Roy Wood Jr. takes on the Top 6 in “Last Comic Standing.”
Only the men remain.
With tonight’s departure of Rachel Feinstein, the six remaining comedians competed on “Last Comic Standing.”
Birmingham native Roy Wood Jr. again performed second in the lineup, after a quick video showing him with his mom. The celebrity judges praised his set effusively …
Natasha Leggero: “I think you’re so funny. I feel like we can give you any topic, and you would make it hilarious.”
Greg Giraldo: “You’ve got this thing you do where you’re like a grumpy old man in a young man’s body. But it doesn’t feel forced, it’s a very natural thing. That set was about as tight and great a set … that I could’ve seen. That was a killer, killer set.”
Andy Kindler: “I love how conversational you are. I love your whole style.”
Voting by phone is open till 11 tonight; voting online continues till 4 a.m.
Video to be added.
Video: Roy Wood Jr. does his set on the nugget coalition
and multiple-birth families.
A visit from Mama Wood.
Facing the judges and the audience.
“Last Comic Standing airs at 8 p.m. Monday on NBC 13.
“There’s an old place where people go
To dance the night away …”
We’re talking about the famed Tuxedo Junction in Ensley. Function in the Junction, the annual celebration of the Ensley community and composer Erskine Hawkins, takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Erskine Hawkins Park [map]. This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary.
The free daylong celebration includes musical performances, a parade and food. Among the scheduled jazz, gospel and reggae acts are the Birmingham Heritage Band, Praise Dancers, Roots Posse, the Christian Heart Gospel Singers and Kalu.
In addition, Jubilee on Avenue E focuses on the business district. Also free, this event takes place tonight from 6 to 11 and includes music, art, fashion and a new historic marker.
But Birmingham native Roy Wood Jr. survived last week’s round, making it to the Top 7. After performing second tonight, he heard from the celebrity judges.
Natasha Leggero: “You’re so likable, you connect with the crowd.”
Greg Giraldo: “I thought you were a little too pro-Mexican, but very funny.”
Andy Kindler: “I love your voice; your manner is just fantastic onstage. I loved it.”
Voting by phone is open till 11 tonight; voting online continues till 4 a.m.
Video to be added.
Video: Roy Wood Jr. riffs on sports, student loans and civil rights.
“Last Comic Standing airs at 8 p.m. Monday on NBC 13.
Roy Wood Jr. was once head writer and producer of
the Buck Wilde morning show on 95.7 Jamz in Birmingham.
The auditions are over. It’s time to dance.
Birmingham native Roy Wood Jr. is competing in the Top 10 on the NBC reality series, “Last Comic Standing.” In this seventh season, TV viewers vote for their favorite comic by phone and online.
The winner receives $250,000 and a talent deal with the network.
In Monday’s episode, the 10 finalists took to the stage in front of an audience to perform their routines without judges.
Video: Roy Wood Jr. on sports fans and career day.
Wood performs for the crowd at the Alex Theatre in Los Angeles.
Wood, 31, has opened for Bill Engvall, D.L. Hughley, Mo’nique and Ron White.
Wood has released three CDs, all prank calls.
“Last Comic Standing airs at 8 p.m. Monday on NBC 13.
Next: Three comics with the lowest vote totals are eliminated; the final seven compete. [Episode 7 — Seven to go]
Young professionals were once an afterthought in Birmingham. Residents age 20 to 40 weren’t even a group — they were merely the bar hoppers and the laborers that made life easier on established generations.
Within the last decade, they have become an established brand. YPs have formed civic groups, held social events and candidate forums. But beyond that, this is a group that is worshiped.
In the past 8 months, two awards ceremonies focused on top young professionals. Blueprint Birmingham, the Birmingham Business Alliance’s still-forming economic development plan, singled out YPs for one of its focus groups. Not surprisingly, the alliance’s early report includes attracting and retaining young professionals as one of the area’s top challenges.
In the 2009-10 special mayoral election, several candidates went out of their way to court YPs and include their issues in their platforms, even as YP issues overlap other voters’ concerns.
And yet, we must ask why.
Why are YPs coveted? What have they done for the city in recent years that earns them this adulation?
Comparing 2000 to 2010,
the city is in more dire shape
economically and politically.
To be sure, a few individuals have stood out in service, in leadership and in accomplishment, not unlike the same distinguished handful in every generation. But as a demographic, as a group, as a movement, have YPs lived up to their promise in Birmingham?
Comparing the Birmingham of 2000 and the Birmingham of 2010, the city is in more dire shape economically and politically. The school system continues its long downward slide. City government seems determined to continue its tried-and-true mismanagement and shoulder shrugging.
YPs do not deserve the blame for these persistent issues any more than the yuppies, the natives or the CHUDs.
And amidst the air of doom hanging over the city’s future, a few bright spots still manage to emerge: the grand opening of Railroad Park, the recent push for more thoughtful zoning and development (especially with respect to neighborhoods), the slow growth of downtown life.
Again, YPs do not deserve the credit any more than any other group.
For all the special attention paid to young professionals in Birmingham, it seems rather misplaced. The city still has enormous challenges to overcome, a leadership vacuum and a damaged psyche to boot. The better course would be to develop and follow leaders of any age and background committed to leaving the city better than they found it.
Could YPs yet rise to the occasion and provide some initiative to fix these problems? Of course.
Have they done so? Not at all.
• • •
What’s your take? Have Birmingham’s young professionals lived up to their promise?
Celebrate your independence or codependence all Independence Day weekend long, whether that weekend is 2 days, 3 days or even 5 days. Take a look at the multitude of holiday activities around the Birmingham area.
Thunder on the Mountain: Despite funding difficulties, the annual fireworks show atop Red Mountain appears to be a go, thanks to a last-minute $15,000 sponsorship by … the Alabama Education Association?! Look to the skies at 9 p.m. Sunday for Thunder on the Mountain, also airing live on Fox 6. The musical accompaniment will air on Cox radio stations: WZZK (104.7 FM), The Eagle (106.9 FM), The Buck (97.3 FM), WENN (101.9 FM), JAMZ (95.7 FM), Kiss (98.7 FM) and Heaven WAGG (610 AM).
Video: Thunder on the Mountain, fireworks over Vulcan
I Love America Summer Celebration Series: Get a head start on the holiday fun Thursday at Wald Park [map] in Vestavia Hills. 6:30-7:30 p.m: free swim. 6:30-7:45: children’s activities by Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. 7: Pops in the Park, patriotic music by the Shades Mountain Baptist Church Orchestra. Around 8: “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” Free. For more information, see the flyer.
Jazz in the Park: Magic City Smooth Jazz kicks off its 5-week summer park tour with a performance on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Caldwell Park on Southside [map]. The free show features Keith Williams, Dee Lucas and Scrollworks. For more information, see the flyer.
UAB Summer Band: Annual free concert led by director Sue Samuels, featuring patriotic songs, traditional band music, pop tunes, Disney favorites, movie and Broadway themes and more. Free; raffle winner will conduct part of the performance, $2 for one ticket, $5 for three. 7:30-9 p.m. Sunday, leading up to the Thunder on the Mountain display. Bartow Arena lawn, 617 13th St. S. [map]. For more information, see the activeculture.info listing.
Video: UAB Summer Band performs Leonard Bernstein’s “Slava!”
Birmingham Barons: World Cup? Feh. Baseball! See the Barons play the Mississippi Braves at Regions Park in Hoover [map]. It’s a doubleheader on Thursday, starting at 5:05 p.m. Friday’s game starts at 7:05, while Saturday starts at 6:30; those games will have fireworks. Tickets are $7 to $12. For schedule and ticket purchase, visit the official site.
Independence Day Celebration in the Vineyards: Drive down U.S. 280 to Morgan Creek Vineyards for jazz and fireworks. 6-10 p.m. Saturday, with performance by Tekneek and wine tastings. $10. For more information, visit the site.
Helena concert and fireworks: Texas country performer Derryl Perry will be at the Helena Amphitheater [map] for the city’s holiday celebration. Fireworks follow the concert. Free, 6-9 p.m. Saturday. For more information, see the flyer.
Video: Derryl Perry
Turkey Creek Preserve hike and swim: Go for a short day hike with Southeastern Outings, starting at 1 p.m. Saturday. The trip through Turkey Creek Preserve will include time for a picnic lunch and swim. Hikers bring their own lunch, water, swimsuit, towel and river shoes or sneakers. Free. Departing from the Pinson Chevron, 6710 Ala. 79 [map]. For more information, see the activeculture.info listing.
Project Codename: Vulcan’s Underpants: Birmingham-based improv comedy troupe Extemporaneous Theatre Company will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Birmingham Festival Theatre, 1901 1/2 11th Ave. S. [map]. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door; Thursday is pay what you can, with $5 minimum. For more information, visit the site.
Video: Extemporaneous Theatre Company performs
“Pick-Up Lines: Hooters.”
The Toronto Globe and Mail is reporting that Lilith Fair has canceled several tour stops in the Southeast: West Palm Beach, Tampa, Dallas, Houston and Birmingham. We had reported in April that the music festival would play 36 cities during summer and fall, including a first-ever date in Birmingham on Aug. 12 at the Verizon Wireless Music Center.
Norah Jones was to play those dates, but her manager said those dates were canceled. The Birmingham date remains listed on Jones’ site and the Lilith Fair site.
Tour organizers had already canceled shows in Nashville and Phoenix because of poor ticket sales, but would not confirm the cancellation of the five cities reported.
Other performers still scheduled to perform at Lilith’s Birmingham stop include Brandi Carlile, Court Yard Hounds, Sarah McLachlan, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jill Scott and Sia.
We’ve contacted Lilith Fair directly and await a reply.
Update July 2: The Birmingham date has been canceled, along with nine other shows, announced July 1 on the website. “We are in the midst of one of the most challenging summer concert seasons with many tours being cancelled outright,” said Terry McBride, festival co-founder. Lilith Fair has no scheduled tour dates in the South. Tickets purchased online and by phone will be refunded automatically; all other refunds are available at point of purchase.
The tour kicked off in April in Austin. While it isn’t scheduled to return to Alabama, it will screen July 23 at Atlanta’s Landmark Midtown Art Cinema.
The documentary catches up with the cast and crew of “Troll 2,” a horror movie many consider to be the worst movie ever released. The star of both movies is Alexander City dentist George Hardy. Birmingham brothers Alan and Hugh Hunter served as the doc’s executive producers.
Spend a Sunday in the Preserve in Hoover with several jazz giants. The fourth annual Preserve Jazz Festival will feature a day of music on the lawn. The lineup:
Gerald Albright
The Southern Gentlemen: Birmingham’s Eric Essix, plus Joey Summerville and Michael Ward
Phil Davis
Hungary’s Collaboration Trio
Neo Jazz Collective
The festival takes place June 6, with performances starting at 3 p.m.
Tickets — $35 in advance, $38 at the event — are available online. Admission is free for children age 12 and younger.
In a parallel universe, this site would be about one of my passions, science fiction.
And it would be written in Klingon. Not to show nerd cred, but because we would’ve been conquered by them long ago.
Asides aside, the second annual ImagiCon takes place Friday through Sunday at McWane Science Center downtown. The science-fiction/fantasy convention offers presentations from comics to Harry Potter to Star Trek and Star Wars, along with screenings, parties, merchandise, gaming and demonstrations. Among the featured guests:
John Billingsley (“True Blood,” “Enterprise”);
Gil Gerard and Erin Gray (“Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”);
and Bessemer’s Glenn Shadix (“Beetlejuice,” “Demolition Man”).
Other events include a “Lost” series finale viewing party Sunday at Old Car Heaven and something at the Nick. Frankly, the site is quite challenging to navigate.
Three-day passes are $55, $8 for children age 8 and younger. Day passes range from $15 to $35 and $8 for children age 8 and younger.
The epic battle of “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” concluded Sunday, crowning Sandra Diaz-Twine the $1 million winner. Diaz-Twine, who beat Parvati Shallow and Russell Hantz in the final three, previously won her season in the Pearl Islands.
But let us not forget James “J.T.” Thomas Jr., the cattle rancher from Samson, who finished in 10th place. As part of the jury, he cast one of six votes for Diaz-Twine; the other three votes went to Shallow.
Besides participating in the live reunion show on Sunday, the fans rewarded Thomas for his game play. Sort of.
Video: Jeff Probst crowns the dumbest move
in “Survivor” history.
Host Jeff Probst revealed the winner of an online poll for “Dumbest Move in ‘Survivor’ History,” which included game-ending moves by fellow Heroes James Clement and Colby Donaldson and Villain Tyson Apostol. Thomas won the trophy for his decision to hand over a hidden immunity idol to the opposing tribe, later used to oust him from the game.
Video: Thomas shares his thoughts on the final three.
Did the jury pick the right winner? And does J.T. deserve the award for dumbest move ever?
A Mount Olive feller by the name of Hiram King Williams won something from the Pulitzer Prize board in April.
Not for books or newspaper articles. For lyrics.
You know him as Hank.
The Pulitzer board awarded Hank Williams a posthumous special citation for “his craftsmanship as a songwriter who expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity and played a pivotal role in transforming country music into a major musical and cultural force in American life.”
The board awarded similar citations in music to jazz greats Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane in 2006 and 2007 and folk/rock master Bob Dylan in 2008.
Williams, who was born in Mount Olive, later grew up in Montgomery and producer 11 No. 1 hits. He died in 1953 at age 29.
Have a listen to the songs that made him a country legend.
I’m not sick, but I’m not well: J.T. clings to a challenge.
For weeks, the battle between Heroes and Villains has taken out five from each tribe. Tonight, the battle came home to the Heroes.
Would the Heroes be ready to take on their foes as one merged tribe? Are the Villains unstoppable with two hidden immunity idols just itching to be played?
Last time, Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. handed over the Heroes’ immunity idol to Russell Hantz of the Villains. Oops. To quote Dark Helmet, “Now you see that evil will always triumph, because good is dumb.”
Two of the Villains located on hidden immunity idol at camp. A third Villain had one handed to him at a challenge. By J.T. Who is not a Villain.
So far, James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. of Mobile has been in the driver’s seat, leading his tribe, playing off the two major factions with a deciding vote. But after sneaking off to find the hidden immunity idol, then getting caught, he convinced the Heroes to hand it over to the Villains to turn an enemy into an ally.
Oops. We’ll know soon enough whether five Heroes can match up to five Villains holding two aces.
Plus, a bonus video …
Video: Jerri Manthey can’t believe J.T. gave up the idol.
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Norah Jones was to play those dates, but her manager said those dates were canceled. The Birmingham date remains listed on 
