Archie Comics go green with the "Freshman Year" series

From Archie Comics

This month, Archie Comics releases the first part of an epic storyline the fans have been clamoring for. The “Freshman Year” saga follows the Archie teens from the summer following middle school graduation through their first year at Riverdale High, including all the seasons and the special activities and events that are a part of each. It’s a prequel in the tradition of such famous comic book series and mini-series as John Byrne’s “Superman: the Man of Steel,” Frank Miller’s “Batman: Year One” and Marvel’s “Ultimate” line.

A look back to how it all began isn’t all the fans have been clamoring for. Countless fans have weighed in with their concerns about the environment, and Archie Comics has heard their pleas. Just as “Freshman Year” writer Batton Lash is turning back the timeline for a fresh look at Archie and his friends’ beginnings, the publishers of Archie Comics are giving previously used paper a fresh look by printing this storyline on recycled paper! Beginning with ARCHIE #587, all five issues featuring this special storyline, through issue ARCHIE #591 will have their interiors printed on recycled paper.

Archie Comics is pleased to support the “green” initiative while entertaining its readers with “Freshman Year.” This special storyline is brought to you by none other than fan-favorite writer Batton Lash. No stranger to Archie Comics, the famed writer of the “Wolff & Byrd” series turned the comic industry upside down in 1994 when he penned the unlikely Archie/Marvel cross-over comic, “Archie Meets the Punisher.” Many thought it would never work, but Batton’s ingenious script won over even the toughest skeptics, and the comic wound up being not only one of Archie’s biggest-selling issues ever, but also one of the most highly-acclaimed. Batton returned the following year with another well-received story arc appearing across several Archie titles. The “House of Riverdale” was a loving tribute to the type of serio-comic, spooky mysteries so prevalent in the vintage “Life with Archie” series.

Handling the art chores for FRESHMAN YEAR is “Scrapyard Detectives” creator Bill Galvan. In the year since he started working on Archie Comics, he has become one of the most popular artists to render the freckle-faced teen and his friends. With the unbeatable team of Lash and Galvan taking a fresh look at Archie, this is one “year” you can’t afford to miss!

ARCHIE #587, ships 7/16.
ARCHIE #588, ships 8/13.
ARCHIE #589, ships 9/17.
ARCHIE #590, ships 10/22.
ARCHIE #591, ships 11/19.
All comics are 32-page, full color, priced at $2.25 U.S.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Lynda Carter, the amazing "Wonder Woman" of classic TV who played Uncle Jesse's galpal in the 2005 "Dukes of Hazzard" big-screen flick, is speaking up about dealing with alcoholism. San Diego's Channel 10 has more.

BRBTV birthdays for July

- Brock Peters, who voiced Lucius Fox on "Batman: The Animated Series," was born on July 2, 1927 and died on August 23, 2005.
- Signy Coleman, our Celeste DiNapoli of "Santa Barbara," who also did an 1987 episode of "Dallas," turned 48 on Independence Day.
- Rosemary Forsyth, the original Sophia Capwell (and Dominic) of "SB," and Anne McFadden on "Dallas," turned 65 on July 6.
- Grant Goodeve, who was Chris Deegan on "Dynasty," also had a birthday on July 6, turning 56.
- Deborah Tranelli, our own Phyllis Wapner of "Dallas," turned 53 on July 6.
- Kimberly Foster, who portrayed Michelle Stevens on "Dallas," is our fourth July 6 birthday, turning 47.
- Cree Summer, Terry's buddy Max on "Batman Beyond," turned 39 on July 7.
- William Smithers, who was Jeremy Wendell on "Dallas," turns 81 today, July 10.
- Michael Rosenbaum, who voiced several characters in "Batman Beyond" (Ollie, Carl, Wendell), "Justice League" (the Flash) and the like, and whom BRBTV will miss very much on the CW's "Smallville," turns 36 on July 11.
- Sandy Ward, who played Jeb Ames on "Dallas," was born on July 12, 1926, and died on March 6, 2005.
- Dale Robertson, who was Walter Lankershim on "Dynasty" and Frank Crutcher on "Dallas," turns 85 on July 14.
- Ken Kercheval, our unforgettable Cliff Barnes of "Dallas," turns 73 on July 15.
- Derek McGrath, who was the eccentric Oswald Valentine on "Dallas," turns 59 on July 15.
- Barbara Stanwyck, the legendary film star who was Constance Colby on "The Colbys," was born on July 16, 1907 and died on January 20, 1990.
- Diahann Carroll, the songstress who vexed Alexis as Dominique Devereaux on "Dynasty," turns 73 on July 17.
- Audrey Landers, who was Afton Cooper on "Dallas" and a couple roles on "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 49 on July 18.
- George Dzundza, the voice of the Ventriloquist on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 63 on July 19.
- Paul Burke, the second C.C. Capwell of "Santa Barbara," who also did a memorable turn on "Dynasty" as Neal McVane, turns 82 on July 21.
- Art Hindle, who brokered babies as Jeff Farraday on "Dallas," turns 60 on July 21.
- Lenore Kasdorf, the lovely Caroline Wilson on "SB," turns 60 on July 23.
- James Best, our own Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 82 on July 26.
- Dierdre Imershein, who was the caught-in-the-middle Jory Taylor on "Dallas," turns 45 on July 26.
- Keenan Wynn, the second Digger Barnes on "Dallas," was born on July 27, 1916 and died on October 14, 1986.
- Sasha Mitchell, another "Dallas" alum as long-lost Ewing son James Beaumont, turns 41 on July 27.
- Lloyd Bochner, who was Cecil Colby on "Dynasty," was born on July 29, 1924 and died on October 29, 2005.
- David Warner, who was the commanding and ghoulish Ra's al Ghul on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 67 on July 29.
- Ben Piazza, our own Walt Driscoll of "Dallas," was born on July 30, 1934, and died on September 7, 1991.
- Susan Flannery, who played Leslie Stewart on "Dallas," turns 69 on July 31.
- Lane Davies, the unforgettable original Mason Capwell on "Santa Barbara," who showed up on "Dallas" as Craig Gurney, also has a birthday on July 31, turning 58.


Happy birthday to all!


BRBTV News Blog Blip: Tom Wopat, our own Luke Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," is gearing up for more Broadway work. Playbill and Broadway.com both report that he will join the revival of "Chicago" this month.

"Dukes" fans, get ready for Hazzard in the Hills

Fresh off the heels of one "Dukes of Hazzard" event, we've got another, and this one is also right here in Georgia, the birthstate of "The Dukes"! It's the first ever Hazzard in the Hills event, brought to you by avid "Dukes" fan Chad Fullerton of northern Georgia.

Chad's got a full day of activities planned for the event, to be held in Helen, Georgia, on Saturday, August 16. Sonny Shroyer, our own Enos Strate, will be the featured guest and will meet and greet fans. BRB will be there to sign copies of her reference guide "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" (which, incidentally, features a darling photo of Chad as a little boy, viewing a General Lee replica -- Chad's really been a lifelong fan of the show!).

Here is the day's *tentative* schedule of events, and be sure to check out the flier below -- and print some copies for your friends:

- Noon -1 p.m. ~ Classic Car Parade featuring General Lee, Hazzard County Sheriff car, and all other replicated vehicles from The Dukes of Hazzard. Also, the parade is open to any and all classic cars, trucks, or motorcycles as well.
*** Parade participants need to meet at the parking across the street from Cool River Tubing no later than 11:15 a.m. ***
- 1:30 p.m. ~ Cruise-In begins at the Riverside Park in Helen.
*** Car show participants are encouraged to get there early to ensure the best parking spot. ***
- 1:45 p.m. ~ Sonny Shroyer welcomes everyone to "Hazzard in the Hills." A meet-and-greet autograph session with "Deputy Enos" begins at the Riverside Park Pavillion.
- 2 p.m. ~ "Hazzard in the Hills" Car Show officially begins at the Riverside Park in Helen.
*** Free registration for any and all vehicles. All vehicles welcome to participate. ***
- 4:45 p.m. ~ The meet-and-greet autograph session with "Deputy Enos" concludes.
- 5 p.m. ~ Presentation of awards begins.
- 6 p.m. ~ "Daisy Duke" Contest begins at the Riverside Park Pavilion in Helen.
*** No entry fee. Contest winner will receive $100!!! ***
- 8:45 p.m. ~ Screening of "One Armed Bandits," the first episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard," at the Helen FestHalle.
*** Free admission!!! ***

There is absolutely no charge to attend the event or enter a car in it. So c'mon down!

The Ramada Limited of Helen and the Days Inn of Helen are sponsoring the event. "Any and all fans and event participants can call ahead of time and book their accommodations at either of the lodging locations," Chad tells BRBTV. "Fans and participants need to request the special 'Hazzard County Rate,' and they will get a discounted price on their rooms."

Associate sponsors include:
- Family Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep of Cleveland, Georgia ("If anyone is looking for a great deal on a new Dodge, Chrysler, or Jeep vehicle, they can mention the Hazzard in the Hills event and receive a better deal in conjunction with the already fantastic incentives from Chrysler," Chad says)
- Wendell's Country Restaurant of Sautee, Georgia
- Hofbrau Riverfront Hotel-Restaurant-Lounge of Helen, Georgia
- Neighborhood Healthcare of Cleveland, Georgia
- Georgia 105.1 FM of Helen, Georgia
- YearOne of Braselton, Georgia

"It should be a very laid-back event, enjoyable for everyone that attends," Chad tells us.

Kate Mulgrew takes on "Equus"

Kate Mulgrew has made a superb career out of being the female "Star Trek" captain (then admiral), Kathryn Janeway. To us "Dallas" fans, though, she'll always be Garnet McGee, the country music star who left Ray Krebbs smitten as she was cuttin' deals with J.R. Ewing on the side. To us fans of "Batman: The Animated Series," we'll never forget her rough-cut delivery for the snarling villainess Red Claw.

Now, Mulgrew is looking toward a new role on Broadway: She will play Hesther Salomon alongside Daniel Radcliffe in "Equus." The play, Peter Shaffer's story of a savage crime and the teen at the heart of it, opens on Thursday, September 25 at Broadhurst Theatre, 235 West 44th Street (between Broadway and 8th), New York, NY. Visit the show's website here and read the official press release.

Mulgrew also does the convention circuit. She will be a guest at Creation's Convention in Las Vegas on August 6-10. Nana Visitor, our own Georgina Sinclair of "The Colbys," will be at that one, too. Read more at the event's website. After that, Mulgrew will appear at Fan Expo Canada in Toronto, August 22-24. Check their website for more information.

Keep up with Mulgrew's moves via her official website, TotallyKate.com.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Soaps.com has a new interview with Lesley-Anne Down, our own Stephanie Rogers of "Dallas" who has been part of the "Bold and the Beautiful" realm for a few years now.

Richard Hatch set to appear at Dragon*Con

... And no, we don't mean that Richard Hatch! We mean our Richard Hatch, the handsome Dean Caldwell who tempted Claudia Blaisdel Carrington on "Dynasty," so well-known, of course, for his roles as Apollo and Tom Zarek in the "Battlestar Galactica" universe.

Hatch is planning a trip to Atlanta for the annual Dragon*Con, which runs August 29 to September 1 at four downtown hotels.

Also on the BRBTV radar: Kevin Sorbo, TV's "Hercules" who popped up in "Santa Barbara" once or twice, is on the guest list for Dragon*Con. There will be a lot of the other usual con suspects; see the full guest list here.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: The Dallas Morning News just did a sort of appreciation for the legendary TV show that bears the town name. Check out the story, which features quotes from UltimateDallas.com, as well as a nice video peek inside the current "Dallas" exhibit at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/070608dnmetdallas.1c51e51c.html

DukesFest: Other fun stuff, part 2

Happy Independence Day! BRBTV hopes that however you spend the day, it's safe and happy!

We round out our weeklong coverage of the 2008 DukesFest right back in Covington where it began -- both the show and, for many fans, this year's event. Fans gathered once again on Sunday night, joined by the Hazzard County Stunt Team, Mr. Byron (Coy Duke) Cherry, and authors Jon Holland and BRB. Kind hosts Harold and Dianne Duren of the A Touch of Country shop fed 'em and kept 'em through the rain, and it was one of the more delightful times of the whole five-day stretch, as far as BRBTV is concerned.

The fandom of the "The Dukes of Hazzard" takes on many forms. Here, a female fan expresses her love with a little careful airbrushing. She told BRBTV that she wanted to alternate every other nail with the Confederate flag but was told at the salon that they wouldn't do that design. Yikes.


Our friend Glenn of Massachusetts, brother of the owner of the Oh-Oh! car (er ... we mean, the Double Zero car!) is quite an artistic guy. Not only does he do the entry badges for the annual Hair Dare Dukes Weekend up in Ontario, Canada (see our many posts on that worthwhile event -- and plan on joining us in August!), but he's also designed a set of fun cards for "The Dukes." Shown below, they're driver's licenses for each of the characters, plus police credentials for those boys in blue and employee cards for Daisy (Boar's Nest) and Cooter. How fun! Glenn sells them individually for $2 or in a set of 19 for $25. Several sets of the cards sold on the spot at A Touch of Country this past weekend, Harold and Dianne tell BRBTV.


Glenn has also compiled the songs of that rascally Boss Hogg's celebrity speed trap! To inquire about that or the cards, visit Glenn's website at NewEnglandDukes.com, or email him at glennberg3@aol.com.

It's been a great week! A special thanks goes out to the Hazzard County Stunt Team for the invitation to the fun on the Covington town square, plus a heartfelt thanks to all who stopped by BRB's table to chat and see the book (especially those two kind men who helped her keep the table dry when it rained on Sunday -- you guys were fab).

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

DukesFest: Other fun stuff, part 1

Part of the fun at the 2008 DukesFest was the family-friendly area of carnival rides. They didn't subtitle it the Hazzard County Fair for nothing, ya know!

There was also an archery competition.

Aaaahhhh ... the carnage. Nothing like a wrecked car to give "Dukes" fans thrills. This is just one of the many fun scenes trackside at this year's DukesFest.


The 00 car made just a brief appearance in "The Dukes," but it made an impact nonetheless. BRB has had the pleasure of seeing this one at several shows, but this is the first time she actually got to meet its owner, Edmund (it's his bro Glenn that she usually chats with!). And what a delight that she got to josh with Edmund about the name of his flame-tressed beauty. You see, he thinks it's the "Double Zero" car, but she really knows it's the "Oh, Oh!" car!!!!!

"Been there, wrecked that" ... a T-shirt only a stunt guy could wear! Here Tom Sarmento of the Hazzard County Stunt Team is joined by Harold Duren on the left, owner (with his wife Dianne) of the well-known A Touch of Country shop on Covington's town square, and Aaron Varner, chairman of the County Commission, in the middle.

BRB's bud Will Rodgers, aka the "Voice Man," did some emceeing for the event. He's shown here at the watermelon eating contest. Will, who can impersonate any "Dukes of Hazzard" voice, as well as the characters of "Dallas," "All in the Family" and many others, is a man of many talents. He also helped BRB with editing the reference guide "Destination: Dallas," and he's currently collaborating with BRB on a new BRBTV Report.

By the way ... There does seem to be life after DukesFest; John Schneider was already movin' on to his next interview with ABC Macon News this week. Read Part 1 and Part 2 at their site.

Photos by Rose Marie King and Billie Rae Bates

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.