BRBTV News Blog

If things seem a little quiet around here ...

2012-01-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

... well, they're supposed to be that way.

The BRBTV News Blog is running a little lighter these days by design. Sort of a readjustment-of-priorities thing, if you will.

Don't worry, though -- all of the current content will stay right where it is, right where you can find it, because it's been a great ride over the past five years since this blog was created. Launched in January 2006, the BRBTV News Blog featured daily posts for its first few years -- that's a whole lot more posting than many blogs. It's added up to more than 1,000 posts! In that time, we've accumulated some great original content from attending shows and various events and yakking with the stars of these classic TV shows. So we want to leave that content up and available for y'all.

We can't guarantee we'll stay away from posting for long, because frankly, we love this thing. We just wish there were a few more hours in the day!

Latest episode of "Fantastic Forum" explores the rogues galleries of superheroes

2011-12-11T06:00:00.018-05:00

In the December 2 post of this blog we told you all about "Fantastic Forum," an award-winning TV show based in Washington, D.C., for which Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV has done a tad interviewing and other on-camera stuff. The comic book, sci fi and fantasy-themed show, which is a delightful mix of discussion forum, interviews of comics industry pros, and other fun features, just won the the 2011 Monty Award for Best Arts and Humanities Program, and Ulysses Campbell won as best program host.

Well, check out the latest episode of this long-running program, which airs on several different stations around D.C., at various (great!) timeslots. It's linked from YouTube below, and this ep includes BRB as a panelist in a discussion about the various rogues gallery villains that heroes like Superman and Batman are so vexed to contend with ...

Announcing the BRBTV Reports of interviews from the "Batman" and "Superman" animated series

2011-12-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

Fresh on the heels of the BRBTV Report on "Superman: The Animated Series" (see our post just a few inches down!) comes two new additions to the series, "Superman: The Animated Series, The BRBTV Interviews" and "Batman: The Animated Series, The BRBTV Interviews."

Both of these great 1990s kids' TV shows (for kids of all ages, you understand!) reflected the work of a whole lot of writers, artists, directors, producers and voice actors. Beyond the core names that so many people recognize, such as Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Glen Murakami, Jean MacCurdy, Paul Dini, Kevin Conroy and Tim Daly, there were many others who contributed to the groundbreaking animated series’ massive success at creating a unique take on DC Comics’ beloved heroes Batman and Superman.

So now BRBTV brings you two sets of original interviews with several folks whose talent has touched the series:

Joe R. Lansdale, the “Mojo storyteller” who loved the Dark Knight as a kid.
Randy Rogel, an Emmy-Award-winning writer who is no stranger to ‘toons.
Scott Beatty, author of “Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight,” who addresses the influence of the series on the overall Bat-realm.
Ty Templeton, artist of the popular comic books accompanying the series.
Robert N. Skir, a writer who has taken on several other small-screen favorites, too.
Michael Horse, the “Twin Peaks” veteran who voiced Ubu.
Dorian Harewood, the actor with a heart for music who did a variety of voices here.
Corey Burton, a voice artist with a diverse resume, including several of these interesting characters.
Mark Evanier, a writer with a varied resume who tackled the Darkseid storylines.

As a special bonus, in the "Superman" interview report, author Will Rodgers gives you a peek at his collection of action figures associated with the show. As with the other volumes in this BRBTV Reports series, it's all in a convenient, portable, Kindle format with photos appearing in color where available. And the price for these is our lowest -- $1.50 -- so you can read the thoughts of these cool guys for such a minor investment.

Stay tuned: We've got more BRBTV Reports coming up in 2012, as well as a rather intriguing new installment in the BRBTV (print!) fact book series ...

Happy holidays to all!!!!

With his latest Broadway show now over, Tom Wopat heads back to the screen -- big and small

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Tom Wopat offers a special message to his fans in his latest email newsletter ...

"It's been awhile since I've written you personally – I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Over the past few months, I have been keeping busy! After the daily commitment of 'Catch Me If You Can' ended in September, it's been really great to get back into some film and tv roles, plus focus more on live singing appearances.

"In the film and TV world, you may have seen my recent appearance on the CBS show 'A Gifted Man,' but if not, the whole episode is streaming online here. I also filmed a musical for ABC called 'Elixir,' with an incredibly talented cast including Jane Seymour, Chelsea Kane, Sara Paxton, Drew Seeley and more. 'Elixir' will be out in early 2012; we will be posting a lot more information about that. And today, as you read this, I am on the set of the upcoming Quentin Tarantino film 'DJANGO UNCHAINED,' which will be in theaters in December 2012.

"As you know, I have booked a lot more live shows over the next year, and am really looking forward to seeing many of you there. If you don't see your city on the list yet, stay tuned as we will be adding more!

"I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.

- Tom"

John Wesley Shipp takes another fatherly turn, this time on "Teen Wolf"

2011-12-03T13:49:00.002-05:00

John Wesley Shipp is announcing it from his own Facebook page, and you can get the story at ZAP2it: Shipp will appear in the second season of the series "Teen Wolf."

Our former Martin Ellis of "Santa Barbara" will portray Isaac's "not-so-nice dad -- and the owner of Beacon Hills Cemetery," ZAP2it says. "He sees a whole new side of his son after Derek brings Isaac into the wolf pack, and a few 'mysterious incidents' plague him in particular. Shipp is headed to Atlanta to begin shooting the intense role next week. MTV confirms that we can expect to see him in two episodes."

Shipp says he's heading over to the set on Tuesday.

In other JWS news (!), the actor will return to "One Life to Live" during its finale week. This former dad from "Dawson's Creek" played a rather interesting dad on this soap. Read about it at Michael Fairman's soaps site.

It's a "Fantastic Forum" -- and a fantastic thing for comics fans!

2011-12-02T06:00:00.003-05:00

Since 2007, fans of the comic book and sci-fi / fantasy genres in the Washington, D.C., area have enjoyed a special treat -- the weekly "Fantastic Forum" TV show created and produced by Ulysses Campbell. The show, which airs on several different outlets in D.C., even recently won the 2011 Monty Award for Best Arts and Humanities Program, and Ulysses won as best program host!

But the show isn't just local -- it's global, with episodes posted on YouTube and Vimeo, and at the show's official site, as well, so that fans everywhere can enjoy the topics Ulysses and his crew explore: Everything from profiles of characters like Batman to an examination of the treatment of female characters in comics, to the "Superpower of Love," to discussions of crossovers and the portrayal of politics in comics. Besides the panel segments featuring a variety of guests, over the years the show has also featured original interviews with a ton of folks in the comics industry: Neal Adams, Jim Shooter, Matt Wagner, Frank Cho, Jo Chen, Howard Chaykin and more.

We've told you on this blog before about the video correspondent and hosting work of Billie Rae Bates on the Comics Continuum website and accompanying TV show based in Metro Detroit. Well, now BRB is honored to have been asked by Ulysses to help out with some interviews, panel discussion and hosting duties for "Fantastic Forum."

It's a testament to Ulysses that he doesn't do this all by himself -- he has an army of people helping him out, both behind and in front of the camera (just check out the credits on the episode guide page of the show's site!). Besides the recent Monty Awards, "Fantastic Forum" also won a 2010 Accolade Competition Award of Merit and a 2010 DCTV Viewer’s Choice Award for Best Program in the News and Public Affairs category.

BRB is thrilled to be able to participate in the show! Catch her interview with "Walking Dead" artist Charlie Adlard in Episode 31 below, shot at this year's Baltimore Comic Con, and watch future episodes to see her as a panelist and host.

Announcing the BRBTV Report on "Superman: The Animated Series"

2011-11-28T06:00:00.003-05:00

A couple weeks ago, we introduced you to the voice prowess of our buddy Will Rodgers, who's known among his friends as "The Voice Man." We've seen him demonstrate his talent for voice impersonation at various events over the years, so we put him on tape for you to enjoy, too!

Now, while Will can do a great verbal take on many of the characters of our beloved "Dallas," "The Dukes of Hazzard" and more, he has a talent for capturing these characters in the printed word, as well! He's the creator of the site, "Will's Ultimate Guide Super Friends Episode Guide!" for one thing, and it's really a comprehensive look at a beloved classic superhero show. As a writer, Will has a keen grasp of detail, and he has a love for the same shows BRB loves. Thus, a reference guide collaboration was born!

The first one out of the gate from this collaboration is a tribute to the late-'90s show "Superman: The Animated Series." BRBTV is delighted to announce this new addition to our Reports series, focusing on what was basically a spinoff of the wildly popular "Batman: The Animated Series" of the earlier '90s by Bruce Timm and Co. of Warner Bros. Animation.

“Superman: TAS” proved faithful to the famous Superman mythos originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and so well-explored in many pop culture media over the decades, from other animated series to live-action TV series and theatrical movies, to newspaper and radio and of course, the printed comic-book page. This new series took Superman / Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Lex Luthor, Perry White and many, many more of the well-known characters and gave them a fresh look and fresh appeal, all keeping to the style of “B:TAS.” The half-hour animated series encompassed three seasons on the Kids WB! from 1996 to 2000, contributing a few of its own unique elements to the enduring Superman mythos along the way.

Like the others in the series, this BRBTV Report delivers up a magazine-length feature story examining the history and impact of this TV show. In addition to the feature story, you’ll see Will's own fun, original episode synopses, along with a cast list for the show. It's all in a convenient, portable, Kindle format with photos appearing in color where available.

It's the meatiest BRBTV Report so far -- the equivalent of 87 letter-sized pages (the episode synopses Will writes are much heftier and more robust than BRB's, actually)! AND ... like the rest of the BRBTV Reports, the price is low: this time a cool $2.99. Less than a comic book, less than a magazine, and yours to keep fo-ever and ever ...

We hope you enjoy this latest Report. And stay tuned to this channel, we've got two more Reports coming close on the heels of this one ...

Get ready to bid: General Lee 13, one of Alexis' gowns, Wonder Woman's lasso and more!

2011-11-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

Boy, is it a good time to have some money to throw around, some space in the den, and a love for classic TV. Profiles in History’s “Icons of Hollywood” movie and television prop auction is coming up fast. And among the offerings for your bidding pleasure are nice splashes of "The Dukes of Hazzard," "Dynasty" and "Wonder Woman."

The “Icons of Hollywood” auction is being held December 15-16 at The Paley Center for Media, 465 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, California.The auction consists of 1,209 lots with original props, costumes, artwork, photography, and more from Hollywood’s history.

PDF catalogs are now available for download at Profiles in History site, so you can see all the goodies available, but here are some highlights that will whet your appetite:

A vibrant purple gown from "Dynasty": a three-button jacket with fur sleevesand long skirt, of deep plum velvet,worn by Joan Collins as AlexisCarrington Colby in the Season 5episode “The Heiress.”And, the catalog notes, "It features Velcro closure to allowMichael Nader 'Dex Dexter' torip it open and ravish Collinson her bed in one of the sexiestmoments in TV history." Wowzers.
Lasso, first-season bracelets and $2 bill from "Wonder Woman": The lasso was for throwing (not one of the ones attached to her outfit), and the $2 bill was the one kissed by the actress, Lynda Carter, during the first-season episode "Last of the Two-Dollar Bills."
Jail sign from "The Dukes of Hazzard": Aluminum sign measures 16 by 24 inches andis painted in black letters, “Hazzard County Jail Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane.”
Screen General Lee #13 (SGL 13) from "The Dukes of Hazzard": OK, now we're getting to a big ticket item. See page 134 of the first PDF catalog. We've gotta email one of our "Dukes" buddies and see just who's car this is ... there are certainly a few interesting clues in the description ...

Spotted: John Beck and Sorrell Booke

2011-11-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

OK, so, we were all settled in, on our nice un-comfy couch, with a fresh DVD from our bud Tracy all queued up ... and what name do we see on the screen as the opening credits roll for this classic film?

Sorrell Booke????

Really? Sorrell Booke????

OK, John Beck didn't surprise us. Our former Mark Graison of "Dallas" and David Raymond of "Santa Barbara" had a prolific career through the '70s and '80s, and the two aforementioned favorites weren't his only forays on the soapy side, for sure. But Sorrell Booke? Our beloved J.D. Hogg of "The Dukes of Hazzard"?

Yes, indeed. With a bare (hairy) back in a sex scene, no less. (Seriously.) What's the movie, you're now dying to know? Sidney Sheldon's "The Other Side of Midnight," 1977.

Booke is Lanchon, a French businessman with a stern accent who cuts a deal in Marseilles to wed the lead character, Marie-France Pisier's Noelle Page. She's none too happy about the arrangement, and she quickly escapes him, only to fall into the arms of someone far more treacherous, Beck's Larry Douglas.

Beck is a scoundrel in this film, but he's such a straight-up scoundrel that you really have to wonder if he at all realizes he's doing anything wrong as he loves 'em and leaves 'em and generally deceives his way through the storyline as a military pilot in this World War II setting. He delivers his treachery with the ever-honest look and stance (and charm, of course) of a Mark Graison or a David Raymond. Reprehensible? Yes. Delusional? We're thinkin' so.

Though the movie was considered a flop at the box office, it gave Beck a great, meaty, leading role. And Booke? Well, we knew the guy was multitalented. This one definitely shows another one of Boss Hogg's many facets as an actor.

Robin Wright: "Rampart," "Dragon Tattoo" and more

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's a regular Robin Wright roundup here on the BRBTV News Blog. Our lovely original Kelly Capwell of "Santa Barbara" has lots of movie stuff goin' awn ...

"Rampart," in which she stars with Woody Harrelson, Ice Cube and Sigourney Weaver, has release dates of November 23, 2011 in New York and Los Angeles, and January 27, 2012 elsewhere in the U.S. The movie "explores the dark soul and romantic misadventures of a never-changing LAPD cop (Harrelson) whose past is finally catching up with him in the wake of a department-wide corruption scandal," according to promotional materials.

Along the way, he is forced to confront his disgruntled daughters (Brie Larson, Sammy Boyarsky), his two ex-wives (Anne Heche, Cynthia Nixon), a tenacious deputy DA (Weaver), an investigator on his trail (Ice Cube), a homeless witness to his crimes (Ben Foster), his aging mentor (Ned Beatty) and a mysterious new lover who may or may not be on his side (Robin Wright), as he fights for his own sanity and survival. Wow, what a cast.

"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" comes out next month and has Wright sharing the screen with the blond Bond, Daniel Craig. See the official website for ... well, a photo, at least!

Wright also visited the Congo recently for the Enough Project, as this YouTube video attests. Wow, does she look great!

Wright is also reported to be starring in "The Grandmothers." See the Facebook note about that.

A fan page for Wright on Facebook has all this news and more, such as photos of Wright in these roles.

He's got "Dallas" and "The Dukes" covered for sure: BRBTV presents a sampling of the voice talent of Will Rodgers

2011-11-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

We knew he had talent when we saw his site, "Will's Ultimate Guide Super Friends Episode Guide!" And he's got such a wonderful, geeky-keen grasp of detail, a love for classic TV shows, and a skill at writing that we asked him to collaborate on some upcoming BRBTV projects. But the real talent of Will "The Voice Man" Rodgers of Tennessee is his voicework. It's only fitting that part of the BRBTV video series on YouTube includes a sprinkling of his impersonations of classic TV characters. Enjoy ...

Jackson Bostwick tells us more about his work on "Shazam!"

2011-11-07T06:00:00.022-05:00

So just how closely did the "Shazam!" Saturday-morning TV series of the 1970s follow the well-known comic-book character? Where in California was the show filmed, and what was the deal with those "Elders"? Where was Shazam the Wizard, anyway? Jackson Bostwick, the original star of Filmation's live-action half-hour series weighed in on those questions and more as BRBTV chatted with him at this year's Geek Media Expo in Nashville, Tennessee.

The latest in the BRBTV video series puts you there at Bostwick's table at the event as he talks with Will and BRB about his work on the series. We hope you enjoy it. Consider it a follow-up to our email interview with Bostwick a few months back on this very blog ...

Jeannie Epper had the inside track on those "Dynasty" catfights

2011-11-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

For our recently released BRBTV Report on the '70s TV show "Wonder Woman," we got the chance to talk via phone to esteemed Hollywood stuntwoman Jeannie Epper, who was the primary double for Lynda Carter in that series and who was even one of the two subjects of the 2004 documentary flick "Double Dare" for that same "WW" work.

Epper comes from a big family of Hollywood actors and stunt doubles spanning four generations, and her resume certainly extends far beyond "Wonder Woman." Take "Charlie's Angels," for instance, or "The Bionic Woman," "Logan's Run," "The Rockford Files," "Beverly Hills Cop III," "Con Air," "Blade," and a ton more. And this gal, just turning 70 this year, shows no signs of slowing down. On the day we talked to her this past July, she had just done an explosion scene for CBS' "Criminal Minds." But what we talked about with her this day was the aforementioned "Wonder Woman" ... as well as another little show that we happen to like ...

Those popular "Dynasty" catfights featuring Linda Evans as Krystle Carrington and Joan Collins as Alexis Colby were a tad more dangerous than they might have looked, you see. And Epper just happens to be the one who stepped in and spared Evans from injury. Epper tells us she got that "Dynasty" gig from having doubled for Evans on "Big Valley." Evans then asked for her in her "Dynasty" days.

Epper was with the show from the beginning and says that she handled not only the catfights but a few other things along the way.

"I did the horseback riding. Remember Rock Hudson, before they knew he had AIDS? He looked like a really old man. We were doing that horse chase. My brother Andy stunt-doubled him in the horse chase, and I was doubling her (Evans). And she rolls down the hill,and he comes down and scoops her up and kisses her. And …” Epper pauses.

“I shouldn’t really say it because it’s not my story to tell, but yes, I was there that day. She was a little worried.”

The concern was downplayed, of course, for fear of a hysteria in this just-discovered disease.“That was before they knew about saliva," Epper says. "They didn’t know so much as they know now about that disease.”

She continues, "I also did stair falls for her. You remember the episode where she fell down the stairs? I did that. But the catfights were the best. You know of all the episodes, I have in its entirety the one where Linda was fighting herself in the attic.” (Catfight No. 4, in “The Vigil,” January 22, 1986)

“That was a rough fight. That was a really really rough fight. The pond one was fun.”

So in the attic scene with the real Krystle and fake Krystle fighting, we had to ask, who was the other stuntwoman?“Donna Evans was able to come in and be the twin," Epper says. "She dated my son way, way back, in the ‘80s. She’s married now and has a family. She doubles for Anne Hathaway. We worked on ‘Princess Diaries’ together, and I doubled Julie Andrews, and she doubled Anne. She used to double Sharon Stone and lots of others. Back then, there were a lot of big actresses who were doing action stuff. Her sister Debbie does all the car work for Angelina Jolie.”

Did Epper do all of the “Dynasty” catfights involving Krystle?“I didn’t do the pillow fight." (the studio fight) "My sister did. I was on another show. I wasn’t under contract to them yet. They’d bring me in and use me when they needed me. Later they put me under contract, because they wanted the same people to double the same actresses. But in the pillow fight, it was her and a girl named Regina Parton.”

What was Linda Evans like to work with?“Just great," Epper says. "We’ve known each other since we were 19 years old because of ‘Big Valley.’ I rode horses for her on that.”

What about Joan Collins?

“I loved working with her," Epper says. "I loved to watch her because she was so amazingly old Hollywood, and to get to see that, to see that she was old Hollywood, was great. She was demanding. Linda would always calm her down. But a lot of times she was right about things too.”

She says, “There was a certain thing that went on in that period. Joan wasn’t that old. She liked me because I understood her as a woman. Things would get rough and they’d make you do what you didn’t want to do,and I didn’t do that with her. She’d be like, ‘Oh thank God, it’s Jeannie.’”

What was the biggest challenge Epper faced on “Dynasty”?

“We did a lot of fire stuff. Do you remember the one where they didn’t know which one got burned to death? He carried both of us out.” (“The Cabin” season-ending cliffhanger, April 20, 1983) “Thank God my brother was the one doubling whoever the guy was.” (Mark Jennings) “You always have to trust people in a situation like that. Anytime you do fire, other people are there to take care of you. I never got burnt, either. ... I like to critique my own work, and I’ll sometimes think, could I have done it better. I think we did a really good job on that episode. They were trying to get it in one take. By the time it was over with, we were like, ‘Please say print!’ Then they would kinda punch in and get some little pieces. That was probably the hardest one.”

And the attic catfight, we add. Which was when George Hamilton was on the show.“Yes," she says. "He and I had to go through a plate glass window. I loved him. He was the brownest man I ever saw, and he was the nicest man. He’s just one of the old toughies, you know. But he kept his looks. Some of them, they change. They don’t look like themselves when they were younger.”

And the clothes? What about those fabulous clothes?

"All of the clothes were made by Nolan Miller. He made my clothes and her clothes, and we weren’t allowed to take them. There was one outfit where I said, ‘Can I just wear this out Saturday night,’ because I knew they were going to rip it off me the next week. And it was a no. … But boy, could he fit clothes to your body. Because they fitted me just like they fitted Linda. For somebody like me who could never afford to have someone make them outfits like that, it was something. All those clothes fitted to me. You wonder where they ended up. Probably auctioned off somewhere.”

Indeed.

You can read the full text of our interview with Jeannie Epper in the upcoming Kindle edition of the BRBTV reference guide, "Dynasty High."

John Wesley Shipp talks "Flash" and more at GMX panel

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

Years before the success of sites like eBay, his costar Mark Hamill seemed to know the value of a piece of a superhero costume, as John Wesley Shipp of TV's "The Flash" explains in his panel discussion at this year's Geek Media Expo. And if you missed hearing Shipp tell this and other "Flash" stories live and in person at the Nashville event a week or two back, BRBTV will put you in the audience with the latest videos on our YouTube channel.

Just how enthused was "Star Wars" alum Hamill about his role as the Trickster on "The Flash"? And how did the role influence his voicework a year later on "Batman: The Animated Series"? What was that Flash costume really like, and why does its display at a Hard Rock Cafe make Shipp a little uneasy? And what about a key (motherly) casting connection between "The Flash" and our beloved "Dallas"? Will "The Voice Man" Rodgers of BRBTV points it out from the audience as part of this Q and A session. Shipp, who portrayed Martin Ellis on "Santa Barbara" a few years before he donned the scarlet suit, also talks about his work on daytime TV.

We hope you enjoy the videos. And look out -- we've got another superhero coming up in our video series -- Jackson Bostwick of "Shazam!"

Eddie Munster and the Dragula are a big hit at Detroit's Redford Theatre

2011-10-29T15:41:00.004-04:00

If you didn't make it out to last weekend's special event at the Redford Theatre in Detroit, we've got the scoop for ya. Mr. Butch Patrick, who starred as Eddie Munster on "The Munsters," made an appearance for the showing of the flick "Munster, Go Home," on Friday and Saturday night. And making its big debut with Patrick was the fabulous custom-built Dragula!

Mike of Motor City Reel Rides, shown with Patrick below as he signs the car, hand-built this golden beauty to exactly match the vehicle featured in the "Munsters" TV show. With a carefully chosen coffin trucked up from another state and lots of materials and processes we're sure are rather proprietary (!), Mike crafted it all down to the last detail -- and on a very tight deadline for this event with Patrick.

The event was a huge success. For just the Friday night showing, more than 700 people came out, Mike tells BRBTV.

Mike, by the way, has also hand-crafted an Ecto car from "Ghostbusters," and his Motor City Reel Rides brings these and other star cars such as KITT from "Knight Rider," the General Lee from "The Dukes of Hazzard," and the fabulous Monkeemobile (featured in previous posts on this very blog) to special events. Email 'em to learn more from Krista of Motor City Reel Rides, shown below with Patrick.

You'll find more photos from this event at the Redford Theatre's site.

Photos courtesy of Motor City Reel Rides; please do not copy without permission.

John Wesley Shipp appears at GMX; has some "Separation Anxiety" going on

2011-10-24T06:00:00.003-04:00

John Wesley Shipp, known among comic-book fans as "The Flash" in 1990-91 but known to "Santa Barbara" fans as Martin Ellis in late 1986, had a lot to say at this weekend's GMX about his career on the small screen and in particular about his time as DC's scarlet speedster.

At the event at Nashville's Millennium Maxwell House Hotel, Shipp did a panel with fans, and he also took time to talk to BRBTV one-on-one (well, one-on-two, since our buddy Will "The Voice Man" Rodgers was with us). BRBTV will have some great video of Shipp on our YouTube channel in the next couple weeks. In the meantime, though, we can tell you about Shipp's latest projects.

"Separation Anxiety" is the story of three 20-something childhood friends, at the time of the funeral of one of the friends. The movie, from Glass City Films, features flashbacks that bring more details to the question of what really happened to the friend who died. Shipp plays the father of the friend who died. The movie is now available on DVD. Read more at Glass City's site.

Shipp also has "Hell and Mr. Fudge" coming up, where he plays Bennie Lee Fudge. He stars with fellow "SB" alum Eileen Davidson in that one, due out next year. Mackenzie Astin also stars. The movie wrapped filming in Athens, Alabama, in July, as The Huntsville Times reports. Check out Shipp and Davidson in the teaser video on the film's official site, and like the Facebook page to keep up with it.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand.

Spotted: Two "SB" Stephens, as well as an Ally!

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

You gotta love that "Matlock." Like so many hourlong dramas of that era, Andy Griffith's courtroom series brought in a beautiful bevy of TV stars. Take the episode "The Biker," for instance. Not only does it feature two of the Stephens of our beloved "Santa Barbara" -- Stephen (Peter Flint) Meadows and Stephen (Dr. Skyler Gates) Nichols, but also Ally Walker, who portrayed Andrea Bedford and went on to such great success with "Profiler" and more.

Nichols, who also appeared on "Dallas" as a paramedic and the "Dynasty" pilot as a flight attendant, is the biker of the ep's title, accused of murdering his fellow Stephen, Meadows, who portrays a famous but highly murdered actor who had hired Nichols' character as his bodyguard. Nichols is appropriately gruff, rough and grisley in his cutoff attire, while Meadows is impetuous and about as high-strung and temperamental as we remember ole Peter back in the mid-'80s.

Walker brings her sweetly husky voice to a courtroom scene, taking the witness stand to introduce flashbacks of herself and the two Stephens. She served as a handler of sorts to Meadows' character, and she's quite burned by the experience.

Also in the "Spotted" category, have you seen Barbara Eden endorsing One Reverse Mortgage? Well, we have! We just saw that lovely LeAnn de la Vega of "Dallas" in her TV spot on the October morning we were writing this post ...

Leann Hunley takes on "Blissful Lies"

2011-10-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

That lovely Dana Waring of "Dynasty," Ms. Leann Hunley, has a movie in the works. It's called "Blissful Lies," and it's by independent filmmaker Jennifer Brown-Thomas. It's a story, according to the official site, "exploring the close ties and bonds between five friends. They find the limits of their relationships are tested to the extreme as lies bubble up and threaten everything they thought their lives were." The movie was shot in Texas in just three weeks, according to its Facebook page.

The film was scheduled for release earlier this year but has not yet been released. Check out BlissfulLies.com to learn more, watch the trailer and see photos of Hunley in action.

Linda Evans talks love, age -- and of course, "Dynasty" -- on "Today" show

2011-10-15T10:20:00.001-04:00

NBC's "Today" show this week has been giving some good airtime -- and cybertime -- to Linda Evans of our beloved "Dynasty." Our former Krystle Carrington is promoting her new book "Recipes for Life" and appeared on the show with Ann Curry earlier this week, then appeared again this morning.

The earlier interview segment, below, included a "Dynasty" clip of the studio catfight between Krystle and Alexis. Of course, you can't talk "Dynasty" without talking about the catfights, and we love the look on Evans' face when Curry asked if it was hard to fight with her co-star Joan Collins.

"I loved to fight physically; Joan liked to fight verbally," she says. "I just loved it! I don't do that in life, by the way. I've never beat anybody up."

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

On this morning's show, Evans talked about the idea behind her new book.

"They wanted me to write a memoir, and I've wanted to do a cookbook, and I thought, what if I could do both?" she says.

When asked about her "Dynasty" costar John Forsythe and whether he was as charming in real life as he was as Blake Carrington, Evans enthused, "It was so easy to love him! John Forsythe was one of the most extraordinary human beings I've known."

What has she learned about love at this point in her life, as she's about to turn 69 next month, especially given her much-publicized marriages?

"Don't give up on love," she tells "Today." "And don't be sad when it goes away."

By the way, regarding those catfights: BRBTV has talked with Evans' stuntwoman from "Dynasty," Jeannie Epper. You'll see excerpts from that interview on this blog in the next couple weeks.

Larry Hagman announces cancer diagnosis

2011-10-15T10:02:00.001-04:00

We're sad to see the health announcement for Larry Hagman, our own J.R. Ewing of "Dallas." The Associated Press quotes him as saying, "As we all know, you can't keep J.R. down!"

http://news.yahoo.com/larry-hagman-dallas-diagnosed-cancer-222717498.html

Announcing the BRBTV Report on "Wonder Woman"

2011-10-10T06:00:00.007-04:00

"All the world is waiting for you

And the power you possess

In your satin tights

Fighting for your rights

And the old red, white and blue ..."

Attempts to update her in live action for the big and small screen have sputtered in recent years, but the simple fact remains. For so many fans, there is one Wonder Woman. She is Lynda Carter. And she starred in a little series launched by ABC in 1975 under the name "The New Original Wonder Woman."

And now, in this brand-new installment in the BRBTV Reports series on Amazon's Kindle, we take a look at the history and massive pop-cultural impact of this TV series running three seasons in primetime, initially on ABC then jumping to NBC. And we talk to some great folks as we do it:

Cast member S. Pearl (Saundra) Sharp tells us about that fearsome sliding door in the IADC offices that accidentally came down on her one day, and the kind cast member who was most concerned about her when she came to!
Executive Story Editor Anne Collins Ludwick gives us her take on bringing the superpowers of this DC Comics hero to life on the screen, as well as what it meant for a female to have a starring role in a weekly TV series in that era.
Stuntwoman Jeannie Epper talks about the dolphin that saved her life -- among other interesting aspects of this high-action series!
Washington, D.C., photographer James R. Green Jr. offers us the story of first being starstruck by Lynda Carter at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Comics artist Michael Netzer tells the story of his art for DC making an unexpected impact on the actress.

Beyond the magazine-length feature story, the Report, which is No. 8 in the series, includes another familiar element -- the fun and original BRBTV synopses to the episodes. It's all in a handy-dandy, highly portable Kindle format -- viewable on other devices, of course, and illustrated with photos that appear in color where available.

AND ... like the rest of the BRBTV Reports in the series so far, the price is a cool buck-fifty. Less than a comic book, less than a magazine, and yours to keep fo-ever and ever ...

We hope you enjoy this latest Report. Author and journalist Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV has always had a special interest in wonderful chick TV shows like this, shows that inspired young females everywhere to be something more than was traditionally expected by society.

Catching up: Terri Garber, Leigh J. McCloskey, Marj Dusay and more

2011-10-08T06:00:00.002-04:00

In the What Are They Up to Lately Dept., come a few choice tidbits on the stars of our beloved TV shows ... and this looks to be the "Santa Barbara" edition, as our beloved daytime soap is the tie that binds these folks together ...

Terri Garber is hot on the real estate scene, having represented Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corp. and Prudential California Realty in recent years and now with John Aaroe Group in Sherman Oaks, California, these days. Check out her official site. Our former Leslie Carrington of "Dynasty" and Suzanne Collier of "Santa Barbara" is as lovely as ever.
Rawley Valverde, our Amado Gonzalez of "SB," hasn't left the small screen -- he's just serving it in a different capacity. He's an anchor at Channel One News in Los Angeles. He calls it the "Best. Job. Ever." on his Facebook.
Leigh J. McCloskey, who is a BRBTV triple-shot for his time as Mitch Cooper on "Dallas," Ethan Asher and Zack Kelton on "SB," as well as a guest shot on "The Secrets of Isis" (or does that make him a quadruple-shot?), has been leading workshops at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpinteria, California. His recent program, "Psyche and Soul Psychodynamic Diagnosis of Personality Disorder," offered "a bold, depthful, and innovative approach to personality theory where the boundaries of psyche and soul meet," Pacifica's site says.
Harley Jane Kozak, our own Mary Duvall of "SB" who is in more recent days a thriving mystery novelist, will be featured on a Murder at Sea cruise next May. Subtitled "Mystery Authors and Mayhem Revealed," the cruise will head to the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Check the website for details.
Marj Dusay, our second Pamela Capwell of "SB," just did the meeting-and-greeting thing at the Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS event a week or two ago in New York. Dusay also has a special YouTube channel devoted just to her.

Tom Wopat hits the concert trail hard -- and takes a Duke cousin along for a couple shows!

2011-10-05T06:00:00.001-04:00

Thanks to the Wopat web crew for keeping us up-to-date on the appearances of Tom Wopat, our own Luke Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard." The highlight here is that his on-screen cuz, John Schneider, will be joining him for a couple of the dates on this tour schedule, when Tom will be bringing his swingin' collectionof standards and more to cities around the country ...

10/29/11 - BalboaTheater - San Diego, CA
10/30/11 - ValleyPerforming Arts Center - Northridge, CA
12/10/11 - HollySprings Cultural Center - Holly Springs, NC
1/14/12 - Regattabar- Cambridge, MA
1/21/12 - Ram'sHead Bar - Annapolis, MD
2/24/12 - VanWezel Performing Arts Hall - Sarasota, FL
2/28/12 to 3/3/12 - TheColony at Palm Beach - Palm Beach, FL
4/12/12 - FallsviewCasino Resort - Niagara Falls, ON (joined by John Schneider)
4/13/12 - FallsviewCasino Resort - Niagara Falls, ON (joined by John Schneider)
4/14/12 - StateTheater - Easton, PA
5/12/12 - SouthOrange Performing Arts Center - South Orange, NJ
6/2/12 to 6/4/12 - 92YTribeca - New York NY

Tickets for the the Fallsview Casino shows with John Schneiderwill go on sale in January 2012.

Hollywood Show: Two out of three "Morgans" ain't bad!

2011-10-02T06:00:00.002-04:00

Morgan Brittany, Morgan Fairchild and Morgan Woodward are the three major Morgans of our beloved "Dallas" (well, sure there was a minor Morgan or two, too!). And approximately 66 percent of those major Morgans will be making an appearance this next weekend at the Hollywood Show in Burbank, which continues to astound us with its ability to nab some truly great classic-TV stars.

Our former Katherine Wentworth and (first) Jenna Wade will be meeting and greeting fans at the event, which begins this Friday, October 7 (preview only -- no stars), and runs through Sunday. The twosome joins an impressive guest list that includes several key stars from the '60s "Batman" series as well as a bunch from one of our other faves, "The Waltons." And Electra Woman and Dyna Girl? Major ouch that we can't be there. (Hey, Hollywood Show, how's-bout coming to the East Coast for an event!?)

AND ... coming on the heels of this October show is a Vegas show in November. Yes, the Hollywood Show goes Vegas, and it will feature Joan Collins, our grande dame of "Dynasty," offering an exclusive of her new book, "The World According to Joan." Meow on that. It happens at the Harrah's Hotel and Casino; check the website.

Barbara Eden, Jenilee Harrison and Charlene Tilton of "Dallas" will also appear at the Vegas show, along with Richard Hatch and Bo Hopkins of "Dynasty" and Herb Jefferson Jr. of "The Dukes of Hazzard."

John Schneider offers estate items at auction

2011-09-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

Kurtzman Square grand piano, anyone? Or perhaps an antique American Federal Double Pedestal sideboard? These might not be the kinds of items we normally associate with our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," Mr. John Schneider, but they're a couple of the items from his estate that are going up at auction in mid-October.

Paragon Estate Sales will oversee the on-location sale in Agoura Hills, California, on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16. Many items being sold will be personally authenticated by Schneider. Visit Paragon's site for the auction to see more (there's a Corvette big-block engine there -- that's more up your alley, right?).

And check out Schneider's latest TV project: "Trick My What" debuts on CMT at 10 p.m. Eastern on Friday, October 7. As CMT says, the show features Schneider on a mission to trick out any vehicle that will help a family make a living. Now that sounds like it's right up his alley!

John Wesley Shipp joins the guest list at GMX

2011-09-23T08:53:00.001-04:00

We told you back in June all about how you should make your travel plans for the Geek Media Expo -- GMX for short -- in Nashville in October. Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV is going to be there signing copies of all of the BRBTV reference guides in print: "Destination: Dallas," "Dynasty High" and "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" (Soon to be joined by another title next year -- can ya guess what it will be? Bet not!)

If you're a fan of "Santa Barbara," though, and especially if you're a fan of the '90s "Flash" series, you've got another great reason to attend the show: John Wesley Shipp, whom us "SB" fans know as Martin Ellis, will be there. Shipp joins BRB, "Shazam!" star Jackson Bostwick, '80s pop star Tiffany, and a host of other geek-magnet guests.

Incidentally, Shipp, the GMX site reports, also co-starred with our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," John Schneider, in a feature film shot entirely in Geelong, Austra, called "The Ninja." He played Det. Matthew Reynolds. The film started shooting in early 2009 and wrapped up in May.

Larry Hagman takes a little drive down Memory Lane at Toronto event

2011-09-05T08:29:00.004-04:00

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As we mentioned on this very blog, Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden of our beloved "Dallas" appeared at the Fan Expo Canada last weekend, doing a little meeting and greeting with fans. And as these fan cons go, the two had lots of time to reminisce with longtime viewers about not just their "Dallas" days but also that other little show they just happened to do together years earlier, "I Dream of Jeannie." BRB's friends Mike and Krista of Metro Detroit traveled to the event and got a chance to chat with them about something that we're guessing has never come up before at these events ... the story of the blue Pontiac GTO car used for "Jeannie" -- and where it might have ended up.

You see, once upon a time, well, just a couple years ago, a guy named Mel, also from Metro Detroit and a friend of Mike's, purchased his dream car at the famous Barrett-Jackson Car Auction. It was a Monkeemobile, one of the two screen used cars built by designer Dean Jeffries for the '60s TV show, and since that purchase, it's made a lot of rounds at car shows and cons (see our May 19, 2008 post as well as the photo below). But before it went through its creative conversion process to be used on "The Monkees," what was it? Mike thinks he knows.

"They had two of them for Larry," Mike says of the blue "Jeannie" GTO below. "Detective work has led us to believe this was the Monkeemobile -- before becoming the car we now know. Is this 100 percent for sure? No. No car DNA available yet. BUT, with the pre-build pics and the build sheet decoded and those in the know (namely the builder himself) we are 98 percent sure. The two 'Jeannie' GTOs were turned into the two Monkeemobiles. Before Mel's car was restored four years back, they removed the old interior and the blue paint was found."

So at the event in Toronto last weekend, Mike and Krista told Hagman the story, and he was very intrigued, indeed. He was kind enough to sign the visor from Mel's Monkeemobile. And Eden signed it, as well. In the top photo, you can see Mike showing a cell-phone photo of the Monkeemobile to Hagman. So fun.

Toronto photos courtesy of Mike; please do not copy without permission

The "Dukes" cast takes to the stage as our Hazzard Homecoming video walk-through concludes

2011-09-02T06:00:00.002-04:00

It's clear the cast members of "The Dukes of Hazzard" have a great time with the fans, and August's Hazzard Homecoming near the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains in Sperryville, Virginia, certainly proved that out. The event featured not only host Ben ("Cooter Davenport") Jones, but also John ("Bo Duke") Schneider, Catherine ("Daisy Duke") Bach, James ("Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane") Best, Sonny ("Enos Strate") Shroyer, and Rick ("Cletus Hogg") Hurst. On the Sunday evening of the event, they all took to the stage, as you'll see in the very last part of our six-part video series ...

Included with the final part are Jones' words about the show, including a mention of this year's departed cast members, Peggy Rea and Christopher Mayer.

John Schneider thrills the fans as our tour of Hazzard Homecoming continues ...

2011-08-31T06:00:00.026-04:00

BRBTV had a great time at this month's Hazzard Homecoming in Sperryville, Virginia, hosted by Ben ("Cooter Davenport") Jones of "The Dukes of Hazzard" and his wife, Alma Viator. And we captured a bunch of those fun "Dukes" moments so you could experience them, too! Continuing on with the six-part video series from our walk through the event, here are Parts 3 and 4 ...

Part 3 concludes Day 1 of the event, including a chat with Miss Jo of Covington, Georgia, whose flower shop provided Boss Hogg's boutonnieres in the show's first five episodes in the late '70s. Jo gives an update on the "Dukes" display that for years was a tourist attraction at the A Touch of Country shop on the Square, as well as what's filming in Covington these days.

Part 4 takes you to Day 2 of the event, including the addition of John ("Bo Duke") Schneider to the signing tables. What happens when a fan asks if she can kiss our beloved Bo Duke? His wife, Elly, has an answer or two ... Later on this warm August day, John takes to the stage to sing "Country Girls," and when he takes off his overshirt ... there's a reaction!

Stay tuned for Parts 5 and 6 later this week ...

Walk through the Hazzard Homecoming with BRBTV video series

2011-08-29T06:00:00.002-04:00

If you didn't get to Sperryville, Virginia, a couple weekends back for the Hazzard Homecoming, don't you worry none. BRBTV was there, and we did plenty of walkin' around! And since we just happened to have a camera attached while we were a-walkin', now you can get a view of the event, too!

This week we're highlighting our new six-part video series full of fun images of the event, just posted to the BRBTV YouTube channel. Today, it's Parts 1 and 2.

Part 1 includes:
- A look at some of the cars on display
- A peek at the signing tables of cast members Ben Jones and Rick Hurst
- A little chatting here and there with friends such as Rusty (aka "Boss Hogg"!), and Paul of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club
- Stunt BMX biking

Part 2 includes:
- A peek at the signing tables of cast members Catherine Bach and Sonny Shroyer
- A visit to the merchandise table (love that moonshine jar!)
- A moment at author Jon Holland's table as he signs a copy of his latest book, "A Moonrunner's Tale"
- The view from atop the "01" bus
- Stella Parton on stage and at her table

Tune in later this week as the video series continues ...

Missing Barbara Eden in Toronto this weekend? Think New Jersey in October!

2011-08-27T06:00:00.009-04:00

Woo-hoo! While BRB's buds Will and Andrea and Mike and Krista are meeting Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden at Fan Expo Canada today (and hopefully getting a nice shot for the next Kindle edition of the BRBTV fact book "Destination: Dallas"!), fans who missed the chance can plan for another opportunity coming up, at least where Eden is concerned. The star of the latter seasons of our beloved "Dallas" will be coming to the Garden State in October.

The Garden State Comic Con happens October 8-9 and will feature not only Ms. Eden but also Jonathan Frakes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" fame, who also appeared in a great episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard" when he was a young pup, playing a well-regarded character named Jamie Lee Hogg. Jackson Bostwick, the original star of the '70s live-action "Shazam!" who has been interviewed on this very blog, will be meeting and greeting there, as well.

Check out the rest of the guest list for the event; it's pretty good.

Timothy Gibbs stars in "11-11-11"

2011-08-19T06:00:00.015-04:00

It's nice to see Timothy Gibbs, the onetime Dash Nichols of our beloved "Santa Barbara," so front-and-center in a new flick. He's ready to roll in high-profile form in "11-11-11," which releases -- you guessed it -- on November 11.

You can catch Gibbs -- still so hunky, and really only in his mid-40s -- in the movie's trailer on the official site. This supernatural thriller comes from Darren Lynn Bousman, the director of some of the "Saw" movies, and plays with the concept of the number 11:11 being repeatedly seen in random places, like clocks, license plates, price tags. Folks have been sharing their own 11:11 stories on the site's message board.

Filmed in Spain, the movie concerns "an entity from another world that enters the earthly realm through Heaven's 11th gate," the IMDb says. Michael Landes, that darling ole Jimmy Olsen on the '90s "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," shares the screen with Gibbs for this one.

Gibbs seems to be splashing out with a few new projects this year, after several years away no doubt concentrating on his construction company, as we've reported on in this blog. You can catch our BRBTV interview with Gibbs in the "Send Me to Santa Barbara" fact book.

(And frankly, we don't see 11:11 -- but we sure have been seeing 444 constantly for several years! Look that one up!)

Spotted: Jerry Rushing

2011-08-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

OK, so ... There we are the other night, all enraptured watching Johnny Cash play the tough rural Georgia sheriff Lamar Potts in 1948, in fervent pursuit of Andy Griffith's evil mobster boss John Wallace in "Murder in Coweta County" (that's ki-eta, by the way -- the name doesn't moo). Tall, handsome, hardened Johnny Cash ... Ahhhhh ... We loved the man and everything he stood for. Anyway ... Griffith is in a car chase, and who's driving his car but ... Jerry Rushing? Well, it sure looks like him!

We check the IMDb (aka, "the oracle," according to our bro), and sure enough, that's our man behind "The Dukes of Hazzard" who's behind the wheel in that scene of the 1983 TV movie, based on a true story. It seems rather appropriate, since Griffith's Wallace makes a reference to "revenuers" a few scenes before. Rushing's character, Herring Sevill, ends up in the cell right next to Wallace's, and Herring gets increasingly nervous about his obligations to the sinister country mobster.

It's out-of-the-way Meriwether and Carrollton, Georgia, where this action takes place. So wonderful to see homespun Andy Griffith showing his range with a evil turn, and so wonderful to see Jerry Rushing in one of his roles, just a few years after he helped create "The Dukes" and guest-starred in the 1979 "Dukes" episode "Repo Men."

Hazzard Homecoming hits the high notes

2011-08-13T19:51:00.005-04:00

Well, they went and threw a little "Dukes" shindig, and a few people done showed up. OK, more than a few. Make that thousands. "Dukes of Hazzard" fans from all over the country and even other countries (that's you, Paul and Zealand!) made it out to Sperryville, Virginia, today for the first day of the Hazzard Homecoming at the Thorton Hill Hounds Raceway. Guess us fans were just craving a big "Dukes" event -- it's been a while. And rain? Yea, there was a little rain. In fact, it lightly rained for a half-hour or so. Did anybody notice? Maybe. Did anybody stop what they were doing? Not even a little.

The spacious, hilly grounds off Highway 522, with the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains rising up in the distance, provided the perfect setting for Hazzard's fans to come "home" to this city where the very first Dukesfest occurred back in 2001. Everything from General Lees to Hazzard County sheriff's cars to Boss' big long white convertible to Cooter's tow trucks and more covered the landscape. Stella Parton, who guested on one episode of the original series, took to the stage in the afternoon, even doing a little "church" with "This Little Light of Mine." And Cooter's Garage Band performed later on.

Much of the original "Dukes" cast was there: Sonny Shroyer, Catherine Bach, host Ben Jones, James Best and Rick Hurst. Stella Parton signed autographs as well as her new book, "Tell It Sister, Tell It: Memories, Music and Miracles," just released a couple months ago and with proceeds supporting domestic violence shelters.

Lines were loooooong -- one lady told us she waited in Bach's line for five and a half hours! Tomorrow, John Schneider is scheduled to arrive for the meetin' and greetin,' and we can only imagine how long his lines will be.

It was nice and warm (not as deadly hot as it has been up here in the greater D.C. area) with a strong, cooling breeze a-blowin'. And BRBTV got to chat with a lot of good folks we only see every so often, like Miss Jo McLaney, below, who traveled all the way from our beloved Covington, Georgia, to say hello to her "Dukes" pals.

Weary, grimy, a little sunburned and definitely wind-blown beyond recognition, we didn't stick around for the fireworks tonight, but we're going back tomorrow! We'll be posting more photos to Facebook, and look for full video coverage of the event on the BRBTV YouTube channel in the next week or two.

Yeeee-haaaaaa!!!!

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

Couple cancellation notes for John Schneider's schedule

2011-08-11T06:00:00.009-04:00

Please note, as you're planning your road trips: These two appearances on the schedule of John Schneider, our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," have been canceled:

November 19 at the Hollywood Show in Las Vegas

December 10 at the Frank and Son Collectible Show in Rowland Heights, California.

Come home to Hazzard this weekend

2011-08-09T06:00:00.002-04:00

It may not be the Hazzard County, but it's a place that's near and dear to diehard fans of "The Dukes of Hazzard." It's Sperryville, Virginia, the former site of one of the Cooter's Place establishments, and the site of the very first Dukesfest in 2001. And now, this weekend's Hazzard Homecoming will bring "Dukes" fans back to that site with two days of blazin'-orange fun.

Much of the surviving "Dukes" cast will be there to meet and greet fans and sign autographs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day: Catherine ("Daisy Duke") Bach, John ("Bo Duke") Schneider (Sunday only), James ("Rosco P. Coltrane") Best, Sonny ("Enos Strate") Shroyer, Rick ("Cletus Hogg") Hurst, and the host of the festivities, as he was back in 2001, Mr. Ben ("Cooter Davenport") Jones. In between all of that, and all through it really (!), will be live music, stunt shows, plenty of fun activities for the kids, and oh yes, lots of General Lees to behold.

BRB will be there wandering the grounds with the BRBTV camcorder, to capture some fun stuff for our YouTube channel. And we just saw the email the other day that Jimmie Best is bringing some new original artwork on a Hazzard Homecoming theme. Ben and Alma sent out an email to attendees yesterday, reminding them to bring their sunscreen, plenty of water, folding chairs and/or blankets for the festival seating, and some patience to deal with any parking issues that may arise.

With nearly 4,500 folks RSVP'd as attending on the Facebook page alone, this looks to be the "Dukes" event of this year. And no wonder, the locale itself -- Sperryville -- hearkens back to the days when "Dukes" fans first started gathering and these were quieter affairs, more like family affairs, with much greater access to the cast members. So a big yeeeee-haaaaaa on that!

Linda Evans hangs out in the kitchen -- and at a bookstore near you

2011-08-05T08:21:00.003-04:00

Linda Evans, our own Krystle Carrington of "Dynasty," is embarking on a book tour this fall for her new release, "Recipes for Life." Thanks to our buddy James, a photographer here in D.C., for the tipoff on this one. Evans has the info splashed all over the news page of her official site:

Thursday, October 13 at 7 p.m.

Barnes and Noble / Upper East Side
New York
Talk, Q and A and Book Signing

Saturday, October 15 at 1 p.m.

Bookends
New Jersey
Talk and Book Signing

Monday, October 17 at 7 p.m.

Third Place Books
Seattle
Book Signing and Q and A

Thursday, October 20 at 7 p.m.

Barnes and Noble the Grove at Farmers Market
Los Angeles
Book Signing and Q and A

Friday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Yorba Linda Library
Los Angeles
Book Signing and Q and A

Byron Cherry speaks more about Christopher Mayer's death -- and life

2011-08-02T08:56:00.002-04:00

BRBTV has been keeping mum about many of the details we've learned about the death of Christopher Mayer in the past week, since we announced the news on this blog last Tuesday. We figured those who were closest to the actor could lead the way. And indeed they have. Byron ("Coy Duke") Cherry, who co-starred with Mayer on "The Dukes of Hazzard," did a fresh interview with Entertainment Weekly yesterday afternoon, published on EW.com last night, where he sheds more light on Mayer's passing, and just what this longtime friend meant to him over the years:

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/08/01/byron-cherry-christopher-mayer-dukes-of-hazzard/

It's a great story, and BRBTV applauds writer Grady Smith for drawing some sweet and interesting details out of Cherry while still remaining respectful to the life of a treasured actor.

Spotted: Barbara Carrera, Karen Carlson, A Martinez, Morgan Woodward and more

2011-08-01T06:00:00.024-04:00

In 1978 it was a rather grand, sweeping spectacle, far larger than the average miniseries, and really, one of the first in this concept of the miniseries, though it ran for basically a whole TV season, October 1978 to February 1979. It was "Centennial," based on the work of well-regarded novelist James Michener, and it was 24 hours of rich, historical fiction set in the 1800s, peppered with rustic settings and enough human element to please any soaps fan, and loaded with fine stars of classic TV, some not-so famous then but definitely known to us now.

Take Barbara Carrera, for instance. In the mid-1980s, we saw her as Angelica Nero in the infamous Dream Season of "Dallas." In 1978, though, she was very young and just three years into the business, as she explains in the "Centennial" DVD extras. Her role as Indian squaw Clay Basket, so sweet and naive and girlish at the beginning, then maturing through adulthood and quiet dignity in the ensuing episodes, is the favorite in her career, she says. She calls it a very good experience.

"They made sure that everything was absolutely as authentic as they could make it," she says of "Centennial," which BRBTV must note reflects some good production values for its time. In her DVD interview, she comments on what it was like to work with Robert Conrad, also interviewed in the set for his kingpin role as brusque French-Canadian trapper Pasquinel, and others in this megawatt cast.

"I wasn't very experienced," Carrera says. "I relied on many things for help. But when I worked with Richard Chamberlain (Alexander McKeag, whom Clay Basket eventually marries) he was so much the part, that he made it so easy for me to work with him. It was a wonderful kind of chemistry."

As Clay Basket aged in the series, Carrera had to endure lengthy applications of facial prosthetics, which she also discusses in the interview. Ironically, she's shown in modern times in the extras looking so much more stunning than her character did as projected to her age in the series.

The 12 meaty, two-hour episodes of "Centennial" also feature:

- Anthony Zerbe, who portrayed Crenshaw on "Dynasty," as the swindling Mervin Wendell, who comes to the town of Centennial, Colorado, to bilk folks with his pretty blond wife.
- Clint Ritchie, longtime daytime soaps star who also appeared as Bud Morgan on "Dallas," as Messmore Garrett, a sheep rancher in Centennial.
- Karen Carlson, Nancy Scotfield on "Dallas," as the lovely, composed, smart Lisette Mercy, daughter of Pasquinel by his "white" family (he has two families in this tale!).
- A Martinez, our hunky Cruz Castillo of "Santa Barbara," who shows up in the final few episodes of the series as Tranquilino Marquez, an energetic young man (with lots of curly hair, we'll add!) who travels from Mexico to Colorado to find work and a better life for his family.
- Clive Reville, the voice of Alfred on "Batman: The Animated Series" as well as Warren Ballard on "Dynasty," as Finlay Perkin, the sharp-eyed accountant.
- Michael Ansara, the voice of Mr. Freeze in the animated Batman series and movies, as the adult Lame Beaver, father to Clay Basket. We knew there was something familiar about his voice!
- Timothy Patrick Murphy, our own young Mickey Trotter of "Dallas," even younger as Christian Zendt, a Mennonite lad (with a proper haircut!) who leaves his Lancaster home for a while to work for his uncle in the new town of Centennial.
- Barney McFadden, who portrayed Bruce Burns on "Dallas," Johnny Navarro on "SB," and Lt. Olsen on "The Colbys," as Abel Tanner.
- Morgan Woodward, our own Punk Anderson of "Dallas," dignified in his dark uniform as General Wade, who must sort out the legal mess of a bloody Army raid on an Indian settlement.
- Bo Brundin, who was Holgar Kuhn on "Dallas," as Magnes Volkema.
- James Best, our own Rosco P. Coltrane of "The Dukes of Hazzard," who pops up in the very last episode, just as he was debuting on the "Dukes" with a little Rosco-like coo-coo-ca-choo on the witness stand as Hank Garvey.

Add to that a suave Timothy Dalton, an earnest Gregory Harrison, Alex Karras as a big lug with a big heart, cowboy Dennis Weaver, and a beyond-captivating Stephen McHattie as the sinister Jake Pasquinel (seriously, we couldn't take our eyes off him). Plus a few others we cannot continue blathering on about; look it up.

A great series, and a great accompaniment to the John Jakes Bicentennial book series we've been reading.

Tributes abound for Christopher Mayer

2011-07-30T08:24:00.006-04:00

This past week has been a rough one for anyone who knew and appreciated actor Christopher "Chip" Mayer, Vance Duke of the classic "The Dukes of Hazzard" and T.J. Daniels of the daytime soap "Santa Barbara." And while BRBTV is still beyond bummed about the death of Mayer, we're heartened by the words of the fans in the wake of the news.

We're also delighted at the news from Mayer's on-screen cuz and longtime personal friend through the years of "The Dukes" and beyond, Byron ("Coy Duke") Cherry. He has spoken to Mopar Magazine, and the publication plans to do a tribute issue for Chris. It's scheduled for a September release, and Byron is gathering information for it right now.

Fans have also set up a tribute page on Facebook.

Byron called BRBTV today to chat a bit about the whole thing, and he suggested we share some of those thoughts here. Fans are (naturally) wondering how Chris died. It's uncertain, though some sources have indicated natural causes. He was found in his bed, Byron says, adding that he and his wife Krista received a call after Chris had been found, to let them know the news. Chris' fiancee Catherine, who was rushing home from an out-of-town TV commercial shoot, also called Byron about the news.

Byron was fortunate enough to have seen Chris in those final days, as the two had been close for many years. Byron tells us, for instance, that when his son Byron Jr. was killed in a car crash and he was devastated with grief, it was Chris that he called. Chris was brimming with encouragement -- and verses from Scripture. Now, based on our own chat with him a few weeks back, we can just picture that!

Most of all, Byron wants fans to know that what was important about Chris was his life, not his death. For instance ...

These are just some of the wonderful thoughts we've seen expressed, many of them responses to Byron's Facebook posting this week:

so sorry to hear of his passing, my prayers are with his family. I remember seeing u and him in Florida years ago at the Grand Opening of TOYS R ' US in West Palm Beach when i was a young girl, I still have the autograph pictures of u and Chris.

I am so sorry, he was so wonderful!! We cried over the passing of our beloved pastor, he hugged me when I cried after my kitty died. Chris, hug Pastor Scott for me. You were a true gem!

Yes indeed, Vance Duke always put a smile on everyone's face...

‎"ARTISTS NEVER DIE" CHRISTOPHER MAYER 1954 - FOR EVER

So sad to hear this....RIP Chris Mayer aka Vance Duke.....you will truly be missed by all

i am so sorry to hear of chris's passing! my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to u. so sad. he will be missed!

I'm so sad to hear this, too, Byron. I remember the first time I met Chris... with you at the Atlanta Airport, and "B" was about 2 yrs old, holding his General Lee toy car! My heart is hurting with and for you now. Love to you and yours ~

i'm sorry 2 here that bryon, chris was an awesome actor. love the dukes of hazzard and if it wasn't for the dukes the fans would never what a great guy he was. just remember he is in heaven with our savior now.walking and holding hands with jesus. and say dont u worry bryon we will b together soon.

we all miss him & thanks to all the dukes fans for sharing his memories

So sorry - RIP Chris - a wonderful man - my thoughts and prayers to you and his family. I will light a candle at church for him - from all us Duke fans in the UK

I will miss him too. He and you were my favorite actors from the Dukes of Hazzard I have nothing but respect for ya,
RIP Christopher Mayer. We will miss you.

Byron, I just heard about Christopher today. It was a shock. My deepest sympathies to you, his family, friends, and all of his fans. Loved you both on the Dukes. Hate I never had the pleasure of meeting him. Seeing how highly you speak of him, he seemes like an awesome Guy and a great friend to you. Wonderful news about the magazine, can't wait to see it. It will be a great way to honor him.

I am in shock. I was just complaining the other day that CMT doesn't air the episodes with Coy and Vance anymore, they did the first time they started airing the Dukes again, but now for the second time they have skipped that whole season. Thanks for letting us know. So sad. :(

My heart is breaking. I am so glad I got to spend time with him this year. Even though it's not a shock, I am in shock. RIP Chris.

I cannot believe this only met him a few times & each time he was so kind-RIP my friend

I'm in shock! I'm so sad. Chris was a great actor and will be missed.

just devistating... but at least he got to feel the fans love for the last few months, and got to know he was appreciated.

This is sadening news, To his Fiance Catherine and the rest of Chris's family my condolences, was lucky to meet him a coule times, he was a great guy, and will be truly missed by so many

prayers go out to his family and fiancee

Christopher Mayer, left, with his fiancee Catherine Irvine, and his "Dukes" costar Byron Cherry and his wife Krista, at the Johnny Cash Music Festival in Ventura, California, just last month.

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Dubuque of Angel Hawk Productions; please do not copy without permission

Remembering Christopher Mayer

2011-07-26T17:42:00.013-04:00

Many thanks to Cheryl Dubuque for these great photos of the last appearance of actor Christopher "Chip" Mayer of "The Dukes of Hazzard" and "Santa Barbara," who died this past Saturday. These were taken at the Johnny Cash Music Festival in Ventura, California, in mid-June, just a month ago, when Mayer appeared with his "Dukes" cuz Byron ("Coy Duke") Cherry. Looks like they had a great time ...

In the second photo, you can see Chris' beautiful fiancee, Catherine Irvine (whom he referred to as his wife in our interview with him), along with Byron and his lovely wife Krista ... Our prayers go out to all of Chris' loved ones ...

(Now there's one of the few General Lee trunk lids that can ever hope to be "complete," featuring Mayer's fresh sig in silver just right of center.)

We just love all of the kind words we've seen posted about Mr. Mayer since the news broke of his death, on our own Facebook page, on other Facebook pages, and on numerous message boards and sites out there. He may have been a "replacement" Duke in the '80s, stepping in to a challenging situation and, in our minds at the time, representing the loss of our two beloved "Dukes" actors. We didn't like that very much, did we? But since then, we know that many "Dukes" fans have gained a whole new appreciation for Chris and Byron. They helped keep the show alive. They will always be a part of "Dukes" culture. And the fact that so many fans will miss out on meeting Chris is a true loss.

Photos courtesy of Cheryl Dubuque of Angel Hawk Productions; please do not copy without permission

Christopher Mayer passes away

2011-07-26T12:53:00.008-04:00

BRBTV has just learned from the fiancee of Christopher "Chip" Mayer that the actor died unexpectedly on Saturday evening. Catherine Irvine, whom Mayer was planning to marry next month, had been out of town shooting a new project when she received the news.

"I will be posting something as soon as I can find words, just wanted you to know," she tells us.

Born George Charles Mayer IIIon February 21, 1954 in New York City, Mayer became well-known as Vance Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard" and T.J. Daniels on "Santa Barbara" and had a slew of other roles through the '90s. He was just coming back into the spotlight this year, doing appearances with his "Dukes" cousin Byron ("Coy") Cherry at the recent Johnny Cash Music Festival and the Hollywood Show in Burbank. He was 57.

BRBTV was thankful for the opportunity to speak with Chris a few weeks back about his work on "The Dukes of Hazzard" as well as "Santa Barbara." He was full of exuberance and a desire to get back out there and talk with fans after a long time under the radar. He talked freely about his faith, and we're thankful to know so surely that he is saved by God's grace. We certainly grieve over the untapped potential of his wonderful, joy-filled attitude -- the future experiences missed for both him and the "Dukes" fans -- and we are praying for comfort for his loved ones.

Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill talk about "Arkham City" game

2011-07-26T06:00:00.009-04:00

There's a new Batman video game coming out, and our favorite voice of Batman, Mr. Kevin Conroy, was doing the rounds at this past weekend's Comic-Con in San Diego, chatting about "Arkham City." Conroy, of course, is a BRBTV double-shot as not only Batman / Bruce Wayne in "Batman: The Animated Series" and its various offshoots, but also as Bart Fallmont on "Dynasty" way back in the day. IGN interviewed Conroy, as well as Mark Hamill, the voice of Joker ...

More Batman: Arkham City Videos

John Schneider adds two more shows in August

2011-07-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Phyllis for the word on two additional events on the appearance schedule for our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," Mr. John Schneider ...

Hazzard County Fair '11

August 13 (right before Schneider appears at the Hazzard Homecoming in Sperryville, Virgina)
Franklin Sussex Auto Mall in Sussex, New Jersey
http://www.fsautomall.com

Kustom Auto Southern Nationals

August 27
Arena at the Golden Moon Hotel and Casino in Choctaw, Mississippi
http://www.pearlriverresort.com/data/Car_Show_Flyer_Entry.pdf

Our fave stars of classic TV continue to find new life on web series

2011-07-23T06:00:00.005-04:00

We've already reported how Gregori J. Martin's web soap "The Bay," launched last year, has provided something new and fun to do for a few of our "Santa Barbara" stars: Lane Davies, John O'Hurley and Nicolas Coster. And we've also told you about the new web soap of their fellow "SB" alum Signy Coleman, "River Ridge." (See our December 29, June 30 and May 27 posts to catch up.) Well, that whole web-based TV series idea has really blossomed, and for the stars of the classic shows we love, it's been a way to keep on-screen and moving ahead in a TV era that's seeing the death of the traditional network-aired soap.

- Take "Steamboat," for instance. Have you seen this one? If you haven't, it's worth your time. It's billed as "The Office" meets "All My Children," and that's a fair overview. Not only do "SB" vets Kim Zimmer (Jodie Walker) and Justin Deas (Keith Timmons) really dig into their roles as sly production execs at the fictional soap "Steamboat," but the dark humor is savvier than a lot of the more -- homemade, shall we say? -- web series out there. In the world of web TV, it seems to be hard to tread the comedy line without insulting your viewer, and this one squares off pretty well.

- In "Pretty," a beauty-pageant-obsessed family navigates its little girl (played by the adult Stacy McQueen) through the land of tiaras and sashes. The appearance of Joan Van Ark of "Dallas" as the 2065 version of the girl at the very end of the second series is what we watched for. She's all Tammy Faye'd up in her requisite pageant accoutrements, heavy on the eyes, for sure, and her scene is fun. This series is more farcical. And we'll just leave it at that.

It makes you appreciate what an astounding feat Martin has accomplished in "The Bay," assembling the megawatt cast that he has on a low budget, when you look at the other series that are out there (see a list of web-based series at the IMDb). We're thinking that, as with this new age of "journalism" we're in, with both those of us who actually have a degree, training and experience in the field as well as those who have none but figure setting up a blog makes it so, this new era of web television will feature both the professionally done work and the not-so-much-but-kinda-trying. Everyone has a voice on the Internet, after all.

Tom Wopat marks new album with NYC signing, October concert on West Coast

2011-07-20T06:00:00.002-04:00

There's some news on the music front for Tom Wopat, our own Luke Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard." We've got the word from the Wopat Web Crew ...

Tom Wopat's brand-new jazz album "Consider It Swung" will be released on August 9! The record is a swingin’ collection ofstandards featuring Wopat and some of the best jazz musicians New York City hasto offer, all done in Tom's unmistakable style. You can preorder thealbum now and get a signed copy in the WopatWebstore. If you would prefer a digital copy, the album is already up oniTunes - just click hereto download it now.

You can get a freepreview of "Consider It Swung." Just click hereto download the original song, "Thailand Sea."

Wopat says,"A few years ago I was filming a movie in Thailand, and the production putme up in a gorgeous hotel overlooking the sea. During my free time, I used tosit and look at at the ocean, and the view was just exquisite. The local folksthere got around on what were called 'longboards' -- about 20-footboats with a car engine strapped to them, and they maneuvered with a long propthat extended into the ocean. Sitting there and seeing this completelydifferent way of life in such an outrageously beautiful setting became thebasis for writing 'Thailand Sea.'"

To mark the release of the album, Wopat will be appearing at a NYC Barnes and Noble location. Mark your calendars and comeout to see Tom perform three songs live, plus do some signing and talking with fans:

Tuesday, August 9

4:30 p.m. EST

Barnes & Noble

150 E. 86th Street (at Lex)

New York, NY

Also, Wopat will be performing with Linda Ederon October 29 and 30 in Southern California. Learn more atthe Events page.

You can also follow the comings and goings of our buddy Luke Duke on these channels:
Facebook
Twitter
Official Site

Meet James Best at Mayberry Days and more ...

2011-07-19T06:00:00.022-04:00

Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane -- aka, James Best! -- has set a late summer full of fun appearances, including next month's big Hazzard Homecoming event ...

Hazzard Homecoming
Sperryville, Virginia
August 13-14, 2011
Get your tickets early; space limited:
www.cootersplace.com

Right Coast Association/Granite State Nationals
August 20-21, 2011
Sandwich Fairgrounds
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
603-520-5994
www.rightcoastcars.com/granite-state-nationals-php

Mayberry Days
September 22-25, 2011
Mt Airy, North Carolina
James will perform his one-man show on Thursday, September 22, at 2:30 p.m.
Downtown Cinema
Get your tickets early; space limited:
www.mayberrydays.org

Tennessee Shakespeare Festival: Lane Davies, Part 2!

2011-07-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

What's coming up in next year's Tennessee Shakespeare Festival? Director Lane Davies gives BRBTV a word-up, along with a hint as to whether or not he'll star in the production, in the second part of our interview, posted on the BRBTV YouTube channel, rounding out our full week of coverage of this year's festival ...

Tennessee Shakespeare Festival: Jerry Winsett, Part 2!

2011-07-14T06:00:00.005-04:00

It's evident as you watch actor Jerry Winsett on stage that he loves what he's doing. And his stage career extends far beyond the Tennessee Shakespeare Festival, where he just wrapped up a summer of shows as Aegeon in "The Comedy of Errors." Winsett also has his own dinner theatre company, Murder Mystery Productions, as well as Unique Entertainment Productions, producing interactive murder mystery shows and such audience delights as "Big Phat Redneck Wedding" at venues throughout the Carolinas.

Winsett began his performing career singing with his own band in Clarksville and Nashville, Tennessee. Before leaving Tennessee, Jerry performed professionally at Nashville Children's Theater, Theatre Nashville, and Opryland USA as well as many other Southern stages in such productions as "1776," "Wind in the Willows," "Man of La Mancha," "The Marriage of Figaro" and "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." He has been a guest artist at the Tennessee Arts/Tennessee Artists Festival, where he created the role of Danny (aka Cupid) in the musical "Constellations From the Heart" and as a guest artist at A.P.S.U. in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

Winsett's career also went West, to L.A., where his stage credits included "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Taming of the Shrew" at the Richard Basehart Theatre and "Cyrano de Bergerac" and "The Alchemist" at The Globe. He then trod the boards as Sir Toby Belch in the Nevada Shakespeare Festival's production of "Twelfth Night," performed in the premiere production of "Pssst! Tell 'em Joe Sent Ya" at Back on Broadway Dinner Theatre. Just before leaving L.A., he was seen as Renfield in Dancing Dog Theatre Company's highly praised production of "Dracula" and starred with Lane Davies in the Santa Susana Repertory Company's acclaimed production of "Man of La Mancha." Jerry was also on the board of directors of Dancing Dog Theatre Company, L.A.'s first producing classical repertory Theatre Company as well as being the administrative director of the Santa Susana Repertory Company.

Based in North Carolina now, the actor talks a little more about his stage work, both front-and-center and backstage, in the second half of our BRBTV interview:

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV; copying with credit is OK -- a link would be grand!

Tennessee Shakespeare Festival: Lane Davies chats with BRBTV

2011-07-13T06:00:00.003-04:00

OK, can we be a little more excited? Not really! We watched him as Mason Capwell when our beloved soap "Santa Barbara" first hit the daytime airwaves in July 1984, and we continued watching him faithfully for five years, absolutely captivated by his almost-reluctant charisma and Machiavellian charm as the black sheep of the wealthy Capwell family. Quotes of Shakespeare weren't hard to come by in those colorful scenes with Mason, and it's no wonder the actor loves the work of the Bard in real life!

We won't go into all the stage and screen credits of Lane Davies as we continue our weeklong coverage of this year's Tennessee Shakespeare Festival, because frankly, we think we've done that already on this blog! But we will gladly laud the longtime actor, who directed this production of "The Comedy of Errors," and came on-stage to introduce it the night we were there. And we will say we were beside ourselves to sit down and chat with him for a special BRBTV interview, the first part of which we link below ...

In this clip, Davies touches on not only his time on "Santa Barbara" but also on the primetime '80s "Dallas," where he portrayed Craig Gurney, and the current web series "The Bay."

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV; copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand!

Tennessee Shakespeare Festival: Jerry Winsett chats with BRBTV

2011-07-12T06:00:00.004-04:00

You've seen Jerry Winsett in a lot of places. You've seen him on some great classic TV shows such as "Mr. Belvedere," "Coach," "Life Goes On" and "It's Garry Shandling's Show." You've also seen him in a rather famous TV commercial, the keystone of the Dunkin Donuts' "Time to make the doughnuts" campaign. He was the guy making the doughnuts who's falling asleep then slapped back awake with a handful of flour.

BRBTV continues its weeklong coverage of this year's Tennessee Shakespeare Festival, which just wrapped up on Sunday, with a look at this seasoned actor and his career.

On the big screen, Winsett has been featured in such films as "Radio Days," "The Chosen," "One Crazy Summer," "The Sicks O'Clock News," "Ragtime," "Almost An Angel," "Tax Season," "Sunset Strip," "Paulie," "Preppies" and "Bastard Out of Carolina." He portrayed Merton the Farmer in the film "Torque," produced by the same production team that brought us "Fast and Furious" and "XXX." But besides that nice screen career, Winsett has done a whole lot on stage.

Winsett portrayed two characters in the festival's production of "The Comedy of Errors." He was the incarcerated Aegeon, and he was a special "surprise" character, shown in the photos here!

Winsett, who's been with the Tennessee Shakespeare Festival since its beginning in 2008, sat down to chat with BRBTV just before showtime on Sunday, July 3. Here's Part 1 of our interview, and we'll be highlighting the second half later this week.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV; copying with credit is OK -- a link would be grand!

Tennessee Shakespeare Festival: Lane Davies directs another fine one

2011-07-11T06:00:00.004-04:00

The Tennessee Shakespeare Festival just wrapped up this past weekend, and BRBTV really enjoyed the time there! We made the journey to beautiful Bell Buckle, Tennessee, once again, as we did two years ago. This time, we got a chance to do fresh interviews with director Lane Davies, the original Mason Capwell of our beloved "Santa Barbara," as well as longtime TV actor Jerry Winsett, who took to the stage as Aegeon and a special "surprise" character in this year's production, "The Comedy of Errors." It was the fourth summer for the popular festival, and BRBTV kicks off a full week of coverage of the event with today's overview ...

Davies put a twist on this Shakespearean classic, setting it in 1880s West Virginia, and you'll hear why in our BRBTV interview with him on the BRBTV YouTube channel, along with our fun chat with Winsett, both of which we'll be highlighting this week. The two have known each other a long, long time -- longer than you realize! And you'll hear that mentioned in the interviews, too. Their working association with the festival is a great one, as this year's production attested. Winsett was wonderful in his dual roles.

Davies took to the stage, himself, for this one, albeit briefly -- introducing the play. Davies often appears in these productions, and he told BRBTV he's considering a role in next year's production, the name of which he tips us off to in our interview. We'll post the YouTube video soon ...

The play's opening number was rousing, above, and below, Winsett shone in his own stage time. Look for more photos of Winsett and the rest of the actors later this week, as our coverage of the fest continues ...

Photo at top from the Tennessee Shakespeare Festival website; other photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

TNT green-lights new "Dallas" series; see a sneak peek on Monday

2011-07-08T17:30:00.002-04:00

It's hot baby, and we're just not so sure we can wait until next summer to see it. TNT has just announced today that its "Dallas" redux will, indeed, be a series. After some months of speculation and a touch of uncertainty, the network has ordered 10 episodes.

Read the official press release at TNT's site. The network is giving us a peek at the new series on Monday, during the season premieres of "The Closer," which starts at 9 p.m. Eastern, and "Rizzoli & Isles," which airs at 10 p.m. And you can also see what Steve ("Ray Krebbs") Kanaly says about the new series in an interview over at DallasFanzine.com.

TNT has also established an official site for the series at TNT.tv/series/dallas. The fresh intro -- so reminiscent of the original -- is lush and lovely and goosebump-provoking, for sure. And we have to say ... BRBTV may be purists who frown on recasting, but seeing Josh Henderson as John Ross and Jesse Metcalfe as Christopher in the publicity shots really encourages us. They're not the originals, but just their facial expressions and their stances seem to evoke -- if not embody -- those two little Texan boys we're so anxious to catch up with!

Chatting with Jackson Bostwick

2011-07-01T06:00:00.055-04:00

Some kids actually grow up to portray their childhood heroes on the screen! Did you know that? Well, it's true. It happened to Lynda Carter, who for so many fans will always be the Wonder Woman (no matter how many plans they make to recast her in our modern times!). And it also happened to Jackson Bostwick, who portrayed Captain Marvel in the '70s live-action, Saturday-morning "Shazam!" series.

For Bostwick, this role was a dream come true."He was one of my childhood heroes along with the Lone Ranger, Tarzan, and the Phantom," Bostwick tells BRBTV, "and here it was that I had the chance to portray him."

BRBTV got the chance to chat with this seasoned actor, and in the style of this news blog, we're bringing on the highlights! Look for the full text of the interview in a future BRBTV product (ooops, did we say that out loud?). For now, though, let's talk a little more about this series, launched by Filmation in 1974 in a half-hour format and showing us the young Billy Batson, played by Michael Gray, encountering life's challenges and seeing the moral issues attached to them all, guided by Mentor and the "elders," and able to transform himself into the mighty Captain Marvel with that one powerful word ...

We had to ask Bostwick what part of himself found itself infused into his portrayal of Captain Marvel.

"The child in me that still loves to dream and fantasize," he says. "This especially helped when Captain Marvel flew back at the end of each episode and talked to the kids about what lessons they learned that day."

The show, of course, was based on the well-loved '40s comic book hero, who ranks just about right up there with Superman, Batman and the like, to this very day. The comic book roots of the show were appreciated by Bostwick, who did a lot of reading as a kid:

"Captain Marvel, of course, along with the Phantom, Straight Arrow, Plastic Man, Classics Illustrated (the only ones my mom didn’t throw out while I was at college)," he listed off for us, adding, "Mandrake The Magician, Aquaman and some Donald Ducks."

His favorite episode of this "Shazam!" series?

"I liked them all, but I would say 'The Athlete' and 'The Boy Who Said No,' because of the stunts that were involved," Bostwick tells us. "I had to hang from a helicopter in one and ride standing on the top of the motor home that Mentor was kidnapped in. And in the other one I had to snatch a stuntwoman off a galloping horse as I ran alongside it and it went thundering past me."

This kids' show was not all sweetness and light for Bostwick, however. At the beginning of the show's second season, an injury on the set sent him in for medical treatment. When he didn't show up on the set the next day, a story quickly circulated that the actor was holding out for more cash. He successfully sued.

With the legal matter settled, we were really curious as to whether he would've considered returning to the show. This was his hero, after all.

"As an actor, I never say never, but there were some very hard feelings between my lawyer and the executive producers at that time," he says, "and that’s where the whole 'holding out for more money' fabrication stemmed from. I wasn’t aware of this acute animosity between them until well after the fact. The show wasn’t as much fun as the first season because of the change in some of the crew and key personnel, but I wouldn’t have objected to completing the run."

Bostwick's career charged on, despite his departure from the white and gold cape. In the ensuing years, it was a career punctuated by many projects for Disney, notably.

These days, Bostwick lives in Tennessee and has an official website, JacksonBostwick.com. He's still involved with on-screen work, including the movies "Suitable for Murder" and "Bloody Mary-Lite." He still makes con appearances, and even though he never appeared with her on "Shazam!" he's even made an appearance with the star of the "Shazam!" spinoff "The Secrets of Isis," Joanna Cameron.

Bostwick has been writing a book about his experiences on "Shazam!" It's called "Myth, Magic and a Mortal," and he tells BRBTV that though he's been in contact with a publisher, after consulting with fellow classic TV star Lou Ferrigno he's leaning more toward self-publishing.

Catch the trailer for "Suitable for Murder" on YouTube, and you can see "Bloody Mary-Lite" promoted on the actor's MySpace page and also trailered on YouTube.

Come say hi to BRB at the Geek Media Expo

2011-06-21T06:00:00.005-04:00

It's never too soon to start your travel plans, and the third edition of the Geek Media Expo promises to be a con you definitely want to put on your "to do" list. The event will be delivering the best in programming, panels, events, contests, VIP celebrities, artists, and much, much more.

From the Jedi Obstacle Course to the GMX Geek Comedy Showcase to the Warp Speed Drawing Showdown and exhibits of all kinds of geeky-cool stuff, it all happens October 21-23 at the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

AND ... Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV is on the guest list. BRB will be there signing all three of the BRBTV reference books in print, "Destination: Dallas," "Dynasty High" and "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!", and e-copies of the BRBTV reference books and reports will be available, as well. And who knows, there might be a photo or two from My Mother's Clothing. Take this opportunity to get the firsthand scoop on what's coming up next in the BRBTV product line -- as well as what classic TV stars we'll be talking to next! (We've got our own big "to do" list, and we're going to cram as much of it into 2012 as possible!)

Mark it on your calendar, and we'll see you in Nashville!

Con appearance update for John Schneider

2011-06-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

Our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," Mr. John Schneider, continues to keep a brisk appearance schedule for 2011. Here's an update, and thanks to Phyllis for keeping us in the know:

June 17-19
Philadelphia Comic Con in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html

July 8-10
Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
http://www.carlisleevents.com/ce/events/chrysler-nationals/

July 16-17
The Hollywood Show, Burbank, California
http://hollywoodshow.com/
(Schneider was just added to this bevy of classic TV stars, which we reported on in our May 24 post.)

July 30-31
Marilla Car, Truck and Cycle Show, Marilla, New York
http://www.marillaautoshow.com/

December 10 -- THIS APPEARANCE HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Frank and Son Collectible Show, Rowland Heights, California
http://www.frankandsonshow.net/

Coy and Vance Duke carve out their own corner of cyberspace

2011-06-16T06:00:00.001-04:00

It's bright, it's rather beautiful, and you better believe it's orange. It's the new and thoroughly official website of Coy and Vance Duke -- also known as Byron Cherry and Christopher Mayer! It's a one-pager now, with plans for expansion. So cyber-drive yourself on over and bookmark it to keep updated on these great guys and their personal appearances:

http://www.coyandvance.com

Chatting with Christopher Mayer, part 2

2011-06-13T06:00:00.002-04:00

Last week, we gave you some highlights of our long-awaited and soooo-much-appreciated interview with Christopher ("Chip") Mayer, who was Vance Duke on our beloved "The Dukes of Hazzard." This week, we continue that, with an emphasis on Mayer's work on the '80s soap "Santa Barbara," where he was the free-wheeling, morally compromised but overwhelmingly hunky T.J. Daniels, in pursuit of not only the lovely Kelly Capwell but also her mom, Sophia!

So what was his most vivid memory of working on that daytime show?

“I think it was just the amount of dialogue," says this actor whose career stretched from 1980 to 2000, "because normally you do a film or a TV show, and it’s an hourlong show, and we would take a week to do that. We would do interiors, with a blue screen behind us with the General Lee and all that … But on a soap, it’s a 3-10 deal. … You go in there, and everybody’s working like they’re hung over. And you do a dry run through different scenes. There was a lot of dialogue, and a lot of choreography. You might have to move to another area and sit down. And if you miss that, you feel like a big screw-up. I wouldn’t look at my lines until the day of the shot. There were days I had like 30 pages of dialogue. The amount of dialogue you had to learn day to day is one of the most challenging things about doing a soap.”

Though he shared his "SB" scenes with multiple Kelly Capwells, including Playboy Playmate Kimberly McArthur and we suspect Carrington Garland (though Mayer thinks he left before she took over the role), he seems most impressed by far with Robin Wright, who originated the character.

“Robin was a hoot. She ended up telling me at one point, I had gotten to be a bit of a maniac then because my first marriage had broken up … She looked at me and she said, ‘You’re too crazy. I’ll tell you what I am going to do.’ This was right at that time the movie ‘Casualties of War’ was being shot with Sean Penn and Michael J. Fox in Thailand. She said, ‘I’m going to go over to Thailand, and I’m going to meet Sean Penn and I’m going to marry him.’ She prophesied that. She’s cool, really cool. It just cracked me up. Only such a beautiful woman could go like, ‘I’m going to go over and meet the president of France and I’m going to …’"

Now, we know why T.J. was interested in Sophia -- for her money! -- but does Mayer think perhaps he was actually in love with Kelly, or was he just interested in her Capwell cash, too?

“I usually go with my own instincts," he says. "Everybody looked at it like, you were supposed to be the Chippendale dancer, the gigolo. But it’s all about the girl. You can find money anywhere.”

Nice.

T.J. was a pretty evil guy, but it must have felt like a juicy role. Were there things he would've changed about the character, if he could have?

“Like that movie ‘The Butterfly,’ if you change one thing, it will have a ripple effect. To be a gigolo was a character they needed to even out or overall texturize the character list. It was fun to do it, because to be an opportunist, you have to have that personality to live in L.A. So it was like I was subliminally culturally acclimating myself." He laughs.

"And there’s more texture to that than just playing romance. So no, I wouldn’t have changed anything.”

Mayer's time as T.J. Daniels was in the late '80s, a few years after he portrayed Vance Duke on "The Dukes." And his career certainly wasn't hurting after that, with a proliferation of roles on shows like "Silk Stalkings," "Baywatch" and "Xena: Warrior Princess." But his priorities began to change, he says, and he turned to construction work for about a decade and a half.

“It was a wonderful, wonderful 20 years. But as I got older and had the responsibilities of being a father, I was looking for something a little more steady.”

Does he have any desire to return to acting? Why, yes, actually. Mayer tells BRBTV he has something in the works right now, and it hearkens to his construction-work days. He has a friend who does what's called "faux finish" work, a painting technique that replicates materials such as marble or wood. The technique is evidently popular in L.A., and Mayer just shot a pilot for a reality show focusing on the work. He gave us the title "Faux-Get About It." The show is being shopped around right now, he says, even though today's reality TV trend doesn't necessarily rank high on his entertainment list.

“If you have a camera on the dash of your Range Rover, you’re not being real!” he quips.

Mayer is also looking into some motivational speaking work nowadays, with his wife Catherine, a Christian like him, upon whom he lavishes kind, loving words (just check his Facebook page!).

And speaking of Facebook, he makes no bones about the fact that it's new to him -- and not entirely comfortable.

“I’m not a computer guy or a Facebook guy or all that Twitter or Skype stuff. When I first set up the Facebook page, I felt like I was walking around with my zipper down. Because I’m super private. That’s not me. I’ve really been off for so long. But now I’m going to try to be more on."

With elements like "The Dukes of Hazzard" on his life experience list, it presents a nice opportunity for the actor.

"It’s a great way to make people smile. It’s fun to be a part of something that still has an intense devotion.”

BRBTV wishes Mr. Mayer only the very best.

And here's BRB's "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights" interview with Alan Burnett ...

2011-06-11T06:00:00.002-04:00

BRB has really loved working for ComicsContinuum.com and its accompanying "Comics Continuum" TV show, which, as we mentioned in our post a couple days ago, has been branching out from Metro Detroit to other areas of the Midwest. Today, in the final part of our series of BRB chats on the "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights" animated feature, it's Alan Burnett of our beloved "Batman: The Animated Series" and so much more ...

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Bruce Timm talks to BRB, too!

2011-06-10T06:00:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, we brought you BRB's recent interview with Andrea Romano about the new "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights" feature movie, released this week from Warner Bros. Animation. Today, we'll hear from Bruce Timm, creator of the Timmverse and such a well-known icon in the Bat-animated world, in this clip from ComicsContinuum.com and its accompanying "Comics Continuum" TV show ...

Andrea Romano talks to BRB about "Green Lantern" animated movie

2011-06-09T06:00:00.022-04:00

We've highlighted on this blog before the work of Billie Rae Bates for ComicsContinuum.com and its accompanying "Comics Continuum" TV show, which originated in Metro Detroit, then extended its reach to northwest Ohio, and is further branching out into Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Peoria, Illinois. Now, in honor of this week's release of the "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights" animated feature to DVD, we bring you three days in a row of BRB fresh TV interviews with three well-known and well-loved veterans of our beloved "Batman: The Animated Series," "The New Batman Adventures" and "Batman Beyond." That would be voice director extraordinaire Andrea Romano, and producers Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett! First up today is Andrea Romano ...

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Chatting with Christopher Mayer, part 1

2011-06-06T06:00:00.029-04:00

He says on his Facebook page that he has "decided to discard Howard Hughes and re-assume Vance Duke," and every fan of "The Dukes of Hazzard" definitely knows the context of that. He's been our Holy Grail for many years of "Dukes" events. He's been the missing signature on the trunk lid of just about every General Lee out there. He's been the only surviving "Dukes" cast member most of us haven't had the pleasure to meet.

But earlier this year he re-emerged on the radar. Christopher ("Chip") Mayer resumed personal appearances with his Duke cousin, Byron ("Coy") Cherry, beginning with the Hollywood Show a few months ago and continuing on with this month's Johnny Cash Music Festival. For BRBTV, Mayer is a double-shot, as not only Vance Duke but also as T.J. Daniels on our beloved soap "Santa Barbara." And he certainly has been our Holy Grail, the interview we've been wanting for years. We're not going to blather on about exclusive-interview-blah-blah-blah, because most folks who use that term "exclusive interview" nowadays have no idea what it actually means in the *real* journalism world. But BRBTV is mighty happy to have connected with the gracious and friendly Mr. Mayer.

As we chatted with him via phone this this past Saturday (morning for him, noon for us! before his coffee, he said, noting that it probably was a good thing!), we touched on both "The Dukes" and "SB." In this two-parter for the BRBTV News Blog, we'll bring you some of that action. (For the whole text of the interview, see future editions of the BRBTV reference guides "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" and "Send Me to Santa Barbara.") So let's talk this week about "The Dukes" ...

“The thing about the show that’s interesting," he says, "I don’t know if people realized it or not at the time, but it was becoming a sort of cultural phenomenon like ‘Bonanza.’ I had a great time on the show. I did personal appearances every weekend. I was on the set until 9 o’clock every night during the week. Obviously it was of wonderful financial benefit.”

Mayer talked about the audition process for "The Dukes," which found him with a daughter on the way by his first wife, Teri Copley, and in need of some financial security. His manager at the time, Ron Samuels (onetime hubby of Lynda Carter), asked him to try out for the show, the auditions for which Mayer remembers as a worldwide PR blitz in the wake of the departure of John ("Bo Duke") Schneider and Tom ("Luke Duke") Wopat.

“It was insane," he says. "There were producer meetings in the studio, and you’d go back there, and there’d be like four blond guys, and four dark-haired guys. I'd just do the audition and I split. You'd get a call the next week, and you go back, and there’d be like eight other blond guys and eight other dark-haired guys. They finally got down to the final four guys they wanted for each role. … They would take you to the airport, and you get out there, and Cathy Bach was waiting for us there. …You do exteriors out in Valencia, out at Magic Mountain, where they had Hazzard set up. .. Cathy Bach is in a pair of Daisy Duke shorts, and we got to the audition scene. It was kinda bizarre, because the other guys who are going for your role are standing there watching you. … You just snap the ball through it. But it was acting, you know. Nothing remotely realistic. … I guess about four or five days later, I was sitting in my apartment, and my first wife was pregnant with my first daughter Ashley, and my agent says, ‘Are you sitting down? Well, you got it!’”

So onto an amazing journey that would prove more meaningful to Mayer than he realized at the time. And into a world where he will be forever remembered -- replacement or not -- in our eyes!

“When we first did the show, a lot of people thought I should be doing serious acting, not bright colors and notes like it was then," he says. "Now in hindsight, it’s become something that’s very sweet and a cultural icon. Even though we were in a replacement role. It gave me an opportunity to bring my first daughter into the world in something other than a cold apartment.”

And now, so many years later, as we watch our beloved "Dallas" being given a "next-generation" approach, with not only original cast members but an emphasis on the kids of the show that could surely sustain it with a new fan base, and even as we remember Ben ("Cooter") Jones telling us that he once pitched that same next-generation idea to Warner Bros. for "The Dukes," BRBTV had to ask Mayer ... what would Vance Duke's life look like these days?

“I’d have a lot of kids," said the father of three girls. "And I’d be married to a really pretty girl that looked like Cathy Bach."

(Truth be told, Mayer has hooked up with a beautiful actress named Catherine!)

"I’d be in fairly good shape, but maybe have a little more on my waistline," he continues. "I would be somebody who would be involved in the community, maybe something with kids. I would be involved in Hazzard County and helping the community.”

Hmmm ... very nice, admirable traits. So in what other ways might the persona of Vance Duke intersect with the person of Chris Mayer, at least the Vance we knew back in the '80s?

“He was about family, he was about kids, he was about being respectful to women and not treating them like objects. And if you want a fight – hell ya, right now!”

Ahhhh. We love it. Especially the note he adds: “Kids and women are it, man. They’re the hinge on which the gate swings.”

Mayer, a lover of the Lord, is clearly happy with the blessings he's had in his life, and he certainly sees his experience on "The Dukes" as one of them. Chief in all of that, it's clear as you talk with him, is the opportunity to be back on the radar and to make some kind of difference to the people he encounters.

“Television is the opiate of the masses, but at the same time, the way it touches people, it’s such a great thing," he says. "The average person aspires to that. You can go and meet people and shake hands, and I love going out and making people smile, look them in the eye, shake their hands.”

He adds, perhaps not entirely tongue-in-cheek:

“I’m 57 years old now. I want to be a part of it. I’m not MIA. I’ve been in the Dukes of Hazzard Witness Protection Program.”

Tune in next Monday for part 2 of our interview snippets, where Mayer reminisces about "Santa Barbara" and tells us what he's got coming up next (and yes, it's on TV!) ...

Hazzard County supports the troops this July

2011-06-02T18:00:00.002-04:00

The birthplace of "The Dukes of Hazzard," the lovely Covington, Georgia, that BRBTV misses on a regular basis (!), has a Hazzard County-themed event in the works that you won't want to miss. Special thanks to Rose Marie for passing this info along ...

In a benefit for Operation Sandbox, fans of "The Dukes" are gathering items to place in care packages to send to U.S. troops. The event happens on July 30, 2011 from 4-9 p.m. right there on the Square in Covington. You'll see a car show including, of course, plenty of our beloved blazin' orange General Lees as well as other fine classic cars.

Here are the items you can bring for the care packages for our brave military men and women:

Beef jerky

Slim Jims

Coffee

Flavored drink mixes (single packs)

Granola bars

Assorted nuts;

Microwave food (popcorn, Eazy Mac)

Gum

Hard candy

Cracker packs

Cookies

Tuna or spam in foil packs only

Trail mix

Beanie Weenies

Plus the following items in travel size:

Deodorant

Lip balm

Shampoo / conditioner

Writing supplies

Disposable razors

Batteries: AA, AAA and C

New or used DVD movies

Baby wipes

Hand sanitizer

Basically, Rose Marie says, anything is welcome except chocolate and glass.

To learn more about Operation Sandbox and the good work they do for the troops, visit their site at OperationSandboxGA.com.

Catch Signy Coleman in "River Ridge"

2011-05-27T18:00:00.011-04:00

We have to say ... Signy Coleman, our own Celeste DiNapoli of "Santa Barbara," is looking just gorgeous in her new web series, "River Ridge." Coleman is executive-producing the soap, for which there is not yet a launch date but which has a trailer online for your viewing pleasure at its official site, RiverRidgeSeries.com.

Coleman portrays one of two rather-tensely-feuding sisters in this drama, which follows the lives of the residents of a fictional small town on the East Coast. And even while she's deeply agonizing in the trailer clip, she sure looks like she's having fun. It's also delightful to see among the cast Shannon Sturges, the blond part of the blond-brunette-redhead trio of the '90s primetime soap "Savannah."

We certainly love the trend of web-based soaps such as "River Ridge" and "The Bay," as it gets our beloved classic TV stars out there and working.

Next Hollywood Show includes Pamela Sue Martin, Monte Markham, Stella Stevens and more

2011-05-24T06:00:00.001-04:00

Ooooh, we're a big fan of this show we haven't actually yet gotten a chance to go to! It's the Hollywood Show, and it happens several times a year, always brimming with great classic TV stars. The next one is July 15-17, in Burbank, and here's who's on the roster:

Catherine Oxenberg, Amanda Carrington of "Dynasty"
Ed Asner, voice of Roland Daggett in "Batman: The Animated Series"
Herb Jefferson Jr., Walden in "The Dukes of Hazzard" two-parter "Undercover Dukes"
Monte Markham, Clint Ogden of "Dallas" (a rare treat for "Dallas" fans!)
Pamela Sue Martin, the original Fallon Carrington of "Dynasty"
Ronnie Schell, Frank Armsted of "Santa Barbara," as well as Lester Starr in the "Daisy's Song" episode of "The Dukes"
Stella Stevens, Phyllis Blake of "Santa Barbara" and Mama Joe Max in "The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!" movie

John Jakes' third Bicentennnial miniseries serves up a different feast of classic stars

2011-05-21T06:00:00.001-04:00

In our March 15 and May 18 posts, we've been following the John Jakes Bicentennial novel series and the TV miniseries adaptations of the first three books in the series. Today we turn our attention to No. 3, "The Seekers," and the 1979 TV movie version of Jakes' 1975 book.

Andrew Stevens is not back as Philip Kent in this one. That's the bad news. BRBTV would have loved to see him, being such big fans of that continuity thing and all, but the producers evidently felt it wouldn't make sense to try to age him two decades for this third installment. Rats. OK, so bye-bye to Casey Denault of our beloved "Dallas."

But "Dallas" still gets some representation, wouldya believe. Enter Randolph Mantooth, who played Joe Don Ford, as the lead character in the first half or so of the four-hour drama, Abraham Kent, son of Philip. Then, as a special treat (and this is the "good news"!), there's Timothy Patrick Murphy, credited as "Timothy P. Murphy" in the opening credits. Our own Mickey Trotter, the troubled youth so wonderfully tamed by little Lucy Ewing. (Of course, we know it was a mutual taming!) Oh, how we loved Mickey Trotter! Cut down so soon, on the cusp of an upturned life, by the horrible boozing habits of Sue Ellen's!!!! Ugh. Anyhow ... Murphy takes on the role of Jared Kent, son of Abraham and the lead character of the second half of the miniseries. As Jared, Murphy is a polite and honorable young man -- a kid, really, who is forced to grow up very quickly as he encounters some of the many catastrophes of this third, acutely depressing installment in the series. (And if you want to read more about how much of a veritable downer this third book was, read BRB's review on Amazon.) Murphy was just three years away from his stint on "Dallas," and an unfortunate nine years from dying at age 29.

But wait, there's more! Picture George Hamilton, our suave and cunning Joel Abrigore of "Dynasty," as a suave and cunning and just-as-evil Lt. Hamilton Stovall, who has it in for poor young Jared in more ways than one. He's arrogant, he's indignant, he's got a nasty pointed tongue. We just don't like him very much, do we???? And Hamilton shines in the part, years before he tormented Krystle Carrington with her "body double" of sorts on our beloved show.

Throw in other great stars like "Brady Bunch" dad Robert Reed as the heavily accented Daniel Clapper, who befriends Abraham, and Ross Martin of "Wild, Wild West," the exceedingly patient editor at the Kent and Son printing company. A fluffy, strawberry-blond-tressed Delta Burke -- fresh as a daisy -- is the fiesty Elizabeth Fletcher, wife (and stepsister -- don't ask) of Abraham and mother of Jared. She begins the miniseries promising the cunning evil of Ashton Main of Jakes' "North and South" trilogy, but she's cut off too quickly to do much damage. Alas and alack. Jakes himself, an aspiring actor at one time in his life, even shows up as the character Alex Elphinstone. All in all, though the events of the miniseries are gruesome, in terms of classic TV fare, it still gets BRBTV's stamp of approval.

Andrew Stevens takes to the battlefield in John Jakes' "The Rebels"

2011-05-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

In our March 15 post, we told you about a pre-"Dallas" Andrew Stevens taking his star turn in the TV adaptation of the first novel in John Jakes Bicentennial series, "The Bastard." Well, BRBTV is blissfully making our way through all eight books of Jakes' fine series, along with the TV versions of the first three books, and we just plowed through the second of each, "The Rebels."

Reprising his role as Philip Kent, Stevens is gentle and distinguished in this 1979 small-screen version of the 1975 book. He does say "aye" a lot, which is annoying, but we can forgive him for that. He spends almost the entire story on the battlefield, fighting for his brand-new country. He's wiser than he was in the first movie, and at turns heartbroken and excited as prescribed by the writers of this screenplay. He has no problem in the role.

The disturbing thing, however, is that while the miniseries of Jakes' first book follows the printed page faithfully, this second TV adaptation takes the author's masterful plot and essentially tosses it out the window. Ugh. Missing in this mangling are a few key characters, along with too many events and twists to list here. Big among them is a different outcome for Philip's new wife Anne: We're not spoiling the miniseries by telling you she dies in childbirth early on. If you read the book, however, you'll be far more horrified at what Jakes does with her.

Plus, whereas the book presents the stories of the two leading men in a parallel but separate fashion until the very end of its 533 pages -- Philip Kent and the Virginia plantation son Judson Fletcher -- in the movie the two meet right away and remain fast friends (something like Jakes' "North and South" series portrayed the friendship of its own two leading men, we note). But this really spoils the fact that Jakes so handily pulls off the technique of making you wonder what the heck these guys have in common (or will have in common) until the very end of the book when he gracefully connects their lives. Still, though the miniseries disappoints anyone who has read the book, one redeeming fact is that both book and miniseries end up at the same place, so at least things are set up nicely and consistently for the third book.

We have to admit that after reading "The Rebels," we were very anxious to see who portrays Judson Fletcher in the miniseries. Judson steals the novel away from Philip, we feel, with his drinking, self-loathing, obnoxious-but-determined-to-do-better characterization. We couldn't get enough of the guy. So when we saw a pre-"Miami Vice" Don Johnson in the role, we were at least glad to see he played Judson's sober moments appropriately stern and self-assured. His character is smart and a bit arrogant despite his failings, and Johnson communicated that, though the direction the character was taken in just -- again -- so deviated from the book.

This second miniseries serves up the other classic TV stars, though not to the degree of the first. Tom Bosley of "Happy Days" returns as Benjamin Franklin. William Daniels, voice of K.I.T.T. in the original "Knight Rider," gets to show his face again as John Adams. And we were rather captivated by "Mission: Impossible"'s Peter Graves' portrayal of George Washington. We have never seen him look so much like his big bro James Arness (one of the hottest. Actors. EVER!!!!!!). He's tall and commanding, with such a similar voice and facial features below his powdery wig.

Country music star Tanya Tucker steps in as a frontierswoman who reluctantly takes in an ailing Philip. She's predictably atrocious, only redeemed a touch by the fact that she gets to sing a few lines from "Amazing Grace." And when her obligatorially sexy character throws herself at to Philip, you see how this poor girl was typecast, being the Lindsay Lohan of her generation and all. This character, which doesn't exist in the book, was clearly thrown in to amp up the sex quotient. Geesh.

All in all, if you take this TV miniseries, produced at a time when miniseries were far more valued than they are now, of course, independently of the book, then you'll be thoroughly entertained. Especially if you enjoy these classic TV stars (Anne Francis, Doug McClure, Kim Cattrall, Macdonald Carey also appear). And if you're curious, you can read BRB's review of the book on Amazon.

Coming up in a few days ... a look at the third movie, "The Seekers" ...

Make sure you catch Ian McShane this weekend, and read about Catherine Oxenberg's royal experiences in her blog

2011-05-15T06:00:00.005-04:00

While his former "Dallas" castmates are shooting brand-new scenes for TNT's pilot project scheduled for release later this year, Ian McShane, who portrayed Don Lockwood on our beloved '80s classic, is doing just fine. That filmmaking love of Sue Ellen Ewing has gone from one good role to another over the years, notably on the series "Deadwood" and "Kings." Now, he's got the juicy role of Blackbeard in Disney's " Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," opening this Friday. He gets some good star billing in the trailer, so it looks to be a nice thing.

Catherine Oxenberg, meanwhile, that sweet princess of "Dynasty," has got some royal reminiscing you won't want to miss on her blog. Our former Amanda Carrington who married a prince on the show, Oxenberg talks about meeting Lady Diana Spencer back in 1981, as well as her "almost royal wedding" to the guy that Fergie would nab just a few years later, Prince Andrew. Fun stuff.

Tom Wopat and his band perform live in N.Y. in June

2011-05-10T06:00:00.002-04:00

Thanks very much to the web crew at Wopat.com for keeping us informed on the career of our own Luke Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard" ... This is their latest ...

Tom Wopat and his band will be performing live at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club in New York City on Monday, June 20! Enjoy this intimate setting and hear Tom perform songs from his current album "Consider It Swung" and more. Order your tickets and get more information from this TicketFly page.

Tom appeared recently on "Good Day New York" to talk about his music and performing in "Catch Me If You Can" - watch the video below! And for even more, read this great interview he did recently with BroadwayWorld.com.

Tom Wopat: MyFoxNY.com

Announcing the BRBTV Report on "The Secrets of Isis"

2011-05-05T06:00:00.005-04:00

Ahhh, we love to announce additions to the family. Some people have children -- well, our "kids" are of the published variety! This time around, BRBTV welcomes into its family of products a report on the classic '70s TV show, "The Secrets of Isis."

When Joanna Cameron stepped onto our Saturday-morning small screen in that smart white tennis dress with Egyptian touches, she made history as the first female superhero to have her own weekly live-action series. As Andrea Thomas, she was a kindly high school science teacher. But after discovering the amulet of the ancient goddess Isis on an archaelogical dig, Andrea was able to transform into the powerful heroine Isis with just three magic words, "Oh, mighty Isis!"

BRBTV celebrates this wonderful half-hour kids' series, which was a companion Filmation show for the popular live-action "Shazam!", with the seventh in its series of BRBTV Reports on Amazon's Kindle format. This report includes original feedback from all three of the series' leading stars: not just Cameron as Isis / Andrea Thomas, but also Brian Cutler as Rick Mason and Joanna Pang as Cindy Lee! We also got some great insight from Andy Mangels, the man behind the rather-incredible assortment of features on the DVD set, himself a lifelong fan of the show, and fervent fan Lisa Everetts, who had interesting insight into how this show represented a different era in Saturday-morning kids' television.

Like the other Kindle reports in this series, for a ridiculously low price you'll see a magazine-length feature story as well as detailed (original) episode synopses. Because we've found it's physically impossible for us to watch a classic TV show we love without writing episode synopses. Seriously. We've tried. (Why do you think that "Bionic Woman" first-season DVD set is sitting on our shelf unopened? Talk about a time commitment!)

We so much enjoyed doing this "Isis" BRBTV Report, because we absolutely adored the show back then more than words can express. Watching the episodes again on DVD in the past year or so -- the first time we'd seen them since they originally aired -- was like a sweet trip back in time! We hope you dig this look at the show as much as we did writing it.

A peek inside the "Archie's Weird Mysteries" trade paperback

2011-05-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

We first told you in our December 9 post about the "Archie's Weird Mysteries" paperback coming this August, a compilation of stories from the comic book that accompanied our beloved animated DiC show originally airing on PAX-TV in 1999-2000. Today we're giving you a little look at a few of the stories you'll see in that 128-page book:

- "Shriek," from issue 2, a parody of the "Scream" movies, with script by Paul Castiglia, pencils by Fernando Ruiz and inking by Rich Kozlowski.
Alone in the house, Betty Cooper settles in for popcorn and a scary movie on cable. But her TV starts malfunctioning, and soon a dark, hooded, ghoulish face is talking to her from the screen, looking just like the spooky one in those "Shriek" movies. The next day at school, Archie is determined to investigate. But then the TV ghoul shows up running the halls at Riverdale High! Meanwhile, Archie wants to score an interview with a Hollywood costume designer who's visiting town -- who just happens to be the one who designed that long, ghoulish mask for the "Shriek" movies. The designer quickly becomes embroiled in the kids' investigation of this strange movie ghoul on the loose.

- "UFO Uh-Oh," from issue 7, with script by Paul Castiglia, pencils by Fernando Ruiz and inking by Rich Kozlowski.
In a galaxy kinda far away, a brawny race of aliens named the Brawnux challenge another race of aliens, the brainy Smelltoids, to a baseballl game. Trouble is, the Smelltoids don't even know what baseball is. They gaze into their satellite dish and spy, on Earth, Archie and the gang on the Riverdale High baseball team winning the playoffs. The Smelltoids head to Earth in their ship, finding a snoozing Mr. Weatherbee "guarding" the team equipment. Since the aliens just saw the 'Bee bragging to a reporter about his former glory days in baseball, the aliens nab him and the equipment and head back to their planet to learn the game. That doesn't go so well, since the 'Bee's bragging was just hot air. He talks the Smelltoids into returning to Earth to benefit from the "real" players, and a plan is hatched to put the brainy aliens on top of their game.

- "Bigfoot on Campus," from issue 10, with script by Paul Castiglia, pencils by Fernando Ruiz and inking by Rich Kozlowski.

A new student shows up at Riverdale High, and he has all the girls swooning. He's Sam Squatch, a mammoth of a guy with mounds of wavy hair. The other guys like Arch and Reggie decide if they can't beat 'im, they're going to join 'im -- they borrow some of Sam's magic shampoo to grow their own long, luxurious locks and beards. But then those beards won't shave off, and all of a sudden the girls at school have hairy backs! Yowza! Sam Squatch explains the woodsy encounter that's behind this shampoo -- as well as his own motivations.

The book will also feature Scarlet, the vivacious redheaded vampire who charms Archie, introduced in the TV episode "Scarlet Night" and debuting as a side story in issue 10 of the comics, then moving on to the spotlight in issue 12. She's featured on the cover of the book.

Chat with Tom Wopat live on Thursday

2011-04-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

Tom Wopat, our own Luke Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," will engage with fans up-close and online this Thursday. Here's the word from the crew at Wopat.com:

"That's right - Tom will be chatting LIVE online with his Twitter followers next Thursday, 4/28! To join in the conversation, just 'follow' Tom on his Twitter page. He will be logging in right after he gets off stage from 'Catch Me If You Can' to answer your questions. Make sure to mark your calendar for 4/28 at 11 p.m. EST / 10 p.m. CST / 8 p.m. PST.

And don't forget to download a free song from Tom here!"

BRBTV Reports on Kindle get an update

2011-04-22T18:00:00.001-04:00

Amazon's Kindle just keeps evolving, and we're evolving with it. The six BRBTV Reports, which have all been released in Kindle format, have now been updated to include photos, and in color where available! These updated versions are now at the links below, and all of the Reports received a once-over update of text, as well. For instance, we've got some fun photos of "The Dukes" cartoon star Byron Cherry in that Report, as well as quotes from James Best on the making of the series in an interview from the DVD release a few months back.

And look for two new BRBTV Reports this year, one of which will be released in the next couple weeks and examines a wonderful classic Saturday morning show that hasn't gotten a whole lot of attention over the years!

Spotted: Leigh J. McCloskey

2011-04-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

Sporting Martin Sheen-like hair, all swept back and dapper, Leigh J. McCloskey wasn't hard to spot in this week's episode of Fox's "Bones." Our BRBTV double-shot -- the former Mitch Cooper of "Dallas" as well as Zach Kelton and Ethan Asher of "Santa Barbara" (guess that makes him a triple-shot!) -- was quite smashing as the body in this episode, the set of "bones," if you will.

Leigh played Lee -- Coleman, that is -- the host of a "Mythbusters"-type TV show. Coleman was the one who killed the myth, until the myth apparently killed him! When his body shows up, it appears to have fallen victim to a mythical creature of the woods, the Chupacabra, which he was there to disprove.

The episode features McCloskey in TV clip flashbacks and shifty camera playbacks, so delightful as he stands next to a goat as bait ("Chupacabra" means goat-sucker, didn't you know?) in the dark, creepy woods, looking up at his camera set in a tree and complaining that the creature didn't show. He's obnoxious and arrogant -- so much more Zach than Ethan, "SB" fans will note!

Watch the episode, "The Truth in the Myth," for yourself at the IMDb.

Fundraiser launched for Castiglia's Mecha Manga Bible Heroes

2011-04-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

Paul Castiglia, writer for our beloved "Archie's Weird Mysteries" comic book series as well as the accompanying upcoming trade paperback (look for more on that soon!), keeps us updated on his projects. What going on right now sounds fun -- a campaign for the legendary story of King David transported to a sci-fi world of robots, aliens and advanced technology!

***********************

Flanders, NJ – Paul Castiglia and Thomas Hall, co-creators of the Mecha Manga Bible Heroes comic book series and their publisher, John-Marc Grob of JMG Studio, announce the launch of a Kickstarter fundraiser to continue publishing the series as digital comics and apps offerings for computer and Smartphone platforms.

Mecha Manga Bible Heroes presents a "new twist" to the Old Testament with legendary Bible tales re-imagined through a sci-fi lens of robots, aliens and advanced technology. Issue #1 depicted the story of David, the shepherd boy who took down the giant, Goliath. The comic’s creators seek to further the tale beyond the initial "David vs. Goliath" story by offering the complete story of "The Rise of King David."

“The journey to David's kingship is packed with action, adventure and intrigue as David becomes a fugitive from the deadly King Saul, jealous over the adoration David has received since slaying the giant (robot) Goliath,” Castiglia explains.

Castiglia, a veteran writer, editor and public relations pro who has worked for companies ranging from Archie to DC to Dark Horse teamed with Hall, writer and co-creator of the award winning R-13, the most downloaded independent comic of all time to create the series that depicts famed Bible heroes in manga (Japanese comics) style. Grob, creator of the FriendFish animated series and the popular “Noah A-Z” digital download came aboard as publisher. The first issue of Mecha Manga Bible Heroes is currently available as a free digital download at the iTunes store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/david-vs-goliath/id419801543?ls=1.

The Mecha Manga team proposes to complete the David epic with three additional installments offered as digital downloads with the potential of all four issues ultimately being collected into a printed paperback edition.

“Taking stock of limited financial backing and distribution of our printed comic book and the current economic situation it became apparent that digital distribution is the way to go,” Hall adds.

In addition to publisher Grob, Castiglia, who edits, and Hall, who co-writes the series, are joined by co-writer Joey Endres, cover artist Jeff Slemons and interior artists Josh Alves and Eric Merced. Funding goes toward production and programming costs. Those wishing to donate to the project will be able to do so until Sunday, May 22 at 8:37 p.m.

Details on how to donate to the project are available at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/805513803/mecha-manga-bible-heroes-the-rise-of-king-david.

Patrick Duffy talks about new "Dallas" project

2011-04-12T06:00:00.003-04:00

Patrick Duffy, our own Bobby Ewing of "Dallas" chats with KOBI NBC 5 of Oregon and California in this recent interview, reminding us of just why we like him so much. He's frank, he's honest, he's lighthearted. He acknowledges just why he and the other two of the Big Three are involved in this project, along with the fact that it's the younger set that will do the "heavy lifting." We like. Enjoy:

http://www.localnewscomesfirst.com/index.php?option=com_seyret&Itemid=431&task=videodirectlink&id=8114

Some classic TV sights and sounds from WonderCon

2011-04-10T06:00:00.005-04:00

Ahhhh ... BRBTV had a great time at this year's WonderCon in San Francisco last weekend. In BRB's off-time from her on-camera work for ComicsContinuum.com and its accompanying Detroit TV show, she had a blast wandering and chatting with some classic TV stars, armed with BRBTV's own (still) camera. Here's a little of what she saw ...

You can hardly attend a con in recent years without seeing the Hulk, Mr. Lou Ferrigno, star of "The Incredible Hulk" show of the '70s. Here, he is, still so solid, getting an interview in, between greeting fans on the con floor early on Friday.

Being fervent fans of the original "Star Trek" series, we surely remember Malachi Throne, so captivating as the commanding commodore in the two-part episode "The Menagerie." Throne also did the voice of Fingers the Gorilla in the "Batman Beyond" episode "Speak No Evil," and was the judge in the "Judgment Day" episode of "The New Batman Adventures."

Who could forget Miss Beadle of "Little House on the Prairie"? We loved her! She was always the sweet, gentle voice of reason, and sometimes the protector -- at least when class was in session -- of poor Laura Ingalls from that viper Nellie Olsen! Imagine our delight when we happened upon Charlotte Stewart, who portrayed Miss Beadle, at WonderCon! Stewart also played Betty Briggs in one of our other fave shows, "Twin Peaks." BRB asked if we'll see her return to acting, and she said no, not really. She's happy where she is right now. Here, she's all smiling and sunny against a tapestry of her "Little House" character. Beyond cool!

It's always great to chat with our "Dukes of Hazzard" compatriot Don Pedro Colley, with whom BRB has done a show or three over the past few years. He's doing great.

BRB made a new friend in Camden Toy, star of not only the TV show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," but also this year's "The Bay" online soap. In the latter, he's the evil Igor Chambers. What a charming actor, who has such a misfortune to play such ghoulish beasts! He looks and behaves so much nicer in person, trust us!

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand!

Bruce Timm talks to BRB about new "Year One" animated project

2011-04-07T19:00:00.002-04:00

The folks that brought us "Batman: The Animated Series," "The New Batman Adventures," "Batman Beyond" and so many other animated goodies over the years are at it again. "Batman: Year One" is a new DC animated project that we'll see direct-to-DVD soon, and as part of her work for ComicsContinuum.com and its accompanying Detroit TV show, BRB got a chance to chat with a few of the creative folks behind that project, at last weekend's WonderCon event in San Francisco.

Today we'll share with you the first interview from that, with Mr. Bruce Timm, the mastermind behind this wildly popular Batman incarnation from the early '90s. Here he tells BRB and the Continuum a little more about "Year One," in the midst of an interview about the more imminent "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights" animated movie, also from Warner Home Video.

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

John Schneider talks to BRB about last few episodes of "Smallville"

2011-04-03T21:10:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we told you about BRB's interview with John Schneider, our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," at Orlando's MegaCon event. Now we're posting it for you to watch! This was part of BRB's on-camera work for the Comics Continuum website and TV show, work which continues this weekend at WonderCon in Orlando. Look for some fun BRBTV-related photos from WonderCon in the next few days ...

BRB tried to coax a little info out of John about the two-part series finale of "Smallville." "C'mon, John, just a little tidbit????"

Photo courtesy of ComicsContinuum.com

Orlando's MegaCon features a nice "Dukes" presence

2011-03-26T18:55:00.001-04:00

BRB is having a great time at MegaCon in Orlando right now, interviewing comic book industry professionals for the Comics Continuum website and accompanying Detroit TV show. What excitement 'twas just a few hours ago, when she got to chat with John Schneider, our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard" about his role on three of the remaining four episodes of the CW's "Smallville" in the coming weeks.

Look for a link to that interview soon, but for now, we'll share a shot from Friday at the event:

And while we're at it, how about a fresh shot of Mr. James Hampton, who played Sheriff Buster Moon on "The Dukes." We got to chat with Hampton a bit off camera about his time on our beloved classic show.

The Oklahoma City-born actor, who filled in as sheriff in Hazzard while Rosco P. Coltrane was out in 1980, has a long list of screen credits that include "F Troop," "The Doris Day Show" and "Gunsmoke," as well as a new project called "The Association."

Herb Jefferson Jr., who starred in the "Dukes" 1984 two-parter "Undercover Dukes," also is doing a meet-and-greet of fans at MegaCon this weekend.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

TGIF: A little vintage Archie

2011-03-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

We all know the characters of our beloved "Archie's Weird Mysteries" go back decades before this animated series ever debuted on PAX TV. Well, to add a smile to your Friday, BRBTV offers these shots of a collectible figure series from Dark Horse, snapped as we were browsing last week's C2E2 event in Chicago.

So beautiful, right? The figures were part of Dark Horse Comics' display at the convention. They sell for $49.95 each and are limited to 950 per character and are packaged in the tin box shown, with button and character booklet thrown in for good measure. They begin releasing in April with, of course, Arch himself.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

John Schneider shooting "The Duke of Diesel" for CMT

2011-03-19T13:59:00.000-04:00

John Schneider, our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard" updated fans via email this week that he was in Texas shooting a show for CMT called "The Duke of Diesel." "And having a blast!" the actor added. "We are celebrating folks who work with heavy equipment and risk their lives for a living. Good stuff."

Schneider also said, "Next week I go back to Vancouver to finish up with the 10th season of 'Smallville.' Sad times but that's a good run no matter how you slice it." Indeed. BRBTV will be sad to see "Smallville" go.

Schneider also reminded fans, "Remember that 'Doonby' will be out in a few months and may be coming for a test screening near you. Check doonbythemovie.com!"

Movie version of John Jakes' "The Bastard" offers a dynamite classic cast

2011-03-15T19:12:00.003-04:00

BRBTV likes to play this little game, when viewing a movie that is new to us, though it may be new, old, or older! We like to guess the year the movie was released based on fashions alone, and heck, we tend to get within a year or two, if we don't get it right on the button! (We are fashion mavens, after all -- just see BRB's My Mother's Clothing project!) John Jakes, however, throws us off a little, particularly with the movie adaptation of the first book in his Bicentennial series, "The Bastard." The costumes, of course, are period. Period!

Still, we just had to make a guess, as we lounged over it this past Sunday night (special thanks to BRBTV bud Tracy for the DVD!). We factored in the cherublike Andrew Stevens, the darker haired, pre-"Mannequin" Kim Catrall, the chunkiness of the production quality. We had to go with 1975 for this one, and really we hinged that mainly on William Shatner -- he seemed much more pre-"Star Trek: The Motion Picture" to us. Plus, we remember how big the country's 1976 Bicentennial was back then -- a hot-hot-hot topic for a juicy book series. We had to surmise this movie would be placed squarely in the midst of that heat.

But alas ... the year, it was ... 1978. And what a grand year it was for TV stars. Just as in Jakes' mid-'80s "North and South" miniseries, "The Bastard" makes no disappointment with its megawatt cast. Shatner, Catrall, Tom Bosley, Lorne Greene, Buddy Ebsen, Harry Morgan ... holy cow, is there anybody in there that's not a name, at least now if not then?! And most of all, the stars from the BRBTV shows are out in full force for this one.

Front and center is the aforementioned Stevens, a decade before he would take on J.R. Ewing's tutelage -- then rattle his cage a bit -- as Casey Denault on "Dallas." In this outing, he's oh-so young, so boyish and fluffy of hair, and he surely manages a certain degree of evenly progressing maturity through the four hours. We finished the 600-plus page book just days before watching the movie (see BRB's Amazon review), and Stevens filled the shoes of Phillipe Charboneau / Philip Kent believably and in keeping with Jakes' original prose, written just four years before the movie was released. You could even argue that Stevens resembles the artist's rendering of Philip on the original book cover above.

Joining Stevens is his fellow "Dallas" cast member Keenan Wynn as Johnny Malcolm, every bit as feisty as ole Digger Barnes was. Russell Johnson, also a "Dallas" refugee as Sheriff Mansfield, in addition to Roger Wainwright on "Santa Barbara" and Earl Thompson on "Dynasty," is Col. James Barrett, fighting valiantly for the rights of the American colonies. And how surprising to find Clint Ritchie -- known to us as Bud Morgan on "Dallas" but to the rest of the world as Clint Buchanan on "One Life to Live" -- as Dawes.

Herb Jefferson Jr., whom we remember fondly from "The Dukes of Hazzard," portrays Lucas, a man of color but not a slave -- he stands, gun in hand, as a free worker for a farm where the lead character takes refuge, and before that, he helps Philip dispatch some evil highwaymen. And omigoodness -- peeking out of a doorway in Colonial attire, that's Miss Peggy Rea, our beloved Lulu Hogg of "The Dukes"!

Added to all of that, we were enthralled by Ike Eisenmann of Disney's "Witch Mountain" movies -- his boyish, confident, privileged but right-thinking Gil, the Marquis, is captivating. And John De Lancie of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is delightfully dastardly as a Redcoat lieutenant.

We can't wait to move on to the movie adaptations of "The Rebels" and "The Seekers," the next two books in the series.

Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy star in pre-"Dallas" TV flick

2011-02-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

Special thanks to Will "the Voice Man" Rodgers, our collaborator in BRBTV, for uncovering this sweet little gem. Imagine a TV movie starring Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy, and it's not a "Dallas" reunion! In fact, it was filmed a few years before they saddled up to the "Dallas" train!

It's 1974's "Hurricane," and you can watch it in its entirety on YouTube. Jessica Walter, Will Geer and Michael Learned are also in the movie. The plotline, from the IMDb: "A relaxing weekend by the sea becomes a battle for survival when a killer hurricane strikes. Tidal waves over 30 feet high and thunderous, destructive winds batter the coastline." Enjoy!

Spotted: Lesley-Anne Down, Terri Garber and more

2011-02-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

The "North and South" miniseries of the '80s, based on John Jakes' juicy novels of the Civil War era, had a dynamite cast. When Book 1 hit the airwaves in 1985, it certainly mined the vast talent of that classic decade, featuring many stars of the BRBTV shows.

It was a time in TV history when miniseries were king. Ahhhhhh ... do we miss the mighty miniseries! So it was with great pleasure that we indulged ourselves last month with a re-viewing of the 12 hours of Book 1, which we remember so fondly from when it originally aired as six two-hour parts. Among the star-spottin' bounty:

- Lesley-Anne Down, our own Stephanie Rogers of "Dallas," playing it sweet and so soft-spoken as Creole Southern belle Madeline Fabray.
- Terri Garber, that sly Leslie Carrington of "Dynasty" and Suzanne Collier of "Santa Barbara," in the amazing role that launched her career, the evil Miss Ashton Main. (We talked with Garber about her "North and South" work; see our BRBTV interview with the star in the current edition of "Send Me to Santa Barbara," as well as a coming update to "Dynasty High.")
- Morgan Fairchild, one of the three Jenna Wades on "Dallas," who gets just a smidgen of airtime as Burdetta Halloran in Book 1 but is back for more action in Book 2.
- Jonathan Frakes, our own Jamie Lee Hogg of "The Dukes of Hazzard," in a key part as Stanley Hazard (yes, only one "z"!), co-owner with his bro in the northern Hazard Iron.
- Bill Conti, composer of the strains of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," who also did the music for "North and South."

Now on to Book 2 ...

TGIF Toys: Boss Hogg falls to pieces ... and back again

2011-02-18T06:00:00.004-05:00

Spotted at the Gaithersburg Antiques Fest in Maryland last weekend, right next to a Penguin Mego (and a Riddler Mego, if you really must know! only $22 each, such a steal!):

A fun jigsaw puzzle featuring our own Boss J.D. Hogg -- Mr. Sorrell Booke -- of "The Dukes of Hazzard." This beauty was complete, no missing pieces, and $12.

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Byron Cherry and Christopher Mayer talk about their "Dukes" days

2011-02-15T06:00:00.116-05:00

Christopher "Chip" Mayer, who is a BRBTV double-shot as Vance Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard" and T.J. Daniels on "Santa Barbara," was back in action this past weekend at the Hollywood Show in Burbank. BRBTV couldn't be more pleased, as this marks the actor's return to the spotlight after many years away. Mayer appeared with his Duke cousin, Byron ("Coy Duke") Cherry, at the event, and the two also got with Retro Radio Live for a fresh interview on the show floor. BRBTV has some highlights of the interview for you:

- Mayer on acting: "For so many people, it becomes like a rhetoric. Like we're standing here right now, you know, acting becomes listening. People think it's just like bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk, and I spit out my lines. Even Spencer Tracy says, 'Look them in the eyes, tell them the truth and don't bump into the furniture.' It's really acting like life. And acting like life is being in the moment. Be here right now. ... To listen, and then to respond. To take your moments, and not just regurgitate."

- Cherry told the story of originally auditioning for the role of Bo Duke back in 1979, when John Schneider was actually thought to be too young and was put on the "no-see" list. Schneider showed up later, essentially crashing the auditions, six-pack in hand and "introducing" himself as Bo Duke. "Sometimes as an actor you really have to go the extra mile," Cherry said.

- The boys were asked if they felt their time on the "Dukes" set was limited. Cherry said, "We met at the screen test, and I figured if we did one, or maybe got one or two shows in, it would be really good. So we ended up doing a whole season." Mayer added, "When we went to the screen test, they put like five brunet guys and five blond guys in a van, and they take us out to Valencia where they do the exterior shots, then you're doing your screen test with Cathy Bach, with Daisy, while these other #$%^& are sitting there watching you do your work. And eventually they made the call, and we got on the show. But you also had a feeling like, in a way, we're keeping like 35 families in life, because they're like text editors, sound guys. ... There was a tenuousness to it. ... We had a lot of guys that were very cool and a lot of other people that felt they couldn't really align themselves because it would kind of be betraying their allegiance to the original guys."

- Cherry remarked how he has witnessed the fan sentiment changing in recent years toward these "replacement Dukes." Now people come up to them and tell them they saved the show, etc. Mayer said, "It's like in football, if somebody goes down, the star quarterback goes down. And I come off the bench, and I win the Super Bowl, but he's still No. 1. And so those guys came back, and it was like the two girls at the prom with the same dress on. So, they were cool, and the environment, and the executive producers were cool. ... It was fun just being something that was such an icon, culturally. Like 'Gilligan's Island' or whatever. And yet, like right before Christmas break, Paul Picard called us into his office with pink slips and he goes, 'You guys are doing a great job,' and this and that, 'The boys are coming back, merry Christmas.' ... But dude, I'm in L.A., and I'm an actor, and I'm in the land of lost dreams, and for me to come out here and get my feelings hurt, and be in show business is a paradox. That's an oxymoron."

- "Whoever drove the car got more fan mail," Cherry mused, quite seriously! "That was the thing, so they made it 50-50. We split the driving."

- Mayer commented on his overall time on the show, "We came in there with good attitudes. We were humble. We worked hard. ... We had people cutting attitude on us, but we didn't give the attitude back. ... 'He who humbles himself will be exulted.'" Amen!

- When Cherry was about to get the role of Coy Duke, he explained, John Schneider actually advised him not to tell the producers that he knew him, so it wouldn't hurt his chances, as Schneider and costar Tom Wopat were out on their contract dispute.

- Cherry's favorite NFL team: Atlanta Falcons. Mayer's: Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cherry is booking appearances for these two good ole Duke boys. He might even give you a ride in his General Lee. Contact him at coyduke@myway.com.

Look for BRBTV's own interview with Christopher Mayer soon here on the BRBTV News Blog ...

Charlene Tilton chats about new TNT "Dallas" project and more

2011-02-12T19:49:00.000-05:00

Charlene Tilton, our own Lucy Ewing Cooper of "Dallas," just chatted live with fans this evening at UltimateDallas.com, and BRBTV has a few highlights for ya:

- She has not been asked to participate in TNT's "Dallas" pilot project, which begins filming in the spring and which just cast Julie Gonzalo and Jesse Metcalfe as Rebecca Sutter and Christopher Ewing. "As of now, unfortunately I have not. I am hoping to be," the star said. "I know that Larry (Hagman) and Patrick (Duffy) are in it. I only know two of the names of the young people. I'm sure they'll be wonderful."

- She does have an idea or two for the project's treatment of Lucy, however, should she be signed on. "When we last saw Lucy she had 25 percent of Ewing oil stock. So I think Lucy to be a force to be reckoned with. John Ross and Christopher would have to listen to her. I think Lucy should also come back with a daughter. With my actual daughter actually. Lucy should come back with her daughter played by Cherish."

She continues, "I read the script for the pilot. I personally thought it was wonderful. I think the fans will love it if they keep up the quality of writing...they will love it."

- She just filmed a new show for Comedy Central (which was where she was just before arriving for the chat, which began at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

- If she had her choice of shows, Tilton says, she would love to appear in ABC's "Desperate Housewives."

- What was happiest time and darkest moment she remembers on "Dallas" and in life? "Happiest time on 'Dallas,' I have to say, was the whole experience in general," Tilton says. "We worked hard, but we had a lot of fun. Larry was the ringleader. He brought us all together from the very first day. Everyone was extremely professional and worked very hard. The darkest time on the set was when Jim Davis passed away. I was very close to him. And his wife Blanche passed away last year just after her 90th birthday."

- A boo-boo corrected? Tilton noted how she recently watched the first episodes of "Dallas" on CMT and saw that the scene with Lucy and Ray in the hayloft was edited out. Of course, this early-days storyline presented a bit of a problem for the writers later, when Ray was revealed to be Lucy's half-uncle. "Such an iconic scene," Tilton laments. "It was great, so hot. I was really upset they edited it out."

Woo-hoo! A Martinez is back in the game!

2011-02-11T17:09:00.002-05:00

It was a banner week for fans of the classic daytime soap "Santa Barbara," as kingpin A Martinez, who played Cruz Castillo, returned to the daytime airwaves. He's got a role on "The Bold and the Beautiful," and he's also got a fresh new interview with Soap Opera Digest that gives a little hint of what he's been up since his days on "SB" and more recently "General Hospital," where he was the ever-hunky Roy DeLuca:

http://www.soapoperadigest.com/features/bold-and-beautiful/interviews/catching_up_with_a_martinez

We will certainly miss Peggy Rea

2011-02-08T11:59:00.023-05:00

Fans of "The Dukes of Hazzard" everywhere are mourning the loss of Peggy Rea, our own graceful Lulu Hogg, as news broke this week of her passing. Though nothing is official online yet, John Schneider paid tribute via Twitter. Rea would have turned 90 next month.

To us here at BRBTV, Lulu was the finest character in the regular recurring cast of the show (we've also always been partial to Abraham Lincoln Hogg in his one brief appearance). And that use of the word "graceful" to describe Lulu -- as well as Rea -- is key. Lulu was married to that ole rascally J.D., after all, and the virtues of her patience and grace, her tolerance and compassion, cannot be overstated. From the moment she first appeared in one of the original five Georgia episodes, "Repo Men," giving Boss the what-for about wanting that Rolls-Royce, we were in deep admiration. She was more than Rosco's "fat sister"; she was our big, lovable, all-knowing, all-seeing mom in shift dresses with an even bigger heart. She did the right thing, she said the right thing, she could melt your heart with a whimper and drive like a maniac, and she was the one true restraint of the horrendous hot mess that was her hubby.

Peggy Rea was already a TV veteran by the time she got this role. She didn't need to be forever endeared to "Dukes" fans to have notoriety and respect in Hollywood. Fans of "The Waltons" already knew her as Rose Burton, and she carried that role through a few of her "Dukes" years, too. She got her start way back in the '50s as a ladies club member on "I Love Lucy," and had a prolific career for decades with roles on "Gunsmoke," "Have Gun, Will Travel," "The Wild Wild West" and so many others. She played the early days of another one of our fave shows, the sitcom "Step By Step," and continued acting through the '90s with shows like "Grace Under Fire."

From a feminine perspective, Rea was a titan in the most important way: She blatantly flew in the face of the Hollywood ideal. She dared not to be thin, blond, cosmetically altered, etc. As Lulu, especially, she was a strong female, a female whose fine characteristics walked into the room 10 minutes before she did, a character who couldn't help but command an audience of acceptance.

As with Sorrell Booke and Denver Pyle who passed on before her, most "Dukes" fans didn't get to meet Peggy Rea, as she was unable to do all the appearances that her younger castmates have been doing in the show's resurgence of the past decade or so. But if she's remembered now as an American "character actress," it's because she had the kind of character we could truly admire.

An update on James Best's "Shrews" project

2011-02-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

What's better than writing and shooting a sequel to a delightful B movie you made decades ago? Recruiting a bunch of your friends to star in it!

We reported in our January 17, 2010 post about James Best's upcoming sequel to the 1959 film, "The Killer Shrews." The movie now has an official website to keep you updated on its progress: http://killershrewsmovie.com/. Fans of "The Dukes of Hazzard" will be delighted to know that they'll see not only the aforementioned Rosco P. Coltrane in the film, but also Bo Duke (John Schneider), Cletus Hogg (Rick Hurst), and Burl Tolliver of the "Dukes" episode "The Rustlers" (Mel Tillis).

In the film, Best will reprise his character from the 1959 movie, Captain Thorne Sherman. Hurst, appropriately enough, plays the captain's first mate. Schneider is a "two-fisted animal expert" and part of a reality TV show film crew that enlists the captain to take them to a deserted island where they'll no doubt encounter (da-da-DUN!) ... the Killer Shrews!

Shooting is set to begin in L.A. in the next few months.

Turner issues official release on new "Dallas" project

2011-02-01T20:23:00.001-05:00

Oh, we've been geekin' out for weeks -- months, perhaps -- in anticipation of TNT's new "Dallas" project, set to begin shooting this spring. Today the Turner Newsroom churned out a new official press release for the updated series featuring our beloved Southfork clan:

http://news.turner.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=5543

Not only did the news break the other day of Jordana Brewster as a love interest of our two main boys, John Ross and Christopher, but this official news also includes the casting of Josh Henderson of "Desperate Housewives" as John Ross. We also have heard the rumor that hunky Justin Hartley was being considered for either John Ross or Christopher (such timing, since his "Smallville" will wrap its final season just as this one starts filming).

Announcing the Kindle version of "Destination: Dallas"

2011-01-27T06:00:00.003-05:00

Ya know, the books of the BRBTV fact book series all started out in electronic format, several years ago, presenting all the fun facts about these classic shows you adore in colorful, printable, portable, navigatable (is that a word?) Adobe PDF format. Then one by one, the e-books were parlayed into print form, except for Book 4, "Send Me to Santa Barbara."

Well, now BRBTV is pleased to announce the first Kindle version of a BRBTV fact book ... "Destination: Dallas." The huge volume contains every bit of content from the hefty 314-page print version -- even the photos! In fact, if your Kindle or other mobile reading device supports color, that's how you'll see the photos!

The Kindle version also reflects some special 2011 updates for the book, such as that fun photo we took of Greg Evigan and our bud Will Rodgers at the 2009 Professional Stuntman Invitational, some thoughts from Signy Coleman on her "Dallas" episode, and an acknowledgment of the new 2011 TNT "Dallas" project.

Saddle yourself up to the Kindle "Destination: Dallas" at the book's new product page.

Of course, there's another BRBTV product line that's been available on Kindle for a year, the BRBTV Report series, shorter, snappier feature stories and episode guides focusing on animated shows such as "Archie's Weird Mysteries" and "Batman: The Animated Series."

A "Dynasty" prequel movie? Sounds like crazy-cool fun!

2011-01-24T18:06:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Dennis at the "Dynasty" Facebook group, as well as the Plastic Retro Blog and Coming Soon (have we forgotten anybody?) for the heads-up on this one ...

A "Dynasty" feature film is being planned, and the movie will reportedly take a prequel approach -- focusing on the Carringtons and Colbys in the '60s, which is decades before their lives were chronicled in the '80s classic primetime soap. Creators Richard and Esther Shapiro are citing another one of BRBTV's absolute fave shows, AMC's "Mad Men," as their inspiration. We couldn't be more delighted, and we love this fresh new idea!

"We’re going to do a lot of coloring outside the lines," Richard Shapiro says. "The movie will be the old 'Dynasty,' of course, but with horns."

Great! Sounds like it won't be the truly dreadful comedy / parody approach of so many other feature-film remakes of classic properties.

The film could go into production next year.

Blog brings you news on Joan Collins

2011-01-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

We reported a while back that Joan Collins -- the "Dynasty" diva Alexis Carrington-Colby-And-On-And-On -- has just launched a Twitter account. Well, you've got another option to stay in tune with what Collins has going on -- a blog.

From links to mainstream media reports on her latest stage performances to tidbits on upcoming TV appearances and more, the Joan Collins Official News blog is your round-up of our British babe's comings and goings.

Nana Visitor talks about her time on "Trek"

2011-01-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

To us fans of the "Dynasty" offshoot "The Colbys," she was Georgina Sinclair, the beautiful ballerina who viciously vied for the attentions Bliss Colby's hunky ballet suitor. To the rest of the world, though, Nana Visitor is known as Kira Nerys of the "Star Trek" offshoot "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." A new interview with the star includes her reminiscing about her time at the space station. Check it out at StarTrek.com.

A fresh talk with Victoria Principal, and don't count Larry Hagman out for TNT's "Dallas" pilot

2011-01-09T06:00:00.005-05:00

DallasFanzine.com has just posted an interview with Victoria Principal -- our beloved Pammy Ewing of our just-as-beloved "Dallas." You can listen to the audio or read the interview transcript at the site, as well as offer your comments in the box below.

Thanks, also, to Dallas Fanzine for keeping us up-to-date on their Facebook page on the latest busy-buzz surrounding the highly anticipated "Dallas" pilot from cable network TNT. Discussion has been bouncing here and there in the past few weeks as to whether or not Larry Hagman -- the kingpin of the show! -- would be involved. At the heart of the matter seems to be the cash. But now EW reports that the ole J.R. is not down for the count and is willing to make it happen.

John Schneider hits the con circuit hard this year

2011-01-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Phyllis once again for the round-up on the 2011 appearance schedule for John Schneider, our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard." First off, he will be meeting fans and signing autographs at the O'Reilly World of Wheels Auto Show in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this weekend.
For more information go to http://www.worldofwheels.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=59.

January 21 and 22
John Schneider and Tom Wopat in concert together
Avalon Theatre
Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Tickets available at 1-877-833-3110 or at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/John-Schneider-tickets/artist/732925

January 29 and 30
Canton Hot Rod & Custom Bike Show in Canton, Ohio
http://www.cantonhotrodshow.com/carshow.nxg

February 11-13
O'Reilly World of Wheels in Birmingham, AL
http://www.worldofwheels.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=74

March 18-20
Toronto Comic Con in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
http://www.wizardworld.com/home-toronto.html

March 26-27
Mega Con in Orlando, Florida
http://www.megaconvention.com/view/mediaguests/

April 29, 30, May 1
Anaheim Comic Con in Anaheim, California
http://www.wizardworld.com/home-anaheim.html

May 21-22
Big Apple Comic Con Spring Edition in New York, N.Y.
http://www.wizardworld.com/home-newyork.html

June 17-19
Philadelphia Comic Con in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html

Welcome back, Christopher Mayer!

2011-01-05T06:00:00.005-05:00

We love how the Hollywood Show churns out the great classic TV stars a few times a year, but we love even more that on the guest list this time around, for February, is somebody we've dearly wanted to talk to for a long time ... Mr. Christopher Mayer, aka Vance Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard" and T.J. Daniels of "Santa Barbara."

Hollywood Show
February 12-13
Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
2500 North Hollywood Way
Burbank, California 91505

Mayer joins his "Dukes" castmate Byron ("Coy Duke") Cherry for the event. And while Cherry has been enjoying a pretty rich "Dukes" experience the past few years, with appearances a'plenty, Mayer has been flying below the radar. We're hoping this is a sign of things to come, however -- he's got a whole world of "Dukes" fans who are anxious to meet him. Cherry, who has maintained a friendship with Mayer over the years since their time on "The Dukes" in the mid-'80s, can tell him all about it -- fans have embraced him like crazy at the "Dukes" events and at his other, more mainstream appearances. In fact, it was Cherry who brought the news to fans the other day of his teaming up with Mayer at the Hollywood Show, and BRBTV talked with Byron one-on-one about it. He tells us he's still confirming the details of this February appearance, but that for fans who can't make it to the show, don't worry: Byron will have Chris sign items for you.

"Let everyone know that they can send anything they want signed by Coy and Vance to me," Cherry tells BRBTV. "I will personally take the items to the show and have Vance Duke sign each item."

The cost is $15 per item, a pretty good price for these shows, plus return postage to you. Send payment, as well as your item to be signed, or your request for signatures on one of the 8-by-10 glossy photos Cherry typically takes to these shows, to him at this address:

Byron Cherry, aka Coy Duke
2230 Monaco Drive
Oxnard, CA 93035

For questions to Byron, visit him at his Facebook page or email CoyDuke@myway.com.

We're hoping this won't be the only show these two Duke boys do together. Look, also, for a fresh BRBTV interview with Mayer in the weeks to come.

Chris, now is a great time to step back into the limelight. We can't wait to see ya.

CMT rolls out the "Dukes" and "Dallas" episodes in fab form this weekend

2010-12-31T06:00:00.023-05:00

It would be enough for our friends at CMT -- who showed the great wisdom to bring "The Dukes of Hazzard" back to the airwaves a few months back -- to just offer up a "Dukes" marathon. But then those programming experts had to go and throw in a "Dallas" marathon, too -- proving that as a cable network, they definitely get the BRBTV stamp of approval!

"Yee-haw! CMT loves all you die-hard Dukes fans!" their social media rep emailed the other day. Yea, Chris, we believe you. Because CMT is rolling out the marathon today, starting at 1:30 p.m. Eastern and running until 3 a.m. So grab that jug of moonshine and ring in the new year right!

THEN ... (and especially for the many "Dukes" fans we've met over the years who crossed over into the "Dallas" realm, sticking around another hour when the show originally aired on Friday nights on CBS in the '80s) catch the "Dallas" marathon, beginning tomorrow at 2 p.m. Eastern and running until 3 a.m. (We think you can successfully give a "yee-haw!" to that one, too.)

"To add to the excitement," Chris at CMT says, "we are giving away a special guitar autographed by John Schneider!" You can enter to win on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheDukesRideAgain?v=app_28134323652.

And check out CMT's official Dukes Ride Again Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/TheDukesRideAgain