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KLRU’s ‘Downtown’ throws kisses to Austin
“Downtown,” a new 13-episode series on Austin PBS station KLRU, is a gorgeously filmed love letter to our city. It is likely to intrigue hotel guests and newcomers, but it isn’t likely to enlighten many true Austinites.
A joint venture between KLRU and the Downtown Austin Alliance, “Downtown” debuts tonight at 8 and will repeat Fridays at 9 p.m.
There are lovely aerial shots that zoom in on certain commercial zones and brief “profiles” of people and places that make up Austin’s urban center. It’s a sparkling video postcard — lots of eye candy but not much content.
In tonight’s debut, for instance, the first of three segments is about downtown living, with the super-ritzy Nokonah condos getting showcased. Former Gov. Ann Richards extols the virtues of her fabulous penthouse lifestyle. Price per square foot is not mentioned.
The opener also includes a quick profile of the Driskill Grill’s award-winning chef, David Bull, and a tour of the Red River music scene, hosted by “Metal Dave” Glessner, a rocker by night and American-Statesman marketing employee by day.
Not that we’re prejudiced, but Glessner’s segment is by far the best, with actual interviews and historical perspective of this non-Sixth Street music area.
Future episodes will include features on the downtown Alamo Drafthouse, the Austin Farmer’s Market, architect Larry Speck and downtown comedy clubs.
“Downtown” is slickly produced and chock full of pretty pictures.
No, No! Not Nikko!
I’m beginning to think some people are out to sabotage “American Idol.”
How else to explain Nikko, the only true R&B singer on the show, getting voted off not once but twice? In case you missed it, he got the boot last night. The first time he was ejected, he was brought back after Mario Vazquez mysteriously quit.
We’re getting down to the wire here … it’s time to get rid of contestants who really don’t have a snowball’s chance of winning the competition.
People like Scott Savol, who hasn’t been on key for two weeks, and Anthony Federov, who screeched his way through Tuesday’s performance. Who’s going to buy these guys’ CDs? Nobody.
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