BRBTV birthdays this week

We've got lotsa "Santa Barbara" goin' on in this week's birthday roundup ...

- Joshua Harris, our darling little Christopher Ewing of "Dallas," is a big boy now, turning 28 yesterday, November 27.
- Gina Gallego, one of the Santana Andrades on "SB" (third or fourth or 85th or something -- who could keep track?), turns 47 on Thursday, November 30.
- Sherilyn Wolter, the evil Elena Nikolas / Capwell on "SB," has a birthday on Thursday, as well, turning 45.
- Forry Smith, the dashing Reese Walker on "SB," will turn 54 on Friday, December 1.
- Charlene Tilton, little Lucy Ewing of "Dallas," turns 48 on Friday, December 1.
- Nicolas Coster, the unforgettable Lionel Lockridge on "SB," turns 72 on Sunday, December 3.

Happy birthday to all!

John Novak will appear on "Smallville"

Fans of "The Dukes of Hazzard" know the CW's "Smallville" as the most recent TV show John Schneider (aka, Bo Duke) has starred on. Well, "Santa Barbara" fans take note and tune in, especially if you're a fan of the wily district attorney, Keith Timmons: John Novak, who took over the Keith role in later years, will star in the Thursday, December 7 episode of the popular show about the young Clark Kent.

Novak will play a character named Jed McNally, neighbor to Clark in Smallville. In the episode, called "Subterranean," Clark learns that McNally is holding migrant laborers captive and forcing them to work on his farm. Clark decides to solve the problem (as he so often does -- no cape and tights yet, but this guy's a real hero). Caroline Dries wrote the episode, which was directed by Rick Rosenthal.

It's fun to see Novak playing slimy and evil again. He also appeared in a 2005 episode of "Smallville," by the way, playing a Metropolis University football coach. Currently, he's working on the TV movie "Last Chance Cafe," also starring Kevin Sorbo of "Hercules" fame.

Meet Archies artist Craig Boldman at Mid-Ohio-Con

The Mid-Ohio-Con is a great tradition in the comics world, and one where BRBTV has met some cool folks over the years. It's also Ohio's largest and longest-running comic book and pop-culture collectors show. It runs this weekend, November 25 and 26, at the Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High Street, Columbus. (And Columbus has a nice downtown area to walk around in after the show, by the way!)

One of the guests at this year's Mid-Ohio-Con is Archie Comics' artist Craig Boldman, who will be at booth #414, the National Cartoonists Society booth, where he will be keeping company with a number of fine cartoonists from the fields of syndicated strips, editorial cartoons and book illustration. Boldman, known for his work on the character Jughead, will have 250 Jughead comics to sign and hand out to Jughead fans, and he says he is looking forward to meeting Archie Comics readers.

On Sunday at 1 p.m., he will be moderating the National Cartoonists Society panel in room B. Founded in 1946, the venerable professional cartoonist organization has a thriving chapter in the Great Lakes region. Meet a bunch of its members who do syndicated strips, editorial cartoons, comics, books, advertising and more. Find out what they're up to and what the organization is all about. On the docket: Tony Cochran (Agnes), Roy Doty (Wordless Workshop, recipient of NCS Illustrator of the Year Award for 2006), Steve Boreman (Little Dog Lost, launching in 2007), Terri Libenson (Pajama Diaries), Jeff Stahler (editorial cartoonist, Columbus Dispatch), Matt Feazell (Disney Adventures), and Daryll Collins (Sports Illustrated for Kids).

For more information about the Mid-Ohio-Con, call (614) 431-3600, or visit the official website. Meanwhile, coming up next week in Archie Comics ...

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 November 29, 2006
32-page, full-color comic, $2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #147
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 November 29, 2006
Full-color digest format, $3.69 U.S.

For your Thanksgiving viewing pleasure

OK, the TV is on NBC's coverage of the Macy's parade, there's a truly dreadful cup of coffee in front of us, and before we start digging through the Christmas decorations here at BRBTV headquarters (and before we start thinking about whipping up that batch of Beagle Baileys -- email if you want the recipe!), there's just a couple fun things we've got to share with ya ...

Not into the Thanksgiving Day parades? (And hey, we can't find a broadcast of the Dee-troit parade from way down here in Georgia, anyhow!) Well, right now on the Hallmark Channel, you can see one of our BRBTV stars, Rosemary Forsyth (who was the original Sophia Capwell on "Santa Barbara"), in "A Time to Remember." At 1 p.m. EST today, Hallmark shows "The Reading Room," starring Joanna Cassidy, who was the intriguing Sally Bullock on "Dallas." Then, at 3 p.m., it's "Our House," featuring Ellen Geer (Dr. Anita Krane on "Dallas," Dorothy on "SB" and a brief uncredited role on the pilot of "Dynasty") and Greg Evigan (Willie Gust on "Dallas"). This evening at 9, it's Shannon Wilcox, memorable as the crazy Anita who taunts J.R. in the asylum in later "Dallas," in "A Boyfriend for Christmas."

At 10 a.m. on TCM, you can see Janis Paige, our second Minx Lockridge on "SB," in her younger years on "Please Don't Eat the Daisies." At noon on FMC, catch Barbara Eden, who graced "Dallas" in the later years as LeeAnn de la Vega, in "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." At the same time on TCM, it's "The Glass Bottom Boat" featuring the aforementioned Ellen Geer. Fun!

(And hey, this weekend, be sure to catch John Schneider, our own Bo Duke, in "Felicity: An American Girl Adventure," Saturday at 5 p.m. on Hallmark.)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, from BRBTV ...

BRBTV birthdays this week

We've got a heapin' helpin' of BRBTV birthdays this week ...

- Joseph Campanella, a true classic actor who is a BRBTV double-shot for his roles as mobster Joseph Lombardi Sr. on "Dallas" and Hutch Corrigan on "The Colbys," turned 73 yesterday, November 21.
- Deborah Shelton, the stunning Mandy Winger on "Dallas," turned 54 yesterday, November 21.
- Maxwell Caulfield, our own Miles Colby of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," turns 47 tomorrow, November 23.
- Michael Brainard, our final Ted Capwell on "Santa Barbara," turns 41 tomorrow, November 23.
- Roscoe Born, our "SB" evil-twin actor as Robert Barr and Quinn Armitage, turns 56 on Friday, November 24.
- And ... sigh ... one of BRBTV's very favorite actors ... the wonderful, the great, the accomplished, the amazing (!) Ricardo Montalban, who was Zach Powers on "The Colbys" among so many other things, will turn 86 on Saturday, November 25.
- Marcy Walker, our own Eden Capwell of "SB" who since has settled into work for God's Kingdom, turns 45 on Sunday, November 26.

Happy birthday to all!

Newspaper profiles avid "Dukes" fan

Dustin Edsall of Muskegon, Michigan, is a diehard, lifelong "Dukes of Hazzard" fan, and he sent BRBTV this photo and newspaper clipping to prove it! The 28-year-old was just profiled by the Muskegon Chronicle for his love of "The Dukes." The daily newspaper did a nice writeup and photos of Dustin, touching on the "Roads Back to Hazzard" tour he attended in the Covington / Conyers / Oxford areas of Georgia back in March (organized by the Hazzard County Car Club -- see the March 4, 7 and 8 posts of the BRBTV News Blog). The paper also mentioned the November 11, 2003 jump of the General Lee in Conyers for the show's 25th anniversary, running a photo from Dustin of the jump.

The clipping above ran a week ago Saturday, the date of the 28th anniversary of the very first jump of the very first General Lee for the show, and the date that Lee 1 was unveiling in downtown Covington. Thanks, Dustin, for passing along this clip, and for sharing the love of "The Dukes" ...

Tom Wopat sets some January tour dates

We've been doin' a lot of "The Dukes" here on the BRBTV News Blog lately, because there's a lot of "The Dukes" to be done! Today, we're hittin' on some new tour dates for our good-ole-boy songster, Mr. Tom Wopat, who even flexed his vocal cords a time or two during his run as Luke Duke ...

- On January 5-8, 2007, Wopat will appear at the Metropolitan Room in New York City.

- On January 9-13, he'll travel to the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. He'll be part of the Royal Room's 2007 Cabaret season, which will also include Diahann Carroll of "Dynasty."

- Then, on January 21, he will be at the Arts Presenters Conference at the Hilton Hotel back in New York City. This one features multiple acts, each performing a 20-minute set.

Coming up tomorrow ... a special glimpse at a hard-core "Dukes" fan in Michigan ...

Check out the Covington "Dukes" Fan Club

There's a new "Dukes" club in town, and when we say "in town," we mean THE town ... beautiful Covington, Georgia, the birthplace of "The Dukes of Hazzard."

Chad Fullerton, an avid "Dukes" fan since he was just a little tyke watching the original airings on CBS Friday nights, has formed the Covington, Georgia "Dukes of Hazzard" Fan Club. That's him, in this photo, beholdin' his very first General Lee (he told BRBTV it wasn't the greatest replica in the world -- but he was still excited!). His dad, another avid "Dukes" fan, Jim Fullerton, is the shadow who's taking the shot!



Chad has been working with Rose King and Albert Landis to get the website for the Covington club up and running, and the team has been taking fan club signups at "Dukes" events such as last weekend's unveiling of the lovely Lee 1. Now, next Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, the Covington, Georgia "Dukes of Hazzard" Fan Club will have a raffle drawing for a cool "Dukes" model car. It will be held on the historic square in -- you guessed it -- Covington.


Check out the website, and you can sign up to join the club, watch for future events, see photos from past events or just chat. And if you want to know more about the club, contact Chad, Rose or Albert. Best wishes to the club! Yeeeeeee-haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Cheryl Blossom returns to the Archies pages

OK, BRBTV hasn't been buying that many Archie Comics since the disappearance of the vivacious redhead Cheryl Blossom (sorry, Mr. Silberkleit!), so imagine our excitement when we get the latest news release from Archie, announcing an upcoming issue featuring our favorite fiery femme ...

"Betty and Veronica will not be outdone," says the release for Betty & Veronica issue #225. "Not when the 'nemesis' in question is Cheryl Blossom! In 'Now for a Really Super Story, Cheryl has larceny on her mind – she’s determined to steal Archie away from his gal pals! What she didn’t count on is Betty and Veronica becoming super-heroic protectors of their man! Veronica dazzles as Pure Fashion Diva Supreme, endowed with the ability to use fashion as a weapon! Betty hits a homer as Pretty Game Star Deluxe, an athletic powerhouse using sports to win in the ultimate competition!" Great! Bring it on!

Also coming up in the Archies ...

ARCHIE DIGEST #230
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 November 21, 2006
Full-color digest format, $2.49 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 November 21, 2006
32-page, full-color comic, $2.25 U.S.

BRBTV birthdays this week

- Dack Rambo, the hunky Jack Ewing of "Dallas," was born on November 13, 1941 and died of AIDS on March 21, 1994.
- Tracy Scoggins, our Monica Colby of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," as well as Anita Smithfield on "Dallas: War of the Ewings," turned 47 on Monday, November 13.
- Tricia Cast, who was Christy Duvall on "Santa Barbara," turns 38 tomorrow, November 16.
- Brandon Call, the third Brandon DeMott Capwell on "SB," who was also notable as J.T. Lambert on ABC's sitcom "Step By Step" (side-by-side with Sasha Mitchell and Patrick Duffy of "Dallas"), as well as Hobie Buchanon in the syndicated "Baywatch," turns a so-young 30 on Friday, November 17.
- Rock Hudson, who played Daniel Reece on "Dynasty," was born on November 17, 1925 and, like Dack Rambo, died of AIDS, on October 2, 1985.
- Linda Evans, Hudson's on-screen love interest for a time, as Krystle on "Dynasty," turns 66 on Saturday, November 18.

Deborah Tranelli: From Ewing Oil to the theater

For a decade she was Phyllis Wapner, secretary to Bobby Ewing, on "Dallas." Faithful and true, she served her boss with discretion and respect at the Ewing Oil offices. Since her "Dallas" days, however, Deborah Tranelli has been spending more time and energy on a longtime love: music. She's released an album, called "A Lot of Livin'," and she's got some shows going on, too.

"Right now, I’m working on two new musicals that are being developed," Tranelli tells BRBTV. "The one project is called ‘Friends Like These,’ and it’s kind of like a musical ‘Sex in the City,’ but not quite as racy. It’s very witty, sharp dialogue, but with the topics of a woman in New York. I play a daytime soap actress, sort of a Susan Lucci character. It’s probably going to begin in 2007. They’re looking for the money right now. Karen Mason is also in it. It’s just a four-person cast. We hope that we’ll get a production somewhere in New York, but they might develop it at a regional theater."

Sounds fun. Tranelli has had a lot of love for theater, particularly smaller theater. "Broadway is wonderful, and off-Broadway is," she says, "but there is some wonderful stuff coming out of regional theater. I’ve worked all over the country. There’s wonderful, healthy theater all over the place."

And looking to the more distant future? Tranelli says she has no immediate plans for a second album release, but ... "I’m hopefully going to be booking some concert work, probably for the 2007 season. … And I just finished doing a production of ‘The Full Monty.’ I was one of the wives (she laughs). I played Vicki."

"I’m always auditioning," she adds, "just like every other actor. You finish one thing, and you’re on to the next audition."

Sing on, Ms. Tranelli!

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 ...