There's even some classic television at the Smithsonian

Wow, what a great weekend it was. This author and her good bud Andrea not only did Awesome Con at the convention center in downtown D.C. (see yesterday's post) but we also did some sightseeing around our fair capitol of Washington. It had been a long time since Andrea had been to these sights, and it was just so much fun. We logged 8.5 miles walking in the blazin', throttlin' heat (the kind that closes right around you when you step outside) -- how's that for an Iron Woman Challenge??? Lunch at Hard Rock Café, the monuments including the World War II Memorial and Lincoln Memorial, and a couple Smithsonians. A great day.

And can you believe, we found items at the Smithsonian related to some great classic TV shows???? It made the day even better! Here are some shots from Sunday, starting off with the authentic model of the Starship Enterprise used on the original "Star Trek," at the National Air and Space Museum ...

Next, here's what we found at the Museum of American History ...

Archie and Edith Bunker's chairs were there, of course, but Fonzie's jacket must be in storage. And where's that Farrah exhibit I've been so anxious to see???? Ryan O'Neal donated several items from Farrah Fawcett's belongings a few years ago -- including the famous red one-piece swimsuit from the poster -- and I've never been able to see them on display! Pleeeeezzzz, Smithsonian!

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

Some sights and sounds from Awesome Con!

Another awesome year of Awesome Con D.C. It was packed, packed, packed on Saturday -- we waited in line an hour just to get in the door, badge in hand! Wow. We found all kinds of fun stuff, and some of it of a TV nature! From purple Yvonne Craig-inspired Batpurses, to lots of Wonder Woman everywhere, to Shazam and more, here's a tour in photos ...

Velma and Daphne -- second stop in a world tour (first was the Motor City show), aka Andrea and BRB.

Kudos to this Shazam cosplayer -- we posted this one on the SHAZAM ! // ISIS TV SHOW GROUP on Facebook.

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

Terrific TV Toys: A dazzling "Dukes of Hazzard" room!

In an episode of Terrific TV Toys last month, you got to see the very artistic and detailed "Dukes of Hazzard" scale models hand-crafted by T.J. of Michigan. This time, we take you inside T.J.'s collection of "Dukes" memorabilia, and boy, is it a doozy. Take a deep breath, then take it all in ...

Fleetwood Country Cruize-In: Dropping in on a couple "Dukes" cast members

This past weekend, the Fleetwood Country Cruize-In event at the Steve Plunkett estate near London, Ontario, Canada, served up another heapin' helpin' of "Dukes of Hazzard" fun. This author took in the show a couple years ago when it hosted several "Dukes" cast members for meet-and-greets, and this year was just as big and fun. I got to chat with Don Pedro Colley ("Sheriff Ed Little") again, first time I'd seen him in a couple years, as well as Sonny Shroyer. They were kind enough to sign some items for friends: a glovebox door for Jason, photos for Mike, and a jacket for T.J.

Terrific TV Toys: Batgirl doll by Hasbro, 1998

Sometimes an action figure is truly more of a doll, as is the case with this week's featured toy on the Terrific TV Toys series, as well as the first episode you'll see next month. It's a two-part series of sorts, a look at two dolls that seem quite a lot alike, since they both portray the Barbara Gordon version of Batgirl as she appeared in "The New Batman Adventures" series first airing in 1996. This one is by Hasbro, and was part of a series for that show.



Stay tuned, because next month you'll see a Mattel tribute to Batgirl, in our continuing 50th anniversary celebration for this beloved character, but for next week, we return to Hazzard County!

Some more photos of the "Dynasty" dollhouse

As a follow-up to yesterday's post, here are some more photos inside the handmade "Dynasty" dollhouse and Carrington foyer replica, which avid "Dynasty" fan Bjørn jokes cost more than his car, and for which a single bannister ornament was eight dollars alone ...

One of the photos above is during construction of the dollhouse, as is this contrasting shot:

Photos courtesy of Bjørn Erik; please do not copy without permission.

A video peek inside a dazzling "Dynasty" mansion model

In the October 25, 2014 post of this blog, you saw some photos of an absolutely exquisite model replica of the Carrington mansion of "Dynasty." What better time to have another look at such models than now, as a "Dynasty" TV reboot looms on the fall horizon for the CW.  Bjørn, who shared with us some other "Dynasty" goodies he owns in the May 24, 2014 and September 20, 2013 posts, now sends us what you see below ... a video tour of sorts inside another handmade "Dynasty" replica he owns -- a miniature of the Carrington mansion that is different from what you saw in October 2014 because it's an interior view. This is a roombox of the Carrington mansion foyer, on a 1:12 scale ...

"One of the best dollhouse-makers in the world built it on my commission," Bjørn says of this fantastic peace of workmanship. "Others have done the furniture. Krystle is made by one of the best dollmakers. This thing costs more than my car!" he jokes.

Tune in tomorrow for a whole bunch of great pics from this amazing dollhouse!

UPDATE: Check out our May 21, 2018 post for the Carrington figures that go inside this amazing house!

Video and image courtesy of Bjørn Erik; please do not copy without permission.

Motor City Comic Con: Joseph Gatt talks "Z Nation" and more

Joseph Gatt has had the chance to work on blockbusters such as "Thor" and "Star Trek: Into Darkness," but you might know him as The Man / Emile Hunter on "Z Nation." He's also appeared on "Game of Thrones" and "The 100." The London-born and very buff actor has a distinctive look about him that translates well for certain roles.

Gatt talked with Cousin Don at last weekend's Motor City Comic Con about the differences between working on those movie and TV projects, as well as what has been his biggest challenge so far, as an actor. Hear what he has to say in the latest video on the BRBTV channel ...

Motor City Comic Con: Shannon Elizabeth is on a mission

Shannon Elizabeth is a woman with a cause, and that cause is our four-legged friends. The actress, known for the "American Pie" movies and "That '70s Show," is involved in Animal Avengers, a dog and cat rescue that has turned its efforts more toward broader animal conservation. She chats with Don and BRB about her work on- and off-screen, what has been her most rewarding role, the benefit event coming up in the New York City this week, and why you should never buy a pet ...



Many thanks to Ms. Elizabeth for talking with us, and special thanks to Andrea for the assist with the camera! Stay tuned for another great MCCC interview in the next couple days.

Motor City Comic Con rolls out the geeky fun

Wowzers, another great Motor City Comic Con is still going on right now at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. This author has had two great days at the con, Friday and Saturday, with yesterday being every bit the splash and fanfare of previous years. This show still seems to get  bigger every year -- we're not done riding this comic-con popularity wave just yet, in our vast and varied pop culture!!! In fact, it looks like some more parking was added to the event this year, and an expansion of the venue is planned for next spring. But on to the show itself!

Oh, wow, the cosplay!!!! So many creative ideas, all around us. We saw a Gilligan (a different Gilligan from three or four years ago, the only other time we've seen this character cosplayed). But let's first see the one that we vote best-of-show ...

Yes, that's "Planet of the Apes," and before you ask (in case you're a really hard-core Apes fan), he's from the movies, not the short-lived TV show of the early 1970s that I've been really digging on MeTV in recent months. This guy rocked!!!! Good job with that costume!!!

Andrea LOVES Minions, so she got this cool photo opp with one!

It was 10 years ago this weekend, at this very event, when I first met my bud Andrea, and possibly Don, too (though we can't remember for sure). At any rate, it was 10 years ago this weekend that we all first hung out together, so we decided to mark the milestone with a little Scooby cosplay!

OK, can I designate two best-in-show awards for cosplay???? Because seriously, this classic "Twilight Zone" homage right ranks up there for best cosplay ever! At least until I get that Aunt Esther costume together ("Sanford and Son," if you were wondering).

Nothing like a 1966 Green Hornet -- and a very big and tall Kato!!! Had to love it!

We certainly saw a lot of Wonder Women -- the movie version in particular -- along with an abundance of all manner of superhero. (And there were a lot of "Walking Dead" Negans there, complete with Lucille -- what's up with that???)

The shopping was fabulous, as usual! Picked up a couple Christmas gifts, and found a few other items almost too tempting ...

A friggin' Freddie Mercury action figure????? Who knew??? Not me, until I then looked it up online. Again, just wow ...

This is just the beginning! Look for more coverage of the 2017 Motor City Comic Con on this very blog this week, with three very cool celeb interviews, including the very nice gentleman below (he's not as gruesome as you saw on this classic TV show!!!!) ...

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

except for the Scooby trio photo, courtesy of Don Covell Jr.