APR Notebook

Valentine’s Day is a time for a heart shaped boxes of chocolates, flowers, Champagne, and of course, dinner reservations. Alabama is one of 22 states where romantic couples can get reservations at their local Waffle House.

Imagine waking up one morning, opening that day's copy of The New York Times and seeing yourself described as TV's king of creepy. My guest tonight got that distinction just last year. Two time Emmy Award winner. Michael Emerson is a University of Alabama graduate, and he once worked at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Since then, he portrayed Ben Linus and lost and fans of the horror cult classic film "Saw" might remember him as the creepy hospital orderly Zep Hindle. In this preview of APR notebook, Emerson and I talk about all that and his days at the University of Alabama.

Alabama singer and songwriter Jason Isbell is nominated for three Grammy awards. He’ll be considered in the categories of “Best Folk Album.” The title track from the album is up for “Best American Roots Song,” and another number from the album, “Crimson and Clay," will compete for “Best American Roots Performance.” Isbell talked on “APR Notebook” about recording his album “Foxes in the Snow,” and how it came about during a hard time for him, personally.

What could be better than having six Grammys? One answer could be three more. Alabama singer and songwriter Jason Isbell is nominated for three Grammy awards. The winners of the recording industry’s highest honor will be announced on Sunday. Isbell will be considered in the category of “Best Folk Album.” The title track from the album is up for “Best American Roots Song,” and another number from the album, “Crimson and Clay," will compete for “Best American Roots Performance.”

My guest tonight on APR notebook is Emmy award winning actor Carrie Preston. She's currently starring in the CBS crime drama Elsbeth, but back in 1994 Preston played Ophelia in a production of Hamlet with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

My guest tonight on APR notebook is Jimmy Wales. He's from Huntsville, and he created Wikipedia. No, I'm not kidding. Okay, raise your hand if you've ever been to this online encyclopedia. If your hand didn't go up, it's okay, but it's a fair bet you're in the minority. Published reports put the number of people who visit Wikipedia, the one in English and the 300 other foreign language editions in the billions every month. That's billions with a B.

Roy Wood, Jr. has come a long way from Birmingham. He launched his comedy career making prank phone calls for a local radio station in the Magic City in 2001. Along with his current success as a stand up comic, Wood is host of CNN's panel show "Have I Got News For You." That followed eight years as a correspondent on "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah." Wood is also out with a new book titled The man of many fathers. It's a memoir focusing on his relationship with his dad, civil rights era journalist and radio show host Roy Wood, Sr, All of that's coming up on APR Notebook.

Alabama singer and songwriter Jason Isbell talked on “APR Notebook” about his new album, “Foxes in the Snow.” That compilation of original songs has led to his latest three Grammy nominations. Isbell will be considered in the category of “Best Folk Album.” The title track is also up for “Best American Roots Song,” and another number from the album, “Crimson and Clay," will compete for “Best American Roots Performance.”

Residents of Birmingham turned on their radios in the year 2001, and there was Roy Wood Jr. The future stand up comedian got his start making prank phone calls for the Buck Wild morning show. He's come a long way since then, first there was success and stand up then eight years on "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah." He's currently on the CNN panel show. ":Have I got news for you?" And now, Roy Wood Jr. is an author. Here's part of our discussion.

Roy Wood, Jr. has come a long way from Birmingham. He launched his comedy career making prank phone calls for a local radio station in the Magic City in 2001. Along with his current success as a stand up comic, Wood is host of CNN's panel show "Have I Got News For You. That followed eight years as a correspondent on "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah." Wood is also out with a new book titled "The Man of Many Fathers." It's a memoir focusing on his relationship with his dad, civil rights era journalist and radio show host Roy Wood, Sr, All of that's coming up on APR Notebook.