Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Movie version of John Jakes' "The Bastard" offers a dynamite classic cast

BRBTV likes to play this little game, when viewing a movie that is new to us, though it may be new, old, or older! We like to guess the year the movie was released based on fashions alone, and heck, we tend to get within a year or two, if we don't get it right on the button! (We are fashion mavens, after all -- just see BRB's My Mother's Clothing project!) John Jakes, however, throws us off a little, particularly with the movie adaptation of the first book in his Bicentennial series, "The Bastard." The costumes, of course, are period. Period!

Still, we just had to make a guess, as we lounged over it this past Sunday night (special thanks to BRBTV bud Tracy for the DVD!). We factored in the cherublike Andrew Stevens, the darker haired, pre-"Mannequin" Kim Catrall, the chunkiness of the production quality. We had to go with 1975 for this one, and really we hinged that mainly on William Shatner -- he seemed much more pre-"Star Trek: The Motion Picture" to us. Plus, we remember how big the country's 1976 Bicentennial was back then -- a hot-hot-hot topic for a juicy book series. We had to surmise this movie would be placed squarely in the midst of that heat.

But alas ... the year, it was ... 1978. And what a grand year it was for TV stars. Just as in Jakes' mid-'80s "North and South" miniseries, "The Bastard" makes no disappointment with its megawatt cast. Shatner, Catrall, Tom Bosley, Lorne Greene, Buddy Ebsen, Harry Morgan ... holy cow, is there anybody in there that's not a name, at least now if not then?! And most of all, the stars from the BRBTV shows are out in full force for this one.

Front and center is the aforementioned Stevens, a decade before he would take on J.R. Ewing's tutelage -- then rattle his cage a bit -- as Casey Denault on "Dallas." In this outing, he's oh-so young, so boyish and fluffy of hair, and he surely manages a certain degree of evenly progressing maturity through the four hours. We finished the 600-plus page book just days before watching the movie (see BRB's Amazon review), and Stevens filled the shoes of Phillipe Charboneau / Philip Kent believably and in keeping with Jakes' original prose, written just four years before the movie was released. You could even argue that Stevens resembles the artist's rendering of Philip on the original book cover above.

Joining Stevens is his fellow "Dallas" cast member Keenan Wynn as Johnny Malcolm, every bit as feisty as ole Digger Barnes was. Russell Johnson, also a "Dallas" refugee as Sheriff Mansfield, in addition to Roger Wainwright on "Santa Barbara" and Earl Thompson on "Dynasty," is Col. James Barrett, fighting valiantly for the rights of the American colonies. And how surprising to find Clint Ritchie -- known to us as Bud Morgan on "Dallas" but to the rest of the world as Clint Buchanan on "One Life to Live" -- as Dawes.

Herb Jefferson Jr., whom we remember fondly from "The Dukes of Hazzard," portrays Lucas, a man of color but not a slave -- he stands, gun in hand, as a free worker for a farm where the lead character takes refuge, and before that, he helps Philip dispatch some evil highwaymen. And omigoodness -- peeking out of a doorway in Colonial attire, that's Miss Peggy Rea, our beloved Lulu Hogg of "The Dukes"!

Added to all of that, we were enthralled by Ike Eisenmann of Disney's "Witch Mountain" movies -- his boyish, confident, privileged but right-thinking Gil, the Marquis, is captivating. And John De Lancie of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is delightfully dastardly as a Redcoat lieutenant.

We can't wait to move on to the movie adaptations of "The Rebels" and "The Seekers," the next two books in the series.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy star in pre-"Dallas" TV flick

Special thanks to Will "the Voice Man" Rodgers, our collaborator in BRBTV, for uncovering this sweet little gem. Imagine a TV movie starring Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy, and it's not a "Dallas" reunion! In fact, it was filmed a few years before they saddled up to the "Dallas" train!

It's 1974's "Hurricane," and you can watch it in its entirety on YouTube. Jessica Walter, Will Geer and Michael Learned are also in the movie. The plotline, from the IMDb: "A relaxing weekend by the sea becomes a battle for survival when a killer hurricane strikes. Tidal waves over 30 feet high and thunderous, destructive winds batter the coastline." Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Spotted: Lesley-Anne Down, Terri Garber and more

The "North and South" miniseries of the '80s, based on John Jakes' juicy novels of the Civil War era, had a dynamite cast. When Book 1 hit the airwaves in 1985, it certainly mined the vast talent of that classic decade, featuring many stars of the BRBTV shows.

It was a time in TV history when miniseries were king. Ahhhhhh ... do we miss the mighty miniseries! So it was with great pleasure that we indulged ourselves last month with a re-viewing of the 12 hours of Book 1, which we remember so fondly from when it originally aired as six two-hour parts. Among the star-spottin' bounty:

- Lesley-Anne Down, our own Stephanie Rogers of "Dallas," playing it sweet and so soft-spoken as Creole Southern belle Madeline Fabray.
- Terri Garber, that sly Leslie Carrington of "Dynasty" and Suzanne Collier of "Santa Barbara," in the amazing role that launched her career, the evil Miss Ashton Main. (We talked with Garber about her "North and South" work; see our BRBTV interview with the star in the current edition of "Send Me to Santa Barbara," as well as a coming update to "Dynasty High.")
- Morgan Fairchild, one of the three Jenna Wades on "Dallas," who gets just a smidgen of airtime as Burdetta Halloran in Book 1 but is back for more action in Book 2.
- Jonathan Frakes, our own Jamie Lee Hogg of "The Dukes of Hazzard," in a key part as Stanley Hazard (yes, only one "z"!), co-owner with his bro in the northern Hazard Iron.
- Bill Conti, composer of the strains of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," who also did the music for "North and South."

Now on to Book 2 ...

Friday, February 18, 2011

TGIF Toys: Boss Hogg falls to pieces ... and back again


Spotted at the Gaithersburg Antiques Fest in Maryland last weekend, right next to a Penguin Mego (and a Riddler Mego, if you really must know! only $22 each, such a steal!):

A fun jigsaw puzzle featuring our own Boss J.D. Hogg -- Mr. Sorrell Booke -- of "The Dukes of Hazzard." This beauty was complete, no missing pieces, and $12.

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Byron Cherry and Christopher Mayer talk about their "Dukes" days

Christopher "Chip" Mayer, who is a BRBTV double-shot as Vance Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard" and T.J. Daniels on "Santa Barbara," was back in action this past weekend at the Hollywood Show in Burbank. BRBTV couldn't be more pleased, as this marks the actor's return to the spotlight after many years away. Mayer appeared with his Duke cousin, Byron ("Coy Duke") Cherry, at the event, and the two also got with Retro Radio Live for a fresh interview on the show floor. BRBTV has some highlights of the interview for you:

- Mayer on acting: "For so many people, it becomes like a rhetoric. Like we're standing here right now, you know, acting becomes listening. People think it's just like bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk, and I spit out my lines. Even Spencer Tracy says, 'Look them in the eyes, tell them the truth and don't bump into the furniture.' It's really acting like life. And acting like life is being in the moment. Be here right now. ... To listen, and then to respond. To take your moments, and not just regurgitate."

- Cherry told the story of originally auditioning for the role of Bo Duke back in 1979, when John Schneider was actually thought to be too young and was put on the "no-see" list. Schneider showed up later, essentially crashing the auditions, six-pack in hand and "introducing" himself as Bo Duke. "Sometimes as an actor you really have to go the extra mile," Cherry said.

- The boys were asked if they felt their time on the "Dukes" set was limited. Cherry said, "We met at the screen test, and I figured if we did one, or maybe got one or two shows in, it would be really good. So we ended up doing a whole season." Mayer added, "When we went to the screen test, they put like five brunet guys and five blond guys in a van, and they take us out to Valencia where they do the exterior shots, then you're doing your screen test with Cathy Bach, with Daisy, while these other #$%^& are sitting there watching you do your work. And eventually they made the call, and we got on the show. But you also had a feeling like, in a way, we're keeping like 35 families in life, because they're like text editors, sound guys. ... There was a tenuousness to it. ... We had a lot of guys that were very cool and a lot of other people that felt they couldn't really align themselves because it would kind of be betraying their allegiance to the original guys."

- Cherry remarked how he has witnessed the fan sentiment changing in recent years toward these "replacement Dukes." Now people come up to them and tell them they saved the show, etc. Mayer said, "It's like in football, if somebody goes down, the star quarterback goes down. And I come off the bench, and I win the Super Bowl, but he's still No. 1. And so those guys came back, and it was like the two girls at the prom with the same dress on. So, they were cool, and the environment, and the executive producers were cool. ... It was fun just being something that was such an icon, culturally. Like 'Gilligan's Island' or whatever. And yet, like right before Christmas break, Paul Picard called us into his office with pink slips and he goes, 'You guys are doing a great job,' and this and that, 'The boys are coming back, merry Christmas.' ... But dude, I'm in L.A., and I'm an actor, and I'm in the land of lost dreams, and for me to come out here and get my feelings hurt, and be in show business is a paradox. That's an oxymoron."

- "Whoever drove the car got more fan mail," Cherry mused, quite seriously! "That was the thing, so they made it 50-50. We split the driving."

- Mayer commented on his overall time on the show, "We came in there with good attitudes. We were humble. We worked hard. ... We had people cutting attitude on us, but we didn't give the attitude back. ... 'He who humbles himself will be exulted.'" Amen!

- When Cherry was about to get the role of Coy Duke, he explained, John Schneider actually advised him not to tell the producers that he knew him, so it wouldn't hurt his chances, as Schneider and costar Tom Wopat were out on their contract dispute.

- Cherry's favorite NFL team: Atlanta Falcons. Mayer's: Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.



Cherry is booking appearances for these two good ole Duke boys. He might even give you a ride in his General Lee. Contact him at coyduke@myway.com.

Look for BRBTV's own interview with Christopher Mayer soon here on the BRBTV News Blog ...

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Charlene Tilton chats about new TNT "Dallas" project and more

Charlene Tilton, our own Lucy Ewing Cooper of "Dallas," just chatted live with fans this evening at UltimateDallas.com, and BRBTV has a few highlights for ya:

- She has not been asked to participate in TNT's "Dallas" pilot project, which begins filming in the spring and which just cast Julie Gonzalo and Jesse Metcalfe as Rebecca Sutter and Christopher Ewing. "As of now, unfortunately I have not. I am hoping to be," the star said. "I know that Larry (Hagman) and Patrick (Duffy) are in it. I only know two of the names of the young people. I'm sure they'll be wonderful." 

- She does have an idea or two for the project's treatment of Lucy, however, should she be signed on. "When we last saw Lucy she had 25 percent of Ewing oil stock. So I think Lucy to be a force to be reckoned with. John Ross and Christopher would have to listen to her. I think Lucy should also come back with a daughter. With my actual daughter actually. Lucy should come back with her daughter played by Cherish."


She continues, "I read the script for the pilot. I personally thought it was wonderful. I think the fans will love it if they keep up the quality of writing...they will love it."


- She just filmed a new show for Comedy Central (which was where she was just before arriving for the chat, which began at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.


- If she had her choice of shows, Tilton says, she would love to appear in ABC's "Desperate Housewives."

- What was happiest time and darkest moment she remembers on "Dallas" and in life? "Happiest time on 'Dallas,' I have to say, was the whole experience in general," Tilton says. "We worked hard, but we had a lot of fun. Larry was the ringleader. He brought us all together from the very first day. Everyone was extremely professional and worked very hard. The darkest time on the set was when Jim Davis passed away. I was very close to him. And his wife Blanche passed away last year just after her 90th birthday."

- A boo-boo corrected? Tilton noted how she recently watched the first episodes of "Dallas" on CMT and saw that the scene with Lucy and Ray in the hayloft was edited out. Of course, this early-days storyline presented a bit of a problem for the writers later, when Ray was revealed to be Lucy's half-uncle. "Such an iconic scene," Tilton laments. "It was great, so hot. I was really upset they edited it out."

Friday, February 11, 2011

Woo-hoo! A Martinez is back in the game!

It was a banner week for fans of the classic daytime soap "Santa Barbara," as kingpin A Martinez, who played Cruz Castillo, returned to the daytime airwaves. He's got a role on "The Bold and the Beautiful," and he's also got a fresh new interview with Soap Opera Digest that gives a little hint of what he's been up since his days on "SB" and more recently "General Hospital," where he was the ever-hunky Roy DeLuca:

http://www.soapoperadigest.com/features/bold-and-beautiful/interviews/catching_up_with_a_martinez

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

We will certainly miss Peggy Rea

Fans of "The Dukes of Hazzard" everywhere are mourning the loss of Peggy Rea, our own graceful Lulu Hogg, as news broke this week of her passing. Though nothing is official online yet, John Schneider paid tribute via Twitter. Rea would have turned 90 next month.

To us here at BRBTV, Lulu was the finest character in the regular recurring cast of the show (we've also always been partial to Abraham Lincoln Hogg in his one brief appearance). And that use of the word "graceful" to describe Lulu -- as well as Rea -- is key. Lulu was married to that ole rascally J.D., after all, and the virtues of her patience and grace, her tolerance and compassion, cannot be overstated. From the moment she first appeared in one of the original five Georgia episodes, "Repo Men," giving Boss the what-for about wanting that Rolls-Royce, we were in deep admiration. She was more than Rosco's "fat sister"; she was our big, lovable, all-knowing, all-seeing mom in shift dresses with an even bigger heart. She did the right thing, she said the right thing, she could melt your heart with a whimper and drive like a maniac, and she was the one true restraint of the horrendous hot mess that was her hubby.



Peggy Rea was already a TV veteran by the time she got this role. She didn't need to be forever endeared to "Dukes" fans to have notoriety and respect in Hollywood. Fans of "The Waltons" already knew her as Rose Burton, and she carried that role through a few of her "Dukes" years, too. She got her start way back in the '50s as a ladies club member on "I Love Lucy," and had a prolific career for decades with roles on "Gunsmoke," "Have Gun, Will Travel," "The Wild Wild West" and so many others. She played the early days of another one of our fave shows, the sitcom "Step By Step," and continued acting through the '90s with shows like "Grace Under Fire."

From a feminine perspective, Rea was a titan in the most important way: She blatantly flew in the face of the Hollywood ideal. She dared not to be thin, blond, cosmetically altered, etc. As Lulu, especially, she was a strong female, a female whose fine characteristics walked into the room 10 minutes before she did, a character who couldn't help but command an audience of acceptance.

As with Sorrell Booke and Denver Pyle who passed on before her, most "Dukes" fans didn't get to meet Peggy Rea, as she was unable to do all the appearances that her younger castmates have been doing in the show's resurgence of the past decade or so. But if she's remembered now as an American "character actress," it's because she had the kind of character we could truly admire.

Friday, February 04, 2011

An update on James Best's "Shrews" project

What's better than writing and shooting a sequel to a delightful B movie you made decades ago? Recruiting a bunch of your friends to star in it!

We reported in our January 17, 2010 post about James Best's upcoming sequel to the 1959 film, "The Killer Shrews." The movie now has an official website to keep you updated on its progress: http://killershrewsmovie.com/. Fans of "The Dukes of Hazzard" will be delighted to know that they'll see not only the aforementioned Rosco P. Coltrane in the film, but also Bo Duke (John Schneider), Cletus Hogg (Rick Hurst), and Burl Tolliver of the "Dukes" episode "The Rustlers" (Mel Tillis).

In the film, Best will reprise his character from the 1959 movie, Captain Thorne Sherman. Hurst, appropriately enough, plays the captain's first mate. Schneider is a "two-fisted animal expert" and part of a reality TV show film crew that enlists the captain to take them to a deserted island where they'll no doubt encounter (da-da-DUN!) ... the Killer Shrews!

Shooting is set to begin in L.A. in the next few months.

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Turner issues official release on new "Dallas" project

Oh, we've been geekin' out for weeks -- months, perhaps -- in anticipation of TNT's new "Dallas" project, set to begin shooting this spring. Today the Turner Newsroom churned out a new official press release for the updated series featuring our beloved Southfork clan:

http://news.turner.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=5543

Not only did the news break the other day of Jordana Brewster as a love interest of our two main boys, John Ross and Christopher, but this official news also includes the casting of Josh Henderson of "Desperate Housewives" as John Ross. We also have heard the rumor that hunky Justin Hartley was being considered for either John Ross or Christopher (such timing, since his "Smallville" will wrap its final season just as this one starts filming).

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Announcing the Kindle version of "Destination: Dallas"

Ya know, the books of the BRBTV fact book series all started out in electronic format, several years ago, presenting all the fun facts about these classic shows you adore in colorful, printable, portable, navigatable (is that a word?) Adobe PDF format. Then one by one, the e-books were parlayed into print form, except for Book 4, "Send Me to Santa Barbara."

Well, now BRBTV is pleased to announce the first Kindle version of a BRBTV fact book ... "Destination: Dallas." The huge volume contains every bit of content from the hefty 314-page print version -- even the photos! In fact, if your Kindle or other mobile reading device supports color, that's how you'll see the photos!

The Kindle version also reflects some special 2011 updates for the book, such as that fun photo we took of Greg Evigan and our bud Will Rodgers at the 2009 Professional Stuntman Invitational, some thoughts from Signy Coleman on her "Dallas" episode, and an acknowledgment of the new 2011 TNT "Dallas" project.

Saddle yourself up to the Kindle "Destination: Dallas" at the book's new product page.

Of course, there's another BRBTV product line that's been available on Kindle for a year, the BRBTV Report series, shorter, snappier feature stories and episode guides focusing on animated shows such as "Archie's Weird Mysteries" and "Batman: The Animated Series."

Monday, January 24, 2011

A "Dynasty" prequel movie? Sounds like crazy-cool fun!

Thanks to Dennis at the "Dynasty" Facebook group, as well as the Plastic Retro Blog and Coming Soon (have we forgotten anybody?) for the heads-up on this one ...

A "Dynasty" feature film is being planned, and the movie will reportedly take a prequel approach -- focusing on the Carringtons and Colbys in the '60s, which is decades before their lives were chronicled in the '80s classic primetime soap. Creators Richard and Esther Shapiro are citing another one of BRBTV's absolute fave shows, AMC's "Mad Men," as their inspiration. We couldn't be more delighted, and we love this fresh new idea!

"We’re going to do a lot of coloring outside the lines," Richard Shapiro says. "The movie will be the old 'Dynasty,' of course, but with horns."

Great! Sounds like it won't be the truly dreadful comedy / parody approach of so many other feature-film remakes of classic properties.

The film could go into production next year.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Blog brings you news on Joan Collins

We reported a while back that Joan Collins -- the "Dynasty" diva Alexis Carrington-Colby-And-On-And-On -- has just launched a Twitter account. Well, you've got another option to stay in tune with what Collins has going on -- a blog.

From links to mainstream media reports on her latest stage performances to tidbits on upcoming TV appearances and more, the Joan Collins Official News blog is your round-up of our British babe's comings and goings.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Nana Visitor talks about her time on "Trek"

To us fans of the "Dynasty" offshoot "The Colbys," she was Georgina Sinclair, the beautiful ballerina who viciously vied for the attentions Bliss Colby's hunky ballet suitor. To the rest of the world, though, Nana Visitor is known as Kira Nerys of the "Star Trek" offshoot "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." A new interview with the star includes her reminiscing about her time at the space station. Check it out at StarTrek.com.

Sunday, January 09, 2011

A fresh talk with Victoria Principal, and don't count Larry Hagman out for TNT's "Dallas" pilot

DallasFanzine.com has just posted an interview with Victoria Principal -- our beloved Pammy Ewing of our just-as-beloved "Dallas." You can listen to the audio or read the interview transcript at the site, as well as offer your comments in the box below.

Thanks, also, to Dallas Fanzine for keeping us up-to-date on their Facebook page on the latest busy-buzz surrounding the highly anticipated "Dallas" pilot from cable network TNT. Discussion has been bouncing here and there in the past few weeks as to whether or not Larry Hagman -- the kingpin of the show! -- would be involved. At the heart of the matter seems to be the cash. But now EW reports that the ole J.R. is not down for the count and is willing to make it happen.

Friday, January 07, 2011

John Schneider hits the con circuit hard this year

Thanks to Phyllis once again for the round-up on the 2011 appearance schedule for John Schneider, our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard." First off, he will be meeting fans and signing autographs at the O'Reilly World of Wheels Auto Show in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this weekend.
For more information go to http://www.worldofwheels.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=59.

January 21 and 22
John Schneider and Tom Wopat in concert together
Avalon Theatre
Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Tickets available at 1-877-833-3110 or at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/John-Schneider-tickets/artist/732925

January 29 and 30
Canton Hot Rod & Custom Bike Show in Canton, Ohio
http://www.cantonhotrodshow.com/carshow.nxg

February 11-13
O'Reilly World of Wheels in Birmingham, AL
http://www.worldofwheels.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=74

March 18-20
Toronto Comic Con in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
http://www.wizardworld.com/home-toronto.html

March 26-27
Mega Con in Orlando, Florida
http://www.megaconvention.com/view/mediaguests/

April 29, 30, May 1
Anaheim Comic Con in Anaheim, California
http://www.wizardworld.com/home-anaheim.html

May 21-22
Big Apple Comic Con Spring Edition in New York, N.Y.
http://www.wizardworld.com/home-newyork.html

June 17-19
Philadelphia Comic Con in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Welcome back, Christopher Mayer!

We love how the Hollywood Show churns out the great classic TV stars a few times a year, but we love even more that on the guest list this time around, for February, is somebody we've dearly wanted to talk to for a long time ... Mr. Christopher Mayer, aka Vance Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard" and T.J. Daniels of "Santa Barbara."

Hollywood Show
February 12-13
Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
2500 North Hollywood Way
Burbank, California 91505

Mayer joins his "Dukes" castmate Byron ("Coy Duke") Cherry for the event. And while Cherry has been enjoying a pretty rich "Dukes" experience the past few years, with appearances a'plenty, Mayer has been flying below the radar. We're hoping this is a sign of things to come, however -- he's got a whole world of "Dukes" fans who are anxious to meet him. Cherry, who has maintained a friendship with Mayer over the years since their time on "The Dukes" in the mid-'80s, can tell him all about it -- fans have embraced him like crazy at the "Dukes" events and at his other, more mainstream appearances. In fact, it was Cherry who brought the news to fans the other day of his teaming up with Mayer at the Hollywood Show, and BRBTV talked with Byron one-on-one about it. He tells us he's still confirming the details of this February appearance, but that for fans who can't make it to the show, don't worry: Byron will have Chris sign items for you.

"Let everyone know that they can send anything they want signed by Coy and Vance to me," Cherry tells BRBTV. "I will personally take the items to the show and have Vance Duke sign each item."

The cost is $15 per item, a pretty good price for these shows, plus return postage to you. Send payment, as well as your item to be signed, or your request for signatures on one of the 8-by-10 glossy photos Cherry typically takes to these shows, to him at this address:

Byron Cherry, aka Coy Duke
2230 Monaco Drive
Oxnard, CA 93035

For questions to Byron, visit him at his Facebook page or email CoyDuke@myway.com

We're hoping this won't be the only show these two Duke boys do together. Look, also, for a fresh BRBTV interview with Mayer in the weeks to come.

Chris, now is a great time to step back into the limelight. We can't wait to see ya.

Friday, December 31, 2010

CMT rolls out the "Dukes" and "Dallas" episodes in fab form this weekend

It would be enough for our friends at CMT -- who showed the great wisdom to bring "The Dukes of Hazzard" back to the airwaves a few months back -- to just offer up a "Dukes" marathon. But then those programming experts had to go and throw in a "Dallas" marathon, too -- proving that as a cable network, they definitely get the BRBTV stamp of approval!

"Yee-haw! CMT loves all you die-hard Dukes fans!" their social media rep emailed the other day. Yea, Chris, we believe you. Because CMT is rolling out the marathon today, starting at 1:30 p.m. Eastern and running until 3 a.m. So grab that jug of moonshine and ring in the new year right!

THEN ... (and especially for the many "Dukes" fans we've met over the years who crossed over into the "Dallas" realm, sticking around another hour when the show originally aired on Friday nights on CBS in the '80s) catch the "Dallas" marathon, beginning tomorrow at 2 p.m. Eastern and running until 3 a.m. (We think you can successfully give a "yee-haw!" to that one, too.)

"To add to the excitement," Chris at CMT says, "we are giving away a special guitar autographed by John Schneider!" You can enter to win on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheDukesRideAgain?v=app_28134323652.

And check out CMT's official Dukes Ride Again Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/TheDukesRideAgain

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Lane Davies talks about his work on "The Bay"

OutTakes host Laurie Baker just did a fresh interview this evening with Lane Davies, our own Mason Capwell of "Santa Barbara," on BlogTalkRadio. In the chat, Davies talked about his new gig on the brand-new web soap "The Bay," as well as how he first met Gregori J. Martin, producer of the series, which is now in its 10th webisode.

"I was actually hooked up with Gregori by a reporter," Davies said, explaining that he received a call on his cell during a show night at last summer's Tennessee Shakespeare Festival (see our BRBTV glimpse of the fest in the July 21, 2009 post). "She told me a bit about Gregori and what was involved. ... I thought, this sounds like a fun thing. So there we are."

So what's happening with Det. Mackenzie Johnson, the "Bay" character that Davies is taking over from former fellow "SB" cast member John Callahan? "I can't reveal too much, it being a soap, without spoiling some stuff. Suffice it to say, he's sorta tied in, in several ways, with several storylines, and being a cop gives him opportunity to throw his weight around."

Though the series also includes another former "SB" cast member, Nicolas Coster (Lionel Lockridge), Davies said he hasn't shared any scenes with him yet. He is intrigued, however, with this whole web soap thing, seeing it as a sign of changing times.

"I think it's clear to anybody that's really paying attention that there is a conversion on the way between the web and television. ... It's all going to be one giant entertainment information world. Your television will just be a giant computer, as they are now, for all practical purposes. It will no longer simply be cable and network. ... The future of television is converging with the Internet. It's a much more cost-effective way to get a show off the ground."

How does the experience compare to the regular soaps in which he spent so many years? "It's way more like shooting an independent film," he said. "For one thing, we're not shooting nearly as much material in one day. We're shooting single camera as opposed to multiple cameras."

The Southern Davies says the commute to California for shooting hasn't been that bad. "Now that both boys are in college, I'll be spending a little more time on the West Coast anyway."

Great -- more time there. But how about more time in these little episodes we get only once a week? Well, the cast and crew of "The Bay," he said, agree that more material needs to be posted. "There was a time when people would go to the movies on Saturday afternoon and see an installment of 'Superman.' ... You'd have to wait a week to see what happened, and it kept people going to theaters." But fret not -- there will come a time soon, as more money comes in for the show, Davies said, when more episodes will be posted per week.

Davies also reminisced, with the help of submitted fan questions, about his days on "SB." BRBTV's bud Tracy, in Davies' hometown of Dalton, Georgia, asked how much of his witty banter with the Julia Wainwright character was ad-libbed.

"We rarely improvised once the cameras started to roll," he said, "but we were given a fair amount of freedom with tweaking scripts. ... We sorta knew the characters better than they did, because we'd been playing them so long. ... I was always inserting Shakespeare and other literary references."

Speaking of Shakespeare, what's coming up for Davies in this summer's festival in Tennessee?

"I will direct 'The Comedy of Errors.' I probably won't be in it, because it just sorta exhausts me too much to do both. Unless it's a role I've done before, I'm very shy about directing myself."

Hear the whole interview, now archived, at BlogTalkRadio. The next episode of "The Bay," meanwhile, will be posted on Thursday, January 13.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Update on the Archie's Weird Mysteries compilation paperback

Mr. Paul Castiglia has updated BRBTV on the trade paperback compilation of the Archie's Weird Mysteries comic book series, which we told you about on December 9.

"I have some additional details on the stories that will be inside," he says. "Among them will be the 'Scream' parody from issue #2, the Bigfoot ('Sam Squatch' story), the intergalactic baseball game story and some Scarlett material. There should be some others as well, space permitting."

Castiglia blogged about it all at his Scared Silly blog, where you'll also see some fab art of the Scooby-Doo crossover (the characters match, in a truly uncanny way!).

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Archie's Weird Mysteries gets compilation paperback

Many thanks to the author himself, Mr. Paul Castiglia, for the heads-up on this one:  Those juicy, spooky stories you loved in the Archie's Weird Mysteries comic book title, based, of course, on our beloved "Archie's Weird Mysteries" animated series, are going to be collected in a trade paperback. The 128-page volume doesn't release until August 2011, but you can sneak a peek here:

http://www.amazon.com/Archies-Mysteries-Archie-Friends-All-Stars/dp/1879794748/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291558314&sr=1-8

Castiglia tells us he doesn't know yet exactly what stories the book will include, but we'll be waiting with baited breath ... werewolf bait, perhaps ... or maybe vampire ...

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

BRBTV birthdays for December

- Forry Smith, the dashing Reese Walker on "SB," turns 58 on December 1.
- Charlene Tilton, little Lucy Ewing of "Dallas," turns 52 on December 1, though reports sometimes conflict on her age.
- Nicolas Coster, the unforgettable Lionel Lockridge on "SB," as well as Lyle Sloan and Joe Morris on "Dallas," and even Ezra Bushmaster in "The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood" TV movie, turns 77 on December 3.
- Morgan Brittany, who also was unforgettable as the Bobby-stalking Katherine Wentworth on "Dallas," and who played Mary Lou Pringle on a 1980 episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard," "The Hazzardville Horror," celebrates her birthday on December 5, this year turning 59.
- Gunnar Hellström, who not only played Rolf Brundin on "Dallas" but also directed some episodes, was born on December 6, 1928 and died on November 28, 2001.
- Tom Fuccello, who was Sen. Dave Culver on "Dallas," was born on December 11, 1936, and died on August 16, 1993.
- Sheree J. Wilson, our own April Stevens Ewing of "Dallas," is the same age as our little Lucy (apparently!), turning 52 on December 12.
- Thaao Penghlis, who was Dr. Micah De Angelis in the tail-end of the run of "Santa Barbara," turns 65 on December 15.
- Helen Slater, who voiced Talia on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 47 on December 15.
- Christopher Cazenove, rugged and angry bro to Blake Carrington as Ben Carrington on "Dynasty," was born on December 17, 1943 and died on April 7, 2010.
- Brad Pitt, who was a very youthful Randy, boyfriend to Charlie, in one of his very first roles, on "Dallas," turns 47 on December 18.
- Karen Moncrieff, who played Cassandra Benedict on "Santa Barbara," turns 47 on December 20.
- Jared Martin, our own Dusty Farlow of "Dallas," turns 69 on December 21, according to the IMDb, although sources are conflicting.
- John Callahan, who was Craig Hunt on "SB," turns 57 on December 23.
- Susan Lucci, the evil Hillary Taylor in the latter years of "Dallas," has a birthday on Saturday, December 23, as well, turning 64.
- Dane Witherspoon, who originated the role of Joe Perkins on "Santa Barbara," turns 53 on December 27.
- Terri Garber, who was the feisty Leslie Carrington on "Dynasty," as well as Suzanne Collier on "SB," turns 50 on December 28.
- Barbara Carrera, who played the evil Angelica Nero on "Dallas," turns 65 on New Year's Eve, December 31, although sources have conflicted on that one, too!

Happy birthday to all, whatever age ya are!!!!!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Spotted: Jordan Charney

His screen time is brief in the episode we saw, but it's not hard to spot the distinguished veteran actor Jordan Charney as Judge Donald Karan in "Law & Order." It was a recurring role for Charney over a 14-year stretch of the popular crime drama, actually.

Years after he terrorized Robin Wright's poor Kelly Capwell on "Santa Barbara," he's fuller of cheek and highly appropriate as the cranky judge on "L&O." In this particular episode, 2005's "Life Line," he hears the case of a penitent perp who cuts a deal to get his son out of prison. (The perp, by the way, is William Sadler, whom we recall very fondly as the sheriff on "Roswell.")

Charney, who is a BRBTV triple-shot as Lt. Sutton on the earliest "Dallas" and Bill Cochran on "Dynasty" in addition to the evil Dr. Renfro on "SB," has also done guest appearances on the other two "Law & Order" shows, "Criminal Intent" (sharing time with Vincent D'onofrio -- yummy!) and "Special Victims Unit."

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Spotted: Jared Martin

As soap opera ploys go, Jared Martin made good use of the ole return-from-the-dead routine on "Dallas." On "Wonder Woman," however, Martin got to play out a different soapy twist -- the long-lost twin.

Well, OK, truth be told, the two characters he played on the two-parter, "Phantom of the Roller Coaster," weren't actually twins. They were two years apart (just to extend that "two" thing a little further!). But they looked just alike, except for the scarring brother David Gurney suffered from a napalm blast in Vietnam. With that disfigurement, and a limp, Martin differentiated David from little bro Leon, as if the latter's moustache and tie-clashing polyester suits weren't enough. The two are partners in the Fun Universe amusement park, which sees mystery and sabotage as part of this September 1979 "Wonder Woman" outing, just two months before Martin made his first appearance as Dusty Farlow on "Dallas."

Read the whole story at the IMDb, where you'll find meaty BRBTV synopses for this and all the other "Wonder Woman" episodes.

Monday, November 01, 2010

BRBTV birthdays for November

- Timothy Patrick Murphy, who was Mickey Trotter on "Dallas," was born on November 3, 1959 and died December 6, 1988.
- Kate Reid, who was Mickey's mom Lil on "Dallas," was born on November 4, 1930 and died March 27, 1993.
- Deborah Rennard, our own Sly Lovegren on "Dallas," turns 51 on November 4.
- Todd McKee, our own original Ted Capwell on "Santa Barbara," turns 47 on November 7.
- Russell Johnson, who is a BRBTV triple-shot for playing Sheriff Wyatt Mansfield on "Dallas," Earl Thompson on "Dynasty" and the third Roger Wainwright (Julia's dad) on "SB," turns 86 on November 10.
- Jack Scalia, the mysterious Nicholas Pearce / Joey Lombardi on "Dallas," has a birthday on November 10, as well, turning 60.
- Vincent Irizarry, a bigtime soaper who was Scott Clark on "SB," turns 51 on November 12.
- Dack Rambo, the hunky Jack Ewing of "Dallas," was born on November 13, 1941 and died on March 21, 1994.
- Tracy Scoggins, our Monica Colby of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," as well as Anita Smithfield on "Dallas: War of the Ewings," turns 57 on November 13.
- Edward Asner, the voice of Roland Daggett in "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 81 on November 15.
- Tricia Cast, who was Christy Duvall on "Santa Barbara," turns 42 on November 16.
- George O. Petrie, who played Harv Smithfield on "Dallas," was born on November 16, 1912 and died November 16, 1997.
- Brandon Call, the third Brandon DeMott Capwell on "SB," who was also notable as J.T. Lambert on ABC's sitcom "Step By Step" (side-by-side with Sasha Mitchell and Patrick Duffy of "Dallas"), as well as Hobie Buchanon in the syndicated "Baywatch," turns a so-young 34 on November 17.
- Rock Hudson, who played Daniel Reece on "Dynasty," was born on November 17, 1925 and died on October 2, 1985.
- Linda Evans, Hudson's on-screen love interest for a time, as Krystle on "Dynasty," turns 68 on November 18.
- Jocelyn Brando, who was John Ross' nanny Mrs. Reeves on "Dallas," was born on November 18, 1919 and died November 27, 2005.
- Joseph Campanella, a true classic actor who is a BRBTV triple-shot for his roles as mobster Joseph Lombardi Sr. on "Dallas" and Hutch Corrigan on "The Colbys," as well as Dr. Matthew Thorne on "Batman: TAS," turns 83 on November 21.
- Deborah Shelton, the stunning Mandy Winger on "Dallas," turns 62 on November 21.
- Maxwell Caulfield, our own Miles Colby of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," turns 51 on November 23.
- Michael Brainard, our final Ted Capwell on "Santa Barbara," turns 45 on November 23.
- Roscoe Born, our "SB" evil-twin actor as Robert Barr and Quinn Armitage, turns 60 on November 24.
- Howard Duff, who was Sen. Henry Harrison O'Dell on "Dallas," then Paul Galveston on the spinoff, "Knots Landing," was born on November 24, 1913 and died July 8, 1990.
- And ... sigh ... one of BRBTV's very favorite actors ... the wonderful, the great, the accomplished, the amazing (!) Ricardo Montalban, who was Zach Powers on "The Colbys" among so many other things, was born on November 25, 1920, and died on January 14, 2009.
- Marcy Walker, our own Eden Capwell of "SB" who since has settled into work for God's Kingdom, turns 49 on November 26.
- Joshua Harris, our darling little Christopher Ewing of "Dallas," is a big boy now, turning 32 on November 27.
- Stephen Elliott, who was Scotty Demarest on "Dallas," was born on November 27, 1918 and died May 21, 2005.
- Sherilyn Wolter, the evil Elena Nikolas / Capwell on "SB," has a birthday on November 30, turning 59.
- Efrem Zimbalist Jr., who voiced Alfred the butler in "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 92 on November 30.
- Kevin Conroy, who voiced Batman in "Batman: The Animated Series" and all the other series that spun off from it, as well as playing Bart Fallmont on "Dynasty," turns 55 on November 30.


Happy birthday to all!