A last look at the ’06 …
Talking points: The debate was merely a formality.
That’s how it seemed when Bob Riley and Lucy Baxley squared off in the only gubernatorial debate. Riley had maintained an insurmountable lead all summer and managed to beat his opponent in the televised contest without saying much.
A last look at the ’06 …
Low Tide: To no one’s surprise, Alabama coach Mike Shula was fired after a lackluster 6-6 season and 26-23 overall record after four seasons. Shula walked in the footsteps of giants: Price, Franchione, Dubose, Curry, Perkins …
Shula’s departure leaves Joe Kines as interim head coach for Thursday’s Independence Bowl against Oklahoma State. The coaching search will extend into 2007, and anyone who’s anyone has already turned down the job while fattening their paychecks at their current positions. Our prediction: Big Al or a coin toss between the Rammer Jammer fellows.
Critics’ year-end lists
cite whole other culture I
missed while watching crap.
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A last look at the ’06 …
‘Idol’ Capital of the South: Taylor Hicks continued Birmingham’s dominance in the world’s most popular TV show, “American Idol.” The 29-year-old city native bested Katharine McPhee to win the fifth title.
Not only did Hicks’ victory in the singing competition cement Birmingham’s reputation as an Idol factory, but helped draw newfound attention to its other attractions. The New York Times gushed about the fine cuisine in a recent story, while the Washington Post focused on the music scene in a travel feature.
(more…)
A last look at the ’06 …
For the children, part 1: The state, along with more than 200 cities and counties, gave families a tax-free weekend for back-to-school shopping. Retailers pronounced it a success, seeing a spike in end-of-summer sales rivaling only end-of-year holiday shopping.
The sales also provided yet another electoral feather in Gov. Riley’s already crowded cap during his successful bid for re-election. Plus, extra-cheap pencils.
The Dec. 22 Entertainment Weekly hits Birmingham’s stars not once, not twice, but thrice in a single issue …
CeCe to FX: Courteney Cox-Arquette dishes the dirt on “Dirt” (name pun), her joint venture with hubby David Arquette (hi, David!) for FX. (See page 40.) The pair also talk about her new movie. David: “It’s about a society lady from the South whose daughter gets into hip-hop dance — and she gets into it as well.” Courteney: If you knew where I was from… Mountain Brook is not wraparound porches in the beautiful Deep South. This is high society: Who’s wearing what? Who’s talking to whom? So to see somebody go out of their element — a Mary Tyler Moore character from “Ordinary People” — and break into hip-hop dance was a funny idea.” Oy. “Dirt” debuts Jan. 2.
More from the New York Times | Variety | Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Workplace Romance [Entertainment Weekly]
If the Fates allow: Our favorite Christmas tune gets the royal treatment on page 48. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is both poignant and hopeful, depressing yet uplifting — depending on which set of lyrics you hear. Birmingham native Hugh Martin was the songwriter who penned the schizophrenic versions of the classic song. The sidebar (only in the print edition) lists artists who’ve covered it, including Christina Aguilera, Kenny G, Kermit the Frog and Twisted Sister. (The Birmingham Post-Herald interviewed Martin in 1999.)
• There’s Something About ‘Merry’ [Entertainment Weekly]
Track pack: Taylor Hicks’ self-titled CD joins three other “American Idol” discs dropping this month, including Daughtry, Fantasia and Kellie Pickler. (See page 79.) Hicks’ effort merits a C for “his limited vocal range.” (Even we weren’t that harsh in our review.) First week sales of “Taylor Hicks” totaled about 300,000 copies, the third best among “Idol” debuts. The champ? Birmingham’s Ruben Studdard.
• ‘Idol’ Wave [Entertainment Weekly]
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A last look at the ’06 …
Less taxing: Alabama doled out tax cuts … for the poor. Rep. John Knight had proposed reform bills for years, but this year — coincidentally an election year — brought some relief. Before, the state taxed working families making as little as $4,600 annually (the only state to tax families making below $10,000). The approved bill raised the threshold to $12,500.
For 2007, Gov. Riley wants to up the minimum to $15,000, while passing tax cuts for families earning up to $100,000. Meanwhile, the state’s regressive food tax remains intact.
A last look at the ’06 …
Locally disowned: Birmingham-based Parisian goes up for sale, as does NBC 13. Saks sold Parisian to Belk for $285 million in August. Parisian started out in 1887 as Parisian Dry Goods and Millinery Company.
NBC sold its affiliate to Media General in August as part of a four-station $600 million deal. NBC 13 is the oldest TV station in Alabama and after launching its redesigned site in January, ended up launching a new, new redesign this week which no one will ever see.
You may think that you’re
worth the time and trouble but
don’t flatter yourself.
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