BRBTV birthdays for January ...

- Rick Hurst, Cletus Hogg of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turned 62 on January 1.
- Rawley Valverde, Amado Gonzalez on "Santa Barbara," turned 42 on January 1.
- John Considine, a BRBTV quadruple-shot as the commanding Grant Capwell on "SB," David Prescott on "Dynasty," Lt. Braden on "The Colbys" and Investigator Hackle on the "P.O.V." episode of "Batman: The Animated Series," turned 73 today, January 2.
- Victoria Principal, Pamela Ewing of "Dallas," turns 58 on January 3.
- Sorrell Booke, the unforgettable Boss J.D. Hogg of "The Dukes," was born January 4, 1930, and passed on February 11, 1994.
- Pamela Sue Martin, the supercool 'n' sassy original Fallon Carrington on "Dynasty," turns 54 on January 5.
- Michael Wilding Jr., that handsome son of Elizabeth Taylor who showed up on "Dallas" as Alex Barton, turns 55 on January 6.
- Fern Fitzgerald, our lovely and biting Marilee Stone of "Dallas," turns 61 on January 7.
- Kristen Meadows, Victoria Lane of "SB," turns 51 on January 7.
- Tony Wike, who voiced Mr. Weatherbee on "Archie's Weird Mysteries," turns 53 on January 7.
- K Callan, who portrayed not only Superman's mom in the '90s "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," but also April Stevens' mom Amy on "Dallas," turns 66 on January 9.
- Krista Tesreau, the psycho Andi Klein of "SB," turns 44 on January 10.
- Richard Moll, who did a few wonderful turns as the skanky Milo Beaudry on "The Dukes," and who voiced Harvey Dent / Two-Face on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 65 on January 13.
- Sherill Lynn Rettino, the faithful secretary Jackie Dugan on "Dallas," was born on January 13, 1956 and died July 3, 1995.
- Barry Jenner, who sought to woo Sue Ellen Ewing as Jerry Kenderson on "Dallas," is 67 on January 14.
- Arte Johnson, also a notable guest as Irving in the "The Dukes" episode "Double Sting," turns 78 on January 20.
- Joe Marinelli, the mobster cross-dresser with a heart of gold, Bunny, on "SB," turns 51 on January 21.
- Leigh Taylor-Young, Kimberly Cryder on "Dallas," turns 56 on January 25.
- Cathy Podewell, country-bumpkin Cally Harper on "Dallas," and Paul Johansson, long-lost Capwell son Greg Hughes on "SB," both turn a young 44 on January 26.
- Donna Reed, the Miss Ellie replacement on "Dallas," was born on January 27, 1921, and passed on January 14, 1986.
- Carrington Garland, a very lovely Kelly Capwell (we liked her every bit as much as Robin Wright) on "SB," turns 44 on January 27.
- James Cromwell, who was the duplicitous Gerald Kane on "Dallas," turns 68 on January 27.
- John Beck , a BRBTV double-shot with a stint as Mark Graison on "Dallas" and a turn as David Raymond on "SB," turns 65 on January 28.
- Susan Howard, longtime Donna Krebbs on "Dallas," turns 62 on January 28.
- Harley Jane Kozak, the wonderful Mary Duvall on "SB" and one of our favorites, turns 51 on January 28.
- Marc Singer , a little spooky as Matt Cantrell on "Dallas," and who voiced Dr. Kirk Langstrom on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 60 on January 29.
- John Forsythe, the amazing Blake Carrington on "Dynasty," turns 90 on January 29.
- Katharine Ross, the much-put-upon Francesca Colby on "Dynasty" spinoff "The Colbys," turns 66 on January 29.
- David Wayne, who was one of the Digger Barneses on "Dallas," was born on January 30, 1914 and died February 9, 1995.
- Justin Gocke, a very memorable Brandon DeMott on "SB," turns a most-young 30 on January 31.

Happy birthday to all!!!!

Happy anniversary, BRBTV!!!!!!!

Birthday, anniversary, however you call it, it's 10 big years of BRBTV this year, in 2008! It's 10 years of loving "Dynasty," "Dallas" and "The Dukes of Hazzard" ... 10 years of research, writing, photography, graphic design and much more to express that love ... 10 years of building and maintaining websites on multiple platforms, learning HTML in the evening hours, losing information in computer crashes and nearly sending desktops hurling through the window ... 10 years of embracing this wonderful thing called the Internet! Yea -- 10 years of all that!

It was 1998 when Billie Rae Bates -- in the evening hours from her job at a daily newspaper in downtown Detroit -- first decided to sit down in front of a computer, create a free account on the Geocities site, and start entering information about "Dallas," a show she dearly loved in the '80s. Fan sites for TV shows were all the rage, and BRB took this format and made it more, until reference books, feature stories and reports burst forth. (She is first and foremost a journalist, after all.)

And now, as BRBTV wishes you a fond and happy new year, we also announce that we've got some fun stuff in store to celebrate this milestone. From signed copies of the BRBTV fact books to original press kits from a variety of TV shows and movies both well-known and obscure, you can check out all the quirky stuff at our special BRBTV anniversary page:

http://anniversary.brbtv.com/

Check out the special deals on the page, and help us celebrate the anniversary of BRBTV all year long in 2008!

And you can read more on the BRBTV anniversary in the official press release.

Bits 'n' Pieces: Diahann Carroll, General Lee

We've got a couple from the "Dukes" and a couple from "Dynasty" in today's Bits 'n' Pieces From Around the Web ...

- "Entertainment Tonight" did a countdown of what they consider the top 20 TV stars of all time, unleashing one half of the results this past weekend. Coming in at No. 18 was Diahann Carroll, our lovely Dominique Devereaux of "Dynasty." For her segment, she discussed how she got out of an abusive relationship, she touched on her fight with breast cancer and she fondly remembered "Dynasty" as a fabulous time to enjoy great clothing. "ET" announces the second half of the countdown this coming weekend, and we just bet there are a few other BRBTV stars in the mix ...

- More "Dynasty" DVDs are on the way ... TVShowsonDVD sets the record straight on release dates and contents of the next DVD release of our beloved "Dynasty," which will focus on the third season of the show:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Dynasty-Correct-Date-Title/8667

- With the new "Knight Rider" movie coming up on NBC in February, TV muscle cars are generating buzz. KETV Channel 7 of Omaha, Nebraska, compiled a list of the top TV cars of all time, and you guessed it, that fabulous blazin' orange beauty, the General Lee, factored in. We won't tell you where in the countdown; you'll have to read it yourself:
http://www.ketv.com/automotive/14926952/detail.html

- And finally, the restored original General Lee, fondly dubbed Lee 1 and so closely watched by "Dukes" fans everywhere, is featured in Spike TV's "PowerBlockTV" show this weekend. Watch a promo video featuring the car on their website:
http://www.powerblocktv.com/sites/
You can also read more about the car and its restoration in this story in one of the hometown papers of Maine native Jim Shine, who helped in the Lee 1 project:
http://www.sunjournal.com/story/244858-3/OxfordHills/Maine_parts_complement_original_General_Lee/


Tune in to the BRBTV News Blog tomorrow, when we'll have a special New Year's Day announcement!

Tom Wopat hits the big and small screen

Tom Wopat is not all Broadway these days; our buddy Luke Duke is returning to his big and small screen credits with a couple new projects for 2008.

"Taking Chance" is a HBO TV movie that is still filming in New Jersey for release next year. The plotline from the IMDb: "Based on real-life events, Lt. Col. Michael Strobl (Bacon), a volunteer military escort officer, accompanies the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming." The movie also features Kevin Bacon as well as Paige Turco, whom you might recall from the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movies. Wopat portrays Mr. Phelps.

"The Understudy" is classified as completed. Gloria Reuben of "ER" and all kinds of other stuff is also on board. The plotline from the IMDb: "A perennial understudy takes matters into her own hands to achieve fame at any price." Wopat plays Detective Jones.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: It's sad to read on People magazine's site that Robin Wright Penn's marriage is ending. BRBTV offers its fondest wishes for happier times ahead for our original Kelly Capwell of "Santa Barbara."

Coming up in Archie Comics in the next few weeks

ARCHIE #581
"Forget Me Not": Miraculously, Archie remembers the anniversary of his first date with Veronica… but can he remember to get her a gift she doesn’t already have?
"MESS-terpiece": When Mr. Lodge’s favorite artist goes abstract, he suspects Archie of tampering with his paintings!
"Surprise": Betty keeps slipping little surprises into Archie’s back pockets… leading Archie to wonder if he’s absentmindedly taking things he shouldn’t!
"Just Plain Wrong": It’s "business" as usual when Veronica has to break a date with Archie to entertain the son of one of her father’s clients… but in the end, it’s Archie who makes the real power play!
SCRIPTS: Craig Boldman. ART: Stan Goldberg
On sale on newsstands: January 22, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

ARCHIE DIGEST #241
"Interest Rate": Archie’s well-meaning new neighbor can’t help but noticing everything he does… and she isn’t shy about saying so! Now Archie is in hot water with his employer and his girlfriends. Archie must find a way to get himself out of the spotlight, but finding her a new hobby… or better yet a new man!
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare. ART: Bob Bolling.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: February 12, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #185
"Freeze Framed": Archie hopes the seasonal photos he submitted to the local newspaper’s "Winter Wonderland" competition don’t meet with a frosty reception!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Randy Elliott.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: January 22, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

BETTY #171
"Consolation": The winter blues are that much bluer for Betty when Veronica emails photos of her Hawaiian vacation to Betty.
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Hold the Phone": Archie and Betty mix their cell phones up – which spells big trouble for Veronica when she sends text messages to try to ditch a night out with Betty in favor of a date with Archie!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"The Treatment": When stress has Betty utterly exhausted, Veronica introduces her to the pampering pleasures of spa life!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Clean Sweep": Betty cleans the TV room so she and Archie can watch a movie – but with a scary movie and bowl of popcorn on the agenda, can it stay clean for long?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale on newsstands: January 29, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA #233
"The Wild Twenties": So just what was the relationship between parents and teenagers like in the 1920s? This telling tale is filled with nostalgia for the fads and fashions of yesterday – and parental gripes that still seem strangely familiar!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Royal Flush": Don’t miss the majestic mayhem when a duke, a prince, a king, a crowned head, some dogs and a duped darling collide in this royal mash-up!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Second World": When Betty and Veronica get lost in the "virtual reality" of simulated computer worlds, can Archie bring them back to "actual" reality?
SCRIPT: Barbara Slate. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Enough About Me": Veronica’s not satisfied with just being self-centered – she wants everyone else to be Veronica-centered, too!
SCRIPT: Barbara & Samantha Slate. ART: Jeff Shultz.
On sale on newsstands: February 12, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #181
"Be My Valentine …or Else!": In our previous issue, Cheryl and Reggie formed an alliance – she to figure out how to date Archie without competition from Betty and Veronica; he to date Betty and Veronica without competition from Archie. Their scheming continues this issue, or so it seems… could it be possible that Cheryl and Reggie really DO want to attend the Valentine’s Day parade together? Not according to Archie, Betty and Veronica, who are convinced the duo are just using one another. But Cupid may have something else in mind!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales, including the "animated" Sabrina!
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: February 5, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #158
"Cheering Section": Three cheers for Riverdale’s cheerleading team – they are guaranteed to "cheer" you "up" when you’re feeling "down!"
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: February 19, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

JUGHEAD #187
"Give Me a Sign": Mr. Lodge drives another competitor’s business out of town, but not before Jughead claims its "coming soon" sign. Now as Jughead tries to get the sign home, Mr. Lodge sees it all over town and is convinced his rival is planning a major takeover!
"Advices Times Twice": Archie is always coming to Jughead for advice, but now that he needs advice on winning over a certain girl, Jughead is shocked to find he’s consulting Trula Twyst! Will Trula’s advice on the girl prove successful… or will Jughead’s unheeded warnings about Trula end in disaster?!
"Vocal Yokel": Jughead decides to sing for his supper – and those who hear him are glad to stuff his mouth with food!
"Make Your Own Kind of Music": The Archies have a new "big idea": custom instruments designed to match the personalities of each of the band members!
SCRIPTS: Craig Boldman. ART: Rex Lindsey.
On sale on newsstands: February 12, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #26
"Nut of This Earth": When a local eatery goes out of business and auctions off its wares, Jughead is the first in line. Unfortunately, he lets his taste buds do the bidding instead of his common sense – how else would he end up with 500 pounds of nuts? Jughead has really cracked his shell this time… and there are still 499 to go!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: January 29, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #137
"Cold Hard Facts": Normally, a day off due to snow would make Jughead ecstatic, but this time there’s one complication too many and that’s got Jughead… and his stomach… grumbling!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Henry Scarpelli.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: February 5, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #118
"Dueling Dummies": It’s the battle of the ventriloquists when Reggie and Archie compete to see who can throw their voices… and their insults of one another… further! Lucky for them, Mr. Lodge is throwing a bash just for ventriloquists… and their dummies, too! Unknown to Mr. Lodge, however, a pint-sized pilferer and his hefty henchman are crashing the party – masquerading as a man and his dummy, of course! Can Reggie and Archie stop their feud long enough to stop the tiny terror and his tiny-brained lackey from making off with the Lodge family jewels?!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Fernando Ruiz.
On sale on newsstands: January 29, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #91
"The Turning": The "Duality Wands" have raised the gauntlet for Sabrina, giving her even more abilities than the considerable powers granted her before. But this substantial new power comes at a steep price. Now that she has the power to set things right and even destroy her enemies, is Sabrina in danger of succumbing to a far more dangerous threat?!
SCRIPT: Tania del Rio. ART: Tania del Rio & Jim Amash.
COVER: Tania del Rio & Jim Amash
On sale on newsstands: February 5, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

Robin Wright Penn might be in a Christmas mood

It's only the day after Christmas, and already Robin Wright Penn, our beautiful original Kelly Capwell of "Santa Barbara," is thinking about next Christmas. More specifically, she's thinking about a new version of "A Christmas Carol" starring Jim Carrey as Scrooge and the three Christmas ghosts. At least it's rumored she's thinking about it.

Penn is up for a role in the Robert Zemeckis update of the Charles Dickens classic, according to the IMDb. Rumors have a star-studded array attached: Gary Oldman, Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Bob Hoskins. We'll see how things shake out for this one as the next couple years pass; it's not scheduled for release until November 2009.

Penn, meanwhile, is so busy and quick that she's got other stuff on her rap sheet since we last checked in. With "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee," based on the novel by Rebecca Miller, she portrays the title character. Winona Ryder and Julianne Moore are also in this one. There's a website that tells a little more about this story: http://www.pippalee.co.uk/

Merry Christmas from the BRBTV News Blog

Seasons greetings, and all that jazz. What's better, at Christmastime, than a couple photos of the car from the "Carnival of Thrills" two-part episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard"? Nothing, we say! It's just the perfect accompaniment to holiday cheer ...

The young man behind the wheel here is Lance, son of Mr. Paul Harrington of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club and organizer of the annual Hair Dare Dukes Days benefit for cancer research. The sweet-mannered and handsome Lance can often be seen at "Dukes" events with Dad (and often, as you can see, patiently laughing while his "Dukes"-happy parental unit is snapping pictures).



("Go, Bo Duke, go! You can be the star of the show!" Oooops, er, sorry) The car is a replica, by the way, and kids, don't try this trick at home. (Whatever this particular trick is -- we think it's basically just driving, which any "Dukes" fan knows how to do anyway.)

Thanks very much to Paul for sending these two shots along, and make sure you keep an eye on his Hair Dare event, scheduled for August 22-24 in Ruscom Station, Ontario, Canada. BRB is confirmed for the show -- to sign copies of "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" -- and Byron (Coy Duke) Cherry and Don Pedro (Sheriff Little) Colley are planning the trip again, too. It promises to be another wildly fun and safe "Dukes" event.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: If BRB is going to be immersed in an all-day Yahtzee marathon tomorrow with her 11-year-old niece Veronica (named for the Archie Comics character, don't ya know), then she better just post this last little tidbit today, while she's wishing y'all a wonderful, happy and peaceful Christmas ... How could the town of Dallas not be thrilled to pieces to remind folks of J.R. Ewing and the Southfork clan? Evidently, it's all about image. Read on, in this story in the Chicago Tribune.

Well, what's the verdict on the new Joker? Bat-pros weigh in

The new interpretation of Batman's nemesis the Joker by Hollywood heavyweight Heath Ledger is causing quite a stir, and the movie's nowhere near the theaters yet.

"Heath Ledger's Joker seems perfectly suited to the dark Gotham City created by Christopher Nolan," says Paul Dini, writer of our beloved "Batman: The Animated Series" and its various offshoots. "He seems more street than any other version of the Joker, with his clownish visage recalling hastily applied graffiti paint rather than chemically dyed skin."

More "street"! Love that! Because if anything, Cesar Romero's Joker was dapper and somehow strangely mannerly. Jack Nicholson matched a lot of that demeanor. And Mark Hamill? Well, he's wasn't too far off the dapper scale, either. Maybe because this latest film is still prequeling the Batlore we know and love so well, that means Joker grows up -- evolves, if you will -- to have a certain degree of sophistication in his purple pinstripes!

And is this younger Joker a little rougher around the edges in other ways, too? Not the degree of wit and humor, according to our Harley Quinn creator? "This Joker doesn't split sides ... he splits skulls," Dini says.

Read more of the commentary at MTV.com. And watch the extended trailer of the movie there, too. (And man-oh-man, BRBTV's just gotta say that Nolan's interpretation of the Caped Crusader, with all of its tone and fury, is just kickin' the crap out of those '90s Batflicks.)

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Over in "Santa Barbara," meanwhile, an old familiar face is returning to daytime TV. Our latter Kelly Capwell, Eileen Davidson, is reprising her role as Ashley on CBS' "The Young and the Restless" on December 28, January 2 and 3.

"Dynasty" pops up in exhibit on the influence of TV

Well, we've always known what a pop-culture icon our beloved "Dynasty" is. The art world is recognizing it, too, with an exhibit showing at the Whitney in New York.

In the midst of examples by various artists highlighting the massive influence television has had on our culture, Joan Braverman presents a video called "Joan Does Dynasty." The artist adds her own image to scenes from the show for the work, which is 35 minutes long.

To read more on this crazy-sounding concoction:
http://www.nysun.com/article/68388
http://www.nyobserver.com/2007/whitney-present-tv-art-exhibition

Coming up in Archie Comcs

Coming up in Archie Comics in the next few weeks ...

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #115
"From the Ground Up": Inspired by TV's home makeover shows, Archie and his friends endeavor to restore historic Pickens General Store and turn it into a museum. But can they overcome their lack of construction experience, not to mention opportunistic politicians who want to exploit the situation for their own gain and fame? Don't miss the first story written by longtime Archie collector/historian Jeffrey C. Branch – a poignant addition to the fabled canon of Riverdale lore!
SCRIPT: Jeffrey C. Branch. ART: Rex Lindsey.
On sale on newsstands: January 8, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

ARCHIE DIGEST #240
"Arrow Talk": The new cupid in town gets a lesson from the retiring one – when it comes to love, there's no more star-crossed place than Riverdale! How else to explain one boy who just can't seem to choose a girl, another who prefers hamburgers to honies, and a third who finds no more stunning beauty than that which stares back at him from the mirror?!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: January 1, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA #232
"Pairing Off": With Archie's car problems making him perpetually late and in danger of detention after detention, the girls present alternatives: Betty urges Archie to take the bus in with her, but Veronica offers to pick Archie up in her sports car!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Lost": Some folks get lost the moment they get behind the wheel of a car, but Veronica doesn't even get that far – she's still working our way out of her labyrinthine closet!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Backstage Pass": When the girls get backstage passes to the "Tumbling Boulders" concert, they're surprised to learn that offstage the band is more "mild" than "wild!"
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Jeff Shultz.
On sale on newsstands: January 1, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #180
"Love Can Be Nasty": Cheryl Blossom is tired of competing with Betty and Veronica for Archie's affections. Likewise, Reggie is tired of competing with Archie for dates with Betty and Veronica. Guess it's time for Reggie and Cheryl to form an alliance to solve this once and for all! But will putting their heads together result in their hearts coming together, too? It's the romantic jigsaw puzzle of the year, as only the matchmakers (and breakers) at Archie Comics could conceive it!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales, including the "animated" Sabrina!
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: December 26, 2007
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #157
"You Ain't Got No Elegance": Both Betty and Archie are abuzz when they learn Veronica's got a hot date with a high class gentleman! Is this finally the answer to Betty's prayers, or merely the beginning of Archie's nightmares? The answer will melt your heart!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: January 8, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

JUGHEAD #186
"The Big Sleep": The annual ice shuffleboard championship is on, but Riverdale's star player Jughead is in deep hibernation! Will his teammates be able to revive him before they're "iced?!" "To Beach His Own": Jughead discovers how to beat the crowds at the beach – go in the dead of winter! "Chilly Reception": When a girl gets tangled in Hot Dog's chain, Jughead untangles her and treats her at Pop's. The question is, will their hearts get tangled, too?
SCRIPTS: Craig Boldman. ART: Rex Lindsey.
On sale on newsstands: December 26, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #136
"His Hidden Talent": Jughead discovers a hidden talent – although he hates to work himself, he devises a way to find work for others… a way that results in free snow removal AND free pizzas! Just what is Jughead's marvelous new method for avoiding work? Be sure to read this issue to find out!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Fernando Ruiz.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: December 26, 2007
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #90
"Hidden Worlds, Forbidden Power": After discovering the "Duality Wands," Sabrina finds once forbidden powers and abilities are opening up to her. While attempting to grasp this new, unbelievable power, she discovers one of her new powers is the ability to create portals into hidden worlds – worlds filled with magical treasures! Entering these hidden worlds results in at least two consequences: separated from her boyfriend and other loved ones, Sabrina is left to face the unknown alone; and with nothing else to do but continue trying to control the power of the "Duality Wands," she doesn't realize that it is the power that is controlling her!
SCRIPT: Tania del Rio. ART: Tania del Rio & Jim Amash.
COVER: Tania del Rio & Jim Amash.
On sale on newsstands: December 26, 2007
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #26
"A Warming Effect": Reggie gives a "chilly reception" to his eco-friendly pals' concerns over global warming, but an even more "chilling" dream soon "cools" his objections!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Fernando Ruiz.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: January 15, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

VERONICA #186
"Isn't It Romantic?": Betty and Veronica become enraptured by the latest "hot" romance story, but due to a clever pseudonym, little do they realize the author is really someone they know quite well! Is it one of their classmates? A parent? One of the faculty? The answer to this intriguing question will astound you!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
On sale on newsstands: January 15, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

FUN PACKS ARE A TERRIFIC COMIC BOOK VALUE!

Due to many requests, we are making these affordable FUN-PACKS of Archie-published titles available once more. Each features three fun-filled, full color, 32-page Archie titles for the perfect reading value! They make the perfect stocking stuffers!

ARCHIE FUN-PACK (3 Comics), $3.59.

John Travolta heads out of "Dallas"?

We've gotten rather used to it ... Every time a sneeze is emitted from someone associated with the new "Dallas" big-screen remake, the vibrations are felt all across the Internet. We don't pass everything along on this blog, but the most recent tidbit is a biggie ... John Travolta out?

John Travolta, the sole cast survivor of all the ins and outs since the project first made the news? That John Travolta?

Well, as we said, it's all over the 'Net:

PageSix / New York Post
CHUD.com
CinemaBlend.com
Times Square Gossip
Allie is Wired

It all leads one to wonder, once again, as we do every time we hear that sneezing sound ... Is this film going to be made, or isn't it? Especially since if, indeed, Ben Stiller has been offered the role of J.R. Ewing, he isn't willing to admit it? Yikes! We'll stand by with bait on our breath, as our good buddy Ralph used to say ...

Some upcoming "Dukes" appearances

Ya know we like to check in now and then with our "Dukes of Hazzard" cast and crew, to see where they're going and when they're going. Here's what's comin' up ...

- Rick Hurst, our own Deputy Cletus Hogg, will be at Cooter's Place in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, December 27 - 31, 2007. He'll sign autographs and take pictures.

- Jim Best, that rascally Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, will appear at the Canton Hot Rod Custom Show in Canton, Ohio, on Jan 26, 2008. The show is at the Canton Civic Center, 1101 Market Avenue. Call (330) 628-2432 for more info. (And check out the pooches on Best's official website -- BRBTV is partial to Daisy Mae, a beagle!

- The Hazzard County Stunt Team will be at the East Texas Crisis Center Car Show in Tyler, Texas, on February 29 - March 2, 2008. Then, on March 28 - 30, 2008, they'll go to MOPARS at the Strip in Las Vegas. For more information on that one, contact mopars@thestrip.com.

Get your "Dallas" questions and your slogans ready

The Ultimate Dallas site is queueing up Larry Hagman, our own J.R. Ewing, for an interview, and you can submit your own questions here:

http://www.ultimatedallas.com/asklarry/

The site is also looking for your cleverest T-shirt slogans relating to "Dallas." Pique their interest, and you could get a T-shirt bearing a slogan and a copy of Laura Van Wormer's 1985 book, "Dallas: The Complete Ewing Family Saga."

http://www.ultimatedallas.com/tshirt/

Also on the "Dallas" front, look for news soon on BRBTV's "Destination: Dallas" fact book ...

Now Jughead gets a new look

From Archie Comics

MAMARONECK, NY – Last year, one of the most talked-about stories in the comic book industry was the dynamic new look for Betty and Veronica, as seen in the story “Bad Boy Trouble.” Thousands of Archie fans responded by email, snail mail and phone expressing their disapproval of the new look before the story was even printed. Those same fans, after reading “Bad Boy Trouble,” let us know how much they enjoyed the story once seeing it in print. They thought it was fun and interesting to see the characters with a different look, AS LONG AS IT WASN’T IN ALL OF THE COMICS. The story was so popular it was collected into a graphic novel.

Thanks to the response of those thousands of fans, we have created another story with a dynamic new look, this time, starring Jughead in a story that will shock you. You can see Jughead’s dynamic new look in four consecutive issues of Jughead’s Double Digest, issues 139 through 142, with dynamic art by the legendary Joe Staton. Remember, it is only one of the stories in Jughead’s Double Digest; the remaining stories will be in the classic Archie art style you know and love. Make sure you contact your local comic book retailer to reserve your copies today.

BRBTV just wants to know -- who's the cute redhead???!!!

Al Corley's "in the Box" while Ken Howard's in the "Gardens

James Van Der Beek, whom we just spotted over the weekend in a sci-fi creature-feature, is one of the stars of "Boy in the Box," the latest production from Al Corley, our own original Steven Carrington of "Dynasty." Josh Lucas and Jessica Chastain also star in the drama, scheduled for release next year.

The film is directed by Anders Anderson and written by Glenn Taranto.

Fellow "Dynasty" caster Ken Howard, meanwhile, is filming "Grey Gardens," also scheduled for 2008 release. He plays Phelan Beale in the drama about the eccentric aunt and first cousin of Jackie Kennedy. The film stars Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange.

HBO is doing the producing. You can read a little more about the film here:
http://www.totalfilm.com/movie_news/drew_barrymores_in_the_gardens
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3icd201607b0abc97fe74fd42ccf755baa

BRBTV birthdays in December

- Forry Smith, the dashing Reese Walker on "SB," turned 55 on December 1.
- Charlene Tilton, little Lucy Ewing of "Dallas," turned 49 on December 1.
- Nicolas Coster, the unforgettable Lionel Lockridge on "SB," turned 73 on December 3.
- Morgan Brittany, who also was unforgettable as the Bobby-stalking Katherine Wentworth on "Dallas," and who played Mary Lou Pringle on a 1980 episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard," "The Hazzardville Horror," celebrates her birthday on December 5, this year turning 56.
- Gunnar Hellström, who not only played Rolf Brundin on "Dallas" but also directed some episodes, was born on December 6, 1928 and died on November 28, 2001.
- Tom Fuccello, who was Sen. Dave Culver on "Dallas," was born on December 11, 1936, and died on August 16, 1993.
- Sheree J. Wilson, our own April Stevens Ewing of "Dallas," turns 49 tomorrow, December 12.
- Thaao Penghlis, who was Dr. Micah De Angelis in the tail-end of the run of "Santa Barbara," turns 62 on December 15.
- Helen Slater, who voiced Talia on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 44 on December 15.
- Christopher Cazenove, rugged and angry bro to Blake Carrington as Ben Carrington on "Dynasty," turns 62 on December 17.
- Brad Pitt, who was a very youthful Randy, boyfriend to Charlie, in one of his very first roles, on "Dallas," turns 44 on December 18.
- Karen Moncrieff, who played Cassandra Benedict on "Santa Barbara," turns 44 on December 20.
- Jared Martin, our own Dusty Farlow of "Dallas," turns 64 on December 21.
- John Callahan, who was Craig Hunt on "SB," turns 54 on December 23.
- Susan Lucci, the evil Hillary Taylor in the latter years of "Dallas," has a birthday on Saturday, December 23, as well, turning 61 (although one of our sources says 59).
- Dane Witherspoon, who originated the role of Joe Perkins on "Santa Barbara," turns 50 on December 27.
- Terri Garber, who was the feisty Leslie Carrington on "Dynasty," turns 47 on December 28.
- Barbara Carrera, who played the evil Angelica Nero on "Dallas," turns 56 on New Year's Eve, December 31.

Happy birthday to all!

Our favorite classic TV babes rank high on AOL's list

We love that Pamela Anderson topped the list, we love that Farrah was up there too, because she was our hero back in the day! We really love that Lynda Carter came in third, speaking of heroes! That all rocks, big-time, because all three of those are lovelier than lovely, when it comes to female-ness! But we especially loved that so many of our BRBTV femmes ranked on AOL's list of the top 50 sexiest women on TV ...

4. Heather Locklear (they cite "T.J. Hooker" -- we say "DYNASTY"!!!!!!! Precious at No. 4, just precious!)

7. Barbara Eden (she's known for "I Dream of Jeannie," but we loved her as a conniving beauty on "Dallas")

9. Catherine Bach (our "The Dukes of Hazzard" reigning queen supreme; thank God she was in the top 10, because there would've been a major revolt)

10. Tina Louise (known for "Gilligan's Island," of course, but she was Julie Grey at the beginning of "Dallas," and the redheaded BRB can't help but be glad she inched out Mary Ann for the No. 10 spot! BRBTV is so much more a Ginger than a Mary Ann!!!!!)

34. Victoria Principal ("Dallas" -- now this gal's a little low on the list, for our taste)

At the same time, we couldn't help but admire some of the other picks: 8. Katherine Heigl ("Grey's Anatomy" now, but we loved her in "Roswell" a few years back), 14. Lisa Bonet, 15. Maureen McCormick, 20. Julie Newmar (always the best Catwoman of "Batman"), 27. Nichelle Nichols (original "Star Trek," and now keepin' the fame with "Heroes"), 28. Jeri Ryan (such a stunner on "Star Trek: Voyager" in more ways than one), 29. Alyssa Milano ("Charmed" -- naturally beautiful in all her offbeat outfits), 30. Cheryl Ladd ("Charlie's Angels" -- she had tough shoes to fill, but she did fine), 32. Sherilyn Fenn (we're going to be rewatching all those fabbo "Twin Peaks" episodes soon, and Audrey Horne is great!)

See AOL's top 50 whole list (and luscious photos) here:
http://television.aol.com/photos/sexiest-women-tv

Let the Bat-buzz begin ... (oh wait, it never stopped)

Borrowed from BRB's entertainment blog at Congoo, as part of our continuing coverage in the "Batman: The Animated Series" realm ...

Heath Ledger is scoring points as the next big-screen Joker. A preview of “The Dark Knight,” the sequel to 2005’s “Batman Begins” and the next installment in the rebirth of a once-failing Batfilm franchise, is showing on IMAX on December 14. We’ve all seen Christian Bale’s interpretation of Batman, so there’s no surprise there. What we’re waiting with Batted breath – so to speak – to see is Hollywood hottie Heath Ledger as the Crown Prince of Crime.

The sequel plans were announced almost immediately after “Batman Begins” opened. And of course, for any diehard Batfans, the question of who the villain for the next movie would be was already answered at the end of the first one. The real question was … who would play him? Ledger has some pretty big spectator shoes to fill – Jack Nicholson wowed and wooed fans big-time in the 1989 “Batman” movie, the groundbreaker that brought the Caped Crusader back out of the comics and away from the 1960s TV camp. Nicholson was perfect for the role, through and through (helped along, ironically, by his similarities in style to Cesar Romero, who handled the role so deftly in the ‘60s TV series). And some would argue that the ante was upped with the voicework of the surprising Mark Hamill in “Batman: The Animated Series” through the ‘90s.

So back to that whole Heath thing. Will he cavort? Will he preen? Will he leer and jeer with maniacal cheer? Will it be purple and orange and green -- marked in pasty white -- for Batman's off-kilter foil? The first six minutes of the film are what’s showing on IMAX next week. And Ledger’s certainly got his buzz on: “Seeing this extraordinary face, eight stories high... you can smell his breath,” director Christopher Nolan says in the Hollywood Reporter.

The (whole) movie is scheduled for theaters on July 18.

You can still get your "Dukes" Cruise T-shirts

Mr. Wayne Wooten reports that he's still got some leftover T-shirts from the Hillbilly Woodstick 2 Dukes of Hazzard Cruise a few weeks ago. Check out his website for details:

http://www.dohgltruth.com/t-shirt.htm

And speaking of the Cruise, special thanks to Rob C., who emailed BRBTV these photos he had of the event ...

Archie Comics collector gets a cool Archie Comics gig

From Archie Comics

MAMARONECK , NY – Archie Comics is at it again! In 2003, after winning a cherished slot in Tokyopop’s “Rising Stars of Manga” anthology, Archie hired writer-artist phenomenon Tania del Rio to give Sabrina the Teenage Witch a manga makeover…

In 2006, Archie held a “try-out contest” at the San Diego Comic-con, and a young man named Bill Galvan – wearing a homemade Jughead t-shirt and wielding a pencil full of talent – soon found himself becoming Archie’s newest artist-extraordinaire…

This year, Archie gives another deserving talent a big break. The recipient this time is longtime Archie Comics collector and historian, Jeffrey C. Branch. Jeff has been championing Archie Comics in print for years – with text articles in such diverse outlets as grassroots fanzines, established magazines like Comic Book Marketplace, and even the official Archie Comics website. He made his most recent splash with an introduction to ARCHIE DIGEST #236, a very special issue that reprinted the original ARCHIE COMICS #1 from 1941 in its entirety.

With his reverence for and encyclopedic knowledge of Archie Comics, who better to write new Archie tales to vie for their own place alongside the classics? Judge it for yourself when you read “From the Ground Up,” in ARCHIE & FRIENDS #115. Inspired by TV’s home makeover shows, Archie and his friends endeavor to restore historic Pickens General Store and turn it into a museum. But can they overcome their lack of construction experience, not to mention opportunistic politicians who want to exploit the situation for their own gain and fame? It’s a poignant addition to the fabled canon of Riverdale lore, rendered with panache by Archie fan-favorite Rex Lindsey.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #115
SCRIPT: Jeffrey C. Branch. ART: Rex Lindsey.
On sale on newsstands: January 8, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

George Hamilton (starring) in "Coma"

George Hamilton, our evertan star of "Dynasty" as the ever-evil Joel Abrigore, has a new project in the works.

Hamilton plays the mayor in "Coma," a thriller scheduled for release next year. The film also stars April Scott, whom "Dukes of Hazzard" fans know from the most recent "Dukes" movie.

Hamilton has certainly been keeping up the acting creds over the years since he snuck out of Denver and out of Krystle Carrington's life. Besides the snack commercials and Old Navy commercials, he's popped up in stuff like "Las Vegas," "Nash Bridges" and "Diagnosis Murder," among many others.

Bo meets Coy -- and we're just thrilled by it!!!!!

There've been rumblings in the "Dukes of Hazzard" world all year long about the possibility of Byron "Coy Duke" Cherry and Christopher "Vance Duke" Mayer finally, after all these years, being invited to the annual DukesFest. And from this "Dukes" watcher's perspective, two things have precipitated those rumblings.

The first is the fact that Byron Cherry has been making "Dukes"-related appearances for the past couple years, such as at the Hair Dare Dukes Days in Canada two years in a row and the Hillbilly Woodstick 2 Dukes of Hazzard Cruise just a few weeks ago (see the BRBTV News Blog's coverage of those events). Cherry has shown what kind of guy he is at these events (a good one, in other words), and it's as if "Dukes" fans have discovered a whole new way of looking at Coy, who along with Vance had the inenviable role of being a "replacement" Duke in the 1982-83 season of the show.

The other factor is that now John Schneider is running the show, so to speak. He and his wife Elly have taken over the fabbo DukesFest event. Cherry has spoken about how he and Schneider knew each other back in the day, and that Cherry actually auditioned for the role of Bo and the two joked with each other about who would get it. There are no hard feelings between these two guys.

Well now, the news has broken that there's been a meeting between the two. No etched-in-stone details are available right now, but there's some nice indications from it all ...

"I just want all of you awesome 'Dukes' fans to know," Cherry wrote in his Yahoo discussion group, "I met with John Schneider today while he was filming in Ventura. He was three miles from my house, called me and said, 'Come on down to the set and see me.' He looked better than 28 years ago. That guy does not age." (BRBTV surmises that Schneider was thinkin' the same thing about Cherry! See our photos of him in earlier posts!)

"He met my 6-year-old son Wesley and was cutting up with him. John and I hugged after 25-plus years and had a great time. ... I sure hope to see you all at DukesFest this year. It's about time. Love you. Oh, and one more thing ..................YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE---HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, Coy Duke lives, and thanks, Byron Cherry."

As one fan put it on the Confederate General Lee Fan Club Board, "I think the days of Byron and Chris as outcasts instead of castmembers are almost over!"

Gina Gallego has four movie projects for 2008

Gina Gallego, who took over the role of Santana Andrade from Margaret Michaels on "Santa Barbara," hasn't exactly been a stranger over the years. She's popped up here, and she's popped up there. And next year, she'll be popping up on a bunch of stuff ...

"South of the Border," now filming, gives her a small part as a shelter director. The film's got an excellent cast: Drew Barrymore, Salma Hayek, Jamie Lee Curtis, Andy Garcia, Edward James Olmos, George Lopez, Cheech Marin. The comedy is about a lost chihuahua and is due in theaters next August.

In "Periphery," Gallego plays Carmelita. The drama is written and directed by Duane Allen Humeyestewa.

"Winged Creatures" has her playing a waitress. This one is about a group of people who form relationships with each other after a shooting at a diner. Kate Beckinsale and Dakota Fanning are also in it.

In the horror flick "Pearblossom," it's not clear what Gallego's character is, but the movie itself is about a lesbian couple who encounter God in 1968 and are reborn 40 years later. The movie stars one-half of the babysitting twins from "Grindhouse." (Read more about that at Bloody-Disgusting.com.)

Helmut Berger dons an "Iron Cross"

Helmut Berger was the intriguing and arguably distasteful Peter De Vilbis on our beloved "Dynasty," he of the charm and accent who whisked away our precious Fallon Carrington and helped break poor Jeff Colby's heart. And though you may not be able to translate this Austrian-born actor's resume, he's been a busy boy over the years. He's had many projects dating back to the 1960s.

On his plate this year is "Iron Cross," a war thriller written and directed by Joshua James Newton. The plotline from the IMDb: "Joseph, 78, a holocaust survivor settled in New York, who witnessed the massacre of his family in Poland 1941, travels to Berlin to visit his son Ronnie having turned his back on him for the last five years for marrying Anna. No sooner does Joseph attempt to heal the rift with Ronnie, he swears that living in the apartment below under the false name of Shrager is the now-aging SS commander who committed the atrocity. With little hope of seeing him stand trial, Joseph talks Ronnie into exacting justice -- and vengeance -- and together they set out to kill him."

Roy Scheider plays Joseph. Though Berger's character is not named on the page, we have to wonder if it's Shrager (wouldn't that be fun -- anyone?). The movie has been filming in Poland this year by Calibra Pictures.

A "Dukes" museum update

There it is ... like a beacon shining in the distance ... the "Dukes of Hazzard" museum being built by Mr. Paul Harrington of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club. We've been posting photos now and then, to update you on the progress of the museum, and these photos are the latest.

"We have been kind of busy with the east wall," Paul said, "trying to get it all covered before it gets too cold. Well, here it is so far, now it's 40 outside. Last week it was 93; wow, what a difference."

And that was last month. There's a reason they call it the Great White North, ya know ... (of course, maybe now it'll be the Great Orange North!)

Photos courtesy of Paul Harrington