Just one BRBTV birthday this week: Barbara Bel Geddes

The talented and well-regarded (and ever patient) Barbara Bel Geddes, who for so many years portrayed Miss Ellie Ewing on "Dallas," was born on Halloween in 1922 in New York City. She died last year, on August 8, of lung cancer.

K Callan in Stephen Baldwin film

Hearing Jars of Clay sing the famed Christmas carol of the title might be enough in itself to make you want to see the short film "Midnight Clear," but for fans of "Dallas," there's another reason. K Callan, who played April Stevens' mom, Amy Stevens, stars with born-again Christian and former Hollywood heavy Stephen Baldwin of the Baldwin brothers. The story is written by Jerry Jenkins of "Left Behind" book fame, with his son Dallas Jenkins directing. (The younger Jenkins, by the way, also had a hand in the rather-nice "Though None Go With Me" Hallmark movie of earlier this year, starring Cheryl Ladd.)

Watch the trailer at http://www.midnightclearfilm.com.

By the way ... After seeing Baldwin at a celebrity film premiere on Ellis Island in summer 2000, BRBTV is very glad his life has turned to his direction. Check out his websites: www.stephenbaldwin.com and www.thelordslounge.com to see the crazy world he's created in serving the Lord.

Spotted: Deborah Rennard, our own Sly Lovegren of "Dallas," on the arm of her husband, writer / director / producer Paul Haggis, who's a new Hollywood heavy since the success of his films "Crash" and "Million Dollar Baby." Rennard and hubby were attending the Hollywood Film Festival Awards last week: http://www.hellomagazine.com/canada/2006/10/25/paul-haggis/.

It's Michael Silberkleit's turn to answer your Archie questions

Last week it was Archie Comics editor Victor Gorelick; this week ...

Have you ever want the chance to ask the publisher of Archie Comics a question? Now is your chance! As part of the celebration of Archie's 65th anniversary, Archie Comics Chairman and Co-Publisher Michael Silberkleit will answer 25 questions submitted by fans during the December Archie Comics PodCast. If there is something you always wanted to know about Archie or Archie Comics, send them an email, and your question may be selected to be included in this celebration: interviews@archiecomics.com

Hair Dare Dukes Day dates set for 2007

August 10-12 are the dates for next year's annual Hair Dare Dukes Day weekend, organized by Paul Harrington, president of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club. Mark your calendars and plan on making the trek up to the Great White North, because not only is this event packed with "Dukes of Hazzard" stars such as Byron Cherry and Christopher Mayer, but it benefits the cancer society, as well! Fun for a good cause -- now that's what we call a steal of a deal! (And that "Hair Dare" part? Well, now's the time to start those wheels a-turnin' and thinkin' creative-like as to what you're going to do -- cut your hair? Maybe some exotic color? We dare ya!)

For more information, keep your eye on www.CanadianDukes.com.

Al Corley produces 2007 movie

Its stars include Dennis Farina, Tea Leoni, Bill Pullman, Ben Kingsley and Luke Wilson, and it's scheduled for 2007 release. What is it? It's the latest film project of Al Corley, our own original Steven Carrington of "Dynasty."

Corley takes to behind the camera instead of in front of it, serving as producer for "You Kill Me." Producing is nothing new to him; he's been doing a lot of it since his "Dynasty" days, as has been reported here in the BRBTV News Blog.

The plotline of "You Kill Me," from the IMDb: "A hit-man trying to turn his life around gets a job in a mortuary, where he meets a woman who is a relative of one his hits." The movie, classified as a "mob comedy," is directed by John Dahl and was acquired last month by IFC Films. Corley is producing as part of Code Entertainment. There's a little more to learn at http://www.comingsoon.net/news/indietopnews.php?id=16558.

BRBTV birthdays this week ...

- Wolf Muser, who was the sinister Marcello Armonti on "Santa Barbara," terrorizing C.C. Capwell for his supposed wrongs in the second World War, turned 56 on Monday, October 23.
- Scott Jaeck, another "SB" alum as Cain Garver who was spotted more recently as a hired gun on Fox's "Prison Boys" (er, we mean "Prison Break"), turns 52 on Sunday, October 29.

Happy birthday to both of our former "SB" stars ...

Archies editor Victor Gorelick answers your questions

In the continuing interview podcast program of Archie Comics, editor Victor Gorelick steps up to the microphone and takes a turn. The interview, split into five parts, covers comic collecting, working in the comics industry, and the Archie characters themselves. Check it out at:
http://www.archiecomics.com/interviews/interviews.html

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. Gorelick has done everything in comics, from writing to coloring, and everything in-between. He has worked closely with numerous companies designing various custom comic books. For example, he has overseen collaborations between Archie Comics and Kraft General Foods, Radio Shack and even the F.B.I.! He 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.

Check out the cover of the next "Dallas" DVD

TVShowsonDVD.com has posted the cover of the next "Dallas" DVD release, Season 6, as well as an announcement that the DVD set will be released on January 30, 2007.

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=6482

Spotted: Michael Durrell, the charismatic actor who played Alex Nikolas on "Santa Barbara" (whom Lane Davies as Mason has said he really enjoyed working with), playing Gabrielle's lawyer on ABC's "Desperate Housewives" this past week. Durrell has also had 2006 screen credit in the TV movie, "Magma: Volcanic Disaster ," playing the president of the U.S.

Tom Wopat has a couple performance dates coming up

On November 14, Tom Wopat, our own Luke Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," will be appearing in "Chicago the Musical" at the Ambassador Theatre in New York City. This is a special anniversary performance celebrating 10 years on Broadway and to help raise awareness and funds for Safe Horizon, the city's leading victim assistance organization. For tickets and sponsorship information, call (212) 577-7749.

Then, on January 9-13, 2007, Wopat will perform at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: He certainly didn't look happy to be there, but country-music legend Freddy Fender starred in a 1981 episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard," oh-so-appropriately caught in Boss Hogg's celebrity speed trap (the episode was "Bye, Bye, Boss," if you're a-wonderin'). Fender has died of lung cancer at the age of 69. To read more, see http://www.elitestv.com/pub/2006/Oct/EEN4534be8ec7b7e.html.

Heather Locklear working on a couple 2007 projects

Heather Locklear has surely had one of the best careers of anyone who starred on "Dynasty." Powerhouse roles on Fox's "Melrose Place," ABC's "Spin City," even ABC's "Boston Legal" and others have kept her star high in the sky for decades. Now, besides working on the still-to-be-sold-and-scheduled TV series "Women of a Certain Age," in which Locklear headlines as a divorcee who begins a new life with two best friends, Locklear has a couple new movie projects in the works since we last checked in.

"Oranges" is a film set for 2007 release that has a great cast: Tom Arnold, Tom Sizemore, Jill Hennessy, Beverly D'Angelo, Marina Sirtis of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," even Orson Bean from our beloved 1990s "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" on CBS. "Oranges" also features Claire Yarlett, our own Bliss Colby of "The Colbys" -- now where has she been? The flick is being written and directed by Joseph Merhi, from a script that originated in 1990 but was on hold until last year, according to the IMDb.

You can see a photo of Locklear in her role as Irene on the resume page for cinematographer Ken Blakely:
http://www.cinematographers.nl/PaginasDoPh/blakey.htm

Locklear is also working on a new TV movie called "Angels Fall," currently filming in Canada. She plays a chef who "moves to a small town in Wyoming after her Boston restaurant is shut down because of a fatal shooting," according to the IMDb. Locklear's costar in that film, Gary Hudson, played Skip Maitland on "Dynasty" and showed up in an episode of "The Colbys," as well. (And he was Blackie Simpson on another BRBTV show, "Santa Barbara"!) Big-screen name Johnathon Schaech takes to the small screen for a supporting role.

The film is based on the book by Nora Roberts and will air on Lifetime on a Monday night in February, according to MovieWeb.com and ElitesTV.com.

Greg Evigan stars in Lifetime movie this weekend

Greg Evigan creeped us out as Willie Gust, the penny-ante con who charmed and kidnapped our poor little Lucy in the first season ("miniseries") of "Dallas." That was just before he made his name as Billie Joe McKay on NBC's "B.J. and the Bear." This hunky guy was once the "Bionic Boy" on ABC's "Six Million Dollar Man" / "Bionic Woman" tour de force -- can you believe it? (And one of these days we're going to rewatch all those old episodes and be just as happy as a pig in slop!!!! Plus, those "Bionic Boy" storylines also starred Kerry Sherman of "Santa Barbara" and Joan Van Ark of "Dallas" -- ooooh, we just love this whole classic TV thang!). He went on to play a dad in NBC's "My Two Dads," as well as starring in William Shatner's "TekWar" stuff of the 1990s and even a juicy role on Fox's "Melrose Place."

Well ... nowadays, Evigan has been guesting on the stockcar racing show "Racin' for a Livin," and he also stars in "My Silent Partner," airing this Saturday, October 21, on Lifetime, at 3 p.m.

The TV movie, directed by Ron Oliver, is about "a San Francisco policewoman (Joanna Going of the 1990 "Dark Shadows" remake) who accepts a favor from a local crime boss to counter a nasty child custody battle with her ex-husband, and finds herself dangerously entangled with the mob."

No BRBTV birthdays this week, by the way.

The Archies band returns in Tales From Riverdale

Archie #570
“The City Library”: Archie and his friends visit the famous Salt Lake City library, and the popular “Night Flight” comic book store inside! Along the way, they meet comic shop owner Mimi Cruz, library director Nancy Tessman and other real life folks who teach them the importance of literature and all the arts in their state-of-the-art, multimedia facility! “To Act or Not to Act”: When the lead actor in the school play falls ill, both Reggie and Archie claim to be the best actor for the part. To determine who the best actor really is, the drama teacher gives them a tough acting assignment: each must act like the other! Will the curtain fall before our hams even reach the stage? SCRIPTS: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale newsstand October 24, 2006
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

Tales From Riverdale Digest #15
“Shock ‘n Roll”: The Archies are back, and determined to win the “American Icon” talent contest. Unfortunately, their rivals Ray and the Ray-vons are determined to stop them using any dirty tricks necessary. But could their scheme backfire and cause the Archies to unintentionally create a brand-new dance craze?! Check out the musical mayhem for yourself! SCRIPT AND ART: Tim Kennedy. BONUS: Puzzles, games and your chance to “Find Your Name in Print!”
On sale newsstand October 24, 2006
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

Only John Travolta survives "Dallas" cast slash-and-burn

Variety Magazine has reported that the entire cast of the big-screen "Dallas" remake movie, set to begin filming this fall, has been let go, save one ... Mr. John Travolta, upon whom the whole film is pinned, evidently, anyway.

"Helmer Gurinder Chadha, who took over the reins in April, is still attached but will make her final decision as to whether she'll direct the pic when the new cast comes together," Variety's Nicole LaPorte reports. "Robert Harling's script may be tweaked, but a major overhaul is not planned.Luke Wilson, who was cast as Bobby Ewing, has a pay-or-play deal that's up in January but is no longer in the cast."

Filming is on hold, and the hope is to begin rolling in early 2007 with the new cast. Out of the picture are megawatt names such as Shirley MacLaine, who was set to play Miss Ellie, and it's all about the dollars, Variety says. "The new mission is to make 'Dallas' for a substantially lower price than its most recent $65 million budget by going out to thesps with lower quotes."

"Furthermore, Chadha, who replaced helmer Robert Luketic, was not happy with the cast, and focus group research concluded that J.R. was the only character auds felt strongly about."

Read the full story at http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117951834?categoryid=13&cs=1

John Forsythe announces he has cancer

It's heartbreaking, for sure, that "Dynasty" fans have seen John Forsythe looking so weak this past year. Now, our own Blake Carrington, also known so well as the voice of Charles Townsend in the 1970s "Charlie's Angels," has come forward and announced he has colon cancer.

The diagnosis was made a couple weeks ago for the 88-year-old star. He's being treated at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. His publicist says he's expected to make a full recovery.

If you want to read more, here are some links ...

http://www.etonline.com/celebrities/news/37447/index.html
http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,20227,00.html?fdnews
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003252781

Watch for a "Dukes" museum in Canada

Paul Harrington is known in "Dukes of Hazzard" circles as a really big fan in the Great White North. He's the president of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club, as well as the Jerry Rushing Fan Club, and he and his General Lee, Hazzard County sheriff's cars and boat, and traveling "Dukes" museum are a fixture at "Dukes"-related events.

Well, Paul has been working on a permanent "Dukes of Hazzard" museum at his home in Ruscom Station, Ontario. He tells BRBTV that he expects to have it up and running in the summer of 2009. A couple weeks back, he wrote, "We dug the first hole in the ground to get the Dukes Musuem offically started. We will pour the cement maybe later today; it is a big hole in the ground to rest the two beams on that will hold the third story (a 20' wide by 40' long Dukes room)." Three levels? Wowzers.

Here is a photo of the property where the museum is being built. You can track the progress of the museum at Paul's website, http://www.canadiandukes.com/ourbuilding.html. And if you want to see a little of his display, check the May 24 post of this BRBTV News Blog.

Betty Cooper, female racecar driver!

MAMARONECK, NY – In the world of auto racing, nothing has been more exciting and inspiring than the rise of female racecar drivers. Fearlessly competing against their male counterparts, several female drivers have made their marks in this popular sport.

From pioneers like Janet Guthrie (the first woman to qualify and compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500) and Lyn St. James (the first woman to win the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year award), to today’s top female drivers like Sarah Fisher (the first woman to win pole position in a major North American open-wheel race) and the phenomenally popular Danica Patrick (the first female driver to lead the race at Indianapolis), female auto racers have captured the hearts and imaginations of the nation’s youth, especially young girls.

Longtime readers of Archie Comics know that ever-popular Betty Cooper is fearless in her own right. It’s only natural that her interests in sports in general and auto mechanics in particular would combine for the inevitable: Betty Cooper, racecar driver!

This January, in Archie #572, Betty gets a chance to rev her engine. In the story, “The Fast Track to Success,” Mr. Lodge is the proud sponsor of one of the swiftest motor sports teams around, but his pride runs out of gas when one of his rivals lures away his top driver and pit crew! Not to worry, though – Betty Cooper has offered to get behind the wheel, with Archie and the gang as her makeshift pit crew! Does Betty have what it takes to outrace the overconfident male drivers?

Archie #572
Ships January 3, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Stan Goldberg.

BRBTV birthdays this week ...

- John O’Hurley, who was the second Stephen Slade on "Santa Barbara" and so many other things over the years, including a fabulous "Seinfeld" role and that "Dancing With the Stars" gig, turned 50 yesterday, October 9.
- J. Eddie Peck, who's a BRBTV double-shot with his roles on our two primetime biggies, Tommy McKay on "Dallas" and Roger Grimes on "Dynasty," turns 48 today, October 10.
- Greg Evigan, who was Willie Gust on "Dallas" but is better known for "B.J. and the Bear" (and sorry, IMDb, his first name was spelled like BRB's own -- Billie -- on the side of his big rig on-screen, but hey, we're quite used to having that name mispelled!), turns 53 on Saturday, October 14.

Happy birthday to all!

Have you seen .... ?

... Robin Wright Penn of "Santa Barbara" starring with Jude Law and Juliette Binoche in "Breaking and Entering"? You can view trailers and images here:

http://www.worstpreviews.com/review.php?id=220
http://1.aamoviez.com/movies/Breaking_and_Entering

The career of our own beloved original Kelly Capwell just keeps going and going! As reported here in the BRBTV News Blog, she's got several more projects going on this year and next year.

... Stephanie Beacham of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys" in the British TV series "Bad Girls"? Beacham, our own Sable Colby, plays Phyllida Oswyn in the drama about the staff and inmates of a women's prison.

Splashin' out John Schneider's new film ...

Wow, this MySpace thing is really a contagion, isn't it? Even celebrities are making pages, and even celebrities who already have their own official websites are making pages ... Kinda makes ya just wanna hop on, ya know? At any rate, have you seen the MySpace page of John Schneider, our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard" who's been diligently working on his own film, soon to be released?

http://www.myspace.com/collier_and_co

(And hey, he may be a 46-year-old, male, married Aries to anyone out there who's been living in a cave, but to us, he's just fantastic!) Anyway, he's got a great list of bookings for the film, along with links, a clip from the movie, a list of friends that includes (of course) Tom Wopat and Catherine Bach and friend comments that roll into the ozone. Generating excitement? Yea, I'd say he is ...

Jack Coleman in "Beautiful Loser"

The BRBTV News Blog noted the spotting of Jack Coleman, our second Steven Carrington of "Dynasty" on the new NBC show "Heroes" (and what a sinister turn it is for our upright Steven). Well, Coleman's also working on a movie project this year, entitled "Beautiful Loser."

The movie, in which Coleman plays the character Jimmy, is written and directed by John Nolte. The plotline from the IMDb: "His parents named him Reginald Regineld. His friends call him "Ditto." At the age of eleven he decided he wasn't going to do anything with his life. And that was going pretty well until senior year when he saw Tracy. This wasn't so much love at first sight as much as it was "completely-head-over-heels-gonna-get-her-at-any-price-even-if-I-make-a-complete-fool-of-myself" love at first sight. And it would burn for decades. Whether she loved him or not."

Cynthia Gibb and William Katt also star. Check out the director's blog at http://beautifullosering.blogspot.com/.

Coming out in Archies next week ...

Archie Digest #229
The adventures of America 's favorite teen continue with 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 October 10, 2006
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

Betty & Veronica #221
“The Big Prize”: A Halloween costume contest judged by renowned luminaries from the fashion and entertainment worlds leads Veronica to more costume changes than a diva in concert! SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Jeff Shultz. “Career Daze”: Veronica gets a lesson in judging books by their covers when she realizes that the professional scientists and law enforcement agents at career day are as attractive as the super model! SCRIPT: Barbara Slate. “Code in the Head”: Betty has dropped what appears to be a mysterious code, and it’s got Veronica’s brain doing crazy, cryptic back flips! SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Jeff Shultz.
On sale newsstand October 10, 2006
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BRBTV birthdays this week ...

- Jack Wagner, who was our final Warren Lockridge on "Santa Barbara," along with a host of other soap opera roles in the '80s and '90s, turns 47 today, October 3.
- Charlton Heston, our giant Jason Colby on "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," turns 83 tomorrow, October 4.
- Christopher Norris, who was the demented Laura Asher on "SB," will turn 53 on Saturday, October 7.

Happy birthday to all!

Watch the trailer for "The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning"

The trailer for the newest "The Dukes of Hazzard" movie is up and running (special thanks to Chad for the tipoff at the car show yesterday in the birthplace of the "Dukes," Covington, Georgia!). You can watch the trailer at the IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800328/trailers-screenplay-E28933-10-2

It looks like a rip-roaring good time, and of course, we're all hopin' it's an improvement over the 2005 big-screen installment. This one is due to the DVD shelves next spring. Willie Nelson as Uncle Jesse is the only one who reprises his role from the 2005 parody, and Daisy is lookin' a bit more like herself in this 2007 version, if we do say so ourselves (and soundin' more like herself, in that last scene of the trailer). And if you don't know it, this one is a "prequel" for our "Dukes" lore, the story of Bo and Luke when they first move to the Duke farm in Hazzard County. (And Flash is just a pup, from the looks of it! Roooowwwwllllffff!)

Patrick Duffy in new 2007 project, and Spotted: Jack Coleman

Our handsome Bobby Ewing of "Dallas," Mr. Patrick Duffy, is working on a new project for 2007. It's a comedy movie called "He's Such a Girl." The film also stars Alexandra Paul of 1990s "Baywatch" and Ed Begley Jr. Duffy plays the father of the title character. The movie is being directed by Sean Carr and written by Jimmy Gleacher, and it's classified as in postproduction.

Spotted: Meanwhile ... did you spot Jack Coleman the other night on the brand-spanking-new "Heroes" TV series on NBC? The show, a drama about normal people who discover they have abnormal powers, just premiered and is already generating some buzz. Coleman, our own second Steve Carrington of "Dynasty," popped up as the father of the teen cheerleader who is invulnerable to physical injury (her, not him). It is a rather sinister role for Coleman, horned-rim glasses and all, with some decidedly darker hair, as well. "Heroes" airs at 9 p.m. EST Mondays. And thank-you, evolving technology! -- you can watch the whole episode on NBC's website.

Christine Belford takes on a "Ruffian"

Christine Belford just has one of those faces, you know? When you spot her in a scene, you just know you've seen her star in lots of other stuff. BRBTV just loved her in that "Wonder Woman" episode, "Wonder Woman Meets Baroness Paula Von Gunther." (Not to mention she has always had an uncanny resemblance to Jaclyn Smith!) Besides her role as Susan Farragut on "Dynasty," she's done a ton of other classic TV, like "Battlestar Galactica," "Barnaby Jones," "Fantasy Island," "Murder, She Wrote," "Family Ties" and so much more. Now, Belford has a new project planned for 2007.

Called "Ruffian," the TV movie offers "a look at the life of the thoroughbred filly that dominated horse racing in the early 1970s," according to its IMDb page. Belford plays a character named Barbara Janney in the film, directed by Yves Simoneau and written by Jim Burnstein and Ross Parker. Belford's husband, Nicholas Pryor, a prolific actor himself, plays Stuart Janney in the film. Sam Shepard is also among the large cast.