Saunders: Local 'Survivor' hangs in

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Stacy Kimball remains a survivor.

After nine televised episodes on Survivor: Fiji, the 27-year-old Boulder Internet producer has survived physical rigors, back-biting relationships and everything else that goes with competing and winning on the popular CBS reality series.

Survivor: Fiji premiered Feb. 8 with 19 contestants. (One woman dropped out before competition began).

Nine of the castaways from the two tribes - Mojo (Kimball's group) and Ravu have been eliminated in tribal council voting since the premiere. Tonight's hour (CBS 4, 7 p.m.) marks a major turning point since the two tribes merge, meaning the competition really heats up.

How far does Kimball go along the survival route?

I could call and ask.

Obviously, she wouldn't comment - something about strict contractual issues that prevent contestants from destroying the suspense.

The Survivor: Fiji finale, scheduled May 13, will be aired live from New York's Ed Sullivan Theater, a very un-Fiji-like locale.

In addition to announcing the winner, the hour will feature a reunion among all 19 contestants.

Survivor quiz: Kimball is the second Boulder- area resident to compete on the series. Remember the first? Answer below.

HEALTH SPECIAL: Today weatherman Al Roker obviously feels there's more to TV life than being a jolly good guy reporting weather conditions around the country and then cueing the weather reports on local NBC stations by saying: "Here's what's happening in your neck of the woods."

Roker, who has formed an active production company dealing mostly with a variety of health issues, narrates Brain Attack: A Stroke Survival Guide (6 p.m. Saturday, 9News).

Produced in cooperation with the National Stroke Association and NBC stations, the hour deals with stroke prevention, warning signs and treatment options.

Entertainer Della Reese and weatherman Mark McEwen talk about their strokes and how they survived.

And viewers will learn that younger individuals aren't immune.

Leann Hendrix, a former Miss Arizona (1998), suffered a major stroke in 2002 at the age of 26. She talks about her survival.

The hour also has a vital Denver connection with Rabbi Sandra Cohen, a young mother who details her battle with a stroke and her recovery.

TODAY'S NOSTALGIA: On April 12, 1982, KWGN-Channel 2 aired A Woman Called Golda, a nationally syndicated drama, starring Ingrid Bergman, in her last role, as Israeli leader Golda Meir.

QUIZ ANSWER: Greg Buis, a carpenter who lived in Gold Hill, competed in the first Survivor that premiered May 31, 2000.

The setting was Pulau Tiga, a remote island in the South China Sea. Buis was voted off the island midway through the competition by a 5-4 vote.

A pioneer's journey

In the baseball world, the debate centers on whether Barry Bonds will break Hank Aaron's all-time home run record this season.

But ESPN reminds us that Jackie Robinson was instrumental in allowing both batters to seek records.

ESPN, as part of its ongoing coverage of the 60th anniversary of Robinson breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier, airs SportsCenter Special: Jackie Robinson (6 p.m.), featuring commentary by Dusty Baker, Peter Gammons, John Kruk and Eric Young. Hosting is Karl Ravech. A second show about Robinson airs on ESPN at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Vroom

Since Fox is the speedy home of numerous NASCAR races, it's only logical the network would come up with a series titled Drive.

The adventure series (which wasn't previewed for critics) debuts at 7 p.m. Sunday (Fox31) and centers on a seemingly random group of citizens who are chosen to participate in a cross-country race to solve their serious problems.

One lead character, played by Nathan Fillion, is speeding along the highways to win back his kidnapped wife.