Coming up in Archie Comics

ARCHIE #587
THE "FRESHMAN YEAR" SAGA BEGINS HERE!
"The Summer Before": Travel back in time with this five-issue tale that takes Archie and his friends back to their very first year in high school. It all starts with this poignant prologue which finds the gang wondering just what that first year will be like, while reflecting fondly on the past as well. Along the way, the gang must deal with the pending departure of one of their closest friends, as well as their bickering parents. And while the kids count the days until they enter their new school home, someone else is joining Riverdale High, too: Principal Waldo Weatherbee! All this, plus allusions to Captain Pureheart, The Man from R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Veronica's worldwide travels, and more! It's all brought to you by fan-favorite writer Batton Lash of "Wolff & Byrd" and "Archie Meets the Punisher" fame.
SCRIPT: Batton Lash.
ART: Bill Galvan.
On sale on newsstands: August 5, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #121
"California Dreaming Part One": When news of Archie and his friends' worldwide, mystery-solving adventures (see ARCHIE & FRIENDS #117 through #120 for details) spreads, it isn't long before Hollywood comes knocking. MGG Studios exec Perri DeLane is sure the gang will be a hit, and takes them to the Catalina Comic Con to unveil her latest franchise.
Later, the "Minute Men of Menace," a gang of thieves who pull off their crimes in lightning-fast fashion, crash a swank invitation-only party that the gang are attending… and promptly kidnap all the celebrity guests! Can Archie and his friends solve yet another mystery so hot on the heels of their European tour? Is the plot of their movie being written before their eyes? These questions and more will be answered (maybe) when you read this intriguing tale!
SCRIPT: Alex Simmons. ART: Fernando Ruiz.
On sale on newsstands: July 22, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

ARCHIE DIGEST #246
"Pool Player": Archie's job as a swimming pool cleaner leaves him "all wet!"
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
"Soggy Story": The summer is a real "day at the beach" for Archie… except when that day is rainy!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: August 12, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

ARCHIE'S DOUBLE DIGEST #190
"Gull-ible": An adorable, charming story presented in the much-loved "silent pantomime" style of Archie stories past. Lovebirds Archie and Betty meet some real "love birds" as they spend a day at the beach.
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare.
ART: Bob Bolling.
"Absence Minded": Feeling slighted by his friends, Archie can't help but see reminders of them along every mile of beach.
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare.
ART: Bob Bolling.
"The Cupid Caper": Cupid thinks his assignment to bring Archie and Betty closer together is a cake-walk. He hasn't counted on Veronica showing up!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Randy Elliott.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: July 22, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

BETTY #175
"The Flub Club": Convinced Archie is stepping out with a harem of girls, Betty tosses all reminders of him away… but are things really as they seem?
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Fast Food Friends": Betty "flips out" when she learns she's Archie's new boss at the burger joint!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Mentor Mismatch": Betty and the young girl she mentors have so much in common they're practically clones… but will their opinions on Archie match up?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
"The Big Search": Betty dreams of searching for a mystery object at a flea market… and the next morning goes to the flea market to seek it out, even though she has no idea what it is!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale on newsstands: August 12, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #84
"Get Up & Go": When Veronica finds herself perpetually late for school, her father insists she start riding the bus. Will she give up the creature comforts of her father's limo so easily, or come up with an alternate way to travel with style?
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
On sale on newsstands: August 5, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #186
"Party Game": Dragged to another high-society party by Veronica, Betty resigns herself to the fact that Veronica will once again get all the attention… or will she?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
"Picnic Panic": The girls are looking for something to do, so Jughead suggests a picnic… as long as he can come along!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
On sale on newsstands: August 12, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #163
PART 3 OF A 5-PART, INTERACTIVE STORY WHERE THE READERS DECIDE THE OUTCOME!
"And the Winner Is… Part 3 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! Two issues ago, 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 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 http://www.archiecomics.com! This issue, Cheryl goes on a date with Brandon. He's a computer genius and entrepreneur, but even clumsier than Archie! That might be more than Cheryl can handle… 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.
ALSO: "Pool Players": Tired of all the splashing kids at the public pool where she lifeguards, Betty can't wait to "relax" around Veronica's pool… or will she?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: August 12, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

JUGHEAD #190
DON'T MISS THIS MOUTH-WATERING TRIBUTE TO BUFFALO WINGS AND THEIR BIRTHPLACE!
"Winging It": Jughead and his friends "shuffle off to Buffalo" for the National Buffalo Wing Festival! Along the way, they encounter many famous people and buffalo wing landmarks including festival organizer Drew Cerza and Mayor Brown - birthplace of buffalo wings and Dunn Tire Park, the home of the Buffalo Bisons and host of the Wing Festival. Jughead's entry is sure to be the favorite of the competition… unless a shifty saboteur sours the sauce! Will Jughead's dreams of winning the festival take flight, or will he be grounded? Find out for yourself – don't miss this special issue-length epic!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
On sale on newsstands: August 12, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #142
THE THRILLING CONCLUSION TO THE EPIC SAGA OF JUGHEAD'S NEW LOVE LIFE… FEATURING JUGHEAD'S NEW, REALISTIC LOOK!
"The MatchMakers Part 4": Having "set-up" Jughead and Sandy, matchmakers Archie, Betty, Reggie and Veronica now must face off against them in the couples' competition at the school picnic. The friends are surprised at how well Jughead and Sandy work together in the contest… especially for a "new couple!" Is their relationship the "real deal," or have they merely set up those who set them up? Find out for yourself in the thrilling conclusion to this intriguing 4-part tale! 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: August 5, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #123
"Mexican Mix-Up": Introducing Tóno Diaz! Tóno's parents own an event planning business, and it's Tono's job to do the landscaping – with some help from mechanized robots his father created! When the Diaz family decides to handle a party at Mr. Lodge's, it doesn't take long for Archie to show up… and we all know how dangerous Archie is around mechanical devices!
SCRIPT: Jésus Holguin.
ART: Fernando Ruiz.
"Whose Car is it Anyway?": Breaking down on the side of the road proves serendipitous for Archie when he runs into his car's original order!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Bill Galvan.
"On the Job Starining": Movie grosses hit an all-time low when Archie gets a job at a cinema!
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare.
ART: Jeff Shultz. PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: July 29, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #95
"Remembrance Part One": Thanks to Llandra and Batty Bartholomew, Sabrina has managed to snap out of the evil hold the dark duality wand has had upon her. However, she's still a long way from a full recovery. The only way for Sabrina to get back to normal is to use the healing wand a lot to balance out the other wand. Sabrina begins by restoring the memories of all those affected before her dark detour, including Batty Bartholomew and the members of the Four Blades movement. While this helps to fade the darkness from Sabrina, another problem arises: even though the original Four Blades have had their memories restored, they're not being very cooperative! Shinji tries getting them involved in his cause, but they remain defiant, keeping their mouths shut about what they remember from the original Four Blades Day. What are they hiding? It's another tale of magic and intrigue as only Sabrina can deliver!
SCRIPT AND ART: Tania del Rio.
On sale on newsstands: July 29, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #29
ARCHIE'S RIVAL REGGIE TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT IN TWO NEW TALES!
"Reg the Barbarian": Reggie's been accused of behaving like he's stuck in the dark ages before, but this is ridiculous: when the Medieval Fair comes to town, he gets a job dressed as a barbarian!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.
"The Mediator": Reggie cracks wise to a passing motorist who turns out to be one of his father's biggest clients. When the offended party threatens to pull his advertising from Mr. Mantle's newspaper, Archie intervenes on his behalf… but who's going to get Reggie out of hot water with his dad?!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb.
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 29, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

Assembling the dream Bat-cast

Everything's coming up Batty this week, as we mentioned on Monday, and in honor of "The Dark Knight" releasing in theaters this weekend, and the "Batman: Gotham Knight" DVD et. al, we felt another post was in order. This time, we're having a little fun with the art of the hypothesis.

The MTV Movies Blog presents its Batman "Dream Team" and invites you to weigh in with yours, as well. The idea is to choose the best actor or version of each character from the various Bat-incarnations over the decades.

Batman: Ooooohhhhhhh ... tough, tough, tough. We have to split this one. The truest interpretation of the Bat, we believe, is in "Batman: The Animated Series," as voiced by Kevin Conroy (Bart Fallmont of our beloved "Dynasty" -- but that's certainly not the reason!). Hard, edgy, driven, solid, unstoppable. We'll always love Frank Miller's darker interpretation, too. But as far as the Batman we've enjoyed the most on screen, we can't help but defer to Michael Keaton's portrayal. We love talent in unexpected places, and Keaton was all about that in 1989. MTV has a point in that he made Batman real and accessible to the "everyguy."

Joker: Cesar Romero. Sorry, Jack -- you were too inaccessible, too Hollywood A-list, too snobby or weird or ... something. (Probably too Jack Nicholson -- that's what it was.) Mark Hamill rocked out hard, but Romero ... he set the standard.

Pengie: Danny DeVito in "Batman Returns" was waaaaayyyyy too dark, too creepy. This character is funner, ebullient! The Penguin of the newer "The Batman" animated series is intriguing, but we have to say Paul Williams' portrayal in "B:TAS."

Two-Face: We only saw him for a moment, it seemed, but we really wanted to see him more. Billy Dee Williams, our own Brady Lloyd of "Dynasty" stepped into the role in the 1989 "Batman" film, and oh, if we only could have seen where that would have gone! Besides adding some needed color to the mix, this casting choice really reflected the suavo quality of "Handsome Harvey."

Catwoman: We're partial to Adrienne Barbeau's voicing of Selina Kyle in "Batman: The Animated Series." This version gave some good screen time to the relationship between Catwoman and Batman, particularly Batman's attraction to her (soooo many sparks on the rooftop, so little time) and his concern for her welfare. He really wanted to steer her away from her life of crime; you see that in "B:TAS" more than anywhere else.

Riddler: The gentlemanly Edward Nygma as voiced by John Glover on "B:TAS." What Jim Carrey didn't get was that Riddler wasn't just a hyena; he had a certain amount of refinement, too. Glover's Nygma was intelligent (a genius, really) and well-spoken. Even Frank Gorshin reflected some of that decades earlier.

Alfred: Either Alan Napier of the 1960s "Batman" or Efrem Zimbalist Jr. of "B:TAS" is fine.

Commissioner Gordon: While we love the fatherly Commish of "B:TAS" (especially in the world-stopper episode "Over the Edge"), we are absolutely enamored beyond belief with Gary Oldman's surprising portrayal in "Batman Begins." Something about the apprehension ... the drive, the studiousness ... the conviction ... the weariness ... the glasses ... We just wanna hug him and squeeze him and call him James!

Robin: Let's not even include the character, actually. He drags the Bat down. But if you must have him, we kinda like the kid, Tim Drake, from "The New Batman Adventures," as voiced by Mathew Valencia.

Batgirl: We saved the best for last. Yvonne Craig? Delightful -- and a dancer, no less! And whoever that cheesy blond chick was in the 1997's "Batman & Robin," we won't even mention her. She was irrelevant; wrong character, wrong hair. Everyone knows Batgirl is not blond. The best? The truest? It's gotta be the idealistic, out-to-conquer-crime-and-happy-to-do, Batman-idolizing, yet so-smart and so-on-it, thoroughly flame-tressed Barbara Gordon as voiced by our former "Prairie"-girl, Melissa Gilbert, on "B:TAS." With gymnastics in her repertoire and developing romances with Nightwing, then Batman himself, this incarnation of Batgirl truly hit all the high notes.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: C'mon ... admit it ... you've always wondered who'd win in a race between the General Lee of "The Dukes of Hazzard" and the Gran Torino of "Starsky and Hutch." Now you can find out, at Brightcove.tv.

"Dynasty" goes sci-fi -- and you can play, too!

Alexis ... on Mars! If that sounds scary, or perhaps a bit intriguing, you're going to want to learn more about an Internet role-playing game based on our beloved "Dynasty."

The game, explained at DerKeiler.com, sets the Carrington clan more than a century into the future, in 2111, where "Hydrogen is the new energy source. Humanity has colonized the oceans and is moving beyond Earth into space. Orbital space stations and colonies exist, and colonies exist on the moon, Mars, on the moons of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, and on Alpha Centauri." And Blake and Sammy Jo are there, too!

Kinda like "Dynasty in Space!" Or maybe "Dynasty" as it would air on the Sci-Fi Channel. We can dig it.

Many roles are listed, including some Mancinis and Woodwards (skewing a little "Melrose," perhaps?). The info was posted a year ago, so the status of the game is not clear (anyone?). There's another game from the same sources but set in 2011, also found at DerKeiler.com. And yet another with the same contact info at PBM.com.

"Dynasty" Internet games are not a new concept; this one at Yahoo was started back in 1999.

*** HAZZARD IN THE HILLS UPDATE! ***
Event organizer Chad Fullerton has sent BRBTV a revised schedule of events for his Hazzard in the Hills event next month. Check the original post for a look at this full day of "Dukes" fun!

Crystal Carson: This "Ewing" has made coaching her life

Crystal Carson's name should sound vaguely, or not-so-vaguely, familiar to "Dallas" fans. Think about it a second .... hmmm ... Crystal Carson, Crystal Carson ... something to do with Sue Ellen ... Yes! That's it! She was the one to portray Sue Ellen in that true-to-life, secret, tell-all flick J.R.'s wife made about their not-so-happy marriage.

So where did Carson go, after her few-episode stint on our show in 1989? She went to ABC's "General Hospital," for one thing, playing Julia Barrett. She also went to Fox's "Alien Nation." And "JAG," and a few other things.

For the past 15 years, though, the Nebraska-born actress has been an acting coach. She's taught at a variety of places, including the University of Nebraska and Fox TV. And hey, if her client list includes David Boreanaz, whose dead-on delivery makes Fox's "Bones" a joy to watch, she's gotta be pretty good. She also has coached April Scott, who was Daisy Duke in the 2007 "Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning" movie.

Catch up -- and keep up -- with Carson at her official website, CrystalCarson.com and at her MySpace page or Facebook profile.

Everything's coming up Batty, and we like it that way!

Unless you're living in a cave (and not a Batcave), you know that this week "The Dark Knight" releases in theaters. You also know that a new animated feature, "Batman: Gotham Knight" is out on DVD, Blu-Ray and all that jazz. Things are Batty all over, it seems, and we like it!

Bruce Timm, one of the "founding fathers" of the modern Bat-animated lore as a mastermind behind the "Batman: The Animated Series" and its many offshoots, gives a new interview to Comic Book Resources.

"We've already seen all different various media, so many different kinds of Batman, from Adam West to Christian Bale to all flavors in-between," Timm told the site. "You can go goofy with him, you can go really, really dark, cloth costume or armor, high-tech or low-tech. ... We were really gratified that some of the designers in Japan went a little bit further away from the traditional Batman then some people here in the states were really comfortable with. I had to kind of fight for it."

Kevin Conroy, meanwhile, who has provided the voice of Batman in these many animations, and before that portrayed Bart Fallmont on our beloved "Dynasty," is also talking about the new DVD movie. He did a Q&A phoner with AllYourTV.com.

"I've never seen anything like this in terms of diverse and rich animation in the industry," he said of the collection of Bat-vignettes. "It's like getting six movies in one."

Gary Dourdan, whom we will certainly miss on "CSI," plays a detective in the movie. He talked to BlackVoices.com about voicing Crispus Allen.

"I was very flattered that they wanted me to do the voiceover," he said. "The animation on this is great. When I did 'Alien: Resurrection', a lot of the guys worked on planned production, and one of them was really into comic books and would draw all sorts of characters and I was impressed with his sketches."

And, of course, everyone in the pop-culture world has an opinion on the movie itself. Here, for your browsing pleasure, is a sprinkling:

Variety
Comics2Film
Pop Culture Zoo
Caffeinated Muslim
Serve With Chips
The Portland Mercury

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!!!"