Motor City Comic Con: We love us some "Dukes" ...

... At least ... one Duke and a lawman ... Mr. Byron Cherry and Mr. Don Pedro Colley, known respectively (and respectfully) as Coy Duke and Sheriff Ed Little of "The Dukes of Hazzard," were on hand at this past weekend's Motor City Comic Con at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Michigan. We kick off a full week of coverage of the event with this check-in from our beloved "Dukes" realm ...

The "Dukes" has had a presence at this con for many years, but we're pretty sure this is the first time that "Dukes" guests have been featured in a panel discussion. On Friday late afternoon, Colley and Cherry assembled in one of the panel rooms along with Will "The Voice Man" Rodgers, Paul Harrington of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club and BRB herself to talk "Dukes."

Colley told the story of his spin on the classic show "Daktari" that eventually led to his role on "The Dukes," through the Leonard Kaufman connection (see our August 27, 2008 post). He described his strong, stern audition as Sheriff Little, when he could barely be convinced to read from a script, he was so in character:

"Sheriff Little is being told this big lie about Boss Hogg," he said to set the audition scene, "and he has a shotgun, and he cocks his shotgun as emphasis to the lie. Well, you don't have a shotgun in the producer's office. You can't very well walk around ... So I said, if you focus the sound of 'cow chips' just right, it can sound like you're cocking a shotgun. Cow-chips! Cow-chips! So I came up on the line, and I went, 'Cow-chips!' Paul Picard came right up out of his chair about that far. Boom! And he looked at me, and right after that, he's stumbling and fumbling and says, 'Well, thank-you, thank-you for the audition. That'll be enough.' I said, 'Oh, thank-you, Mr. Picard!' I took off my hat. I shook his hand. ...

"I left the office, and I no sooner got outside of his office than the telephone rang for the secretary. She says, 'It's Mr. Leonard. He wants you to come over and talk to him.' So I went over and said thank-you and so forth. And while I'm in Leonard's office, the phone rings again, and they said, 'Be ready to go to work tomorrow morning. The script is on your way. And later this afternoon you'll get a costume, and you'll pick up your costume,' and so forth. And the rest is 'the rest of the story.' "

Cherry, meanwhile, shared the story of his original audition for "The Dukes" (which was for the part of Bo, at the very beginning of the series' production) and how he later nabbed the role of Coy Duke.

Back at the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard museum display, things were hoppin' and fun all weekend. Above, display organizer Paul Harrington goofs around with Byron Cherry and a couple "Dukes" fans who traveled from long distance -- Ken of Denmark and Sabine of Germany, whom BRBTV was delighted to meet after crossing paths so many times on Facebook!

Ken tells us he first saw "The Dukes" in only 2006, but Sabine was able to begin watching the series in Germany in 1989, after satellite TV opened up new possibilities there. She says "The Dukes" aired in the late afternoon, and sometimes repeated the next morning.

"I think they missed a few episodes," she laughs. "I never could figure out why they had two sets of cousins."

The episodes were dubbed, but Sabine now owns all of the seasons on DVD, so she can actually hear the real actors in their real roles, in real English!

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

TGIF Toys: There's no "Blackest Night" about this one

No, it's not really a stretch. Nosiree. You see, Green Lantern is friends with Batman, and there are three (count 'em, three!) Batman TV shows covered by the reference guides of BRBTV ... Heck, we're sure Green Lantern would have even guest-starred on an episode of "Batman: The Animated Series" if given half the chance. Plus, on "Batman Beyond," there actually was a Green Lantern present, you know, that small, levitating Ghandi-type guy ...

OK, OK, it's a stretch, but this one was just too cool not to use for our weekly TGIF Toys feature. What we have here, folks, is a genuine, custom-made, lifesize, and operational, Green Lantern. All that's missing is a power ring to charge up.

Finely crafted from found parts (at the local Home Depot), this stunning creation was presented as a birthday gift to our buddy John, a big Green Lantern fan. The base is a small globe ceiling light. Drainage culverts and green spray paint also went into the construction, and inside is a thoroughly green (in color as well as usage) compact fluorescent bulb. John is "green" in more ways than one, after all.

Stop by and see us this weekend at the Motor City Comic Con

Are you heading to Deee-troit? Well, shouldn't you be???? A reminder that BRB will be there, at the Motor City Comic Con in Novi, Michigan, beginning Friday afternoon, along with Byron ("Coy Duke") Cherry and Don Pedro ("Sheriff Little") Colley of "The Dukes of Hazzard."

Come check the display of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club, and you'll see 'em, along with a General Lee, a Hazzard County Sheriff's car or two, and a host of cool "Dukes" memorabilia, from props actually used in the production of the series (and movies) to all kinds of signed photos and such, to cool "Dukes" stuff you can buy and take home wit' ya!

And stay tuned for coverage of the event all next week. Because that's just what we do, here at the BRBTV News Blog (don't take our word for it -- check the archives!).

Coming up in Archie Comics

ARCHIE AMERICANA SERIES VOLUME 10:
BEST OF THE SEVENTIES BOOK 2
By popular demand, get set for a second heaping helping of classic Archie stories from the sensational seventies! This follow-up to the original BEST OF THE SEVENTIES features more of the best stories of the 1970s collected into one, high-grade volume. Witness as Archie and his friends get involved in one hysterical situation after another, and enjoy the fads and fashions of the decades: Social relevance! The ERA! Inflation! The Bicentennial! Disco! Seventies Teen Idols! It’s all here and more in one amazing book. All we can say is… have a nice day!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
On sale at comic shops: May 12, 2010
Newsstands: May 25, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1879794498
96-page, full color square bound paperback
$11.95 U.S.

ARCHIE #609
"More Than Words”: Last issue, readers witnessed the double-bill of the century, as The Archies and Josie & the Pussycats co-headlined a major concert tour! When the lights dimmed, it turned out that the lyrics to the love songs weren’t just being recited on stage… but also whispered into Valerie’s ears by Archie! The two lovebirds soon became songbirds, penning their own original love song. But when Betty and Veronica find out, they’re in no mood for love songs! Can Archie and Valerie have a relationship amidst the suspicions and jealousies of their band mates, or will the curtain fall on their rockin’ romance?
SCRIPT: Dan Parent
ART: Bill Galvan
On sale at comic shops: May 26, 2010
Newsstands: June 8, 2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 U.S.

ARCHIE DIGEST #264
“Wheel Appeal”: Archie has always been popular with the ladies, but when he wins the use of a sports car for a week, one passenger seat is simply not enough!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher
ART: Jeff Shultz
“Writer’s Blockhead”: Archie has to write a story for English class, but he’s stuck at “Once upon a time!”
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Bob Bolling
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: May 19, 2010
Newsstands: June 1, 2010
88-page, full-color digest format
$2.69 U.S.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #209
“Click Trick”: The hazard blinkers from the roadwork being done in front of Archie’s bedroom window make it impossible to get a good night’s sleep, so it’s off to the woods where Archie is determined to get some rest… or will he?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Fernando Ruiz
“Dog Gone”: A thunderstorm sends Little Archie’s dog Spotty scurrying, leading to a breathtaking adventure as he desperately searches for the petrified pooch.
SCRIPT AND ART: Bob Bolling
“Brush Up”: Archie goes to the woods to do a still life painting for art class… but nothing there will keep still long enough!
SCRIPT: John Rose
ART: Bob Bolling
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: June 2, 2010
Newsstands: June 15, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

BETTY #186
“Tree Trouble”: With help from Dilton’s holographic projector, Betty finds a way to declare her love for Archie without having to actually carve their initials in a tree!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman
ART: Stan Goldberg
“The Older Woman”: Have you heard the news? The paperboy is awfully interested in making deliveries at the Cooper home!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman
ART: Stan Goldberg
“Second Chance”: Nancy and Betty both wish they had more time for fun… and thanks to a wishbone those wishes may come true!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Stan Goldberg
“Neat Freaked Out!”: Betty’s Mom is shocked at how much effort Betty is putting into cleaning the house… until she learns Betty invited Archie over!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Stan Goldberg
On sale at comic shops: June 2, 2010
Newsstands: June 15, 2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #204
“We’ve Got it Maid”: Cheryl Blossom offers “maid service for a day” as part of a charity auction – and Veronica is determined to be the high bidder! As Cheryl toils, will Veronica “clean up” on payback she feels owed, or be more “charitable” in her treatment of Cheryl?
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent
“A Quick Study”: Veronica learns that studying isn’t all fun and games when comparing study groups with a friend.
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Pat Kennedy
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: May 12, 2010
Newsstands: May 25, 2010
88-page, full-color digest format
$2.69 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #181
“No Baseball for Betty Part 2”: Continued from last issue. If you think Archie has a hard time choosing between Betty and Veronica, wait until he has to choose between his feelings for Betty and his desire to play shortstop on the baseball team – the same position Betty is trying out for! Yes, last issue Betty decided to play hard ball instead of softball, and in the process she threw a curve ball to Archie and the other boys on the team! In fact, it’s led to an all-out debate between the boys and girls, and now the boys are threatening to petition that Betty be banned from baseball! Who will prevail? There are still several innings left to play in this multi-part tale!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Rod Whigham
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: May 26, 2010
Newsstands: June 8, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

JUGHEAD #201
“The Volunteer”: When Mr. Flutesnoot proposes a student committee dedicated to community service, no one gives him the time of day due to his failed campaigns of the past. The biggest naysayer is Jughead, but his conscience gets the best of him and he soon becomes a one-man task force. But can Jughead make Riverdale a nicer place for everyone all by himself?
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman
ART: Rex Lindsey.
On sale at comic shops: May 19, 2010
Newsstands: June 1, 2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 U.S.

JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #160
“The Saga of Bullseye Jones”: Yee-ha! It’s time to saddle up your hosses and mosey into the old west for some rip-roaring fun! Lasso up some laughs when you join Jonesy and Chuck as they arrive in Peaceful Valley and try out to be Mayor Andrews’ new deputies!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Pat Kennedy
“Treehouse Trouble”: Jughead and Archie are up a tree—literally—when they volunteer to build a treehouse for the Riverdale Boys and Girls Club!
SCRIPT: John Rose
ART: Tim Kennedy
“Food Mood”: An army travels on its stomach… and so does Jughead when he goes hiking… but is the backpack strong enough to hold all the sandwiches Betty’s made for him?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Bill Galvan
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: May 12, 2010
Newsstands: May 25, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

TGIF Toys: Like, major zoinks, man!

Ooh-baby-ooh-baby-ooh-baby ... Grab your Scooby Snacks, 'cuz we're going on a moon bounce! This beautiful creation was part of the action at an Easter festival in Germantown, Maryland, just a few weeks ago, and what bliss it was for any fan of the '60s cartoon (OK, maybe those were the parents, but we're sure the kids liked it, too!). This inflatable paradise, fully equipped with interior slide, was classic Scooby-Doo, not that newfangled stuff (not that we mind the newfangled stuff, of course!).

"Ooooh -- I want one for my backyard!" one of our Facebook friends enthused. Yea ... Sigh. Tell us about it.

We've got the low-down, and the high-up, on this summer's "Moonrunners" event

We told you in our February 12 post to mark your calendars for this summer's "Moonrunners" event, and now we've got the nitty-gritty, including the full agenda, straight from the sponsor, the Hazzard County Car Club / DukesofHazzard01.com ...

Host Hotel:
Holiday Inn Express
1900 North Expressway
Griffin, Georgia 30223
1-770-228-9779
Mention "Hazzard County Car Club" for the club rate of $80 a night.

Friday, August 6, 2010
- Check in at Holiday Inn after 3 p.m. and head to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the "Friday Night Drag and Show-N-Shine" at 6 p.m. ($7 for spectators; $20 for participants).

Saturday, August 7, 2010
- Complimentary hot breakfast at hotel, 6-9:30 a.m.
- Screening of "Moonrunners" begins at 10 a.m.
- Lunch on your own.
- Depart from hotel at 1 p.m. for locations tour.
- Dinner at Ryan's Grill at 7 p.m. (around $11 per person). Question-and-answer session with cast/crew following dinner.

Sunday, August 8, 2010
- Complimentary hot breakfast at hotel, 6-9:30 a.m.
- Checkout by 11 a.m.

Special Guests:
- Jerry Rushing
- Brian W. Roy, director of photography for "Moonrunners"
- Bob Shelley, special effects for "Moonrunners" and "The Dukes of Hazzard"

A raffle will be held during the weekend for "Moonrunners" DVDs, posters, and other pieces of movie history. All proceeds will benefit Kare for Kids, an organization in Dawsonville, Georgia, dedicated to improving the lives of children in Dawson County. Tickets are $1 each or $5 for ten.

Model builders: Be sure to bring your models to display.

Contact webmaster@dukesofhazzard01.com if you have any questions.

See a video clip of the tour at http://www.dukesofhazzard01.com/.

BRBTV birthdays for May

- Lance LeGault, who is a BRBTV triple-shot as Al Halliday on "Dallas," Ray Bonning on "Dynasty" and Les Sloane on "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 75 on May 2.
- Melissa Gilbert, the "Little House on the Prairie" star who was the original voice of Barbara Gordon and Batgirl on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 46 on May 8.
- Jeanna Michaels, who was Lydia Saunders on "Santa Barbara" and secretary Connie on "Dallas," turns 54 on May 9.
- Denver Pyle, the venerable Uncle Jesse of "The Dukes of Hazzard," was born on May 11, 1920, and died on December 25, 1997.
- Karen Cellini, who took over the role of Amanda Carrington on "Dynasty," celebrates her 52nd birthday on May 13.
- Nina Arvesen, "Santa Barbara"'s long-suffering Angela Raymond whom you kinda had to keep your eye on, turns 49 on May 16.
- Priscilla Pointer, who played Pam's mom Rebecca Wentworth on "Dallas," turns 86 on May 18.
- Pointer's castmate on "Dallas," Gail Strickland, who portrayed Veronica Robinson, was also born on May 18, turning 63.
- Richard Hatch, who put temptation in the face of Claudia Blaisdel as Dean Caldwell on "Dynasty," and also was a brief (original) Stephen Slade on "Santa Barbara," turns 65 on May 21.
- Priscilla Presley, the lovely (third and final) Jenna Wade on "Dallas," turns 65 on May 24.
- Barbara Stock, who was Liz Adams on "Dallas," turns 54 on May 26.
- Shannon Kenny, who was the voice of villain Inque on "Batman Beyond," turns a young 39 on May 26.
- Adrian Paul, who was Kolya (Nikolai) Rostov on "The Colbys," turns 51 on May 29.
- Ted McGinley, the handsome Clay Fallmont on "Dynasty," turns 52 on May 30.
- Omri Katz, the bright John Ross Ewing III on "Dallas," turns a young 34 on May 30.
- David Ackroyd, who was the original Gary Ewing on "Dallas," then played Lt. Fred Merrill on "Dynasty," turns 70 on May 30.

Happy birthday to all!

TGIF Toys: Hot pursuit!!!! Ooooh, I-love-it!-I-love-it!

We're on a regular "Dukes of Hazzard" skid here at the BRBTV News Blog, with our new feature TGIF Toys! So why not round it out for the month of April with one last photo of our blazin'-orange-themed goodies? This one also comes from Will "The Voice Man" Rodgers of Tennessee, and he calls this shot "Hot Pursuit!!!" It's a die-cast General Lee and Hazzard County sheriff's car. And wethinks we spy a sig on that Lee! Looks like John Schneider, sure do ...

My die cast General Lee has the signatures of John Schneider, Tom Wopat, Catherine Bach, James Best, Ben Jones, and Sonny Shroyer on it. The General and police car are 1/18 scale. I bought them both at Cooter's Place.

I know I bought the General Lee before I ever went to any Dukesfest, so I anticipate the General Lee of mine is from 2003 or 2004. I'm guessing they must have come out in 2002 or 2003. And I bought the Hazzard police car in 2009 when Sonny Shroyer came to the World of Wheels in Chattanooga. I bought it from those two characters who work for Cooter's in Gatlinburg and Sonny autographed it. The squad car is newer.

-- Will Rodgers

Visit Will's "Super Friends" site and experience more of his geeky expertise!

Photo by Will Rodgers; email before copying

Addendum:
We tend to stay away from the private lives of the stars on this news blog, and concentrate instead of their work, but our condolences and prayers go to Catherine Bach and her family in the death of her husband, Peter Lopez, this afternoon.

John Schneider set to star in "Doonby"

Thanks to Phyllis over at John Schneider's Unofficial Fan Club on Facebook for helping us stay up-to-date on our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," because Heaven knows that's a full-time job in and of itself! The news just hit that John-John has another movie on tap, "Doonby."

Schneider portrays Sam Doonby, "a happy-go-lucky drifter who takes up residence in a small Texas town but seems suspiciously immune to the misfortunes that beset the other townsfolk," the Hollywood Reporter says in their full story. It's being called a modern take on "It's a Wonderful Life."

The film also features Ernie Hudson, who not only appeared on "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," where Schneider was once a regular, but he also appeared in a 1982 episode of "The Dukes."

Lane Davies returns for the Tennessee Shakespeare Festival

You can't keep our own original Mason Capwell of "Santa Barbara" away from the Shakespearan stage, even if it's for only the director's chair this time around. (And yes, we know there's no "only" about directing a work of Shakespeare!) Thus, Lane Davies will return to Bell Buckle, Tennessee, to lead the actors in a production of "The Two Gentleman of Verona" this summer.

True to form, Davies puts a twist on Ole Bill. "This is not your Grandmother's Shakespeare," the play's press says. "This summer's production will be set not in Verona, Italy, but in Verona, Tennessee, circa 1960, and our two gentlemen, Valentine and Proteus, are up-and-coming country and western singers, who make the move to a Milan that bears an odd resemblance to a well-know music capital of the South."

Last year, Davies directed and starred in "Romeo & Juliet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Bell Buckle; see our July 21, 2009 post for a photo peek of the fest.

Dates for "Verona" are June 18-20, 25-27 and July 2-4 and 9-11. Each show starts at 8 p.m., and the grounds open at 6 p.m. (and BRBTV'll tell ya, you can snag a seat right in the front row if you get there early like we did last year!). Performances take place at the Webb School on Highway 82.

See the Tennessee Shakespeare Festival's site for more details and to buy tickets, or call 615-397-1597.

TGIF Toys: Keep 'er between the ditches!

Well, now, you can't have Bo and Luke Duke without the General Lee, now can ya? In fact, "The Dukes of Hazzard" was about the car just as much as it was about the people! Last week, we showed you Mego's 8-inch figure line for the show, and the week before that, the more extensive 3.75-inch figures. For this week's installment of our new special feature TGIF Toys, Will "The Voice Man" Rodgers provides us with a glimpse of the vehicles.

And it's not just the General Lee. Mego made Daisy Duke's Jeep Dixie, Boss Hogg's white Caddy convertible, and some Hazzard County squad cars. These vehicles fit the smaller figures, not the 8-inchers. For a little more info on them, see our April 9 post, to which we add this note from Will:

Sadly, I wish Mego could have made a few more vehicles for the action figures. Namely, two of them. Cooter's wrecker would have made a great seller. It could have come with a hook to put under one of the other vehicles for towing action. And Uncle Jesse's pickup. Just for completion. Who knows? Maybe Daisy's yellow Plymouth Roadrunner would have been good. And maybe a more accurate Hazzard squad car.

Photo by Will Rodgers; please email before copying

Visit Will's "Super Friends" site.

James Best makes Tennessee appearances

James Best, our own Rosco P. Coltrane of "The Dukes of Hazzard," will be appearing with his artwork and new book on the following dates:

Friday, April 23, 6-9 p.m.
Saturday, April 24, 1-4 p.m.
Holiday Inn Express (Camden room)
1819 Holiday Drive
Athens, Tennesee 37303

Friday, April 30, 6-9 p.m.
Sherlocks Book Emporium
200 Maddox-Simpson Parkway
Lebanon, Tennessee 37090
615-449-9807

Saturday, May 1, 2010, 6-9 p.m.
Sherlocks Book Emporium
Downtown Nashville
235 Fifth Ave. North
Nashville, Tennessee
615-248-1962
http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103309738360&s=2393&e=001wCPfzTiIjmuB7t2748c4tqJ8Tqz9efjkem-1BzRJnJS8uZVGBTqEbLIyD1ldiBN9CX49U_98h3B7ub27HQgPebw6F0wKV5nWW55ujxAO2uJN13qlggPbY5G-PV5aw3BQ

"Dallas" reunion at Southfork released on DVD

Ahhh, it's the next best thing to being there .... And if you weren't there, at the first ever "Dallas" reunion at Southfork Ranch in Texas, you'll want to live vicariously through this new DVD, released by Creative Advancement Entertainment.

It's a limited-edition collection of moments from the fall 2008 event commemorating the 30th anniversary of the show's debut. The DVD features a couple hours of center stage and behind-the-scenes moments with the likes of Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy and fellow cast members as they gathered with thousands of fans. The DVD's press says the footage has not been made available to the public before now.

"We wanted to do something special for the fans of 'Dallas,' and I believe we’ve struck oil with 'Dallas VIP,'" Producer Erick Gosse says. "Throughout the entire history of 'Dallas,' there’s absolutely nothing like it."

You can purchase the DVD at http://www.ultimatedallas.com. And for more info, hop on over to http://www.oilbaronsclub.com.

Look for Nicolas Coster in a new AT&T commercial

Nicolas Coster, our own original Lionel Lockridge of "Santa Barbara," told BRBTV last week about a new TV spot he has coming up for AT&T. He's been busy, busy, busy, flying back and forth between the West Coast and the East, and he worked in time to tape this ad.

"Adorable and funny commercial," he told us. "Super director. Out when? I don't know. I play a stuffy but somewhat amusing lawyer."

Fun! We'll look for it. Coster, meanwhile, has a couple more irons in the fire:
- "Dancing on a Dry Salt Lake," also starring Barry Livingston
- "Midlife," with Timothy Guest

TGIF Toys: Mego's "Dukes" 8-inchers

Last week for our new feature TGIF Toys, we brought you Mego's smaller figure line from "The Dukes of Hazzard." This week, we take a look at the ever-popular 8-inchers. Above, Will "The Voice Man" Rodgers shows us the cast of Season 3 of the show, while the next photo you'll see below features the characters from Season 5.

But hold the phone, you're thinkin'? There weren't that many "Dukes" Mego 8-inchers! Yes, you are correct (and you must have been reading the extensive information our friends at the Mego Museum have so thoroughly researched on their site!). Well, folks, what we have here is some very loving custom work. Read on, in this articulate explanation from Will ...

The packaging for both the 8-inch and 3.75-inch figures had the illustration of the following: Small shots of the General Lee and the Hazzard Sheriff's squad car, full body shots of Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco and big head shots of Bo, Luke, Daisy, and Uncle Jesse. For the 8-inch line, as a little kid, I was led to believe that this is what we would get. Unfortunately, it turned out not to be the case.

Bo and Luke were the easiest to find. Bo had a white/yellow shirt with long sleeves and light blue jeans and black boots. Luke had a long-sleeve bluish shirt that reminded me of the plaid shirts he wore in the first three seasons of the show. He had dark blue jeans and black boots. In 1981, Bo sported a short-sleeved white/yellow shirt and Luke sported a light powder-blue shirt reminiscent of his plain shirt from season two. Daisy Duke was the only other Mego that was made initially. My favorite has the blue top and the Daisy Duke shorts. The other one had a green top and blue Daisy Dukes.

Over the years, I've had each of the variations. Later, Mego added one more character, Boss Hogg in his white suit and hat. Sadly, that was all they made. We never got 8-inch dolls of Uncle Jesse and Sheriff Rosco. Nor did we ever get any vehicles for the upscale Dukes. Even to this day, I would pay well for somebody to custom-make a General Lee for the 8-inch Duke Boys. There was one made for the skits on "Robot Chicken." I wish I knew who made it.

In 1982, when Tom Wopat and John Schneider walked off the show, Mego's final figures were Bo and Luke with slightly altered heads. These two figures are hard to find and worth a lot to collectors. While they are "Bo and Luke" technically, these figures are actually and unofficially "Coy and Vance," even though they do not resemble Byron Cherry and Christopher Mayer.



CUSTOMS

My good friend Mike Barrett in Rifle, Colorado, who's a customizer of Megos, and I had talked for a long time about customizing the rest of the cast who were never made into 8-inch Mego figures. I came up with the recipes for most of the figures. First, I will say the only Megos I did nothing to are Daisy and Boss Hogg.

UNCLE JESSE: What 8-inch Mego "Dukes of Hazzard" collection would be right without the Duke patriarch? I would call it a sin. For his head, I bought an unpainted head of Blackbeard the pirate and he was smiling. His head was perfect for Jesse. Most of what I needed for Uncle Jesse came from the "Waltons" toyline by Mego. The Grandpa Walton Mego had most of what I needed. The body, the overalls and the same style boots worn by Bo and Luke. Mike painted the head and also gave it the twinkle in Denver Pyle's eyes. Mike custom-made the gray overalls with the red longjohn linings as well as the red cap.

SHERIFF ROSCO P. COLTRANE: It's a real shame we did not get a Rosco doll with all accessories! "Shame shame! Everybody knows your name, Mego!" But surprisingly, all the ingredients to make Rosco are available. It's just a matter of finding them and getting your materials together. On Dr. Mego's page, I found repro heads of the Robin Hood characters. The head of Will Scarlett looked to me like an exact replica of James Best along with the sideburns. All he needed was a repainting around the eyebrows. Of course, you need a basic male Mego body. Rosco's black sheriff's hat is available in Mego form. With their Western figures, it was the hat for Wild Bill Hickock. Dr. Mego has it listed as a reporter's hat, despite its Western look. While you could probably get the blue shirt, black tie, and black pants from Dr. Mego, my friend Mike custom-made Rosco's uniform and provided the sticker emblems for the shirt. My Rosco's shirt is a darker shade of blue since I wanted him to have the look of Season 1. My Rosco's hair is black, but maybe I should have had his hair painted salt-and-pepper.



COOTER: "Breaker one! Breaker one! Might be crazy but I am bummed!' That Mego didn't make a figure of Hazzard's number-one mechanic! At first, all I had in mind was Rosco and Uncle Jesse, but then I thought it would be cool to have customs of Cooter and Rosco's two dipstick deputies as well. For Cooter, the head that resembled Ben Jones the most was the head of John Walton (Ralph Waite) from the "Waltons" toyline. Of course, I used a regular male Mego body. For the blue jeans, either Bo or Luke's jeans and the Dukes boots work for Cooter. I'd say he's the easiest to make. Mike custom-made the sleeveless grey shirt and gave it and the jeans a greased look and even put a grease rag in the back of Cooter's pants pocket. Mike also made Cooter's cap. Mike painted the head to resemble Ben Jones and gave him the 5 o'clock shadow since I wanted this Cooter figure to resemble the Season 1 and 2 appearance. Someday, I'll make another Cooter that has him more clean-shaven. Mike also made the denim jacket Cooter wears. (The above photo shows the custom Cooter, along with Bo and Luke, inspired by the pilot episode "One Armed Bandits.")

CLETUS: "Flapjacks on a Ferris wheel! Buzzards on a buzz saw!" Why no Cletus?! Both Hazzard deputies proved to be a challenge for me and Mike. Using a male Mego body and making the clothes was no problem for Mike. For the head, the Mego who resembled Rick Hurst the most was Sgt. Getraer (Robert Pine) from "CHiPs." His hair was painted tan to resemble Cletus. The biggest challenge was the deputy hat. Mike had a real challenge and had to make a big one since the head was big.

ENOS: "Possum on a gum bush!' Mego's "Dukes of Hazzard" 8-inch line really needs an honest cop to keep everything straight. Well, speaking of straight, or should I say Strate, Deputy Enos Strate proved to be the hardest Mego to customize. All I could furnish was the basic male Mego body. Mike made the clothes, but Enos is the only Mego whose head had to be cast. There were no original Megos that resembled Sonny Shroyer. Also, the deputy's hat proved to be a challenge as was Cletus' hat.

HAZZARD LAW: For Rosco, Cletus, and Enos, the "CHiPs" line by Mego proved to be very helpful in that all three figures needed black boots, guns and holsters, and sticker emblems. Luckily, the "CHiPs" figures had all that, so I had to get extra, incomplete "CHiPs" figures to make the Hazzard Law Enforcement team's accessories complete.


COY AND VANCE: Very basic, simple thing. All I did was switch the shirts on the figures. After all, with the exception of the episode, "Dukes Strike it Rich" Coy wore the blue and Vance wore the white/yellow. (The above photo shows Coy and Vance, along with Bo and Luke and the rest of the characters, inspired by the episode "Welcome Back, Bo and Luke.")

THE VARIOUS APPEARANCES OF BO AND LUKE

To me, it was no wonder that there were toy action figures of "The Dukes of Hazzard," especially Bo and Luke since they always wore the same clothes in every episode as if they were uniforms or costumes. I am probably one of the very few people that's paid attention to Bo and Luke's appearances over the years. And I always wanted my Megos to resemble their early appearances, especially Season 1. So I used some extras.

In Season 1, Bo's yellow shirt was a beige yellow color. He also wore it in Season 2 and then on and off in Seasons 6 and 7. I used the beige shirt from the "CHiPs" line. Bo also sported a blue T-shirt underneath his shirt in Seasons 1 and 2 and part of Season 3. My friend Mike custom-made me three T-shirts: two shades of blue and the brown T-shirt John wore in the pilot episode, "One Armed Bandits." In Season 1, Luke sported a light denim jacket over his first plaid shirt. I discovered the Huggy Bear figure from the "Starsky and Hutch" toyline had a blue denim jacket that looked similar to Luke's , so I got a Huggy Bear figure and used the denim jacket for Luke, but sadly, I had to take his plaidish colored shirt and cut off the sleeves for a better fit. Luckily, I have a few more of those plaids.

-- Will Rodgers
Visit Will's "Super Friends" site and experience more of his geeky expertise!




Photos by Will Rodgers, too; please email before copying

Next week: The Mego vehicles!

Archie offers a "Summer Splash" for Free Comic Book Day

May is on its way, and for comics fans, that means that wondrous thing known as Free Comic Book Day! Here's a title that Archie has on tap for that day, so make sure you make it to your local comic book shop ...

ARCHIE’S SUMMER SPLASH – FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2010

“Whose BEACH is it Anyway?”: Sun, sand, swimsuits and cool rockin’ tunes – no, it’s not a cinematic “beach party” blast from the past, but a whole new summer splash from Archie and his friends! In this fun-filled free issue, Cheryl and her snooty friends from Pembrooke form an all-girl group to compete head on with the Archies at a summer beach music festival. Will Cheryl’s group be a tuneful treat, or mistaken for bellowing whales?

SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.

At comic shops May 1, 2010

All new, 32-page, full-color comic

FREE

Spotted: Robin Wright Penn

Her hair is mousy brown, if you can believe it, and her wardrobe is stapled by sloppy T-shirts, but it's still the lovely Robin Wright Penn, our own original Kelly Capwell of "Santa Barbara." Just as unmistakable are the slow pacing and spookiness of an M. Night Shyamalan film: If you didn't know it at the beginning of 2000's "Unbreakable," you certainly would by the end of the movie, especially with the filmmaker's trademark ending "big reveal."

In the flick, Penn is Audrey Dunn, the wife of Bruce Willis' seemingly invincible character, David Dunn. His sole survival from a deadly train crash causes a little soul searching: He can't recall ever being sick, and he knows he's scarcely been injured. There's no explanation for his invulnerability. His profession, irconially, is working security at an arena. Almost as ironic is Audrey's profession: physical rehab. Along the way, they encounter -- and are even downright haunted by -- Samuel L. Jackson's character, Elijah Price. Elijah has quite the different problem -- he becomes ill or breaks a bone at the slightest provocation. He has a theory for David, one that's hidden from us throughout the film, but David isn't interested.

On the sidelines, mostly, but once in a while chewing up her own scene, is Penn. She's quiet and patient, masking for the most part any bewilderment. And because this is an M. Night Shyamalan film, there's a whole lotta meaningful silence and deliberation.

Diahann Carroll stars in Lifetime movie "The Front"

Thanks to the folks at DiahannCarroll.net for the tipoff that the lovely Ms. Carroll, our own Dominique Devereaux of "Dynasty" will star in a new Lifetime movie based on a novel by Patricia Cornwell.

"The Front," which airs this Saturday at 9 p.m. Eastern, features Win Garano, an investigator for an ambitious Boston district attorney, who investigates a homicide involving "The Front," a coalition of local police departments serving the outlying Boston communities. Daniel Sunjata plays Win Garano. Andie MacDowell is Monique Lamont. Ashley Williams appears as Stump, a detective with whom Garono becomes romantically linked. Carroll plays Garano's grandmother, Nana.

To keep up with Carroll, who will also be bringing her acclaimed one-woman show “The Lady ... The Music ... The Legend” to PBS as part of their fund-raising program on U.S public television stations in August 2010, watch the news page on her official site.

Buckle your seatbelt for TGIF Toys!

We're starting up a new weekly feature here at the BRBTV News Blog, and we're thinkin' it's going to be a tidy bit of fun. Every Friday morning, bright and early (6 a.m. EST time in the U.S.!) we're going to be bringing you a photo -- and often a description! -- of a toy, or toys, relating to one of the shows covered by the various BRBTV reference guides. We're calling it TGIF Toys, because we all work hard during the week to play with our toys on the weekend, now don't we?

First-up on TGIF Toys, we draw from the extensive (did we mention mammoth?) collection of merchandise of our beloved "The Dukes of Hazzard." 'Round about 1981 or '82, the "Dukes" toys really exploded on the store shelves, and then again for the 2005 movie, so we could probably staff this new Friday feature with just "Dukes" stuff for years, we reckon. (But not to worry -- we'll be mixin' it up! We did just add Scooby-Doo to the BRBTV family at the beginning of this year, after all!)

This week's installment comes from our buddy Will "the Voice Man" Rodgers of Tennessee, who's really a part of BRBTV to begin with, because he's collaborating with BRB on three new reference book projects right now, as we speak. Will is an avid collector, so besides having an extensive repertoire of "Dukes" character voices at his disposal on a moment's notice, Will also has quite a lot of "Dukes" merchandise!

For this inaugural edition of TGIF Toys, Will staged the first scene from the very first "Dukes" episode, "One Armed Bandits," above. Here are our two Duke boys, Bo and Luke, with ole Cooter in a Hazzard squad car. These three handsome guys are from Mego's 3.75" line. So tell us what we're lookin' at, Will ...

Before Mego went into bankruptcy, one of, if not THE, last toy lines they did was "The Dukes of Hazzard." Sadly though, because of the time, we did not get all the toys of the "Dukes" that Mego could have made. Mego produced four (or technically six) 8-inch action figures and that was it! In terms of the 3 3/4-inch line, Mego gave us more. We had eight figures (technically all 11 characters) and four vehicles for the figures to fit in.

Mego gave us a better variety when it came to the smaller toys as far as the "Dukes" line went. And it was my favorite "Dukes" collectible as a kid. The General Lee with small figures of Bo and Luke Duke. The General did not exactly look like a Dodge Charger, but believable enough. But the only way to get the figures in and out of the car was a hatch opening on the roof, so the Confederate flag was a square shape instead of rectangular. The figures of Bo and Luke were built the same as the G.I. Joe figures of the '80s with three pieces held together by an O ring. These figures broke easily when the O rings came off. The original head designs resembled Tom Wopat and John Schneider. The coloring of the figures resembled their season one appearances.



Then, Mego began packaging the Bo and Luke figures on individual cards as well as Daisy, Boss Hogg, and Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. At the same time, Mego also made the Dixie Jeep with a Daisy Duke figure. They also made the Hazzard Police "chase" car with Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. While it was nice to have the sheriff's car, the Mego marketers got the car wrong. Instead of a Plymouth Fury, it's a 1950s model Chevy with one red siren. A poor subsitute for the real thing.

As a kid, I wanted a white Caddy with Boss Hogg and never got one, I assumed because it was never made. Au contraire! It turned out Mego did make it, but it was only available in Canada. But unlike the Hazzard squad car, the doors didn't open and it had a sticker with Boss Hogg's face on both doors. Boss fits in the driver's seat, but barely in the back. I have used the Wild Bill figure from G.I. Joe as Boss' chauffeur. Fortunately, I was able to find this collectible back in the '90s through a magazine called Toyshop. This was, of course, before eBay.

Finally, Mego made figures of Cooter, Uncle Jesse, and Cletus to round out the characters. Unlike Bo and Luke, the rest of the cast are figures whose legs don't bend. They are built differently. Rosco and Cletus have two different body molds: one with their arms bent and the other with their arms straight down. Cletus had more of a slimmer look and this figure can also double as Enos. To make them look different, I took the Cletus with the bent arms and colored his hair black with a pen and added eyebrows to make him into Deputy Enos Strate.

Thanks to eBay, I have two of the Hazzard Deputy figures, to have both Cletus and Enos, and I have two of the Hazzard squad cars. One for Rosco and the other for the deputy dipsticks!!

Finally in 1982, Mego began selling the General Lee by itself and it came with a slip to send away for the Bo and Luke figures at no extra charge. But these figures had bigger heads and the Luke figure looks more like Vance Duke. It's these versions of Bo and Luke that are easier to find. The original Bo is hard to find and the original Luke is semi hard to find. I had my friend Mike take the second variation Bo and Luke and turn them into Coy and Vance by switching their heads.

-- Will Rodgers

Visit Will's "Super Friends" site and experience more of his geeky expertise!

Photos by Will Rodgers, too; please email before copying

Next week: Mego's 8-inch "Dukes" line!

Christopher Cazenove dies

Following in the wake of John Forsythe's death, his "Dynasty" brother, Christopher Cazenove, has now passed away. Cazenove played the dashing Ben Carrington, the younger brother to Blake Carrington who had a serious chip on his shoulder. Though the relationship of the two characters was adversarial upon Ben's arrival in Denver in the 1986-1987 season, his character was softened considerably. The British actor, who was 64, continued working right up to his death.

"I am so saddened by the news of Christopher Cazenove's passing," the actor's "Dynasty" co-star Terri Garber posted on her Facebook status late yesterday. "He played my father on 'Dynasty.' He was a wonderful and kind man. We had a terrific relationship. He will be missed."

The IMDb has more information, including links to Cazenove's obituary in the UK's Guardian and other spots around the 'Net:
http://www.imdb.com/news/ni2009385/

Remembering John Forsythe

We knew he wouldn't live forever, but we're still sad that he's gone. And 92 years -- that's a good life. Really, what a very good life it was for John Forsythe, our own Blake Carrington of "Dynasty." With credits dating back to the early '40s, this handsome Jersey man had plenty of TV noteriety before he ever took the helm of Denver-Carrington. He even had his own show in 1965-66. So just in case you haven't learned enough about him in the past few days (and, truth be told, we're thinking the press on his death hasn't lived up to the actor he was), here are a few links to peruse, including some words from his co-stars, Joan Collins, Heather Locklear and Kate Jackson ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/03/john-forsythe-obituary
http://www.studiobriefing.net/2010/04/dynastys-john-forsythe-dead-at-92/
http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/john-forsythe-dynasty-charlies-angels-13957/
http://www.realbollywood.com/news/2010/04/joan-collins-pays-tribute-dynasty-star-john-forsythe.html
http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a212291/locklear-jackson-remember-john-forsythe.html?imdb
http://www.accesshollywood.com/friends-colleagues-react-to-death-of-john-forsythe_article_30790?__source=rss%7Cimdb%7Clatest-originals
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001234/news#ni1982004

Coming up in Archie Comics

ARCHIE #608
“It Starts With a Kiss”: It’s the double-bill of the century, as the Archies and Josie & the Pussycats co-headline a major concert tour… or so they think! Alex and Alexandria have sneaked behind everyone’s backs to ensure that Josie & the Pussycats are the main act while the Archies are merely the opening band. But the Archies have made Veronica’s cousin Marcy their manager and the ruse is soon exposed. Will the bands get through this dis-chord and once again find harmony?
SCRIPT: Dan Parent
ART: Bill Galvan
On sale at comic shops: April 21, 2010
Newsstands: May 4, 2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 U.S.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #143
“Freshman Year—The Missing Chapters: Chuck”: For years, fans of Archie Comics have wondered what happened in the years before the fabled teens of Riverdale entered high school. How did everyone meet? Were the teachers always at the high school? Did all of Archie’s friends always live in Riverdale? Just when did the “eternal love triangle” first start? In the “Freshman Year” saga, originally presented in the pages of ARCHIE #587-591, readers finally learned the back-story behind Riverdale’s fabled cast of characters. But that wasn’t the whole story! In this follow-up series of stories, writer Batton Lash fills in the blanks, giving readers an even bigger glimpse of what went on with Jughead, Betty & Veronica, Reggie, Chuck, and Pencilneck G. In this story, Chuck’s cartoons of the past come back to haunt him when word gets back to him that a tough kid took exception to Chuck’s none-too-flattering caricatures. The subject of Chuck’s doodles isn’t happy about being “dissed” and has held a grudge for three years! Now Chuck must look back at the copious comics he did in freshman year to see what he did to diss his classmate!
SCRIPT: Batton Lash
ART: Bill Galvan
On sale at comic shops: May 5, 2010
Newsstands: May 18, 2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 U.S.

ARCHIE NEW LOOK SERIES VOLUME 4: VERONICA IN “MY FATHER’S BETRAYAL”
It's the fourth installment in Archie's dynamic “New Look” series! For years, Archie fans the world over wondered what their favorite Riverdale teens would look like if rendered in a realistic style, and in 2007, Archie Comics answered the question with the ground-breaking, pulse-pounding, media-grabbing story: “Betty & Veronica: Bad Boy Trouble!” The success of that story prompted them to create an entire “New Look” series, continuing with “Jughead: The Matchmakers” and “Moose & Midge: Breakup Blues.” Now, Archie Comics reprints “Veronica: My Father’s Betrayal,” originally presented in BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #170 through #173. In this thrilling four-part series, Veronica and her friends face off against Mr. Lodge and his constituents as the teens try to keep a beloved nature preserve from becoming an industrial park! Petitions… posters… publicity… public meetings… it’s all part of a multi-tiered strategy by the teens to bring the plight of the forest to the public. They even enlist a botany professor to join their protest! But when people on both sides of the issue debate, the problem is grayer than ever. Who will prevail? Can the two sides resolve their differences peacefully and constructively? Can a compromise be reached before the trees all come down? It’s the story you just can’t afford to miss, served up in the “realistic” art style that made Betty and Veronica’s “Bad Boy Trouble” Jughead’s “Match Makers,” and Moose and Midge’s “Break-up Blues” some of the most-talked about Archie stories in recent years! Famous superhero art team and Eisner Award nominees Rick Burchett and Terry Austin lend their formidable penciling and inking talents to this intriguing tale, brought to you by “New Look” scribe Melanie J. Morgan.
SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan
PENCILS: Rick Burchett
INKS: Terry Austin
On sale at comic shops: April 14, 2010
Newsstands: April 27, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1879794450
112-page, full color 6”x9” square bound paperback
$10.95 U.S.

ARCHIE DIGEST #263
“One Track Mind”: Archie finds a way to make mowing the lawn go faster… way faster… by pretending his rider mower is a race car!
“Limb Beau”: Archie thinks he’ll have to “kiss” his favorite “kissing tree” goodbye when a local developer threatens to raze it for a convenience store.
SCRIPTS: Mike Pellowski
ART: Randy Elliott
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: April 14, 2010
Newsstands: April 27, 2010
88-page, full-color digest format
$2.69 U.S.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #208
“Give Until it Hurts”: Archie decides to take up Mr. Weatherbee’s volunteering challenge… and a challenge it is, when he ends up doing duty as a grammar school crossing guard!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher
ART: Pat Kennedy
“Clip Flop!”: What’s worse than Archie being embarrassed? Reggie filming it and spreading it through the internet!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Bob Bolling
“No Company”: A quiet fishing outing is anything but when Archie encounters one wilderness dweller after another!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Tim Kennedy
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: April 28, 2010
Newsstands: May 11, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA #247
“Prom-itis”: With all the students totally obsessed with the upcoming prom, Mr. Weatherbee takes a drastic measure to try to get their minds on school again… by cancelling the prom! Will this dark cloud persist over the prom-minded teens, or are even principals prone to prom-itis? Press your gown and put on your tux for this very special occasion!
SCRIPT: Barbara and Samantha Slate
ART: Jeff Shultz
On sale at comic shops: April 14, 2010
Newsstands: April 27, 2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #180
“No Baseball for Betty”: Spring is here again – time to “play ball!” But this year the Riverdale softball team’s best shortstop, Betty Cooper has decided to play hard ball instead! That’s great for Betty, but not so great for Archie and Veronica. After all, Betty will be competing with Archie for the shortstop position… and competing with Veronica for the amount of time spent with Archie! Will Betty’s big move be a grand slam or a total strike-out?
SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan
ART: Rod Whigham
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: April 21, 2010
Newsstands: May 4, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #37
“The Joking Jester”: It’s medieval mayhem when Archie gets immersed in a new role-playing video game called “Storming the Castle” – especially with joking Jughead aboard as court jester!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Tim Kennedy
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: April 21, 2010
Newsstands: May 4, 2010
88-page, full-color digest format
$2.69 U.S.

PALS ‘n’ GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #141
“Staff”: A new chauffeur is driving Veronica… and Veronica and her friends are driving him crazy!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Fernando Ruiz
“Picture This”: Chuck and Nancy make a picture-perfect couple – especially when they both enter a teen arts competition as painter and photographer, respectively!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Stan Goldberg
“Bee Crazy”: After a week of detention, Reggie has “The Bee” constantly buzzing through his brain!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Bob Bolling
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: May 5, 2010
Newsstands: May 18, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.


TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #38
“Ham(burger) to the Chief!”: It’s a colossal comedy of errors… covered with ketchup and pickles… when Archie is convinced the President of the United States is coming to town to visit the new burger joint!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher
ART: Pat Kennedy
“Gag Drag”: It was bound to happen – after pulling off countless pranks, Reggie’s come down with a case of “jokester’s block!”
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Bob Bolling
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: May 5, 2010
Newsstands: May 18, 2010
88-page, full-color digest format
$2.69 U.S.

VERONICA #200
IT’S THE MILESTONE 200th issue of VERONICA!
“It’s Good to Be 200!”: Since her series debut 20 years ago, Veronica has traveled everywhere – Paris, New York, Rome, London… she even took a trip to the moon via space shuttle in her 100th issue! Now in this 200th anniversary issue, Veronica chooses a destination to top them all when she uses Dilton and Marcy’s new time machine to travel back to Riverdale’s past! There she will witness amazing events in the history of her parents and her friends’ parents… but staying too long could alter that history forever! It’s a time-tripping anniversary issue you just can’t afford to miss!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent
On sale at comic shops: May 5, 2010
Newsstands: May 18, 2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 U.S.

BRBTV birthdays for April

- Jordan Charney, who is a BRBTV triple-shot as Lt. Sutton on "Dallas," Bill Cochran on "Dynasty" and Dr. Renfro on "Santa Barbara," turns 73 on April 1.
- Hunter von Leer, who was B.D. Calhoun on "Dallas," turns 66 on April 3.
- Billy Dee Williams, our own Brady Lloyd of "Dynasty," turns 73 on April 6.
- Judith McConnell, second and longtime Sophia Capwell on "Santa Barbara," turns 66 on April 6.
- Jane Rogers, the lovely Heather Donnelly on "SB," turns 50 on April 6.
- Marilu Henner, who voiced vivacious redheaded socialite Veronica Vreeland on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 58 on April 6.
- John Schneider, the unstoppable Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 50 on April 8.
- Robin Wright Penn, the lovely original Kelly Capwell on "SB," is still such a young'un at 44, also with an April 8 birthday.
- Lee Bergere, the long-suffering and perhaps twisted Joseph Aynders of "Dynasty," was born April 10, 1918 and died on January 31, 2007.
- Joel Grey, the unforgettable Adam who taunted J.R. in the series finale of "Dallas," turns 78 on April 11.
- Michele Scarabelli, who was the menacing and highly psycho Connie Hall on "Dallas," turns 55 on April 11.
- Buck Young, who was Seth Stone and Sen. Cawley on "Dallas," was born on April 12, 1920 and died February 9, 2000.
- Howard Keel, the ever-responsible Clayton Farlow of "Dallas," was born on April 13, 1919 and died on November 7, 2004.
- Terry Lester, who was the second Mason Capwell on "Santa Barbara," was born on April 13, 1950 and died on November 28, 2003.
- Ron Perlman, voice of Clayface on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 60 on April 13.
- Loretta Lynn, who gets some credit with BRBTV even though her time on "The Dukes of Hazzard" was brief, turns 75 on April 14.
- Randolph Powell, who portrayed Alan Beam on "Dallas," turns 60 on April 14.
- Lois Chiles, that slinky ole Holly Harwood on "Dallas," turns 63 on April 15.
- Michael Ansara, the voice of Dr. Victor Fries / Mr. Freeze on "Batman: The Animated Series, turns 88 on April 15.
- Peter Mark Richman, one of our favorites and certainly an amazing BRBTV quadruple-shot for his time as Andrew Laird on "Dynasty," Maynard Anderson on "Dallas," the first C.C. Capwell on "SB" and even the voice of Charles Baxter on "Batman: TAS," turns 83 on April 16.
- Byron Cherry, who stepped in as Coy Duke in the fifth season of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns a very nice-lookin' 55 on April 17.
- Timothy Gibbs, our own Dash Nichols of "Santa Barbara, turns a very young 43 on April 17.
- John James, our Jeff Colby of "Dynasty," turns 54 on April 18.
- Bob Hastings, who voiced Commissioner James Gordon in "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 85 on April 18.
- Dick Sargent, who stepped in as Sheriff Grady Byrd on "The Dukes," filling in for Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, was born on April 19, 1930 and died on July 8, 1994.
- Christopher Mayer, our other replacement Duke as Vance in "The Dukes," and a BRBTV double-shot as T.J. Daniels on "SB," turns 55 on April 21.
- Steve Bond, our own Mack Blake on "SB," turns 57 on April 22.
- Ryan O'Donohue, the voice of Terry's little bro Matt on "Batman Beyond," turns 26 April 26.
- Hilary Bader, writer for "The New Batman Adventures" and "Batman Beyond," was born on April 27, 1952 and died on November 7, 2002.
- Nancy Lee Grahn, our own Julia Wainwright of "Santa Barbara" who's now turning in good time as Alexis Davis on ABC's "General Hospital," turns 54 on April 28.

Happy birthday!

Traveling all that way to hug the Hoff? Sure!

A year ago on this very news blog we brought you coverage of the first-ever Knight Rider Festival in Las Vegas. It was a fun time, as BRBTV journeyed with buds Krista and Mike across the country in a rental car, from Detroit to Sin City (no, that's not one sin city to another -- shut yo mouth) on a quest to nab some cast autographs on a KITT car dashboard and windshield visor. A trip full of adventure, for sure. But that's another story.

Well, there's one particular sig we missed -- David Hasselhoff, who ended up canceling his appearance at the weekend event celebrating the classic '80s TV show. Oh, the humanity. (And "Santa Barbara" fans may recall Hasselhoff fondly from that cameo spin in a phone booth in one episode, toward the tail-end of his "Knight Rider" gig.)

Fast-forward one year, to the second ever Knight Rider Fest, returning to the delightfully vintage Fremont Street area of Vegas for another March weekend, and what'dya have? The Hoff! Not only that, but you've got our altogether insane friend Krista (it's alright -- she said it first) flying out from Philly early Friday and heading back later that night, just to secure that elusive sig on her visor.

"I hugged the Hoff!" she reported later in her Facebook. Yea, girl. And somehow we suspect it might have been worth it, if for no other reason than her visor, and her KITT car, just got a whole lot more valuable.

Photo courtesy of Krista; please do not copy

Archie Comics takes marriage storyline a step (or two) further with new titles

From Archie Comics

New York, NY -- This July, Archie Comics—home to world-famous characters Archie, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats and more—will release the first issues of two completely brand new titles: "The Married Life: Archie Loves Betty" and "The Married Life: Archie Loves Veronica." Each title is an entirely new ongoing series with endless possibilities in its creative evolution, both in terms of its visual aesthetics and its more literary approach to storytelling.

Inspired by the overwhelming popularity and demand for the recent Archie wedding story, each title covers the detailed legacy of what might be in Archie’s most passionately debated futures, one married to the haughty debutante, Veronica Lodge, in “Archie Loves Veronica” and the other married to the compassionate girl-next-door, Betty Cooper, in “Archie Loves Betty.”

“Everything about 'The Married Life' series for both titles has exceeded our exceptionally high expectations,” says Archie Comics Co-CEO, Jon Goldwater. “The new direction of Archie Comics will be defined with the introduction of these two new titles, ‘Archie Loves Betty’ and ‘Archie Loves Veronica,’ and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

The titles join other new projects being initiated at Archie Comics this year—including Stan Lee’s Super Seven, the popularity of Archie comics on iTunes and Archie’s Red Circle superheroes at DC, and new partnerships with Random House, IDW, and Dark Horse.