‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 2 recap

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Video: J.T. explains the construction of the Heroes’ shelter.

With the Villains, it seems no one wants to lead. With the Heroes, it seems everyone does.

That includes Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr., who leads the Heroes through another challenge on the second episode of “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.” Do they have an unfair advantage over the Villains, suffering from a physical setback?

Who fell down? Who blew up? Find out, after the jump …

(more…)

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 2 preview

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

Video: Preview for tonight’s episode.
Boston Rob is unconscious. Wicked unconscious.

White hats vs. black hats on a tropical island. Nope, not the last season of “Lost” but the 20th (and counting) season of “Survivor.”

While the Heroes, including Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr., faced Tribal Council last week, they chose Jessica “Sugar” Kiper to oust first. Whew.

But it looks like Sugar has some sour grapes (see what we did there?): She claims she and J.T. had a pre-game alliance, and not just a platonic one. According to her Twitter page:

So, I was never attracted to Colby, and J.T. slept with me pregame and told me we’d stick together. That edit really confused my friends & fam.

J.T. denied any showmance, citing his girlfriend, but has he denied any pre-showmance? Hmm …

Meanwhile, it appears that “Boston Rob” Mariano passes out in the jungle. Medical emergency? Misdirection? Boston Cooler? We’ll know soon enough.

Video: Mobile’s WKRG-TV interviews J.T.

Episode 1 recaps:

• Wade on Birmingham
• Host Jeff Probst: “The Heroes are stronger but their egos get in the way. The Villains work together better.”
• Birmingham News

“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains ” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on CBS 42. Full recap tonight following the show.

• • •

Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 1 recap

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

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Video: J.T. feels like the underdog
against these more notorious players.

The 10 biggest heroes. The 10 sneakiest villains. Place them together in Samoa and let the sparks fly.

Samson native James Thomas Jr. may have been the hero of his season in Brazil, but can he outwit, outplay and outlast the best of the best on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains”?

The 2-hour premiere revealed old and new alliances, plus a showmance or two. Who was injured after only 15 minutes? Who made fire from nothing? And who ended up in tears? Find out, after the jump …

(more…)

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 1 preview

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

Video: Host Jeff Probst sizes up the heroes
and villains in this season of “Survivor.”

J.T. is back!

In tonight’s 2-hour premiere, James Thomas, Jr. returns to a game he conquered just 1 year ago. Can the cattle rancher from Mobile succeed again in “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains”?

He faces much stronger competition this time, as the 19 other contestants are also returning players (some for their third time! some as previous champions!). What J.T. accomplished in “Survivor: Tocantins” will prove much harder to repeat.

Video: J.T. shares his favorite “Survivor” moment.

Video: J.T. on Wednesday’s “Late Show”:
“Top Ten Things You Didn’t Know About ‘Survivor.’ ”

Video: “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” preview.

Also:

• Novelty may be gone, but familiarity might help this season.
• Looking back on 10 years of “Survivor.”

“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains ” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on CBS 42. Look for the full recap tonight following the show.

• • •

Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.

A look at today’s front pages showing Alabama winning the BCS National Championship Thursday night over Texas.

Alabama

The Anniston Star

The Birmingham News

The Decatur Daily

The (Florence) Times-Daily

The Huntsville Times

The Montgomery Advertiser

The Opelika-Auburn News

The Tuscaloosa News

Texas

The Arlington Star-Telegram

The Austin American-Statesman

The Beaumont Enterprise

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times

The Dallas Morning News

The Houston Chronicle

The Killeen Daily Herald

The (McAllen) Monitor

The San Antonio Express-News

Tide brings home first title since 1992 season

Video: Nick Saban and Mark Ingram
on Alabama’s championship victory.

Alabama ended its season tonight with a perfect 14-0 record, defeating Texas 37-21 in the BCS National Championship game. The Longhorns suffered its only defeat this season at the hands of the Crimson Tide.

Nick Saban is the first coach since 1936 to win national championships at two different schools. And Heisman winner Mark Ingram beat the trophy’s curse: Previous Heisman winners went 1-6 in BCS title games.

Ingram’s Heisman rival, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, exited the game early with a shoulder injury. Alabama’s QB Greg McElroy continued his unbeaten streak, having never lost in college or high school.

Alabama hadn’t won a national championship since the 1992 season under Gene Stallings. And it’s the first time the Tide has ever beaten the Longhorns, having gone 0-7-1 against Texas in previous matches.

Earlier in the bowl season, Auburn defeated Northwestern in overtime 38-35 New Year’s Day in the Outback Bowl in Tampa. And Troy lost to Central Michigan in overtime 44-41 Wednesday in Mobile’s GMAC Bowl.

Samson native part of 20-person, 20th-season cast

Video: James ‘J.T.’ Thomas prepares
for ‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.”

After more than a month in Brazil, James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. earned $1.1 million as the winner of “Survivor: Tocantins — The Brazilian Highlands” in 2009. He’s back for more. The cattle rancher from Samson returns to battle in Samoa in “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,” premiering Feb. 11 on CBS 42.

The reality show pits contestants against each other in distant locales for $1 million. Thomas, who will compete on the Heroes tribe, not only won the grand prize but picked up an extra $100,000 fan favorite award during May’s season finale.

This isn’t the first season with returning competitors. A previous “All-Stars” season had 18 returning players, while a “Fans vs. Favorites” edition had 10 returning players. Rumors had accurately predicted the cast list weeks before host Jeff Probst revealed it on Wednesday night during the People’s Choice Awards.

Joining Thomas, 25, on the Heroes tribe are:

• Rupert Boneham, “Pearl Islands” and “All-Stars”;
• James Clement, “China” and “Fans vs. Favorites”;
• Colby Donaldson, “Australia” and “All-Stars”;
• Cirie Fields, “Panama” and “Fans vs. Favorites”;
• Amanda Kimmel, “China” and “Fans vs. Favorites”;
• Jessica “Sugar” Kiper, “Gabon”;
• Stephenie LaGrossa, “Palau” and “Guatemala”;
• Tom Westman, “Palau”;
• and Candice Woodcock, “Cook Islands.”

The Villains tribe has:

• Tyson Apostol, “Tocantins”;
• Randy Bailey, “Gabon”;
• Sandra Diaz-Twine, “Pearl Islands”;
• Danielle DiLorenzo, “Panama”;
• Russell Hantz, “Samoa”;
• Jerri Manthey, “Australia” and “All-Stars”;
• Rob Mariano, “Marquesas” and “All-Stars”;
• Parvati Shallow, “Cook Islands” and “Fans vs. Favorites”;
• Benjamin “Coach” Wade, “Tocantins”;
• and Courtney Yates, “China.”

Thomas’ bio on the show’s Web site shares a little more insight on why he’s back …

• Residence: Mobile
• Personal claim to fame: “Being the first in my family to go to college and earn a degree.”
• Inspiration in life: “My family.”
• Favorite past moment: “Winning the final immunity challenge.”
• Previous Survivor he respects most: “Myself. I am my own hero, because of what I accomplished and how it brought my family together.”
• Previous Survivor he respects least: “Jonny Fairplay” (Jon Dalton) (“Pearl Islands,” “Fans vs. Favorites”)
• Why did he come back? : “It’s the ultimate challenge, I couldn’t pass it up.”

Video: Jeff Probst gives a sneak peek at “Heroes vs. Villains.”

• • •

Look for recaps and features from “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” on Wade on Birmingham.

Classics, cartoons, musicals and miracles will fill the screen of the Alabama Theatre for 9 days. Tonight marks the start of the venue’s annual “Holiday Film Series.”

As a bonus, each screening starts off with a Christmas carol sing-along with the Mighty Wurlitzer organ.

Tickets are $7, $6 for senior citizens and children 11 and younger.

The lineup:

• Tonight, 7 p.m.: “A Christmas Story”
• Tuesday-Wednesday, 7 p.m.: “It’s a Wonderful Life”
• Thursday-Friday, 7 p.m.: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
• Saturday, 2 p.m.: Children’s triple feature
  • “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
  • “Frosty the Snowman”
  • “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
• Saturday, 7 p.m., and Sunday, 2 p.m.: “White Christmas”
• Dec. 21, 7 p.m.: “Meet Me in St. Louis”
• Dec. 22, 7 p.m.: “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947)

Plus, a few video previews to whet your appetite …

Video: A triple dog dare from “A Christmas Story”

Video: “You want the moon? … I’ll throw a lasso around it
and pull it down.” From “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Video: Squirrel!!! from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

Video: “We’re a Couple of Misfits”
from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

Video: Original trailer from “Miracle on 34th Street”

Running back’s victory represents Tide’s first ever award for top college football player

Video: Mark Ingram’s Heisman Trophy acceptance speech

Alabama’s perfect season just got a little perfecter.

Tonight, sophomore running back Mark Ingram won the Heisman Trophy in New York in the closest vote ever. He represents the first Crimson Tide player ever to win college football’s highest individual honor in its 75-year history. Ingram, a native of Flint, Mich., broke the school record for single-season rushing yards with 1,542 total.

The runner-ups were, in order, Stanford’s Toby Gerhart, Texas’ Colt McCoy, Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh and Florida’s Tim Tebow, who won in 2007.

No. 1 Alabama defeated Florida in last week’s SEC Championship match and faces McCoy and No. 2 Texas on Jan. 7 in the BCS National Championship Game.

Birmingham native toured with music festival in late ’90s

Video: Emmylou Harris and Elvis Costello perform “Love Hurts”

Lilith Fair, the traveling festival of female artists, announced its lineup Thursday for its 2010 return tour. Among the 41 musical acts signed is Birmingham native Emmylou Harris.

The legendary country singer-songwriter toured with Lilith Fair in 1997 and 1998. Harris has been touring this fall with her Red Dirt Boys. No word as to how many tour dates she’ll play.

Other artists announced include:

• Brandi Carlile
• Chantal Kreviazuk
• Colbie Caillat
• Corinne Bailey Rae
• Erykah Badu
• Indigo Girls
• Jill Scott
• Mary J. Blige
• Metric
• Miranda Lambert
• Sara Bareilles
• Sarah McLachlan
• Sheryl Crow
• Sugarland
• Tegan and Sara

The 18 cities announced so far span America, Canada and England. The closest stop, as in the 1997-99 tour, is Atlanta.

Video: BCS National Championship Game preview

The weekend brought early Christmas presents for football teams across Alabama …

• Hoover beat Prattville 28-23 for the state 6A championship Friday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The Bucs, who went 14-1 this season, earned their sixth state title, and their first since 2005 during the Rush Propst era. Prattville’s loss ended the team’s 3-year streak as 6A champions.

• No. 2 Alabama defeated No. 1 Florida 32-13 in Saturday’s SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. The Tide, with a perfect 13-0 record, climbed to No. 1 in the BCS and AP polls, while the Gators (12-1) dropped to No. 5. (Gallery of newspaper front pages.)

• And in Sunday’s bowl announcements …

• No. 1 Alabama will play No. 2 undefeated Texas in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
• Auburn (7-5) faces Northwestern (8-4) in Tampa at the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.
• Troy (9-3), after winning its fourth straight Sun Belt Conference championship, heads south to Mobile to face Central Michigan (11-2) in the GMAC Bowl on Jan. 6.
• And here in Birmingham, the Papajohns.com Bowl will offer South Carolina vs. Connecticut (both 7-5) on Jan. 2.

Also: All 34 bowl games … the 2009-10 bowl schedule.

Will you be heading to a game or watching on television?

Video: preview of the SEC Championship
between Florida and Alabama

It’s almost like the BCS National Championship game about 4 weeks early. No. 2 Alabama will play No. 1 Florida on Saturday in Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Both teams are undefeated.

In 2008, No. 2 Florida defeated No. 1 Alabama on its way to the National Championship. This year marks the seventh time these two teams have faced each other for the title. The winner will play for the actual BCS National Championship game (possibly against No. 3 Texas) on Jan. 7, while the loser will likely head to the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

The game airs at 3 p.m. Saturday on CBS 42 and also streams live online at the CBS Sports site.

Video: Paul Finebaum weighs in.

Will it be Alabama or Florida? Who’s going to play for a National Championship?

Birmingham native became second winningest coach in college football history; will lead Seminoles in one last bowl game

Video: “I’ve got to go get a job. I ain’t had a job in 55 years.”

Coach Bobby Bowden announced Tuesday that he would retire after 34 years at Florida State, capping a 44-year career. The Birmingham native amassed 388 wins at Samford, West Virginia and Florida State, second only to Joe Paterno at Penn State.

Bowden led Florida State to two national championships in 1993 and 1999 and has never had a losing season there, save for his first season in 1976 at 5-6. The current Seminole team is 6-6, heading to a yet-to-be-decided bowl game.

He grew up in Woodlawn, then East Lake, played as a quarterback at Alabama, before transferring to Howard College (now Samford). Bowden modeled his career after another legendary coach, Alabama’s Paul “Bear” Bryant.

On his retirement, Bowden said:

“Nothing lasts forever, does it? But I’ve had some wonderful years here at Florida State, you know it. Hadn’t done as good lately as I wish I could have, but I’ve had wonderful years, no regrets.”

Video: The Bowden legacy

Also:

• Associated Press: “FSU coach Bobby Bowden to retire after bowl game”
• Bhamwiki: Bobby Bowden
• “Being Bobby Bowden”

• • •

And in other football news …

Alabama’s high school football championships take place today and Friday in Tuscaloosa. Birmingham had played host to the games since 1996, but lost a bid earlier this year to Tuscaloosa and Auburn.

The only Birmingham-area team still in the running is Hoover. The 13-1 Buccaneers play 6A arch-rival Prattville at 7 p.m. Friday in Bryant-Denny Stadium. All games will air on WUOA-TV 23.

Birmingham mayoral town hall: from left,
Emory Anthony, William Bell and Scott Douglas.

Five candidates for mayor of Birmingham came to Tuesday’s town hall. The event, sponsored by progressive young professional group Catalyst, took place at WorkPlay before hundreds of attendees.

Topics ranged from the budget to the arts to local food, with questions from audience members and the moderator.

The participants:

• Emory Anthony;
• William Bell;
• Scott Douglas;
• Steven Hoyt;
• Carole Smitherman.

(Organizers invited Patrick Cooper, who did not attend citing previous commitments. At the beginning of the event, T.C. Cannon asked to participate but was denied.)

From left, Steven Hoyt, Carole Smitherman
and moderator Natalie Davis.

Included below are audio clips of the candidates’ responses.

1. Candidate introductions
Order: Anthony, Bell, Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman.
[15 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-1.mp3]

Moderator questions

2. Fixing the city’s financial mess
Order: Bell, Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman, Anthony.
[9 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-2.mp3]

3. Where to cut city budget
Order: Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman, Anthony, Bell.
[4 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-3.mp3]

4. What do you want to be your biggest accomplishment in 2 years as mayor?
Order: Hoyt, Smitherman, Anthony, Bell, Douglas.
[5 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-4.mp3]

Audience questions

5. How can the mayor facilitate partnerships among families, schools and communities?
Order: Smitherman, Hoyt, Douglas, Bell, Anthony.
[7 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-5.mp3]

6. Air pollution
Order: Hoyt, Douglas, Bell, Anthony, Smitherman.
[7 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-6.mp3]

7. Supporting local food initiatives / community gardens
Order: Douglas, Bell, Anthony, Smitherman, Hoyt.
[6 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-7.mp3]

8. Arts funding
Order: Bell, Anthony, Smitherman, Hoyt, Douglas.
[5 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-8.mp3]

9. Making it a “Magic City” / attracting young people
Order: Anthony, Bell, Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman.
[6 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-9.mp3]

10. If you don’t win, how will you make Birmingham better during the next 2 years?
Order: Bell, Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman, Anthony.
[6 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-10.mp3]

11. Closing statements
Order: Douglas, Hoyt, Smitherman, Anthony, Bell.
[9 min.]

[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/BirminghamMayoralTownHall12-01-09/BirminghamMayoralTownHall2009-11.mp3]

Also: a town hall report from the Birmingham News.

The election takes place Dec. 8.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

The Birmingham Leadership Awards were handed out earlier this evening at the Summit Club downtown. YPNow, formerly the YP Roundtable, sponsored the program.

Up and Coming: This award is designated to honor a young professional who either recently has moved to the Birmingham region or joined the young professional scene in 4 years or less. This individual has made an impact in Birmingham for their short time being involved in the YP community.

Winners:

• Marcus Carson
• Anna Curry
• Patricia Craft
• Justin Weintraub

Rookie of the Year:

• Michelle Amaral

Overachiever: This award is designated to honor a young professional who has been a part of the young professional scene for more than 5 years. He/She is a leader in the community and is constantly striving to improve the Birmingham region.

Winners:

• Michael Bell
• Ed Fields
• V.J. Graffeo

Organizational Award: Three separate awards will be given to a young professional civic organization or junior board that has demonstrated leadership and community impact. The categories have been divided by the number of members each civic organization has enrolled.

Winners:

• Small (1-15 members): Holy Family Cristo Rey Junior Board
• Medium (16-50 members): Glenwood, Autism and Behaviorial Health Center Junior Board
• Large (51-up members): Rotaract Club of Birmingham

Also: “Undue recognition: Why the Birmingham Leadership Awards promote divisiveness”