Sunday, September 14, 2008 | News, Sports, A+E, Food, Life, In this Issue..., Style, Nightlife
The SP 100

Presenting the fourth annual SP 100: The Sunday Paper staff’s thoroughly researched, hotly debated and extremely opinionated list of Atlanta’s finest entertainers, restaurants, philanthropists, nightspots and more.

Getty Images
Tyler Perry


Michael Buckner/Getty Images
Alan Ball


Kate Powers
Sugarland


Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Richard Blais


Phil Knott
Ne-Yo

TYLER PERRY

WHY: Why not? The playwright, actor, television producer, film director and New York Times bestselling author has done more for our city’s profile than all of our hip-hop stars and the Olympics combined. At least it certainly feels that way these days, as Perry’s Atlanta-based production company—moving soon to a 30-acre complex near Greenbriar Mall—pumps millions of dollars into the local economy each year. With the sitcom “House of Payne” making the leap from TBS to national syndication, a second series (“Meet the Browns”) in the works, and his latest film (“Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys”) opening this weekend, Perry’s empire continues to reach ever-greater heights.
WHERE: www.tylerperry.com.

ALAN BALL

WHY: Playwright and noted television director Ball made a name for himself as an Academy Award-winning screenwriter (for “American Beauty”) and creator of the acclaimed HBO series “Six Feet Under.” In Hollywood’s “What have you done for me lately?” culture, those accomplishments are ancient history, but two new high-profile projects promise to keep the Atlanta native’s star shining bright: “Towelhead,” his feature film directorial debut, opens next weekend, and “True Blood,” his new HBO vampire series, debuted last week.

THE HIGHLANDER

WHY: Because these tots were made for eatin’. We love the greasy deliciousness that The Highlander serves up—and so does Guy Fieri of Food Network, who’s sung the praises of our favorite Midtown hangout for burgers, billiards and beer on his show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
WHERE: 931 Monroe Drive, Suite C-101, Atlanta. 404-872-0060. www.thehighlanderatlanta.com.

SUGARLAND

WHY: Legal entanglements with founding member and former cohort Kristen Hall aside, homegrown talents Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles are having a breakout year, with a glowing profile in Entertainment Weekly and their first No. 1 album (“Love on the Inside”). Even better, Sugarland has proven you don’t need to go to Nashville to record a hit country record—the duo recorded “Inside” here in Atlanta.
WHERE: www.sugarlandmusic.com.

RICHARD BLAIS

WHY: “Top Chef” contestant and culinary expert Blais showed the world that Atlanta has more than fried chicken and biscuits. Then he returned to our fair city to open Home Restaurant & Bar, where the “Southern-inspired modern” menu includes chicken-fried sweetbread. (Blais left Home last week to focus on other projects.)
WHERE: Home Restaurant & Bar, 111 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta.
404-869-0777. www.h2sr.com.

NE-YO

WHY: Although he was born in Arkansas and grew up in Las Vegas, Ne-Yo has definitely made a home for himself in Atlanta. The songwriter, known for such hits as Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” and Rihanna’s “Unfaithful”, opened an impressive production studio, Carrington House, here, and crashes at a plush Mableton crib when he’s not on tour. And we hear his third album, “Year of the Gentleman,” slated for release this Tuesday, should further solidify his status as the next Usher or R. Kelly.