Announcing "Let's Roll, Kato: A Guide to TV's Green Hornet" !!!

Two blog posts in one day!!?? Why yes, when it's such a big TV anniversary week! BRBTV is happy to announce a new entry in its product line this week, the culmination of a research project that began a couple years back after an interview with the very kind and gracious Mr. Van Williams, and it's now timed with the 50th anniversary of "The Green Hornet" TV show ...

"Let's Roll, Kato: A Guide to TV's Green Hornet" is the latest in the BRBTV fact book series, and it's an in-depth examination of the show that aired on ABC in the 1966-67 TV season. Though this was a series that ran only one season, you just wouldn't believe the information and fandom that exists on it to this day. It was, after all, the series that launched Bruce Lee's acting career. But this show -- 26 serious-toned, half-hour episodes -- certainly struck a chord with fans. This author talked to several of those fans, along with writers and artists who have been inspired by the series, plus other cast and crew members -- as many as we could find, for a show that's half a century old!

You'll find all sorts of goodies in this one:

• A history of the development of the series, as well as background on each of the principal stars
• Cast list and character guide
• Episode synopses, plus background on the storylines and scripts
• A look at the Black Beauty car, with input from owners of both screen-used and replica vehicles
• A listing of the many gadgets used by the Hornet, both inside the car and out
• An in-depth look at the books and comics that sprung from the series, with input from the writers and artists who helped produce them
• Detailed guide to the vast and varied merchandise celebrating the series, with plenty of photos (color in this Kindle edition!)

With beautiful cover art by Baltimore artist Dale Cuthbertson, “Let’s Roll, Kato” is jam-packed -- this e-edition clocks in at the equivalent of 435 letter-sized pages in Microsoft Word (648 pages by Kindle count)!

Snag it exclusively on Amazon's Kindle platform, readable on any device! And look for a print edition of "Let's Roll, Kato" next year ...

HAPPY 50th TV ANNIVERSARY, "GREEN HORNET"!!!! We celebrate with a special anniversary episode of Terrific TV Toys!

It's the second part of this week's double-header for Terrific TV Toys, and it's another 50th anniversary ... It's the "Green Hornet" TV show that debuted on September 9, 1966, as a sort of companion series to the popular "Batman" on ABC. Produced by the same company, "The Green Hornet" presented another crimefighter in disguise, but one with an edge, posing as a criminal in his dark-green mask and trenchcoat. This series also launched the career of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, who starred as Kato alongside Van Williams' Britt Reid.

Today T3 celebrates that big milestone! The series only lasted a season, but it's beloved by many and joined the ranks of other great shows rising from radio series, such as the Lone Ranger, who was created by the same folks and is actually a relative of the Green Hornet.

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY, "STAR TREK"!!!! We celebrate with a special anniversary episode of Terrific TV Toys!

It may seem hard to believe that 50 years ago today the original "Star Trek" series first debuted on network TV, introducing the world to what would become a pop-cultural behemoth. September 8, 1966 was the date that Captain Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy, Scotty, Sulu, Uhura and the crew took on "The Man Trap" and set us off on an adventure that hopefully will never end! If any television show would seem to live on forever, it would definitely be "Star Trek," with so many big-screen movies, spinoff series, merchandise, cosplaying and general all-around fandom in the five decades hence.

The Terrific TV Toys series celebrates this half-century mark today with a special episode. In it, we look at an anniversary toy for "Trek," but not for its 50th anniversary -- for its 30th in 1996. This cute little Vina figure commemorates Susan Oliver's performance as that green Orion slave girl in the original pilot episode, "The Cage," as well as the first-season two-partner, "The Menagerie."

This T3 episode is actually the first part of a double-header this week ... hmmmm ... what other great classic television show celebrates a half-century mark this week? Find out tomorrow ...

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Barbara Gordon "Surf's Up" variant figure by Figures Toy Co.

Ooooohhh, that lovely lady ... We're talking about Yvonne Craig as Ms. Barbara Gordon on the 1960s "Batman" series. She came along in the third season as Barbara / Batgirl, and the geek world was never the same.

As part of their larger collection focusing on the classic TV series, Figures Toy Co. has already crafted a Barbara Gordon figure and a Batgirl figure (about time they rolled out some females!), but what you see in this week's episode of Terrific TV Toys is a variant of the Barbara figure as one of a special foursome commemorating the third-season "Surf's Up" episode. Grab your surfboard!



Coming up in September: Two very special episodes celebrating the 50th anniversary of two different classic series! Can you guess which two?

John Schneider hosts concert to benefit Louisiana flood victims

Thanks to Phyllis for passing along this press release ...

................

Branson, MO – John Schneider (Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard") will be hosting a benefit concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 28 at the Starlite Theater in Branson, Missouri. Schneider will be joined in this performance event by local entertainers Jason Pritchett and The Steel Horses, as well as Johnny Lee to raise funds to support Louisiana flood victims.

In a statement issued on Monday, John Schneider said, “I am very excited about going back to Branson! I haven’t been there to perform in over 30 years, [and] there has been a big hole in my soul where Branson used to be.”

City of Branson Mayor Best added “I am very excited to welcome my old friend, John, back to Branson, and I am humbled by his outpouring of support to victims of these tragic circumstances.”

Schneider relates to the loss experienced by his Louisiana neighbors, having two studios heavily damaged by previous floods. While his success afforded him the opportunity to rebuild, his heart goes out to those less fortunate who are unable to fund a new beginning after losing everything.

In addition to the concert, a silent auction will be held, offering a variety of items to be sold to the highest bidder. Area businesses interested in donating items to support this fundraising effort are asked to contact event coordinator, Tina Richardson at 417-335-1707 or by email at tslay23@yahoo.com.

The cost of admission is by donation, with suggested minimum of $20 per ticket. Doors open at 6 p.m. The money raised will be given to Convoy of Hope to extend to flood victims.

This event has been made possible by the generosity of Convoy of Hope along Starlite Theater, Summerwinds Resorts, HCW, and Clear Entertainment and Marketing Group.

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Chief O'Hara "Surf's Up" variant figure by Figures Toy Co.

You know, Chief O'Hara is a crimefighter, too! He may not have a flashy disguise like Batman, but in this week's episode of Terrific TV Toys, you'll see that he does have a pretty crafty disguise, anyway! In the third-season episode "Surf's Up, Joker's Under" of the classic '60s "Batman," Chief O'Hara and Commissioner Gordon go to Gotham Point beach in their disguises to investigate the disappearance of a renowned surfer. O'Hara, ever the faithful law enforcement officer, even has a surfboard in tow to make it look really good. It's the third figure in a set of four by Figures Toy Co. celebrating this particular episode ...



Next week: At last, a girl figure in this set!!!!

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Joker "Surf's Up" variant figure by Figures Toy Co.

Whoever knew green paisley could look so good? Cesar Romero donned some goofy swim trunks -- over his magenta Joker costume, of course -- for the third-season "Surf's Up, Joker's Under" episode of TV's classic "Batman" series, so by necessity the Figures Toy Co. action figure of him must follow suit! (So to speak!) This week on Terrific TV Toys, we show you this variant Joker figure from the set of four celebrating this beachside episode ...



Next week: Chief O'Hara's got a surfboard, too, even if he doesn't use it!

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Batman "Surf's Up" variant figure by Figures Toy Co.

We've gone from a smokin-hot July into a smoldering August. Ain't summer grand? Yea, actually, we love it. This week we're hanging at the Bat-Beach on Terrific TV Toys -- for the next few weeks, actually. We're examining, up-close and personal, the set of four variant figures by Figures Toy Co. made especially for the "Surf's Up, Joker's Under" episode of the third season of the 1960s "Batman" TV series.

Our ole Bat-Buddy is the first one up of the four; stay tuned next week for Joker!

Terrific TV Toys on Wheels: The Mystery Machine!

We'll celebrate the closing of July with another installment in Terrific TV Toys on Wheels, a sort of subseries to our regular show, Terrific TV Toys. This comes from an event earlier this month, the Fourth of July parade in Northville, Michigan, where a replica of a very recognizable TV star car made its debut, to the cheers of a bazillion little kids who certainly know their Scooby!

It's the Mystery Machine, fresh out of the shop with a brand-new paint job and some mechanical work, and it really rode the parade in style! In fact, it even had a very huge stuffed Scooby-Doo in tow that you'll recognize if you've seen other episodes of the T3 series. That's Buckzilla right there in the front seat with BRB of BRBTV, cosplaying Daphne Blake, and her hunky driver! You can call him Fred!

Stay tuned ... Next week, T3 continues the Bat-Blitz of 2016 with a special variant series by Figures Toy Co.!

Terrific TV Toys: J.R. Ewing ornament by Hallmark

That ole J.R. Ewing ... he sure can wheel and deal himself in and out of any situation, can't he? Well, can he also finagle himself a prime spot on your Christmas tree this holiday season? Hallmark is hoping so, because they just released a Keepsake Ornament featuring that scion of Southfork Ranch, and it's the subject of this week's episode of Terrific TV Toys.

The firm figurehead of the classic primetime soap "Dallas" is perched right there on this ornament, in all his glory, and he'll play the theme music from "Dallas," to boot, when you push the button on his base! See this brand-new Hallmark ornament, just hitting stores this month, up-close and personal ...

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Alfred figure by Figures Toy Co.

He can dust like nobody's business, and he's very good at telling Bruce and Dick -- in code when Aunt Harriet is around -- that the Batphone is ringing. He's Alfred, and his faithful service at stately Wayne Manor is a thing of beauty. His action figure by Figures Toy Co. is rather lovely, too, and it's the subject of this week's episode of the Terrific TV Toys series. It rounds out series 4 from the company ...



Next week, we return to Southfork Ranch for a special "Christmas in July" ...

Check out the trailer for John Schneider's new film, streaming on Thursday

We've always known our Bo Duke had talent. We watch John Schneider dominate his scenes on Tyler Perry's "The Haves and the Have Nots" each week on OWN right now, but of course, back in the day on "The Dukes of Hazzard" he thrilled female hearts everywhere with his talent and charisma. Schneider is making movies these days out of a studio in Louisiana, inspired by folks like Perry, and his latest, "Like Son," is being released online on Thursday.

We just watched the trailer, and we have to applaud Schneider if for nothing other than the quest to produce a film that actually says something and doesn't feel obligated to just flash a bunch of pretty 20-somethings at us like so many other movies these days. We don't necessarily need the eye candy, and some of us moviegoers want to feel something and learn more about ourselves as human beings. This one looks good, and this author will definitely watch it.

You can catch the trailer now on the official "Like Son" website, and stream the movie in a few days.

Terrific TV Toys: '66 King Tut figure by Figures Toy Co.

"How'd ya get so funky???? Must've done the Monkey ..." 

If you know what that comes from, we're scared for you. And if you don't, well, just Google this guy named Steve Martin ...

Anyway, we know how popular King Tut has been over the years. Egypt's boy king whose tomb was discovered in 1922 has always intrigued us in the modern culture. And King Tut was the inspiration for a villain created just for the 1960s "Batman" TV series starring Adam West. This portly patriarch was portrayed by Victor Buono, and to great effect. This week's installment of the Terrific TV Toys series shows you the action figure for this character crafted by Figures Toy Co. as part of series 4 of their collection for the show. Enjoy!

"Arrow" and "Flash" stars converge on Heroes and Villains con in New York

Many thanks once again to guest blogger Brian Lombard, filing this fab report from the field after meeting cast members from a couple of our favorite shows this past weekend at the Heroes and Villains Fan Fest ...
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While many Americans were spending the holiday weekend in their backyards or at baseball games, fans of the TV series’ “Arrow” and “Flash” descended on the Big Apple for the Heroes and Villains convention. Both casts were well represented, and they were joined by actors from their sister shows “Gotham” and “Legends of Tomorrow.” I love all of these shows, so my attendance was a foregone conclusion.

I always love the opportunity to get a star’s autograph, and this convention offered plenty of opportunities for that. First on my list was Neal McDonough, known in the “Arrowverse” as the evil Damien Darhk. I’ve been a fan of his since I saw him get assimilated by the Borg back in “Star Trek: First Contact,” but I always like to ask the stars about their lesser-known roles. Or at least ones that aren’t generally asked about at sci-fi conventions. With that mind, I asked him about “Walking Tall,” a film he made with Duane “The Rock” Johnson in 2004.

“That was fun,” McDonough said. “Duane is such a nice guy and we just had so much fun making that movie.”

Remembering that Damien Darkh seems to have an extraordinarily long life span, I asked McDonough just how old he’s supposed to be anyway.

“158,” he quipped, with a wink in his eye.

Next up was John Barrowman, perennial villain/ally/villain Malcolm Merlyn. Before “Arrow,” Barrowman made his name in the “Doctor Who” spin-off “Torchwood,” a series I know nothing about. I noticed he was wearing a Superman ring on his finger, and I decided to comment on that instead.

“Nice ring, Mr. Barrowman.”

“Thank you. You don’t know how many people like my ring ….. Brian" (reading my name on the post it note).

“Well, I didn’t want to bore you with another 'Arrow' question you’ve heard before.”

“Not at all. I’m just delighted I could throw a double entendre at you and it went right over your head.”

Nervous chuckle. “Thanks, Mr. Barrowman. I really enjoy the show.”

The other thing I like about these shows is the opportunity we get to have our photos taken with the stars. Budget be damned, there were two I simply had to have – Danielle Panabaker, aka Caitlyn Snow from “The Flash,” and a duo shot with “Arrow’s” Stephen Amell and David Ramsey. Unlike many conventions I’ve been to in the past, the photo sessions were very well-run and efficient. The lines moved very quickly and I had my prints in less than a minute. That said, you have to respect the actor’s time, and not bog them down during this process.

Once the photo ops were over, I went back for a few more autographs. I’m a big fan of Captain Lance, so I made my way to meet his alter ego, Paul Blackthorne. He was away doing his own photo ops at the time, so I was now first in his line, which quickly grew and grew. Fortunately we didn’t have too long to wait.

When he returned, I introduced myself and he thanked me for coming. He seemed the jovial type, so I asked him if Captain Lance was planning to attend any more of his daughters’ funerals next season (two girls with three funerals between them). He had a laugh at that, and said “God, I hope not. I don’t think his heart could take it. Been down that road too many times!”

I thanked him and quickly moved on to my final get of the day, Willa Holland, aka Thea Queen, aka Speedy. I met her, I got her autograph, and it was all very impersonal.

All in all, a fantastic convention.

Brian Lombard, shown above with Stephen Amell and David Ramsey, is quite fond of television both classic and modern. Check out his book "Bradypalooza: The Unauthorized Guide to TV's Favorite Family" on Amazon.

Photos courtesy of Brian Lombard;

please do not copy without permission.

Happy Fourth of July!

Well, here's what our Fourth looked like. We hope it was a happy, safe holiday for you! And look for an upcoming episode of the Terrific TV Toys series -- specifically another installment of the subseries "Terrific TV Toys on Wheels" dealing with the above subject!

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Mr. Freeze figure by Figures Toy Co.

It's TGIF, and this week, that means Thank Goodness it's Frozen ... And we don't mean Elsa and her gang! We're talking about a guy that was put on ice long before they were, Mr. Freeze, that villainous specimen of winter wonderland, that frigid furtherer of frostbite ...

This week's episode of Terrific TV Toys shows you the Mr. Freeze figure that's part of the fourth wave of "Batman" '66 figures by Figures Toy Co.



Happy Fourth of July from BRBTV!

Bo, Luke and Daisy Duke meet fans at the Fanboy Expo

This past weekend's Fanboy Expo in Knoxville, Tennessee, had a definite "Dukes of Hazzard" presence. In fact, it was the Big Three -- John Schneider, Catherine Bach and Tom Wopat -- who were meeting and greeting fans there at the Knoxville Convention Center. BRBTV had a roving reporter there at the scene, our friend Jason, who was able to talk to all three of the Duke cousins and attended the Q and A session with Bo and Luke, Schneider and Wopat, on Saturday afternoon. Jason was kind enough to send us these photos from the event -- and even to show us the Dukes looking at and signing his copy of the "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" BRBTV fact book! So cool -- thanks, Jason!!!!

Jason says that during the Q and A session, he would have asked the two guys if they would ever consider a role in AMC's "The Walking Dead," but other people's questions were interesting to hear them respond to. "The one I liked was from a starting young actor who asked what was Sorrell (Booke) like with the fat suit.," Jason says. "They brought up people who took forever to get ready. They said Cathy was the longest. I guess they were trying to get Sorrell to get into his fat suit quickly and his response was, 'I've got two speeds. Slow and you won't believe it.' That was funny.
John and Tom were also talking about the events going on today. They said it seems like every week we're up in arms about something. With the flag and all that, they feel it's going to blow over and the Dukes will be back."

This fervent "Dukes" fan had the three sign some other very special items, including the first two pieces of his next General Lee ...

Photos courtesy of Jason G.; please do not copy without permission

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Bookworm figure by Figures Toy Co.

The literature classics are a real gas -- at least they are to this Batman villain. The Bookworm, a maniacal bad guy created just for the 1966 live-action "Batman" TV series, was known for wielding books containing knockout gas, such a lover of the tome was he. He also wore a kooky booklight hat and some radio glasses. This week's installment of the Terrific TV Toys series shows you the Bookworm figure up-close and personal, as we continue on our Bat-Blitz of 2016 ...

Latest upcoming appearances for John Schneider

Thanks to Phyllis for passing along the latest information on upcoming appearances for John ("Bo Duke") Schneider of "The Dukes of Hazzard":

• Schneider will be meeting fans at the FanBoy Expo Comic Con in Knoxville, Tennessee, on June 24-26. For more information go to http://fanboyexpo.com/knoxville/. BRBTV will have a couple friends at that event, so hopefully we can drum up some photos for this blog afterward!
• He will be meeting fans at the East Texas Automotive Car Show in Tyler, Texas, on July 23. This event benefits FitSTEPS for Life. For more information go to
  http://www.cancerfoundationforlife.org/events/.
• He will be meeting fans at the Kansas City Comic Con on August 12-14 in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information go to http://www.kansascity-comiccon.com/.
• Finally, Schneider will be meeting fans at the Salt Lake Comic Con in Salt Lake City, Utah, on September 1-3. For more information go to http://www.saltlakecomiccon.com/.

And, of course, Schneider returns to his role in Tyler Perry's "The Haves and Have Nots" this week. Yay! Go, Hanna!!!!

Terrific TV Toys: Marie Osmond doll by Mattel

She was a little bit country, and he was a little bit rock 'n' roll. We're talking Donny and Marie Osmond, young stars of the classic TV variety show "Donny and Marie." We've got one piece of memorabilia from that satiny '70s sensation, representing one of the purple-clad Wonder Twins of music, the lovely Marie Osmond doll by Mattel. This doll is also the answer to the question at the bottom of our May 24 post.

In the latest episode of Terrific TV Toys, Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV shares not only a look at the vintage doll but also just where she used to see that thing as a kid. It might surprise you.



Next week: Onward with the Bat-Blitz of 2016!

Terrific TV Toys: Scooby-Doo Kids' Meal toys from 2014

What has four wheels, a bunch of windows, at least two doors and an LED light? Well, when you really think about it, maybe a few different things, but for this discussion it's the 2014 set of Wendy's Kids' Meal toys for everybody's favorite Great Dane!

Featured in the latest episode of Terrific TV Toys, in what has got to be our longest installment so far, it's every blow-by-blow of opening up the set of five toys from its bags!!!!

Another awesome time at Awesome Con

Well, the dust is settling from this past weekend's Awesome Con in downtown Washington, D.C., and what a great time once again. This author has attended the con for several years, working for the "Fantastic Forum" TV show airing in D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City. Here are a few photos of TV-related goodies seen at the vendor tables, as well as a little glance at the studio set for "Fantastic Forum." Look for segments shot at the show in upcoming episodes!

Above, the local CW affiliate had a "Flash"-mobile there! Below, it's a Batmobile replica by Fiberglass Freaks, subject of a previous "Fantastic Forum" episode, by the way. Fiberglass Freaks is the officially licensed maker of the Batmobile replica.

Above and below, Geppi's Entertainment Museum of Baltimore, owned by Steve Geppi, had a wonderful display of movie and TV memorabilia over the years. Geppi's was also the subject of a previous episode of "FF," with this author's own interview of Steve Geppi.

We love TV show comics, especially vintage ones, and one vendor had a whole mess of them.

Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV on the studio set of "Fantastic Forum." Look for upcoming episode segments from Awesome Con!

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Mad Hatter figure by Figures Toy Co.

He was a fiery redhead with a penchant for mind control. His flip-top mind beam hat was most helpful for this. He was portrayed by David Wayne, so stately in that role. He was the Mad Hatter, a villain who first terrorized Batman on the pages of 1940s comic books before crossing over to the live-action "Batman" series of the '60s.

This week's episode of Terrific TV Toys brings you the Mad Hatter figure that's part of the third wave of the '66 Batman set by Figures Toy Co.



Next episode, we hop into that Mystery Machine once again ...

Place your bids on TV history: Spock's ears, Yeoman Rand's red dress and so much more

Remember how on the original "Star Trek" the 1960s-inspired alien outfits for the females used to seem to just be pasted on???? All filmy and glittery and whatever, with lots of flesh exposed??? Well, maybe you can drum up some cash and see for yourself just how those gowns stayed on and held together -- Profiles in History is at it again, offering up some truly delicious screen-used outfits and props for auction this next month. Included in the offerings is that pink gown crossing Leslie Parrish's torso in the most intriguing way in the episode "Who Mourns for Adonais?" as well as uniforms worn by Nichelle Nichols as Uhura, Majel Barrett Roddenberry as Nurse Chapel and several other crew members.

Flip through the auction book here.

Just the "Trek" assortment is quite astonishing, but Profiles in History is also including stuff like a chair from the set of '70s "The Incredible Hulk" and scripts from ABC's "General Hospital" in this, its Hollywood Auction 83. The movie stuff is a lot heavier than the TV stuff this time around, but lots of goodies can be had. The auction runs June 29 - July 1, 2016, 11 a.m. PST.

Happy Memorial Day, by the way! May your day be a peaceful one.

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Shame figure by Figures Toy Co.

The Bat-Blitz of '16 blasts onward -- we have a 50th anniversary to celebrate after all, for this beloved 1966 "Batman" TV show. We pick up our Bat-Blitz series again with Part 9, focusing on that wily fiend of the Wild West, Shame! This conniving cowboy of crime was a villain created specifically for the TV series, though he has crossed over to another TV series over the years. Can you guess which one? Watch the latest episode of Terrific TV Toys and you'll find out ...