KC Masterpieces

What's lurking in Luckenbach?! Tonight at 10.

Kidding! But if there was something odd happening in Luckenbach, you can bet that would be the predictably alliterative story tease.

I think it's safe to say I won't be the only one overjoyed when November sweeps comes to an end. Long-suffering Uncle Barky, a.k.a former DMN TV critic/current Star-T contributor Ed Bark, actually endures watches all four local 10 p.m. newscasts throughout the month-long ratings war.

Back to Luckenbach. This beautifully-produced story by NBC5's Brett Johnson is a s'more by a bonfire in the Siberia of sweeps.

 

DFW Picture Puzzle

So it's not video, but it is an interactive Flash presentation. Close enough.

See how fast you can find all seven differences between two slightly different photos of a local landmark in the Star-Telegram's picture puzzle. Once you click "start," the clock starts too. It's a North Texas version of the touchscreen bar game Photo Hunt.

Wherever did this addictive concept originate?

Play the Name Your State Leaders game

Know these guys? (If not, mouse over the photos to learn their identities.) They're the three most powerful men in Texas government. The Star-T's Austin Bureau Chief Jay Root orchestrated his own "Jaywalking" game and asked hapless victims in downtown Fort Worth to identify these three state leaders in this video. Predictably, most of the answers were laughable. Best responses: "John Kerry?" (at least it rhymes with the correct answer), "Romney?" and "They're both robotically handsome." While this video could fall into the we're-smart/you're-foolish category, it's useful in that it is indicative of a widespread ignorance about who is running the show in Austin.

Speaking of state political news, our governor's email deletion habits are currently being challenged.

And here's another related link: Watch SNL's Andy Samberg make fun of Leno's "Jaywalking."

Speaking of Cyber Monday...

Luxury online fashion emporium Net-a-Porter is using a rather clever interactive video feature to help boost holiday sales. With the assistance of Santa's virtual helper, shoppers can send a not-so-subtle customized video wish list to their generous (read: loaded) significant others.

A pair of Louboutins, please, Santa.

Online shopping break

I thought everyone (or at least every straight American man) had discovered Yahoo's The 9 by now, but since I've recently encountered several people who weren't yet familiar with Maria, here's a three-minute Cyber Monday work distraction.

Sundance Square Parade of Lights

There were approximately 500,000 lights and 116 parade entries, but the trombone count didn't even come close to 76.

If you opted to avoid hypothermia Friday night and therefore didn't see the 25th Annual Sundance Square Parade of Lights in downtown Fort Worth firsthand, here's video of what you missed. Or, if you were there, relive the megawatt magic from a different vantage point.

Thanksgiving videos for last minute cooks, travelers

You've mastered the turkey and dressing but the gravy still stresses you out. Amy Culbertson, the Star-T's food editor, and Judie Byrd, the high-octane founder of Super Suppers, show you how to whip up a complete Thanksgiving feast in these videos.

Once you're finished there, head here to learn how to carve the turkey like a New York butcher. Hot tip: this isn't the most effective method. 
 

Before you head out to D/FW Airport, watch this video by David Wethe.

Watch "Webb Alert," learn something intriguing

Effortlessly pretty Morgan Webb (G4TV viewers know her well) reads all the tech blogs so you don't have to. Every time I watch WebbAlert, her daily technology news webcast, I learn something useful that I didn't find on my own. The most interesting story to this video blogger in today's episode is news that Web show "Quarterlife" will air on network TV next year.

Says the WSJ: While many scripted shows from television end up on the Internet, the reverse hasn't been true until now. The move gives instant credibility to made-for-the-Internet ventures, which many television executives tend to dismiss as amateur productions that fall short of network quality.

No car for a month

The Star-Telegram's transportation reporter/blogger/video blogger Gordon Dickson is braver than me. He's also really committed to his job. Dickson is going car-less for a month. Watch the trailer for his upcoming story series.

Is that John Metz I hear on the VO track? Watch out, Don LaFontaine.

Best waste of five minutes: Ask A Ninja

You got questions? Ninja got answers.

It's nice to know that at least ninjas dig poetry in a country where that particular linguistic art is so under-appreciated.

(Click caution: The theme music has major earworm potential.)

Should you be in LA on Dec. 5, you can ask Sir Ninja a question and get an immediate response.