I grew up hating the Dallas Cowboys. Actually, “hate” is not a strong enough word. Detested? Loathed with the heat of a thousand suns? If you were around in the ’90s, you had no choice but to have a strong opinion about them. They were cocky, they were very good at football, and worst of […]
Author Archives: Brian Gaar
Brian Gaar is a senior editor for The Barbed Wire. A longtime Texas journalist, he has written for the Austin American-Statesman, the Waco Tribune-Herald, Texas Monthly, and many other publications. He was also a writer and producer at the beloved Austin production company, Rooster Teeth.
Brian grew up in Wichita Falls and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin. He's a veteran Austin comedian and released a standup album that hit #2 on the iTunes comedy charts (thanks, Jim Gaffigan). He also hosted a late-night comedy show, ATX Uncensored(ish), on Austin's NBC affiliate.
Posted inSports
Can Arch Manning Really Cash in on All This Hype?
The University of Texas has never been here before. At least, not exactly. The Longhorns have had really (really) good football teams in the past, but as we kick off the 2025 season Saturday, Texas is the top dog and boasting the biggest celebrity quarterback in the country. The hype around this season isn’t just […]
Posted inOpinion
They’re Making Texas Poorer, Meaner, and Less Free. You Don’t Have to Take It.
What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, when we launched The Barbed Wire, it felt like we were finally crawling out of the wreckage of Trump’s first term, maybe even headed toward a slightly less-shitty future. Sure, Texas was still Texas — stubborn, messy, allergic to progress — but wasn’t the arc of […]
Posted inUncategorized
Republicans Have Turned the Texas Capitol Into a Prison (With Bathroom Escorts). From The Barbed Wire
Howdy, Texas. I’m Brian Gaar, senior editor of The Barbed Wire. Democracy here is circling the drain, cops are escorting lawmakers to the bathroom, and Texas Republicans won’t be satisfied until the Capitol comes with ankle monitors and a warden. Before we get into the headlines this week, our own Managing Editor Cara Kelly wrote […]
Posted inPolitics
Congratulations, Republicans! The Texas Capitol Is Now a Minimum-Security Prison.
After years of shouting about “limited government,” “personal freedom,” and “tyranny,” Texas Republicans have finally decided to embrace their inner Big Brother. Turns out the best way to stop democracy from working is to treat your Democratic colleagues like middle schoolers on a field trip. Here’s the scene: Texas Democrats ended their walkout over gerrymandering […]
Posted inCulture
The ‘King of the Hill’ Reboot Will Heal Your Complicated Relationship With Texas
If you live in Texas, you probably have a complicated relationship with the state. As in: You love Willie Nelson, but you hate Ted Cruz. You’re proud of Buddy Holly, but then you remember Joe Rogan moved here and started talking like he invented barbecue. We gave the world Beyoncé, Selena, and Wes Anderson — […]
Posted inPolitics
Reenact ‘The Fugitive,’ Dodge Warrants & Catch the Cubs: 10 Things Texas Dems Can Do While on the Lam
As you probably know, more than 50 Texas House Democrats have skipped town to stop Gov. Greg Abbott and the Legislature from turning Texas’ congressional map into a racist GOP fever dream where every district somehow ends in Ted Cruz’s driveway. Most of our blue-shirted fugitives have landed in Illinois, land of deep-dish pizza, wind, […]
Posted inPolitics
Is This the Year Texas Republicans Finally Blow It In the Senate?
If you were worried that Texas politics was getting a little boring, worry no more: The upcoming Republican Senate primary between incumbent John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is here to inject a full dose of chaos, betrayal, biblical divorce filings, and party-wide panic. This race has everything: A four-term U.S. senator trying […]
Posted inPolitics
Texas Just Made Gold Legal Tender. Here’s How to Spend Grandma’s Jewelry Responsibly.
Texans, start hoarding your doubloons. Gold and silver are now legal tender in the Lone Star State — which is great news for anyone who’s been dying to tip their bartender in Krugerrands. Yes, while the state is busy dealing with immigration raids, floods, and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s ultra-messy divorce, Texas has also declared […]
Posted inPolitics
Texas Gov. Makes Lawmakers Return to Address Floods, Regulate THC, and (Maybe) Ban Medical Abortion
Good news, Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott has announced a special legislative session to tackle the most pressing issues facing the state — like whether gummies are too fun and whether your uterus is up to no good. On Wednesday, Abbott laid out 18 priorities for the July 21 special session. At first glance, it’s your […]