Only in the world of reality television could the phrase "All Stars" mean "previous losers". The producers for Project Runway All Stars did a solid job of stitching together fan favorites with reliable basket cases like Austin Scarlett, who hails straight from Andy Warhol's island of lost toys. It's not the greatest designer hits of seasons passed where All Stars fails most, but in the awkward wreck of the catwalk judiciary. more ›

Great news KLRU fans! You can now take a piece of KLRU with you wherever you go with their recently released iPhone and iPad application. Watch over 1,000 videos, including full episodes, and a schedule updated daily. Yes, you can watch full episodes of some of your favorite locally produced programs like Austin City Limits, The Daytripper, Arts In Context, Central Texas Gardener and Overheard with Evan Smith. Grab the app here (no word on Android availability yet). more ›

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for a marathon of the IFC series The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, starring David Cross. Because it's the Alamo, and everything is awesome, Cross will be on hand to guide the audience through the first season (marathon-style). The event is on Saturday, Jan. 7 and begins at 9 p.m.

The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret follows the story of Todd Margaret, a hapless office temp who somehow manages to con his way into a senior sales position for the energy drink company Thunder Muscle. The show guest stars folks like Will Arnett, Spike Jonze and Amber Tamblyn. Check out the (NSFW language) clip below, which features poor Margaret, energizing a mostly geriatric cafe crowd in London to display the effects of Thunder Muscle. more ›

This Friday, September 9th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., HGTV will be posting up at the Hyatt Regency Austin on Barton Springs Road in search of Texas' next "Design Star." It seems HGTV is willing to bet that Austin has its fair share of charismatic and accomplished interior designers, architects and overall design personalities. Design Star is HGTV's top-rated reality competition and is returning for its sixth season. The show features 12 competitors and renowned judges from the design world as well as celebrity guests. The finalists must successfully execute innovative design challenges until one wins their own show on HGTV. For more information on Design Star and how to participate visit Design Star's website. more ›

• Charges filed against Haiti's 'Baby Doc'
• Hu's human rights talk downplayed back home
• Bar set high on insanity defense for AZ shooter

PBS' article last year looked deeply into the way the arson investigation was carried out (using faulty, outdated techniques). [Frontline] more ›

, a new documentary-style network drama, is being filmed in the Austin area. The show focuses on nine folks who graduate from a fictional Austin high school (Greenbelt High) in 2000; the viewers catch up with them 10 years later. The pilot has received some mixed reviews, but might be worth watching to spot some Austin landmarks at least. And if you like the show, maybe you'd like to try their iPad app? The series starts on ABC tonight at 7pm. [ABC] more ›

• 60 dead after suicide bomb attacks people waiting in line at Iraqi military recruiting office.
• CA gay marriage on hold after decision by 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Justice department gives up federal investigation into DeLay's shady dealings.

My Generation doesn't air on network TV until September 23, but an exclusive screening of the pilot will be held at the Paramount Theatre downtown next Tuesday evening, August 17. They will be gauging what locals think of the show, and some people who leave feedback may appear on TV. RSVP is required; RSVP here. more ›

Today's official announcement that the fifth season will be the last for the award-winning, locally-filmed series is not that big a surprise, as rumors had been circling that this was so. Still, it's disappointing to think that you may no longer run into Mrs. Coach (Connie Britton) at a show, spot Coach (Kyle Chandler) downtown, or find yellow school buses with fictional Texas town names on them parked around town. This final season of has been filming around town (and in Elgin). [The Watcher] more ›

• Spy swap!
• Tropical depression hits South Texas this morning.
• Duck boat collision in Delaware River yesterday; two missing, presumed dead.

Austin's own Zach Anner is still in the lead in Oprah's reality show competition, and voting is open through July 3 if you haven't voted yet or would like to vote for the 25th time. Meanwhile, Anner has continued his video tour of our fair city. In this part of the tour: Mt. Bonnell! Which, it should be noted, is not handicap-accessible. But Zach figures out a way to make it work. more ›

Whether through shenanigans or actual votes, Austinite and internet superstar Zach Anner was in second place yesterday in Oprah's contest behind the much less endearing Dr. Phyllis (who wants a reality show focused on teachers). However, as of this writing he has already recovered his lead and is currently ahead by about 209,000 votes. more ›

Zach Anner, a local twenty-something with cerebral palsy (in his words, "the sexiest of the palsies"), entered Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star with the goal of hosting a travel show for people who never thought they could. It seems that he promised that if he got a million votes for his entry, he would crawl the Austin Marathon. Now it looks like he'll have to! more ›

• BP's plan B (or is it C?) working so far to capture some of the leaking oil.
• At least 88 lawsuits filed so far related to the BP oil spill.
• PA Democratic primary not smooth sailing for Arlen Specter.

The locally-filmed TV show is searching for paid extras to play Dillon football team-members for season 4.2. Requirements: you must be between the ages of 18-23 (young enough to look like a high-schooler), taller than 5'7", a Texas resident -- and have proof -- with football experience (but you can't be a current/future college player), have a flexible schedule from today through July, and can't currently be in school or have a full-time job. If you fit these specifics and are interested, fill out a talent application at this site; it's requested that you upload at least 2 pictures of yourself and put FOOTBALL in the special skills section. See you on TV! more ›

• The seventh annual World Championship Corny Dog Eating Competition has a winner! The State Fair of Texas has everything!
• Slackerwood photo set from Fantastic Fest’s opening-night gala-premiere of “Gentlemen Broncos” at the Paramount Theater. (Scroll down for a great shot of the scruffy’n’hip actor Jemaine Clement from .)
• Apparently, being a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader requires the ability to study. (Not so much if you are an actual Dallas Cowboy!)

This Sunday, McClanahan will be the keynote speaker at Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas' "Toast to Sisterhood, Support, and Survivorship" champagne brunch at the Austin Renaissance Hotel. Below, she chats with Austinist about female friendship, her favorite roles over the years, and cats in heat. more ›

• Trash Dance: The Forklift Danceworks’ Trash Project performance attracts over 700 people to a “trash truck ballet.”
• The New York Times visits our Guadalupe Mountains, falls into a West Texas cactus.
• Even with the start of this $135 million Texas beach enrichment plan, Austin’s own Okkervil River will still be singing “Lost Coastlines.”

Obama administration to overhaul Fannie and Freddie? How will Bill Clinton's visit to N. Korea affect future nuclear talks? 15-year-old Iraqi girl sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for her part in an attempted bombing. But was she a willing participant? Woman and her baby, both kidnapped from North Austin, rescued (sort of) in Uvalde; authorities let their kidnapper walk away. Louisiana politician William J. Jefferson found guilty on corruption charges. ll the cool kids are studying statistics. Bens out of At the Movies; film critics A. O. Scott and Michael Phillips in. Beastie Boy Adam Yauch recovering after having a cancerous tumor removed. more ›

he Top Ten from this summer's season of So You Think You Can Dance will be making a stop in Austin this fall. The judges on the show insist that this fifth season's dancers are the best they've had on the show, and come October 27, you can be the judge as to how well they perform live. more ›

Some survivors of WWII’s Bataan Death March got their first in-person apology from Japan's ambassador to the United States, Ichiro Fujisaki. Some surviving POW’s at the San Antonio event were still angry about having been on a “Death March.” Today is the last day of the Texas Legislative session. Chances are they won’t get everything done. Dude who helped finance the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" campaign in the 2004 election is now bringing actual toxic sludge to Texas. Hog wild huntin' in Milam County. Turns out there’s no bag limit or season on the capture of wild hogs. Them’s good eatin’, too. (Don't forget to notify your local game warden if you'll be huntin' hogs at nighttime with spotlights!) BBC Scotland’s political editor compares Texas to Scotland. The Scots in the BBC’s comment section are mostly not amused by this. Conan remembered to visit the Alamo when he was recently in San Antonio. No word if he asked to visit the basement. Hey Austin, wake up and smell the transition to digital TV! A Nielsen report claims that -when it comes to the upcoming analog-to-digital tee-vee switchover--Austin is the fourth least-prepared city in the nation! more ›

Sen. Cornyn speaks out against Rush and Newt's comments on Sotomayor's "racism." Obama to name a "cyber czar." Texas Senate passes the budget. Dell income plunges 63% in early 2009. Austin woman charged in death of husband. Actress urged me to take ecstasy, says doctor in sex scandal trial. Bye, Jay. Heeeeeere's Conan! more ›

NBC has renewed the locally-filmed ). [BuddyTV] more ›

• Credit card numbers stolen from Magnolia Cafe on S. Congress (and CT Nail Salon on N. Lamar).
• Counterfeit $50 bills used in Giddings.
• Cop pulls gun on Texans player (and his wife) as the player was stopped on the way to visit his mother-in-law in a Plano hospital.

Showtime's new series, "The United States of Tara," debuts on Sunday. Austinites who really can't wait to see this show, starring Toni Collette (Little Miss Sunshine) and John Corbett ("Sex and the City"), can attend a sneak peek screening at the Dobie Theatre tomorrow (Tuesday) night. They'll be showing the first two episodes, 7 p.m. sharp, first come first served admission. Drinks and snacks included! [info] more ›

• Troubled Ill. Gov. Blagojevich makes his pick for Senate: former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris.
• Israel's air attack on Gaza just first stage of several.
• Divorce sucks, but especially in a recession.

• Fannie and Freddie to testify.
• Come on, just say it. Let's practice: Nation. National. Nationalize. Nationalization!
• Tribune Co is the latest to file for bankruptcy.

American global dominance is expected to decrease in coming years; China, Russia and India may challenge US influence. Attorney General Mukasey collapsed during a speech last night. Verizon workers sneaked a peek at Obama's old cell phone records. We should know Hillary Clinton's status in the Obama administration later today. Maybe. Sarah Palin pardons one turkey, while another unfortunate turkey faces a different fate behind her comments afterward. Best cranberry relish recipe ever? Say it ain't so, ABC! Pushing Daisies cancelled. more ›

The Food Network is taping a show in Austin later this week featuring the Casserole Queens and their delish Chicken Pot Pie. They are throwing a party for the taping and you're invited -- the catch is that you have to dress in 1950's-style clothing and be available for four hours. The party/taping is this Thursday, November 20. If you are interested, email helen(at)blueplate(dot)tv for more information. more ›