Wade on Birmingham

Archive for 'Culture'

Models, Inc.: The naming of cattiness

Friday, April 6th, 2007

What happens when models pick their own names and unleash them on Hollywood’s C list? An annoyed rapper, soaked contestants and Paris Hilton?!

Yes, we’re making faces, on purpose, after Wednesday’s episode of “America’s Next Top Model,” and our weave is about to fly the coop. Plus, Montgomery’s Dionne Walters puts her best feet forward.

All the photos, after the jump … (more…)

Tuesday Night Lights: Dismember the titans

Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

Maybe the Hoover Bucs didn’t have the best season ever. Their hopes of a mythic national championship crashed hard earlier in the season. But the high school football powerhouse could still fulfill one record-breaking goal: a fifth straight state championship.

And so, Coach Propst and company are back on familiar turf, battling for the ring in one last game. It’s time for players, couples and teams to face their destiny in the hour-long season finale of “Two-a-Days.” (more…)

Models, Inc.: TyraMale!

Thursday, March 29th, 2007

To make it in the cutthroat world of modeling, ya gotta have balls.

And so our nine finalists, including Montgomery’s Dionne Walters “man up” for the big photo shoot on tonight’s “America’s Next Top Model.” What. A. Drag.

All the photos, after the jump … (more…)

Tuesday Night Lights: Rebel redux

Tuesday, March 27th, 2007

The Hoover Bucs love the smell of manure under the bleachers. Smells like … victory.

And so our heroes once again face their bitter rivals, the Vestavia Hills for a grudge rematch, this time during the state semifinals. If you hate the Rebels, well, this episode of “Two-a-Days” is for you. (more…)

Tuesday Night Lights: Penalty for clipping

Friday, March 23rd, 2007

We interrupt this season of “Two-a-Days” for the following announcement:

This week’s episode is a lousy clip show. How the heck do you put together highlights from a mere seven half-hour episodes of the Hoover Bucs? The producers could’ve at least just made it 20 minutes of Coach Propst ranting unbleeped …

Instead, we offer our “best of” from the season to date. (more…)

Models, Inc.: Face off

Thursday, March 22nd, 2007

If those model wannabes can’t cut it, they’re dead to us. Dead!

Murder mayhem takes over as 10 finalists, including Dionne Walters of Montgomery, make face after face after face to see who can make the prettiest corpse on the latest “America’s Next Top Model.” Please stop, you’re killing us.

All the photos, after the jump … (more…)

Models, Inc.: Sundae booty sundae

Thursday, March 15th, 2007

I scream, you scream, we all scream for … makeovers. Yay!

It’s time for the 11 finalists, including Montgomery’s Dionne Walters to receive hairdo-overs and manic makeup sprint on the latest episode of “America’s Next Top Model.” Will the ice cream shoot be a sweet surprise or a sticky situation for the gals?

All the photos, after the jump … (more…)

The only executive director of Catalyst ever

Wednesday, March 14th, 2007

The progressive young professional group known as Catalyst will progress without a leader.

cherie fields

Cherie Fields, executive director for the past 12 months, will step down Thursday. She plans to continue serving on the advisory board. Meanwhile, the organization plans to discontinue the position, with the executive board resuming leadership duties.

Under Fields’ watch, Catalyst’s biggest venture has been Sustain City Stages, a fund-raising effort to erase the downtown music festival’s $800,000 debt and establish a rainy day fund. She also led the group in establishing its six key pillars, including leadership development, political awareness and arts and culture.

The group also recently relaunched its Web site. (more…)

Tuesday Night Lights: Stacked deck

Tuesday, March 13th, 2007

Producer: “We need you kids to do something to jazz up this week’s episode of ‘Two-a-Days.’

Kids: “We could have a bake sale. Or spend time with the elderly. Or cheer on the Hoover Bucs, our favorite team.”

Producer: “No! I’ve got it! You’re going to (dramatic pause) a psychic.”

Kids: (gasp!) (more…)

EXCLUSIVE: The girl who won’t quit modeling

Friday, March 9th, 2007

‘Top Model’ contestant Samantha focuses on newfound career

Her TV modeling career took a long strut off an abruptly short catwalk. But this teenager is determined to turn her passion for fashion into a living.

Samantha FrancisSamantha Francis, 19, became the second evictee on Wednesday’s episode of “America’s Next Top Model.” The CW reality competition, currently in its eighth season, features 13 women squaring off in photo shoots and fashion walks to win a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl.

The Pinson native discussed her runway ambitions, her bonding with fellow contestants and her Birmingham hangouts by phone Thursday.

(more…)

Models, Inc.: Don’t you forget about me

Thursday, March 8th, 2007

Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole hour watching “America’s Next Top Model” for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you’re crazy for making us write an essay telling you who we think these models are. Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.

Alabama contestants Dionne Walters and Samantha Francis, along with 10 other finalists, head back to school for some tough lessons in modeling and strutting.

All the photos, after the jump … (more…)

Tuesday Night Lights: Crunch time

Tuesday, March 6th, 2007

The playoffs continue, but the Hoover Bucs aren’t looking ahead to next week.

They’re looking ahead to next year

Yes, the seniors are looking forward to college, playing ball at another level, hanging out with their girlfriends, the whole campus experience. Except for Charlie, who may be repeating kindergarten at the rate he’s going. Even with higher education looming, the team faces the lowdown Thompson Warriors on the latest “Two-a-Days.” (more…)

Models, Inc.: Soldier on

Thursday, March 1st, 2007

With more than 30 models available, who will strut ahead, and who will collapse on the catwalk? Only Sgt. Tyra can whip these gals into shape. “America’s Next Top Model” heads to boot camp.

Alabama contestants Dionne Walters and Samantha Francis might survive basic training, but that’s only the beginning. For the 13 finalists, it’s time to take a stand.

All the highlights from Wednesday’s premiere, shot by breathtaking shot … (more…)

Cover girls

Wednesday, February 28th, 2007

america's next top model

A program reminder: Tune in tonight for the two-hour season premiere of “America’s Next Top Model.” Among the 13 finalists are the first two Alabamians in show history, Dionne (left) from Montgomery and Samantha from Pinson.

Wade on Birmingham will have all the drama in handy recap form following each episode.

The show airs at 7 tonight on CW 21, with a repeat at 7 p.m. Sunday.

• • •

On the runway: more on “America’s Next Top Model.”

Tuesday Night Lights: Hunting Bucs

Tuesday, February 27th, 2007

Guns! Intrigue! Drills (running, not power)! Snooze.

What if they started the state playoffs, and no one really cared? Apparently, the Hoover Bucs are going through the motions, but surely that would make for another exciting installment of “Two-a-Days”? Right?

Oh, shoot. The hunt for another trophy is on. (more…)