Lee 1: The unveiling!

Yowza ... we're finally comin' up for air; it's been a long weekend, to say the least. And the highlight, of course, was the unveiling of the newly restored first-ever General Lee car of the TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard," a car affectionately termed Lee 1.

It was enough to make you cry, seeing Lee 1 pull up in the historic square of Covington, Georgia, this past Saturday, with John Schneider -- the only "Dukes" star to ever drive the car -- behind the wheel. But when Schneider came outta that car (through the window!) wearing his trademark Bo Duke beige-yellowish shirt ... holy cow, I think I did start to cry! With his hair grown out a bit -- sooooooo Bo-esque -- Schneider climbed out and immediately started meeting and greeting and signing for the massive throng that was crowded around the gated-off and police-guarded alcove of the car, there across the street from Covington's famous courthouse. And he didn't stop. For hours. He kept signing and signing, determined to make the day of every fan who was there. He did make our day, for sure. Many fans drove a long way to see the historic Lee 1 unveiling and Schneider (BRBTV's buddy Paul Harrington of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club and his crew -- son Lance and buds Mike and Jason -- drove all night from those northern regions, then turned right back around and drove back to get to work on Monday!). Schneider, gracious as always, coupled Friday and Saturday showings of his independent film "Collier and Co." with the Lee 1 unveiling.

But the event was, of course, all about the car (just like "The Dukes" was, don't we know!). This was the very first General Lee, the car that made the very first jump for the show, and though its life was short (the pilot episode, then an appearance as the wrecked Petty car a couple episodes later in "Repo Men"), it has been given new life now. The owner of Lee 1, who acquired the vehicle a couple years back, went to great expense to restore the car to the condition it was when it left the ramp at Oxford College on November 11, 1978, 28 years to the day before this Saturday's grand unveiling. And indeed, the car looked beyond beautiful, with as many parts still original as possible, its familiar orange-red exterior shimmering in the sparse sun of the afternoon (Schneider told fans that it was raining on that day of the 1978 jump, too!). For instance, the motor is the same, steering wheel, dash, even some of the grease and grime are still there from its 1978 high-point. A sticker from a California college is still on its windshield, a remnant from Warner Bros' purchase of the vehicle in 1978. It was truly a lovely sight to behold.

The car is now going to embark on a tour of the country for a couple years, leading up to its official 30th anniversary as the very first General Lee. The car's owner insists that he's not really the owner, that this blazin' orange beauty is really owned by the fans. "You just don't own an American icon," he told BRBTV.

Team Lee 1, as the restoration crew has been dubbed, put on a rockin'-great event for fans this past Saturday. And it's just always a fabbo time in the birthplace of "The Dukes," isn't it? Special thanks, also, to the brand-new Covington Dukes Fan Club (look for more on them later this week in the BRBTV News Blog), the Fullerton family (who are always a delight to chat with), and Dianne and Harold and the rest of the A Touch of Country shop crew for doing that great thing they always do.

To see some photos of the Lee 1 unveiling, check out the message boards at the Confederate General Lee Fan Club and the North American General Lee Fan Club.

Tracy Scoggins working on "Babylon 5"

Tracy Scoggins has no trouble keeping herself busy these days, years after we knew her as Monica Colby on "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," as Anita Smithfield on "Dallas: War of the Ewings," and as a lovely blonde cop in "The Dukes of Hazzard"! She appeared in the first episode of "Nip / Tuck" this season. Now, she's also working on the next installment of the popular "Babylon 5" universe.

Scoggins played Capt. Elizabeth Lochley in the original 1990s "Babylon 5" series, which also featured BRBTV stars such as Lenore Kasdorf (Caroline Wilson on "Santa Barbara") and Robin Sachs (our onetime Adam Carrington in the "Dynasty" reunion movie). The new "Babylon 5: The Lost Tales" film will play her character more prominently. The movie, also starring Bruce Boxleitner, is scheduled to start its shooting in Vancouver, B.C., on November 13 or 14, according to Vex.net. It will be released to DVD.

Big Apple Con rolls out the "Dukes," "SB" stars

All the geek-nerd-pocket-protector jokes aside, BRBTV just loves a good con -- you know? Ahhhh ... we hearken back to the day of covering them for the media ... sigh ....

Well, the Big Apple Con is really rolling out a good one next weekend. If you're in New York City or can be, it's a don't-miss situation. Not only will our own Daisy Duke, aka Catherine Bach of "The Dukes of Hazzard," be there, but some other goodies, as well.

Scroll through the list at www.bigapplecon.com and you'll also see two grande dames from "Santa Barbara": Louise Sorel, our unforgettable Augusta Lockridge, and Marj Dusay, our equally unforgettable second Pamela Conrad. (They're billed as "Star Trek" stars, ironically, and while BRBTV will always dearly love the original "Star Trek" series, their time on "SB" just far eclipses that!) Behold, also, John Wesley Shipp, who played Martin Ellis on "SB," and whom BRBTV got to touch base with at the Motor City Con in May (see our May 25 post).

The Big Apple Con is at the Penn Plaza Paviliion, 401 Seventh Avenue at 33rd St. (across the street from Madison Square Garden) in New York. Dates are November 17-19 with the hours of Friday 1 to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.

We just love it when the holiday Archies issues arrive

Veronica #175
"The Doghouse": It’s no longer enough to keep up with the Jones’s… now the rich have to keep up with their doghouses, too, as Veronica’s rival flaunts her dog’s designer doghouse! Can Veronica outdo her rival with her own custom-made canine castle? SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent. “Face in the Crowd”: Veronica does such a good job on her essay that the teacher insists she read it at the big class assembly. To keep from freezing with fright, Veronica decides to focus on a friendly face in the crowd, but what if the owner of that face (Archie) doesn’t show up? SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Dan Parent.
On sale now at newsstand.
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

Betty #160
“Spreading the Word”: In an effort to improve attendance for their girl’s basketball team games, Betty and her teammates appeal to their girl-crazy and snack-crazy boyfriends to show up! SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg. “Construction Dysfunction”: Determined not to be upstaged by the neighbor, Betty’s dad decides to do some home improvement repairs himself… even if he’ll need to hire a real handyman to fix his work later! SCRIPT: Bill Golliher. ART: Stan Goldberg. “Out of Sight, Out of Mind”: Betty is determined not to obsess over “what’s his name,” no matter how many things remind her of him! SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale now at newsstand.
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

Betty & Veronica Spectacular #76
“Jingle’s Jangled!”: Betty and Veronica are smitten by the new hunk at school… just wait until they find out it’s really Jingles, Santa’s now ex-elf in disguise! Jingles hopes to get a taste of Archie’s life, but soon realizes the snow isn’t always whiter on the other side of the sleigh! SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent. “Present Tense”: When Betty and Veronica spot Archie picking up a giant self-portrait at the photo shop, each thinks it’s their Christmas gift! SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale newsstand November 14, 2006
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

Holiday Fun Digest #11
Tis the season to be jolly as Archie and his friends celebrate in true holiday style! Archie and crew have long displayed their holiday spirit, and now through the magic of the digest series, many of the Christmas classics of old are re-presented along with new yuletide tales. It’s a stocking-full of good holiday cheer you won’t want to miss! “Holiday Rush”: Betty and Veronica lament the fact that the stores seem to rush the holiday months before it hits…until Mr. Lodge gives them some early Christmas gifts! “Gift Horse Laugh”: Reggie gets a nice holiday bonus at his job and the gang suspects he’s going to spend it all on himself. Or will the holiday spirit dictate otherwise? “Gift Exchange”: Chuck and Moose are having a hard time figuring out what to get their girlfriends for Christmas, until they make suggestions for each other’s girls! SCRIPTS: Mike Pellowski. ART: Tim Kennedy. PLUS: Class yuletide tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
On sale newsstand November 14, 2006
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

BRBTV birthdays this week

- Todd McKee, our own original Ted Capwell on "Santa Barbara," turns 43 today, November 7.
- Russell Johnson, who is a BRBTV triple-shot for playing Sheriff Wyatt Mansfield on "Dallas," Earl Thompson on "Dynasty" and the third Roger Wainwright (Julia's dad) on "SB," turns 82 on Friday, November 10.
- Jack Scalia, the mysterious Nicholas Pearce / Joey Lombardi on "Dallas," has a birthday on Friday, as well, turning 55.
- Vincent Irizarry, a bigtime soaper who was Scott Clark on "SB," turns 47 on Sunday, November 12.

Happy birthday to all!

Watch Joan Collins do the splits!

Funny, how our eyes can still pop out of our heads when we read that a beloved star like Joan Collins can be 73 years old! Well, ABC News has checked in with our "Dynasty" diva Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan, and they reveal her age and quite a lot more ...

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=2602128&page=1

ABC offers you a five-minute video of their interview -- including our Joan doing the splits! Yikes! She does, indeed, travel well after so many years, certainly something to aspire to. The hook that ABC hangs this new interview on is Joan's new book, "The Art of Living Well," the latest in a long line of books, fiction and nonfiction, from the lady. The story includes an excerpt from the book.

"People are only young for a very short part of their lives," she tells the interviewer. Instruct us, Joan!

Are you coming to Covington to see Lee 1?

A week from tomorrow is a historic day in the beloved lore of "The Dukes of Hazzard." On that day, fans will get to see the restoration of the very first blazin' orange General Lee that ever took a jump in the name of "The Dukes." Lee 1, as it was labeled by the show's production team, and as it has come to be known by "Dukes" fans everywhere, will arrive into downtown Covington on Saturday, November 11, 2006, the actual 28th anniversary of the car's jump at Oxford College for the show's pilot episode.

The car's owner has chatted with BRBTV about his loving restoration of the vehicle since its recovering in a junkyard in Metro Atlanta a few years ago, where it had sat since its second appearance on the show, as the wrecked race car in the episode "Repo Men." Lee 1's new owner has taken great care in returning the 1969 Dodge Charger to its original condition -- but he's quick to clarify that it's the condition the car was in when it left the ramp at Oxford, not when it rolled off the assembly line. Many parts are original, believe it or not, having survived the jump. The car even still bears the same college sticker on the windshield it had when it was called into duty for the filming. Lee 1's owner has restored the car for the fans, he tells BRBTV, as he believes that car truly belongs to all of us who've watched and loved the show for nearly 30 years.

And who will be behind the wheel when Lee 1 enters the historic square in Covington and takes its place in front of the courthouse at 1 p.m. on that day? None other than John Schneider, our own Bo Duke, who is the only "Dukes" actor to have driven the vehicle.

Also in Covington, on Friday night, Schneider will give "Dukes" fans a special showing of his new film, "Collier and Co." To learn more about that, check out his website for the film.

In case you can't make the trip to Covington (birthplace of "The Dukes," for sure) we'll be postin' some good ole snapshots of the beautiful car on this very blog for you to behold ... But hope to see ya there!

J. Eddie Peck strikes "Mexican Gold"

It's about time for the BRBTV News Blog to check in with J. Eddie Peck, that handsome, hunky kind of actor who represents both of the primetime soaps of BRBTV: On "Dallas," he was the sinister, drug-addicted Tommy McKay, who terrorized April Stevens and Bobby Ewing. On "Dynasty," he was the also-sinister Roger Grimes of the Grimes murder case of the show's final season. Now Peck has a new project in the works, the film "Mexican Gold," directed and written by Chuck Walker.

The movie, which was filming this past summer, also stars the equally hunky Lorenzo Lamas of "Falcon Crest" fame. It's an 1873 period indie Western. You can see a couple shots from the film at star Samantha Lockwood's website.

Also this year, Peck has played the character Adam Baylin in the sci-fi series "Kyle XY." You can keep up with him at his official website, which has been under construction lately but still has contact info.

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!