Archie's Weird Mysteries gets compilation paperback

Many thanks to the author himself, Mr. Paul Castiglia, for the heads-up on this one:  Those juicy, spooky stories you loved in the Archie's Weird Mysteries comic book title, based, of course, on our beloved "Archie's Weird Mysteries" animated series, are going to be collected in a trade paperback. The 128-page volume doesn't release until August 2011, but you can sneak a peek here:

http://www.amazon.com/Archies-Mysteries-Archie-Friends-All-Stars/dp/1879794748/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291558314&sr=1-8

Castiglia tells us he doesn't know yet exactly what stories the book will include, but we'll be waiting with baited breath ... werewolf bait, perhaps ... or maybe vampire ...

BRBTV birthdays for December

- Forry Smith, the dashing Reese Walker on "SB," turns 58 on December 1.
- Charlene Tilton, little Lucy Ewing of "Dallas," turns 52 on December 1, though reports sometimes conflict on her age.
- Nicolas Coster, the unforgettable Lionel Lockridge on "SB," as well as Lyle Sloan and Joe Morris on "Dallas," and even Ezra Bushmaster in "The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood" TV movie, turns 77 on December 3.
- Morgan Brittany, who also was unforgettable as the Bobby-stalking Katherine Wentworth on "Dallas," and who played Mary Lou Pringle on a 1980 episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard," "The Hazzardville Horror," celebrates her birthday on December 5, this year turning 59.
- Gunnar Hellström, who not only played Rolf Brundin on "Dallas" but also directed some episodes, was born on December 6, 1928 and died on November 28, 2001.
- Tom Fuccello, who was Sen. Dave Culver on "Dallas," was born on December 11, 1936, and died on August 16, 1993.
- Sheree J. Wilson, our own April Stevens Ewing of "Dallas," is the same age as our little Lucy (apparently!), turning 52 on December 12.
- Thaao Penghlis, who was Dr. Micah De Angelis in the tail-end of the run of "Santa Barbara," turns 65 on December 15.
- Helen Slater, who voiced Talia on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 47 on December 15.
- Christopher Cazenove, rugged and angry bro to Blake Carrington as Ben Carrington on "Dynasty," was born on December 17, 1943 and died on April 7, 2010.
- Brad Pitt, who was a very youthful Randy, boyfriend to Charlie, in one of his very first roles, on "Dallas," turns 47 on December 18.
- Karen Moncrieff, who played Cassandra Benedict on "Santa Barbara," turns 47 on December 20.
- Jared Martin, our own Dusty Farlow of "Dallas," turns 69 on December 21, according to the IMDb, although sources are conflicting.
- John Callahan, who was Craig Hunt on "SB," turns 57 on December 23.
- Susan Lucci, the evil Hillary Taylor in the latter years of "Dallas," has a birthday on Saturday, December 23, as well, turning 64.
- Dane Witherspoon, who originated the role of Joe Perkins on "Santa Barbara," turns 53 on December 27.
- Terri Garber, who was the feisty Leslie Carrington on "Dynasty," as well as Suzanne Collier on "SB," turns 50 on December 28.
- Barbara Carrera, who played the evil Angelica Nero on "Dallas," turns 65 on New Year's Eve, December 31, although sources have conflicted on that one, too!

Happy birthday to all, whatever age ya are!!!!!

Spotted: Jordan Charney

His screen time is brief in the episode we saw, but it's not hard to spot the distinguished veteran actor Jordan Charney as Judge Donald Karan in "Law & Order." It was a recurring role for Charney over a 14-year stretch of the popular crime drama, actually.

Years after he terrorized Robin Wright's poor Kelly Capwell on "Santa Barbara," he's fuller of cheek and highly appropriate as the cranky judge on "L&O." In this particular episode, 2005's "Life Line," he hears the case of a penitent perp who cuts a deal to get his son out of prison. (The perp, by the way, is William Sadler, whom we recall very fondly as the sheriff on "Roswell.")

Charney, who is a BRBTV triple-shot as Lt. Sutton on the earliest "Dallas" and Bill Cochran on "Dynasty" in addition to the evil Dr. Renfro on "SB," has also done guest appearances on the other two "Law & Order" shows, "Criminal Intent" (sharing time with Vincent D'onofrio -- yummy!) and "Special Victims Unit."

Spotted: Jared Martin

As soap opera ploys go, Jared Martin made good use of the ole return-from-the-dead routine on "Dallas." On "Wonder Woman," however, Martin got to play out a different soapy twist -- the long-lost twin.

Well, OK, truth be told, the two characters he played on the two-parter, "Phantom of the Roller Coaster," weren't actually twins. They were two years apart (just to extend that "two" thing a little further!). But they looked just alike, except for the scarring brother David Gurney suffered from a napalm blast in Vietnam. With that disfigurement, and a limp, Martin differentiated David from little bro Leon, as if the latter's moustache and tie-clashing polyester suits weren't enough. The two are partners in the Fun Universe amusement park, which sees mystery and sabotage as part of this September 1979 "Wonder Woman" outing, just two months before Martin made his first appearance as Dusty Farlow on "Dallas."

Read the whole story at the IMDb, where you'll find meaty BRBTV synopses for this and all the other "Wonder Woman" episodes.

BRBTV birthdays for November

- Timothy Patrick Murphy, who was Mickey Trotter on "Dallas," was born on November 3, 1959 and died December 6, 1988.
- Kate Reid, who was Mickey's mom Lil on "Dallas," was born on November 4, 1930 and died March 27, 1993.
- Deborah Rennard, our own Sly Lovegren on "Dallas," turns 51 on November 4.
- Todd McKee, our own original Ted Capwell on "Santa Barbara," turns 47 on November 7.
- Russell Johnson, who is a BRBTV triple-shot for playing Sheriff Wyatt Mansfield on "Dallas," Earl Thompson on "Dynasty" and the third Roger Wainwright (Julia's dad) on "SB," turns 86 on November 10.
- Jack Scalia, the mysterious Nicholas Pearce / Joey Lombardi on "Dallas," has a birthday on November 10, as well, turning 60.
- Vincent Irizarry, a bigtime soaper who was Scott Clark on "SB," turns 51 on November 12.
- Dack Rambo, the hunky Jack Ewing of "Dallas," was born on November 13, 1941 and died on March 21, 1994.
- Tracy Scoggins, our Monica Colby of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," as well as Anita Smithfield on "Dallas: War of the Ewings," turns 57 on November 13.
- Edward Asner, the voice of Roland Daggett in "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 81 on November 15.
- Tricia Cast, who was Christy Duvall on "Santa Barbara," turns 42 on November 16.
- George O. Petrie, who played Harv Smithfield on "Dallas," was born on November 16, 1912 and died November 16, 1997.
- Brandon Call, the third Brandon DeMott Capwell on "SB," who was also notable as J.T. Lambert on ABC's sitcom "Step By Step" (side-by-side with Sasha Mitchell and Patrick Duffy of "Dallas"), as well as Hobie Buchanon in the syndicated "Baywatch," turns a so-young 34 on November 17.
- Rock Hudson, who played Daniel Reece on "Dynasty," was born on November 17, 1925 and died on October 2, 1985.
- Linda Evans, Hudson's on-screen love interest for a time, as Krystle on "Dynasty," turns 68 on November 18.
- Jocelyn Brando, who was John Ross' nanny Mrs. Reeves on "Dallas," was born on November 18, 1919 and died November 27, 2005.
- Joseph Campanella, a true classic actor who is a BRBTV triple-shot for his roles as mobster Joseph Lombardi Sr. on "Dallas" and Hutch Corrigan on "The Colbys," as well as Dr. Matthew Thorne on "Batman: TAS," turns 83 on November 21.
- Deborah Shelton, the stunning Mandy Winger on "Dallas," turns 62 on November 21.
- Maxwell Caulfield, our own Miles Colby of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," turns 51 on November 23.
- Michael Brainard, our final Ted Capwell on "Santa Barbara," turns 45 on November 23.
- Roscoe Born, our "SB" evil-twin actor as Robert Barr and Quinn Armitage, turns 60 on November 24.
- Howard Duff, who was Sen. Henry Harrison O'Dell on "Dallas," then Paul Galveston on the spinoff, "Knots Landing," was born on November 24, 1913 and died July 8, 1990.
- And ... sigh ... one of BRBTV's very favorite actors ... the wonderful, the great, the accomplished, the amazing (!) Ricardo Montalban, who was Zach Powers on "The Colbys" among so many other things, was born on November 25, 1920, and died on January 14, 2009.
- Marcy Walker, our own Eden Capwell of "SB" who since has settled into work for God's Kingdom, turns 49 on November 26.
- Joshua Harris, our darling little Christopher Ewing of "Dallas," is a big boy now, turning 32 on November 27.
- Stephen Elliott, who was Scotty Demarest on "Dallas," was born on November 27, 1918 and died May 21, 2005.
- Sherilyn Wolter, the evil Elena Nikolas / Capwell on "SB," has a birthday on November 30, turning 59.
- Efrem Zimbalist Jr., who voiced Alfred the butler in "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 92 on November 30.
- Kevin Conroy, who voiced Batman in "Batman: The Animated Series" and all the other series that spun off from it, as well as playing Bart Fallmont on "Dynasty," turns 55 on November 30.


Happy birthday to all!

TGIF Toys: Nipping at his heels, indeed

Leave it to the hunky Nightwing to keep that rascally Harley Quinn in order; if only her hyenas would stop nipping at the heels! In the late 1990s, with the evolution of "Batman: The Animated Series" into "The New Batman Adventures," Hasbro released a set of 12-inch high figures / dolls:
Nightwing, Harley Quinn, Batgirl, Batman and Joker (who came with a bazooka!).

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Spotted: Kerry Sherman and Russell Johnson

We have to admit -- we recognized her smile immediately, though her hair was a bit fluffier and her voice a little higher and sweeter. Six years before she came to "Santa Barbara" as big sis Amy Perkins, Kerry Sherman guested on an episode of the classic "Wonder Woman." All decked out in blousey attire befitting the '70s (a peasantlike top that's back around now, for sure), Sherman plays a con in the episode, titled "Disco Devil." She lures a hapless victim to a mysterious mirrored room at the disco, then later pulls the old broken-down-car routine on another (in a hot floral dress).

That would be enough, certainly, but then up pops Russell Johnson in the episode, as well. In addition to being the "Gilligan's Island" castaway BRBTV would most like to be stranded with, Johnson was Sheriff Wyatt Mansfield on "Dallas," Earl Thompson on "Dynasty," and Roger Wainwright on "SB." Here, he has brief airtime as a nicely uniformed colonel at a military facility researching nuclear equipment.

See it for yourself at the WB, and read the BRBTV synopsis to this and the other "Wonder Woman" episodes at the IMDb.

TGIF Toys: Sighted at the Mattel booth ...

... at Comic-Con International in San Diego a few months back, a glorious assortment of new DC heroes figures coming out, including this array of Bat-themed goodies and other finery. Bring it on!


Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Spotted: Dack Rambo

He doesn't seem much younger, because he was still quite hunky on "Dallas," but it's definitely a different spin for Dack Rambo. Composed, learned gentleman in a silver suit. A tough military leader at the same time. He travels to Earth and enlists the aid of a special friend as he tracks down a notorious band of aliens he's been fighting elsewhere in space.

The show is "Wonder Woman," more specifically the December 1977 two-parter, "Mind Stealers from Outer Space." A decade or so before he landed in Dallas as long-lost Ewing cousin Jack, Rambo portrayed Andros, a highly evolved friend to our Amazon princess. Together they work to take down the alien threat, and at the end Andros even tries to woo Wonder Woman to more stellar aspirations.

See it for yourself at the WB, and catch the full BRBTV synopsis of this and other "Wonder Woman" episodes at the IMDb.

TGIF Toys: Don't you dare oversleep!

"Gotham City is in trouble! Call for Batman!" That's what this supercool alarm clock says when the alarm deploys (and if you're not that patient, you can just hit the deploy button on the left!). Made in this 1993 by Top Banana, this clock will surely keep you safe at night.

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

BRBTV birthdays for October

- Alan Rachins, memorable as the wound-up Temple Fugate / Clock King on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 68 on October 3.
- Jack Wagner, who was our final Warren Lockridge on "Santa Barbara," along with a host of other soap opera roles in the '80s and '90s, turns 51 on October 3.
- Christopher Stone, who was Dave Stratton on "Dallas," was born on October 4, 1942, and died on October 20, 1995.
- Charlton Heston, our giant Jason Colby on "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," was born on October 4, 1923, and died on April 5, 2008.
- Christopher Norris, who was the demented Laura Asher on "SB," will turn 57 on October 7.
- John O’Hurley, who was the second Stephen Slade on "Santa Barbara" and so many other things over the years, including a fabulous "Seinfeld" role and that "Dancing With the Stars" gig, turns 56 on October 9.
- J. Eddie Peck, who's a BRBTV double-shot with his roles on our two primetime biggies, Tommy McKay on "Dallas" and Roger Grimes on "Dynasty," turns 52 on October 10.
- Jim McMullan, who was Sen. Andrew Dowling on "Dallas," turns 74 on October 13.
- Greg Evigan, who was Willie Gust on "Dallas" but is better known for "B.J. and the Bear," turns 57 on October 14.
- Arleen Sorkin, the unforgettable voice of Harley Quinn on "Batman: The Animated Series," as well as the person who inspired the character, turns 54 on October 14.
- Barry Corbin, who was the stalwart Sheriff Fenton Washburn on "Dallas," as well as Pullman in the 2005 "Dukes of Hazzard" movie, turns 70 on October 16.
- John Anderson, who was Kimberly Cryder's father Dr. Styles on "Dallas," was born on October 20, 1922, and died on August 7, 1992.
- John Zaremba, who played Dr. Harlan Danvers on "Dallas," was born on October 22, 1908, and died on December 15, 1986.
- Wolf Muser, who was the sinister Marcello Armonti on "Santa Barbara," terrorizing C.C. Capwell for his supposed wrongs in the second World War, turns 60 on October 23.
- Scott Jaeck, another "SB" alum as Cain Garver who was spotted more recently as a hired gun on Fox's "Prison Boys" (er, we mean "Prison Break"), turns 56 on October 29.
- The talented and well-regarded (and ever patient) Barbara Bel Geddes, who for so many years portrayed Miss Ellie Ewing on "Dallas," was born on Halloween in 1922 in New York City. She died on August 8, 2005, of lung cancer.


Happy birthday to all!

TGIF Toys: Burger-dog

To promote the release of the “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island” video in 1998 (the first of a
successful string of straight-to-video Scooby movies), Wendy’s featured a set of Kids’ Meal toys, including this guy. His pull-string is a little pulled out, these days (sorry -- the toys at the BRBTV headquarters get played-with; we're not familiar with the term "mint in box"!), but he's still shiny and snappy. And the movie that goes with 'im isn't bad, either.




Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Spotted: Carmen Zapata

Boy ... we tell our friends that when we're watching the classic '70s "Wonder Woman" episodes on DVD we're as happy as a pig in slop ... and that might paint an unsavory picture -- but it's true!!!! We're just that happy to see Lynda Carter in those precious, precious episodes, most of which we haven't seen since they originally aired.

We're also happy to see so many great BRBTV stars surfacing in these eps, which we've been reporting on in recent months here on the BRBTV News Blog. This time around it's the lovely, and oh-so dignified, Carmen Zapata, who portrayed Cruz Castillo's mom Carmen Castillo on our beloved "Santa Barbara." Zapata, losing none of her dignity, for sure, pops up in the third season "Wonder Woman" episode titled "The Richest Man in the World," which debuted on February 19, 1979, just six years before Zapata came to "SB" to keep her son in line.

Donning a double strand of white pearls and a tasteful black dress, Zapata portrays a prime minister in this installment. She makes a big purchase for her country (being the powerful chick she is): a missile scrambler nicknamed "Missy." But Missy is quickly kidnapped, so to speak, and it's up to Diana Prince and her alter ego to unravel this mystery.

See the BRBTV synopsis for this and the other "WW" episodes at the IMDb.

TGIF Toys: Candy not included! At least not anymore!

Whitman's did such a fine thing when they laid out these "surprise tins" in 1997, celebrating the success of "Batman: The Animated Series." There were several different designs, more than the "five" mentioned on the back of this one (especially since the five designs shown don't include the one on the front!). And inside each one? Yummy chocolates!!!! Oooh, we liked that part! Whitman's ranks high in our book, especially with the line of stuffed and small plastic figure Snoopys they still do at Valentine's Day and such, accompanied by a yummy four-pack of chocolates.


Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Catch the sights and sounds of Hair Dare Dukes Days 2010 at BRBTV's YouTube channel

You know, we really should've started doing this whole video thing years ago -- it's so much easier! In events past, we've brought you coverage on this news blog with photos and quotes and notes. Now, we can just link to the videos on YouTube and let our subjects do the talking -- no wading through our notebooks or processing a bunch of photos! Meow!

At any rate, BRBTV had a delightful time at this past weekend's Hair Dare Dukes Days, the eighth annual benefit event from Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club president Paul Harrington. In two cool, cool days in Comber, Ontario (yes, they thought BRB was crazy for wearin' her dazyduks!) this event served up cars and stars in the name of "The Dukes of Hazzard." It also raised scholarship funds for a student surviving cancer.

Some of the moments you'll see in this new set of three videos on BRBTV's YouTube channel:
- A chat with the owners of the "00" Mustang and the "Twilight" movie replica pickup truck.
- A few words from the amazing Zealand, a dear friend of BRBTV who travels to North America from New Zealand every year for a "Dukes" event.
- Paul Harrington getting his hair cut by Don Pedro Colley, Sheriff Little of "The Dukes of Hazzard." Paul raised $1,010 in pledges for this "hair dare," while Glenn Call of Massachusetts raised $700.
- Billie Rae Bates trying her hand at the smack-a-wreck (yes, you're allowed to laugh), as well as signing the inside of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard traveling museum trailer.

TGIF Toys: We see why you have to look away, Batsy ...

We're quite sure the folks who are making all these Mego repros are trying to kill us. It was bad enough we had to brave the sheer terror that was the Comic-Con International crowd in San Diego a couple months back, but then we had to lay our eyes on a heart-attack-worthy display like this, at the Mattel booth. A new Wonder Woman figure, and such a departure from the original Mego figure of the '70s!

With vinyl boots, an incredible head of styled hair, a separate lasso, tiara and bracelets, and her "flesh" showing amid her fabric costume (rather than a whole painted body stocking like the original -- which we'll always treasure, mind you!), this WW is amazing. She was enough to make the Batman Mego repro, just a few inches away, cower in weakness (a sentiment not shared by Two-Face, however!). The Amazon Princess is part of Wave 3 of Mattel's Retro-Action DC Superheroes release.

After we beheld this astonishing site -- all eight, glorious inches of her, coming to a store near you soon -- we tripped over the Diamond Select Toys display at the con and spied the Nurse Chapel figure of the "Star Trek" original series line. Aye-yi-yi -- double coronary!!!! We must have it! Even though her stockings are inaccurate! (Flesh-colored rather than black as on the show.) THEN ... as if that wasn't enough torture, right next to her was the green Orion slave girl Vina of the original "Trek" pilot "The Cage"! Barefoot and beautiful! Arriving winter 2011! Ack!

Sorry to carry on so, but we recall how the girls weren't given the same play as the boys in the original Mego run! So off to the stores (on or offline) we'll go ...

Oh, the pain! Oh, the agony!

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Wear your love for Sue Ellen on your chest

J.R. loved Sue Ellen. At least for a little while. And then again, and then not again. And then there was Cliff Barnes and Dusty Farlow, followed by Clint Ogden. The much-younger Peter Richards, her son’s camp counselor. Nicholas Pearce. Screenwriter Don Lockwood, who helped her make that tell-all movie about bad ole J.R. Heck, there are a lot of folks who could be wearin' this nifty T-shirt and proclaiming their love for Sue Ellen Ewing of "Dallas."

Linda Gray offers your chance to own one, via LindaGray.com, in black or white, for $21.95 plus shipping.

Better than an obscure vintage eBay find, we reckon.

Spotted: Henry Darrow

Subtract a decade or so from Cruz Castillo's father, and you have a much younger man. Indeed, Henry Darrow is dashing and handsome as a ruthless information broker in the second-season "Wonder Woman" episode "I Do, I Do," years before his spin as Rafael Castillo on our beloved "Santa Barbara."

Clad in '70s suits that veer to the tasteful side (believe it), he tries to pry secrets out of the all-too-suspecting Diana Prince, who is posing as the wife of a powerful presidential adviser. No-go on that -- she's just too wise for him. He also tries to dispatch with another smart would-be victim via a dangerously trained horse named Satan. Ouch. He's just an all-around bad guy! Good thing he showed his kinder, gentler side when he became Grandpa to Chip and Adriana!

See Darrow in the November 1977 episode at the WB, and look for full BRBTV synopses of the "Wonder Woman" episodes at the IMDb.

TGIF Toys: Get your shark repellant ready!

Oh, those boys and their toys ... And sometimes big boys have some pretty big toys! Two particular big boys that BRBTV knows jointly owned this fab Batboat a few years back, and they displayed it at the Motor City Comic Con in Novi, Michigan in 2006. That's a particularly good Batman and Robin aboard, too!

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Hollywood Show serves up the delectable classic TV stars again

Last year we reported on the bevy of BRBTV-related stars appearing at the Hollywood Show in Burbank, California. Get ready for the next round (ding, ding), because next month it all gets served up nice and hot on the West Coast:

- Barbara Eden, the lovely LeeAnn de la Vega of "Dallas"
- John Schneider, the so-fast-we-can't-keep-up Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard"
- Ali MacGraw, about the only character we'd rather not remember from "Dynasty," Lady Ashley Mitchell
- Christopher Norris, the continually distraught Laura Asher of "Santa Barbara"

To see the rest of the guest list for this October 8-10 event, visit the event site, http://www.hollywoodshow.com/.

Knight Rider Fest videos now posted on BRBTV's YouTube channel

At last year's Knight Rider Festival in Las Vegas -- the first ever -- you heard Dennis Braid talk about first building the KITT car with custom-car king George Barris, and Rebecca Holden talk about what made her character on the show, April, a role model. Oh, you mean you didn't? Well, you can now, because BRBTV has posted its own videos from the 2009 fest at its YouTube channel.

You'll catch some great insight from the cast and crew members of the classic series from the panel discussions on the Saturday of the event, as well as autograph-signings, a chat with a couple replica car owners, "Knight Rider" 2009 reboot series star Justin Bruening, and even BRB taking a spin in a slot machine contest on this thoroughly vintage Fremont Strip of Sin City! Check it out.

TGIF Toys: Canine cutie

In June, we showed you a 1980 stuffed Scoob. Well, this little sweetie was produced by Applause in the late ‘90s to hop onto the bean-bag toy craze. He's floppy and oh-so sweet.





Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

BRBTV birthdays for September

- Leonard Katzman, the mastermind behind the Ewings of "Dallas," was born on September 2, 1927 and died on September 5, 1996.
- Annabel Schofield, who played Laurel Ellis on "Dallas," turns 47 on September 4.
- Roberta Weiss / Bizeau, the too-hot-to-handle Flame Beaufort of "Santa Barbara," turns 52 (bet she still looks beautiful!) on September 5.
- Sarah Cunningham, our stalwart Maggie Monahan on "Dallas," was born on September 8, 1918 and died on March 24, 1986.
- Tom Wopat, our own Luke Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 59 on September 9.
- Constance Marie, who played Nikki Alvarez on "SB," has a birthday on September 9, as well, turning 45.
- Linda Gray, the unforgettable Sue Ellen Ewing of "Dallas," turns a still-lovely 70 on September 12.
- Mary Crosby, Gray's on-screen baby sister Kristin Shepard, turns 51 on September 14.
- Michael Reaves, writer for "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 60 on September 14.
- Henry Darrow, a BRBTV quadruple-shot who played Cruz Castillo's father Rafael on "Santa Barbara," showed up on an episode of "Dynasty" and the "Dukes of Hazzard" spinoff "Enos," and portrayed Garcia on "Dallas" in 1983, turns 77 on September 15.
- Janis Paige, the lovely second Minx Lockridge on "SB," turns 88 on September 16.
- Kimberly McArthur, who was the second Kelly Capwell on "SB," turns 48 on September 16.
- Morgan Woodward, who was Punk Anderson on "Dallas" and also made a couple guest appearances on "The Dukes of Hazzard" (including one that was a tribute to his appearance in the classic film "Cool Hand Luke"), has a birthday on September 16, as well, turning 85.
- Shalane McCall, our young Charlie Wade on "Dallas," is our final September 16 birthday, remaining so young at just 38.
- Roddy McDowall, who voiced Dr. Jervis Tetch / the Mad Hatter on "Batman: The Animated Series," was born on September 17, 1928 and died on October 3, 1998.
- Ross Kettle, the quite European Jeffrey Conrad on "Santa Barbara," turns 49 on September 19.
- Paul Williams, who voiced Penguin on "Batman: The Animated Series" and "The New Batman Adventures," turns 70 on September 19.
- Don Starr, our own Jordan Lee of "Dallas," was born on September 20, 1917 and died on July 11, 1995.
- The unstoppable Larry Hagman, who was, of course, the unstoppable J.R. Ewing on "Dallas," turns 79 on September 21.
- Catherine Oxenberg, who played long-lost daughter Amanda Carrington on "Dynasty," turns 49 on September 22.
- Martha Scott, memorable as Patricia Shepard on "Dallas," was born on September 22, 1912 and died on May 28, 2003.
- Heather Locklear, our own Sammy Jo of "Dynasty," who voiced the character Lisa on the "Batman: The Animated Series" episode "Prophecy of Doom," turns 49 on September 25.
- Shell Danielson, who was the later Laken Lockridge on "Santa Barbara," also has a birthday on September 25, turning 48.
- Beth Toussaint, our own Tracy Lawton on "Dallas" who's married to Jack Coleman of "Dynasty," is yet another September 25 birthday, turning 48, as well.
- Bridgette Wilson, who was Lisa Fenimore on "SB," is our fourth birthday for September 25, turning such a young 37.
- Mark Hamill, the well-loved voice of the Joker in "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 59 on September 25.
- Richard Herd, our own John Mackey of "Dallas," who also portrayed Jim Ellison in a 1986 episode of "Dynasty," turns 78 on September 26.
- A Martinez, who was Cruz Castillo on "SB," will turn 62 (can you believe it?) on September 27.
- Joel Fabiani, the dashing Alex Ward on "Dallas," turns 74 on September 28.
- Steve Forrest, who was Ben Stivers / Wes Parmalee on "Dallas," turns 86 on September 29.
- Ian McShane, the handsome Don Lockwood on "Dallas," was also born on September 29, turning 68 this year.

Happy birthday to all!

CMT welcomes back "The Dukes of Hazzard"

Oh, it's a very good sign, indeed, because us original fans of "The Dukes of Hazzard" -- you know, all of us who watched the show when it first aired on CBS from 1979 to 1985 -- know full-well that a whole new generation of "Dukes" fans was created when TNN, and then CMT, re-aired the show so many years later. (Two words: Dukesfest 2006!) Then, when it disappeared from the schedule ... Weeping and gnashing of teeth. And a sober dwindling of "Dukes" events around the country.

CMT is wisely bringing back "The Dukes," beginning with a marathon on the weekend after Labor Day. Beginning with many high-octane hours on September 10, 11 and 12, the show then restarts at the beginning, with the pilot episode "One Armed Bandits," at 7 p.m. Eastern, repeating at 11 p.m. Monday, September 13, continuing along at the same times that week.

See the episode lineup at CMT's site, and get ready to rev that hemi at 8 p.m. on Friday, September 10.

Catherine Bach, Ben Jones help "Rally for the Valley"

Two big "Dukes of Hazzard" stars, Ben (Cooter Davenport) Jones and Catherine (Daisy Duke) Bach, will be greeting fans and signing autographs as part of Nashville's Rally for the Valley event on Labor Day weekend.

Bach will be at Jones' Cooter's Place location in Nashville on Saturday, and Jones' Cooter's Garage Band will be part of the weekend's live entertainment. The event is a response to the May flooding affecting that Tennessee region.

Find out more about the benefit at the Cooter's Place website at http://www.cootersplace.com/calendar_events.asp.