An indulgence of great classic television by journalist and author Billie Rae Bates.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
BRBTV birthdays this week ...
- Mary Crosby, Gray's on-screen baby sister Kristin Shepard, turns 47 tomorrow, September 14.
- Henry Darrow, who played Cruz Castillo's father Rafael on "Santa Barbara," and even showed up on an episode of "Dynasty" and the "Dukes of Hazzard" spinoff "Enos," turns 73 on Friday, September 15.
- Janis Paige, the lovely second Minx Lockridge on "SB," turns 84 on Saturday, September 16.
- Kimberly McArthur, who was the second Kelly Capwell on "SB," turns 44 on Saturday, September 16.
- Morgan Woodward, who was Punk Anderson on "Dallas" and also made a couple guest appearances on "The Dukes of Hazzard," has a birthday on Saturday, as well, turning 81.
- Shalane McCall, our young Charlie Wade on "Dallas," is our final Saturday birthday, remaining so young at just 34.
Happy birthday to all!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Coming up in Archies next week ...
ARCHIE #569
“How to Survive High School”: Archie’s got all the answers a teen needs to navigate through the tricky world of high school … too bad his answers don’t match the teachers’ questions! SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare. ART: Stan Goldberg. “Feeling Fuelish”: Archie and his friends imagine a world without fuel… and it’s a “gas”! SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg. “Come Blow Your Horn”: Deciding a “new sound” is needed for the band, Archie takes up the Alpine shepherd’s Alphorn. One note is all it will take to determine if his choice was good or baaaaa-d! SCRIPT: Craig Boldman. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale newsstand September 19
32-page, full-color comic, $2.25 U.S.
ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #173
Double your pages, double your Archie and double your fun in this double digest full of new stories and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and your chance to “Find Your Name in Print!”
On sale newsstand September 19
Full-color digest format, $3.69 U.S.
VERONICA #174
"Go for the Gold": Betty has decided to run in the Riverdale Marathon, and Mr. and Mrs. Lodge decide that's a good way for Veronica to get exercise, too. It seems the only way Veronica can cover any distance is if she's running to get a latte... or a bagel ... or the latest fashions, so Betty uses that psychology to help Veronica do well in the race! “Baker’s Half Dozen”: Veronica has finally baked a batch of cookies that didn’t burn… but can she get them to Archie in time to prove it? Find out how the cookie crumbles in this tasty tale! SCRIPTS AND ART: Dan Parent.
On sale newsstand September 19
32-page, full-color comic, $2.25 U.S.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Get a signed copy of "Dukes" guide in the show's birthplace
"Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" just released a second print edition, which added 42 pages and lots of photos to the book. With character guide, cast list, episode guide, a jam-packed trivia chapter and more, the guide is designed to be a fun fact book to have at your side while you're enjoying the beloved action hit on CMT or DVD! BRB will be signing copies of "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., so come on out and say howdy!
For more information on the car show or other events in the birthplace of "The Dukes," contact the Newton County Chamber of Commerce.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
BRBTV birthdays this week, plus a blip ...
- Tom Wopat, our own Luke Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 55 on Saturday, September 9.
- Constance Marie, who played Nikki Alvarez on "SB," has a birthday on Saturday, as well, turning 41.
BRBTV News Blog Blip: A few weeks back, the Hallmark Channel premiered a great Western flick featuring two of the BRBTV stars, Patrick Duffy of "Dallas" and A Martinez of "SB." If you missed it, then set your TiVo for Friday, October 20, when Hallmark repeats the film "Desolation Canyon." You can also catch Duffy in a re-airing of "Falling in Love With the Girl Next Door" on Thursday, October 5 on Hallmark.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Archie Comics writer and artist answers your questions
From the Betty & Veronica Spectacular and the monthly Veronica comic to Archie's 65th Anniversary Bash!, writer and artist Dan Parent has made Veronica Lodge his business. Now, Parent is available to answer your questions about Riverdale's richest (and best dressed!) teen. As part of ArchieComics.com's new PodCast program, send your questions today to questions@archiecomics.com and they will become part of the Archie Comics PodCast with Dan Parent.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Jack Scalia: That pic is named!
"Kraken: Tentacles of the Deep." The plotline: "A marine archeologist and a sailor team up to search for a priceless ancient treasure, only to find themselves in danger from a giant squid that seems to be protecting the treasure, and a ruthless rival who wants the artifact for himself." Scalia is the "ruthless rival," named Maxwell Odemus. Victoria Pratt of the syndicated sci-fi drama "Mutant X" also stars. The film has its world premiere on Sci Fi on Saturday, September 23 at 9 p.m. We'll be there!
Friday, September 01, 2006
Gordon Thomson keeps it going
The plotline from the IMDb: "Olive is a little girl with a dream: winning the Little Miss Sunshine contest. Her family wants her dream to come true, but they are so burdened with their own quirks, neuroses, and problems that they can barely make it through a day without some disaster befalling them. Circumstances conspire to put the entire family on the road together with the goal of getting Olive to the Little Miss Sunshine contest in far off California."
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Have you heard Joan Van Ark?
Van Ark also has a movie project going on this year. "Channels," directed by, written by and starring Nathanial Christian, is listed as in postproduction. The film features Edward Asner. Plus, Van Ark has been indulging in some theater, performing in Tennessee Williams' "A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur" at the Harftford (Conn.) Stage earlier this year.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Coming up in Archies next week ...
Betty & Veronica Spectacular #75
75th issue anniversary blowout guest-starring the Veronicas!
"Fashion Victims": Ginger comes up with the best Sparkle Magazine Fashion Show theme yet: "Are you a Betty or you a Veronica?" As one famous model after another sports the latest Betty-centric outfit or flashy Veronica couture, the hottest act in pop music, The Veronicas provide the tuneful accompaniment! Script and art: Dan Parent.
On sale newsstand September 5
32-page, full-color comic, $2.25 U.S.
Betty & Veronica Double Digest #145
What's better than a digest full of those teen dream queens Betty & Veronica? A double digest full of them! Featuring new stories and classic tales. Script and art: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and your chance to "Find Your Name in Print!"
On sale newsstand September 5
Full-color digest format, $3.69 U.S.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
BRBTV birthdays this week ...
- Russell Curry, who was Lt. Victor Boswell on "SB," also had a birthday yesterday, August 28, though the year is unknown!
- Emma Samms, the second Fallon on "Dynasty" who returned to her role as Holly Sutton Scorpio on ABC's "General Hospital" earlier this year, turned 46 yesterday, August 28.
- Sonny Shroyer, our loving Enos Strate on "The Dukes of Hazzard," is our last BRBTV birthday for yesterday, August 28, turning 71.
- Jim Davis, the legendary Jock Ewing of "Dallas," was born on August 29, 1909 and died on April 26, 1981.
- Don Pedro Colley, the stern Sheriff Little of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 68 tomorrow, August 30.
- Ben Jones, the reliable ole Cooter on "The Dukes of Hazzard" and venerable host of the yearly DukesFest, turns 65 on Thursday, August 31.
- And finally, Leonard Katzman, the mastermind behind the Ewings of "Dallas," was born on September 2, 1927 and died on September 5, 1996.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Spelling: "Nobody did guilty pleasure better"
"Nobody did guilty pleasure better than Aaron," Stephen Collins said.
Kate Jackson offered her own words: "Aaron Spelling gave us the gift in a little blue box. For four decades, he gave us something safe and comfortable through his work in television." (Love that Tiff & Co. reference -- ironic because one of the Angels' names actually was Tiffany.)
Check out some photos:
http://tv.msn.com/tv/emmys2006/showgallery?photoidx=3
http://tv.msn.com/tv/emmys2006/showgallery?photoidx=15
E! Online has some good videos from the Emmys, too.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Emmy salutes Spelling
http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,19838,00.html
Meanwhile, nice salutes to Spelling remain across the Internet, since his death earlier this summer, such as this one from Soap Opera Digest, which even includes a quote from Joan Collins, as well as Lesley-Anne Down, who was Stephanie Rogers on "Dallas" and had a brief role as a nurse on "Dynatsy":
http://soapoperadigest.com/features/special/aaronspelling/
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Robin Wright Penn: Lots going on, as usual!
http://glamalert.com/reelmoments/
We've reported months ago on the BRBTV News Blog on other movie projects Penn has going on this year. One of them is "Sorry, Haters," and you can check out the film's website here:
http://www.sorryhaters2006.com/. Our gal, who is the star of the movie, is featured on the commentary with the DVD, which came out earlier this month. You can see some nice photos of her at this site.
Penn has also been working on the big-screen epic version of the classic tale "Beowulf," which looks like it will be lots of fun for any fan of the original tale. That film's website is also up, though it will be awhile before the film is actually released:
http://www.beowulfmovie.com/
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
"The Colbys" on DVD ... ?
http://www.tvdvdplanet.com/movie/comedy/The_Colbys.html?gclid=CNrgoand8YYCFQ1mUAodJB2ZDQ
Now, of course, the series has not been released on DVD or on video officially by the owners of the trademark / property, so you can use your own judgment. ("Dynasty" had never been released, either, until the first season came out on DVD last year.) This set is $99.99 and includes artwork of the show and, evidently, an episode guide, along with each episode in chronological order. And who or what exactly is TVDVDPlanet? "TVDVDPlanet was recently established as a premiere DVD store selling all the best shows from the past," their website says. "We will continue to expand our show lineup and service to meet the growing needs of our customers. We are an independently owned and operated company."
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
BRBTV birthdays this week ...
- Frank Runyeon, who was Father Michael on "Santa Barbara," has a birthday tomorrow, August 23, as well, turning 53.
- Wanda DeJesus, another "SB" star as one of the several Santana Andrades, turns 46 on Saturday, August 26.
Happy birthday to all!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Archies: Betty and Veronica learn a lesson in forgiveness
ARCHIE #571
"Christmas Toy Story": While playing Santa, Archie learns of a child's wish to get an ultra-rare, super-expensive collectible toy for Christmas... a toy so rare, it would take a miracle! SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"The Spoiler": Jinx Malloy is back… and strangely, this time he's brought nothing but GOOD LUCK for Archie and Jughead! SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg. "A Really Special Gift": Archie has just the cure for Betty's holiday blues…and it's more than money can buy! SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale newsstand on December 12, 2006
32-page, full color comic, $2.25 U.S.
ARCHIE & FRIENDS #105
"Beaches, Bikinis & Backstabbing": You might be wondering how Katy can frolic on the beach in the middle of winter… it's because she's in the middle of a working vacation in sunny Central America! Things soon go from sweet to sour when spoiled supermodel Mischa Mucha joins the photo shoot. Can Katy de-claw her catty co-star? SCRIPT AND ART: Andrew Pepoy.
"Zen & the Art of Getting to Class": From being chauffeured to different parts of the building to buying into mystical mumbo-jumbo, Archie is willing to try anything to make it to class on time! SCRIPT: Scott Cunningham. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale newsstand on November 29, 2006
32-page, full color comic, $2.25 U.S.
BETTY & VERONICA #222
"Gift Exchange": An argument over who will buy Archie an expensive MP3 player leaves Christmas fairy Sugar Plum teaching Betty and Veronica lessons about forgiveness and giving from the heart, not the wallet! SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Party Dogs": You know Dancer, Prancer, Comet and Vixen… and now you'll get to know Hot Dog and all his canine friends as Veronica throws a holiday party for the dogs! SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Trip Slip Up!": A slip on the ice keeps Betty off the slopes, but lounging in the ski lodge with her cast and crutches sure attracts all the sympathetic… and cute… guys! SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Jeff Shultz.
On sale newsstand on November 21, 2006
32-page, full color comic, $2.25 U.S.
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #16
FEATURING ANOTHER FRESH APPEARANCE FROM MR. WEATHERBEE'S CUTTING EDGE NIECE, DOUBLE W!
"Instant Chemistry": Unaware that her uncle, Principal Weatherbee, continues to scare away all potential suitors, WW remains baffled as to why she can't get a date. Throwing herself into her eclectic interests to take her mind off her situation, she soon learns Dilton is as interested in computers, entomology, and chemistry as she is… and the key word is "chemistry"! It's a match made in micro-chips, but can it last? SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz. BONUS: Puzzles, games and your chance to "Find Your Name in Print!"
On sale on newsstand December 5, 2006
Full-color digest format, $2.49 U.S.
VERONICA #176
"Shopping 101": Budget cuts force Riverdale High to subsidize by leasing and selling school property to all of Veronica's favorite stores!
"Santa's Little Helper": Veronica secretly takes a "Santa's helper" position to be closer to department store Santa Archie… who unbeknownst to Veronica has left early for the day! "You're Cooked!": Betty and Veronica decide to bake this year's Christmas tree ornaments. Can they keep Jughead from "un-decorating" the tree? SCRIPTS AND ART: Dan Parent.
On sale newsstand on December 5, 2006
32-page, full color comic, $2.25 U.S.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Mark McCoy's preference is behind the scenes these days
"Employee of the Month" stars Jessica Simpson and is directed and written by Greg Coolidge. "Pride" lifts up Tom Arnold (and where's he been, anyway?), with Terrence Howard thrown in for good measure (he's also producing). And "Rogue," scheduled for 2007 release, is an action film directed by Phillip G. Atwell and starring Jet Li.
On another "SB" note, by the way, take the time to visit the IMDb's page on the show and you'll see some fun photos of Robin Wright as Kelly Capwell in the early days of the show. She's there with Stephen Meadows as Peter (now that's really the early days), and in the dress she wore for her wedding to Joe Perkins (Mark Arnold). The IMDb has been adding a lot of photos to its pages, and these particular shots are courtesy of MPTV.net.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Victoria Principal appears on QVC this month
It's the 15th anniversary of Principal's show with this shopping network. QVC describes tomorrow's segment: "Principal Secret delivers the latest in skin care technology, Reclaim with Argireline, proven to deliver results for beautiful, younger-looking skin."
You can visit Principal's QVC shop at http://www.qvc.com/asp/frameset.asp?class=4950&qic=y.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
"Archie" editor answers your questions
According to the Archie press release, Victor Gorelick is a 48-year veteran of the comic industry. He joined Archie Comics as an art assistant, and has served as production coordinator, art director and now as managing editor. He has done everything from writing to coloring in the comics realm. He also is a moving force on the Comic Magazine Association of America’s Code Authority Guidelines Committee, a member of the Board of Advisors of the Joe Kubert School where many of today’s comic artists first learned their craft, and he has taught cartooning as an instructor at the Kingsborough Community College in New York City.
Gorelick is taking questions on anything you want to know about Archie and the Riverdale Gang, Archie Comics in general or the history of the company (maybe even about the "Archie's Weird Mysteries" TV show or comic title!). Send your questions today to questions@archiecomics.com.
BRBTV News Blog Blip: Just one BRBTV birthday this week: Jonathan Frakes, who played Jamie Lee Hogg and fell for Daisy Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard," and who also, of course, went on to shine as Number 1 on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," turns 54 on Saturday, August 19.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
See Tom Wopat in a cozy setting
The show is a benefit for public television in Iowa's Quad Cities area, and tickets are $50 each. Tickets go on sale to the general public on August 30 and will be available by calling WQPT, Quad Cities PBS at (309) 796-2424 or (800) 747-2430.
October 18 is on a Wednesday, and the event starts at 7 p.m. The Redstone Room @ River Music Experience is located at 131 W. Second in Davenport, Iowa. It's about an hour and a half from Peoria, Illinois, or three hours from Chicago or Des Moines.
Thanks to Sheri, the webgirl at TomWopat.com, for passing this item along ...
Monday, August 14, 2006
Final "Dukes" DVD: December 5
It's a cozy family scene on the cover this time around, for the seventh and final DVD in "The Dukes of Hazzard" series. Our three favorite cousins and their Uncle Jesse, Cooter and even Flash (she sure knows what's what and who's who, don't she?). TVShowsonDVD.com has posted the press release for the DVD release, scheduled for December 5, 2006: http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=6224
It's a six-disc set that will run ya $39.98. Besides the 17 final episodes of the series (sob, sob), the DVD set includes a tribute to balladeer Waylon Jennings and a music video starring John Schneider, Tom Wopat and Catherine Bach.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Hagman relishes his juicy guest stint
Liking the idea of branching out into more "adult territory," Hagman told U.S. OK! magazine that in "Nip/Tuck," in a multi-episode arc of the new season, he plays a patient who seeks surgery on his private parts. He "has his gonads removed," Hagman is quoted as saying. "They say, 'What size would you like?' And I say, 'Kiwi size.' Forty years on television and I've never been able to say things like that!" But no one has teased him for his squeaky-clean screen past, the WENN story says, going on to quote Hagman as saying, "Everyone's been so nice to me. Of course, I'm an icon and I expect that s**t!" Ummm ... OK ... "squeaky-clean screen past???" This is the same Larry Hagman we know and love?
Thursday, August 10, 2006
"Dynasty" divas dish again
"Entertainment Tonight," which has already done features on the reunion of Joan Collins and Linda Evans in the stage remake (along with the "Dynasty" reunion that aired recently on CBS), has hit it up once again with a feature on the two divas dishing about plastic surgery, doing their own stunts and stuff like that: http://et.tv.yahoo.com/tv/14321/. It's fun! This page of the "ET" site also links to the Yahoo! Movies pages for each of the two well-loved actresses, which is rather fun, as well, perhaps borrowing its concept from the IMDb but with a different sort of listing of information.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
BRBTV birthdays this week
- Mel Tillis, who played Burl Tolliver (costarring with James Best's wife Dorothy) on an episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard," and also performed as himself on a different episode, turned 74 yesterday, August 8.
- Richard Anderson, whom we loved as Oscar Goldman on "Bionic Woman" but who also played Buck Fallmont on "Dynasty," turned 80 yesterday, August 8.
- Kate O’Mara, the Jackie Collins-type character of Caress Morrell, causing trouble for sis Alexis on "Dynasty," turns 67 tomorrow, August 10, 1939.
- George Hamilton, who had a mean gleam as Joel Abrigore on "Dynasty" but just can't get enough of those Old Navy and snack-chip commercials lately, also turns 67 this year, on Saturday, August 12.
- Jeff Altman, the wholly obnoxious Hughie Hogg on "The Dukes," turns 55 on Sunday, August 13.
Happy birthday to all!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
All Headline News reports why J.Lo left "Dallas"
"The actress was set to play J.R. Ewing's troubled wife, Sue Ellen, in the adaptation of the popular TV drama but turned her back on the project last week," the story says. J.Lo's representative, Leslie Sloane Zelnick, confirmed her departure, All Headline News says, but refused to give a reason for her surprise decision: "It has now been claimed that Lopez hated the script and wasn't happy that Travolta had been handed the role of her on-screen husband."
The news outlet's writer Matthew Borghese had filed a story on Friday about the reported departure: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7004439523
Original director Robert Luketic quit the project earlier this year due to "creative differences" and was replaced by "Bend It Like Beckham" director Gurinda Chadha.