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‘The Austin Daytripper’ premieres tonight on KLRU

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Dale Roe writes about television for the Austin American-Statesman.

He's worked at the American-Statesman for 10 years and has written family movie and video game reviews as well as watched lots of TV. Dale directs, writes and performs with Austin's Gag Reflex comedy ensemble, is a freelance illustrator and has contributed stories and reviews to Macworld magazine. He lives in Round Rock with his wife, two children and a dog named Apollo who barks whenever he hears another dog bark on television.

Available online here.

Dale Roe writes about television for the Austin American-Statesman.

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The entry titled "'The Austin Daytripper' premieres tonight on KLRU."

By Dale Roe | Thursday, October 8, 2009, 05:37 PM

Chet Garner hits the road at 9:30 tonight on PBS station KLRU. As the energetic, affable host of “The Austin Daytripper,” Garner’s show visits areas within driving distance of Austin, perfect for a mini-vacation lasting just one day.

On the premiere episode, Garner and crew travel to Waco, visiting Health Camp — an ironically-named greasy burger joint, Baylor University, the Dr. Pepper Museum, Cameron Park, George’s Restaurant and Bar and Poppa Rollo’s Pizza.

Whew. That’s a lot to pack into one day.

Garner is a charming and humorous host, whether doing burger-inspired calisthenics (let’s just call them calorie-isthenics) outside of Health Camp, mispronouncing the names of animals at the Cameron Park Zoo (I’m pretty sure he called a Komodo Dragon a Kimono Dragon) or playing up Poppa Rollo’s as a Godfather-inspired mob hangout (it’s not).

The segments have the quick-cut look and feel of shows you might see on either the Travel Channel or the Food Network, and incorporate elements of both. Some of them carry on just a bit long (Cameron Park mountain biking, I’m looking at you), but how much else is there to do in Waco?

The hijinks are aided by Jeff Schuessler’s clever animation.

In addition to KLRU Thursday night airings, “The Austin Daytripper” is available to Time Warner Cable customers through Central Texas on Demand (Austin-channel 1400, Waco/Kileen channel 200) and the program can be seen online at www.klru.tv.

I can’t wait to see where Garner goes next. Here’s a promo for the series:

Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment Categories: Entertainment, Local people on TV

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By dee

October 12, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this

LOVED the show! I acn't wait to see where Chet takes us next! I also LOVE that there was a Profile on him on the site!

By jala

October 9, 2009 9:12 AM | Link to this

Really enjoyed the show! Chet is funny and informative. Makes me want to go to Waco and visit for longer than a rest stop!!!! Can't wait for the next episode. Great job to Chet and his crew!

By lms

October 8, 2009 10:58 PM | Link to this

The show was so entertaining with some really interesting tidbits about Waco. I'll definitely be keeping up with Chet weekly!