• Eating disorders can also affect men.
• Protecting the West Texas observatory from wildfires
• 6 year-old brings gun to school in Houston; three children are slightly injured.

• Chaos, violence grips Thai capital.
• Obama wants $80 billion to upgrade nuclear arms complex.
• France threatens to pull out of EU.

The notion that ‘It's not a conspiracy theory if it's actually true,’ is about as spot-on and useful as ‘Golly, she ain’t a witch if she done drown.’ more ›

Every year comedians from around the area assemble to compete for the coveted title of "Funniest Person in Austin." For this month's installment in our interview series with performers from Austin's local comedy scene, we caught up with this year's winner—Bryan Gutmann. How long have you been doing stand-up? About three years now. I had been thinking about trying stand-up longer than that, but it took a while to get up the courage. What brought... more ›

Few forms of entertainment elicit such fanatical, diverse opinions on what warrants the label of being "good" as comedy does. To this day, the mere mention of Andy Kaufman's name can set off a heated debate on whether "genius" or "talentless asshat" is more applicable, and the perceived injustice that the Freaks and Geeks fan club was dealt when network suits and critics downed one of Judd Apatow's earliest efforts still has teeth. All this... more ›

One of Austin's best-known solo performers is back in town. Through June 16th, Rob Nash performs College Freshman Year Sucks at the Vortex. His immensely successful shows feature him playing various characters inspired by his parochial, Texas upbringing. Continuing our monthly series on comedy performers, we talk to Rob about keeping characters straight, Lily Tomlin and the quality of a certain prop comedian's stash. How long have you been doing solo shows? Twenty years... more ›

*The views expressed in Truesday are those of the author and do not represent Austinist as a whole. Thank heavens.* -The Editors I would like to believe that the top three methods of measuring a man’s true worth would be, in no particular order, but without trade or exception: 1. His ability to handily operate complex electronic devices without the aid of a directions booklet or the complete use of his left hand. 2.... more ›

This month, the Austinist kicks off a monthly interview series with local alt-comedy performers featuring interviews with Austin's best stand-up, spoken word, sketch, improvisation, and comedic actors. For the inaugural interview, we hooked-up with Lisa deLarios, local stand-up and frequent performer on some of Austin's best know stages. She recently returned from performing at this year's Aspen Comedy Festival, and discusses New York, being an agrarian at heart and getting her start. How long have... more ›

MONDAY [26] film • Squeegee Your Third Eye: Remembering Bill Hicks at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown books • New and Noteworthy Book Club discusses Snow by Orhan Pamuk at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • Wonderwall at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown meeting • Austin Music Foundation's Music Industry Boot Camp at Gibson Guitar Showroom (3601 South Congress G400) music • Aloha, Pompeii, The Politics, Low Line Caller at Emo's Lounge music • Shoot for the Stars, iKiLLcaRs, Bones... more ›

Are you ready to get naughty this weekend? There are some sexy carnies begging you to play their games at this year's Extravagasm 2006: Carnival of the Senses. Free your Saturday night plans and take your sexiest costume out of the closet. This celebration of sensuality, eroticism, and creative naughtiness offers a fun, frivolous, and safe environment to explore the risqué. Performers include fetish model and performer Angela Ryan, burlesque group Kitty Kitty Bang... more ›

It's getting pretty damn difficult to be a smoker these days. First the city kicks us out of our beloved bars to enjoy our filthy habit, now the state is grabbing into our back pocket without even the courtesy of a reach around. Self--righteous jerk-offs. As Bill Hicks once said, "I'd quit smokin if I didn't think I'd become one of them." The legislature finally passed bills to finance the state's schools. The legislation... more ›

F R I D A Y [16] [theatre] Rude Mechs present Pale Idiot by Kirk Lynn at The Off Centre (Through Sat, $12, 8pm) [Austinist Review] [theatre] Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity" at Austin Playhouse on Penn Field (Through Sat, $20, 7:30pm) [theatre] "When Pigs Fly" at Arts on Real (8pm) [theatre] Shrewd Productions presents "Xmas Unwrapped! A Holiday Burlesque" at Hyde Park Theatre (Through Sat, 10pm) [theatre] "A Christmas Carol" at The State Theatre... more ›

Bill Hicks was a smoker. Bill Hicks was a drinker. Bill Hicks was a Texan. Bill Hicks was an animal lover. Bill Hicks was one of the greatest commentators on American society. Bill Hicks was a genius. Bill Hicks was an absolute, freaking legend. We dare you to sit and listen to some of his best works and not laugh till you cry. If you have not heard him you will be mesmerised. But... more ›

We recently sat down with Ben Reed: Austin writer, bartender, and philosopher to interview him for information surrounding the life and history behind his first published book, The Bow Tie Gang. Having written for a whole slew of indie writing publications (print and interweb) such as Word Riot, Mobius (a story the author is particularly proud of), Slow Trains, or Underground Voices… apparently makes you a damn good chef too. The man cooks a... more ›