Hair Dare: Don Pedro Colley and Byron Cherry

Don Pedro Colley and Byron Cherry can always be counted on for two distinct things: Colley always has a good story on hand about his classic acting days, and Cherry never sits still. Our weeklong coverage of the sixth annual Hair Dare Dukes Weekend in Leamington, Ontario, Canada, continues with a closer look at our own Sheriff Ed Little and Coy Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard."


Don Pedro Colley lives in Oregon, in an A-frame house his father built in the 1960s. Adding to his quality of life: a six-foot in diameter hot tub he built himself in the 1980s from California Redwood. No wonder he retreats to this oasis and only does a few of these kinds of shows a year nowadays.

We had a chance to chat with Colley at last year's show (see our August 15, 2007 post), but this year we found out more about how that whole Sheriff Little thing came about.

It was a 1967 episode of "Daktari" -- his very first screen credit -- that laid the groundwork. In the episode, "Killer Tribe," Colley was guest-starring as tribesman Mtola in "chest-high weeds." In one action-packed scene, he says, "I slide down the embankment, roll over, and the camera turns and sees what's chasing me." Things didn't go quite as planned, though, but the classically trained Colley improvised with the logistics and saved the scene.

Years later, he got a call from the show's producer, Leonard Kaufman. "I really didn't have an agent at the time," Colley says. Kaufman began to describe for Colley a part on this one particular little show, "The Dukes of Hazzard," a part that at the time was called Sheriff Lucas. "I never have forgotten what you did for me," Kaufman told him.

During his audition, Colley burst into the room strongly and took an "ice-cold" Sheriff Little stance. He didn't have the attention of the show's bigwigs, at first, though. They were still looking down at their papers. He waited. He wasn't going anywhere, after all. When one, executive producer Paul Picard, finally looked up and met his "gaze" (to put it politely), "the pen slipped out of his hand, the piece of paper fell on the floor," Colley laughs.

"After the interview was over, I took off my hat, shook his hand," Colley says. "The interview was over -- I was out of character now."

That regular gig put Colley's career into a more comfy position, but this is a man with a wealth of experience. He also reminisced about the two-hour episode of "Starsky and Hutch" that he did in 1977, "Starsky and Hutch on Playboy Island," featuring someone else we know, Joan Collins. And later, as our group had dinner, Colley regaled us with stories of Jack Palance and others from his earlier days in stage productions. Fun, indeed.


In Saturday morning's parade, Byron Cherry and Billie Rae Bates rode in the Hazzard County Sheriff's boat, while Felix Silla rode with event organizer Paul Harrington in the General Lee in the lead, and Colley rode in this most-appropriate number: a gleaming Chickasaw County Sheriff's car.



John Thomas Staton of Ontario had no trouble convincing Don to don his former garb (the helmet, of course -- not the shirt!).


Time to switch gears on the General ... Why, what's that? A sea of Coys? Evidently our show organizer got a good deal on them! How delightful, for an event featuring the real-life Coy Duke!



Here, Cherry watches a video with Kevin Webb of Tennessee (owner of that aforementioned -- and twice pictured -- Chickasaw County car), while Cherry's charming blond assistant, Brooke, looks on! (The video? It depicts Kevin jumping a clunker car. You know how it is.)


The amazing Zealand (known to some as Andrew Watt -- but not to us!!!) has made the trip all the way from New Zealand two years in a row to hang out with us.


"I bet Bo and Luke never signed a cracker!" Cherry quipped at Friday night's dinner with the stars.


If you ask us, the boat was the primo ride of Saturday morning's parade down the main street of town.


Remember that thing we said about not sitting still?

On Sunday afternoon, Cherry took a turn in the dunk tank. Kids lined up from all around (especially the tiny, tiny ones!). "C'mon!" Cherry taunted from the tank. "I wanna go swimming! It's hot out here!"


"Dunk a Duke! Dunk a Duke!" he continued. "C'mon, you little Dukes -- dunk a big Duke!"


... And he was down for the count. Right away. By a little kid, no less. Of course, we can't say that every single kid in line didn't get a little help from the show organizer! Anything for a good cause.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand
More event photos can always be found in BRB's Yahoo group

Hair Dare: Felix Silla

Our weeklong coverage of this past weekend's Hair Dare Dukes event in Leamington, Ontario, Canada, continues ...

Felix Silla is a new face to this 6-year-old charity event. Perhaps best-known as Cousin Itt of "The Addams Family," as well as Twiki on "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century," Silla also starred in an episode of a little show we call "The Dukes of Hazzard."

BRBTV got a chance to chat with Silla a bit over the weekend, at the next table over in the fairgrounds building. Born in Rome, Silla lives in Las Vegas these days, he told us. He's had quite an amazing career, portraying everything from a Talosian on the classic "Star Trek" episode "The Cage" to a child gorilla on "Planet of the Apes" and Baby New Year on an episode of the classic "Night Gallery." Did you know he was the polka-dotted horse in "H.R. Pufnstuf"?

Silla also appeared at this year's Motor City Comic Con, where Hair Dare organizer Paul Harrington was able (after "a couple years," of asking, actually, he said) to convince him to come to Canada for the show. Silla brought an array of fun photos to sign, from many of his popular roles.

Silla poses for us outside the host hotel, the Comfort Inn of Leamington, on Friday evening.


Here, Silla gets set up at the dinner with the stars on Friday night, joined by Don Pedro Colley ("Sheriff Little"), left, and Byron Cherry ("Coy Duke").


Silla brought his own camera to the show to get some good shots. He's shown here with Billy Stephenson, a Tennessee-based singer who performed at the show, on Saturday morning before the parade got underway.


Silla's table display included his original call sheet from his episode of "The Dukes," which was called "Strange Visitor to Hazzard" and was at the tail-end of the show's run. In the episode he plays an alien visitor who hides out in the back of the General Lee as the three Duke cousins are out crabapple-picking in Skunk Hollow (believe it!). The threesome fondly call him "Little Cousin" and take him back to the Duke farm.

Silla said it took four days to shoot the episode, and it was a chilly December. The date on the call sheet is December 7, 1984. The episode aired on January 25, 1985. Silla reminisced with us about that tannish alien getup he had to wear, which included some careful matching makeup around his eyes.


(You've gotta love a call sheet that lists Flash as playing ... Flash! Rawfff!!!!!!!)

BRBTV asked if he's still got a lot of these kind of call sheets from "The Addams Family." No, actually, he doesn't, though he does have quite a few from "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi," where he was an Ewok.

Silla remains in contact with his "Addams Family" co-stars. "There are only four of us left," he pointed out, himself, John Astin, "and the two kids," Lisa Loring and Ken Weatherwax.

You can learn more about Silla, and even purchase his photos, at his official website.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand
More event photos can always be found in BRB's Yahoo group

Hair Dare: Yes, there were cars!

It's Monday on the BRBTV News Blog, and that means, for this particular week, that it's the very first day of coverage of the annual Hair Dare Dukes Weekend fundraising event in beautiful Leamington, Ontario, Canada. The event happened this past weekend, celebrating "The Dukes of Hazzard" and raising scholarship cash for a student surviving cancer.

We're starting out the week with the obvious. The show is subtitled a "car show and swap meet," after all. And yes, the interesting show cars were in abundance. Now, you've all seen General Lees before (and often on this very blog!), and there were certainly some General Lees at this event, but we're going to go with the diversity angle this time, highlighting a few of the other cars we beheld ...


How's this for interesting? The owner of this little cutie had an blazin' orange "01" van at last year's Hair Dare show (you can see it in our August 17, 2007 post). He tells BRBTV the van has been scrapped, but his fabulous "Dukes" memorabilia now lines the inside of this "Baby General Lee." You can see ... it's an impressive assortment, and we were mighty impressed by the raised lettering on the doors ...



Cuz' Don of western Michigan (whose police cruiser is featured on page 176 of BRB's "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" reference guide, he's quick to point out!) was kind enough to give BRB a lift from the hotel to the Leamington Fairgrounds in his General. Now, BRB doesn't own her own General, you understand, so it's always a thrill.

The inside of this Lee? Yea, it's a work in progress ...

Natalie of Buffalo, New York, was at the show with her "Starsky and Hutch" Torino. Here she chats with Don Pedro Colley, Sheriff Little of "The Dukes."

Cue the "Magnum, P.I." theme song ... and we wouldn't have minded seeing its hunky star, too!

There were a couple Chickasaw County sheriff's cars in attendance: this one, along with a beauty on display right next to Don Pedro Colley inside the fairgrounds building.

And we had to mention the return of the smack-a-wreck, so aptly billed as a form of "anger management." All for the cause, you know, all for the cause ...

Stay tuned all week long, when we'll take a closer look at the show and even talk with special guests Felix Silla, the aforementioned Colley and the always-entertaining Byron ("Coy Duke") Cherry!

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

More event photos can always be found in BRB's Yahoo group

Come on out to the Hair Dare Dukes Weekend

BRB is at the Hair Dare Dukes event for the weekend, in lovely Ontario, Canada! If you are an Ontario resident, come out and join us! If you're not, make the drive! And look for a whole week's worth of coverage of this fabulous charity event, all next week in the BRBTV News Blog ...

Bits 'n' Pieces: "Dukes" and a little Bat-animated

Some "Dukes of Hazzard" analogies in the review of the new Dodge Challenger in Merry Ole England:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/motors/phil_lanning/article1560832.ece#OTC-RSS&ATTR=Phil%20Lanning

Al Gore as Boss Hogg? Them Duke boys in a Toyota Prius? It's just two of the playful notes in this "Dukes of Hazzard" spoof:
http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s4i39210

Bruce Timm and Andrea Romano of our beloved "Batman: The Animated Series" et. al. discuss the upcoming animated "Wonder Woman" flick (watch the trailer -- it's sa-weet):
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17681

Chiller Theatre looks like a thriller with its roster of classic stars

Holy-heckin'-cow, it's like a classic TV star extravaganza! And fans of the BRBTV shows have lots to love! It's the Chiller Theatre, and it's coming up soon, in October. Here's a look at who's planning to be at the New Jersey expo to meet and greet:

- Linda Evans: OK, how wild is that? Since when does our own Krystle Carrington of "Dynasty" ever do an event like this? Crazy good, we say.

- George Kennedy: Our commanding Carter McKay of "Dallas" doesn't exactly do the con thing, either. Fab!

- Morgan Fairchild: She was one of our Jenna Wades on "Dallas," if only for a second! She certainly ups the wattage of the event.

- John Schneider: Our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard." Meow.

- Catherine Bach: Sweet little Daisy Duke plans to make the trip, too.

- David Hedison: Sam Dexter of "Dynasty" and the striking Roger Langdon of its spinoff "The Colbys."

- Burt Reynolds: The man who took on the mantle of Boss Hogg in the 2005 "Dukes of Hazzard" movie.

See the rest of this divine smorgasbord here:
http://www.chillertheatre.com/gt/gtc4.htm

Chiller Theatre, which began in 1995, happens in Parsippany, New Jersey, on October 24-26. General admission is $25, but you save a lot by snagging tickets in advance.

Hazzard in the Hills: More of the fun

In our second of two parts of our coverage of the first-ever Hazzard in the Hills event in lovely Helen, Georgia, we offer a few more glimpses of the fun this past Saturday.

A Tennessee State Trooper, too? The event drew a wide variety of classic cars.

You can't call it the "Dukes" without a little Dixie presence!

BRB couldn't resist getting a shot of these two classic Camaros, since her bro has a beautiful dark-green and white '69 Camaro just like this second one!

Don Schisler, who served as transportation director of the series, was on hand to chat with fans. He is a kind and personable fellow, and he looooovvvves talking the "Dukes" (see our October 17, 2007 post). He also brought his lifelong friend, Don Toth, shown here on the left with him. Both have worked on a variety of Hollywood projects. Schisler even told BRBTV how he worked on five episodes of "Dallas." He couldn't recall the season or year, but he remembered meeting Larry Hagman. "He was so nice," Schisler said (echoing the sentiment of virtually everyone BRB spoke to in the production of the "Destination: Dallas" reference guide!). Schisler's job on "Dallas" was working the camera car, or insert car, as it's often referred to on the call sheet. He was towing vehicles that were holding actors in conversation for a scene.

Schisler's friend Don Toth, meanwhile, currently works for Channel 2 in Atlanta, and has worked for them for a number of years, ever since he helped them out technically in covering the Oklahoma City bombing in the mid-'90s. Toth also has worked on movies such as "Robocop" and the Jack Nicholson flicks "Terms of Endearment" and "The Witches of Eastwick." He remembers Nicholson being a "sweetheart," a genuinely nice celebrity when not every celebrity is. "He's such a personable fellow," Toth told BRBTV.

Toth lives in Metro Atlanta, as does Schisler and his wife. The two friends grew up together in Dearborn, Michigan, where Schisler worked for the Ford Motor Co. for more than two decades. It was more than appropriate, BRB told him on Saturday, that he was wearing a shirt depicting cars -- because this is a man who has made cars his life! And his contribution to the beautiful blazin' orange TV icon, the General Lee, will forever be appreciated!

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand!

For high-resolution copies, just email

Hazzard in the Hills: An overview

It was a great time on Saturday at the first-ever Hazzard in the Hills event, hosted by avid "Dukes of Hazzard" fan Chad Fullerton of northern Georgia. Set in the lovely "Alpine Village" of Helen, Georgia, the one-day event featured special guest Sonny ("Deputy Enos Strate") Shroyer signing autographs for fans and taking an honored seat in the parade down the main street of town. Also meeting and greeting were Tom Sarmento of the Hazzard County Stunt Team, authors Jon Holland and that silly redhead chick we know, Billie Rae Bates, as well as Don Schisler, transportation director for the series' first five episodes here in Georgia and a man who was instrumental in the choice of that fabulous Dodge Charger as the General Lee (see our October 17, 2007 post for more on Mr. Schisler).

Today on the BRBTV News Blog we offer you a photo glimpse of the fun, and it's part 1 of 2. Tune in tomorrow, because we'll have more, including a tidbit or two on Don Schisler!



Kindly host Chad Fullerton takes to the microphone to welcome folks to the Hazzard in the Hills event. Chad worked hard for many months to make this event a reality, and he was certainly blessed to be able to hold it in the sweet community of Helen.

It's not every day you see that rascally Boss Hogg in a crowd, but not only did the event feature one of him, it had a Hazzard County sheriff or two walking around, as well!

A parade of classic cars, with Sonny Shroyer as the guest of honor, made its way down the main street of Helen at noon.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand!

For high-resolution copies, just email

Coming up in Archie Comics

ARCHIE #588

THE FRESHMAN YEAR SAGA GETS IN FULL SWING THIS ISSUE!

"Freshman Year: "Part Two": In the tradition of "Batman: Year One," "Superman: The Man of Steel" and the Marvel Ultimates comes the biggest Archie Comics event since the "Love Showdown!" The first full-length issue of the "Freshman Year" saga finds Archie and his friends just starting the fall semester. Having survived a summer that saw the dep
Arture of Jughead and bickering parents, the gang arrives at high school… to find elementary school Principal Mr. Weatherbee has now become the high school principal! But it’s not just about reunions at Riverdale High. Archie also makes a new friend in Pencilneck G., although he prefers his more laid-back buddy Jughead. He also makes some new enemies in Jared McGerk and his band of bullies! Along the way the other classic faculty members are introduced, as well as Pop Tate and his Chok'lit Shop! It’s the funniest first year of high school ever, courtesy of fan-favorite writer Batton Lash of "Wolff & Byrd" and "Archie Meets the Punisher" fame, along with "Scrapyard Detectives" creator and popular Archie
Artist/writer Bill Galvan.
Script: Batton Lash.
Art: Bill Galvan.
On sale on newsstands: September 2, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.


ARCHIE & FRIENDS #122
"California Dreaming, Part Two": Last issue, the news of Archie and his friends’ worldwide, mystery-solving adventures led to a major movie contract and a trip to Tinseltown! While at a swank Hollywood party, the gang is kidnapped along with dozens of celebrity guests, and trapped in a ballroom with wall-to-wall food! That may be fine for Jughead, but the others are determined to break both themselves and their famous fellow prisoners free. The crazy climax features a thrilling "cat and costumed mouse" chase as the teens pursue the lead culprit racing through the Catalina Comic Convention! It’s one explosive finish (did we mention the fireworks?) you can’t afford to miss!
Script: Alex Simmons.
Art: Fernando Ruiz.
On sale on newsstands: August 26, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

ARCHIE DIGEST #247
"A Date to Remember": The town newspaper offers a cash prize for the couple who goes on the most interesting "cheap date!" This is one contest wherein Archie has the advantage!
Script: George Gladir.
Art: Fernando Ruiz.
"Just Chute Me": Archie gets away to a secluded spot where he can think about anything BUT school during his summer break… until a few familiar faces "drop in" to remind him!
Script: Mike Pellowski.
Art: Henry Scarpelli.
Plus: Other new and classic tales!
Script and Art: Various talents.
Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: September 16, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #191
"A Sign of the Times": Archie has a commercial conundrum – everywhere he turns, he sees an advertisement!
Script: George Gladir.
Art: Fernando Ruiz.
"Wet and Wild!": A ride down a mammoth water slide becomes a slippery slope for Archie – literally!
Script: Mike Pellowski.
Art: Pat Kennedy.
"Turnabout is Foul Play": The passing of the school budget means many improvements in extracurricular activities… but with summer vacation in full swing those activities will have to wait!
Script: George Gladir.
Art: Fernando Ruiz.
Plus: Other new and classic tales!
Script and Art: Various talents.
Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: August 26, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA #237
"Welcome Back to Riverdale": Last issue, the memory of "bad boy" Nick St. Clair was evoked by a lothario lifeguard… and lingered like the crumb of a fish sandwich Jughead left behind! This issue, Nick himself is back for sure… but for how long? The seemingly "new and improved" Nick makes sure to apologize to everyone he wronged in the popular "Bad Boy Trouble" story, but not everyone is convinced that he’s changed… Until he saves Betty from a rough gang of bikers! Will this lead to a brand-new romance for Betty?
Script: Mike Pellowski.
Art: Jeff Shultz.
On sale on newsstands: September 9, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #187
"Bright Idea": Betty and Veronica are content to lounge pool side, but Mrs. Lodge comes up with plenty of alternatives. Will the girls soak up the possibilities or merely continue to soak up the sun?
Script: Mike Pellowski.
Art: Bob Bolling.
"The Surfing Whirl": Archie would love to make waves with Betty, but she keeps postponing his dates to surf the waves!
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: September 9, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #29
"Action Hero Figures": When marketing research shows teens are overscheduled and overstressed, Mr. Lodge decides what his company needs is an IN-action figure… and what better model for it than Jughead?!
Script: George Gladir.
Art: Bill Galvan.
"A Turn in Fortune": Jughead’s reached the bottom of his pockets… and even his pockets’ holes have holes! But good fortune is around the corner, in the form of a comic shop giving away cash prizes! Guest-stars the owners and employees of Hi De Ho Comics!
Script: George Gladir.
Art: Fernando Ruiz.
Plus: Other new and classic tales!
Script and Art: Various talents.
Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: August 26, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #143
"Mow Money": Jughead’s dad insists he take a job mowing a neighbor’s lawn, but Jughead just isn’t "cut" out for work!
Script and Art: Fernando Ruiz.
"The Passionate Rival": After an ineffectual picnic date with Jughead on the beach, Ethel decides she’d be better off dating a robot… and Dilton’s robot obliges!
Script: George Gladir.
Art: Tim Kennedy.
"The Paws that Refresh": When Jughead enters Hot Dog in a dog surfing contest, Reggie ends up "all wet!"
Script: George Gladir.
Art: Bill Galvan.
Plus: Other new and classic tales!
Script and Art: Various talents.
Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: September 9, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

KATY KEENE SPECIAL #1
Yes, it’s another great entry in the ARCHIE GRAPHIC NOVEL series, now with a new 6 x 9 trim size and increased page count of 112 pages! Our focus this time is that queen of chic, KATY KEENE. Since the 1940s, fashion model supreme Katy has enthralled audiences with her own self-titled series as well as KATY KEENE PIN-UP PARADE and KATY KEENE FASHION BOOK MAGAZINE. Readers have long thrilled to her adventures on the runway as well as her intriguing romances. Best of all, Katy Keene was one of the first interactive comic book series, inviting readers to send in fashion suggestions of their own that were turned into pin-ups and paper dolls that they could cut out and keep! In 2005, Katy returned in a big way in the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY entry for that year. By popular demand, Katy soon began appearing again on a regular basis in the pages of ARCHIE & FRIENDS. Her new adventures were charted by writer-artist Andrew Pepoy, and were filled with the same adventure and romance Katy fans had come to expect, served up with a modern-day twist of course. Now these popular Katy stories are collected together for the first time. This handsome, fully colored edition features not only every KATY KEENE story from ARCHIE & FRIENDS #101 through #110, it also includes an ALL-NEW story from Pepoy that charts Katy’s whirlwind career! In "Katy’s Diary," readers will discover how a Michigan girl went from a Chicago University student to a sensational celebrity supermodel! You won’t want to miss the high fashion hijinx!
Script and Art: Andrew Pepoy.
On sale on newsstands: September 2, 2008
112-page, full-color graphic novel
$10.95 U.S.

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #124
"The Big Prize": An energy conservation contest energizes Riverdale’s teens, who come up with clever and creative ways to keep the town environmentally friendly. Features the return of the "Goodwill Girls" – the group spearheaded by Betty to spread goodwill to needy people and animals everywhere!
Script: George Gladir.
Art: Jeff Shultz.
"The Rivals": Tired of competing with Adam for Betty and Reggie for Veronica, Archie befriends a new girl… and now must contend with her big "little" boyfriend!
Script: George Gladir.
Art: Pat Kennedy.
"Heads Up Play": You know what they say: life’s a foul ball… and then you get hit by one!
Script: Mike Pellowski.
Art: Pat Kennedy.
Plus: Other new and classic tales!
Script and Art: Various talents.
Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: September 2, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #96
"Remebrance": A trip back to the lagoon Sabrina discovered back in issue #90 leaves her and Llandra with flying carpets and masks that transform the wearer into different creatures! Perhaps this will come in handy for facing the monsters that are terrorizing the Magic Realm. Something must be done… the monsters are running so rampant that a mandatory curfew has been enacted. This means bad news for Sabrina, as the nightly Charm School shuts down, and Sabrina isn’t allowed to visit Batty Bartholomew for evening tutoring. She knows she could use her powerful wands to destroy the monsters that are in the realm, but she dares not – especially knowing that using that wand too much will make her evil again. As if that weren’t enough, the Magic Council has gotten wind of the new Four Blades movement and is posting signs everywhere warning people to be vigilant and urging people to report suspicious behavior… where will this all lead? It’s adventure and intrigue as only Sabrina can deliver!
Script and Art: Tania del Rio.
On sale on newsstands: September 9, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

VERONICA #190
"Makeover Madness": Veronica decides to become a fashion expert for a business class assignment… and proceeds to give everyone "the business" by giving everyone a makeover!
"Get Your Geek On": Veronica dreads going to the comic convention with her fangirl cousin Marcy… especially since she insists that Veronica go dressed as an alien queen. But her protests don’t last long, as for every queen there is a king!
"Tech-No, Tech-YES!": Mr. Lodge tries to institute "technology free" nights at the mansion… but finds that even "free" comes at a cost!
Scripts and art: Dan Parent.
On sale on newsstands: September 16, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

The Joker hangs loose in "Batman: Arkham Asylum"

The news is all over the Internet, on any gaming site you can find: Fans of "Batman: The Animated Series" and "The New Batman Adventures," et. al., now have something new to look forward to. "Batman: Arkham Asylum," an action detective game, is being developed by Rocksteady Games and will be published by Eidos Interactive, in collaboration with Warner Bros Interactive.

Better yet, the game is being written by Paul Dini, writer for the aforementioned animated series, as well as for the comics world.

The game, for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Playstation 3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows is due out next year. In the game, the player assumes the role of Batman as he delivers Joker to Arkham Asylum. There, some imprisoned villains have set a trap, and an immersive combat gaming experience unfolds, the Business Wire press release says.

You can read plenty more about "Batman: Arkham Asylum" at these spots:
MarketWatch
GamePro
Gaming Target
Gamespot
Crispy Gamer

A touch of Dale Robertson, and a spotting of Dick Sargent

Dale Robertson, our own Walter Lankershim of the first season of "Dynasty" as well as Frank Crutcher of "Dallas," gets a little honoring for being a native son in The Oklahoman. The resume of this classic actor, 85 years young, dates back to the 1940s and is heavy on the Western genre.

Spotted: Dick Sargent

If you've done regular reading on this blog, you're no doubt familiar with BRBTV's fascination with the 1950s black-and-white "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," as we've done several of these "Spotted" features from the episodes available in places like MSN.com and Fancast. Now that we've exhausted the supply of "Presents" and moved on to the longer, roomier "Alfred Hitchcock Hour," there's even more to love. The dialogue is fab, the action intense, and in the case of this particular episode, the Hitchcockian suspense is on-par.

Twenty years before he stepped in to fill in for Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane as Sheriff Grady Byrd on "The Dukes of Hazzard," Dick Sargent, known better for his time on "Bewitched," showed up in a whole lot of classic TV. On the second episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour," titled "Don't Look Behind You," the fresh-faced, tall, thin Sargent is a staffer on a college campus who's smitten by Vera Miles' character. Past Miles' nonstop glam costume changes (we can't help but love those era-ific clothes, so reminiscent of the My Mother's Clothing project) Sargent seems like the creepy guy in the picture, but Hitchcock pulls one of his classic twists. Jeffrey Hunter also stars, just four years before boarding the Starship Enterprise for that famous, unused original pilot of "Star Trek."

Ken Kercheval takes a more mobsterly turn

"Aging kingpin" ... We're not so sure we've ever seen Ken Kercheval slapped with that particular label, but it's the classification he's got for the new film "Corrado," which began shooting earlier this summer.

Our buddy Cliff Barnes of "Dallas" portrays Vittorio Spinello, the newest target of top-notch L.A. hitman Corrado. He's offed early in the movie, but we're sure his screen time will be superb! He's joined by Tom Sizemore (as his son), Frank Stallone and Johnny Messner for the movie, written and directed by Adamo P. Cultraro. Los Angeles shooting locations include the airport, according to one poster on the film's IMDb page.

The plotline from said IMDb, where you can see the movie's poster: "Corrado is the best there is in the city of L.A. Pimped by his nefarious handler, Frankie, he performs jobs ranging from tune-ups to outright hits. Frankie loves Corrado for his lack of mercy, for his coldness and readiness to do the job no matter what. Now Frankie has a pearl of a job for Corrado - hit the aging kingpin Vittorio Spinello in his own house. Make it look like Vittorio's death is an accident, get out, and $500K is his. Corrado readily accepts. Corrado is about to perform the hit when he is interrupted by Vittorio's brand-new live-in nurse, Julia, and winds up shooting Vittorio dead and escaping out the window to leave Julia holding the bag. Julia doesn't have to wait long for Vittorio's son Paolo to discover her standing by his father's corpse. In an unreasonable rage he accuses her of killing his father, or at least being complicit in his death. Corrado overhears this on the other side of the window he has escaped from, and somehow can't leave her to die for his sins. In his rage, Paolo murders his father's consigliere, Tommaso. In a split second Corrado rescues her, and now he has an entire crime family hell-bent on catching him and Julia. Paolo will stop at nothing to avenge his father's death, even deploying his crooked cops headed by Officer Tony to reel them in. Will Corrado and Julia escape with their lives?"

Kercheval was last seen on-screen two years ago on "Crossing Jordan."

In honor of Michael Silberkleit, Archie Comics chairman

BRBTV was saddened by Friday's news of the passing of Michael Silberkleit of Archie Comics. BRB enjoyed speaking to him a few times over the years about Archie, and was very familiar with (and impressed by) his love for and fervent protection of his family's company. We consider his passing a serious loss for the longtime comics publisher. We start out the week in tribute to Silberkleit with the official obituary that appeared in the New York Times on Friday, courtesy of Archie Comics ...

Michael I. Silberkleit, the chairman of Archie Comic Publications, died August 5 in New York City at the age of 76, after a short battle with cancer.

For much of the 60 years he worked at Archie Comics, Silberkleit shared the leadership of the company with Richard Goldwater, whose father, John Goldwater, and his partner, Louis Silberkleit, Michael's father, founded the company.

The sons, who began working at the company as boys, later steered Archie Comics into the modern era of publishing as electronic production techniques and brand licensing became important. They encouraged the development of new characters, such as Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and Josie and the Pussycats, and successfully licensed these and other characters through Archie Comics Entertainment. Silberkleit was also Executive consultant to the TV program, "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," a long-running series starring Melissa Joan Hart. The company also published comic books as a licensee, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Sonic the Hedgehog. At various times Silberkleit was chairman of the Comics Association of America.

The centerpiece identity of the company, which is based in Mamaroneck, New York, remains the brightly innocent presence of Archie and his girlfriends, Betty and Veronica, who made their comic debut in 1941.

Over the decades Michael Silberkleit and Richard Goldwater steadfastly refused to introduce the worldlier and darker elements of teenage life, like sex and drugs and violence, into the Archie storylines. In doing so they preserved an image of adolescence for the target audience of 7- to 14-year-olds.

Silberkleit was determined to keep Archie an American institution, pure as childhood, yet up-to-date with the latest technology used by children today. For generations of readers, Archie and the Gang have represented the wonder and magic of childhood and Silberkleit fought successfully to keep this vision alive.

Unlike some competitors who use longer formats, Archie Comics continues its tradition of telling accessible, short stories. In one of the many interviews Silberkleit gave, he said, "The fact that our stories are funny, are nonviolent, believable, clean and appropriate for youngsters makes us so appealing to the younger reader. This philosophy hasn’t changed for more than 60 years. Many parents grew up reading Archie Comics and feel that our comics are appropriate for their kids."

After an initial public offering in the early 1970s, when Silberkleit served as treasurer, Archie Comics shares were traded publicly. But after 10 years Silberkleit and his partner Goldwater bought the company back from shareholders and held it as a private, family-owned business thereafter. Currently, the company publishes over 10 million comics per year in a dozen languages worldwide.

Born in New York City in 1932, Silberkleit attended the Fieldston School before going to Albright College as an undergraduate. He studied law after his graduation.

Silberkleit was also active in the community, volunteering as an auxiliary policeman for the Scarsdale Police force.

A resident of Rye and East Hampton, N.Y., Silberkleit indulged his mechanical aptitude with vintage sports cars, spending several years restoring a 1966 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Lind Silberkleit, and their daughter, Alexandria, and by three adult children from a prior marriage to Karen Silberkleit: Susan Berkley, David Silberkleit and Amy Silberkleit, as well as grandchildren Isis and Elijah Shiffer.

A private funeral and memorial service is planned for Sunday, August 10. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers or other memorials, donations should be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Research.

Print and share: the Hair Dare Dukes Weekend poster

On Monday, we ran the full official press release for the Hair Dare Dukes Weekend in Ontario, Canada, in two weeks from now. Today, we've got the recently updated poster for the event, all set for printing and sharing!

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Quick, answer this ... What nickname did BRB's mother call her by when she was a little girl? You'll find out, in this week's installment of the My Mother's Clothing yearlong photo project! And ... ever wonder what some of the other photos from the project look like? You know, the ones that don't make it onto the project page? You can get a glimpse of the "cutting-room floor," also known as the "also-rans" on BRB's author profile page on Facebook.

You mean there really IS a Ewing Barbecue????

Let's take a journey to dreamland for a second, shall we? What would it be like to actually attend the Ewing Barbecue? You know, that fab annual event where Cliff makes a buffoon of himself, J.R. nails some chick in one of the bedrooms upstairs and somebody always ends up in the pool? Well, we can't promise any of the above antics, but we can tell you that the Ewing Barbecue is, indeed, a real event -- at least it is this year, 2008.

This November, the Big Three -- Larry Hagman, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy -- are returning to the genuine Southfork Ranch in Parker, Texas (the one you've got on your list to visit, if for nothing else than to buy something "Dallas"-y at the gift shop!) for a genuine Ewing Barbecue! It's a special celebration for the 30th anniversary of the show's debut.

Here's your information connection, and the place where you can snag tickets on August 18:
http://www.dr30.com/

Spotted: Gene Evans

A couple decades before he decided to return from the dead to pay one last visit to his sis Eleanor, our buddy Garrison Southworth of "Dallas" was a rather crochety guy who ruled his poker table with an iron fist. Or at least his character was, in the pilot episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" called "A Piece of the Action," airing September 1962. Cross this guy Ed and you could end up in the East River, if ya know what we mean. (Or perhaps your carcass could turn up in front of the rescue mission, as was the case in this episode.) Evans helped viewers make the transition from the half-hour "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" that had aired since 1955 to a new hourlong format in this debut episode. And this veteran actor played one mean gruff, opposite a young, robust Robert Redford. We must say, having exhausted all the currently available episodes of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" on MSN.com, we rather enjoy this hourlong incarnation. The writing gets a little chance to breathe, and Hitchcock sure could get some acting out of these guys.

Victor Gorelick of Archie gets the Inkpot Award

From Archie Comics

Archie Comics' Editor-in-Chief Victor Gorelick was honored with a surprise presentation of the legendary Inkpot Award during last week's 2008 Comic-Con International. The Inkpot Award was presented to Gorelick by the comic con's Gary Sassaman during Gorelick's Spotlight Panel.




Victor Gorelick has worked at Archie Comics for 50 years, and is a veteran of the comic industry. He joined Archie as an art assistant, and has served as production coordinator and art director. After being art director for a number of years, he was promoted to managing editor, and Richard Goldwater became president and editor-in-chief. Gorelick now services as Archie Comics' editor-in-chief.

"Victor has unique knowledge of every facet of the editorial process required to create and publish successful comics," Archie's press materials say. "He has done everything from writing to coloring, and everything between. He has highly regarded artistic skills and an eye for meticulous detail. He also has a well-honed sense of the wholesome content of Archie Comics that has been the basis for the bond of trust built with readers by Archie Comics down through the years. He has worked closely with numerous companies designing various custom comic books. For example, he has overseen collaborations between Archie Comics and Kraft General Foods, Radio Shack and even the F.B.I.! He is a moving force on the Comic Magazine Association of America's Code Authority Guidelines Committee, a member of the board of advisors of the Joe Kubert School where many of today's comic artists first learned their craft, and he has taught cartooning as an instructor at the Kingsborough Community College in New York City."

Comic-Con International has awarded the Inkpot Award since 1974. It's an achievement award given to professionals in comic book, comic strip, animation, science fiction, and related pop-culture fields.

Past Archie Comics recipients of the Inkpot Award include Al Hartley in 1980, Bill Woggon in 1981, Dan DeCarlo and George Gladir in 1991, Stan Goldberg in 1994, Irv Novick in 1995, Batton Lash in 2004, Bob Bolling, Bob Fujitani and Dexter Taylor in 2005.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Andrea Romano, voice director for our beloved "Batman: The Animated Series" et. al., does a new interview with Toon Zone, where she talks about "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" and more.

"What Just Happened?" More press and a trailer, that's what

We reported in May of last year that Robin Wright Penn, our own original Kelly Capwell of "Santa Barbara," was working on the film "What Just Happened?" with Robert DeNiro and Bruce Willis. She plays the estranged wife of DeNiro's character, who is a Hollywood producer. Our gal Kelly is named Kelly in the film (gotta love that).

Now, the trailer for the film has been released (with some nice time for our lovely leading lady):
http://movies.hollyscoop.com/robert-deniro/trailer-for-what-just-happened_849.aspx

And you can read a lot more about the film here:
http://theplaylist.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-just-happened-trailer-can-barry.html

In other "Santa Barbara" news, executive producer Paul Rauch has a new gig. He's serving as a consultant on CBS' "The Young and the Restless," according to the National Ledger.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: We reported a couple weeks ago about A Martinez' Lifetime movie, set to air this month. Well, Martinez has got some more action: a new soap gig! The Soap Report says he's moving on over to ABC's "One Life to Live." Fab.

Get ready for the Hair Dare Dukes Weekend

Here on the BRBTV News Blog, we've been telling you all about the Hair Dare Dukes Weekend in Ontario, Canada, a benefit event focused on "The Dukes of Hazzard." BRB was a guest at the event last year, and will be returning this year. For today's post we offer you the full rundown of the event with the text of the official press release ...


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Paul Harrington, 519-975-0056
Canadian Dukes Museum, Ruscom Station, Ontario, Canada
http://www.canadiandukes.com/
cdndukes@mnsi.net
http://hairdaredukesweekend.blogspot.com/
http://canadiandukesofhazzard.blogspot.com/

------------------------------------------------

This year Paul Harrington of Ruscom Station, Ontario, Canada, his wife Cheryl, and son Lance Brown, along with family members and some very close friends, have united to put together one of the best events in Southern Ontario, maybe even one of the best events in Canada.

It's the Hair Dare Dukes Weekend, a car show, swap meet and cut-a-thon cancer benefit, scheduled for Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24 at the Leamington Fairgrounds, with a special dinner event on Friday, August 22 beginning at 3 p.m. This year is the sixth year for the Hair Dare event, which celebrates the classic TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard" as its theme.

"The reason I keep this event going is it is the only way that I know I can help make a little bit of a difference," Harrington says. "We can share our feelings with others about this sickness, because at least 90 percent of the population out there knows someone that has died from cancer."

Though he began the event in 2003 in honour of his mother, a cancer survivor, this year is even more meaningful for Harrington. "In February of this year, we lost another great man, my boss of almost 11 years and close family friend Steve Stowe, to this dreadful disease we call cancer. What hurts me the most, Steve was the only reason I became a licensed automotive technician, and during his short stay in the hospital we talked about a lot of things. I mentioned to Steve what we were planning this year as a charity, and he said 'That's great, Paul.' I will remember those words for as long as I live."

A special memorial will be held for Steve Stowe on the Sunday of the event, at 2 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

The past five years of the Hair Dare event have raised more than $28,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. For this year's event, Harrington and his sister, Debra-Ann Taylor of Tilbury, contacted St. Clair College to start a scholarship fund for a student surviving cancer.

The scholarship will be put into place with the help of Susan Maxwell, executive director of the St. Clair College Foundation, Windsor, and Lynn McGeachy Schultz, director of advancement at Thames Campus, Chatham.

"I think this was a great choice that we made," Harrington says. "At least we can see where the money is going, and it will be helping a local student that is surviving cancer."

Part of the way the event raises money is through pledges for "Hair Dares" -- when participants vow to daringly cut or shave their hair for the cause. Haircuts on Saturday will be provided by Estelle's Affordable Hair Cuts from Chatham, and on Sunday haircuts will be provided by Mastercuts of the Devonshire Mall. "Thanks so much for their time; it is greatly appreciated," Harrington says.

The Saturday morning of the event starts with a "Parade of All Cars." Participants should meet at the Comfort Inn in Leamington at 8 a.m. The parade route is from the Comfort Inn to the Leamington Fairgrounds. "Special thanks to the Leamington Police for their help this year," Harrington says.

There will be several special guests at this year's event. Don Pedro Colley, who portrayed Sheriff Ed Little on "The Dukes," will sign autographs and chat with fans. He'll be joined by Byron Cherry, who played Coy Duke in the series.

Felix Silla, a prolific classic TV actor who portrayed the Alien Visitor in the "Dukes" episode "Strange Visitor to Hazzard," will appear for the first time at the event. Silla also played Cousin Itt on "The Addams Family," and was Twiki on "Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century." He also portrayed an Ewok on "Star Wars," and appeared in "The Planet of the Apes" and "Batman Returns."

All the actors will be signing photos and other items all weekend long, and there will be a lot of photo opportunities for the fans, Harrington says.

Also appearing at the event will be Billie Rae Bates of Atlanta, Georgia, author of the "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" reference guide.

Will Rodgers, aka "THE VOICE MAN," of Chattanooga, Tennessee, will be returning to warm the crowds again. "Will's voice impersonations are just overwhelming, from all of the 'Dukes' casts members to the 'All in the Family' theme song," Harrington says. "Wow, he's just incredible."

Billy Stephenson will be making his way on stage, all the way from Georgia also, just a few hours from where the 'Dukes' started out.

"We have a few extras who were in the 'Dukes of Hazzard' 2005 movie that will be here as well," Harrington says, including himself. He's been a lifelong "Dukes" fan and not only owns his own General Lee, a 1969 Dodge Charger painted orange, but also Hazzard County Sheriff's cars from both the series and the 2005 movie. Currently he is building a Monster 4x4 General Lee, and a Cooter tow truck. He's collected "Dukes" memorabilia -- including genuine props from the filming of the series, and the 2005 "Dukes" movie for many years.

Other features planned for the Hair Dare Dukes Weekend include the Smack-A-Wreck, where participants get a chance to swing a hammer on a clunker car, and a Daisy Duke look-alike contest. A dunk tank also will keep everyone busy, as well as a silent auction.

The Memphis Kings, a band from Essex County, Ontario. will be on stage Saturday, and country singer Traci Kennedy of St. Thomas will be appearing on Sunday.

"A special thanks goes out to all the local newspapers that help us put this out in print so the public can read about this event," Harrington says.

Admission to Saturday and Sunday of the event is only $3 per person. The Leamington Fairgrounds are located at 194 Erie Street North in Leamington. Tickets for Friday night's Dinner With the Stars, at $25 each, are now available: call 519-975-0056 to reserve yours.

Harrington would also like to thank all of the event sponsors, because without their support this event would not take place:
Sign A Rama - Garden City Michigan
Comfort Inn - Leamington
Johnny Lightning - U.S.A.
Chochi's Pizza - Essex / Leamington / Belle River
J & B Auto Recyclers - Windsor
Murphy Bus Lines - Arva
AutoBarn / Car Quest - Essex
Elford & Stowe Ltd. - Essex
Harrington Aviation - Essex
Affordable Family Fun - Essex
Cottam Transmission - Cottam
Car Classica - Leamington
Jay Deeze Lounge & Grille - Leamington
Local printers of Essex & Kent Counties
Country Radio Station 92.7 FM - Leamington

Next up for Nicolas Coster: "Family of Four" and "Race"

It's been a while since we checked in with Nicolas Coster, the enigmatic Lionel Lockridge of "Santa Barbara," as well as Lyle Sloan and Joe Morris in the earlier days of "Dallas." Coster has two brand-new projects this year, and he gave BRBTV the rundown on that and much more ...

"Family of Four" is a drama written and directed by John Suits. It filmed in Los Angeles from New Artists Alliance. The name of Coster's character is Dr. Wallace in the movie, which also stars Alexandra Paul of "Baywatch" fame. There's a couple of brief homemade videos from the taping on YouTube.

"'Family of Four,' a well-done film, was done by a very talented lot of people," Coster tells us, "as was 'Family Plot,' another recent film -- a horror film which was shot by a brilliant cinematographer who was a recent graduate of the American Film Institute, where I have done a number of student films."

"Race," also filmed in L.A. but from Picture Magic Entertainment, explores two meanings of the word race -- a type of person and a competition. The plotline, from the IMDb: "Kira, an Asian-American woman, and Luke, an African-American man, work together as vice-presidents of a research firm. When their Caucasian boss, Jack, announces to them that one of them will be promoted to become senior vice president based on the presentation that needs to take place the following morning, Luke and Kira suddenly become at odds with each other."

Coster's character is the boss, Jack Gibson, in the comedy-drama, from director Peter Coyote and writer Hira Ambrosino. It's a shortie -- 20 minutes -- as noted on Coyote's website.

"'Race' was great fun and Peter Coyote, the director, was terrific," Coster tells us. "He is so imaginative and even used a bit I was doing where I make a trumpet sound (not too badly) with just my lips and playing an imaginary trumpet."

He adds, "The character I was playing, I did it in private and by using it on film it gave a dimension to the character I would not have thought of. It was a short film for festivals mostly ... so far no prizes that I know of, but well-worth doing. I played a real rat of a boss ... but a funny, drunk rat."

Coster stays busy in a lot of arenas, as BRBTV learned when we interviewed him for the "Dallas" and "Santa Barbara" reference guides. He gives us an update on those other activities, as well:

"I have also done five student films at USC in the past three years ... I sorta did the Master's Program with them. I just finished a thesis film for one of the master's candidates. We share. They seem to appreciate my experience in all those 40 features, New York University Film School and countless TV things, and I keep my wits sharp trying to keep up with them ... and still learning every time I do it.

"Also keeping busy as an adjunct professor at the University of Georgia. I go there several times a year. I am sort of the 'survive-in-showbiz-prof' who goes out and does it in L.A. and New York and then goes and tries to share with them -- what not to do as well as what they might do! I go there again on August 27, to teach and do a play, 'Art' which was on Broadway recently."

Coster had shared with us his love of scuba diving, which was expressed in the early years of "SB." He even taught co-star John Allen Nelson, his on-screen son, how to dive. It's work that he feels very strongly about.

"My 'give-back' to the wounded veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq," he tells us now, "is teaching a brand-new pilot program of scuba diving to seven recently very seriously wounded vets, both me and women. It is the most gratifying experience of my life. I have always -- for over 30 years -- found the teaching of disabled persons most fulfilling, and this is a kind of terrific final chapter ... I can't do it forever, can I?

"I am also training others to take over when I do hang up my fins. We have a foundation, the Challenges Foundation, challengesfoundation.org, which I founded in 1998. I sustained it with mostly my own funds all these years but can no longer do it alone. We do need help. We are a nonprofit foundation and we can receive tax-deductible contributions. The reason we can do this most exciting wounded veterans project is that the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation gave us a generous contribution to start with."

To learn more, visit the site -- and consider donating to this valuable cause.


Photo courtesy of Nicolas Coster; copy at your own risk