DukesFest: The stars, yes, the stars

Of course, what brings so many people out to an event like DukesFest is the star factor. The BRBTV News Blog continues its weeklong DukesFest 2008 coverage with a photo glimpse at some of the famous faces we saw this past weekend ...

This year marked the first time that DukesFest invited classic TV stars from shows other than "The Dukes of Hazzard." This meant a chance to meet Lee Meriwether, above, and Adam West, below, who starred in the 1960s "Batman" big-screen movie. West, of course, also played Batman throughout the well-loved series' three-season run, while Meriwether only played Catwoman for the megawatt movie, while Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt took on the role of the purrrrrrrfect villainess in the TV show. West and Meriweather were seated near each other on one end of an event building at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.



Miss Jo McLaney of Covington got to meet all her faves at this year's event. Here, she pauses a moment with Sonny Shroyer, our own Enos Strate.


Don Pedro Colley, who portrayed Sheriff Ed Little and makes quite a few appearances these days, had a nice long autograph line at DukesFest.


BRBTV is just delighted that Byron Cherry -- known to us "Dukes" fans as Coy Duke -- made his very first appearance at DukesFest. We are continually impressed with Byron's personable demeanor every time we see him. He also returned to Covington on Sunday night to sign autographs for fans, accompanied by his sweet wife and an Atlanta friend or two. That's Mr. Wayne Wooten, organizer of the Hillbilly Woodstick 2 Dukes of Hazzard Cruise, in the white shirt in the foreground.


Hmmm ... Now what do you suppose that fuss is all about? Fans crowded around those dark windows to try to catch a peek -- maybe even a shot -- at the person on the other side. Have you guessed it yet? The star who would get the most oooohing and aaaaahing at this particular event??????


Why, it's our gentle host John-John, of course! Who else but Bo Duke !?!?!?!!


Jo McLaney also got a chance to pose with Bo, who couldn't take a bad picture if he tried! Below, Schneider helps emcee some of the trackside festivities at the event. He just knows he drives us all crazy when he wears that Bo shirt!

Photos by Rose Marie King and Billie Rae Bates (thanks, Rose!)

DukesFest: The cars, oh, the cars

Whew ... It sure was hot, but the cars were hotter. We continue our coverage of 2008 DukesFest with coverage of the actual 2008 DukesFest! Proceeding in chronological order, we're done with the Covington pre-event events, and now we're at the show. And as you know, the show is all about the car. At least some say it is. And the car -- meaning the car, the blazin' orange General Lee -- was certainly in attendance.

One of the show's organizers told BRBTV that more than 150 show cars were registered for the event. You saw not only the many Lees, but some other fun stuff such as Daisy's yellow Road Runner, seen in a few early episodes, and her Dixie Jeep.




You just don't see many Uncle Jesse pickups, so it was certainly nice to see this one. The sign in the windshield says it was restored in loving memory of Denver Pyle.

The Batmobile was there, ready to pose with you for a picture, along with Adam West and Lee Meriwether of the '60s TV show and movie.

We had to save the best for last. How delightful to see not only Boss' Caddy convertible (it's really our favorite "Dukes" car, truth be told), but also Hughie Hogg's little Bug convertible! How fun is that, side by side!!!!!

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV
Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand
Full-resolution copies are available; just email

See My Lee: The Chick Lee does Covington!

It seems only appropriate that we continue our coverage of the 2008 DukesFest -- and all that entails -- in chronological order. So ... if we follow from last week's pre-DukesFest coverage of Covington's town square from Wednesday and Thursday, then we can oh-so easily move on to last Friday, when so many "Dukes of Hazzard" fans who were in town for DukesFest were roaming the Covington and Conyers countryside, viewing the many filming sites for the show's first five episodes.

One of those fans was Andrea of Michigan, above, in her General Lee, dubbed previously on this news blog as the "Chick Lee" (see our August 2007 coverage of the Hair Dare Dukes Weekend) because it's the sole known General Lee owned by a single female. This was Andrea's very first trip to Hot-lanta and the beautiful Covington. She has been taking her Lee, which she's owned for about a year, to smaller shows in Michigan.


First, the Chick Lee headed to the town square, where BRB even got to pose with the Chick Lee at the famous courthouse!


A stop at A Touch of Country was certainly in order, and here Andrea poses with some of the "Dukes" memorabilia on display in the back of the shop.


The Chick Lee also got to pose for pictures at the railroad tracks on Elm Street in downtown Covington, site of a very well-known "Dukes" car jump, before it was on to this well-loved landmark, the original Boar's Nest building on Flat Rock Road. The building is white with purple trim nowadays, and it's gated off from pesky curious fans like that frisky Chick Lee!

Andrea was interviewed at DukesFest by the film crew working on the event's official DVD, and she was also photographed by the official photographer for the event.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV, except for the courthouse photo by Andrea
Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

Covington cruises on, plus a few "Dallas" tidbits this time!

Our coverage of the Hazzard County Cruise-In in Covington, Georgia, continues here on the BRBTV News Blog. Last night it rained -- but it wasn't a wash! Lots of fans from all over the place came out to the square in Covington. Kansas, Ohio, Montana, New York -- even Holland and England! And after the sprinkles set in -- then the harder stuff -- many stayed on.

Just look at that sweet Miss Jo McLaney, wouldya? She's got the coolest ride in town, all decked out like the General Lee!


Here, author Jon Holland chats with attendees, accompanied by his wife, Amber.


You might recall, from our coverage of the last October's Hillbilly Woodstick 2 Dukes of Hazzard Cruise, that Judy Bruce starred in the pilot episode, "One Armed Bandits." Here she poses with her co-star in that episode -- sorta! In the episode, Judy is the little girl from the orphanage who climbs into Boss' Cadillac at the end and fiddles with his hat.


We had no idea our friend Jim Fullerton was so creative! This local resident, and dad of hard-core "Dukes" fan Chad Fullerton, actually created this wooden model of the Boar's Nest, complete with Matchbox-style cars. It even features Boss Hogg standing at the door, yelling at Daisy to come in and get to work! Wow! It's certainly a specialty item, a one-of-a-kind, and it's on display at the "Dukes" museum in the back of A Touch of Country on the town square.

Look for a full week's worth of coverage of this weekend's DukesFest, beginning Monday.

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

In completely unrelated news ...

OK, can all this other juicy stuff just wait until after our weeklong DukesFest coverage? Good grief ... Sigh ... OK, we might be over it ... We've gotta post these goodies when we get 'em, or else they will age too much in the next week and a half ...

- Charlene Tilton, our own little Lucy Ewing of "Dallas," will help host a Fourth of July celebration at the CBS Studio Center in Los Angeles. It begins at 5 p.m. next Friday, if you happen to be in town. Read more: http://journals.aol.com/kdmask20/HollywoodandPAAve/entries/2008/06/25/hey-you-lucky-la-people/2038

- More on Charlene, who certainly has been generating some HTML and CSS lately, with receiving awards and all. “People still want to see me up in the hayloft in a bikini,” Tilton said during an appearance at the Home Media Expo this week. She was there with other classic TV stars, such as Don Most of "Happy Days," discussing their shows and the magic and wonder that is the DVD. Home Media Magazine has more:
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?article_id=13021

- For the past few weeks, BRBTV has been indulging in "Step By Step" repeats on ABC Family at 9 a.m. each weekday, trying not to drool too much on the laptop as Frank Lambert and the Codeman chew up the screen, so we can only say that there's something about this YouTube classic clip that's strangely yummy ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1X9v9_fjGo

Hello again, Covington! Plus, a few "Santa Barbara" tidbits

Aaaahhhh ... Covington ... birthplace of "The Dukes of Hazzard." It treats us so well, each time we visit it ... Last night's Hazzard County Cruise-In on the historic town square in Covington, Georgia, brought mostly locals around, curious to see this "Dukes" goings-on, as many of the hard-core "Dukes" fans that are traveling from out of state are still, well, traveling from out of state! Like right now, as you read!

But the evening -- amid the sunny Southern heat closing all around and showing us just why Cooter liked to call this Hot-lanta -- was still most enjoyable, with plenty of fun and chatting. Take the two young gentlemen in the top photo, for instance, all gussied up as those Hazzard County lawmen we adored even though we didn't want to, Rosco and Enos -- or was it Rosco and Cletus?! They came in from New Jersey in a modern Hazzard County Sheriff's car that they said was actually pulled over for speeding by the (real) police! The constables warned the guys not to be wearing those uniforms in the vehicle, also. They are rather convincing, ya know?

The Hazzard County Stunt Team was there, and will return tonight, and then Sunday night after DukesFest, along with Jon Holland and BRB herself, signing their "Dukes" books. The sweet, smiling Judy Bruce, who was one of the kids in the orphanage in the pilot episode, "One Armed Bandits," was there, and BRB was delighted to chat with Mr. Wayne Wooten, and JETT and friends all the way from New York. The below display of "Dukes" goodies was from reps of John Schneider.

If you're one of those in town, c'mon out and visit with us awhile tonight, 6 to 10, then on Sunday, same hours! Grab a soda at A Touch of Country and check in with that fab "Dukes" museum in the back. And yes, bring that beautiful car and park it along the square!

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

In completely unrelated news ...

OK, we've got to run it now, because we plan on jamming this blog up all of next week with lotsa DukesFest coverage, and it's good enough not to keep until after that. A few items related to our beloved soap "Santa Barbara" surfaced on the Net in the past few days.

- Did you know that Dame Judith Anderson, the original Minx Lockridge, actually was a Santa Barbara girl? She lived there many years. See the explanation of that, along with a nice bio of her by the Santa Barbara Historical Society, in the Santa Barbara Independent:
http://www.independent.com/news/2008/jun/24/how-long-did-famous-actress-judith-anderson-live-h/

- Oh, that Lane Davies, at that whole Shakespeare thing again. You just can't keep him away from the Bard. It's his "A Midsummer Night's Dream" set in the U.S. South again, at the Tennessee Shakespeare Festival, and Tennessee's Shelbyville Times-Gazette has more:
http://www.t-g.com/story/1439232.html

- And while we're roaming around in the Times-Gazette, here's another story about a "Santa Barbara" actor. This time it's Sam Dalton, who played a police officer from 1984-1986 and who is friends with Davies. Nowadays, he produces and writes for television. Read more at the paper:
http://www.t-g.com/story/1439554.html
And see more about Dalton at his site:
http://www.boomeradventurestv.com/

Tom Wopat takes viewers behind "The Waterfalls," John Schneider might have lined up another series

Tom Wopat, our own Luke Duke, whom many of us "Dukes of Hazzard" fans will be seeing this weekend at the annual DukesFest, is broadening his artistic horizons. He's narrating a new documentary, produced by New York's Thirteen / WNET, focusing on public art in the Big Apple.

"The Waterfalls -- Making Public Art" premieres a week from today, July 2 at 9 p.m. EST on Thirteen (check your local listings). The documentary takes viewers behind the scenes of "The New York City Waterfalls" (four monumental, man-made waterfalls installed at sites along the shores of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Governors Island), visits current public art installations around New York, and looks back at past public art in the city

Thirteen / WNET New York supplies a lot of programming to public television, shows like "Nature," "Bill Moyers Journal" and "American Masters." Find out more about "The Waterfalls" at BusinessWire.com, and see a brief clip (no Wopat) at Thirteen's site.

Wopat's partner in non-crime, John Schneider, meanwhile, is keepin' things movin', lest a single blade of grass have any ideas about growing under his feet. Principal photography has just begun on "twentysixmiles," a six-hour dramedy made for television and starring our own Bo Duke. Schneider also will co-executive produce and direct two episodes.

"The story follows high-powered corporate exec Jack Kincaid (Schneider), whose wife divorces him and moves with their children from a materialistic existence in Malibu to small-town life on Catalina Island," says the Catalina Island News, which has lots more about the project. The project is making a point of being environmentally friendly to the island. It's being shopped around to become the first season of an hourlong show.

"I just got confirmation that rock legend Alice Cooper is going to do a scene with me in the first episode!" Schneider enthused on his MySpace blog last month. "Imagine my surprise when he called me to confirm on my cell phone!! 'School's Out,' my friends!!!"

Adam West weighs in on "The Dark Knight"

It's the obligatory thing, when something big happens in the Batworld, to get the opinion of TV's lovable and still-high-profile 1960s Batman, Mr. Adam West. BRB, in fact, was the first one to get West on the phone when Batman's creator Bob Kane died in 1998, and he related a delightful anecdone about Kane from his days on the "Batman" set.

Now, West is weighing in on the second installment in the new Batfilm franchise, "The Dark Knight," opening next month. In short, he doesn't much like it. And should we be surprised? We politely submit that traditionally in interviews, West, whom we will always love and adore, hasn't cared for any Batproject that hasn't involved him, which would mean basically all the other stuff besides the animated "Batman: The Animated Series" (where he voiced the Grey Ghost), "The Batman" (Mayor Grange), "SuperFriends," the '70s "New Adventures of Batman" and the aforementioned '60s "Batman." We seem to remember his negative take on Michael Keaton's "Batman" -- and his disappointment at not being offered a cameo in it -- back in '89.

"They're a different kind of thing than ours was," he tells Comic Book Movie of the modern Batfilms. "They're dark, gothic, sinister, full of explosions. We didn't approach it that way at all."

There's something to be said for the zany, lighthearted approach, of course. And there's something to be said for the more Frank Miller-like interpretation. Wish Mr. Kane were still around, so we could ask him!!!

Also in Gotham City ... Catch the latest issue of ToyFare magazine, and you'll catch a new interview with Kevin Conroy, voice of Batman in the 1990s animated series. The ish also has a look at various Battoys and movies. Read more at Wizard World's site.

Seen on eBay

It's time once again for our occasional "Seen on eBay" feature here on the BRBTV News Blog, and we've got some fun stuff this time around, from a prop pair of earrings to a framed album jacket ...

Dynasty
Paper doll cutouts
After Six Collection 1980s tuxedo jacket (and please ... you gotta check out this guy's hair)
Faux gold earrings that were a prop for the show

Dallas
500-piece jigsaw puzzle from 1980
Larry Hagman autographed card by Celebrity Cuts, one of four made
Framed LP album jacket of "Dallas" by Floyd Cramer

The Dukes of Hazzard
1980 lunchbox and thermos
T-shirt depicting the General Lee and Superman (really)
Steel watch

Santa Barbara
1992 Soap Opera Weekly issue featuring story on Forry Smith
Kim Zimmer 8" by 10" headshot
"White Oleander" DVD starring Robin Wright Penn

Coming later this week ... Coverage from Covington! Catch some photos and fun from our "Dukes of Hazzard" gathering in Covington this week, in anticipation of this weekend's DukesFest. And hey, if you're in town, catch us in person, in the evening on Wednesday and Thursday on the town square. See details at the Hazzard County Stunt Team site.

Bill Campbell takes on a "Revolution"

We've kept up with Bill Campbell, our former Luke Fuller of "Dynasty," a little bit on this news blog. He's had a few roles here and there, nothing to sneeze at. Up next on his plate is "Revolution," a sci-fi drama set on a distant planet.

Campbell shares the screen with the legendary Peter Fonda for this one, directed by Simon West and written by John Bellucci and Ed Redlich. It will air as a two-hour pilot on the Sci Fi Channel, which has a little more about the movie here.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: "Batman Beyond" fans, read some interesting tidbits at Press the Action Button.

Spotted: Henry Silva

We'd never seen him on screen, at least as far as we could remember, but he had quite a captivating presence. An interesting mix of Sicilian and Spanish ancestry gave him an exotic aura, while that tall and lanky frame only added credence to that long, chiseled facial structure. And that voice ... well, that voice is how we know him, actually. He's Henry Silva, and to us Batfans, he's Bane. He voiced the pumped-up villain in "Batman: The Animated Series," "The New Batman Adventures" and "Superman." But long before those '90s spins, he had a rich and diverse acting career. Indulging in one of our favorite vices -- "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" on MSN.com -- we spotted him in one of those early roles, nice and young and so interesting. He played high-end hit man Harry Silver (interesting name?) in the episode "The Better Bargain."

Archie Comics releases digital comics on DVD-ROM

From Archie Comics

The ultimate teenage hero, Archie, first appeared in a comic book published in 1941. More than 60 years later, Archie and his friends remain a staple of entertainment for readers the world over with timeless tales of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of teenagers. Role models to millions, Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead have come to represent the fads, fashions and attitudes of contemporary youth.

Revisit and relive your favorite Archie comic books from the Bronze Age of Comics. This includes a total of 97 comic books covering a span from February 1970 through December 1979, including annuals, all articles, and every single advertisement.

All comics can be printed or viewed on your PC. The high-quality DVD-ROM is compatible with nearly every platform, including Windows 95 / Me / 98 / XP / 2000 / Vista, Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and below, Linux, Mac OS X Intel.

Purchase the Archie Bronze Age Series at your local computer software store or buy it online at http://stuffshop.archiecomics.com/arbragesedv.html

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Look out, it's the Batphone! And no, we don't mean that cool retro red one that lights up! We mean something much more high-tech. Nokia's got your connection this weekend, and Gadgetell.com has the details.

Michael Brainard: "The Onion Movie"

Michael Brainard, the final Ted Capwell on "Santa Barbara," has tried to keep his hat in the ring over the years. A couple years ago, he appeared in the film "Killing Ariel," then last year he had a recurring role on the CW's "American Heiress."

This year, Brainard appears in "The Onion Movie." The film is a big-screen play on the satirical news outlet. Steven Seagal and Meredith Baxter also appear. Filmed back in 2003, the movie was released to DVD earlier this month.

You can stay up-to-date on what Brainard's got going on by visiting his official site, where you can also see a slideshow of his Capwell days.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Fifty years is a heckuva long time, and it's an even longer time to stay married to the same individual. BRB raises her glass -- and her best wishes -- to Kitty, a friend of both her and her mom, for this monumental achievement, in this week's installment of the yearlong My Mother's Clothing photo project.

Jack Scalia stars in "Black Widow"

The hunky Jack Scalia, whom we know as Sue Ellen's mysterious guypal Nicholas Pearce on "Dallas," has a new project in the works, scheduled for release this year: "Black Widow."

Scalia plays the lead role of Sean, grabbing the prime real estate on the movie's official poster and other press materials. He's joined by Janine Turner, Rachel Hunter and Bill Smitrovich for the film, written and directed by Mark Roemmich. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film was scheduled to begin shooting in California this week.

The plot, from Noble House Entertainment Pictures: "Sean McMurphy, a wealthy entrepreneur, meets a very beautiful woman and a passionate love affair ignites, but soon it unfolds into a dark suspense/thriller where everyone around him gets seduced into her dark web of lies, torture and deceit."

BeyondHollywood.com speculates the Emmanuelle Vaugier of "Painkiller Jane" has the title role, and the Hollywood Reporter has her listed, too.

Redneck Roundup: Cooter's new book makes the rounds

Ben (Cooter Davenport) Jones of "The Dukes of Hazzard" is causing a media splash, conveniently just before the annual and wildly popular DukesFest event right here in Hot-lanta, with the release of his new autobiography, "Redneck Boy in the Promised Land." Jones just published this tale of hard-livin' and Hollywood through Harmony Books a couple weeks back and is making the rounds with signings (see the schedule at Cooter's Place).

"I'd wake up in jails just wondering how I got there. Vomit on my shoes and blood on my shirt," he tells the Associated Press of the rock-bottom point of his life, just a year before nabbing the TV role that would change his life forever.

Here's a roundup of media coverage for the book:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/12/people.benjones.ap/index.html
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2008/06/13/buzz.html
http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=44362
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060903152.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns
http://www.tmz.com/2008/06/06/barack-to-mccain-check-out-my-cooter/
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jun/06/book-folks-barbecue-u-host-to-speak-here/
http://www.tickertech.com/cgi/?a=news&ticker=a&w=&story=200806200806051030PR_NEWS_USPR_____DC24218

Spotted: Peter Mark Richman

We delight in seeing the structurally solid Lou Ferrigno at pretty much any comic con we go to nowadays, but unfortunately we just haven't seen "The Incredible Hulk" classic TV show since it originally aired. Of course, with the new movie treatment just releasing this past weekend, there's green everywhere you look. In honor of that, Sci Fi indulged us on Friday afternoon with a 1981 episode of the show, "Triangle" -- and whom did we see but our own BRBTV Everyman, Peter Mark Richman! The prolific actor, whom we know as Maynard Anderson on "Dallas," Andrew Laird on "Dynasty" and the original (screen) C.C. Capwell on "Santa Barbara," played it civil but sinister as rich tycoon Ellis Jordan, making the moves on the much-younger Gale Weber and running David Banner out of town in the process. Wearing suits, of course. Sigh ... and hearing that somber music at the end just made us depressed for David all over again ...

Coming up in Archie Comics: You can vote for Cheryl's new boyfriend!

ARCHIE #586
"One Click Away": Archie decides to date other girls while Veronica’s out of town, but while Archie flirts away, Veronica’s spies click away on their camera phones!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Teen Tycoon": Mr. Lodge has a dream… make that a nightmare… about Archie becoming a millionaire!
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"No Parking Zone": Archie finds the beach has gone to the dogs… especially when a little puppy follows him there. Trouble is, it’s a "no dogs allowed" beach!
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale on newsstands: July 8, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 U.S.


ARCHIE & FRIENDS #120
THE THRILLING CONCLUSION TO THE FOUR-PART EPIC!
"Archie World Tour Part 4 of 4: The Who Stole My Girl Affair": When Archie and his friends set out on their quest to see five cities in ten days, they looked forward to getting as many sightseeing thrills as possible. Little did they know they’d get a heaping helping of suspense and intrigue as well! Now, Veronica’s been kidnapped and the race is on to find and rescue her before it’s too late. This leads to a whirlwind trek from Rome to Zurich in pursuit of the mysterious "Green Man" and his minions. Along the way Archie and friends will befuddle the Italian police, trash a movie set, stowaway on a jet, frustrate the Zurich police, storm a fortress, confound half the criminal underworld – and somehow still come off as good ambassadors of the United States! Don’t miss this hysterical, fast-paced, action-packed salute to super-spy films everywhere, as Archie finally unravels the Green Man’s plans and discovers a plot that could bring Europe to its knees (and imagine how much that will hurt)!
SCRIPT: Alex Simmons. ART: Rex Lindsey.
On sale on newsstands: June 25, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 US.


ARCHIE DIGEST #245
"Bare Essentials": Things get "hairy" for Archie and Jughead when Reggie convinces them they’ll go bald just like their fathers! Can Dilton’s hair growth formula or the internet’s "cure" help our heroes tackle their "mane" concern?
SCRIPT AND ART: Pat Kennedy.
"The Big Chase": When Archie agrees to umpire a girls’ softball game, his eye is on more than the bats and ball!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Tim Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: July 8, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.


BETTY & VERONICA #236
"Past Problem": It’s déjà vu all over again for Veronica when she flirts with a lifeguard only to find he’s interested in Betty! It’s shades of Nick St. Clair, the mysterious stranger who caused so much "bad boy trouble" for Veronica in last year’s epic story of the same name. And speaking of Nick, wait until you read the surprise ending of this story!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"The Switch": When pretty exchange students from Norway invite Betty and Veronica to their country, Veronica turns the girls down to avoid all the mountain climbing... until she learns they’ve asked Archie and Jughead to go in their place!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"On the Outs": When the gang congregates in the Lodge’s entertainment room to play the latest video game, Mr. Lodge enlists Betty to use her smarts… and her knowledge of her friends… to lure them all outside!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Jeff Shultz.
On sale on newsstands: July 1, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #185
A VERY SPECIAL ISSUE CELEBRATING BETTY & VERONICA’S VERY FIRST ISSUE!
First, Archie reprinted PEP COMICS #22 and ARCHIE COMICS #1 to celebrate Archie’s 65th anniversary in ARCHIE DIGEST #236. Then, Jughead got the same treatment in JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #138. Now, to commemorate the anniversary of ARCHIE’S GIRLS BETTY & VERONICA #1 from 1950, Archie is pleased to present this very special issue that reprints that first issue in its entirety. And just like in the ARCHIE and JUGHEAD issues, it also includes a brand-new tale that finds the girls facing the past in a way they never expected! Yes, in "Betty & Veronica Meet Betty & Veronica," the Betty & Veronica of 2008 find themselves face to face to face to face with the Betty & Veronica of the 1950s!
SCRIPT: Fernando Ruiz. ART: Jeff Shultz!
PLUS: Classic stories!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
It’s one historic issue you just don’t want to miss!
On sale on newsstands: July 1, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.


BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #162
PART 2 OF A 5-PART, INTERACTIVE STORY WHERE THE READERS DECIDE THE OUTCOME!
"And the Winner Is… Part 2 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! Last issue, Reggie and Cheryl broke up, and Cheryl wound up on the TV show, "The Lonely Hearts Club" in search of a new beau. Three hot contestants have stepped up for the challenge, and you the reader will witness each of their dates with Cheryl and vote for who you think Cheryl should choose online at www.archiecomics.com! In this issue, Cheryl goes on a date with Austin. He’s quite a hunk, but perhaps too much of a nutrition and fitness fanatic for Cheryl’s health… unless your votes decide otherwise! Don’t miss out on the Archie Comics event of the summer – be sure to reserve every issue!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
PLUS: "Choose or Loose": Betty and Veronica just can’t decide which outdoor activity to partake in on such a beautiful day. Can they decide before the rain clouds set in?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Bob Bolling.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: July 15, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.


JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #141
THE EPIC SAGA OF JUGHEAD’S NEW LOVE LIFE… AND NEW, REALISTIC LOOK… CONTINUES!
"The Matchmakers Part 3": After "setting up" Jughead and Sandy, matchmakers Archie, Betty, Reggie and Veronica are surprised at how well their plan is working. Especially when studious, athletic Sandy starts neglecting both her studies and her girls’ softball team in favor of spending time with Jughead. Make that Forsythe, as he now prefers to be called. Exchanging his trademark "crown" hat for a typical baseball cap, it seems like Sandy is having quite the influence on the once unique soul. Unless of course it’s all a big put-on. The gang isn’t so sure when they see how well Jughead and Sandy interact as partners in the couples’ competition at the school picnic! It’s another intriguing chapter in this 4-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!
SCRIPT: Melanie Morgan. ART: Joe Staton.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: July 1, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.


PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #122
"Bowled Over": When a gang of street toughs try to intimidate Archie and his friends from using the local bowling alley, the two sides square off in a bowl-off for the right to play in the alley! Will Archie and his friends "strike" out in victory, or end up in the "gutter?"
SCRIPT: Stephen Oswald. ART: Pat Kennedy (pencils) and Joe Giella (inks).
"Cry Me a River": Ginger’s cousin Martina wears her emotions on her sleeves… and on her slacks… and on her shoes…. etc.!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
"Mr. Big": Reggie proves once again that his ego puts the "I" in "The Archies!"
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Fernando Ruiz.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
COLLECTORS ALERT: The cover and select interiors of this issue are inked by legendary artist Joe Giella, who worked on such Golden Age characters as Fawcett’s Captain Marvel, Timely/Marvel’s Captain America, Sub Mariner and the Human Torch, DC’s Silver Age Batman, Green Lantern and Adam Strange, and newspaper comic strips including Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Mary Worth, which he draws to this day.
On sale on newsstands: June 25, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.


VERONICA #189
"Carrying the Torch": Veronica agrees to carry the torch at the "Riverdale Games," but the only thing "burning" is Veronica when she spots Archie with his "old flame," Cheryl Blossom!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
"No Contest": Veronica ponders how Betty can be so rich in spirit when she’s so not-rich in wealth!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Dan Parent.
"Dream Vacation": Veronica finds the yellow-brick road is paved with gold as she falls asleep reading "The Wizard of Oz!"
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Dan Parent.
On sale on newsstands: July 15, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

Daytime Emmy Awards will see some classic TV stars

Of course, the Daytime Emmy Awards will see a few classic TV stars -- what else would you expect? This year, the awards will telecast on June 20. And here's a glimpse of what you're in for, besides the actual awards, of course:

- Susan Lucci. Will nothing stop that woman? Does anything even want to? La Lucci, whom we know as Sheila Foley / Hillary Taylor of "Dallas," will be one of the presenters, of course.

- Jack Wagner, our own final Warren Lockridge of "SB," will also present. His more recent gig is as Nick on "The Bold and the Beautiful."

As far as who else you might see from the BRBTV realm ... Thaao Penghlis, whom we know as Micah DeAngelis on "Santa Barbara" and who now stars on "Days of Our Lives" on NBC, is up for lead actor in a drama series.

Speaking of "SB," have you caught this little tribute on YouTube? It's a little basic 'n' brief, but fun:
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/cancelled-soap-opera-santa-barbara/985664592

And further speaking of "SB," one of its writers, Charles Pratt Jr., who also did some writing for "The Colbys," just got a new gig. BuddyTV.com reports that Pratt has just been tapped for writing duties on ABC's "All My Children."

"Dukes" fans have a couple opportunities to cruise in style

If you're a "Dukes of Hazzard" fan, you know it's so-much about the car (we won't say ALLLLL about the car, because there's an occasional "Dukes" fan out there who actually doesn't own a General Lee, ya know?). If it's about the car, it's about cruising, and if it's about cruising, it's about cruising in style. A couple things recently came up on the radar to that effect ...

- The time of DukesFest is drawing so near! It's really only a couple weeks away now! How crazy is that? If you're not one of those aforementioned lucky ones who has his or her own General Lee, perhaps you'll be looking for some other wheels to take to the show. ALLSTARS Limousine Service of Atlanta has a suggestion for you. They've got a special going for the 2008 DukesFest and Hazzard County Fair.

- Can you believe it? It's already time to start thinking about the Hillbilly Woodstick Dukes of Hazzard Cruise, now in its third year. Wayne Wooten and Co. swoop by several Southern locales again this year, from Trenton, Georgia, to Hickory, North Carolina. The fun starts on October 17.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Father was great, but June Cleaver knows best, ya know. Check out this week's installment in BRB's yearlong My Mother's Clothing project.

Kate O'Mara: A woman of great importance to us, of course

My, my, my ... Caress Morell, what on earth have you been up to all this time? The brunette femme who gave Joan Collins' Alexis a run for her money on "Dynasty," Ms. Kata O'Mara, is back on our radar after years away.

She's in the U.K., where she was born, starring in "A Woman of No Importance." Edinburgh's Evening News has an interview with the longtime actress, who's done quite a bit of British television over the years, actually.

O'Mara reminisces that she accepted the part of Alexis' scheming novelist sister on "Dynasty" (a la Joan's real-life sis Jackie Collins, don'tcha know) for two reasons. "To put a boot up the arse of her career" and to earn enough to start her own theatre company. She does a lot of work behind the scenes, in this "second" career of hers.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Well, she certainly gets better ink than this these days, but Heather Locklear's appearance in one of those typical "who wears it better" fashion commentaries did warrant a mention, we felt. For this one, our "Dynasty" gal is up against Paula Abdul in the small matter of a Louis Vuitton bag. No contest, of course. See it at FashionPhile.com.

Richard Moll isn't Bullish about his movie roles

Before he had his key role as Bull on "Night Court," Richard Moll played the skanky backwoods Milo Beaudry, nemesis of the Duke boys on "The Dukes of Hazzard." His resume includes all the usual suspects of classic TV lore. In the '90s, he even crossed over into our "Batman: The Animated Series" world as Harvey Dent / Two-Face. He voiced Emperor Spooj on the offshoot "Superman" animated series. He was then Java on the "Justice League" animated series.

Right now, Moll has two projects brewing, including "DaZe: Vol. 2," which just began filming last month. Gary Busey and Corey Haim join him for this comedy / drama written and directed by Jeff Dean. The message boards on the film's IMDb page shed some light on the plot. Moll's character is Mr. Isoherranen.

It's no surprise that the lumbering Moll plays a character named Big Jim in his other current project, "Thomas Kinkade's Home for Christmas," which explores the life of the well-known "painter of light." The movie has a great cast, besides our Beaudry boy: Jared Padalecki of the CW's "Supernatural"; Aaron Ashmore, the sweety Jimmy Olson of the CW's "Smallville"; Peter O'Toole; Gina Holden of "Smallville" and "Flash Gordon"; Edward Asner; Richard Burgi (we couldn't help but like him with Cheryl Ladd in the short-lived "One West Waikiki"); even Chris Elliott of "Get a Life." Looks like a lotta fun. Except that it's a drama, not a comedy. The plotline, from the IMDb: "A look at the inspiration behind Thomas Kinkade's painting 'The Christmas Cottage,' and how the artist was motivated to begin his career after discovering his mother was in danger of losing their family home." The movie is scheduled for release later this year.

Coming up in Archie Comics

ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #189
“Gadgets Galore”: Archie learns that “geek is chic” when he dons glasses and offers to help all the technologically challenged damsels in distress he can!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Pat Kennedy.
“Mad Fad!”: Waking up in a sleepy haze leaves Archie a mismatched mess – and an unlikely fad-starter, much to Veronica’s chagrin!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Bob Bolling.
“Them’s Fighting Words”: When Archie finds himself in the middle of a feud between Jughead and Veronica, each person tries to convince Archie that the other is a bad influence on him. How will Archie decide between his best friend and his best girl?!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Randy Elliott.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales! SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: June 17, 2008
Full-color digest format, $3.69 U.S.


BETTY #174
“Curious Color Choice”: Everyone has an opinion on what color Betty should paint her room, but does she really only have to choose only one spectrum of the rainbow?
SCRIPT: Barbara Slate. ART: Stan Goldberg.
“The Late, Late Show”: Those lazy, hazy days of summer find Betty especially hazy – because she’s finding new ways to stay up later each night!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART:: Stan Goldberg.
“Weather Tether”: A inaccurate weather forecast leaves Archie and Betty with a whole beach to themselves … and enough sun rays to get a tan 10 times over!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale on newsstands: June 17, 2008
32-page, full-color comic, $2.25 U.S.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Billy Dee Williams, whom BRBTV just saw again at the Motor City Comic Con a couple weeks back, picked up a lifetime achievement award at the Hobokon International Film Festival the other night. Read more about it at NJ.com.

Gregory Itzin tries a "Float"

He appeared in the 1985 "Dallas" episode "Deeds and Misdeeds." He even crossed over as a lawyer to Valene Ewing in the sister show "Knots Landing" in 1989. On "Santa Barbara," he was attorney Howard Otis, the friend of Mason Capwell who asked him to settle the Peter Flint estate in 1985. Nowadays, though, he's better known as President Charles Logan on the action thriller "24." He's Gregory Itzin, and like so many of our BRBTV stars, he's had a wealth of other roles going for him over the years.

This year, though, he's got a couple new things going. One is "Float," a movie classified as in postproduction. Itzin portrays Ray Fulton, a 55-year-old owner of an ice cream shop, who "separates from his longtime wife and decides to move in with his two bachelor employees," the film's plotline says. The film is written and directed by Johnny Asuncion, who also takes on a role.

See Itzin in the trailer for "Float": http://youtube.com/watch?v=yKzyQ9StjCE ("It's all about the ice cream"!)

Itzin also appears in "Autopilot," as Dr. Brian. Written and directed by Alex Knudsen, the movie explores the story of a man released from a mental facility years after accidentally causing the death of his mother.

Itzin has blipped on the radar for being, as this site calls it, "Hannah-fied," having appeared on our pop culture's current flavor of the month, Disney's "Hannah Montana":
http://www.24headquarters.com/2008/05/27/gregory-itzin-has-now-been-hannah-fied/

BRBTV News Blog Blip: This week we saw the passing of Mel Ferrer, known to us "Dallas" fans as Harrison Page, owner of The Store, where Pamela Ewing and Liz Craig worked. Read more about Ferrer and his career at The Hollywood Reporter.

Greg Rucka talks about his work on animated "Batman: Gotham Knight"

Greg Rucka has been part of our mythical Gotham City for some time, having written novels about the Caped Crusader and being no stranger to the comics scene, with numerous graphic novels on a variety of well-known characters to his credit. Rucka was tapped for writing duties on the new animated direct-to-DVD movie "Batman: Gotham Knight," releasing in July. He recently spoke about writing one of the segments in the movie, working with the animated guys and about the whole Batman thing in general; ComicVine.com has the interview.

You can find out oodles more about Rucka at his official site.

Have you seen the MySpace page for the movie, by the way? Or the FaceBook page?

Also from Gotham City ... Benjamin Melniker, an active producer in just about any Bat-screen-project you can name, is considered No. 8 on the list of "Comicdom’s 25 Most Influential People in Film," according to Sophosmoros. He's executive-producing not only the aforementioned "Batman: Gotham Knight," but also "The Dark Knight" coming to theaters this summer.

AND ... Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, writers of our beloved "Batman: The Animated Series," have been working on a new series: Discovery Channel Canada's "Race to Mars." Read more and see the trailer at Wired Blog Network.

Experience the impact of "Dallas" at an exhibit in ... Austin!

We know gas prices (and airfare) are atrocious these days, but if you can work out a trip to the great state of Texas this summer, you'll be happily rewarded. The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin has assembled a delightful array of "Dallas" goodies for an exhibit that just opened this past weekend. Called "Dallas: Power & Passion on Primetime TV," the exhibit runs through September 14 and includes fun stuff such as signed scripts, the "Dallas" family tree, and one of those familiar old safari shirts that J.R. just loved to wear early on in the series (you recognize it below, don't ya? yea ... you know you do!!!!).

Thanks to DallasFanzine.com's Garry for passing along the info, as well as the photo below. You can see many more photos from the exhibit at his site (click on "Gallery" from the home page). Garry reports that Steve Kanaly has already been at the exhibit, and Susan Howard will pop in, too. Producer/director Dwight Adair will be part of a discussion there in July.

You can read more about the exhibit, as well as see an event schedule, at the museum's site.
It also came up on Austin's KLBJ.

Photo: Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

Hang out with us in Covington before DukesFest

DukesFest is only a few weeks away, and BRBTV can't wait for that great, great time, especially since the fun is starting early, right there in the birthplace of "The Dukes of Hazzard" -- lovely Covington, Georgia!

Classic car owners, "Dukes" fans and friends alike, c'mon out to the Town Square in Covington on the Wednesday and Thursday before DukesFest, June 25 and 26, then on that Sunday after DukesFest, June 29, beginning at 6 p.m. each day. There you will see an array of fabulous cars, along with Tom Sarmento, lead mechanic for "The Dukes," and his Hazzard County Stunt Team. The Stunt Team has a wealth of information about "The Dukes" and about the stunt world in general! And two "Dukes" authors you know will be there: Jon Holland, who just released his book about the filming of the first five episodes of the show, "The Roads Back to Early Hazzard," and BRB herself, author of "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!," a reference guide to the show. They'll both be signing copies of their books.

It's called the "Hazzard County Cruise-In," and it's sure to be a good time, leading up to (and after) your DukesFest experience! We're sure many folks'll be touring the original film sites in and around the Covington countryside that week, as well as dropping in on Dianne and Harold at A Touch of Country -- home of the fab "Dukes" museum -- so we're really looking forward to a whole blessed week of fun!

- And while we're talking "Dukes," another one of the stunt guys popped up on the radar: James August Smith, who worked on the 2005 flick and has done stunts at DukesFest over the years. Smith just appeared this past weekend at an event in Yakima, Washington, RacingWest.com reports.

- And speaking of the 2005 movie ... We don't know too many fans out there who enjoyed it, for sure, and StarPulse.com addresses that fact, naming it one of the worst movies made from a TV show.

- We've reported on this blog about John Schneider's new TV series on ABC Family. You can see the video promo for the series, "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," and catch a nice glimpse of John-John, at the ABC Family site. The series premieres soon, July 1. Thanks to Renee at the All-John blog for the tipoff. We simply adore the fact that our fellow 1968-born redhead Molly Ringwald will also star, as well as Josie Bissett, whom we loved on "Melrose Place."

- Finally, to round out today's "Dukes"-themed post, read a couple fresh quotes from our own Rosco P. Coltrane at Southern Illinois' TheSouthern.com, which talked with him after he threw out the first pitch at a baseball game there late last week.

BRBTV birthdays in June

- Robin Mattson, the second and perhaps liveliest Gina DeMott-Capwell-And-On-And-On on "Santa Barbara," turns 52 on June 1.
- David Haskell, the long-suffering Nick Hartley on "SB," was born on June 4, 1948 and died on August 30, 2000.
- Colleen Camp, the original Kristin Shepard on "Dallas," who also turned up as Bonnie Lane in the "Dukes of Hazzard" episode "Trouble at Cooter's," turns 55 on June 7.
- Alexis Smith, such a scene-eater as Lady Jessica Montford on "Dallas," was born on June 8, 1921 and died on the day after her birthday, 1993.
- Andrew Stevens, that young upstart Casey Denault on "Dallas," turns 53 on June 10.
- Sherman Howard, who was the voice of villain Derek Powers on "Batman Beyond," turns 59 on June 11.
- Adrienne Barbeau, the sultry voice of Catwoman on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 63 on June 11.
- Jenilee Harrison, the slightly ditzy Jamie Ewing on "Dallas," turns 49 on June 12.
- Waylon Jennings, our "Dukes of Hazzard" balladeer, was born on June 15, 1937 and died on February 13, 2002.
- Eileen Davidson, the last Kelly Capwell on "Santa Barbara," turns 49 on June 15.
- Aron Kincaid, the creepy Killer Croc on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 68 on June 15.
- Joan Van Ark, Lucy's mom Valene Ewing on "Dallas" and its spinoff "Knots Landing," turns 65 on June 16.
- Nedra Volz, our bright and feisty Miz Tisdale on "Dukes," was born on June 18, 1908 and died on January 20, 2003.
- Leigh McCloskey, who is a BRBTV triple-shot as Mitch Cooper on "Dallas" and both Zack Kelton and Ethan Asher on "Santa Barbara," turns 53 on June 21.
- Monte Markham, who played Clint Ogden on "Dallas," turns 73 on June 21.
- Paula Irvine, who played the second Lilly Light Blake on "SB," was born the same year as BRB and turns a neat 40 on June 22.
- Ted Shackelford, who was Gary Ewing on "Dallas" and its spinoff, "Knots Landing," turns 62 on June 23.
- John McIntire, who was Sen. Sam Culver on "Dallas," was born on June 27, 1907 and died January 30, 1991.
- Pamela Bellwood, whom we saw flip that lightswitch on "Dynasty" more times than we care to count, turns 57 on June 26.

Happy birthday to all!!

Gordon Thomson takes on the "Ladies of the House," while Joanna Miles steps into Jesse Stone's town

It's like a tribute to classic stars: Lance Henriksen, Pam Grier, Richard Roundtree, Donna Mills, Florence Henderson, Michael Ensign ... and Gordon Thomson, our own Adam Carrington of "Dynasty" and third and final Mason Capwell of "Santa Barbara."

The 2008 TV movie "Ladies of the House" stars all of those and more. Thomson plays Richard in the movie, classified as in postproduction. It's a drama directed by James A. Contner and written by Karen Struck.

Meanwhile, over in the "Dallas" realm ... We love the Jesse Stone series of movies, originating on CBS and also frequently airing on the Hallmark Channel. The occasional flicks, starring former Detroit boy Tom Selleck, focus on a tough big-city cop who takes a job as the police chief in a sleepy small town as he deals with divorce and his own indulgent alcoholism. Selleck is hot-hot-hot in this series, and now the latest movie installment is in postproduction: "Jesse Stone: Thin Ice."

This time, there's an attempt on the life of Stone's close friend and colleague, and he almost loses his job over it. Joanna Miles, whom we know as Martha Randolph on "Dallas," takes a spin in Jesse Stone's world for this one, playing Mrs. Steinberg, a woman who helps Stone search for a missing child. Kathy Baker of "Picket Fences" and Camryn Manheim are also along for the ride. The movies are based on books by Robert B. Parker.

There's no indication yet on an airdate, though the Sony Pictures production was filming in Halifax, Nova Scotia, late last year. ComingSoon.net has a little more.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Earle Hagen, who composed music for "The Dukes of Hazzard," has died at age 88. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Philadelphia Inquirer are two of the papers running an appreciation.