Betty and Veronica have "Bad Boy Trouble"

From Archie Comics

MAMARONECK, N.Y. – This spring, the world of Archie Comics was rocked by the publication of BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #151, featuring the first installment of “Bad Boy Trouble,” an epic tale spanning four issues that found Riverdale’s favorite teens rendered in a realistic style! Not since the comic book adaptation of the TV-movie, ARCHIE: TO RIVERDALE AND BACK AGAIN, has the gang looked so real you could touch them!

When news of this ground-breaking story broke, it caused quite a stir … imagine, Riverdale's teens with a whole new look! The news of Archie Comics’ flagship characters getting an extreme makeover caused a deafening buzz. From TV news reports to newspaper stories, magazine articles and internet blogs, everyone weighed in with their opinions on the change. The excitement reached a fever pitch at this year’s second annual blockbuster New York City Comic-Con, where both fans and media alike swarmed the Archie Comics booth, hoping to learn more about this major event!

The “new look,” while it inspired months and months of debate over and media coverage surrounding Betty and Veronica’s new looks, was only half the story. The other factor that caused great excitement and anticipation was the intriguing story that brought a new “edge” to Riverdale. When Nick St. Clair rides into Riverdale on his motorcycle, Veronica is smitten. She likes Nick's air of assurance and his knack for getting noticed. The only problem, is Nick gets noticed for all the wrong things! Nick quickly alienates all of Ronnie's friends, especially Betty. Is this handsome rebel the boy of Veronica's dreams, or just plain trouble? Will Betty and Veronica's friendship come to an end over the new boy in town?

Now, all four installments of this heralded tale from BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST issues #151 through #154 are available in one convenient, affordable edition. The special 5-by-7 ½ inch format contains 112 full-color, thrill-packed pages, with a low cover price of only $7.49 U.S.! Whether reading it again or discovering it for the first time, don’t miss the most talked about Archie story of the year!


BETTY & VERONICA: BAD BOY TROUBLE
SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan.
ART: Steven Butler.
On sale newsstand October 2, 2007
112-page, full-color paperback
$7.49 U.S.

Elsewhere in Archie Comics ...





ARCHIE & FRIENDS #113
BETTY COOPER PUTS THE PEDAL TO THE METAL IN ANOTHER FULL-THROTTLE RACING ADVENTURE!
"Dangerous Curves": After showing just what a girl can do behind the wheel of a racecar in ARCHIE #572 and ARCHIE & FRIENDS #112, Betty is ready to take on the guys again… except this time, she finds herself pitted against another female race driver! Can Betty defeat both super-slick Carla Bonita and favored champion Speedy Spencer in the same race? It’s more full-throttle thrills designed to rev your engine!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale newsstand October 16, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.


ARCHIE DIGEST #238
"Nerd is The Word": Archie implores Dilton to be less nerdy – until he reflects upon his own career prospects as a klutzy snowboarder and mediocre rock star! Of course, it doesn’t hurt to see all the girls asking Dilton to tutor them in science!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale newsstand October 9, 2007
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.




BETTY #168
"Drawing on Experience": When Betty enters a teen horror story contest, she reaches into her memory bank for a terrifying tale of a foreboding mansion and eerie tiki keychain!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"The Problem": So many love triangles, so little time… such is the dance of high school dating!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Who Knows Best?": Betty’s attempts to learn more about healthy snacking give her a lot of "food for thought!"
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Friday Night Fever": Move over, Dillon, Texas – Riverdale has its own "Friday Night Lights" action with plenty of football fever!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale newsstand September 25, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.





BETTY & VERONICA #230
"What’s in Store?": For a change of pace, Mr. Lodge suggests that Veronica do the grocery shopping instead of the servants… and he sends Betty along to make sure she does it right!
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"The King & Us": A trip to the museum inspires Veronica and Betty to imagine what it would be like to rule ancient Egypt!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"What’s in a Name?": Veronica swoons over the new hunk in school… until she learns his last name!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Unexpected Results": As they await the results of their career day tests, Veronica insists Betty and Midge won’t qualify for the glamour jobs. Wait until she sees her own results!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Jeff Shultz.
On sale newsstand October 9, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.




BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #178
"The Big Secret": Veronica is harboring a deep, dark secret… and it’s in her shoe cabinet! Can Betty help her get back on the "right foot?"
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale newsstand October 9, 2007
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.




BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #155
IT’S A HALLOWEEN SPOOOKTACULAR!
"Lodge of Terror": Mr. Lodge buys a run-down ski lodge in hopes of renovating it… but not before Veronica can hold a mega-Halloween party there! But is it possible that the spooky old building is haunted for real? The gang’s all here for a horrifically fun time – and don’t miss the special pin-up pages with all their creepy, creative costumes!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale newsstand October 16, 2007
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.




JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #23
"The Real World?": Finally, a scientific invention that can truly aid the entire free world: Dilton’s "infinite closet!" Once Jughead sees it, the possibilities his mind conjures are infinite, too… and inevitably, he falls right in before Dilton’s warnings reach his ears! Hurtling through the void, Jughead lands smack dab in the middle of a comic book company – Archie Comic Publications, to be exact! What will all the writers and artists do when they find their 2-D creation has literally broken through the "fourth wall" and entered their 3-dimensional world? It’s a story that could only be told in… you guessed it… a comic book!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale newsstand September 25, 2007
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.




JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #134
"Wheel Deal": Do you think you know the perfect vehicle for Jughead and Jellybean to motor around town in? Read all about Jughead’s search for the perfect set of wheels and find out for yourself!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher. ART: Randy Elliott.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale newsstand October 2, 2007
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.




PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #115
"Fright Sight": It’s frightful fun when the Archies play a benefit gig for the town’s orphans… decked out in festive Halloween garb. Mr. Lodge can’t decide what’s scarier – the band’s costumes or their music!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale newsstand September 25, 2007
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.




SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #88
A SPELL-BINDING HALLOWEEN ISSUE WITH A SHOCKING TWIST ENDING!
"A Frightful Night": It’s Halloween once again, the one night of the year that magical beings are allowed to use their powers in public. Gathering for a party at the same "Haunted House" as last year, the mortals are amazed at all the "special effects" that are really magic! Pleased to learn that Sabrina completed her mission retrieving the fallen Mana Tree leaf (last issue), Shinji’s delight soon turns to displeasure… and disbelief… as Sabrina recounts the suspicious activities of Shinji’s girlfriend, Hemlock. Hemlock quickly turns the tables on Sabrina in a way that will affect Sabrina’s relationships with those she loves the most… including Harvey, Shinji, and perhaps most shocking of all, Aunt Hilda! You simply cannot miss the stunning conclusion to this tale, the ramifications of which will be felt for issues to come!
SCRIPT AND ART: Tania del Rio.
On sale newsstand October 2, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

Sheree J. Wilson takes the "Trail of Tears"

In 1838, many Native American people were removed from their homelands in the Southeast United States to Oklahoma. Every year since 1994, a group started by Bill Cason marks that part of our history with the Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride. It's a cause that's near and dear to the heart of one of our BRBTV stars, Sheree J. Wilson of "Dallas."

Wilson, whom we all know and love as April Stevens Ewing in the latter part of the series, is participating in the 2007 ride, which begins this weekend.

The annual Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride departs Riverfront Parkway in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at 8 a.m. EST on Saturday, September 15. The one-day ride travels approximately 200 miles to Florence, Alabama. You can stop by and say hello to Wilson on Saturday at the festivities at McFarland Park in Florence. She'll be personally autographing the Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride Official DVD at the official booth.

For more information, visit: http://www.trailoftears-remembrance.org/.

Say hello to CoyDuke.com!

Well, goodness gracious, it's about time those Duke boys had their own corner of the World Wide Web! One avid "Dukes of Hazzard" fan and webmaster has constructed a brand-new site honoring Mr. Byron Cherry and the Duke he portrayed, known to us as the lovable Coy in the 1982-83 season of the series.

Click on over to CoyDuke.com and read more about Cherry, right from his own mouth! He assisted in the building of this site, giving firsthand accounts of his life as well as photos from his own personal collection (which you can buy autographed copies of, by the way). You'll find a link and information to Cherry's upcoming appearance at the Hillbilly Woodstock 2 Dukes of Hazzard Cruise next month (more on that later, for sure!). You'll read all about Cherry's family (info you won't find anywhere else on the web), including his closeness to his brothers and the heartbreaking story of the day he found his mother murdered.

A bit of the site is still under construction, so stay tuned for updates and more on the life of Byron Cherry!

"Star Trek," by way of BRBTV!

You know, "Star Trek" isn't actually part of the BRBTV world, but we love it so much that we couldn't help but follow up this past weekend's post with another "Star Trek"-related item. But this particular film project is such a bevy of "Trek"ness and BRBTVness, it's like a yummy smorgasbord ...

"InAlienable" is a sci-fi flick written by none other than Walter Koenig, our beloved Chekov of the original "Trek." Not only does Koenig also star in the film, but his son Andrew does, too. They're joined by Marina Sirtis (the lovely Deanna Troi), Gary Graham (the Vulcan ambassador on "Enterprise"), Richard Herd (that Karl Malden lookalike who played the stern Admiral Owen Paris in "Star Trek: Voyager"), Judy Levitt (who appeared in three "Trek" movies), Erick Avari (who had roles in "Enterprise," "Deep Space Nine" and "The Next Generation" and was more than memorable last season as Mohinder's dad in NBC's "Heroes") and several others who have "Trek" connections.

And the BRBTV tie-ins? Read onward ...

- The aforementioned Gary Graham, who was heckin' near typecast as the sibling crook on "Dukes of Hazzard" episodes
- The aforementioned Richard Herd, who was Jim Ellison on "Dynasty" and detective John Mackey on "Dallas"
- The aforementioned Judy Levitt, who was Marion in the "Dynasty" pilot
- Jay Acovone, who starred in the 2000 "Dukes" reunion movie, "Hazzard in Hollywood"
- Richard Hatch, who played Dean Caldwell on "Dynasty" as well as one of the Stephen Slades on "Santa Barbara"

You can keep up with the film's progress on Walter Koenig's official website.

"Star Trek," by way of "Dallas" ...

When you find something this fun, you've just gotta pass it on, even though you don't normally post on the weekend ... Special thanks to Mikey for the heads-up ...

Watch for A Martinez in "Viva Laughlin"

A Martinez, our own Cruz Castillo of "Santa Barbara," has got some fall TV action in not only "Born in the USA," as previously reported on this news blog, but also in an episode of the new series "Viva Laughlin."

Martinez will play Armando in the third episode of the series, airing on CBS on October 28. Based on the BBC murder-mystery-musical series, "Blackpool," the show is about a small-time casino owner, Ripley Holden, who dreams of opening up a snazzy resort on the Laughlin Strip.

The series also stars "Twin Peaks" star Madchen Amick, Melanie Griffith and Hugh Jackman. The series premieres on October 14.

Catching up with John Schneider, again ...

If you haven't been to John Schneider's official website, http://www.johnschneider.tv/, lately, then go check it out. It's been updated recently to reflect some of the mass volume of projects Schneider's got going on.

For one thing, he's dishing out another one of those fabbo creature-features that sounds suspiciously like a Sci Fi Channel Saturday-night movie. This one is called "Shark Swarm," and it also stars Daryl Hannah, Armand Assante and F. Murray Abraham. Schneider plays a character called Daniel Wilder in the film, scheduled for release next year. The plotline from the IMDb: "A fisherman and his family look to take down a greedy real estate developer who has released toxins into the ocean, turning the area's sharks into bloodthirsty hunters."

Schneider also notes on his official site that "Collier & Co. -- Hot Pursuit" comes out on DVD this month, on the 18th. He's going to be doing five episodes of the f/X series "Nip / Tuck" ("a serious departure for me because of the content") and he's also been appearing on the Wednesday-night ABC "NASCAR in Primetime" specials. Whew! OK ... I think we're caught up again for a while ...

Elsewhere in "The Dukes of Hazzard" realm ... and from someone who has been involved in doing the music for Schneider's movie "Collier & Co.," Paul Casey, Vegas performer and avid "Dukes" fan, has a new signature guitar model made by Guitar & Things of Madison, Tennesee.

"They are the finest in leather work and have made several items for Waylon Jennings and other country-rock artist," Casey tells fans in a recent email announcement. "It will be featured on the new CD 'American Outlaw,' due out late September 2007."

http://a315.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/102/m_b55bb2bfb48a80f055d7f795dae6d272.jpg
(OK, is that "Hoss" as in our beloved "Bonanza" character???? Because we really loved him!)
http://www.paulcaseyproductions.com/

Fans have spoken: Archie & Friends has a new name

In the August 23 post of this news blog we reported that Archie Comics was taking your votes to rename their longtime title Archie & Friends. Well, the results are in ...

"Archie Comics has always listened to our fans," the press release says. "When planning to replace Archie & Friends with a new anthology title featuring both new characters and some of our best loved classic characters, we went to our fans for help to pick the title. Fans were given 10 proposed titles that were placed on the http://www.archiecomics.com/ website and they voted for the title they liked best."

With 14,629 votes cast, Archie All-Stars is the winner with 51 percent of the votes. Fans can look forward to this new title to debut in the second quarter of 2008.

Also, in the Archies world:

ARCHIE COMICS IS OFFERING THE SOLD OUT ARCHIE DIGEST #236 DIRECTLY TO FANS

Archie Comics has offered collector set and subscriptions to fans for years, but never single collector issues. As part of the 65th anniversary celebration of ARCHIE COMICS #1, they published ARCHIE DIGEST #236. When ARCHIE DIGEST #236 sold out across the country, fans wrote in and emailed that they could not find this comic in stores.

ARCHIE DIGEST #236 is a special issue paying tribute to Archie’s illustrious past by reprinting Archie’s very first adventures from PEP COMICS #22 and ARCHIE COMICS #1! From Archie being a hapless showoff when Betty moves into town, to Archie being a tongue-tied, discombobulated wreck when Veronica moves into town, these early stories written by Vic Bloom and others reflect the free-wheeling fun of the popular screwball comedy movies of the day. Not to mention the charmingly exaggerated cartooning styles of Bob Montana and others so popular in the 1940s. As if that weren’t enough, the original “funny animal” supporting features like Squoimy the Woim, Cubby the Bear and Bumbie the Bee-tective, from the legendary Joe Edwards are also included!

If you’ve never seen Archie and his friends as they originally appeared, you’re in for a treat with these milestone tales … The entire contents of ARCHIE COMICS #1 have not been available since 1942, so this is a very significant issue in Archie history. Keep in mind that the values and comedic traditions in 1942 are not the same as they are in 2007; some stories, although historically significant, do not reflect the culture and values of Archie Comics Publications and are only presented for their historical value.

In addition to re-presenting the first appearance of Archie and the first Archie Comic, they have a brand new story created in homage to the 1940s gang ...
“When Archie Meets Archie”: On the eve of his 65th anniversary, Archie Andrews meets … himself! At least, the version of himself that appeared in Archie’s first story! After Archie gets used to calling his other self “Chic,” he ends up meeting the vintage Jughead and Betty, too – also drawn 1940s style! The space-time continuum has never seen anything like this!

ARCHIE DIGEST #236
SCRIPTS AND ART: Vic Bloom, Bob Montana, Joe Edwards, Fernando Ruiz, Rex Lindsey and more!
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.
http://stuffshop.archiecomics.com/spsiis.html

Emma Samms appears in UK police drama

Emma Samms, our lovely second Fallon Carrington of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," has a new role coming up. She's appearing in the UK police drama "The Bill" on ITV1. By all accounts it's quite a departure from her role as Blake Carrington's spoiled daughter:

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iUpKUcDob5sP_KCldevZaxgpbRHw

Meanwhile, as you're gearing up for the new fall TV season here in the U.S., check out this commentary on the new season, mentioning "Dynasty" and "Dallas" and soaps about the rich:

http://parishiltongossip.blogsavy.com/2007/08/30/doesnt-get-the-rich-right/

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Crystal Chappell, who had a brief stint as Jane Kingsley on "Santa Barbara" in 1990, just signed on to at least one more year with a new contract on CBS' "Guiding Light," where she's been playing the evil Olivia Spencer. Ooops ... make that Olivia Spencer Lewis Spaulding Spaulding Lewis ...

Spotted: Have you seen Eva LaRue in her role on "CSI: Miami"? This "Santa Barbara" alum (Margot Collins) and "Dallas" alum (DeeDee, the big-haired chick that Michelle Beaumont pushes into the Southfork pool!) is sure playing cute and young. Her character is the ex-girlfriend of Eric, the young'un who's at David Caruso's side. Go, girl!

BRBTV birthdays for September

- Leonard Katzman, the mastermind behind the Ewings of "Dallas," was born on September 2, 1927 and died on September 5, 1996.
- Annabel Schofield, who played Laurel Ellis on "Dallas," turns 44 tomorrow, September 4.
- Roberta Weiss, the too-hot-to-handle Flame Beaufort of "Santa Barbara," turns 49 on September 5.
- Sarah Cunningham, our stalwart Maggie Monahan on "Dallas," was born on September 8, 1918 and died on March 24, 1986.
- Tom Wopat, our own Luke Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 56 on September 9.
- Constance Marie, who played Nikki Alvarez on "SB," has a birthday on September 9, as well, turning 42.
- Linda Gray, the unforgettable Sue Ellen Ewing of "Dallas," turns 67 on September 12.
- Mary Crosby, Gray's on-screen baby sister Kristin Shepard, turns 48 on September 14.
- Michael Reaves, writer for "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 57 on September 14.
- Henry Darrow, who played Cruz Castillo's father Rafael on "Santa Barbara," and even showed up on an episode of "Dynasty" and the "Dukes of Hazzard" spinoff "Enos," turns 74 on September 15.
- Janis Paige, the lovely second Minx Lockridge on "SB," turns 85 on September 16.
- Kimberly McArthur, who was the second Kelly Capwell on "SB," turns 45 on September 16.
- Morgan Woodward, who was Punk Anderson on "Dallas" and also made a couple guest appearances on "The Dukes of Hazzard," has a birthday on September 16, as well, turning 82.
- Shalane McCall, our young Charlie Wade on "Dallas," is our final September 16 birthday, remaining so young at just 35.
- Roddy McDowall, who voiced Dr. Jervis Tetch / the Mad Hatter on "Batman: The Animated Series," was born on September 17, 1928 and died on October 3, 1998.
- Ross Kettle, the quite European Jeffrey Conrad on "Santa Barbara," turns 46 on September 19.
- Paul Williams, who voiced Penguin on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 67 on September 19.
- Don Starr, our own Jordan Lee of "Dallas," was born on September 20, 1917 and died on July 11, 1995.
- The unstoppable Larry Hagman, who was, of course, the unstoppable J.R. Ewing on "Dallas," turns 76 on September 21.
- Catherine Oxenberg, who played long-lost daughter Amanda Carrington on "Dynasty," turns 46 on September 22.
- Martha Scott, memorable as Patricia Shepard on "Dallas," was born on September 22, 1912 and died on May 28, 2003.
- Heather Locklear, our own Sammy Jo of "Dynasty," and so many other things over the years, turns 46 on September 25.
- Shell Danielson, who was the later Laken Lockridge on "Santa Barbara," also has a birthday on September 25, turning 45.
- Beth Toussaint, our own Tracy Lawton on "Dallas" who's married to Jack Coleman of "Dynasty," is yet another September 25 birthday, turning 45, as well.
- Bridgette Wilson, who was Lisa Fenimore on "SB," is our fourth birthday for September 25, turning such a young 34.
- Mark Hamill, the well-loved voice of the Joker in "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 56 on September 25.
- A Martinez, who was Cruz Castillo on "SB," will turn 59 on September 27.
- Joel Fabiani, the dashing Alex Ward on "Dallas," turns 71 on September 28.
- Steve Forrest, who was Ben Stivers / Wes Parmalee on "Dallas," turns 83 on September 29.
- Ian McShane, the handsome Don Lockwood on "Dallas," was also born on September 29, turning 65 this year.

Happy birthday to all!

See My Lee!

Ahhh ... it's another great day for our occasional "See My Lee!" feature, where we give you a glimpse of the many "Dukes of Hazzard" fans out there who own their own General Lee car ... Up today is Derrick, who lives just south of Lexington, Kentucky.

A couple things are special about Derrick and his Lee. For one thing ... well, it's not just one thing -- it's two! Derrick actually has two General Lees, which he calls "Lee 1" and "Lee 2." Shown here with Derrick is Lee 1, and these shots were taken in a theater parking lot on a very hot day in Lexington a week ago, while Lee 2 was at home (hopefully where it was cooler!). Derrick had both of his Lees at the Hair Dare Dukes Days in Ontario a couple weeks before, and he was offering folks rides in them. He also had the cars' trunk lids signed by Byron Cherry and Don Pedro Colley at the event, to add to the many other cast autographs he has.

The other special thing about this Lee owner? Well, you're lookin' at it! (That is, if you're lookin' at the photo above!) Derrick has installed a video camera in his Lee 1 to capture some great "motion pictures," so to speak. The camera was rolling at Hair Dare. Derrick filmed some great stuff with Cousin Don at the event. Here are some links:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZOYW64w8oRA

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8csYjwXmv_w

http://youtube.com/watch?v=A-b8UlPdwpo

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5aar5mytJPM

Armed with the U.S. flag and the U.S. Marine Corps seal, this Lee is certainly a "Charger"! In fact, Derrick calls his Lees the "HARDCHARGERS."

Derrick's beautiful, blazin' orange Lees are available for parties and other special events. Just give 'im a call at (859) 329-9282, or email hrdchgr69@aol.com.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Joanna Cassidy: From "Anderson's Cross" to "American Standards"

On "Dallas," Sally Bullock, wife of Mr. Eugene Bullock, was smart, shrewd and sexy as she cut a deal or two with the dastardly J.R. Ewing. Sally Bullock also was Ms. Joanna Cassidy, a prolific TV actress of many years. Her gigs have included CBS' "Dallas" follower "Falcon Crest," as well as the short-lived "Dukes of Hazzard" spinoff "Enos." She even did a voice (Maggie Sawyer) on the "Superman" animated series.

Now, Cassidy has several projects going on this year.

"Anderson's Cross," from Illumination Pictures, is written and directed by Jerome E. Scott. Cassidy plays Mrs. McCarthy in the film, which has been making the rounds this summer. The story revolves around the close friendship of three people. Kimmy Robertson of "Twin Peaks" pops up, as a teacher; she was also the memorable voice of Alice in the "Mad as a Hatter" episode of "Batman: The Animated Series," plus a "Batman Beyond" voice.

"Kiss the Bride," scheduled for release next March, has some other big names in it. Tori Spelling, for one, as well as Tess Harper and Robert Foxworth (who reportedly once turned down the role of J.R. Ewing). Cassidy portrays Evelyn in the movie, directed by C. Jay Cox and written by Tyler Lieberman. This one is also a comedy and deals with a longtime friendship / gay relationship.

In "The American Standards," Cassidy is front and center as Ann Jennings, with a nice shot on the film's promo poster. She's joined by James Brolin and Corin Nemec. And when is the last time you saw France Nuyen of that well-known vintage "Star Trek" episode, "Elaan of Troyius"? (And if you say, "As Dr. Chen in 'Santa Barbara,' " you get a gold star! She was the one who helped Cruz escape San Sebastian!) Anyhow, we do digress ... Written and directed by Joe Wehinger, the movie centers around the darker secrets of a seemingly perfect family. The flick was filming a couple years ago in Louisiana, though a release date is not clear. Learn more about the movie at the Skinny Giraffe Films site.

Slater does L.A. con, and a JLA flick in the works?

Helen Slater may have been the lovely blond Supergirl on the big screen, but to us fans of "Batman: The Animated Series," she's the voice of Talia, daughter of the sinister egomaniac Ra's Al Ghul.

Slater will be appearing at the Los Angeles Comic Book and SciFi Convention on September 23:
http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news.php?readmore=3827 http://www.comicbookscifi.com/

Slater, who's kept up some roles here and there in the past few years, starred earlier this year in an episode of "Crossing Jordan."

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the "B: TAS" realm ... is there a JLA film in the works? No, we're not talking about a larger movie take on the fabbo animated series brought to you by some of the same folks who did "B: TAS," in keeping with the recent "Superman: Doomsday" production. We're talking live-action here. Are you cringing, because you're thinking about the hideous and lowly regarded Justice League TV movie of a few years back? Well, consider the recent Batman and Superman big-screen incarnations ... that should help. And read more about it at SyFiPortal.com:
http://www.syfyportal.com/news424077.html

Billy Dee Williams, Jack Coleman do the interview circuit

Life can be good in the post-"Dynasty" world, many of the primetime hit's cast members are showing us. Beyond the highly publicized "Legends" stage romp of two of The Big Three, Joan Collins and Linda Evans, you also have the steady careers of their costars, Jack Coleman and Billy Dee Williams.

The fall TV schedule is going to be starting soon, and that means the opportunity to watch Jack Coleman, once again, in his role as Noah Bennett, father to the invincible Claire, on NBC's highly imaginative "Heroes." Coleman discusses his character, still affectionately known as Horn Rimmed Glasses, in a recent interview with Kyle Braun:

http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=17728&sectionId=7

Williams, meanwhile, landed a great gig on the recently launched "General Hospital" spinoff "Night Shift," airing on SoapNet. Williams talks about his career, which has been varied and robust, with interviewer Kam Williams:

http://newsblaze.com/story/20070827135553tsop.nb/newsblaze/TOPSTORY/Top-Stories.html

BRBTV News Blog Blip: The BRBTV News Blog is pleased to announce that BRB has been named an entertainment community leader on the new Congoo.com networking site. In her new role, BRB posts on entertainment-related topics several times a week for Congoo's entertainment channel: http://www.congoo.com/Entertainment. Check it out, and comment at will! And consider joining this network, yourself; it's a great professional forum and source of up-to-the-minute information.

Robert Symonds of "Dynasty" dies

Actor Robert Symonds, who began his career as Dr. Taney in the 1973 hit movie "The Exorcist," but who is known better to us as Dr. Jonas Edwards of "Dynasty" and Martin Porter of "Dallas," has died. The actor, who on "Dynasty" showed such great care for the often-despicable Adam Carrington, had prostate cancer. He was 80 years old, ContactMusic.com reports.

Besides being married to Priscilla Pointer, his co-star on not only "Dallas" but on various other productions, Symonds did lots of great classic TV through the '70s and '80s. He kept up the work, too, nailing 2006 roles on "Alias" and "Cold Case." He and Pointer were married 26 years.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Meanwhile, over in "Dallas," we've got another crew shuffle. Director Gurinder Chadha, who had gone out on maternity leave, has been replaced by Betty Thomas. With this, the movie has taken a more comedic turn, several news agencies report:
http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/08/25/dallas-movie-is-now-a-comedy/
http://www.variety.com/VR1117970755.html

Welcome, "Batman Beyond"

The BRBTV family of classic TV reference guides just got a little bigger with the release of "Batman Beyond: A BRBTV Report" on Amazon.com. This Amazon Short -- selling for a nifty little 49 cents -- is a magazine-length feature story covering the Kids' WB! animated series.

Set 50 years in the future from its "prequel," the wildly popular "Batman: The Animated Series," "Batman Beyond" features a graying Bruce Wayne and a new, young, teen Batman, who flies around Gotham in a high-tech red-and-black Batsuit to defend against crime. "Batman Beyond: A BRBTV Report," in addition to discussing the making of the series and its major elements, includes a nicely detailed episode guide and cast list, like the other BRBTV Reports / Amazon Shorts you see listed on the right side of this page.

And because we've published this Amazon Short and added "Batman Beyond" to the official BRBTV family, you might just accidentally see news pertaining to the show or its creators on this very news blog. Of course, the creators and voices of "Batman Beyond" have a lot of crossover with "Batman: The Animated Series" and "The New Batman Adventures," so you've already been seeing some news pertaining to them!

(Next up, in case you wonder? Might just be a little animated series called "Justice League" ... or maybe a little "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?" ... whichever gets done first ... )

Thanks for reading, as always (you and your love of classic television are why we do this crazy thing), and feel free to email us any feedback / questions you have at BRBTV@brbtv.com.

You can help rename Archie & Friends

For years and years, they've been Archie & Friends. But in the second quarter of 2008, the comic title Archie & Friends will be replaced with a new anthology title featuring both new characters and some of our best-loved classic characters that have not seen the spotlight in some time. As part of the new title launch, 10 proposed titles are now on the archiecomics.com website so that you can vote for the title you like best.

Your choices:

Archie Playground
Archie Fun House
Archie Toy Box
Archie Playhouse
Archie Plus Presents
Archie Anything Goes
Archie Theatre
Archie All-Stars
Archie Comic Publications Presents
On-Stage

Coming up in Archie Comics ...



ARCHIE #578
"Zero Hero": Inspired by extreme skateboard star Tony Eagle and looking to help Pop Tate increase business, Archie persuades Pop Tate to open a "skateboard wing" of the Choklit Shoppe! SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"A ‘Tax’-ing Situation": Cast your vote for hilarity: Mr. Andrews and Mr. Cooper sit on different sides of the fence when a new property tax to fund parks is proposed, so both of them run for town council! SCRIPT: Bill Golliher. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"A Trust Thing": Claiming it’s trust that keeps him and Veronica together, Archie can’t help but be "helpful" to the new girl in school. But can he "trust" the new girl’s boyfriend with Veronica? SCRIPT: Craig Boldman. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale newsstand September 18, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25


ARCHIE & FRIENDS #112
THE FULL-THROTTLE SEQUEL TO BETTY COOPER’S RACE TRACK DEBUT!
"Crash Course": The wheel screeching action never stops as the saga of radical teen racer Betty Cooper and the Lodge Racing Team pit crew continues! Fresh from her thrilling victory lap in the pages of ARCHIE #572, Betty once again dons her racing duds and puts the pedal to the metal Danica Patrick style! This is one full-throttle sequel that is sure to rev your engine! SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale newsstand August 28, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25


ARCHIE DIGEST #237
"The Big Rescue": A day at the beach is anything but for Archie as he plays pack mule for the girls while they entertain surfers and lifeguards! Will Archie get his day in the sun with the girls, or will the tide wash all his hopes away? SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale newsstand August 28, 2007
Full-color digest format
$2.49


ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #182
"Ghost of the Coast": When Mr. Lodge flies the gang to a small beach community he vacationed at as a child, the teens get lost and soon find themselves in an abandoned part of town. Could it be a literal "ghost town," or is it just the kids’ imaginations that are haunted? SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare. ART: Fernando Ruiz.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale newsstand September 18, 2007
Full-color digest format
$3.69


BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #79
"High School Switcheroo!": To offer a taste of variety, foster new interests and develop hidden talents, Riverdale High switches each student’s elective courses. We’re sure savvy Betty will do fine studying corporate business, but can pampered Veronica possibly handle "domestic living?" SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
On sale newsstand September 4, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25



BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #177
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 pin-ups!
On sale newsstand August 21, 2007
Full-color digest format
$2.49


BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #154
THE EXPLOSIVE CONCLUSION OF A SPECIAL FOUR-ISSUE SAGA FEATURING RIVERDALE’S FAVORITE TEENS IN A WHOLE NEW LOOK!
"Bad Boy Trouble Part 4": It all comes down to this: the months and months of debate over and media coverage surrounding Betty and Veronica’s new looks culminate in a climactic conclusion as the "Bad Boy Trouble" saga draws to a close! The world will finally learn whether rough-and-tumble Nick St. Clair is a true "wild hog" on a souped-up cycle, or merely a misunderstood Romeo worthy of Veronica’s affections. You won’t want to miss the heart-thumping answer, so be sure to reserve your copy of this much-anticipated issue, drawn in an all-new realistic style that has everyone talking! SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan. ART: Steven Butler.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale newsstand September 4, 2007
Full-color digest format
$3.69


JUGHEAD #184
"The Right Moves": After breaking one of Mr. Lodge’s prized crystal chess pieces, Jughead goes on a quest to find a replacement, and ends up being used as a "pawn" himself!
"The Expert": When a virus knocks out the school’s top competitors, Jughead is called upon to fill in – with the promise of food, he can accomplish anything!
"The Chip Whisperer": Jughead convinces Reggie that corn chips talk to him… after all, a free burger is at stake!
SCRIPTS: Craig Boldman. ART: Rex Lindsey.
On sale newsstand September 11, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25


JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #133
It’s 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 pin-ups!
On sale newsstand August 21, 2007
Full-color digest format
$3.69


SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #87
"A New Leaf": To complete her Four Blades mission, Sabrina must get some dead leaves from the dying Mana tree… and that means a trip to the mysterious floating island of Sylphanari! Not wanting to go this perilous journey alone, Sabrina takes Harvey along. Getting alone time together does wonders for their relationship… until they run into Shinji’s girlfriend Hemlock, that is! On top of that, there are no fallen Mana leaves in sight… and the eerie fox-man Vosblanc is on hand as well! It’s more thrilling romantic intrigue as only Sabrina can deliver it! SCRIPT & ART: Tania Del Rio.
On sale newsstand August 21, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25


TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #23
GUEST-STARRING NEARLY EVERY TEEN IN THE ARCHIE UNIVERSE!
"Civil Chores Part Two": Last issue, the world of Riverdale was rocked when Archie decided to go on strike claiming there was no equity between his chores and his allowance. Before too long, the other teens in town chose sides… but when the other side is headed by Veronica and Reggie, watch out! They only want to maintain their status as Riverdale’s richest teens, but when Jughead joins their side for his own ulterior motives, it turns everything upside down! As the story continues, the rest of Riverdale’s fabled teens will choose sides… and you’ll be surprised at not only who turns up but which side they choose! What will be the outcome? Whatever it is, we wouldn’t be surprised if the crowned-one has the last laugh! Who are the guest-stars? Reserve your copy today to find out! SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz. PLUS: Other new and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and your pin-ups!
On sale newsstand September 11, 2007
Full-color digest format
$2.49


VERONICA #183
"Madame President": Cast your vote for hilarity when Veronica decides to run for class president! SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
"Camera Shy": When the Lodge mansion is profiled on TV’s "Rich Folks’ Cribs," Mr. Lodge insists that Archie stay off the premises – never realizing he’s there all the while! SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Dan Parent.
On sale newsstand September 18, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25

Batman animated fans, will our hero go anime?

Just a few brief tidbits today, because BRBTV is on the road!

A new Batman animated movie in the anime style? A new straight-to-DVD animated movie focusing on Wonder Woman, too? Those are the rumors swirling the Internet:
http://www.comics2film.com/index.php?a=story&b=28419

And, just in case you didn't have enough Joan Collins yesterday, here's another dose, this time taking a look at her relationship with her sis, novelist Jackie Collins:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=476896&in_page_id=1879

AND ... here's another bit of ink, so to speak, about Collins' possible future roles in the Malaysia Sun:
http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/f825b92e19df636a/id/275659/cs/1/

Joan Collins gets some more newsprint, along with Linda Gray

OK, there's been some action in the past week while the BRBTV News Blog has been in Ontario with the Hair Dare Dukes Days ... Joan Collins, for instance, has been generating some buzz, no doubt helped along by the release of the second season of "Dynasty." Here, for your perusal, are some bits and pieces found around the Web pertaining to the beloved shows of BRBTV ...

The Daily Mail in the U.K. explores Collins' Hollywood career:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=476107&in_page_id=1773

The Daily Mail then follows it up with a highlight of a new biography of Collins, focusing on her love life and hubby Peter Holm in particular:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=476617&in_page_id=1879

The (York) Press of the U.K. discusses the new role of Linda Gray of "Dallas" fame in Dan Gordon's stage version of the flick "Terms Of Endearment":
http://www.thisisyork.co.uk/whatson/theatre/display.var.1627004.0.preview_terms_of_endearment_york_theatre_royal_august_24_to_september_15.php

The Northern Echo in the U.K. does basically the same thing for Gray:
http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/features/leader/display.var.1611813.0.grays_anatomy.php

And if you've been living in a (Bat)cave and haven't heard that Sen. Patrick Leahy, who did a voice in "Batman: The Animated Series," has nailed a role in the upcoming Batman big-screen movie, you can read about it here, among many other places on the Web:
http://tomztoyz.blogspot.com/2007/08/batman-movie-news-us-senator-patrick.html

Also in the "B: TAS" realm, Adrienne Barbeau, whom we know as the voice of Catwoman, is in the news for her scheduled appearance at the Erie Horror Film Festival in October:
http://movie.moldova.org/stiri/eng/66374/

If you're curious, catch this blogger's analysis of the ninth season of "Dynasty":
http://atthelighthouse.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/death-decay-and-the-carringtons-an-alternative-reading-of-soap-opera-dynastys-season-9/

And, because we just love trying to keep up with the myriad recent film roles of John Schneider of "The Dukes of Hazzard," we'll pass along this addendum to a post a couple weeks ago, regarding John-John's new role in the film "Sydney White"; thanks to Renee of the All-John blog for the link to this trailer that shows Schneider, if only for a moment ... (sigh) ... :
http://www.movie-list.net/exclusive5107/sydney-white.mov

Hair Dare Dukes Days: One last note!

Beggin' your indulgence for just a moment ... After a full week's worth of coverage on the BRBTV News Blog of the rockin' Hair Dare Dukes Days event in lovely and sunny Leamington, Ontario, Canada, and before heading back from Michigan to Georgia later this week, we simply must make one last footnote ...

How can you see something as cute as this and not post it? This was a quick "chase" on the event grounds over the weekend, just like old times, as if Rosco P. Coltrane and Bo and Luke Duke were behind the wheels ...

BRB was roaming the grounds, snapping a few shots of the various cars in attendance, when she saw the General that was giving rides all weekend suddenly take off, followed by you-know-who. In a flash of gravel dust and police lights, they were gone ... And that was Cousin Don in the police car, chasing Derrick in the Lee ... if you're a-wonderin' ...

What a great weekend! Special thanks again to Paul Harrington and his wife, Cheryl, and diligent work crew Jason, Mike, Kevin, Glenn and Lance, and anyone else who helped along the way. They did a great job. See y'all next year!

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV
(You know the drill!)

Hair Dare Dukes Days: The cars, the cars, the cars ...

Ahhhhhh ... the cars .... You know, the Hair Dare Dukes Days event was a great one for raising money for a worthwhile cause, fighting cancer. But it was also a car show, and the selection of shining beauties on the lawn this past weekend was vast and varied. Today's post, the closer of a week's worth of coverage of the annual event in Ontario, Canada, is light on the words and heavy on the photos. Because, as you know, a picture is worth a thousand words, and all that!

Photos by BRB except for this one above, courtesy of John (thanks!) and the one of BRB and Derrick taken by Derrick's helper for the General Lee rides (thanks, Derrick, for the photo printouts and for the "lift," so to speak!)

Hair Dare Dukes Days: See My Lee, the Chick Edition!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, we really did mean to add all those exclamation points, because BRBTV can't help but get excited about a Chick General Lee!

Everybody knows that for a lot of "Dukes" fans, it's all about the car. And collecting that blazin'-orange beauty known as the General Lee is a largely "male" sport. But once in a while, you might accidentally encounter a female who loves and appreciates this 1969 Dodge Charger just as much.

Andrea, avid "Dukes of Hazzard" fan, found her own General over the Internet in the first week of June. "I have been looking for a couple years for a car, and I've found total junk heaps that I myself wouldn't know how to work on," she says. "The scenario with this car was perfect."

A friend of Andrea's who lives just an hour away from the car's location, in Kentucky, picked up the car for her and took it to his place. Then Andrea, along with a friend, traveled with a U-Haul trailer from Michigan to Kentucky to spend some time working on the car.

The car was already orange, and it already had the horn and vectors. It did not have the decals, however. "Everything was factory on it," Andrea says. Nothing had to be done with the engine, she notes. "It was in excellent driving condition."

"We did entire restoration photos and everything. We worked for like 14 hours a day on the car, scrubbing and sanding. We did a heck of a lot."

Her friend had already sent her the broadcast sheet and the actual warranty sheet from the car, which she says is rare to have. Andrea is still in contact with the car's most recent (second) owner, whose name is Chris, who is still in contact with the original owner, who still has the original title for the car. "We're working on getting that. Chris had gone to the hall of records and searched around."

Andrea is actually putting together a scrapbook of the history of her treasured possession, which will include the broadcast sheet, warranty sheet, title, restoration photos and more. But there's still some work to be done, she says, beyond what folks saw on the lawn at the Hair Dare Dukes Days.

"When I brought the car to Paul's show, it still needed wet-sanding. I still have that to do. In turn, I didn't put any of the trim on the car for Paul's show. But that's it. Down the road I want to give the engine more power. Put a 383 in it."

A labor of love for this "Dukes" fan? You betcha! "I watched the show when it was brand-new every Friday night, and got into John Schneider's fan club, and have been a fan of his ever since," she says. "When I first saw the show, I fell in love with the car and had to find out the history of what kind of car it is. I loved it, I loved the style and the body, and everything about it."

What a fun journey it's been, no doubt. And did Andrea ever imagine that at the very first show she took her new Lee to, the car would actually be driven by none other than Coy Duke? Here he is below, Byron Cherry behind the wheel of Andrea's car, with Paul Casey at his side and us girls in the back, on our way to a restaurant during the Hair Dare weekend! Fun!

You can learn more about Andrea and her Lee at her website: http://www.katzcharger.com/. She's a huge cat lover, too, by the way! You can see that at her home. "I have cat things everywhere, sheets, blankets, calendars, trinkets. Anything and everything is cat-shaped."

And hey, while we're talking General Lees, we just can't help but add in these two photos sent along by Bruce and Carole. This is their lovable poochie Tucker, who made friends with BRB during the Hair Dare show. Tucker loves to ride in Bruce and Carole's own Lee, you can see by these photos. Thanks, you guys, for sending them along ...

Hair Dare Dukes Days: Don Pedro Colley

OK, so ... what do you do when you see the imposing, stern, lumbering Sheriff Little of "The Dukes of Hazzard" riding around on a kids' motor scooter, his legs hanging out all over the place? You laugh and take photos, that's what! And that's exactly what he was doing -- and we were doing -- at the fifth annual Hair Dare Dukes Days event in Ontario, Canada, this past weekend!

Don Pedro Colley, who told us on Saturday morning that he's 69, set up shop at the table next to BRB at the event and told all kinds of great "Dukes" stories, and other stories about the many roles he's had in Hollywood. But did you know that he also wrote an episode of "Little House on the Prairie"? Yessireee, he called the episode "The Celebration," and in it a young girl gets lost and is helped by Dr. Tain, the physician to the Indians, who is discriminated against because he is black. It's the only television Colley has written. "I got an inspiration," he said.

Colley spoke well about his "Dukes" days and his costars. Denver Pyle, for instance, was the first actor that he ever met when he began his career in 1966. Colley called Pyle a wonderful human being. He also shared some tidbits about the making of the show. Sheriff Little is remembered so well for yanking the doors off cars or kicking off the fenders. Colley explained how this was done, by taking off the nuts and bolts, then reattaching with piano wire. Someone off screen would be waiting for the cue to yank the fender off when Colley kicked. Fun!

Colley also told about a time when his Sheriff Little persona came in handy in real life. His home in Oregon was broken into by some neighborhood thugs that had been hitting a lot of houses. The police considered them longtime criminals and were trying to catch them. Colley took matters into his own hand, a la Sheriff Little. He actually got a double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun and went over to the thieves' house. "Sheriff Little went to work," he says with a smile. He asked them who their fence was. A bit of a shootout ensued. "I didn't shoot at anyone," Colley clarifies. "I did it to scare them. They were avoiding being brought out of the shadows."

Colley also talked about the creation of the Sheriff Little character on the show. "The producers said the reason they were developing Sheriff Little was as the antithesis of Boss Hogg," he says. The kind of sheriff who has a presence without saying a word, he adds. "That's the kind of presence that I tried to project into the character."

He says he sure had a lot of fun with the lumbering lawman. "Sheriff Little is based on a lot of people I've seen in my life. This head is like a card file -- I've got all kinds of stuff I can pull out if I need it."

The local TV news station interviewed Colley as he signed autographs at Hair Dare. In the midst of all his other roles on movies such as "THX 1138" and "Beneath the Planet of the Apes," Colley sure didn't mind reminiscing to the TV audience, or the myriad fans at the event, about his co-starring role as the stern sheriff of Chickasaw County, Georgia. "You don't mess with him. He's a good guy, but he's a cop. ... He's a real person. I try to bring that into him."

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Hair Dare Dukes Days: Byron Cherry

When you meet Byron Cherry, our own Coy Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," in real life, there are plenty of descriptors that can come to mind ... boisterous, fun-loving, always smiling ... the life of the party! And we have to admit, looking back now on that 1982 season of the show where he and Christopher Mayer nobly took on the role of the "replacement Dukes" and spun it for all it was worth, that cute Coy sure was "boisterous" and "fun-loving," too, wasn't he?

At the Hair Dare Dukes Days, Byron Cherry could be counted on for injecting a big laugh into virtually any moment, all weekend long, from the second his plane landed to when he was taken back to the airport on Monday! He stuck with the fans, not just on the Colasanti's grounds, but at the hotel, at the Applebee's on Sunday night, everywhere! This is just a great guy, and because of that, and because every time BRBTV travels to a show like this we like to bestow an honorary "Most Congenial in Show" award to a celebrity, that goll-darn Coy gets the award this time around.

So ... when you're a celebrity, how do you take a role on a wildly popular show, a role where you step into some very hard shoes to fill, where you were essentially cast as a "bad" guy, and make it a good thing? With grace, if you're Byron Cherry -- even years later. He speaks well of those days, and of John Schneider, the guy whose blond hair and fun-loving demeanor he "replaced" for a time on the show. Cherry tells BRBTV that he actually auditioned for the role of Bo Duke at the same time that Schneider did, right there in Atlanta. Cherry is from Atlanta originally, and his family still lives there. He says that at the time, he and Schneider had the same agent in Atlanta. Schneider joked to him, at the time, that he, not Cherry, was going to get the role of Bo! And indeed, he did, and Cherry took it in stride.


Do you remember that episode "Comrade Duke," where Coy and Vance meet the defecting Russian gymnast Natasha? Coy flips for the girl, literally and figuratively, performing an aerial flip during the episode. Cherry tells BRBTV that he was into gymnastics, among other sports, in his younger years. When the producers considered hiring a stunt guy to do the flip, to the tune of $1,200, Cherry stepped up and offered to do it. That flip took 28 takes, he says, and one of those takes was right on his head! (He wouldn't do the flip again at the Hair Dare event -- we asked! And take note: This guy is a very nice-looking age 52 -- his IMDb year of birth is wrong.)

While BRBTV was chatting with fellow fans at the Hair Dare Dukes Days, the topic of the Mean Green Machine came up. The tanklike vehicle only appeared in two "Dukes" episodes, during the Coy and Vance season. Whatever happened to that? one fan wonders. And what exactly was it, anyway? At a show like this, where everything from the General Lee to Daisy's Jeep Dixie to the "00" Mustang, the "Carnival of Thrills" car and everything else shows up, you sure don't see a Mean Green Machine pull into position on the lawn, now do ya? Well, BRBTV posed the question to Cherry, who laughs that the Mean Green Machine was essentially "some plywood over a chassis." It was a car engine with a steering wheel sticking up, he says, and just a plywood casing that was painted the green color. Where did this contraption ever disappear to? Cherry has no idea. Hmmm ....

Don't look now, but it's BRB's three best new buds! With Byron Cherry is Kevin (middle) and "Zealand," as he's now so aptly called -- our fellow "Dukes" fan Andrew, who traveled to the event all the way from New Zealand!

(That Zealand -- he was just outta control! And it was our own Coy who penned that nickname, by the way!)

Here, Coy Duke, aka Byron Cherry, drives the one and only "Chick" General Lee in attendance, owned by Andrea of Kalamazoo, Michigan. You'll learn more about Andrea in the special chick version of our occasional "See My Lee!" feature on Thursday ...

Nowadays, Cherry lives on the West Coast, near Ventura, California, about an hour away from the home of his fellow Duke boy Mayer (who was scheduled for this show but couldn't make it). The two, bonded by a single "Dukes" season and "The Dukes" cartoon, still keep in touch.

It's been said, in the "Dukes" world, that Coy and Vance never really got their due. And we'd have to agree, especially after meeting the lively and extremely fun and kind Byron Cherry.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV
Email if you want higher-resolution copies!