Motor City Mania: As always, the "Dukes" are abundant! And we like it that way!

You know, BRB has attended the Motor City Comic Con -- as a special guest, as a member of the media, or simply as a geek -- many times in the nearly 20-year history of the show. And to her it just wouldn't be the Motor City Comic Con if Paul Harrington and his Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club display weren't there. She first saw the display in 1999, when the beast we call BRBTV was just a pup, so to speak, and she delighted in photographing Paul's General Lee, a photo later used for the cover of the "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" reference guide.

This year, the "Dukes" display got even bigger and better. Paul gets new "Dukes" memorabilia all the time (just ask his ever-patient wife, Cheryl!), in anticipation of the actual museum building currently in progress on his home property.




Paul was on the set of the 2005 "Dukes of Hazzard" movie (and saw some screen time). His collection of props from the film (above) includes production signs and a rear bumper from a jumpin' General Lee. He also has a collection of props from the TV series, shown below.

Paul has some items from the original Boar's Nest in Georgia, utilized in the first five episodes of the show shot. The building is now rented by a church.

New to the "Dukes" display this year was Will Rodgers, the "voice man," a guy who can perfectly nail just about any classic TV voice you name! And the dialog he memorizes for this stuff? Don't even get us started! Will performed his voice impersonations at last year's Hair Dare Dukes Weekend in Ontario, Canada. He has set a goal to become an in-demand voice performer. When he gets a website up and runnin', we'll post a link here! We'll also note that Will served as an editor for BRBTV's recently released "Destination: Dallas" reference guide, and for that we are thankful!

Every year, females wear that Princess Leia skin-baring outfit to this comic con. This year we counted at least four of 'em. How fun, that Leia and her friendly neighborhood Stormtrooper could pause for a photo op with the General Lee!

Here's BRB's display at the show. Thanks to Paul and Cheryl Harrington for the hospitality and the fun, once again!

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV
Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand!

Motor City Mania: We're mad about Monkees!

He's got a sweet way of carrying himself. When he steps by, he's light on his feet and thin of form, in his dark jeans beneath an oversized black jacket and a clever hat. His facial features? Unmistakable. That's our Monkee, Mr. Micky Dolenz.

Micky Dolenz was actually the Monkee we liked best of the four. The world (and Marcia Brady) could have Davy Jones, but Micky, with his distinctive smiling charm, was where it's at. We're delighted that, post-Monkeeville and in-between TV guest shots here and there and a fun role as Arthur on "The Tick" in the '90s, Dolenz dipped into our BRBTV world: He voiced Min and Max on the "Two-Face" two-parter of "Batman: The Animated Series." Dolenz has also done some writing and directing over the years.

Yes, there is a MickyDolenz.com these days, and we do encourage you to visit it. Dolenz also keeps a MySpace page, and we have no choice but to admire a man who will put an ad for both Obama and McCain on his website (and no Hill -- even more admiration).

Besides a Monkee, this past weekend's Motor City Comic Con in Novi, Michigan -- which we're covering all week long on the BRBTV News Blog -- featured a Monkeemobile. And just like the Monkee, this Monkeemobile was authentic. It is one of the two vehicles utilized on the show, which ran from 1966 to 1968.

The fiery red beauty was purchased this past January at the well-known Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction (where John Schneider's General Lee went on the block, as well). The new owner is a Metro Detroit resident, and this is the first show where he's brought his new prize.

Congratulations, Mel! It's an amazing GTO with a front-end design that truly captivates.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV
Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand!

Motor City Mania: An overview

Whew ... It was a fabulous start to a rockin' weekend at the Motor City Comic Con in Novi, Michigan. We saw thoroughly entertaining things that it wouldn't be right to post here, but we will post what we can, to kick off our full week of coverage of the event.


Mr. Felix Silla of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century," the original "Battlestar Galactica" and many more fun shows, who also played the alien in the "Dukes of Hazzard" episode "Strange Visitor to Hazzard," stopped by our table to chat. He was at the show last year, too.


What would a con (any con?) be without Stormtroopers and the like? Here, they show their weaponry to our friend Krista ...

K.I.T.T. and the General Lee -- how can you go wrong? In fact, there are two Generals in attendance this weekend, plus the first ever appearance of one of the two original Monkeemobiles! Look for photos of that red beauty next week!

As always, BRB enjoyed the warm hospitality of Paul and Cheryl Harrington of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club and their "Dukes" museum display. Cheryl says it's the largest collection of fun "Dukes" stuff they've displayed at the Motor City show (and they've done quite a few of these shows!)


If you can make it to the Rock Financial Showplace this weekend, be sure to stop by BRB's table and say hello! She's signing not only "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" but also the other two print BRBTV books, "Dynasty High" and the newly released "Destination: Dallas." She's also got CDs of all of the BRBTV products for a cool low price (see the BRBTV 10th anniversary page for a rundown of the AniPak and SuperPak). And hey, you can open up a big ole classic TV geek vortex at her table with the mere mention of "The Rockford Files," Erik Estrada, "The Secrets of Isis," Walter Koenig or any such stuff like that ...

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV
Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand!

Archie releases second volume in 1960s "Americana" compendium

From Archie Comics

MAMARONECK, NY – Since 1991, the Archie Americana Series has provided fans with not only a historical perspective of Archie Comics, but a hysterical one as well! Now, one of the comic industry's most enduring trade paperback series returns for another round of nostalgic fun as Archie Comics proudly presents the Archie Americana Series: Best of the Sixties, Book 2!

By popular demand, Archie has returned to one of the most popular decades ever for America 's favorite comic book teens. It's the second helping of 1960s fun and frolics for all those readers who enjoyed the original Archie Americana Series: Best of the Sixties.

Whether getting tangled up in the eternal love triangle or incurring the wrath of Mr. Weatherbee and Mr. Lodge, Archie and his friends scaled new heights of hilarity in the sensational sixties! Volume 2 contains timeless tales with Archie and his friends enduring one outlandish mishap after another and enjoying the fads and fashions of the decade! Painstakingly restored from original archival materials and faithfully recolored, this high-grade paperback edition features a computer-airbrushed cover rendered in 1960s style by Archie fan-favorite, Rex Lindsey. So practice your yoga positions, catch up on the latest beatnik beat and join the peace rally with Archie and his friends! You’re sure to “make the scene” with these comedy classics!

ARCHIE AMERICANA SERIES: BEST OF THE SIXTIES BOOK 2
SCRIPT AND ART: Various.
Shipping date: June 18, 2008
On sale at comic specialty shops: June 25, 2008
On sale on newsstands: July 1, 2008
96-page, full-color, square-bound paperback,
$10.95 U.S.

Stoney Jackson shows up again

On "Santa Barbara" he was the seriously minded Paul Whitney, the police detective with an eye for the young and bewildered Alice Jackson. In his latest role, Stoney Jackson puts on a slightly sterner face.

"4Bidden" is the story of a murder that erupts within an all-female R&B group. Directed by Frank Pinnock and written by Anthony McKay, the thriller shot in the steamy Miami. Robin Givens also stars (and Billy Dee Williams of "Dynasty" was also attached at one point).

You can see a little more (including Jackson in the trailer) at the film's official site: http://www.4biddenthemovie.com/

BRBTV News Blog Blip: What are the top 25 cars from TV and movies? The guys who bring you the Wizard World cons and magazine are only so happy to tell ya. Thanks to BRB's buddy Mikey for this one, which he was also only so happy to pass along, seein' as how his own fave, KITT, ranked so high on the list. The General Lee of "The Dukes of Hazzard" measures in at No. 16, Speed Racer's Mach 5 is in there at No. 3 ... and the mean machine at the very top spot? Let's just say it's a choice that BRB (and Mikey) totally agree with! Meow!!!! (Or, "flap-flap" ... or something like that!)

Updated technology and sleek animation drive the new "Speed Racer"

"Just watch me when I get on the track," Speed Racer tells the headmaster on his first day at the Racing Academy, where everyone's rather amused that he shares the name of the founder and major idol of the facility. So begins the journey of the animated "Speed Racer: The Next Generation," which takes Speed -- unaware that he's actually the son of the legendary Speed Racer -- on a quest to find his missing father and get to know his brother, X, who's developed quite a following of his own.

Thankfully, there are a few friendly faces at the academy: the sensible Lucy, the quirky Conor and Chim-Chim the pesky, monkeylike robot. After a little trash-talkin' with the other students at the academy, the kids hit the track (where the visuals -- lush, bright and heavy on the oranges and blues like the original until now -- turn more photographic and three-dimensional and CG). Despite a technical mishap with the clunker car he was given, Speed makes an impression. X, determined to reflect the legacy of his father, is getting a mite bit jealous.

Lionsgate launches the new Friday-night Nickelodeon animated series with this sleek pilot film. Bringing the original series, which ran for just 52 episodes in 1967 and 1968, up to speed, the movie allows its main character to discover his true identity rather quickly. He and his new friends find the "real" Speed Racer's car, the Mach 5, in pieces at the junkyard, and the key that was left with young Speed at the orphanage powers up the grand old machine!




As is often the case, this update of a classic TV icon requires an upgrade. Much like the new "Knight Rider" movie turned the 2000 KITT model into the 3000, the Mach 6 is now the engine to beat in this show, after the resurrected Mach 5 takes an unexpected spill. But the academy's wealthy (and sinister!) investor, Zile Zazic, doesn't want Speed or anyone else to take the wheel of this technologically advanced Mach 6, amazingly powered without gasoline (a timely issue!). Add in a "virtual" racetrack, and you've got some turbo-speed new-millennium fun.



Kurt Csolak voices Speed (above right), while Robbie Sublett is X (left). Peter Fernandez, who voiced Speed and Racer X in the original and even wrote the lyrics for the original theme song, voices Spritle, headmaster of the academy and brother of the legendary Speed Racer (Fernandez does a cameo on the live-action flick, too). Included in the movie's writing crew is Jimmy Palmiotti, the mastermind behind "Painkiller Jane" and the sweetie-pie that BRB used to love to say hello to at comic cons through the latter '90s. (Listed as "James Palmiotti" here -- so serious, Jimmy???)

The DVD's extras include a featurette on the making of the TV show (Fernandez and others offer their thoughts), full bios of the characters at the Racing Academy, a trailer gallery and the "Virtual Track Racing Game" (using the arrow keys on your DVD remote). Previews include a glimpse of Marvel's new DVD take on the Avengers (also "the next generation") coming in August. The movie's run time is 66 minutes.

Learn more about the "Speed Racer: The Next Generation -- The Beginning" DVD at Lionsgate's official site for the film. And, of course, there is a SpeedRacer.com.

Images are from Lionsgate Home Entertainment and used with permission;
copy at your own risk.

A little classic TV fun ... "Speed Racer: The Next Generation -- The Beginning"

OK, we've got some action-packed excitement coming up this week and next week in the BRBTV News Blog ... We're going to veer off-course just a bit this week, away from our core BRBTV shows but still well within the realm of good-ole classic television, as we bring you a review of the movie pilot for the brand-new animated TV series "Speed Racer: The Next Generation," releasing this month to coincide with the live-action "Speed Racer" film.

Then, this Friday and all of next week, we'll give you great, solid coverage -- for the third year in a row -- of the Motor City Comic Con in Novi, Michigan. You'll see photos of special guests and all kinds of fun tidbits (and, of course, our traditional BRBTV Most Congenial in Show Award for one celebrity -- who knows who it will be this year!!!!).

So stay tuned for lotso fun! For today, we'll whet your appetite for our "Speed Racer" DVD review tomorrow with a video ...



The original "Speed Racer" first hit the small screen in 1967 and focused on a teenager who aspired to be the world's best race-car champion with the help of his friends, family and his father's high-tech race-car, the Mach 5. Now, in "The Next Generation," his son Speed unlocks the mystery of his dad's disappearance after entering the elite Racing Academy. And the car this time around is the Mach 6.

Eric Roberts keeps the ball rolling beyond "The Dark Knight"

Ahhhh .... Eric Roberts. We remember when this hunky actor was hot in the late '80s and Julia Roberts was known as "Eric Roberts' sister." Now that Eric has long since become "Julia Roberts' brother," we still have to show appreciation for this underutilized talent. In the "Batman: The Animated Series" realm, we know him as Mongul of the "Justice League" series.

We eagerly await Roberts' appearance in "The Dark Knight" in July, which appears to be in that mobster vein he's fit quite well into, over the years. Until then, though, we'll note a few other things he's got in the hopper ...

"The Spy and the Sparrow" is in postproduction and scheduled for 2009 release. Roberts' character is Robert Byrne in this one, and he's joined by yet another BRBTV actor, Grant Goodeve, who portrayed Chris Deegan on "Dynasty." The drama, filming in Seattle, tells the tale of a CIA agent estranged from his wife and his daughter. Find a fact sheet here.

A classic short story by one of the BRBTV's very favorite authors provides the basis for "Edgar Allan Poe's Ligeia." Roberts portrays Vaslov in this tale of a beautiful woman who bewitches a writer (Wes Bentley) in her attempt to fight her own mortality.

Roberts plays a dad in "Royal Kill," a tale of a teenage girl in America who finds out that she is the last living heir to the Kingdom of Samarza -- and is in the sights of an assassin. Watch the official website for updates.

Roberts sticks with the crime thriller genre with this year's "Kingshighway," where he plays Frank Monviano, and "Dark Honeymoon," where he's billed as an "L.A. guy." The latter features Roy Scheider, Tia Carrere and Daryl Hannah.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Finally, in honor of Friday and all that TGIF stuff ... We've got a quick and fun quiz to determine just which classic '80s TV show your personality matches with. (And yes, our faves "Dallas," "Dynasty" and "The Dukes of Hazzard" are included!) Click on over to:
http://web.tickle.com/tests/eightiestvshow/?c=50652&test=eightiestvshowogt

Alan Burnett talks about "Batman: Gotham Knight"

Guests at this year's Wizard World Chicago con will be treated to not only the premiere of the new animated "Batman: Gotham Knight" film, but also two of its masterminds, who are both familiar names to us fans of "Batman: The Animated Series": Alan Burnett and Bruce Timm.

The Wizard World site has some thoughts from Burnett on his writing and editing for the straight-to-DVD feature, which is a collection of six shorter stories on the Dark Knight and his evolution:
http://www.comicvine.com/warren-ellis/40893/news/&newsId=927

Both Burnett and Timm will participate in the panel discussion that will follow the film's premiere. The show runs June 26-29.

Elsewhere in the Batcave ... Love the Bat and wanna show your love? Maybe spread a little knowledge, too? The Batman Wiki is the place for you! Punch on over to:
http://batman.wikia.com/wiki/Batman_Wiki
and read and post at will!

May stands for Mayhem, when Cheryl Blossom is in the house

From Archie Comics

MAMARONECK , NY – The year 2008 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years ever for Archie and his friends! It’s all due to our writers, who in recent months have concocted some intrepid tales that threaten to dismantle the status quo forever! The comfort readers take in the consistency of the Archie characters has been shaken with one twist and turn after another. In the spotlight this month are Jughead, whose blossoming love life may or may not be the con of the century; and Cheryl, who has chosen to kiss Riverdale’s boys goodbye in favor of the handsome contestants on a TV dating show. Will everything ultimately return to normal for these three Archie Comics icons?

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #161, ships May 21. FEATURING PART 1 OF A 5-PART, INTERACTIVE STORY WHERE THE READERS DECIDE THE OUTCOME! “And the Winner Is … Part 1 of 5”: 2008 is an election year, and Archie Comics is no exception as we present a special election of our own: your chance to vote for Cheryl Blossom’s new boyfriend! Ever since her return, Cheryl has been the bane of Betty and Veronica’s existence, complicating their “eternal love triangle” with Archie into an awkward quadrangle! Even though Cheryl has been seeing Reggie lately, the girls would love nothing more than to see Cheryl completely preoccupied with someone other than a Riverdale High hunk! They get their chance when Reggie takes a nonchalant attitude toward his relationship with Cheryl – prompting the redheaded vixen to seek a new boyfriend on the TV show, “The Lonely Hearts Club!” Wait until you see the hot contestants vying for the title! Best yet, over the next few months readers will have a chance to both witness each date in this digest series AND vote on who they think Cheryl should choose online at http://www.archiecomics.com/! It’s the Archie Comics event of the summer, and you don’t want to miss it!

JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #140, ships May 7. CONTINUING THE FOLLOW-UP TO LAST YEAR’S MOST TALKED-ABOUT BETTY & VERONICA STORY, “BAD BOY TROUBLE” – FEATURING RIVERDALE’S FAMOUS TEENS IN A REALISTIC STYLE! “The Match Makers Part 2”: Picking up where last issue left off, Archie, Betty, Reggie and Veronica carry out their plan to play “matchmaker” for Jughead and break him free of his “fifth wheel” status! The boys bring Jughead to the movies and the girls bring Sandy Sanchez in an elaborate scheme to have them “accidentally” run into one another! When Jughead and Sandy catch on to the scheme, they decide to turn the tables and pretend to be in love … or are they?! It’s another intriguing chapter in this four-part epic! Last year’s “Bad Boy Trouble” set the comics world on its ear as the teens were depicted in a realistic style. Comic book legends Joe Staton and Al Milgrom carry on that look, handling pencils and inks respectively, in what is sure to be one of the more intriguing Archie stories of the year!

Seen on eBay: A "Santa Barbara" script straight from an actress' hands

Actress Marilyn Pitzer was hired by the casting director of "Santa Barbara" to play a matron at the jail on the soap in spring 1992. Now, Pitzer is selling her script on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/TV-SOAP-OPERA-SCRIPT-SANTA-BARBARA-4-8-92-DAYTIME-TV_W0QQitemZ320247251728QQihZ011QQcategoryZ18840QQcmdZViewItem

"This was my first and only experience with the soap world," Pitzer writes on the script's listing page. "My hat is off to these incredible actors. They work hard, and the memorization they do is unbelievable."

The script's episode, which taped on March 25, 1992, aired on April 8, 1992 and was labeled as Episode 1941, featured Gina in jail after using a feminist group to get revenge on her ex, C.C. Capwell. C.C. then hires an actress to pose as Gina's troublesome cellmate, Annie.

The script was at $15.50 with four bids as of posttime, with two days and two hours to go.

Also in the "SB" realm today ... a little tidbit about the dobermans who starred on the show ... scroll down:
http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272620364.shtml

"Dukes" movie far behind her, Lynda Carter talks "Wonder Woman"

Any "Dukes of Hazzard" fan who regularly reads this news blog knows that we tend not to do too much with the 2005 and 2007 "Dukes" movies. We don't mean to be purist about it, really, and it's not that we didn't like those modern-day farcical attempts to capture the "Dukes" sentiment. We just don't really think about them much. But when we saw this item about Lynda Carter, who played Pauline, special friend of Uncle Jesse, in the 2005 flick, we just had to bring it to light. Carter to us symbolizes one-third of the Great Chick Triumverate of 1970s TV: "Wonder Woman," "The Bionic Woman," "Charlie's Angels." For her ever-lasting beauty, awesome Amazon princess power and pageant grace, Lynda Carter more than deserves some extra lauding.

Carter spent the past several days on a singing engagement in the San Francisco Bay area, and the local ABC affiliate had the deal:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=view_from_the_bay/arts_entertainment&id=6115901

In this video clip, Carter alludes to the new "Wonder Woman" movie that's been in the works for years (and hey, we never knew this dark-haired beauty is half-Hispanic). "I hope it's wildly successful, because it should be," she says of the big-screen project. "She's a great character. It's a great story."

She says of the wildly popular '70s TV series: "One of the things that I prided myself on back then was that when I got the role, I was determined that she would be portrayed in a way that was real, that women really got it, women really got that I was on their side. Not against anyone. But if their boyfriend looked at me, I'd smack him upside the head!"

Carter, by the way, has a starring role in this year's "Between Heaven and Earth," playing a rich widow.

And while we're mentioning the 2005 "Dukes" movie, we'll go ahead and jump on the massive no-end-in-sight Jessica Simpson bandwagon. ContactMusic.com has her talking about getting back into Daisy-Duke-bikini shape, while The Star in Malaysia mentions her (and pictures her) in an appreciation of the skimpy short in the world of fashion.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: We're coming off a pretty solid weekend of drooling over Robert Downey Jr.'s super-suave portrayal of Marvel Comics' "Iron Man." Ya know, he's an actor we really had forgotten about, but whew ... on the BRBTV Meowmeter, he ranks high. Just had to mention it!

This week in the My Mother's Clothing project: Jackie? Oh? No, not really. But her legacy lives on!

Print, post 'n' share: The 2008 Hair Dare Dukes Weekend flier

Here it is, for your information-sharing pleasure, the 2008 version of the Hair Dare Dukes Weekend flier, full front and back views ... Invite your friends -- and be there!!!





Elsewhere in Hazzard County, we've got a little Friday fun ... Are you a Daisy? A Bo? A Luke? Maybe a Rosco? Take this quiz and find out ...
http://www.quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=50297N

Ooops, who's got the "Dukes" bloops? We'll tell ya ...

Chrome rocker panels or no chrome rocker panels in the pilot episode? A name misspelling for Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane on a sign (yes, we'd caught that one)? And was the name of Uncle Jesse's moonshining vehicle Sweet Tilly or Black Tilly? (Yea, we'd noticed that one, too, kinda like the name of Jesse's wife!) What this is all about, if you're a-wonderin', is spotting bloopers on our beloved "The Dukes of Hazzard."

Yes, someone has taken the time to compile a list of the bloopers of Bo and Luke and crew -- and to list them on a website! DukesBloops.com has the bloops, as well as some videos, links and other fun stuff.

And while we're talkin' "Dukes," we've just gotta note that what we've hinted at on this very blog has come to pass and has been made official: Mr. Byron Cherry, our own Coy Duke and one of BRBTV's very favorite celebs, has been signed on to appear at this year's DukesFest. Thanks, John and Elly, for making this choice! And if you haven't stopped by the DukesFest site lately, you better check it about once a day -- it changes as fast as that General Lee rolls down a country road. When you visit right now, for instance, you learn that you're going to have an opportunity to bid on John Schneider's own Harley-Davidson bike on Sunday of that hoppin' weekend! The event also has its own MySpace page.

Tomorrow ... a little more "Dukes" fun ...

BRBTV birthdays for May

- Lance LeGault, who is a BRBTV triple-shot as Al Halliday on "Dallas," Ray Bonning on "Dynasty" and Les Sloane on "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 73 on May 2.
- Melissa Gilbert, the "Little House on the Prairie" star who was the original voice of Barbara Gordon and Batgirl on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 44 on May 8.
- Jeanna Michaels, who was Lydia Saunders on "Santa Barbara" and secretary Connie on "Dallas," turns 52 on May 9.
- Denver Pyle, the venerable Uncle Jesse of "The Dukes of Hazzard," was born on May 11, 1920, and died on December 25, 1997.
- Karen Cellini, who took over the role of Amanda Carrington on "Dynasty," celebrates her 50th birthday on May 13.
- Nina Arvesen, "Santa Barbara"'s long-suffering Angela Raymond whom you kinda had to keep your eye on, turns 47 on May 16.
- Priscilla Pointer, who played Pam's mom Rebecca Wentworth on "Dallas," turns 84 on May 18.
- Pointer's castmate on "Dallas," Gail Strickland, who portrayed Veronica Robinson, was also born on May 18, turning 61.
- Richard Hatch, who put temptation in the face of Claudia Blaisdel as Dean Caldwell on "Dynasty," and also was a brief (original) Stephen Slade on "Santa Barbara," turns 63 on May 21.
- Priscilla Presley, the lovely (third and final) Jenna Wade on "Dallas," turns 63 on May 24.
- Barbara Stock, who was Liz Adams on "Dallas," turns 52 on May 26.
- Shannon Kenny, who was the voice of villain Inque on "Batman Beyond," turns a young 37 on May 26.
- Adrian Paul, who was Kolya (Nikolai) Rostov on "The Colbys," turns 49 on May 29.
- Ted McGinley, the handsome Clay Fallmont on "Dynasty," turns the big 5-0 on May 30.
- Omri Katz, the bright John Ross Ewing III on "Dallas," turns a young 32 on May 30.
- David Ackroyd, who was the original Gary Ewing on "Dallas," then played Lt. Fred Merrill on "Dynasty," turns 68 on May 30.

Happy birthday to all!

Get your Archies at this weekend's Free Comic Book Day

From Archie Comics

Thousands of comic book shops around the world will be celebrating the comic book art form on Saturday, May 3. On Free Comic Book Day, more than 2 million comic books will be given away by participating stores, introducing as many people as possible to the wonders of comic books!

Now in its seventh year, Free Comic Book Day has proven to be a smashing success, spreading the word that comics are terrific reading.

Stop by your local comic book shop and pick up a copy of each of the two offerings from Archie Comics, original content created just for Free Comic Book Day…

ARCHIE'S PAL JUGHEAD—FCBD 2008 EDITION
by Craig Boldman & Stan Goldberg
"Night At The Entertainment Museum !"—Jughead lands his dream job as a night watchman at the famous Geppi's Entertainment Museum in Baltimore , but some of the exhibits are not what they seem. Mysterious things happen after hours! And when the museum's one-of-a-kind items are replaced with identical look-alikes, it's up to Archie and friends to unravel the clues and set things right! Especially since one of those items is Jughead!
32 pages, full-color

Representing the very first Sonic the Hedgehog comic from 1992…
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #1—FCBD 2008 EDITION
by Mike Gallagher & Dave Manak
Sonic the Hedgehog has been speeding his way through video games, TV, and comic books since 1992! He is undoubtedly one of the biggest cultural icons throughout the world. Now, Archie Comics is paying homage to the blue blur by taking us back to where it all began. With the overwhelming success and popularity of the Sonic Archives reprint series, we are proud to bring you a reprint of the first-ever Sonic comic from the ongoing series: Sonic The Hedgehog #1! In honor of this year’s Free Comic Book Day, Archie is re-releasing the classic stories from this prized issue, but with a special bonus: the cover will be completely re-imagined with a modern “spin” by current Sonic artist, SPAZ!
32 pages, full-color

Bits 'n' Pieces: It's all about "Dallas"

Turning 30 is a mighty big event, and "Dallas" is gathering a Texas-size helpin' of HTML because of it. Here are a few things we've seen, for our occasional Bits 'n' Pieces From Around the Web feature ...

- Yes, it was a great show. We know that. Evidently the staffers at the New York Post know it, too, voting the show No. 7 on their list of the 35 Best Shows on TV -- Ever. We also appreciate their inclusion of David Lynch's fab "Twin Peaks," "Gunsmoke," "Star Trek," "Seinfeld" and ABC's good-ole "GH.'

- Didya know "Dallas" won the Cold War for capitalism? That's what Larry Hagman said, according to the Washington Post. "'Dallas' wasn't simply a television show," the story says. "It was an atmosphere-altering cultural force." The East got to see, in J.R. Ewing et. al, the high-livin' of the West. We just love these cultural analyses of the power of television.

- Finally, Linda Gray and the aforementioned Larry Hagman, our own Sue Ellen and J.R. Ewing, have been out and about together. They traveled to the Punchestown Races in Ireland over the weekend to judge the Newbridge Silverware Best Dressed Lady competition, as reported by the Independent. (And hey, we're glad to hear that wild animal is sooooo in this season, as evidenced in her "impossibly high Fendi leopard-skin shoes" and his "python skin cowboy boots."

BRBTV News Blog Blip: This sleuth is so couth ... "Nancy Drew Gets a Clue" in this week's installment in the My Mother's Clothing yearlong photo project.

Bits 'n' Pieces: Heather Locklear changes locales, and it's definitely news!

We've got three of the four core BRBTV shows covered in today's Bits 'n' Pieces From Around the Web ...

Heather Locklear: She's "Flirting With 40" and can't help but flirt with us, too

Ahhhh, the price of fame ... As we noted last week in this very blog, our own Sammy Jo of "Dynasty," Heather Locklear, has been tailed relentlessly by us media types while she's been filming the Lifetime flick "Flirting With 40." Last week it was Alberta, Canada. But this week, the crew has relocated in a warmer climate: Oahu, Hawaii. There have been no shortage of new pics making their way across the World Wide Web, of course, especially since Heather evidently had no prob with striking a special off-screen pose in her trailer ...
http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272620219.shtml
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/BREAKING01/80423041/-1/LOCALNEWSFRONT
http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/04/24/robert-buckley-shirtless-2/
http://pacificcoastnewsonline.com/2008/04/heather-locklear-is-a-surfer-g.html
http://www.woofactor.com/65523/

Patrick Duffy: Yes, we appreciate you!

Our Bobby Ewing of "Dallas" pops up now and then, and TMZ offers an appreciation for his physical preservation, as well.

Frank Runyeon: By God, you're doing well!

We've reported on this blog before about the Biblical stage performances of Frank Runyeon of "Santa Barbara." This time around, the Hudson Hub-Times in Ohio gives a nice report of Runyeon's performance there.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: If you've been meaning to pick up a copy of BRB's first novel "Rubi" and have just never gotten around to it, now's the time. The book's publisher, PublishAmerica, is offering its entire stock at half off. Instead of the $24.99 listed price for "Rubi," you pay a cool $12.48. Hurry -- the special expires at the end of April. Click over to PA's online store and punch in "Billie Rae Bates."

Marilu Henner says you can "Wear it Well"

She's a vivacious redhead, and she voiced a vivacious redhead on "Batman: The Animated Series," "The New Batman Adventures" and the accompanying feature movies. She's Marilu Henner, whom we know as socialite and Bruce Wayne pal Veronica Vreeland. Of course, long before that, she was Elaine on "Taxi."

Besides turning 56 earlier this month, Henner released a new book. A best-selling author of the self-help genre, Henner's latest is "Wear Your Life Well: Use What You Have to Get What You Want." And a new book means book-signings, which is what she was doing in Madison, Connecticut, the other night, as evidenced by the Pictorial Gazette.

"Time is on your side," Henner told those assembled at the Madison bookstore. "You're never too old or too young to be feeling better than you do right now. You can be even better than you are today a year from now if you really get on this path to health."

(The Gazette's account, by the way, includes references to two other BRBTV femmes -- Catherine Bach of "The Dukes of Hazzard" and Victoria Principal of "Dallas," though we'll forgive the fact that "The Dukes" wasn't quite on the air yet in the referenced year, 1978.)

Henner will appear in a Lifetime movie this summer, and she's got a big career in her healthy online classes at Marilu.com.

Pamela Sue Martin reunites with her fellow detective

Frank Hardy and Nancy Drew on-screen together again? That'll surely sell, at least with those who love classic TV like we do! Parker Stevenson (who, incidentally, voiced the role of Paxton Powers in our beloved "Batman Beyond") and Pamela Sue Martin, our own original Fallon Carrington of "Dynasty," will star in a new movie, now filming and due out later this year.

"McTaggart's Fortune" is an adventure story about lost treasure, directed and written by Gary Ambrosia. Stevenson portrays Richard Heywood and Martin's character is Sgt. Jeanine Bowman. The movie's been filming in Monterey, California.

And speaking of "Dynasty," be sure to catch the monthly polls on the Ultimate Dynasty site, most specifically this month's poll, which asks you who is the most handsome of the male "Dynasty" stars. And don't just check the poll, vote for Bo Hopkins! Because he's just plain hot! (We always did dig that Marlboro Man type.)

Robin Wright Penn loves "New York"

Natalie Portman, Shia LaBeouf, Hayden Christensen, Blake Lively, Kevin Bacon, Ethan Hawke, John Hurt, Julie Christie, Eli Wallach, Cloris Leachman ... It's the very definition of a megawatt cast. But add in our own Robin Wright Penn of "Santa Barbara" and it moves up a notch, for sure!

It's "New York, I Love You," and it's an anthology of 12 short films (five minutes or so each) by 12 filmmakers. Overall directed by Yvan Attal and Allen Hughes, and written by Emmanuel Benbihy and Fatih Akin, the collection of romance stories has been shooting in New York City, of course. It's due out this year.

Our onetime Kelly Capwell is also in good company in "State of Play," classified as in postproduction and due out one year from now. She joins Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren and Jeff Daniels in the crime drama based on the BBC miniseries.

Entertainment Weekly reports, by the way, that Robin Wright Penn and Sean Penn withdrew their petition for divorce earlier this month.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: We interrupt this coverage of classic TV and the various shows featured in the BRBTV products to bring you an extraneous news blurb: Have you see the new limited-edition Wildly Cherry M&M's? Or the Mint Crisp M&M's for the new "Indiana Jones" movie? What are they trying to do, kill us????? BRB remembers fondly a joke her coworker Jeri at The Saginaw News once made, about the ideal diet being M&M's and Diet Coke. Yea, we're there, girl!!!!!!

Details of "Batman: Gotham Knight" continue to unfold

The details continue to race across the Web in regards to the new "Batman: Gotham Knight" animated flick, due on DVD, Blu-Ray and on-demand from the fabbo Warner Bros. production mill this summer. The trailer has been posted online, and now Yahoo has a high-resolution version:
http://movies.yahoo.com/premieres/7367858/standardformat/

Also, a better look at what comes on the DVD can be found:
http://angryweb.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/batman-gotham-knight-extra-features-revealed/

The movie's IMDb page has some new art, videos and a full cast list, too.

Also from the WB crew ... We've reported on this blog about the "Wonder Woman" and "Justice League" film projects. The latest news, from CHUD, is that "JL" is out, but the Amazon princess is soooooo in.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: We reported on March 5 on the various new projects of Ian McShane, aka Don Lockwood of "Dallas." News is now in that McShane will star in the new show "Kings," a soapy update on the story of King David. The show was just announced for NBC's 2008-2009 lineup.

Join us in the Motor City in May

With all the guest additions posted on the official site in the past few weeks, the Motor City Comic Con is shaping up to be one surefire fabbo classic TV party! Erin Gray and Gil Gerard of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" were just added (and hey -- Felix Silla was already there!). Lou Ferrigno of "The Incredible Hulk" and Erik Estrada of "CHiPs" are there. M.C. Gainey of "The Dukes of Hazzard," will be there, as previously reported on this blog. There'll be a good "Star Trek" presence, as usual, with Walter Koenig and Denise Crosby and Avery Brooks. And a buddy of BRB's has even managed to get the proud new owner of one of the two true original Monkeemobiles to bring his lovely crimson prize -- fresh off the Barrett-Jackson auction block -- to the show, to be reunited with one of the show's stars, Micky Dolenz! Meow! (or whatever high-pitched, shrill sound it is that a monkey makes!!!!)

BRB will be at the show for the third year, signing copies of "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" at the display of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club. You'll see the General Lee and a traveling museum of fab "Dukes" memorabilia, along with a host of other fun TV cars. And BRB will be bringing copies of the other BRBTV reference books. So if you can be at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi on May 16, 17 or 18, you can snag yourself a signed copy of the new "Destination: Dallas," too. She'll also have CDs of the BRBTV anniversary year products such as the AniPak of BRBTV Reports / Shorts. Remember, it's the 10th year of BRBTV, and special anniversary stuff is offered all year long in 2008!

The Motor City Comic Con is always a smokin'-good pop-culture time! See the full guest list for the show here.

Archie Comics sends its big names to this weekend's New York Comic Con

MAMARONECK, NY – Thank goodness for those comic cons in your own backyard! Archie Comics biggies Michael Silberkleit (publisher), Victor Gorelick (editor-in-chief) and Mike Pellerito (managing editor) will be appearing at the Archie booth #1821 at this weekend's New York Comic Con. Joining them will be the following:

- Stan Goldberg, signing at the booth from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
- Bob Smith, signing at the booth from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
- Alex Simmons, signing at the booth from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
- Barbara Slate, signing at the booth from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
- Dan Parent, signing at the booth from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and can be found at table E7 in artists' alley.
- Angelo DeCesare, signing at the booth from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
- Joe Staton, signing at the booth from 11 a.m. to noon on Sunday and can be found at table I11-12 in artists' alley.
- Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante, signing at the booth from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
- Fernando Ruiz, signing at the booth from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
- Ron Dante, the voice of cartoon Archie, will be singing the hit song “Sugar Sugar” live at the Archie booth. Ron will autograph copies of an Archies coloring page.

Also, there will be a "live appearance of Archie, Jughead and Sonic the Hedgehog. Plus giveaways, prizes, contests and free comics," Archie's press materials say. Archie staff and creators will be at the following panels on Sunday, which is the con’s Kids Day.

Sunday, noon - 1 p.m., Kids Room 1E02
GROWING UP WITH ARCHIE
Join the creative staff who will share inside perspectives on the creation of Archie, how Archie Comics has evolved, why it dominates the newsstands and the supermarkets in comic sales. Panelists include: Michael Silberkleit; Victor Gorelick (in his 50th year with Archie Comics); Fred Mausser, VP of sales; Mike Pellerito; Dan Parent, Betty & Veronica writer and artist; Barbara Slate, Betty & Veronica writer; Fernando Ruiz, Tales from Riverdale writer and artist; Alex Simmons, Archie & Friends writer; and rising new Archie Comics writer Misako Takashima. The panel will be moderated by Rik Offenberger, public relations coordinator.

Sunday, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., Kids, Teen Room 1E02
COMICS FOR GIRLS
This panel will answer all the questions you've ever had about finding the perfect comics for girls. Join Barbara Slate (Angel Love, Archie, Barbie), Mike Pellerito (Archie), Allison Barrows (Pre-Teena, Goofyfoot Gurl), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Buzz Dixon & Marlon Schulman from RealBuzz Studios (Serenity, Goofyfoot Gurl), Raina Telgemeier (The Babysitters Club) and moderated by Christine Norrie.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: We're quite sure that on any given day, somewhere in the world, a Lifetime or Hallmark movie is being filmed, but never have there been quite so many photos snapped as with "Flirting With 40," currently being filmed for Lifetime in Calgary, Alberta. The reason, of course, is our lovely "Dynasty" alum Heather Locklear, whose star just can't seem to shine any brighter, in-between her husband's DUI charges and that mysterious 911 call! We've watched a lot of these photos come and go over the past few weeks but simply couldn't resist passing this one along, from the I Got UGGs blog. And while we're talkin' Locklear (cuz, evidently, we have to, these days, kinda like John Schneider!!!!), let's also browse over to Live Journal, which features her in a spin through the lives of '90s TV stars, "Then and Now." Definitely keep scrolling past Locklear, though; it's a fun trip.

Andrea Romano talks about Bat-projects

Andrea Romano, voice director for "Batman: The Animated Series," "Batman Beyond" and beyond, recently spoke with John Siuntres of Word Balloon about her many various projects and about the fun of working with celebrity voice talent.

Romano touched on the surprising interest of various megawatt celebrities in doing animated voices, of folks like Gene Simmons calling up and asking to do a role on a show. She says it's often because their kids want them to do it, and the role will make them the "hero" of the house. She's happy to accommodate, but, "I am of the mind, and have always been of the mind, that it really should be the right voice, whether they're a celebrity or a noncelebrity. I don't cast celebrities just for celebrity's sake."

She said, "I have a much bigger talent pool to pull from now than I did, let's say 20 years ago when I was casting for Hanna-Barbera."

In talking about the choices for this year's new animated feature "Justice League: The New Frontier," Romano said, "I never cast in a vacuum. It's never just me. I've done so much work with Bruce Timm, the producer, that he and I have a very good shorthand conversation that we can speak in. ... We've known each other for a really long time. ... He's the first person that I talk to."

On Brooke Shields, whom she had voicing a role for the TV show "The Batman" : "She was terrific and she so enjoyed it." Romano said she then thought of Shields when she was casting for the "JL" feature. Through many scheduling conflicts, Shields bent over backward to make it happen. "She was my heroine, and she truly wanted to be a part of it, and moved her life around."

Romano does a little voicework, herself, including the part of Martha Wayne in the new "Batman: Gotham Knight" feature. "I was an actress for a long time before I got into casting and directing. I never take a role away from a voiceover actress who would normally get paid ... Every once in a while when there's a gap, I'll step in and do it."

Listen to the whole interview at http://cdn1.libsyn.com/wordballoon/WBandrearomano.mp3.

BRBTV News Blog Blip (and really, we should just make a daily feature out of the John Schneider update!): Pa Kent is making another appearance on the CW's "Smallville," according to the network's press materials released this week. In the May 1 episode, titled "Apocalypse," Clark sees how the world would have been if he had not come to Earth. It's a scenario that also means Pa Kent never died, and Schneider is listed in the credits. See the official word at KryptonSite.com (click on "Spoilers").