Catch Barbara Eden and other TV faves at appearances in the coming weeks

There sure are a load of celeb book signings and appearances coming up, and they include some great stars of classic TV like Barbara Eden of "Dallas" and "I Dream of Jeannie." Thanks to James for passing this along!

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA legend, signing copies of Sasquatch in the Paint

• 10/3/13 5:00 PM at Bookends – East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ.
• 10/12/13 2:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA.

Julie Adams, star of "The Creature From the Black Lagoon", signing copies of The Lucky Southern Star

• 9/7/13 6:30 PM at the Egyptian Theater - Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA. Books sold by Larry Edmunds Bookshop.
• 9/13/13 2:30 PM at the Egyptian Theater - Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA. Books sold by Larry Edmunds Bookshop.

Amber Benson, star of "Buffy", signing copies of the 2014 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Calendar

• 9/14/13 2:00 PM at Dark Delicacies - West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA.

Big Time Rush members Kendall & Logan wil be signing autographs.

• 9/13/13 4:00 PM at Lefty's Sports Cards - El Camino Real. Burlingame, CA.

Brandon Boyd, lead singer of Incubus, signing copies of Sons of the Sea

• 9/30/13 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Warren Street. New York, NY.

Anne Burrell, host of "Worst Cooks In America", signing copies of Own Your Kitchen

• 10/19/13 1:00 PM at BookPeople – North Lamar. Austin, TX.

Jim Carrey, actor & comedian, signing copies of How Rowland Rolls

• 10/5/13 2:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Union Square. New York, NY.
• 10/26/13 2:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA.

Nick Carter, member of the Backstreet Boys, signing copies of Facing the Music

• 9/23/13 12:30 PM at Barnes & Noble - East 54th Street. New York, NY.
• 9/23/13 6:00 PM at Bookends – East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ.
• 9/27/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA. 

Tim Conway, legendary funny man, signing copies of What's So Funny?

• 10/29/13 7:00 PM at Book Revue – New York Avenue. Huntington, NY.

Billy Crystal, comedian and actor, signing copies of Still Foolin' 'Em

• 9/10/13 7:30 PM at Bookends – East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ.
• 9/11/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Union Square. New York, NY.
• 9/15/13 Noon at Book Revue – New York Avenue. Huntington, NY.
• 9/26/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA.

The stars of "The Days Of Our Lives", including Dierdre Hall, Chandler Massey, James Scott, & Kristian Alfonso, signing copies of Better Living

• 9/23/13 Noon at Barnes & Noble - Fifth Avenue. New York, NY.
• 9/23/13 7:00 PM at Books & Greetings – Livingston Street. Northvale, NJ.
• 9/27/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Old Orchard Center. Skokie, IL.  

Jamie Deen, host of "Home For Dinner", signing copies of Jamie Deen's Good Food

• 10/2/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Pineville-Matthews Road. Charlotte, NC.
• 10/8/13 6:00 PM at FoxTale Book Shoppe - East Main St. Woodstock, GA.

Giada De Laurentiis, Food Network star, signing copies of Recipe For Adventure

• 9/7/13 Noon at Books & Greetings – Livingston Street. Northvale, NJ.
• 9/11/13 7:00 PM at BookPeople – North Lamar. Austin, TX. 
• 9/20/13 6:00 PM at Books & Books - Collins Avenue. Bal Harbour, FL.

Haylie Duff, singer & actress, signing copies of The Real Girl's Kitchen

• 10/18/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Americana Way. Glendale, CA. 

Barbara Eden hosts a screening of I Dream of Jeanie episodes and will be signing autographs.

• 9/6/13 7:00 PM at Hollywood Palms Cinemas - South Route 59. Naperville, IL.

Robert Englund hosts a screening of Nightmare on Elm Street and will be signing autographs.

• 10/25/13 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 9:00 PM at Hollywood Blvd. Cinemas - West 75th Street. Woodridge, IL.
• 10/26/13 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 9:00 PM at Hollywood Palms Cinemas - South Route 59. Naperville, IL.
• 10/27/13 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM at Hollywood Blvd. Cinemas - West 75th Street. Woodridge, IL.

Julius "Dr. J, Erving, NBA Hall of Famer, signing copies of Dr. J

• 11/4/13 6:00 PM at Book Revue – New York Avenue. Huntington, NY 

Donald Fagen, member of Steely Dan, signing copies of Eminent Hipsters

• 10/22/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Union Square. New York, NY.  

Will Ferrell (as Ron Burgandy), signing copies of Let Me Off at the Top! My Classy Life

• 11/20/13 6:30 PM at Barnes & Noble - Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA. 

Soleil Moon Frye, star of "Punky Brewster", signing copies of Let's Get This Party Started 

• 10/20/13 2:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA. 

Melissa Gorga, star of "Real Housewives of New Jersey", signing copies of Love Italian Style 

• 9/17/13 7:00 PM at Mendham Books – Route 24. Mendham, NJ.
• 9/18/13 7:00 PM at Books & Greetings – Livingston Street. Northvale, NJ.
• 9/19/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Almonesson Road. Deptford, NJ.
• 9/21/13 1:00 PM at Bookends – East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ.
• 9/24/13 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Rowan University - Rowan Blvd. Glassboro, NJ.
• 9/25/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Richmond Avenue. Staten Island, NY.
• 9/27/13 7:00 PM at Book Revue – New York Avenue. Huntington, NY.

Ceelo Green, singer & star of "The Voice", signing copies of Everybody's Brother 

• 9/10/13 12:30 PM at Barnes & Noble – Fifth Avenue. New York, NY.
• 9/10/13 7:00 PM at Books & Greetings – Livingston Street. Northvale, NJ.
• 9/21/13 2:00 PM at Books & Books - Aragon Avenue. Coral Gables, FL.  

Dallas Green, former Phillies, Yankees, and Mets manager, signing copies of The Mouth That Roared 

• 9/14/13 Noon at Barnes & Noble – Neshaminy Mall. Bensalem, PA. 

Alan Greenspan, former head of the Federal Reserve, signing copies of The Map and the Territory 

• 10/23/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Union Square. New York, NY. 

Chris Hadfield, shuttle astronaut, signing copies of An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

• 11/1/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Union Square. New York, NY. 
• 11/6/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Old Orchard Center. Skokie, IL.
• 11/11/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA.
• 11/16/13 2:00PM at Bolen Books - Hillside Avenue. Victoria, British Columbia.
• 11/23/13 1:00 PM at Degroots Nurseries Greenhouse - London Line. Sarnia, Ontario.

Gunnar Hansen, Leatherface himself, signing copies of Chain Saw Confidential 

• 9/19/13 7:00 PM at Book Soup - Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA. 
• 9/21/13 2:00 PM at Dark Delicacies - West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA.
• 9/29/13 7:00 PM at BookPeople – North Lamar. Austin, TX. 

Melissa Joan Hart, star of "Melissa & Joey, signing copies of Melissa Explains It All 

• 10/29/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – 86th & Lexington. New York, NY.
• 10/30/13 7:00 PM at Book Revue – New York Avenue. Huntington, NY. 

John Heard, Robbie Rist, Cassie Scerbo, & Jaason Simmons, stars of "Sharnado", signing copies of Sharknado

• 9/8/13 2:00 PM at Dark Delicacies - West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA. 

Tippi Hedren hosts a screening of The Birds and will be signing autographs.

• 9/6/13 7:00 PM at Hollywood Blvd. Cinemas - West 75th Street. Woodridge, IL.

Jenna Jameson, former adult film star, signing copies of Sugar 

• 10/22/13 Noon at Barnes & Noble – Fifth Avenue. New York, NY.
• 10/25/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA. 

Jewel, singer/songwriter & poet, signing copies of Sweet Dreams

• 9/17/13 4:00 PM at Book Revue – New York Avenue. Huntington, NY
• 9/18/13 4:00 PM at Books & Greetings – Livingston Street. Northvale, NJ.

Taiwan Jones, Jacoby Ford, & Sio Moore, Oakland Raiders stars will be signing autographs.

• 9/10/13 6:30 PM at the Sty-Lish Salon - Broadway. Oakland, CA.

Stacy Keach, star of "Mike Hammer" and "Up In Smoke", signing copies of All In All

• 11/12/13 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Warren Street. New York, NY. 

Garrison Keillor, host of "Prairie Home Companion", signing copies of O, What A Luxury

• 10/21/13 7:30 PM at Tattered Cover - 16th Street. Denver, CO.
• 10/30/13 7:00 PM at Anderson's Bookshop - West Jefferson Avenue. Naperville, IL.
• 11/3/13 2:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Galleria. Edina, MN. 
• 11/14/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - West Northwest Highway. Dallas, TX. 

Piper Laurie, star of "The Hustler" and "Carrie", signing copies of Learning To Live Out Loud

• 9/10/13 8:45 PM at the Egyptian Theater - Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA. Books sold by Larry Edmunds Bookshop.

Mark Lester, Ron Moody, & Shani Wallis host a screening of Oliver! and will be signing autographs.

• 9/7/13 6:30 PM at Hollywood Palms Cinemas - South Route 59. Naperville, IL.
• 9/8/13 4:00 PM at Hollywood Blvd. Cinemas - West 75th Street. Woodridge, IL.

John Lewis,  US congressman & civil rights leader, signing copies of March

• 9/8/13 4:00 PM at Politics & Prose - Connecticut Avenue NW. Washington DC.

Kenny Loggins, rock & roller, signing copies of Frosty the Snowman

• 11/20/13 7:00 PM at Book Revue – New York Avenue. Huntington, NY.

Julianne Moore, Oscar nominated actress, signing copies of My Mom Is A Foreigner, But Not To Me 

• 11/4/13 11:00 AM at Barnes & Noble - East 86th Street. New York, NY. 

Graham Nash, rock & roll legend, signigng copies of Wild Tales 

• 9/23/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Union Square. New York, NY. 

Ted Neeley, Yvonne Elliman, Barry Dennen, & Josh Mostel host a screening of Jesus Christ Superstar and will be signing autographs.

• 9/7/13 6:30 PM at Hollywood Blvd. Cinemas - West 75th Street. Woodridge, IL.
• 9/8/13 4:00 PM at Hollywood Palms Cinemas - South Route 59. Naperville, IL.

Bob Odenkirk & David Cross, the stars of "Mr. Show", signing copies of Hollywood Said No!

• 9/10/13 7:30 PM at the Powerhouse Arena - Main Street. Brooklyn, NY.
• 9/19/13 2:30 PM at Barnes & Noble - Mineral Point Road. Madison, WI.  

Nick Offerman, star of "Parks and Recreation", signing copies of Paddle Your Own Canoe 

• 10/2/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Union Square. New York, NY. 

Kevin O'Leary, star of "Shark Tank", signing copies of The Cold Hard Truth on Men, Women, & Money 

• 9/16/13 7:00 PM at the Murray Community & Senior Center - Veterans Way. Mission Viejo, CA. Books sold by A Whale Of A Tale Bookstore.

Bobby Orr, hockey legend, signing copies of Orr: My Story 

• 10/17/13 Noon at Barnes & Noble - Boylston Street. Boston, MA.
• 10/21/13 12:30 PM at Barnes & Noble - East 54th Street. New York, NY.
• 10/22/13 2:00 PM at Bookends – East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ.  

Sharon Osborne, wife of Ozzy, signing copies of Mama Hook Knows Best 

• 9/18/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA. 

Lara Parker, star of "Dark Shadows", signing copies of Dark Shadows: Wolf Moon Rising 

• 9/9/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - East 86th Street. New York, NY.
• 9/14/13 2:00 PM at Dark Delicacies - West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA.  

Rick Pitino, legendary basketball coach, signing copies of One Day Contract

• 10/2/13 12:30 PM at Barnes & Noble - East 54th Street. New York, NY.
• 10/5/13 10:00 AM at Barnes & Noble - Summitt Plaza Drive. Louisville, KY.
• 10/29/13 7:00 PM at Bookends – East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ.

Robin Quivers, Howard Stern's sidekick, signing copies of The Vegucation of Robin 

• 10/9/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Union Square. New York, NY.
• 10/12/13 1:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Route 3 East. Clifton, NJ. 

Anne Rice, bestselling author, signing copies of The Wolves of Midwinter 

• 10/16/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Union Square. New York, NY. 

Linda Ronstadt, pop & country music legend, signing copies of Simple Dreams 

• 9/19/13 6:00 at the Coolidge Corner Theater - Harvard Street. Brookline, MA. Books sold by Brookline Booksmith.
• 9/26/13 7:30 at the Nourse Theater - Hayes Street. San Francisco, CA. Books sold by Books Inc.  

Jerry Ross, space shuttle astronaut, signing copies of Spacewalker 

• 9/17/13 6:00 PM at the Kansas Cosmosphere - North Plum. Hutchinson, KS.
• 9/22/13 2:00 PM at the Challenger Learning Center - 173rd Street. Hammond, IN. 
• 12/6/13 11:00 AM at Annette's Emporium - East Main Street. League City, TX.  

Michael Showalter, comedian & actor, signing copies of Guys Can Be Cat Ladies Too 

• 9/9/13 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Warren Street. New York, NY. 

Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley, founding members of KISS, signing copies of Nothin' To Lose

• 9/10/13 1:00 PM at Bookends – East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ.
• 9/12/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA.

Tori Spelling, star of "Beverly Hills 90210", signing copies of Spelling It Like It Is

• 10/23/13 7:00 PM at Bookends – East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ.

John Stockton, former NBA star, signing copies of Assisted

• 10/30/13 7:00 PM at Bookends – East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ.

Aisha Tyler, actress and star of "The Talk", signing copies of Self-Inflicted Wounds  

• 9/18/13 7:00PM at Book Soup - Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA. 

Jesse Ventura, wrestler and politician, signing copies of They Killed Our President 

• 10/3/13 7:00 PM at Bookends – East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ. 
• 10/6/13 2:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Union Turnpike. Fresh Meadows, NJ.
• 10/7/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Rutgers University - Somerset Street. New Bruswick, NJ.
• 10/8/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Route 17 South. Paramus, NJ.
• 10/21/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – Apache Mall. Rochester, MN.
• 10/24/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble – HarMar Mall. Roseville, MN.

Metta World Peace, NBA star, signing copies of Metta's Bedtime Stories

• 9/18/13 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Warren Street. New York, NY.

Al Yankovic, king of the parody song, signing copies of My New Teacher and Me!

• 9/22/13 10:00 AM at the Murray Community & Senior Center - Veterans Way. Mission Viejo, CA. Books sold by A Whale Of A Tale Bookstore.
• 9/22/13 2:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Grove Drive. Los Angeles, CA.
• 9/23/13 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - North May Avenue. Oklahoma City, OK.
• 9/24/13 4:00 PM at the Circle Cinema - South Lewis Avenue. Tulsa, OK. Books sold by Steve's Sundry, Books & Magazines.
• 9/25/13 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Old Country Road. Carle Palce, NY.
• 9/26/13 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Route 3 East. Clifton, NJ.
• 9/28/13 10:00 AM at Mendham Books – Route 24. Mendham, NJ.
• 9/28/13 3:00 PM at Barnes & Noble - Park Avenue. Willow Grove, PA.

Tom Wopat releases vinyl version of "I've Got Your Number"

The latest from Tom (Luke Duke) Wopat's web team ....

Hello everyone - we are happy to let you know about a LOT of new upcoming appearances! The full list is below, we will be posting and adding more information on his website at http://www.tomwopat.com/events and Facebook.

In addition (and you're hearing it here first), on October 8 Tom will be releasing a deluxe, autographed, hand-numbered, limited edition VINYL version of his album "I've Got Your Number." The double-disc package includes songs from his past two releases, plus exclusive in-the-studio photos and a personal message from Tom. So dust off your record players and stay tuned for more information about where to order!

- Tom and the Wopat Webcrew

UPCOMING APPEARANCES:
Sept 7 - LA County Arboretum - Pasadena, CA
Sept 15 - Orchard Beach Car Show - Bronx, NY*
Oct 5 - 54 Below Celebrity Cruise - Cape Liberty NJ to Bermuda
Oct 19 & 20 - Hazzard Homecoming - North Ennis, TX*
Nov 8 - The Stage at Rockwell - Pelham, NY
Nov 23 - Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra - Denver, CO
Nov 30 & Dec 1 - Enid Symphony Hall - Enid, OK
Jan 17 - Charlotte Performing Arts Center - Charlotte, MI
Jan 18 - River Raisin Centre - Monroe, MI
Mar 30 - Eissey Theatre - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Apr 1 - Kravis Center - West Palm Beach, FL
Apr 2-3 - FAU - Boca Raton, FL
Apr 12 - Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts - Orange Park, FL
Apr 19 - Curtis Theatre - Brea, CA

*Signing only
** Please note that the dates in red were canceled due to the Palm Beach Pops canceling their entire 2014 season.  

See what the new J.R. Ewing action figures will look like

They're big, they're beautiful, and we just can't wait. Figures Toy Co. has released images of the two variations of its J.R. Ewing of "Dallas" 12-inch action figure:

The series will include J.R. figures in two different styles: "Oil Tycoon" and "Who Shot J.R." Downright yummy. Pass the bourbon and branch. And see a little bit more at Figures Toy Co.'s site.

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

A look inside Atlanta's Fabrefaction Theatre with BRBTV

A spring trip to Georgia for BRBTV meant not only another "Dukes of Hazzard" event, the Dukes of Hazzard Georgia Reunion in Byron (see our March 2013 posts) but also a journey to downtown Atlanta, where BRB and her friend Tracy got to see the Margaret Mitchell house, the Underground Atlanta mall, and another of the city's gems, the Fabrefaction Theatre.

Mr. Whit Davies, an Atlanta actor who can be found in many of Fabrefaction's shows, was kind enough to take us behind the scenes at the theatre house, telling us a little more about what the group does. It was the day of the final performance of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple," and we also got a look at the costumes used in this '60s piece, plus we talked to the actor who played Oscar in the show.

Take a tour of "Vampire Diaries" locales around Covington, Georgia

Our beloved Covington area of Georgia is not only the birthplace of "The Dukes of Hazzard" -- it has seen a lot of filming of TV and movies over the years. More recently, this region south of Atlanta been the locale for "The Vampire Diaries."

Chad James of Georgia offers tours of "The Vampire Diaries" outdoor locations on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. Each tour lasts approximately two to three hours and is a combination of a “walking tour” and a “caravan tour.” The tour begins promptly at 1 p.m. at the Civil War monument located in the center of the historic Covington town square. Though the tour does not provide interior access to any of the homes featured on the show, it does visit the interior of a couple of businesses that have been used.

On the tour you might see sites like the one below in Olde Town Conyers, Georgia. In the Season 4 episode of The Vampire Diaries titled "We'll Always Have Bourbon Street," Olde Town Conyers doubled as New Orleans, Louisiana. The location where this particular photograph was taken is where Damon and Stefan Salvatore encountered Charlotte (a vampire who was turned by and had been sired to Damon since the 1940s).

With a portion of the tour being a “walking tour,” you're encouraged to dress comfortably. Also, don’t forget to bring a camera!

"The pilot episode of "The Vampire Diaries" was shot in British Columbia, Canada," organizer Chad James explains to BRBTV. "Still, knowing that future episodes of the show would be filmed in and around the Covington, Georgia, area, I really wanted to check the show out. After watching the pilot episode in 2009, I became an immediate fan. The opening scene was really what got me hooked. It was very much a scene one would expect to see in a horror film and was very reminiscent of a scene from the classic '80s vampire flick, 'The Lost Boys.'"

So what inspired this tour -- what really is the appeal of "The Vampire Diaries"?

"There are several things that I like about 'The Vampire Diaries,'" he says. "First, I think that the show is very well-written. And, as a result, I think that the show appeals to a larger demographic than it was initially intended to. Still, the writing would be nothing if the show didn't have such a stellar cast ensemble to bring the characters and the storylines to life. In my opinion, I don't think they could have cast three lead actors any better than Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev, and Paul Wesley."

He explains further: "On more than one occasion, I was on the square in Covington and had people come up to me asking if I knew where some of the homes/buildings featured on 'The Vampires Diaries' were located off of the square. Knowing that there were two tours offered in town, I asked the people if they were aware. A number of people knew about the other tours, but said that they either couldn't afford to pay or simply didn't want to pay the fee to take either of the other tours. So, when I heard this from more than one person, I decided to start up my own tour and offer it at a very reasonable price that hopefully every fan can afford. I really enjoy guiding the tours as I am a 'people person' and enjoy meeting and talking with people. With that said, I'm just as happy taking two people on a tour as I am taking 12. With me being a fan of 'The Vampire Diaries,' I simply want to give other fans of the show an exceptional tour at the most reasonable price I can."

The cost of our tour is $20 per person. Anyone interested in booking a tour must do so no later than 48 hours before the scheduled date of the tour.

"All in all, I believe that our tour is a value and gives fans of 'The Vampire Diaries' an opportunity to see a number of familiar locations that have been featured on the series," Chad says.

Keep up-to-date at the tour's Facebook page, and to book a tour, simply call (678) 936-5457 or email thevampiretours@hotmail.com. And check out TheVampireTours.com.

Photos courtesy of Chad James / The Vampire Tours

Please do not copy without permission

BRB interviews Walt Simonson

Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV continues her work for the Washington, D.C.-based "Fantastic Forum" TV show with this interview with comics giant Walt Simonson. In the talk, Simonson talks about his career, particularly what have been his influences in the industry around him over the years, his collaborations with his wife, Louise, and even his cameo role in the "Thor" movie.



Keep your eye on the "Fantastic Forum" website for more great stuff, and remember you can catch the show in all kinds of places:

• Washington, D.C., on DCTV Comcast channels 95 and 96 and RCN channels 10 and 11 and Verizon FIOS 10.
• Montgomery County, MD, on Montgomery Community Media (MCM-TV) Comcast channel 21.
• Fairfax County, VA, on Fairfax Cable Access (FPA-TV) Cox channel 10.
• Arlington County, VA, on Arlington Independent Media (AIM) on Comcast channel 69 and Verizon FIOS 38.
• Prince George's County, MD, on Prince George's Community Television (CTV) Comcast channel 76 and Verizon FIOS 42.
• Baltimore City, MD, on Community Media of Baltimore (CMBC) Comcast channel 75. 
• YouTube
• Vimeo
• Daily Motion

"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.