Reality recaps

Nuns, vampires and infections invade Big Rich Texas this week

Leslie Birkland and Kalyn Bruan of Big Rich Texas.

Photo courtesy of the Style Network
Whitney Whatley and her daughter Bon Blossman are two of the stars of Big RichTexas.

Realitynation.com

Episode 5 of Big Rich Texas called into question the very basics of modern medicine while highlighting the fact that Google is our friend.

Since being fired from her poop-scooping job, Kalyn Braun has been ordered to return to Life’s a Pageant, her godmother Leslie Birkland’s tragically named business.

The morning she is to begin, Kalyn experiences the sudden onset of a rare disorder.

I was at home and I started feeling really bad back pain and I started screaming for Tyler to call 911. He called the ambulance and rushed me to the hospital. And once I got there they started putting IVs in me, and they gave me morphine. The doctors ran some tests and started talking about surgeries. It was awful.

Leslie doubts Kalyn is really sick so when she receives a call from Tyler reporting that Kalyn is in the ER, Leslie feels really guilty. Because Leslie isn’t immediate family, she’s unable to receive information from doctors and must rely on Kalyn to relay the diagnosis.

Basically, I have a severe kidney infection because I stress myself out too bad. It’s a combination of everything that I tried telling you. Whitney won’t leave me alone.

So, medically speaking, it’s Whitney Whatley’s fault.

When I went into the hospital the doctor informed me that kidney infections are sometimes caused by stress.

And bacteria. Did he mention bacteria?

Stress throws off your PH balance and that can cause kidney infections, urinary tract infections and a lot of other infections as well.

How about hypochondria? Delusional episodes? Promiscuity? Does it cause any of that?

Leslie feels so bad for Kalyn that, rather than Googling “kidney infection” to determine the inaccuracy of Kalyn’s account, Leslie takes her shopping and vows to defend her honor.

At Bon Blossman’s vampire-themed book release party, Leslie, who came dressed as a nun, has the chance to prove her loyalty and with all eyes on her, she reveals that Whitney is the cause of Kalyn’s hospital visit. Dr. Bon is able to squash that.

Why don’t you look that up ’cause you don’t get a UTI from stress. Bacteria does not spontaneously generate, okay?

Leslie feels silly, and viewers overwhelming support that emotion. She will have to deal with Kalyn next week. Meanwhile, Les needs to meet with producers about making her look ridiculous on national television.

Read the full recap on Reality Nation.

unspecified

Gamer News

Dallas gamer bar leaves Deep Ellum for new address on Greenville Ave

Select Start

A unique gamer venue in Dallas' Deep Ellum is leaving after six years for a new home. Select Start, a game arcade and cocktail bar, is leaving its Deep Ellum address at 2811 Main St. and opening in a prized location at 4503 Greenville Ave., at the corner of SMU Boulevard. They're taking over the former Bangkok Thai restaurant, which had been there for 30 years before closing in 2025 — joining a neighborhood known for being a big SMU hangout.

According to a release, the new location is now open.

"Deep Ellum was our home for years, and it will always be a special part of Select Start's story," says co-owner Danny Wilson in a statement. "We wanted to find a location where we could keep everything people love about Select Start while introducing the experience to a new audience. Greenville Avenue gives us that opportunity, and we're excited to bring something different to an already incredible nightlife scene."

Select Start initially opened in Deep Ellum in 2018, with a unique profile that combined modern arcade games, cocktails, DJs, and interactive entertainment. Plus a bar serving ice cream and floats with soda, beer, and booze like a Jack Daniels & Coke float.

The new Select Start spans approximately 3,500 square feet, centered around an island bar. Features include Tetris-inspired floor tiles, and a 7-by-11-foot LED wall adjacent to the DJ booth that will showcase sporting events, DJ visuals, and private party entertainment.

Modern arcade games offered include Mario Kart, NBA Smash N Win, Aliens Armageddon, Halo Fireteam Raven, four-player Pac-Man Battle Royale, Guitar Hero and Whack a Clown.

Additional attractions include four basketball shooting games, two Skee-Ball lanes, a punching bag game, pool table, air hockey, photo booth, and nine claw machines stocked with everything from stuffed animals and Labubus to mystery boxes and oversized ducks. Six televisions at the bar are equipped with Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch consoles.

One major addition: a full kitchen with a walk-up ordering window, serving bar bites and late-night snacks until 2 am.

The menu features burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, fries, fried pickles, and tater tots, plus egg rolls in three flavors: Philly cheesesteak, veggie, and "Southern" with smoked chicken, black beans, and corn.

Select Start is part of Blender Brands, a hospitality, nightlife, and entertainment group founded in 2015 by Danny Wilson and Jacob Cox, whose growing portfolio includes Assembly Park in Plano (home to Cliff Coffee, Three Links, and Assembly Ice House); COBA After-Hours in Dallas; and Good Side Pizza Pub.

video games greenville-avenue deep-ellum openings