BRBTV birthdays this week

- Dane Witherspoon, who originated the role of Joe Perkins on "Santa Barbara," turns 49 today, December 27.
- Terri Garber, who was the feisty Leslie Carrington on "Dynasty," turns 46 tomorrow, December 28.
- Barbara Carrera, who played the evil Angelica Nero on "Dallas," turns 55 on New Year's Eve, December 31.

Happy birthday to all!

Have you seen John O'Hurley's new book?

Long before he did "Seinfeld" or that whole "Dancing With the Stars" thing, John O'Hurley was Stephen Slade on "Santa Barbara." Smooth and confident, he was a delight. Now, O'Hurley is an author, releasing the book "It's Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump: And Other Life Lessons I Learned from Dogs" just last month.

“Dogs, after all, have pure hearts, trusting natures, a zest for living, noble characters, and an ability to take things in stride,” O’Hurley explains in the book’s introduction. “They can be counted on, and are pleasant companions. They know what’s important, always. How many humans do you know about which you could say the same?”

The book had a quite-nice sales ranking of 251 on Amazon at BRBTV's weekend check. It's also available on audio CD.

And by the way, did you know that O'Hurley was married to his "SB" costar Eva LaRue (who played Margot Collins, and also popped up on "Dallas" as a character named DeeDee) for a couple years in the 1990s? LaRue went on, of course, to marry another of their "SB" costars, John Callahan (Craig Hunt -- who was part of the Stephen Slade storyline). Talk about a small world -- er, we mean, small set!

In the spirit of Christmas ...

OK, we weren't planning to post on Christmas Day, but we just got this update from Paul Harrington of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club, about "Honest John" Ledbetter, aka Jack Gordon (see the December 1 post of the BRBTV News Blog) ...

"I hate to bring this up today," Harrington says, "but Jack is NOT LOOKING VERY GOOD, so please just take a few minutes and be kind to a great man, some of us on here have met Jack this past August, and he is a very nice person."

Paul is asking for your notes to Jack, wishing him a Merry Christmas or just saying hello and that you're thinking of him. Send your greeting to Paul at cdndukes@mnsi.net. Paul is going to print off all of our greetings and give them to Jack. So hurry and send yours along! BRBTV did this morning! And you can keep updated on Jack's progress at his fan club page: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Honest_John_Ledbetter_Fan_Club/

Paul also sent along this updated photo from his weekend visit with Jack, when he gave him a copy of BRBTV's "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!", among other things. Thanks, Paul, for keeping us updated, and the thoughts, prayers, and best wishes of BRBTV are with Mr. Gordon, for strength and for a speedy recovery ...

Photo courtesy of Paul Harrington

And from the BRBTV News Blog . . .

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Ultimate Dynasty site gets a snazzy redesign

For "Dynasty" fans familiar with the Ultimate Dynasty site, it's been a long wait, a wait relegated to just the message board of the site while the other pages were redesigned. The wait was a couple of years, truth be told. But now, at last, the redesign is complete, and the site is looking better than ever.

You'll see a sprinkling of news on the home page, features on the 2006 reunion movie and the current "Legends" show of the TV series' two leading ladies. The site, which turned five years old this past June, has complete bios on all the stars, as well as info on the production crew and episodes synopses and other goodies. The full-color photos are nice and lush, and be sure to check out the well-regarded "Dynasty" family tree.

Congratulations to Goran Markovic for his hard work with the site! Now "Dynasty" fans have both Ultimate Dynasty and nicely designed ShoulderPads.net to hang out at. (And if you have another "Dynasty"-related fan site you'd like to tell us about, post it to the comments forum, or send an email to dynasty@brbtv.com!)

Tom Sarmento plans August stunt show

Tom Sarmento is well-known in the "Dukes of Hazzard" world as the lead mechanic for the show when it originally filmed and aired on CBS. He also worked on shows like "B.J. and the Bear" and "The Rockford Files." Plus, he's worked as a stunt guy. These days, Sarmento has a "Dukes" presence on the web, along with the likes of "Dukes" stunt men Corey Eubanks, Al Wyatt Jr. and Gary Baxley, in the Hazzzard County Stunt Team.

This week, Sarmento has let fans know that he's been talking to the folks at Tennessee's Bristol Motor Speedway (onetime site of DukesFest) concerning hosting a stunt show there in August 2007. The speedway has been a "Dukes" fan favorite.

Sarmento is gauging interest in the show, reportedly slated at this point for the first weekend in August. He wants to hear from owners of General Lees on if they'd like to attend, and what their preferences are for a show like this. You can weigh in by emailing wayne@bristolmotorspeedway.com.

"I think we can make this show a success," Sarmento says in a post at the Confederate General Lee Fan Club message board. "I hope all of you have a great Christmas and a safe NEW YEAR!"

The Hazzard County Stunt Team is also planning an event in Brunswick, Georgia, by the way -- in March 2007. Stay tuned for details about that, their website says.

BRBTV birthdays this week

- Brad Pitt, who was a very youthful Randy, boyfriend to Charlie, in one of his very first roles, on "Dallas," turned 43 on Monday, December 18.
- Karen Moncrieff, who played Cassandra Benedict on "Santa Barbara," turns 43 today, December 20.
- Jared Martin, our own Dusty Farlow of "Dallas," turns 63 tomorrow, December 21.
- John Callahan, who was Craig Hunt on "SB," turns 53 on Saturday, December 23.
- Susan Lucci, the evil Hillary Taylor in the latter years of "Dallas," has a birthday on Saturday, December 23, as well, turning 60 (although one of our sources says 58).

Happy birthday to all!

Betty and Veronica have a new look

Win a copy of the sixth-season "Dallas" DVD

The Ultimate Dallas website is offering a special opportunity for fans: a chance to win a copy of the next season of "Dallas" to be released on DVD, Season 6. This next DVD set is officially released on January 30, 2007, and includes juicy stuff like J.R. being removed by the rest of the family from his leadership of Ewing Oil, even while jockeying for a look-see at daddy Jock's will, and actually talking Sue Ellen into remarrying him!

For a chance to win a copy of the DVD from the Ultimate Dallas website, go to http://www.ultimatedallas.com/dvd/win.html. You can also win more "Dallas" prizes from the website's forum at http://www.oilbaronsclub.com.

"Have a fantastic Christmas," the website's editorial team says to fans, "and we would like to thank you for your continual dedication to 'Dallas.'"

Jack Coleman's new show gets some Golden Globe attention

"Heroes," the new NBC series featuring our own Jack Coleman (second Steven Carrington of "Dynasty"), has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for best drama series. Coleman's co-star on the show, Masi Oka (BRBTV's own favorite on the series -- he very-innocently devours every scene he's in!) has been nominated for best supporting actor.

There are other connections to BRBTV shows in the Golden nominations:

- Brad Pitt, who was Charlie's bad-guy boyfriend Randy on "Dallas," stars in "Babel," up for best motion picture. Pitt is nominated for best supporting actor for "Babel."
- Another best-picture nominee, "The Queen," stars James Cromwell, our own Gerald Kane of "Dallas."

The Hollywood Reporter has your full list of nominees here.

Check out JETT's MySpace page

JETT, aka Jeff, is a diehard "Dukes" fan who lives in New York. The BRBTV News Blog showed you his own beautiful, blazin' orange beauty of a General Lee in the March 17 post, and it's also featured in the second edition of "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" Now, JETT has a MySpace page (just like John Schneider and Catherine Bach, don't ya know), and as you can imagine, it's all about "The Dukes" ...

http://www.myspace.com/jettspage

JETT can even be seen in the opening scenes of Schneider's new movie, "Collier and Co." He's one of the guys placin' bets at the bar when J.R. is getting ready to drag-race. Fun!

"Dallas" stars will head off to a French hoedown

Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Charlene Tilton and Steve Kanaly, five megawatt "Dallas" stars, will appear at a country-music festival in France next year. It all happens in July, and you can learn more (if you read French!) and see a photo of the five-some at:
http://www.country-musique.com/ The event, the Mirande Country Music Festival, is billed as the largest such fest in Europe.

Michael Silberkleit talks about Archie's 65th anniversary

Happy Anniversary, Archie!

Archie Andrews and his Riverdale pals were "born" in December 1941, so this month is the official 65th anniversary, but Archie Comics has chosen to make the anniversary a yearlong celebration for 2007. Michael Silberkleit, son of one of the Archie founders, Louis Silberkleit, discussed the anniversary and more in an interview on the Comic Zone of World Talk Radio.

In the report, Silberkleit alludes to the long-awaited "Archie" movie as a possibility for 2007 (it was put on the back burner a few years ago for the "Josie and the Pussycats" movie). He also talks about his early days at Archie Comics, starting work for his dad in the lower levels of the company and learning all the different facets of the business.

"When the comics industry started, all the publishers were very friendly," Silberkleit says of his early days in the biz, when he knew the folks at DC, Marvel and the like. "They were fierce competitors, but they were also good friends." Times have changed substantially since then, he says.

He discusses why Archie Comics has stayed afloat all these years, while other comics (even Disney titles) have come and gone. "Archie is something kids look up to, as a role model," he says.

On the controversial topic of longtime Archie artist Dan DeCarlo, now deceased, who worked on several key Archie characters including the aforementioned Josie and BRBTV's fave, redhead Cheryl Blossom, Silberkleit is mostly mum, but does say: "He probably was the finest cartoonist / illustrator of women that ever walked on the face of this earth. He was a great artist, wonderful talent. And a nice guy. ... He had a great style, that has never been emulated since."

Some (eastern) Indian characters are coming to the Archies realm, as well as a reality TV show and more partnering with the singing duo "The Veronicas." Listen to the whole interview at: http://www.worldtalkradio.com/archive.asp?aid=8554

BRBTV birthdays this week

- Sheree J. Wilson, our own April Stevens Ewing of "Dallas," turns 48 tomorrow, December 12.
- Thaao Penghlis, who was Dr. Micah De Angelis in the tail-end of the run of "Santa Barbara," turns 61 on Friday, December 15.
- Christopher Cazenove, rugged and angry bro to Blake Carrington as Ben Carrington on "Dynasty," turns 61, also, but on Sunday, December 17.

Happy birthday to each!

Meet Lee 1 -- and the family -- in Indianapolis this month

Yes, that's right: Lee 1, the car that started this whole crazy General Lee thing, has booked its first official appearance since its November 11 unveiling in Covington. (And hey, since BRBTV has become friends with the car's owner, we heckin'-better start referring to the car in the proper way -- "him," not "it"!!!)

The Indianapolis Auto Show is the event that will kick off the beloved vehicle's two-year tour, leading up to "his" official 30th anniversary in 2008. Along with that, Lee 1's owner (though he will be quick to insist that you, the fans, are the real owners of the fiery-orange beauty) has something special planned. You are all invited to ...


THE LEE 1 FAMILY CHRISTMAS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DATE: December 28, 2006
TIME: 1-3 p.m.
PLACE: The Ram Restaurant, 140 S. Illinois Street, Indianapolis, Indiana; parking garage upstairs for a fee
SERVICE: It will be a sit-down lunch, where you will be able to order from menu and pay for own meal (for more info about the restaurant, check out www.theram.com)
FEATURES: There will be entertainment during the mealtime, along with the presentation of these members of the Lee 1 Family:
- "Little Miss Lee 1" 2007
- "Miss Lee 1" 2007
- "Mama Lee," the family disciplinarian
- President of the Lee 1 Family
- Curator for Lee 1
- Achiever for Lee 1 pictures and information
- Press agent for Lee 1 events
Special guests also will be recognized.

"Lee 1 has been given a place of distinct honor in this year's Indianapolis Auto Show," says the owner of Lee 1. "Never before has the auto show been able to make a special place in their event for such a special automobile. The sponsors of this event are excited to have Lee 1 join them to help showcase the restoration of an American icon."

Lee 1 will appear just inside the entrance of the auto show, at the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome at 100 S. Capital in downtown Indianapolis, an easy walk from The Ram Restaurant. Display dates are December 28 and 29. The Lee 1 Family Christmas will include a special showing of Lee 1 after 3:15 p.m. on December 28.

The admission for the auto show is $6 for adults, with children under 12 admitted free, and active members of the military, police and fire departments admitted free. To learn more about the show, visit www.indyautoshow.com.

Everyone is invited to the Lee 1 Family Christmas! This is a special opportunity for our more-Northern-based "Dukes" fans who might not have been able to make it to some of the Southern-based events such as the unveiling in Covington.

Team Lee 1 would like to get an idea of how many folks are coming, so please RSVP to GenLeeOne@aol.com.

Jack Coleman keeps up with his "Dynasty" family

Jack Coleman, our second Steven Carrington of "Dynasty," keeps in touch with Emma Samms (his on-screen sis as the second Fallon Carrington), Gordon Thomson (his on-screen bro, Adam Carrington) and John James (his on-screen bro-in-law, Jeff Colby) these days. That's one of the things he told TV Guide in a recent interview. The chatter, promoting Coleman's current juicy role on NBC's primetime drama hit "Heroes," touched on the actor's "Dynasty" days, too.

"It was quite daring at that time," Coleman says of Steven, whose homosexuality was key to quite a few storylines on the show. "I think the only other gay character in a series was Billy Crystal on 'Soap.'" (Our other Steven, Al Corley, noted that same thing in the "Dynasty Reunion" special earlier this year.) "But [Steven] was so timid by today's standards, especially looking at what's on cable, with 'The L Word'" (on which the first Fallon, Pamela Sue Martin, has appeared, BRBTV notes), "'Queer as Folk' and shows like that. 'Dynasty' now seems unbelievably quaint."

You can read the whole interview at http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting={301DC1FF-48F6-4260-8270-86D9F52B2E0A}. It's got some great insight into "Heroes," if you're a fan, as BRBTV is.

Meanwhile, rumors of the long-awaited (and increasingly fought for) second-season DVD release of "Dynasty" are swirling ... TVShowsonDVD added some fuel to the fire recently. Stay tuned ...

Coming up in Archie Comics ...

ARCHIE #572
“The Fast Track to Success”: Move over, Danica Patrick – you’ve got nothing on Betty Cooper and Indianapolis has nothing on the Riverdale 500! 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 out-race the overconfident male drivers? Rev up your engines for action and excitement in this fast-paced tale! SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale newsstand January 26, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

ARCHIE DIGEST #232
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 February 16, 2007
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #176
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 January 26, 2007
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

BETTY #162
“Tearjerker”: Deeply affected by a sad video she watched, Betty can’t help but reminded of it - especially every time Archie says something to her! Now Archie can only wonder, “what have I done wrong?” SCRIPT: Bill Golliher. ART: Stan Goldberg. “Really Special”: In this poignant tale, a pair of glamorous gloves from Betty’s grandmother makes Mr. Cooper realize what a special young lady his daughter has grown to be. SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Stan Goldberg. “Hot & Cold”: Betty gives the first big chill an icy reception! SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale newsstand February 2, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA #224
“Best Friends”: Can it be true… is Veronica really moving out of Riverdale? Apparently so, but she just can’t shake the memories of all the good times she had with Betty, Archie and the rest of the gang. Will Veronica find a way to make her father change his mind about the move? SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Jeff Shultz. “Kissing Up”: So how good are the boys of Riverdale High when it comes to kissing. Betty & Veronica aim to compare notes… even if that means staying up all night and getting no sleep at all on their “sleepover!” SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Jeff Shultz.
On sale newsstand February 16, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.


BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #172
Bright and brassy, bold and beautiful, blonde and brunette -- teen dream queens Betty & Veronica romp through this collection 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 February 9, 2007
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #149
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 February 23, 2007
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

JUGHEAD #179
“Picture Perfect”: When a local magazine does a photo feature on Pop Tate’s burgers, Pop hires a “food stylist” to make sure the pictures look good enough to eat! “Word-Play”: Jughead comes up with the sound effect to end all sound effects; now he just needs to figure out what makes that sound! “Sweets to the Sweet”: Jughead figures out a new way to get eats: remind all the girls he knows how tough it is to keep their figures so they give their food to him! SCRIPTS: Craig Boldman. ART: Rex Lindsey.
On sale newsstand February 16, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #17
“New Super Kid in Town”: When a new reality show seeking real-life “super heroes” hits Riverdale, Chuck and Jughead rise to the challenge, creating super-heroic secret identities for themselves! Along the way, we meet a plethora of hero-obsessed contestants… and one new kid who wants nothing to do with any of it. Could it be the mild-mannered newcomer secretly IS a real-life hero? You won’t want to miss the high-flying answer! SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz. PLUS: Other new and classic tales by various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and your chance to “Find Your Name in Print!”
On sale newsstand February 2, 2007
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #128
Its double-decker sandwiches and double-trouble as the irrepressible Jughead tilts the laugh-o-meter in this uproarious collection 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 February 9, 2007
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.


PALS-N-GAL’S DOUBLE DIGEST #108
The spotlight is on the wonderful cast of Archie supporting characters, in this double digest featuring new stories and classic tales. SCRIPT & ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and your chance to “Find Your Name in Print!”
On sale newsstand February 9, 2007
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #82
“Salem Returns”: As Sabrina continues her “magic free” life (see last issue), her aunts are more and more concerned. They can’t figure out why Sabrina would want to deny her special gift. When all seems lost, Salem concocts a scheme that may force Sabrina to return to magic... which would be bad news for Harvey , who is really enjoying how care-free Sabrina has become! SCRIPT AND ART: Tania del Rio .
On sale newsstand February 9, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

Just one BRBTV birthday this week ...

Morgan Brittany, who was unforgettable as the Bobby-stalking Katherine Wentworth on "Dallas," and who also played Mary Lou Pringle on a 1980 episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard," "The Hazzardville Horror," celebrates a birthday today. She turns 55.

As the BRBTV News Blog reported on January 18, Brittany has a new movie project, "Americanizing Shelley," scheduled for 2007 release.

Happy birthday!

Art Hindle in new movie

He's kept up some pretty steady work in recent years, and now the man who played the slimy Jeff Farraday on "Dallas" has a new movie project.

Art Hindle shares the screen with Michael Clarke Duncan, Eric Roberts and Ned Bellamy in "One Way," which just had its debut at the Hollywood Film Festival. The film is directed and written by Reto Salimbeni. Lauren Lee Smith of the syndicated "Mutant X" also stars.

The plotline from the IMDb: "To cover up his infidelities and protect his upcoming marriage, a star advertiser helps free an accused rapist by giving a false alibi and suffers the brutal revenge of the victim." The Hollywood Reporter has a little more on the film: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3iJGWuO/AiedgQITBB8A1Dvw==?imw=Y.

You can also see Hindle, by the way, in the holiday movie "Fallen Angel," which airs on Sunday, December 10 and Wednesday, December 20 on the Hallmark Channel. The 2003 TV movie also stars Gary Sinise and Joely Richardson.

"Honest John" Ledbetter could use your well wishes

In the pilot episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard," a certain Rosco P. Coltrane was running for re-election for his cushy and highly corrupt post as sheriff. And he was running against a certain "Honest John" Ledbetter.

Jack Gordon is the man who brought Honest John Ledbetter to life. He went on to star in movies such as 1981's "Jaws of Satan" (with a very young Christina Applegate of "Married, With Children," no less), and even shared the screen in 1978 with his "Dukes" costar Sonny Shroyer in "They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way."

Well, Jack's health has been suffering, of late. He recently returned from a weeklong stay at the hospital, reports Paul Harrington of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club.

"I will mention that I have known Jack since November 1997; he has really changed my life, and my outlook on the 'Dukes of Hazzard' TV show," Paul says. "He has been to all four of our Hair Dare Dukes Days for cancer research. He even went with us to the very first DukesFest 2001, down in Sperryville, Virginia."

Photo courtesy of Paul Harrington
Paul Harrington of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club, center, with Byron "Coy Duke" Cherry and Jack Gordon, who played Honest John Ledbetter in "The Dukes."

Paul goes on: "He is an incredible person, and I have been honoured to have been blessed with his friendship. Jack has told me some great stories about the first few episodes of 'The Dukes of Hazzard' TV show."

Paul urges us to send our well wishes to Jack. "I am asking for everyone's prayers for Jack as his health is not the good, actually, it is very poor. I guess what I'm asking for, maybe some get-well cards, maybe Christmas cards, anything to cheer Jack up, and make him feel he is still thought of."

And if the "Dukes" fans are anything, it's a family, right? (Paul says prayers are already working; Jack was showing improvement when he returned from the hospital.)

"So, please, a simple card, maybe a short note on the card, or even a letter. That would be the greatest gift we could all give Jack right now, I really appreciate everyone's effort in this matter. Jack turns 80 years old in January."

Cards and letters can be sent to:

JACK GORDON
c/o Paul Harrington
2274 County Road #31, RR#1
Ruscom Station, Ontario, Canada, N0R1RO

BRBTV thanks you, as well!

Coming up in Archies: Veronica as Santa's helper

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 microchips, but can it last? SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz. BONUS: Puzzles, games and your chance to “Find Your Name in Print!”
On sale 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 December 5, 2006
32-page, full-color comic, $2.25 U.S.

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 December 12, 2006
32-page, full-color comic, $2.25 U.S.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #175
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 December 12, 2006
Full-color digest format, $3.69 U.S.

Joseph Campanella has two movies on deck

He shared the small screen with Barbara Stanwyck on "The Colbys," playing the rugged cowboy boyfriend Hutch Corrigan to her Connie Colby. On "Dallas," he was mobster Joseph Lombardi Sr., father figure to Joey Lombardi / Nicholas Pearce. Now, Joseph Campanella, a longtime star whose career spans 50 years and includes "Gunsmoke," "Night Gallery," "Route 66" and even "Melrose Place," shows no signs of slowing down. He's got a couple film projects on the way.

The first, completed and awaiting distribution, is "For Heaven's Sake." He plays a character named Donald Meeks in the film, directed by actor Nathanial Christian and written by Ann Marcus. Florence Henderson also stars in that one. You can catch some shots of the film from its IMDb page.

Next, it's "The Dukes" (no, not them Dukes!), scheduled for release next year and also starring Chazz Palminteri and Peter Bogdanovich. Campanella plays Giovanni Zorro in the film, about a "doo wop" group. The plot line from the IMDb: "A heist movie set to '50s rock and roll. The Dukes, a doo wop group, were on top of the world when they were 17, but now in 2005 they struggle to help their friends and family while holding on to the dreams of the past as they are forced to reinvent themselves in a new age." Robert Davi directed and wrote this one, which is classified as in postproduction. (We've gotta note, also, that Campanella's costar, Chazz Palminteri, also shared the screen with him in the "Dallas" episode "He-e-e-re's Papa.")

As an added interesting note, Campanella also narrates a film about God's mercy for the Catholic Church: Check it out at http://www.marianland.com/marian05.html.

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 ...