Fresh photos from Southfork Ranch (even with cows!)

Well, I have to admit when I first saw the first photo below I had to wonder if it was a postcard picked up at the Southfork Ranch giftshop and not an original photo taken by my friend Patrick Shawn Bennett of the Pop Ninja podcast. The shot is so iconic -- so "picture-perfect"! But hey, that's just Patrick's talent for capturing the moment, because indeed, these are all Patrick's own photos, and he kindly offers them for this blog. He got a chance to tour Southfork a week or so ago. 

"I liked that they used the interior of it on the reboot series," he says. "That patio table is the original from the ‘70s where they would eat breakfast and argue." Yeah, and there's the famous pool that Ken ("Cliff Barnes") Kercheval was all too familiar with, along with Mary ("Kristen") Crosby. Super-cool. Thanks, Patrick!

There's so much good stuff here we've got to run this in two parts -- part 2 coming Wednesday!

Photos courtesy of Patrick Shawn Bennett; please do not copy without permission.

Terrific non-TV Toys: Snoopy ceramic musical stein, 1971

Here's quite the vintage piece, dating back to 1971, one of a set of three by Schmid featuring our beloved Peanuts characters. This ceramic musical stein is a bright orange and depicts that crazy beagle as the World War II flying ace. So does it play its song ("Fly Me to the Moon") after all these years? Well, it did, when this author first got it. Watch the latest episode of the Terrific non-TV Toys series to see how this mug is holding up ...

See the other episodes in the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

Catch the latest episode of "Reanimated"

Well, that evil Dr. Sworski has the upper hand no longer, as the action moves along in the apocalyptic zombie series "Reanimated." In previous episodes, we saw that the doctor had escaped a certain death at the hand of his former partner (turned "undead") and had insinuated himself into the company of a local farmer and his young associate. Blanche Lancaster, played by this author, was rescued from a helicopter crash only to find wake up inside her worst nightmare -- the evil doctor is not only alive, but must be the one to save her life. So now, in episode 6, the group is gelling together, reuniting with others who had gotten separated. They try to decide what to do with the doctor, now that all has been revealed, but danger closes in, as always ...

Come get your photo with the Mystery Machine and Scooby!

Happening right this moment: If you're anywhere near Metro Detroit, hop on down to the Motor City Comic Con and visit the Mystery Machine and a whole bunch of Scoobies ... In fact, if you are a viewer of the Terrific TV Toys series, then these Scoobies will look familiar to you. They've been featured in episodes of the show over the years. See the playlist that focuses on Scooby-Doo! These BRBTV-provided plush Scoobs are part of the display of Motor City Reel Rides at this weekend's con in Novi, Michigan.

Photos courtesy of Motor City Reel Rides; please do not copy without permission.

Terrific TV Toys: "Dukes of Hazzard" sleeping bag, 1980

For your next camping trip, or perhaps when you just need an extra blanket around the house, it's this delightful vintage piece, a sleeping bag celebrating "The Dukes of Hazzard." This 1980 item, produced right when a slew of "Dukes" stuff was hitting store shelves to capitalize on the show's success on CBS, features Bo, Luke, Daisy and the gang and is the focus of the latest episode of the T3 series ...

See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.

Behold these wonderful custom Wonder Woman dolls ...

... and we'll call them dolls, OK? They are Barbies or patterned after Barbies, after all! Special thanks to Martin, who is kind enough to share with us his collection of customized Wonder Women. And how lovely they are.

First up here is his custom of the 13-inch Tonner Wonder Woman doll. Then we have customs of the 2004 Wonder Woman Barbie, followed by customs of the 1999 Wonder Woman Barbie (which you can also see in her original form in this episode of the Terrific TV Toys series).

"Wonder Woman is my favorite comic character," Martin says, "but I'm also into DC Heroes in general. I started doing Wonder Woman custom dolls probably about 10 years ago. I started doing them because nobody was doing Wonder Woman the way I wanted to see her presented. The Barbies are beautiful but their bodies didn't look muscular enough for an Amazon warrior."

Indeed, in these customs you see a more realistic look. "The action figure companies like DC Direct, Sideshow and Hot Toys made Wonder Woman look strong," Martin says, "but the action figures lacked beauty. The faces looked harsh and unattractive in my opinion. I kept thinking - why is it so hard to make a large, somewhat muscular female figure with a drop-dead gorgeous face and hair? So, I took the Barbie world and the action figure world and merged them together to make my idea of what a Wonder Woman doll or figure SHOULD look like. Strong and beautiful at the same time."

"I also do other characters, and I'm in the process now of doing several of the really popular DC figures, both male and female," he continues. "I mostly like the classic versions." 

Martin also shares photos of his Power Girl, Zatanna, and Black Canary. "I'm really good at styling the hair (tooting my own horn, lol). All doll collectors have seen promotional photos of dolls where the hair looks so beautiful but then after you get the doll, the hair looks nothing like that. It gets all tangled and flat from being in the box. I would love to work with actual toy companies with styling doll hair."

Photos courtesy of Martin; please do not copy.

Terrific non-TV Toys: Marilyn Monroe musical figurine, 1982

Why, of course she plays "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" -- what else would a porcelain musical figure of Marilyn Monroe play, especially when draped in this divine white gown? She's lovely, though a little worse for wear. A bit loose in parts. She is from the '80s after all. She's an item once belonging to this author's mom, and we take a close look at her in the latest episode of the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

See the other episodes in the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

Talkin' "Twilight Zone": Latest episodes of "Just Beneath the Surface"

If you're a fan of the original "Twilight Zone" series of the late '50s to early '60s, then you'll enjoy the discussion of the show on the web series "Just Beneath the Surface." Episodes 7 and 8 of the series are now up, and they explore the hourlong episodes of Season 4, along with the single episode "The Hunt." BRBTV's bud Brian co-hosts.

 

 

"Gilligan" fan and collector Bobby now has the full-on Skipper cosplay!

We've profiled our friend Bobby on this blog before; he's a big-time fan of "Gilligan's Island," particularly of the Skipper, as played by Alan Hale Jr.. (Check out the February 5, 2020 and April 30, 2021 posts.) Bobby has really dug into the details of the variations of captain's hats worn by the Skipper throughout the series and movies, and he has been collecting screen-accurate (and maybe not-quite-so-screen-accurate) replicas of these hats for years. Now, though, Bobby has branched out into other pieces of Skipper's iconic classic TV look.

"This is the hat from the Fun World 'Gilligan's Island' Skipper Halloween costume," Bobby explains. "It is a four-piece set. 1. Shirt 2. Pants 3. Hat 4. Stuffable Belly. I got the costume in 2010 from my local Spirit Halloween store. It was minus the hat. Someone opened it, stole the Skipper hat, and resealed the package, and left it looking untouched. I ended up with only a three-piece set of shirt, pants, stuffable belly."

"I have wanted the Fun World hat for 12 years since it was missing in 2010," Bobby says. "The Skipper and Promoter William Duff of the Illinois division of the 'Gilligan's Island' Fan Club and ventriloquist for Gilligan, www.gilligansisle.com, had the costume and sent it to me. My brother bought me my original set in 2010 that was missing the Captain/Skipper hat part of it. William gave me the complete set all four pieces."

Bobby now has what he needs to re-enact the Skipper's classic television poses and mannerisms! Bobby, you're the most devoted fan of "Gilligan's Island" we've ever met! You can check out his tribute page for Alan Hale to see more of his devotion.

Photos courtesy of Rob "Skipper" Broadhurst; please do not copy without permission.

Terrific TV Toys: Snoopy Easter PVC figures from Plastronics / Whitman's

It's Eastertime once again, and if you were a kid of the '70s and '80s, another tradition, along with coloring eggs and enjoying chocolate bunnies (besides the real reason for the season, of course -- our risen Lord and Savior) was watching the Peanuts holiday special "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown." It's been years since this author has seen it, and it really makes me want to watch it now. This time on T3, we take a look at the book adaptation of the TV special as we examine another set of  Snoopy holiday PVC figures that were once attached to mini-boxes of Whitman's chocolates.

(There is a bonus Snoopy Easter item in this episode; can you guess what that would be?)

See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist. And keep it tuned here for the continuation of the Snoopy PVC series -- next up, Halloween!!!

Terrific non-TV Toys: Batgirl Funko Pop!, Breast Cancer Awareness edition, 2020

Who knew that Funko released a special set of its uber-popular DC Comics Pop! figures for Breast Cancer Awareness Month?! Well, my friend knew, as he snagged me this Batgirl Pop! from that collection. This gal is all pink in varying shades, clad in an otherwise very traditional Batgirl outfit. She's pert and pleasant and she's the focus on the latest episode of the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

See the other episodes in the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

Terrific TV Toys: "Bionic Woman" figures by Super7, 2022

Hot off the press we've got two new "Bionic Woman" figures by Super7 as part of their ReAction line. You saw another Super7 ReAction figure on a previous episode of T3, an Alfred Hitchcok figure, and now we get back to the Bionics. These two gals are pretty small and quite simple, but the Fembot figure is interesting because it presents yet another take on this classic TV villainess. Whereas the original 1970s Kenner 12-inch figure / doll is clad in black jumpsuit, and the 2012 incarnation by Bif Bang Pow! wears a brown dress, this one wears a blue jumpsuit. What's the reference? You'll find out at the end of this one, courtesy of a couple of photos from the Fire Breathing Dimetrodon blog ...

See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.

Cooter's Place has the "Dukes" stars lined up for spring and beyond

 

Ben Jones, our favorite mechanic Cooter Davenport from "The Dukes of Hazzard," will be hosting his "Dukes" castmates on several dates coming up this month and beyond. And he'll be appearing with his band, as well! Here's the schedule 'til the end of this year from the latest Cooter's Place e-blast:

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

March 5 • March 12 • March 19 • March 26
Cooter's Garage Band @ Cooters' Luray
LIVE EVERY SATURDAY!
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

March 26 • March 27
TOM WOPAT @ Cooters' Nashville
Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

APRIL 14 - APRIL 18
RICK "CLETUS" HURST @ Cooters' Pigeon Forge

Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

MAY 14 • MAY 15
CATHERINE BACH "DAISY DUKE" @ Cooters' Luray
Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

MAY 14
Cooters' Luray 5th Anniversary Car Show
Car Show
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

JUNE 30 - JULY 6
RICK "CLETUS" HURST @ Cooters' Pigeon Forge
Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 16 - 21
RICK "CLETUS" HURST @ Cooters' Pigeon Forge
Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

OCTOBER 14-16
HAZZARD RUN 2022 @ Cooter's Luray
Car Show
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1
RICK "CLETUS" HURST @ Cooters' Pigeon Forge
Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Terrific non-TV Toys: "Star Wars" AT-AT plush by Animal Magic, pre-2012

We say "pre-2012" for the timeframe of this "Star Wars" goodie because a release date doesn't seem to exist on the Internet! (But I only say that to thereby cause someone to provide it in a comment below to prove me wrong, LOL!) Anyway, this author knows it was manufactured before 2012 because that's when I snagged it! It was at the Star Wars Celebration con in Orlando, Florida, in August 2012, where my friend Andrea and I had a blast. We got to see a huge (maybe life-size?) AT-AT in the lobby of the event venue, which was super-cool. You'll see a clip of that at the beginning of this episode of Terrific non-TV Toys. So let's get up-close and personal with a lovable, soft, plush version of those fearsome AT-AT vehicles!

See the other episodes in the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

Six Feet Under Hollywood: Wendie Jo Sperber

You'll know her if you see her, and then when you see her you'll remember her from "Bosom Buddies," the "Back to the Future" movies and maybe even the "Hearts Afire" series. The latest post in the Six Feet Under blog focuses on '70s-'80s actress Wendie Jo Sperber ...

Six Feet Under Hollywood: Wendie Jo Sperber:   "I'm an actress who likes to say something funny.  Everybody laughs and your job is done." Wendie Jo Sperber was born in Ho...

Terrific TV Toys: Valentine Snoopy PVC figures by Plastronics / Whitman's, 2004-2012

This author is bummed that the adorable little Snoopy figures attached to small boxes of Whitman's candies have disappeared from store shelves. You used to see them at various holidays -- Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Easter. Wah. I was able to buy quite a few of them, though, while they were out there, a few years back. And I think I've picked up some others along the way at toy shows and places like that. This time on Terrific TV Toys, we're going to start an appreciation of the various Peanuts holiday TV specials, pinning them to these cute PVC figures. Next week is Valentine's Day, so that's where we will begin with this newest T3 episode. Let's look back on the TV special "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown," which first aired on CBS in 1975, and get a close-up view of a few Valentine-themed Snoopy figures, along with the companion books for kids. (And thanks to Wendy for filling in some gaps on the timeframe of these -- some of them were released with Russell Stover candies, as well!)

 

Next up in our Peanuts TV specials miniseries, it will be the Easter Beagle, of course, in a month or two. In the meantime, see what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.

Terrific non-TV Toys: Dawn doll beauty parlor by Topper Toys, 1970s

Every beautiful doll needs a salon to visit, and this wondrous playset from the 1970s was designed to cater to the Dawn doll's every grooming need. You've got a comfy reclined chair, a hair dryer, a sink for shampooing, a mirror to behold the progress (it works), and bottles of various potions and whatnot. It's the perfect place for Dawn, Glori, Dale and all their friends to get ready for that big party. Call this episode a follow-up to an earlier episode on Dawn dolls, those amazing 6-inch dolls by Topper Toys, a a company that released several other playsets back then. This one was snagged on eBay a few years back.

See the other episodes in the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

Also, here is a "stationary" look at the photos of other Dawn stuff that you'll see at the end of the video. The first five are by this author, snapped at various toy shows in recent years, and the rest are from eBay and other online sources ...

Today's HD casts classic TV in a whole new light

A few years ago I was at my friend Andrea's house watching a 1970s "Wonder Woman" episode on DVD. She had just gotten a new wall-mounted flat-screen TV -- big, like 40-some inches. I had seen the episode many times before (I had recently completed my "Superchicks" book that required a few more viewings in addition to watching the show when it originally aired). As I watched the episode now, though, I was struck by what was on the screen. Was that lint on the shoulder of Steve's uniform? I could just about tell what kind of blend that fabric was. And was that something lying on the floor behind them in the scene that a crew member should have picked up, or swept up? I was surprised by the details. It was like seeing a new version of the show. I felt like I was on the set with them, watching the shoot.

Back then it was a golden tiara; nowadays it's a piece of flexible cardstock or plastic covered in a gold-colored metallic fabric like gold lame', or maybe paint.

 

More recently I've been watching the 1979 "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" series (which airs on MeTV and is also on Tubi) on a 43-inch Samsung QLED TV I received for Christmas. In the second-season episode "Journey to Oasis," I'm seeing the craggy knit of Dr. Goodfellow's blue cardigan as if I could reach out and touch it, maybe try it on. I'm seeing every fold of Buck's billowy, pirate-like, white puffy shirt. I'm seeing Felix Silla as an alien in a pretty bad blue mask with white hair, his eye wells showing in their gap with the rubber.

He'll always be handsome, but somehow Gil Gerard looked younger when we originally watched!

Maybe I'm a tad late to the HD party, but hey, be patient with me -- I tend to use a product until it dies, and I just had to put a chunky '90s TV (working!) out on the curb a couple weeks ago because I knew Goodwill wouldn't take it! But yeah, I have to wonder as I watch the "new" look of these old shows, if the production crews back then knew just how many details America's then-standard-definition television sets were "forgiving." Just how much they could get away with on those plastic and cardboard set pieces, along with any impromptu safety-pin / duct tape / rope / rubber-band / whatever MacGyver fixes that had to be tried between takes. I went to an exhibit of original "Star Trek" props and wardrobe a couple years ago, and yes, that captain's chair and Sulu's console looked like painted foam board. I'm thinking today's technology has issued a much greater challenge to the Hollywood prop master.

Then there's the issue of how much our consumption of television has changed in the past decade or so. The producers of the 1960s "Dark Shadows" gothic daytime soap were planning on one airing -- one and done. So they shot fast, and they made mistakes. If they had a crystal ball they might have seen all those years and years of syndication and reairings, plus the modern on-demand thing, with us viewers watching yet another "mic shadow," as the critique goes, pass by. Or a lamp toppling over in the background of the action. An actor flubbing his words again. They shot that stuff like live TV and they were out. You watch nowadays and you're like ouch, lint and crow's feet notwithstanding.

 

The more detail I see on that ring, the more I want one!

 

None of this, of course, is any deterrent to my watching these beloved classic TV shows. If anything, it could make them even more endearing, even more interesting to watch. Yes, we've come a long way in technology. So queue up the next episode of "Buck"!

Photos: "WW" shot from IMDb, "Buck" shot from NBC, "DS" shot from TVLine / Shutterstock.

Terrific TV Toys: Pocket Pop! and Mighty Meeples blind bags by Funko, Cryptozoic

Everybody loves a mystery, right? And toy blind bags have become pretty popular in recent years. They're usually just a couple bucks, and you don't know what you've got 'til you open them! Last April this collector snagged a few at a local store. One of them, part of a "Batman: The Animated Series" set, I already opened, so you can watch the video to see which character Pocket Pop! keychain that was. The other two blind bags are part of a Mighty Meeples line of DC superheroes. There are three small figures in each bag, so there are lots of possibilities here. 

See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.

Happy 2022! Here's an updated episode guide to the BRBTV collectibles series

It's that time once again, when we recap the year's episodes of our two web series, Terrific TV Toys and Terrific non-TV Toys. Production of the two series will continue in 2022 at the same rate -- one episode of each per month. And remember that you can catch other great videos on the BRBTV YouTube channel ...

Terrific TV Toys

Season 8

156. Curious George plush by Gund, 1990s

157. Scooby-Doo Valentine gift set, 2020

158. Electra Woman figure by Living Toyz, 2000

159. Scooby-Doo clock by SofiClock, 2019

160. "B:TAS" figures by Kenner, 1990s: Harley, Ra's al Ghul and Bane

161. Supergirl figures by Kenner, 1998, Mattel, 2005

162. "Batman: The Animated Series" playing cards, 1992

163. Scooby-Doo model sheet mug, Enesco, 2019

164. Poison Ivy Barbie by Mattel, 2004

165. CatDog figure from Burger King Kids' Meals, 1999

166. General Lee Christmas tree ornament, 2019

167. Batgirl of DC Super Hero Girls Christmas tree ornament by Hallmark, 2019

 
Season 7

Season 6
Season 5
Season 4
Season 3
Season 1 and 2  

Terrific non-TV Toys

Season 4

32. Batgirl Universe bust by Eaglemoss, 2020

33. "Wizard of Oz" music box, 2009

34. Dawn dolls, case and clothing by Topper, 1970s

35. Marilyn Monroe doll by DSI, 1993-94

36. Scarlett O'Hara figurine by Avon, 1983

37. Johnny Cash Pop by Funko, 2019

38. Archie Comics Pops by Funko, 2020

39. Batman color change mug, Zak, 2019

40. Wonder Woman Barbie by Mattel, 2003

41. Halloween Batgirl statue by DC Collectibles Bombshells, 2016

42. Elvis Presley by Eugene Doll Co., 1984

43. Scrooge McDuck plush from "Mickey's Christmas Carol," 1983 

 

Season 3

Season 2

Season 1

May 2022 be blessed for you and your family!

Terrific non-TV Toys: Scrooge McDuck plush from "Mickey's Christmas Carol"

This author was thinking "Mickey's Christmas Carol" first debuted on TV, but when I did a little digging around, I found that the film short was actually first released to theaters in December 1983, then debuted on television a year later. Interesting! It means that the adorable collectible below gets featured on the Terrific non-TV Toys series rather than Terrific TV Toys, but hey, that's neither here nor there!

This plush celebrates Scrooge McDuck, who took on the role he was born for -- Ebeneezer Scrooge -- in Disney's animated adaption of the beloved Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." If you haven't seen the film short, which is just under an hour, you can watch it on the Disney+ app. The trailer is below, as well. 

Merry Christmas from BRBTV!!!!

Ben Jones hosts "Christmas @ Cooter's" featuring Tom Wopat

Fresh outta our in-box, it's the deets for a Christmas celebration at Cooter's Place in Nashville, coming up this month and featuring Tom ("Luke Duke") Wopat of "The Dukes of Hazzard" in concert:

Terrific TV Toys: Batgirl of DC Super Hero Girls Christmas tree ornament by Hallmark, 2019

Christmas time is here indeed, and we've got a couple Christmas-themed episodes on the collectibles series of BRBTV. (And we even had a Christmas episode last month!) This week, it's the DC Super Hero Girls once again on Terrific TV Toys. This Batgirl was snagged at Walmart a couple years back, part of the more-affordable line of Hallmark Christmas tree ornaments. It was just a few bucks, it's simple in design, but it's all Barbara!