group's mission also includes assisting the talk show queen to snag the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. We're told that the Oprah Winfrey Nobel Peace Prize Movement (OWNPPM for short), including 96-year-old Atlanta fan Judy Ferrell, has collected thousands of signatures from around the globe on its Web site www.oprah4peaceprize.org. The group was hoping the rally would capture the attention of former President Jimmy Carter, who was awarded the prize in 2002.
Carter Center reps confirmed the group's outdoors plans to Buzz on Wednesday. The former president, however, has a busy day planned elsewhere today. He's leading a team of 80 observers who monitored the Palestinian election Wednesday, the first parliamentary election there in a decade.
In an e-mail to Buzz Central, the OWNPPM claims that 15,000 folks have pledged their support for Winfrey on its Web site since July. They plan to unspool the group's petition at 12:30 p.m.
So why Oprah? Well, according to OWNPPM founder Rocky Twyman, it's not just for her annual "Favorite Things" broadcast.
Twyman credits "the power of Oprah to change lives and bring people together in harmony."
In an e-mail statement, Twyman continued: " 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' has truly been instrumental in standing up for equality for women and the downtrodden all over the world. Many of the issues that she addresses, such as homelessness, hunger, poverty, AIDS and literacy, are ills that divide our society."
On the off-chance that a rogue prank made it past Buzz Central's elaborate spam filter, it should be noted that the Carter Center, too, received the same series of missives. Plus, they've got one incredibly talented, dedicated Web page designer. 'Boondocks' to return
Fans of Cartoon Network's edgy satirical series "The Boondocks" may want to treat themselves to a Luther burger today. The 'toon net announced Wednesday that the Adult Swim animated series based on Aaron McGruder's comic strip has been greenlighted for a second season. Cartoon Network Senior Vice President Mike Lazzo's glee was evident even in the official press release. "Thank God for 'The Boondocks' and Aaron McGruder," Lazzo said in the statement. The second season of 20 episodes will commence in late 2006, just in time for the holidays.
We expect that the Rev. Al Sharpton won't be pleased.
On Wednesday, via a statement, Sharpton finally expressed his outrage over the series' Jan. 15 Martin Luther King Jr.-themed episode. "Cartoon Network must apologize and also commit to pulling episodes that desecrate black historic figures," Sharpton, a civil rights activist and former Democratic presidential candidate, said.
"We are totally offended by the continuous use of the n-word in McGruder's show."
At presstime Wednesday, it wasn't immediately clear exactly how long Sharpton's TiVo had been on the fritz. . . . Star Jones Reynolds update!
The phone rang at Buzz Central on Wednesday just as we were taking a sip from our brand-new 2,000th show commemorative "The View" mug (air date Feb. 2). On the other end? Star Jones Reynolds' publicist Brad Zeifman. Steve "The single rudest person ever!" McCoy and Vikki Locke's favorite interview subject has locked in a fresh date for Atlanta book buyers. Jones Reynolds has rescheduled her local stop on her book tour for "Shine: A Physical, Emotional & Spiritual Journey to Finding Love." It's set for 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the new Barnes & Noble off Moreland Avenue.
Zeifman told Buzz that it was always Jones Reynolds' intention to visit the ATL, one of her fave cities.
So when will Jones Reynolds be chatting personally with Buzz, you ask? We formally requested a sit-down at one of the daytime diva's Atlanta haunts when she's in town (we may even drink from our "View" mug featuring a dancing Star with a balloon).
Which, naturally, brings us to today's . . . Moment to 'Shine'
Now that the author is confirmed once again for our fair city, Buzz feels compelled to continue to share bits of wisdom from "Shine." Until, that is, we have that chance to chat with her in person on your behalf. Page 105: "I drink about 10 to 12 glasses of water each day. I'm not exaggerating about this --- there is nothing like water for the skin." --- The author on part of her makeup regimen. Wacko Jacko watch
Michael Jackson visited a mall in Bahrain's capital Wednesday, covering himself in a black abaya robe and a veil hiding his face.
The 47-year-old pop star was accompanied by three children, apparently his, whose faces were covered with dark scarves. They wore yellow shirts and sweat pants or khakis, without robes.
The veil, abaya and gloves were of a style typically worn by conservative Bahraini women. A woman wearing an abaya, jeans and a scarf over her head that partially covered her face accompanied Jackson. She asked photographers to respect their privacy, saying they were scaring the children.
Yeah, because shutterbugs are the scariest things Michael Jackson's kids have ever had to deal with. Exhibit A? Oh, we dunno. Maybe, Dad's wearing a dress? 'Survivor' celebrity docket
Richard Hatch, the first champion of the hit reality television show "Survivor," was convicted of tax evasion in Rhode Island on Wednesday and faces up to 13 years in prison.
The winner of the $1 million jackpot on "Survivor" on a South Pacific island in 2000 was handcuffed and taken into custody after U.S. District Judge Ernest Torres ruled that he was a potential flight risk.
Hatch, a motivational speaker, was convicted of failing to pay taxes on the $1 million winnings in 2000 and about $391,000 he earned from half a dozen other sources. The 44-year-old Newport, R.I., native faces a maximum sentence of 13 years in prison and a fine of $600,000. He will remain in custody until his April 28 sentencing. Celebrity birthdays
Actor Paul Newman is 81. Sports announcer-actor Bob Uecker is 71. Singer Jean Knight is 63. Actor David Strathairn is 57. Singer Lucinda Williams is 53. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen is 51. Comedian Ellen DeGeneres is 48.
Contributing: news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
Copyright 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
