If you are like me, then you love to see Austin portrayed on national TV. The latest example of this showcasing of Austin is in "Rollergirls", which is shown every Monday night at 9pm on A&E, cable channel 60, and rerun the next Saturday at 4pm. I remember watching Roller Derby from San Francisco on late night Austin TV in the 1960’s, but this show takes the sport to an all new level.

This hour-long series follows the all girl, five team league and focuses not only on the tough athleticism required during the grueling matches, but also follows the daily lives of these young women. You’ll see lots of drop-in shots that feature cool views of Austin, like the Capitol Building at sunset, the Driskoll Hotel and Sixth Street at night. The show follows the girls to clubs and restaurants as well as to their homes and trailer parks where they live and party between their games with their boyfriends and roommates. I spotted Crazy Carl selling flowers in front of Esther’s Follies in one shot.

The games feature outrageous outfits that mix flirty skirts with kneepads and helmets and unexpectedly brutal brawls and catfights in the Thunderdome where they skate. They skate under adopted names such as Punky Bruiser, Venus Envy and Miss Conduct; my favorite name from the premiere show was Blanche Davidian.

So if you love Austin and like to see TV shows that exhibit the unique flavor of the city in which we live, Check out "Rollergirls" on A&E.