march 26

Links we love today: Profiling "the cable access Carson," new graphs aboutcharts, plenty of love for Girls and more

Here are the links we loved today:

This NY Mag article on Chris Gethard, “The Carson of Cable Access,” makes me smile so damn hard.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson tells UT alum mag The Alcalde about his less-than-welcoming recent visit to campus; Guernica interviews UH professor / poet Nick Flynn on adapting his memoirs to film.

The Rumpus rounds up some of AWP's best lit mag finds.

New Justin Bieber jam, “Boyfriend”; New De La Soul (!) project, First Serve.

The Hunger Games, re-enacted by Beanie Babies, if that’s what you’re into.

Aren't all cats technically streakers?

Rachel Dratch has a new book out and Amy Poehler interviewed her about it and they name drop one of my favorite New England ice cream-eries and isn’t Amy’s author photo so gorgeous and oh man these two are just the best.

At SXSW, Alf LaMont moderated an awesome panel on politics and comedy; now, he's written about it for HuffPost.

The latest installment of Ben Greenman’s Graphs About Charts and Charts About Graphs is up!

On parking lots, and their abundance.

Boston-based podcast / storytelling series This Has Been A Disaster, hosted by author Steve Almond and musician Ryan Walsh, is now in iTunes!

After you read Emily Nussbaum’s extremely complimentary profile of HBO show Girls, watch this interview with producer Judd Apatow and creator / star Lena Dunham:

Austin's own Strange Boys have a new video, for "DOUEH":

La Sera’s new album, See The Light, is out today, and so is her latest video, “Real Boy / Drive On”:

Thanks to Jake Fogelnest for posting this vintage clip of Andy Kaufman on Letterman’s morning show:

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This Week's Hot Headlines

Here's what it takes to be middle class in Houston and more top stories

Photo by Dennis Lamberth on Unsplash

Who needs a raise?

Editor's note: It's time to catch up on the top Houston news of the week, including a host of openings and what it takes to maintain middle class status in Houston this year. Catch up on our hottest headlines below, then visit this guide to plan your weekend.

1. This is the income it takes to be middle class in Houston in 2026. A new study tracking the upper and lower thresholds for middle class households has revealed Houstonians have to make at least a grand more than last year to maintain their middle class status.

2. Houston restaurateur dishes on swapping Tex-Mex for new retro steakhouse. Restaurateur Ford Fry surprised Houston diners when he announced he was closing Tex-Mex restaurant Superica and replacing it with Star Rover, a casual, family-friendly steakhouse. With Star Rover now open, Fry explains the decision.

3. Houston's 10 best neighborhood restaurants offer comfort and convenience. The time has come to celebrate the nominees for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

Feges BBQ Erin Patrick Feges barbecue tray Feges BBQ is in the running for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year. Photo by Robert Jacob Lerma

4. 4 Houston spots make Texas Monthly's best new restaurants of 2026 list. Texas Monthly has revealed its 10 best new restaurants for 2026, highlighting restaurants that opened between December 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025.

5. Western-inspired, family-friendly restaurant now open near the Heights. A new family-friendly restaurant has opened near the Heights. Long Weekend boasts a number of amenities, including an expansive menu, plenty of outdoor seating, and Houston’s largest outdoor play area, according to the restaurant.