"Dallas" fan shares his story of working on the set of the new show

It would seem like a dream come true, to work on the set of the reboot of a TV show you love. Alex Calloway of Midland, Texas, got to experience that firsthand, working on the set of the new "Dallas" at Southfork Ranch in Texas, and he was kind enough to share his story with BRBTV…

“Dallas” has been my favorite show since I started watching the reruns in college. As I collected the DVD's and several books on the subject throughout the years, as well as engaged in the online fanbase, my devotion to the show only increased. When they announced the filming of a pilot for a new show, I was of course thrilled along with the rest of the fan community. We had been waiting for a new reunion or revival show for years and when the news came it was like Christmas morning.

I applied to be an extra along with tons of other fans and did not expect to be accepted. When I heard they wanted me, well, words obviously can't express the excitement. When I heard it was to play a waiter at Christopher Ewing's wedding at Southfork, the real Southfork, I was even more thrilled. And when I realized this scene was going to have not only the new cast but Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray, Steve Kanaly, and Charlene Tilton, well, I knew it was likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I expected the greatest theme park attraction-style thrill of my life and, although I understand my experience as an extra was rare and not typical, it indeed did not disappoint.

As I headed down to a hotel in Plano, Texas, near Parker just outside of Dallas where Southfork is, it got even more exciting. I had visited before, been on the tour, but now I was going to be on the show. I still don't know how I slept that night.

When I got there the next day, early of course, and met the fellow extras, it became clear I was the only fan who had gotten lucky enough to do this for his first extra job. Everyone else was a professional, people who had done this many times and many of whom were also on the original. It was just another job to them, but they were extremely nice and seemed happy for me. I felt very grateful and blessed that I had somehow made it on to the job. As I got dressed in my waiter outfit and headed out from the dining hall and saw the ranch, the “Dallas” theme played in my head and images of the opening credits rolled across my mind. I knew it was going to be an incredible two days.

As I stood outside the famous ranch house by the garage and the grill next to it, just taking it in while remembering scenes from the show, out came Patrick Duffy in a tux and cracking jokes. The smile I had at the moment really was making my face hurt, it was so wide. It was like I had gotten to go back in time and be on the set of the original show; I truly felt like Marty McFly. I knew I wanted to try to meet Mr. Duffy and tell him how much I loved his work and the character of Bobby Ewing, not to mention “Step By Step” and his funny videos with the crab, but I was pretty speechless and knew I would have to wait till the end of the day anyway since extras are not really supposed to do that.

I took my orders and proceeded to look like a busy waiter carrying a tray of cups back and forth between tables as they filmed a scene with a helicopter arriving on the ranch to meet Bobby. It was eight different kinds of awesome to see that. Memories of that happening on the show time and again flashed across my mind as I continued to feel like I was in a time warp. As the day went on toward lunch, the rest of the actors began to show up for the scenes set before the wedding. Seeing Linda Gray, Charlene Tilton, and the new cast show up was a thrill in and of itself. I did my best with the instructions I had on where to stand to be near the actors and the camera. The idea of seeing myself in this first episode of the new “Dallas” was extraordinary, so I just decided to go with the moment -- I knew I might never get a chance like this again.

We broke for lunch and had some very good food, as though it had been made by Miss Ellie herself. As I sat there finishing up, in strolled Steve Kanaly, who was being very casual and relaxed, and I of course was once again excited as I had been all day. I headed outside to wait for them to tell us to go back to work and saw him again standing out there. A guy approached with his family who recognized him and they had a happy reunion right there outside the dining hall. As it turned out, it was Joe Duncan, the man who originally owned the ranch years ago before he sold it around the middle of the show’s run. Just the fact that I saw those guys meet again for the first time in awhile blew my mind somewhat.

Over the course of that day I boldly approached and met Josh Henderson, Jordana Brewster, and Charlene Tilton -- I felt very proud of myself as a fan. But when we headed out at the end of the first day I finally got my chance to meet Mr. Duffy. He and Linda were out in the parking lot and, despite being extremely nervous, I managed to approach them and introduce myself. Not only were they both extremely nice, but Patrick offered to take a picture. Naturally I had neglected to bring a camera. He said we should do it at the end of the next day, and I was just smiling from ear to ear. Once again, not sure how I slept that night but I did.

 Alex Calloway with Patrick Duffy.
Photo courtesy of Alex Calloway; please do not copy without permission.

The next day I played a chef, so I actually got to join the ranks of “Dallas” actors who played more than one role. I met Steve Kanaly briefly and watched “Dallas” history be made as Christopher got married. Finally, as the day wrapped, I managed to just barely catch Mr. Duffy and get a fellow extra to take this amazing photo I got with him. It was the icing on the cake of an incredible dreamlike life experience. As I drove away and pondered what the new show would be like, I knew that my career was likely to make it where I wouldn't get to be an extra again. I regretted also later on of course that I did not get a chance to meet Mr. Hagman as he was not in the scene. But the experience I came away with was an incredible one and I am still amazingly grateful that I got to do it and be a part of “Dallas,” all the while interacting with and meeting heroes who I had watched on TV for years.

Next two Hollywood Shows serve up the "Dallas" stars

Queued up at the next Hollywood Show, which happens in Chicago in the first weekend of September, are some fave stars of one of the shows BRBTV loves:

• Audrey Landers of "Dallas" and "The Dukes of Hazzard"
• Barbara Eden of "Dallas"
• Greg Evigan of "Dallas"

Then at the October show in Los Angeles we've got:

• Joan Collins of "Dynasty"
• Merete Van Kamp of "Dallas" (first appearance!)

Bits 'n' Pieces: Emma Samms, Richard Moll, Greg Evigan

• Emma Samms, our second Fallon Carrington of "Dynasty," will be making yet another return to the show that really launched her career, "General Hospital." The actress reprises her role of Holly Sutton next month, according to Soap Opera Digest. Samms' previous stints on "GH" include the origin of the Holly character in 1983, as well as eps in 1985, 1991, 1993, 2006 and 2010. Samms is also in the action thriller "Vendetta," scheduled for release in the U.K. in November.
• Riding the wave of the press-gobbling "Sharknado," Syfy has its original movie "Ghost Shark" all queued up. Among the cast on this next deadly swim is Richard Moll of "Night Court," whom we know as the voice of Harvey Dent on "Batman: The Animated Series," the character Morgan Malone on "Santa Barbara" and Milo Beaudry on "The Dukes of Hazzard." Premiering at 9 p.m. Eastern on August 22, "Ghost Shark" has this plotline from Syfy: "Last Fourth of July, teenager Christy Bruce disappeared from a high school beach party. Her severed arm washed ashore a day later. Drunken sea captain Blaise Shaw became a hero to the small seaside community of Harmony after killing the great white shark that was deemed responsible, but the Christy Bruce murder was no shark attack. Blaise turns to ghost hunter Ava Conte, who is skeptical but intrigued by his ghost shark ramblings. With preparations for a massive July 4th celebration rapidly approaching, they soon find themselves embroiled in a conspiracy of sex and murder involving the town's wealthiest and most powerful citizens. Unprepared to contend with a Ghost Shark that can hunt on land, sea, as well as anywhere there is enough water or rain to sustain its phantom form, Blaise and Ava must uncover the truth about the towns dark past or fall victim to the Ghost Shark."
• And while we're on that Syfy theme (because we do adore their stuff -- we've said it on this blog before), the network is serving up yet another original movie with yet another of our beloved stars of classic TV. This time it's Greg Evigan, whom BRBTV had the pleasure to meet and chat with at the Professional Stuntman Invitational in 2009, and who was not only the star of "B.J. and the Bear" but also appeared as the sinister Willie Gust on "Dallas." Evigan will star with Denise Crosby in "Invasion Roswell." Syfy's plotline on this one: "Sixty-six years after the Roswell crash, aliens return to attack Earth." Seriously, we're there. August 8, 9 p.m. Eastern.

Spotted: Lloyd Bochner

He's gallant and stately, much like Cecil Colby, though he's a bit younger. This is Lloyd Bocher we're talking about, a decade and a half before he terrorized Blake Carrington on "Dynasty," portraying a bad guy in the 1966 episode of "The Green Hornet" called "The Silent Gun."

He's Dan Carley in this story about a gun that makes no noise, and he wears his trim, shiny, well-greased helmet of hair well, so much of the style for men at the time. He wears a hat in some scenes, too -- another sign of the time for men. He's well-suited-up, has a mustache, and chomps on a cigar in one scene. Gotta love it, Cecil.

Adrian Paul talks with BRBTV about "Colbys" and career

BRBTV got the chance to meet and chat with Adrian Paul, aka Bliss’ boyfriend Kolya on our "Dynasty" spinoff "The Colbys," at the 2013 Motor City Comic Con (see our June 7 post). We also recorded his Q-and-A panel with fans at that event (see the BRBTV YouTube channel for that!). We decided we might like to follow up with this fresh email interview with Paul, where the actor reminisces a bit about his time on “The Colbys” and his career, which got quite a bit bigger after “The Colbys” with that whole “Highlander” thing!

How did you first learn about the role on “The Colbys”?

“My agent sent me over to read for the role.”

Was it actually your first role, as the IMDb indicates?

“Yes, basically, here in the United States.”

Did you find you had to do a lot of additional training or preparation physically for this role, since it was the role of a dancer?

“No, I had trained as a dancer for a few years prior to this, although being a ballet dancer is an entirely different style of training. I have always been physical, so that part wasn’t the challenge. The challenge was making sure I looked the part.”

Were you surprised that the show only lasted a season and a half? What was the feeling on the set about that?

“Well, I was very green back then, so I had no idea how long a show should or could last. I was just happy to be working and to be honest, I worked with a lot of very well-known and accomplished actors.”

Is there anything you would have done differently with the role of Kolya if you were the one writing him?

“If I were the one writing him?  Hmmmm…  I would make him the lead. Obviously when you are dealing with a soap, some of the situations are a little less than real. For instance, one episode had me jumping from the sixth story of a building, landing on my feet and slightly limping away. Mmmh … that was real. Charlton Heston had a line that he gave to Tracy Scoggins because he realized how ridiculous it might sound, which was … ’Good thing you're a dancer. You might have seriously been hurt’ (or words to that effect).”

You seemed to leave your dancing work behind, after that “Colbys” role, because you got into so many more action-oriented roles after that. Was it deliberate on your part, or just how it worked out?

“No, it’s just the way it worked out. I got to dance in a few things episode-wise after that, but not as part of the character.”

You mentioned in your panel with fans at the Motor City Comic Con that you would like to do a “Star Trek” movie. What role would you like to have in the “Trek” world?

“’Star Trek’ has transcended the sci-fi genre now. Twenty years ago every ‘Star Trek’ fan was seen as a geek. Not now. They are seen as the meal ticket to investors and studios who realize that there is something very compelling about the idea of civilization in space. As for the type of role? I don't know.”

You also mentioned you're working on some projects behind the camera. Can you tell me more about those?

“I am finishing up a script I am supposed to be directing early next year.  I have my radio show, Peace Fund radio, at http://www.latalkradio.com/Peace.php, where we discuss not only what the Peace Fund does but also bring on other celebrity guests with a passion for helping children in need. I am also putting together several films under my production company www.filmblips.com.”

Many thanks to Adrian Paul for taking the time!

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

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

Spotted: Louise Sorel

Her sweet lilting voice is unmistakable, and she has all the lovely innocence she had for the "Star Trek" episode she did a few years earlier. This is the divine Louise Sorel, many miles from the bite of Augusta Lockridge of our beloved "Santa Barbara."

In the 1970 episode of "Night Gallery" called "The Dead Man," she plays Velia, the young and pretty wife of a researcher who has mastered the art of bringing a young, strapping man out of the psychosomatic disorder he's been suffering from, and even making him appear dead only to make him magically come back to life. Unfortunately, however, this researcher's pretty wife Velia picks up with the strapping young man. Then things take a turn, and you see where the priorities lie for Velia, so appropriately reflecting '70s fashion in her soft, periwinkle blue, flowin gown.

Check out the "Dukes" 12-inch figures!

They're gettin' all kinds of feedback at the Figures Toy Co. Facebook page, and don't they look just great??? They're the prototypes of the 12-inch "Dukes of Hazzard" action figures that the company will be releasing soon. Look at that detail on the dungarees on Bo and Luke, and on Rosco's uniform. And the facial features are lookin' good. BRBTV will be buying one of each, that's fo sho!

The final version of Boss Hogg will include his matching hat. While Series 1 features Bo and Luke Duke, Rosco and Boss Hogg, future series will include Daisy Duke, Uncle Jesse, Cooter, Cletus Hogg, Enos and more (Coy and Vance, we hope? A little Sheriff Little??? Bring it on!!!). These guys will be available in both 8-inch and 12-inch. As we reported in our April 20 post, Figures Toy Co. is also planning a "Dallas" line, with two different versions of J.R. Ewing figures.

Images courtesy of Figures Toy Co.; do not copy without permission.

Spotted: Richard Anderson

He was young, young, young, but his facial features and tall lanky form were unmistakable. This was Mr. Richard Anderson, so well-known as Oscar Goldman on "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Bionic Woman," but known to us "Dynasty" fans as Buck Fallmont, starring in an old black-and-white episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour."

He wasn't playing the troubled alcoholic like Buck, nor the kind and reserved guy like Oscar. In 1964's "Who Needs an Enemy?" Anderson is shrewd, accusatory, and betrayed by his business partner. He seeks the truth, and he gets shystered. But for how long? Hmmm ... You know there's always a twist in these things. Maybe not as sharp a twist as Hitchcock's competition at the time, Rod Serling and his masterful "Twilight Zone," but a nice little twist at the end all the same.

Paul Baxley, stunt coordinator of "The Dukes of Hazzard," shows up in this episode, too, in a minor role.

Announcing a bigger "Dynasty High"!

It's bold, with a luscious new cover by Baltimore artist Dale Cuthbertson. It's big, with a whopping 180 pages of additional content from the previous print editions, nearly doubling the book's size! And it's out there now -- available in all the places you saw it before. It's the new print edition of "Dynasty High," the BRBTV reference guide to TV's classic 1980s "Dynasty" and "The Colbys."

In a December post we told you about the updated Kindle edition of the book, which incorporated a whole lot of new content. Well, we've now added all of this new content to the print edition:

• Interview with Pamela Sue Martin, aka the original Fallon Carrington
• Interview with Stephanie Beacham, aka Sable Colby
• Interview with Terri Garber, aka Leslie Carrington
• Interview with Jeannie Epper, stuntwoman for Linda Evans
• Interview with writer Camille Marchetta 
• Interview with David Baker, stablehand on "The Colbys"
• Boosted episode guide, with the rewatching of Seasons 1 through 7.5 of "Dynasty" and most of "The Colbys" episodes
• A feature on the shows' various locations
• A closer look at the Filoli estate
• Boosted and updated actor bio information
• An at-a-glance character chart
• Boosted and updated merchandise guide

The price is right, just $15.50 like the other BRBTV print books, even though this one is the biggest in page count so far. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed putting it together!

JTV offers some delicious bling to deck you out like a "Dynasty" dame

You saw it on screen, and now you can own it. At least something a whole lot like it. JTV's new "Dynasty" Collection offers jewelry inspired by our beloved '80s soap -- and quite a few pieces patterned exactly after the actual pieces worn in the series.

The shopping network unveiled its new collection at noon Eastern today, in a delightful two-hour block punctuated by the "Dynasty" opening theme music and screenshots of Joan Collins as Alexis in some of these inspiring jewelry pieces. This line, designed by Udi Behr, is exclusive to JTV, and it's quite heavy on the luxe-and-sparkle thing. It's not all genuine stones and solid gold, however, but then neither was what was worn on-screen, Stephanie Beacham, aka Sable Colby, told BRBTV in a recent interview. It was costume jewelry so that the show wouldn't have to deal with the insurance and security burden. So hey -- when they're saying here that you can own something just like what was worn in the show, they mean it!

The two-hour launch of the line highlighted several items mimicking the screen-used baubles, with designer Behr giving a little background of when the original piece was worn (all of the following were in Season 5):

• Simulated ruby earrings and heart-shaped simulated ruby and pearl necklace like Alexis wore in a courtroom scene while she was on trial for killing Mark Jennings in Season 5
• White enamel and simulated diamond ring like Alexis wore in the episode where Blake discovers Amanda and suspects she is his daughter, "The Secret"
• Gold-plated black onyx necklace and earrings (with ring added to complete the set) like Alexis wore in another Season 5 episode of the Mark Jennings murder storyline
• Huge round simulated diamond ring worn by Alexis in the Season 5 episode "The Crash," dubbed the "Whimsically Woven" ring
• Gold-plated tassel pendant like Alexis wore in the episode "Swept Away"
• Simulated diamond earrings and bangle worn by Alexis in "The Secret"
• Simulated emerald and white enamel bangle like Alexis wore in "Fallon"
• Marquise solitaire simulated diamond pendant like Alexis wore in "The Secret"

(OK, so where's Krystle's stuff? We wanna see that fab emerald necklace she pawned in Season 1!)

And take heart, "Dynasty" dreamers -- many pieces are less than $100.

This licensing deal with JTV was two years in the making, Behr said. He works on ABC's "Revenge" now and noted that to him the Hamptons-based primetime show is like "a continuation of 'Dynasty.'"

Motor City Comic Con: Adrian Paul

And finally .... To really round out our video coverage of this year's Motor City Comic Con in Novi, Michigan, in nice style, we give you one more celeb guest of the event. Mr. Adrian Paul, known to so many folks as the star of the "Highlander" TV series but known to us at BRBTV as Bliss' ballerina boyfriend Kolya on "The Colbys," appeared at the con and gave a Q-and-A session with fans on the Saturday afternoon of that weekend.

He talked about all kinds of stuff -- particularly about the way he's had to get physical for his roles over the years. Outside of the panel, at his table, BRBTV chatted with Paul a bit, trying to see what we could rustle up on our beloved "Dynasty" spinoff.

"Oh, that was a long time ago!" he quipped. Oh, sigh ... Well, we may just be following up with Paul for a one-on-one interview. Stay tuned for that. But in the meantime, enjoy Paul's chat with the fans from the show ...

Photo of Adrian Paul and Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV by James R. Green Jr.; please do not copy without permission.

Motor City Comic Con: Jason Faunt

He's the Red Ranger on "Power Rangers Time Force" and "Power Rangers Wild Force," but his talents go beyond that. Jason Faunt also almost became a professional baseball player. This hunky guy tells us about that and other stuff (he's a model and a daddy, too!) in our interview with him at this year's Motor City Comic Con.



Tomorrow wraps up our 10-part video series from the Motor City show with a two-part panel series for Adrian Paul! We've really loved bringing it to you, as BRB and James had a wonderful time talking to these folks (so many of them are actors we've admired for a long time!).

 

Photo by James R. Green Jr.; please do not copy without permission.

Motor City Comic Con: Brian Tochi

Brian Tochi did a classic "Star Trek" episode. Brian Tochi also did a classic "Wonder Woman" episode. Brian Tochi even did the "Revenge of the Nerds" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." Brian Tochi has a big-ole-honkin' resume chock-full of goodies over the decades. But there is one thing and one thing only that BRBTV wanted to discuss with Brian Tochi at this year's Motor City Comic Con. A little '80s soap called "Santa Barbara." Seriously, we hardly ever see "SB" stars at these cons!!!

Our 10-part video series from the Motor City show last month continues with the fun and friendly Brian Tochi!

We've got just two celebs left to show ya in our 10-part series ... Our clue for tomorrow: Red Ranger!

  

Brian Tochi and BRB.

Photo by James R. Green Jr.; please do not copy without permission.

Motor City Comic Con: Erika Eleniak

She's the second "Baywatch" babe to be featured on the BRBTV YouTube channel. Did you also know she's a writer? The lovely Erika Eleniak is a soon-to-be-published children's book author. She tells us about that project as well as what else she's got going on now -- and what (or who!) is at the very top of her priority list. Our celeb coverage of this year's Motor City Comic Con continues ...



Coming up tomorrow as our series continues: A Turtle, a Nerd, or the assistant of the Major??? We just know you won't get that one!

 

Photo by James R. Green Jr.; please do not copy without permission.

Motor City Comic Con: Raphael Sbarge

One redhead wearing red, talking to another redhead wearing red, with a red background, no less!!!! Sounds like nirvana to us, but it really happened at the Motor City Comic Con when Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV got to interview Mr. Raphael Sbarge, one of the stars of one of the best shows currently on television, if we may beg your indulgence by saying so, "Once Upon a Time"!

It's the next installment of the whopping 10-part celeb video series we've been serving up from the con, which happened May 17-19 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. Sbarge talks about his "Once" character -- both the fairytale one Jiminy Cricket and the decidedly more human one, Dr. Archie Hopper (yes, you read that right -- catch the show! it's great!). We were so excited to talk to Sbarge, and frankly, he's more dashing in real life.



Thanks so much, Mr. Sbarge, for talking to us, and thanks again to James R. Green Jr. for his continued fine camera work.

In tomorrow's installment of our continuing series: A "Baywatch" babe!

Motor City Comic Con: Ernest Thomas

Hey - HEY - hey!!! ... No, it's not Dwayne, but it's the guy who kept him in check! Mr. Ernest Thomas of the classic '70s "What's Happening!!" was one of the celeb guests at the Motor City Comic Con in Novi, Michigan, a couple weeks back. BRB of BRBTV was thrilled to talk to him. As Raj on that show he was the voice of reason, the level-headed one of the trio of young guys, but as Ernest Thomas, he's brought a lot of love and light into people's lives over the years. Thomas talks with us about that, about some projects he has coming up, and about the kinds of things that are most important to him.



On Monday, our 10-part Motor City Comic Con interview series continues. We're only halfway through, and next up is someone from our favorite fairytale land!!!!

 

Ernest Thomas and BRB.

Photo by James R. Green Jr.; please do not copy without permission.

Motor City Comic Con: Walter Koenig

What becomes a "Star Trek" legend most? Maybe it's getting the girl, as they say? Well, Mr. Walter Koenig of the original "Trek" series weighed in on that and some other finer points of classic TV stardom in our interview with him from the Motor City Comic Con earlier this month. As the original Pavel Chekov, he's got some great insight. He's also got a goofy interviewer here, as Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV silly-gooses her way through this chat with such a big star from one of her very favorite TV shows!



Tomorrow, we round out the week with .... well, we'll give you a clue in two words ... "What's Happening!!"

Motor City Comic Con: Zoie Palmer

We've got 10 straight business days of celeb interviews from the 2013 Motor City Comic Con, all this week and all next week, and the next one on our hit list is the lovely Zoie Palmer of "Lost Girl."

For this one, longtime Washington, D.C.-area photographer (and frequent BRBTV camera man!) James R. Green Jr. takes a turn with the mike to find out some fun behind-the-scenes from Palmer on not only "Lost Girl" but also some of her other roles, such as Anya on "Nikita."

Tomorrow, our series continues with a "Star Trek" legend!

 

Photo by James R. Green Jr.; please do not copy without permission.

Next up in our Motor City Comic Con coverage: Aaron Ashmore

Nope, he's not the one from the "X-Men" movies, but he does get confused with his twin brother Shawn a whole lot. In fact, by the time we talked to him on Friday evening at this month's Motor City Comic Con, Aaron Ashmore told us he'd been confused with his twin "about 100 times." He'll forgive you, though, because you'll definitely remember and love him as shutterbug Jimmy Olsen on "Smallville," and you might have caught him on the current "Warehouse 13."

As our 10-day video spree from the Motor City show continues, Ashmore shares with us some thoughts about "Smallville," about the con circuit, and even about photography!



Coming up tomorrow as the series continues: One of Ashmore's "Lost Girl" castmates!

Kicking off our Motor City Comic Con 2013 interview series: Curtis Armstrong

Buckle your seat belts, TV fans, because BRBTV is just coming off the 2013 Motor City Comic Con at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan, a week or two back, and we're going to take you on a high-speed chase of great celeb interviews. From the '70s to the '80s to the '90s and even just this month (can you say "Once Upon a Time"? "Lost Girl"?), we've got so many great TV shows and movies covered with these stars, it's pretty mind-blowing. Ten stars in 10 days -- can you believe it!?! We'll give you a little break for the weekend, but otherwise it's full speed ahead and straight on 'til  morning!

First up to kick off this massive 10-day spree is Mr. Curtis Armstrong, whom we knew best as Herbert Viola on "Moonlighting" but a lot of you know from the "Revenge of the Nerd" movies. Armstrong chatted with us on the Saturday morning of the con, reminiscing about "Moonlighting" and talking about his new projects, which includes a little something in the "Nerds" realm, as well as "Supernatural" and "New Girl."



Tomorrow, our series continues with a touch of "Smallville" ...

Catch John Schneider in "The Haves and the Have Nots" on Tuesday

We love the stuff that Tyler Perry produces, because we know where his priorities are. And combine it with Oprah Winfrey and her OWN network, and it makes it even better. But then, throw in one of our "Dukes of Hazzard" stars, and it's golden!!!!

Yes, John ("Bo Duke") Schneider will be featured in the cast of "The Haves and the Have Nots," premiering this Tuesday on OWN. Schneider is the Cryer family patriarch in the series, a "powerful judge whose double life, including tawdry affairs with high-priced escorts, puts his family and political ambitions at risk," the official description says. The action is set in Savannah and explores the relationships between the wealthy Cryer family and its hired help. Get a peek at Schneider in the first look and the Cryer family videos.

You can tune in to the two-hour premiere at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Next up for Catherine Oxenberg: "11 Seconds"

At the Motor City Comic Con this past weekend, BRBTV got the chance to chat with the handsome Casper Van Dien (more handsome in real life, trust us), who just happens to be married to one of the stars of our beloved "Dynasty," Catherine Oxenberg. We asked Van Dien if he had any more projects with his wife coming up, and he told us about "11 Seconds," a film he just finished shooting. Written and directed by Daniel Lusko, the movie also features Monte Markham of "Dallas." Van Dien couldn't tell us when to expect it, however.

See a photo from the set on Van Dien's Twitter, and a little blurb about the movie at GeekChicElite.

Screenshot from a BRBTV video shot at the event; stay tuned to this blog for some great interviews from the Motor City show!

Bits 'n' pieces: Michael Nader returns to "AMC"; Lane Davies returns to "Comedy of Errors"

The news hit the 'Net this week that Dimitri Marick, known to us "Dynasty" fans as Dex Dexter, and known to perhaps his family and friends as ... oh, I don't know ... Michael Nader (!), is making a return to his role on "All My Children" in early June. Read a little more at RealityTVWorld or Deadline.com (including a photo, wow).

Lane Davies of "Santa Barbara" and "Dallas," meanwhile, will bring his production of Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors," which BRBTV was delighted to see a couple years ago, back to the Tennessee Shakespeare Fest in June and July. The festival has moved to the campus of the Baylor School in Chattanooga. See the festival site for more.

Spotted: Sonny Shroyer

Major OMG, was that Sonny Shroyer we spotted in the 1998 John Grisham film "The Gingerbread Man"? Raiding a run-down home of hobo types, looking for the terrorizing dad of a threatened young woman? We thought we heard his voice as we were curled up on the couch watching that scene last night, and sure enough, there he was in the credits. True to form, he was playing a sheriff in Georgia in the movie, also featuring Kenneth Branaugh and Robert Downey Jr.

Shroyer has a couple new projects in the works, filming "Dead End" and attached to "When the Storm God Rides." The former also has his "Dukes" castmate and fellow law enforcer Don Pedro ("Sheriff Little") Colley, and it comes from the agency that reps both actors. The latter is a Western that includes William Katt of "Greatest American Hero" and William Shockley, the hottie with the long hair we just adored on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman."

"Dukes" and "Dallas" action figures in the works -- and yes, there's Batman, too

A 12-inch action figure of J.R. Ewing? Say it is so! Well, it will be soon, as part of the Figures Toy Co.'s just-announced action figure lines. This "Dallas" line calls for two different styles of J.R. figures inspired by the classic TV series, one in an "Oil Tycoon" style and one for the famous "Who Shot J.R." storyline.

That would be enough to send us off scoping out that extra shelf in the house, but then they've gotta throw "The Dukes of Hazzard" into this, too. Bo, Luke, Rosco and Boss to begin with, then the other characters in future waves (let's hope they're decent enough to include Coy and Vance), and in two sizes -- not just the 12-inch but also a Mego-like 8-inch???? This almost seems too good to be true.

And you really can't talk action figures without talking Batman, so he's in there, too, in the '60s TV style. Geez Louise, are they trying to kill us?! We'll take one of those carrying cases, too!

They're armed with the licenses, but there's no official word on release dates, at least in this week's press release. But follow Figures Toy Co. on Facebook to get in on the news.