Thursday, February 21, 2008

"Dukes" reunion movies set for DVD this summer

Warner Bros. has set a release date for their DVD of the two "Dukes of Hazzard" reunion TV movies. June 10 is the date -- so mark it on your calendar.

The DVD set will include 1997's "The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!" and 2000's "The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood." TVShowsonDVD has the official WB press release and the art of the packaging:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Dukes-Hazzard-2-TV-Movie-Collection/9038

BRBTV News Blog Blip: iFanBoy.com has Paul Dini's "200 words" column, where the acclaimed "Batman" animated writer talks about ocelots and spots. Really.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Archie's Bill Galvan appears at WonderCon

From Archie Comics

MAMARONECK, NY — Making its fourth annual appearance at WonderCon, this year’s Secret Origin of Good Readers panel features Dr. Robyn A. Hill (National University, San Diego), Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics, Salt Lake City), Bill Galvan (co-creator/artist of the Scrapyard Detectives, artist for Archie) and Bill Morrison (creative director of Bongo Comics).

The panelists will discuss how teachers, librarians, retailers and publishers can work together to bring comic books into the classroom for use as an innovative and motivating cross-curricular teaching tool and a vehicle for promoting reading and literacy. Through a multimedia presentation, personal remarks, and a question-and-answer session, the speakers will present an overview of the medium and highlight specific ways that comic books and graphic novels have been used to engage a variety of learners. The 70-page The Secret Origin of Good Readers companion resource book and other exciting materials are available for free download at http://www.night-flight.com/secretorigin, courtesy of XMission.com.

The Secret Origin of Good Readers
Room 232/234
Sunday, February 24
12:30-2:00 p.m.
WonderCon, San Francisco
http://www.comic-con.org/

BRBTV News Blog Blip: In a video that David Hasselhoff should be quite embarrassed about, Disneyland celebrates its 30th anniversary, featuring our own John Forsythe of "Dynasty" and a very young Drew Barrymore. It's an '80s extravaganza, adding in Roy Clark, Donna Summer and even vintage Ronald Reagan at the beginning, and it was just posted on YouTube. Enjoy!

BRBTV News Blog Blip 2: That Joan-Collins-at-the-market-in-her-cowgirl-duds thing sure has legs. We found it again at BeyondBlondiePark.com.

Still another BRBTV News Blog Blip: And speaking of photos of "Dynasty" stars, here's a quick shot of Jack Coleman, our second Steven Carrington, escorting his "Heroes" co-star Hayden Panettiere out of a private party, which looks to be, from what we've seen on the Internet in the past few days, Coleman's own 50th birthday bash with a few of his closest friends! (Scroll down, if you can make it past "Prison Boys" hottie Wentworth Miller!!!!! Sorry, that's "Prison Break"!)

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Bits 'n' Pieces: Priscilla, more Joan, and of course (!) John Schneider

- Priscilla Presley is the latest vintage TV star to take to the dance floor on ABC. Our own third and final Jenna Wade of "Dallas" will hopefully stride-rightly in the next season of "Dancing With the Stars." The action begins March 17, and Presley has some stiff competition for attention: actress Marlee Matlin will be the first deaf dancer on the show. BRB's own local newspaper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has the story.

- We couldn't just stop at that cute little Joan Collins photo linked up yesterday. We found another one, this time at ZoomWallpapers.com, from the grand opening night at the Third Annual Los Angeles Italia Film, Fashion and Art Festival.

- Actor Bob Ginnaven, who popped up in some 1981 episodes of "Dallas," has died. Ginnaven, 71, whose character name was Bob on "Dallas," also worked in local television in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. ArkansasBusiness.com has more.

- In the "happened upon on the Internet" category, this sweet little 2004 story on John Schneider, our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," sheds some light on his faith. "I want people to know that God is not using me just because I am John Schneider the actor, the celebrity," Schneider told the Christian Reader. "God doesn't really care about that. God has something big for everyone."

- Finally, just for us Bat-fans: a LEGO set featuring the characters we know and love from "Batman: The Animated Series" and its various offshoots. Harley's just darling! ActionTrip.com and Kotaku have the photos.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Sheree J. Wilson speaks up, and she'll be at Fan Appreciation Weekend, too!

Thank God for the Ultimate Dallas website .... We'd been bugging poor Sheree J. Wilson for more than a year for an interview (we say "bugging," though she was gracious, and truth be told, we kept our toes on this side of professionalism! really!), but time and projects and her schedule just never permitted it, and we had to publish "Destination: Dallas" without it. Thankfully, Wilson took the time to talk with UD, though, and the results are posted at their site.

"I walked onto the set and the first person I see is Larry Hagman," Wilson says. "He looks at me and says, 'Hello, darlin, you know your jokes?' I said, 'Do I know my jokes?' He said, 'Your lines, your lines, always know your jokes and come to work prepared and we'll have a ball.' That's the only thing he said, I would memorize my lines, I would memorize his lines, if he didn't have his lines I would tell him his lines, I would memorize the whole script." (laughs) "All we did was laugh, I had the best time on that show of any any show I've ever done."

There's lots more from Wilson about her life after that wonderful moment that she walked up to Jack Ewing in that polka-dotted outfit!

Wilson, incidentally, is one of the "Dallas" cast members appearing at the FanSource A Fan Appreciation Weekend, where there will be a special dinner honoring "Dallas." Besides Wilson, Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing), Lesley-Anne Down (Stephanie Rogers) and Morgan Fairchild (Jenna Wade) are scheduled to appear.

It all happens at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn this October.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: She's such a doll, that Joan Collins. MavrixOnline has got her steppin' out at a Rite-Aid the other day, in her saucy little cowgal duds. Fun!

Friday, February 15, 2008

See My Lee!

We're always bringin' you something new and exciting with the occasional "See My Lee!" feature on the BRBTV News Blog. We've shown you General Lee cars from the U.K., a Chick Lee, a dual Lee owner, Bo's own Lee, a Lee from the 2005 movie, and we've even shown you a General Lee pocket bike. Today ... well, today, we've got a General Lee sled. Yes, a General Lee sled. But you probably already know that, because you've seen the photos!


This particular Lee is located at The Custom Sled Shop of Ontario. Fun! If you want to see this Lee up and in action (and without snow!), click over to YouTube:

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Found on the Internet ... a little blurb of Pamela Sue Martin, our own original Fallon Carrington of "Dynasty," talking about her earlier role as Nancy Drew: http://cossacks.org.uk/life/nancy-drew-torch-passed-to-another-2/

Thursday, February 14, 2008

BarBara -- that's Luna to you!

BRBTV had the pleasure of meeting BarBara Luna (yes, that second capital B is correct) at last year's Motor City Comic Con in Metro Detroit while researching the "Destination: Dallas" book. Besides being immortalized as a "Star Trek" babe (Lt. Marlena Moreau of the truly fab original episode "Mirror, Mirror"), Luna has the distinction of being part of the lore that is "Dallas," as well. Later in the series, she portrayed Carmen Esperanza, the not-so-loving sister-in-law of J.R.'s nemesis LeeAnn de la Vega. (And the lovely actress told us she likes to be called simply Luna, by the way.)

Luna's going to be out and about in 2008, meeting and greeting fans, in a couple spots. Coming up in a week or so she'll be at WonderCon, at the Moscone Center South, 747 Howard Street in San Francisco. The dates for that date, so to speak, are February 22 to 24. Find out more about WonderCon, which, of course, will feature all the usual comics-related suspects (including Bruce Timm of "Batman: The Animated Series," et. al) at the WonderCon site.

Her other date for 2008 scheduled so far is at JumpCon in Boston, July 18-20. Find out more at the JumpCon site. And JumpCon will feature some other BRBTV faces: Tracy Scoggins of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys" will be there. Richard Herd, who played Jim Ellison on "Dynasty" in 1986 and John Mackey on "Dallas" in 1981, too. Plus James Horan, who played Maxwell Allen on "Dynasty" in 1984. Rock out!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Nancy Lee Grahn joins in "GH" Fan Club Weekend

Today's news may be all about the end of the writer's strike and the raging feud between Beyonce and Aretha, but here at the BRBTV News Blog, we're looking off into the future ... pretty far off into the future ... to, say, summertime ....

Nancy Lee Grahn, our lovely Julia Wainwright Capwell of "Santa Barbara" who continues to shine these days as Alexis Davis on ABC's "General Hospital," will do a meet and greet this July. She'll appear at the annual "GH" Fan Club Weekend on Friday, July 11, 2008, from 6-9 p.m. The weekend happens at the Sportsman Lodge, 2825 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, California.

The weekend kicks off the day before and features a bevy of "GH" stars. See the schedule at Soaps.com.

Didya know that Grahn played a saloon girl on a 1980 episode of "Little House on the Prairie," by the way? Is that fun, or is that fun?

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Paul Dini muses in '200 words'

Paul Dini, our writer extraordinnaire from "Batman: The Animated Series," "Batman Beyond" and so many other Bat-animated incarnations, will be featured in a new column on the Net.

iFanboy is going to be running a column by Dini called "200 Words With Paul Dini" each Thursday. It coincides with iFanboy's new site design.

Formed in 2000, iFanboy is an Internet celebration of -- you guessed it -- comic books. Read more here:
http://www.ifanboy.com/content/articles/Welcome_to_iFanboy_3_0_

Monday, February 11, 2008

Found around the web, for some shopping fun ...

"Dallas"

- OK, there were only 19 minutes left on this at press time, but they're too darling not to pass along ... J.R. Ewing earrings
- The Hirschfeld books are good reading for any "Dallas" fan, highlighting the action in the first few years of the series ... Trio of books by Burt Hirschfeld
- C'mon, admit it -- you've always wanted to own one of these ... Can of J.R. Ewing Beer

"Dynasty"

- So sweet, that Krystle was ... Krystle perfume vial card
- Who says her appeal isn't absolutely enduring? ... Photographs of Joan Collins
- Some good vintage reading ... The Authorized Biography of the Carringtons

"The Dukes of Hazzard"

- These little guys aren't necessarily easy to snag ... TV tray
- Everybody's gotta have this in their collection ... Lunchbox
- In tribute to those other Duke cousins ... Coy and Vance color photo

"Santa Barbara"

- BRB was just looking at her copy of this one over the weekend; it's fun ... Tribute mag by Daytime TV
- The shirt itself says it all; no lead-in required! ... T-shirt
- The show had a fun alternate title in Germany ... California Clan soundtrack

Friday, February 08, 2008

Lifetime decides they kinda like Heather Locklear!

Ahhhh ... life on the brink of your 40th birthday. Now that's something we can relate to! Of course, if we could look like Heather Locklear, we wouldn't worry what the age ...

Still fresh off a 2007 spin with Lifetime in the well-received Nora Roberts movie "Angels Fall," Locklear is doing another Lifetime project. This one is a holiday movie tentatively titled "Flirting With 40."

The plotline, according to the Hollywood Reporter: "A divorced mother of two (Locklear) who, while on vacation on the brink of her 40th birthday, enters into an unexpected romance with a much younger man and learns that life can begin at 40." To quote such an overused cliche (at least for us) ... meow!

"It's obvious that our viewers adore her," said Tanya Lopez, senior vp original movies at Lifetime Networks. Yea, we buy that.

Our "Dynasty" babe (who has yet to age, mind you!) also has a 2009 project in the works: "Flying By," also starring Billy Ray Cyrus, with whom she did a stint on Cyrus' daughter's show, "Hannah Montana."

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Just the good ol' boys -- in cabaret

"Dukes in Concert"? That sounds like a whole lotta fun. It's what the Orange County Performing Arts Center in California has on tap for this season. And it features our own Bo and Luke Duke, John Schneider and Tom Wopat. For Wopat, this is simply part of his long theater life. But for Schneider? In cabaret? Fun!

The show, scheduled for May 10, will be down-home, and it sounds like it will really highlight the longtime friendship the two have had. It happens at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets are $24-76.

See more at Playbill.com:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/114837.html

And snag your tickets beginning March 16 (and see a sweet photo) at the Orange County Performing Arts Center website:
http://www.ocpac.org/home/Events/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=594

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Cheryl and Archie heading down the aisle? Romance is definitely in the air

From Archie Comics

MAMARONECK , NY – In a special issue of Betty & Veronica Spectacular, Cheryl Blossom stars in “For Better or For Worse,” a tale in which Archie and Cheryl hear wedding bells, as Archie accompanies Cheryl to a wedding as her date. When Betty becomes a bridesmaid at the very same wedding, Veronica must find a way to include herself and take center stage. Betty and Veronica also share their personal vision of their own romantic futures. All of this, as well as all of the fashions, quizzes, puzzles and games that sets Betty & Veronica Spectacular apart and makes it… Spectacular!



Betty & Veronica Spectacular
Stories and art by Dan Parent
On sale on newsstands: March 31, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Camille Marchetta hits the virtual book circuit

In a true tribute to modern technology and the fabulous Internet age that we live in, Camille Marchetta, whom "Dallas" and "Dynasty" fans know as one of the shows' talented scribes, has embarked on a virtual book tour. You might recall Marchetta's latest novel is "The River, By Moonlight" (see the September 20 post of this blog). To promote that book, here are the stops on her tour ...

Feb. 1 - Fiction Scribe http://www.fictionscribe.com/ (interview)
Feb. 4 - Book Marketing Buzz http://www.bookmarketingbuzz.wordpress.com/ (interview)
Feb. 5 - The Story Behind the Book http://www.thestorybehindthebook.wordpress.com/ (guest post)
Feb. 6 - American Chronicle http://www.americanchronicle.com/
Feb. 7 - J. Kaye's Book Blog http://www.j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/ (review)
Feb. 8 - The Book Connection http://www.thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/ (guest post)
Feb. 11 - Virtual Wordsmith http://www.virtualwordsmith.blogspot.com/ (review)
Feb. 12 - The Writer's Life http://www.thewriterslife.blogspot.com/ (interview)
Feb. 13 - Beyond the Books http://www.beyondthebooks.wordpress.com/ (interview)
Feb. 14 - Virtual Wordsmith http://www.virtualwordsmith.blogspot.com/ (interview)
Feb. 15 - Storycrafters http://www.storycrafters.blogspot.com/ (guest post)
Feb. 18 - Families.com (http://www.families.com/)
Feb. 19 - Buzz the Book http://www.buzzthebook.blogspot.com/ (book spotlight)
Feb. 20 - The Book Stacks http://www.thebookstacks.com/ (guest post)
Feb. 21 - The Dark Phantom http://www.thedarkphantom.wordpress.com/ (book spotlight)
Feb. 22 - Blogcritics http://www.blogcritics.org/
Feb. 26 - Paperback Writer http://www.rebecca2007.wordpress.com/ (interview)
Feb. 27 - Loaded Questions http://www.loadedquestions.blogspot.com/ (interview)

"It's been a lot of hard work preparing for the tour," Marchetta tells BRBTV, "but fun, too; and certainly interesting for me. It's a whole new cyber world."

Indeed. You can also learn more about Marchetta in our interview with her in the BRBTV reference book "Destination: Dallas."

Monday, February 04, 2008

Bits 'n' Pieces: Bo, Luke, their filming locale, and a little Michael Praed for good measure

- From the newswires: The original Warner Bros. studio in Los Angeles where "The Dukes of Hazzard" was filmed has been sold, its owner said Thursday. Tribune Co. said Hudson Capital LLC bought the property for $125 million. The Warner Bros. studio, dating to 1923, was home to the first talking movies, such other legendary films as "The Maltese Falcon" and "Rebel Without a Cause" and TV classics "Maverick" and "Friends."

- Oh, that John Schneider, out and about. You just can't keep a good man down. Or, you just can't keep a good man at home. Or some silly tired cliche like that. Anyway ... thanks to Garry at the nifty DallasFanzine.com for switching channels a bit, so to speak, and sending us the tipoff on this one: John Schneider will appear this summer at the Mirande Country Music Festival. It's in July in the South of France, and in the past it's featured "Dallas" cast members, too. Learn more at the Mirande site.

- Also on the "Dukes" front, we've got another update from Sheri of Wopat.com: "Tom's new Broadway show, 'A Catered Affair,' has recently launched its website -- and what a fun website it looks to be. In the spirit of the show, surrounding a family wedding, cast and crew will be sharing their own wedding stories and photos. And even more fun -- you can submit your own story and enter the contest to win tickets for opening night on March 25, 2008 at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City. Get details at the show's website: http://www.acateredaffaironbroadway.com/"
- Sheri, aka "the web girl," http://www.wopat.com/

- Over in "Dynasty" land, the Gazette in the U.K. has a feature story on Michael Praed, our own Prince Michael of Moldavia, and his role in the stage production of "Sleuth":
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-arts-middlesbrough/2008/02/01/praed-so-proud-of-a-stunning-drama-84229-20421643/

Spotted:
Lynn Clark, who introduced the role of Lilly Light to us "Santa Barbara" fans with such fervor in 1986, in one of the first episodes of "Seinfeld," from 1990 and airing on TBS last week, portraying Jerry's girlfriend Vanessa. She had long, dishwater-blond hair and that late '80s look (and seemed so much taller! guess Lane Davies just enveloped her on-screen back on "SB"), but her voice was unmistakable. Fun!

Friday, February 01, 2008

BRBTV birthdays for February

February is here, and we've got some great birthdays for the stars of our BRBTV shows ...

- Kim Zimmer, who shone as Jodie Walker on "Santa Barbara," turns 53 on Groundhog's Day, February 2.
- Bo Hopkins, hotter than hot (in our opinion!) as Matthew Blaisdel on "Dynasty," turns 66 on February 2.
- Morgan Fairchild, one of the Jenna Wades on "Dallas" and so many other things in our soap-opera lexicon, turns 58 on February 3.
- Gayle Hunnicutt, who was the love of J.R.'s life, Vanessa Beaumont, on "Dallas," turns 65 on February 6.
- Bruce W. Timm, writer and artist for "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 47 on February 8.
- Dame Judith Anderson, the grand gal who originated the Minx Lockridge role on "SB," was born on February 10, 1897, and died on January 3, 1992.
- Tina Louise, the unforgettable Julie Grey on "Dallas," and an unforgettable redhead anyway (!), turns 74 on Saturday, February 11.
- Richard Eden, who was Brick Wallace on "Santa Barbara," turns 49 on February 13.
- Stockard Channing, who voiced the Barbara Gordon of the future (that's Commissioner Barbara Gordon to you!) on "Batman Beyond," turns 64 on February 13.
- Gretchen Wyler, who is a BRBTV double-shot as Dr. Dagmara Conrad on "Dallas" and Judge Larson on "SB," was born on February 16, 1932 and died on died May 27, 2007.
- George Kennedy, so fun as Carter McKay on "Dallas," turns 83 on February 18.
- Michael Nader, the hottie Dex Dexter on "Dynasty," turns 63 on February 19.
- Kathleen Beller, who was Kirby Aynders on "Dynasty," turns 52 on February 19.
- Two "Santa Barbara" stars share a birthday on February 20: Marj Dusay (second Pamela Capwell), who turns 72 and Peter Love (Ric Castillo), who turns 45.
- Henry Polic II, who voiced the Scarecrow on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 63 on February 20.
- Jack Coleman, the second Steven Carrington on "Dynasty," who's got a great show in NBC's "Heroes," turns 50 on February 21.
- John Ashton, who was cartel oilman Willie Joe Garr on "Dallas," turns 60 on February 22.
- Dennis Redfield, who played Roger Larson on "Dallas," turns 65 on February 23.
- Two "Dynasty" stars share a birthday on February 24: James Farentino (Dr. Nick Toscanni) turns 70 and Susan Scannell (Nicole Simpson DeVilbus) turns 50.
- John Vernon, the voice of Rupert Thorne in "Batman: The Animated Series," was born on February 24, 1932 and died on February 1, 2005.
- Leann Hunley, Dana Waring on "Dynasty," turns 53 on February 25.
- Bert Remsen, a double BRBTV star as Dandy Dandridge on "Dallas" and Jack Crager on "Dynasty," was born on February 25, 1925 and died on April 22, 1999.
- Margarita Cordova, who was Rosa Andrade on "SB," turns 69 on February 26.
- Barbara Babcock, Pam's steady boss Liz Craig on "Dallas," turns 71 on February 27.
- Stephanie Beacham, the spicy Sable Colby of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," turns 61 on February 28.

Happy birthday to all ...

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Grace Zabriskie is in a "Bob Funk"

On David Lynch's fabulous "Twin Peaks," she was Sarah Palmer, the creepy mom of murder victim Laura Palmer. But five years earlier, she was the lushy Theda Bassett, creepy mom of rape victim Christy Duvall on "Santa Barbara."

Grace Zabriskie hasn't been letting her acting chops go dull these many years since those great roles. Her latest project is "Bob Funk," also starring Rachael Leigh Cook and Amy Ryan. The romantic comedy, written and directed by Craig Carlisle, is classified as in post-production and scheduled for release later this year or in 2009.

Zabriskie portrays the character Mrs. Funk. The story revolves around a sardonic sales exec for a futon company owned by his mother, according to ComingSoon.net. He begins to fall for the woman his mother has hired to replace him.

The film was shooting in Los Angeles last fall. MovieWeb.com has more.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Patrick Duffy hosts a game show; Jack Coleman takes a comedic hot seat

Patrick Duffy, our handsome Bobby Ewing of "Dallas," has a new gig. He'll host "Bingo America," a new show on Game Show Network. The series, which begins Monday, March 31 at 7 p.m. EST, will award prizes to not only studio contestants but to some of us viewers at home, too.

"We couldn't have found a better fit than Patrick," a GSN exec says. "We know our audience is really going to embrace him." (Well, we'll sure embrace him! Any day of the week!)

You can play along with free downloadable bingo cards at gsn.com. You'll also be able to get bonus numbers via text-messaging.

GSN has their official press release here:
http://www.gsn.com/corporate/press.php?release_id=340

Jack Coleman, our second Steven Carrington of "Dynasty," is queued up to appear on a new VH1 show, "Free Radio," set to premiere on February 8. Coleman, whose riding the wave of NBC's fabbo hit "Heroes" right now, will endure some improvised comedy for the show.

The Futon Critic has more:
http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?date=01/30/08&id=20080130vh101

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

"Dukes," "Dukes" and more "Dukes" (did we mention "Dukes"?)

"The Dukes of Hazzard" is alive and well, on the web, and represented in several ways in today's post of the BRBTV News Blog.

First up, it's a handsome photo (is there any other kind?) of our buddy Bo Duke, Mr. John Schneider. (Oh, wait -- there's a story there, too! About racecar driver Mario Dominguez and how he met the owner of his "dream car.") See it all here:
http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12486

Rosco P. Coltrane, meanwhile, aka Mr. James Best, generated his own ink over in Canton, Ohio, when he made an appearance there:
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=20&ID=396678&r=20&subCategoryID=
(Just what's with that Orlando thing, anyway?)

And the next item is on Jessica Simpson. Now the lovely Ms. Simpson hasn't really made any appearances on this news blog, but hey, we can't penalize her for being in a movie that wasn't terribly well-received. She still is part of "Dukes" lore, in her own way:
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=873280&auth=Osprey+News+Network

And finally, related to the above item, you do have a chance to "catch" the above-mentioned movie, as USA Network puts it ("Catch the Dukes -- even if the cops can't!"). They will air the 2005 remake movie "The Dukes of Hazzard" for three nights in a row, beginning February 8.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Some "Dallas" goodies; the loss of a "Dynasty" cast member

The Ultimate Dallas site is once again giving away a "Dallas" DVD set. This time it's the latest set, good-ole Season 8, which officially releases on February 12 in the U.S. and in the U.K a few days later. Click on over to http://www.ultimatedallas.com/dvd/ for your chance to win.

Also on Ultimate Dallas, because they just keep those star interviews a-comin' ... Larry Hagman is the next one in the hot seat. You can read the interview with him, where he talks about billions of people being annihilated and crazy stuff like that (a very loose paraphrase, mind you), at http://www.ultimatedallas.com/asklarry/.

And one more item on the "Dallas" front, and this is a quickie ... MySanAntonio.com has a cute little write-up on our beloved Southfork Ranch, nowadays host to so many of us "Dallas" fans.

We've gotta switch gears here and make this next item more than a news blog blip, as it deserves some more space than that ... Christopher Allport, the man who portrayed Jesse Atkinson in the eighth season of "Dynasty," has been confirmed dead in the recent snow avalanches in Southern California. Allport, who was an avid skier, had been reported missing.

The 60-year-old was no stranger to the soap scene. Besides playing the grimy guy who interfered in Adam and Dana Carrington's attempt to have a surrogate child, he had roles on "Knots Landing," "Another World" and "Days of Our Lives."

Allport had just been working on a 2008 project, "Garden Party." The We Love Soaps blog has a little more, including photos. BRBTV offers condolences to Allport's family.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Coming up in Archie Comics

ARCHIE #582
"A Calculated Risk": The timely topics of feeling pressured to excel academically and cheating to do so are addressed in this issue-length epic, filled with drama, intrigue, and of course the warmth and humor Archie Comics fans have come to expect. Which students will succumb to temptation? Will honesty and integrity triumph? There’s a lesson to be learned for everyone in this important yet entertaining tale.
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale on newsstands: March 4, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #116
"Teen Paparazzi": When a big-budget movie shoots on location in Riverdale, Reggie, ever seeing dollar signs, is determined to be the prince of paparazzi photographers. His big break comes when Veronica reveals her mansion is being used for the movie. Little does he know he has competition from Archie! Who will win this battle of the shutterbugs?
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Fernando Ruiz.
"Back on Track": Get set for more racing action as Riverdale’s #1 female racecar driver, Betty Cooper, gets behind the wheel once more!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale on newsstands: February 26, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #186
"Bird Brainer": Archie installs a birdbath near his bedroom window so he can hear their delightful singing – until a viewing of a vintage horror film casting his feathered friends as fiends leads to a nightmare most "fowl!"
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Pat Kennedy.
"Company Picnic": Archie and Betty finally have a picnic all to themselves… or do they?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Henry Scarpelli.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
PLUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: March 4, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

BETTY #172
"The Green Scene": The girls decide to give a trophy to the boy who does the most to help reduce global warming, in this amusing tale filled with useful environmental tips.
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Let Them Eat Cake": Betty has the perfect recipe to cheer everyone up on a gloomy day – bake a cake!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"A Friend Indeed": When Betty demos a robo-dog, Carmel the cat does everything she can to remind her owner she’s "the cat’s meow!"
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Idiomatic Expression": You’ll "bust a gut" reading this "mad as a March hare" tale where ridiculous thoughts are used to express everyone’s feelings!
SCRIPT: Barbara Slate. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale on newsstands: March 11, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA #234
"A Battle Royal": This time, it really looks like the damage is irreparable and Betty and Veronica’s friendship is over for good. But then again, appearances can be deceiving! Is this really the end?
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"On the Trail of the Scent": It’s the return of Cricket O’Dell, the girl who can sniff out money – and just in time! Veronica has lost her first-ever $100 bill. With Cricket on the trail, it literally has "scent"-imental value!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Ads That Add Up": And now, let’s pause for a word from Riverdale’s teens, as the girls enter a homemade commercial contest!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Jeff Shultz.
On sale on newsstands: March 18, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #81
"How Green Can You Go?": Led by Tomoko and her brother Akira, the kids at Riverdale High decide to "go green" in a big way, by having an eco-friendly winter dance. But the only "green" Veronica is willing to commit to is money! Will she change her mind when her father offers to host the dance in the new solar-powered wing of his estate? Or will it take one hunky enviro-boy to make her see the light? Don’t miss this exciting story loaded with off-the-grid environmental tips and off-the-chart laughs!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
On sale on newsstands: February 26, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #182
"Love Is Nasty, part 3: How’s Tricks?" Riverdale’s newest couple, Cheryl Blossom and Reggie, are drawing more and more attention as Archie and company wonder if the two lovebirds sappy for each other, or if they’re just playing everybody else for saps!
"That’s News to Me": Taking a job at the Riverdale Gazette as a second-string reporter, Betty’s friend Tomoko makes her bid for first string by searching for the human stories behind thrilling headlines. SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
On sale on newsstands: March 18, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #27
"A Sign of the Times": Fresh from subbing for Archie as a sign twirler (back in JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #24), Jughead gives a new "spin" to the business by becoming a recruiter. But how long will Riverdale High’s cheerleaders stand for the school’s star athletes being too busy twirling signs to date them?
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Bill Galvan.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
PLUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: March 11, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #138
It’s another walk down memory lane, only this time it’s Jughead doing the walking! In 2007, fans were thrilled to read the entire first issue of ARCHIE COMICS from 1942, reprinted in its entirety in ARCHIE DIGEST #236. That issue was augmented by Archie’s first appearance from PEP COMICS #22, as well as a brand-new tale where the Archie of today met the Archie of yesteryear. Now, history repeats itself all over again as we present 1949’s JUGHEAD #1 in its entirety… along with a brand-new tale of Jughead meeting his own earlier incarnation! Enjoy the crowned one’s antics in hysterical tales as he gets mixed up with weird science experiments, football foul-ups, and his cousin, Souphead! All this, plus the first-ever appearance of Moose, too!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
PLUS: "When Jughead Meets Jughead ": When Jughead accidentally wanders down "Memory Lane", the same street that Archie found himself meeting himself on in ARCHIE DIGEST #236, well it’s déjà vu all over again! The Jug of the past is fascinated by the modern Jug’s gadgets, while the Jug of today can’t believe how many hours of entertainment a quarter could buy in a 1940s movie theater! And that’s just the start of their crazy comparisons and contrasts. Don’t miss the double trouble fun – order your copy today!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.
On sale on newsstands: March 18, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #119
"Filmmaking Frenzy": To show his parents that his interest in filmmaking is a positive thing, Raj offers to film the school play and sell the DVD’s as a school fund raiser. With Archie and his friends involved, there are sure to be enough bloopers and outtakes for a special edition!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
PLUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: March 11, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #92
"The Turning – The Finale": Sabrina has turned evil and is running wild! Llandra is so desperate to find a way to get Sabrina back to normal, she's even asked Sabrina's magical tutor Bartholomew for help. Will embracing the dark side of magic be Sabrina's final choice, and if so, can the magic realm and mortal realm combined possibly be strong enough to deal with this new dark power?
SCRIPT: Tania Del Rio. ART: Tania Del Rio & Jim Amash.
Spellbinding cover by Tania Del Rio & Jim Amash!
On sale on newsstands: March 18, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #27
"Hair Raising!": When Mr. Weatherbee’s niece lets one of her critters loose in school, her uncle gives her detention… where she learns all about how her father and uncle – twin brothers – were two very different sides of the same coin!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
PLUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: February 26, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.


VERONICA #187
"Story of My Life": When even Cheryl Blossom takes Veronica to task for being rotten to her, Veronica demands a makeover from the writers and editor. From now on, she wants to be nice … but the editor has something else in mind! Can the writer stall Veronica long enough for her to come back to her senses, or has she exited her own tale halfway through? This story doesn’t just break the fourth wall, it obliterates it!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
"Over the Top": Break out the props and costumes, there’s a new trend in town: theatrical prom proposals!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Dan Parent.
"The Make-Over": Veronica thinks a change in style is just what Smithers needs to win the girl of his dreams. But true love doesn’t always come with a designer logo attached!
SCRIPT: Barbara and Samantha Slate. ART: Dan Parent.
On sale on newsstands: March 4, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Ask John Schneider, really!

Thanks to Renee at the All-John blog once again for the tipoff on this one ... Fans of John Schneider, our buddy Bo Duke, have an additional way to meet 'n' greet, so to speak. Schneider is being featured on Broadway.com's Ask a Star feature for his new role in "Chicago."

Yes, our good ole boy of "The Dukes of Hazzard" seems to be following in the footsteps of his on-screen cuz, taking on the stage role of Billy Flynn, noted "city-slicker." (And the photo of him on Broadway.com is slick, to say the least! It may even be a few others things that we won't go into! Sorry, this is a chick talkin'!)

Your deadline for sending your own question on to Schneider is Friday, February 8:
http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=559496

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Victoria Principal is getting closer and closer to that space journey she's been jockeying for. Our lovely "Dallas" star has ponied up, quite frankly, putting up some cash to get in on one of Richard Branson's galactic jaunts. Test flights of the Virgin Records mogul's new spaceship begin later this year, Reuters reports. Principal will be paying an out-of-this-world $200,000 for her trip.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

"Santa Barbara" actress survives a troubled life -- and tells her story

In the early days of "Santa Barbara," she played Sally Taylor, the high-school friend of Joe Perkins who got him a job after he was released from prison. She's been married for a couple decades to "Eight is Enough" star Willie Aames (and has even starred with him in his highly fun and engaging "Bible Man"). She's also led a very interesting life.

She's Maylo McCaslin, and her story, along with Aames' story, is told in the new memoir "Grace Is Enough." Published by B&H Books, a Nashville-based Christian publisher, the book tells the story of McCaslin's escape from poverty, rape and drugs.

You might have had no idea, when you saw Sally Taylor on screen, that the actress playing her was a former runaway drug addict, in her young 20s, just meeting the love of her life in 1985 (thankfully, the man who would help her turn her life around).

Read more about the Aameses and their book at the Los Angeles Times:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-aames22jan22,1,637257.story?coll=la-entnews-tv-topstories

As the Times observes, McCaslin and her husband represent "the self-reliant vanguard of an emerging critique of born-again Christianity." They have some interesting things to say about traditional, conservative churches.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Tom Wopat gets honors, Linda Gray continues to dazzle 'em in Ireland

Sheri, the web gal of Wopat.com, reports some exciting news in the world of our own Luke Duke:

"On January 21, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle honored 'A Catered Affair,' the show Tom opened there last fall," Sheri says. "The show, itself, received the award for Outstanding New Musical. Faith Prince, performing with Tom in the show, was honored with Lead Performance in a Musical (female), and Tom received the award for Lead Male in a Musical!"

So cool! "In addition to his jazz shows across the country," Sheri continues, "Tom will be appearing in 'A Catered Affair' when it opens on Broadway this spring. Be sure to keep an eye on Tom's website for new tour dates and other exciting news."

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Linda Gray's trip to Ireland has generated some more ink, along with a lovely full-color, full-page photo. Read more about it at the Independent.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Subtract one General Lee, add a little cash and a commercial or two

It certainly was John Schneider's weekend. Not only did our own Bo Duke unload his beloved General Lee for a cool near-half-mil at the Barrett-Jackson auto auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, his new Zaxby's TV commercials launched. There he was on one channel, jumping on the trunk lid and singing the "Dukes of Hazzard" theme song. There he was on another channel, on our break from "Disclosure" starring Michael Douglas and Demi Moore (do ya get Peachtree TV? probably not, but it's kinda fun), smiling his million-dollar smile and saying "Hi, I'm John Schneider and I'm an actor!" Yea, John-John, as if we didn't know!

If you haven't seen the Zaxby's ads, you can watch them online (special nod to the All-John blog for the tip-off):
http://www.zaxbys.com/zaxtv.html

And of course, as per usual, Schneider's not the only "Dukes" cast member out and about. Special thanks to Dustin Edsall of Michigan, who sent us this shot of himself and Mr. Ben Jones, known as that ole Cooter, at the World of Wheels event in Grand Rapids a little over a week ago. Fun!


Friday, January 18, 2008

Christopher Coffey just has teaching in his genes, evidently

You may recall, in the early years of "Dallas," that our little gal Lucy Ewing attended college. Her granddaddy Jock's alma mater, it was -- Southern Methodist University. And at that fine institution of higher learning, Lucy developed a fascination with her professor, Greg Forrester.

Christopher Coffey was appropriately cast as Forrester, because now, years later, guess what he's doing? He's teaching! BRBTV connected with Coffey while researching the print edition of "Destination: Dallas," and you can read our interview with him there (see last Friday's post). But we also like to keep up with what he's doing from time to time, in his role as a successful behavioral coach and workshop leader.

Coming up on Coffey's agenda are some March workshops on the UCLA campus. Specifically, he's teaching "Leadership Styles for Influencing Others" and "Coaching: Help Successful People Get Better." You can learn more about Coffey and his UCLA courses here:
http://www.christophercoffey.com/html/leadership.htm
http://www.uclaextension.edu/index.cfm?href=/departmentalpages/index.cfm&department=/shortcourses/management/index.cfm

Pretty good stuff. We wish him well.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: John Schneider, our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," will do some promotional work for the Athens, Georgia-based Zaxby's restaurant chain. You can read more about it at FastCasual.com. Ironically, one of the other celebrities who'll be doing the Zaxby's campaign, "American Idol" Season Three runner-up Diana DeGarmo, is from Snellville, Georgia, the city Schneider originally claimed he was from ("Snail-ville," he said with a drawl) when he auditioned for the role of Bo as a young'un.