Terrific TV Toys: It's the Halloween special with even more Scooby plush!

Nothing says Halloween like Scooby-Doo, so we're marking this great holiday with a whole batch of Scoobies. And it's a magical Scooby week, anyway, with the premiere of a brand-new Scooby-Doo show, "Be Cool, Scooby-Doo," on Cartoon Network!

In Season 1 of the Terrific TV Toys series, you saw a heap of Scooby-Doo plush from the collection at BRBTV headquarters. Checkered, polka-dotted, pink, yellow and what-have-you, one even bigger than this author, they are a varied and wondrous lot. But we weren't done showing you stuffed Scoobs -- we've gotten more since then!

Most of the Scoobies you'll see in this Halloween special were nabbed at a booth at the Taylor Town Trade Center in Metro Detroit last December. Another one was just procured last month at a Goodwill store in Paw Paw, Michigan. (yes, you read that right -- what a great place to find a Scooby!!!!).

Charles Cyphers recalls his time on "Isis," "Wonder Woman" and "The Dukes of Hazzard"

Special thanks to guest blogger Brian Lombard!

Halloween is almost here, and among the many annual traditions is Monster Mania, a horror and sci-fi themed convention In Hunt Valley, Maryland. Last weekend saw the likes of such masters of horror as George Romero, Dee Wallace Stone and Meg Foster, among many others.

 

While horror has never been my go-to genre, the convention always allows for the opportunity to meet with the actors and discuss some of their other roles, the ones that the con organizers don’t necessarily advertise on the flyers. Early roles in television and film, before they made it big.

Dee Wallace Stone was amazed that I brought up her 1977 episode of Sid and Marty Krofft’s TV series "Bigfoot and Wildboy," as most fans were interested in discussing "Cujo" or "E.T." Meg Foster was equally amazed that anyone remembered her trilogy of episodes on the series "Quantum Leap," rather than her role in Rob Zombie’s "Lords of Salem." But inevitably you’ll find a role on their IMDb page that’s just ripe for a BRBTV guide. Enter Charles Cyphers.

 

Most famous for his role as Sheriff Brackett in the "Halloween" movie franchise, Cyphers began his career like any other actor, taking roles in television and film hoping to establish a name for himself.  And fans of BRBTV are sure to have seen his work.

 

Charles Cyphers as Sheriff Leigh Brackett in "Halloween" (1978).

 

In 2012, BRBTV released "Superchicks: A Guide to TV’s Wonder Woman and Isis." Cyphers has the distinction of having appeared in both series.  So I asked him to discuss those two early roles.

 

“'Isis,' that was one of my very first roles,” he said. “And I got to play a car thief.” 

Cyphers and I had been discussing his roles and their availability on DVD. He was not aware that "Isis" was released until I mentioned it. 

“That really shocks me. I had no idea that that series was still around. Just the other day, I got a royalty check, a BIG one, for 'The Six Million Dollar Man.' For the DVDs. 'Isis'?  Never saw a thing.  I don’t know who owns it, but we shot it for Filmation.”

 

On "Wonder Woman," Cyphers played Kurt in the first-season episode “Wonder Woman in Hollywood,” one of the episodes in which a very young Debra Winger played Wonder Girl.

 

“That was a great episode for me. The director (Bruce Bilson) was a friend of mine, and while we were shooting that episode, he was also directing me in a play. He would tease me about that for a long, long time. And Lynda Carter, yes, she was great to work with.”

 

A few years later, Cyphers would appear in two different roles on "The Dukes of Hazzard," as chronicled in "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" He appeared in one of the very first shows shot in Hollywood, “Limo One is Missing.” Five years later, he would return to Hazzard in the sixth season’s “Dead and Alive.”

 

When asked about the experiences, Cyphers says that he had a lot of fun filming "The Dukes," but he adds that “those boys were full of themselves. I had more fun on 'Wonder Woman.'”

Brian Lombard is the author of "Bradypalooza: The Unauthorized Guide to TV's Favorite Family."

Some more "Dukes" art to fascinate fans

We told you about the fabulous "Dukes of Hazzard"-themed paintings by Jim Wilson of Ontario, Canada, in not only our May 29, 2013 and January 28, 2015 blog posts but also in the newest edition of the "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" reference guide to the show. Well, Jim is at it again, just painting another beauty last week ...

It's a General he painted from his 1:18 model car. We asked if this was inspired by an episode, like several of Jim's other paintings, and he said no, and that he painted it with a nighttime scene "because u never see dukes at night." Yea ... might have a point there! Anyhow, here's another painting Jim has done this year ...

AND ... as if that's not enough!!!! Check out this truly special specialty item ... a stool fashioned like a guitar fashioned like a General Lee! When have ya'all ever seen one of those before? Jim made this by hand for his friend, Jason Darling, a fellow artist we've profiled on this blog and in the book! That's Jim and Jason in the photo below.

The stool is made of wood and took Jim about a week to craft. Did he use any kind of model for it? Nope, Jim says, it's all in his head. And aren't we glad it is!!!

Images courtesy of Jim Wilson and Wilson Estate Photography; please do not copy without permission.

Terrific TV Toys: Bionic Action Club Kit

Ahhh, remember those days of youth, when you could mail in like $1.25 or something and receive a membership card and certificate and whatever else to some cool club. This author became a member of the Archie Club that way, ya know! That membership card is still rattling around in some wallet or purse up in the closet (yes, I carried it for a while)! Well, our friend Andrea Melchiori became a member of the Bionic Action Club back in the 1970s, when she loved "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Bionic Woman" TV shows. Andrea takes over hosting duties of Terrific TV Toys for this latest episode, where she shows you the precious items she received in the mail for this oh-so exclusive club, as well as some other items in her Bionic collection.

Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con: James Rosin

From in front of the camera to the printed script, to the pages of a book ... James Rosin has experienced all of that -- and sometimes he has experienced all of that centered around the same show! ("Quincy M.E.") Rosin has appeared on several TV shows, from "Love, American Style" through "Sleepers." He has also written books about the shows "Quincy," "Route 66," "Wagon Train" and more. Here, he talks with Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV about his career.

This rounds out our coverage of the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con a couple weekends ago in Maryland. What a good time! Special thanks to our fellow author Brian Lombard for the assist with the camera!

Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con: Stanley Livingston

It was our first time at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con, a show brimming with stars of classic TV, a show that we've had our eyes on for years. And what a good day to go to this event, which ran September 17-19 -- this author was there the last day of the show, when things were a little quieter. When I could chat a bit with those said stars, and not keep them from the swarming throngs. Take Stanley Livingston, who played one of "My Three Sons." Loved that show!!!! Livingston talked about what it was like to grow up on the show -- and what little pranks he may have accidentally played with his bro and castmate, Barry ...



Keep tabs on Stanley on his website, StanleyLivingston.com, and watch for a new companion guide to "My Three Sons," which you see a draft of in this interview!

Profiles in History auction offers classic "Dynasty," "Dukes," "Star Trek" goodies and much more

Ever wanted a tunic just like Spock's in the original "Star Trek" series? How about Spock's actual tunic from the original "Star Trek" series? The possibility is even more meaningful since we lost Leonard Nimoy recently. The Profiles in History auction has that tunic, along with some other stuff from classic TV shows. 

The auction, Hollywood Auction 74, starts at 11 a.m. PDT on September 29, and continues September 30 and October 1 and will feature almost 1,900 noteworthy lots. The three-day event has items from a range of TV shows. Invaluable.com is hosting this auction on their website. They are the largest online auction marketplace with several live auctions running daily. If you're interested in other prop or collection auctions be sure to keep your eyes on their collectibles page. 

Behold these two offerings for next week, from the auction's press materials:

Lot 1590: Leonard Nimoy “Spock” tunic from "Star Trek: The Original Series"

Estimated Price - $70,000 - $90,000

This velour science division Starfleet duty uniform tunic was worn by Leonard Nimoy as the mixed human-Vulcan first officer, “Mr. Spock”, in the second season of Star Trek: The Original Series. Complete with original rank braiding on the sleeves and insignia, this incredible piece has been stored in a dark closet since 1968 and the color remains exceptionally vibrant. What is truly remarkable is the iron-clad accompanying provenance. This Nimoy Spock tunic was the first prize in a 1968 “TV Star Parade’s Star Trek--Design-a-Costume Contest.” Never before have we encountered such a prized wardrobe piece from the Original Series with such exceptional documentation. Mr. Spock remains as the overwhelming favorite and most highly desired Star Trek character by collectors. This second season tunic is beyond reproach. Tiny 2 mm. hole on the left breast with slight staining under the arms; very fine overall condition.

Lot 1591: Star Trek: The Original Series script signed by cast and Gene Roddenberry

Estimated Price - $1,000 - $1,500

Star Trek: The Original Series script signed by cast and Gene Roddenberry. (Paramount TV, 1966-1969) Vintage original studio bound and bradded 113-multi-color revision page final draft script written by Jerome Bixby. Originally the personal shooting script of Vic Perrin who guest starred in the episode as “Tharn.” In vintage very good condition. 

The array of "Trek" items on the third day of the auction is quite stunning.

There's also a "General Lee" 1969 Dodge Charger from The Dukes of Hazzard going up for bids.

And if that didn't already float your boat, a "Dynasty" cast-signed script. 

Among the other classic TV offerings:

• An autographed photo of Jay Silverheels from "The Lone Ranger"
• Clayton Moore’s “Lone Ranger” personal appearance outfit
• "The Lone Ranger" episode script 
• Warden Neil vintage original costume sketch of Michael Jackson from "The Jacksons" TV show, 1976-1977
• Lucille Ball as “Marilyn Monroe” mink cuffs from "I Love Lucy" and several other wardrobe pieces for Lucille Ball
• Lassie promotional appearance dog jackets (Jon Provost just told us about those personal appearances in our interview with him from last weekend's Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con!)
• "Dragnet" and "Adam" 12 (3) miniature badges  
• Bob Keeshan “Captain Kangaroo” signature costume
• "The Outer Limits" advance pilot script with shooting schedule
• Mansion elevation for "The Munsters" and floor plan  
• Dawn Wells signature “Mary Ann” costume for "Gilligan’s Island" (guess that answers one of the questions we asked Dawn Wells at this past year's Motor City Comic Con!)
• Billy Mumy “Will Robinson” tunic and pants for "Lost in Space"
• Bob Crane “Col. Hogan” brown bomber jacket and shirt from "Hogan’s Heroes" 
• Script from "The Green Hornet"
• "Night Gallery" pilot script for Rod Serling premiere trilogy episode
• Henry Winkler Fonzie jacket from"Happy Days"
• Original Sleestak head maquette from "Land of the Lost" 

   

Images courtesy of Profiles in History; please do not copy without permission.

Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con: David Pollock

Remember on "All in the Family" when Edith got that mink? And it had to go to the cleaners (cue Mr. Jefferson!)? Well, David Pollock remembers it, because he wrote it! Pollock also wrote for other classic TV shows like "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "M*A*S*H." Comedy writing is his specialty, and he also has a new book out about the comedy team Bob and Ray. Pollock talked with Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV at last weekend's Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con in Maryland, just as things were winding down a bit on the last day of this fun show ...

Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con: Jon Provost

For his role on the classic TV series "Lassie," actor Jon Provost had to establish a rapport with this lovable collie off-screen as well as on-screen. In the midst of his seven-year run on the show -- where he started at the tender age of 7 -- he established more than that, however. He established a sort of a calling that would stay with him for decades. Provost talked to Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV at this past weekend's Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con about not only his time on "Lassie," but the special visits he made to hospitalized children, and the important work he does with animals to this very day.

Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con serves up some classic TV fun

It was our first time at this past weekend's Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and we had a lot of fun. Not only did we behold some fabulous stars of classic television, but we got to indulge our love for some terrific TV toys of the 1970s and '80s, as well ...

It was a Bionic reunion as Lindsay Wagner, above, star of "The Bionic Woman," appeared, as well as Lee Majors of "The Six Million Dollar Man" and their costar Richard Anderson, below, with his manager.

Action figure cosplay? Believe it! This couple did a dynamite redeaux of the Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman 12-inch figures of the 1970s by Kenner (see the real things in the first season of the Terrific TV Toys series, by the way!). And wow, yes, there were action figures for "The Love Boat." Seriously ..

"The Dukes of Hazzard," Donny and Marie Osmond's variety show, "Charlie's Angels," "Mork and Mindy" and more ... We saw all kinds of tempting TV toys!!!!

Stay tuned, because we're bringing you four great interviews from the event in the coming days ...

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

TV-themed goodies get us ready for the holiday season ... but just not quite yet

I know, I know -- how frustrating is it to see Christmas stuff in the stores in September? We don't like it much either. We like to hang onto summer in September, embrace our pumpkin spice lattes and Batgirl costume only in October, love Thanksgiving in November, THEN (and only then) enjoy the Christmas season. Still, we couldn't help but snap photos of what we saw in the Hallmark store over this past weekend. So many fun Christmas tree ornaments related to beloved classic TV shows, from the Six Million Dollar Man to the Muppets and Mork from Ork and more ...

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

"Dukes of Hazzard" creator Gy Waldron weighs in on the Confederate flag

Much has been said in recent months about the Confederate flag that sits atop the General Lee car on "The Dukes of Hazzard." We were delighted, however, to read these words from Gy Waldron, the creator of the beloved 1980s TV series. Mr. Waldron is kind enough to let us reprint them here ...

Waldron is still at his writing craft, by the way. He has written a book, a romantic thriller called "Twist of Time." See GyWaldron.com to learn more.

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

The General Lee

My grandfather, Franklin, of whom Uncle Jesse was based, said, “Never debate with one whom you must first educate; you’ll both lose.”

The discussion about the Confederate flag is impassioned and acrimonious, and I don’t want to heighten the tension or offend, defend, preach or justify.

Growing up in the South, I had an experience with the Confederate flag that perhaps those who reside outside the South may not understand. Family, friends, neighbors and local business owners had no attachment to racism or white supremacy, but many – most – did fly the flag from their porches. Seeing the flag flying was ordinary and uneventful yet seeped in culture. It represented not slavery nor racism, but Southern heritage—much like sweet tea, cobbler, playing country music on the back porch, or multiple dialects. It was unique to its setting, found almost everywhere, and most definitely not a symbol of racism.

To have it placed on the roof of the General Lee was not politically profound; it defined the culture of Hazzard County, which had nothing to do with racial superiority. And while “Southern lifestyle” is entangled with controversial definitions, the one referred to here crosses racial lines—I shared this experience with black and white friends throughout my lifetime.

My family history is entangled; two brothers fought on opposite sides of the Civil War and my great, great grandfather, Anthony McGill, owned slaves. One year before the war started, McGill became a Baptist Abolitionist, and as such, no longer had slaves under the dictates of his faith. Two of the then former slaves moved north, while another two, a couple, chose to stay on the plantation with McGill. They were sharecroppers, the first in the county, and were buried in our family graveyard after a long life of farming with my family. Generations later, we were active in the Civil Rights movement.
None of this is to mark my place with a particular opinion. I’m laying out my experience, not for an expiation of wrongdoing, because I am not a racist; it is merely to establish discourse and personal clarity. I hope you’ll join me in conversation and help deepen my understanding of all angles and thoughts on the matter.

--Gy

Terrific TV Toys on Wheels: KITT of "Knight Rider"

We have had a great time this week and last week showing you some Terrific TV Toys on Wheels, as a special set of episodes in our regular web series. For the fourth installment, we turn our attention to the classic '80s TV show "Knight Rider," starring David Hasselhoff. Little boys everywhere (including this author's cousin, Jimmy!) were once enthralled by Michael Knight and his talking car KITT, and perhaps still are, and in this episode, we talk to one of those boys all grown up: David of Clio, Michigan. David loves taking his KITT car to shows all across Michigan, like this one, the Cruisin' Hines show that happened last weekend in Metro Detroit. His KITT has a working dashboard full of gizmos and gadgets and a voice of KITT that just doesn't quit! Thanks so much, David, for taking the time to talk to BRBTV!