Archie's getting married? Betty or Veronica? (or Cheryl?) The lucky girl is ...

We generally hang on to the Archie Comics PR items until the release dates of the issues draw closer, but this is such a hot item, we just had to get it up on the blog right away ... History is about to be made, folks ...

From Archie Comics

The eternal love triangle is the cornerstone of Archie Comics for over 65 years — and the bane of Archie Andrews' existence! In fact, over the years it has not only defined the Betty / Archie / Veronica relationship, but has even threatened to dismantle it a time or 20.

Never was this more evident than in the landmark “Love Showdown” storyline from 1994 and ’95. When Archie Comics announced that Archie Andrews may finally choose between Betty and Veronica once and for all, the response from the media, fans and retailers alike was unprecedented — and with good reason! The landmark "Love Showdown" storyline threatened the certainty of the love triangle and all it stood for, nearly bringing an end to the friendships of all three characters as Archie chose old flame Cheryl Blossom at story’s end!

Readers had nothing to fear, as ultimately Cheryl wore out her welcome in Riverdale. While she’s been an occasional presence (and to Betty and Veronica, an occasional nuisance) in the past 15 years, life has returned to normal for Archie and his friends. And that includes his seemingly never-ending inability to choose between Betty and Veronica, no matter how many times he takes them out.

Without question, the “Love Showdown” was the most talked-about, most publicized and most popular Archie Comics story ever … until now! The past 15 years’ worth of love triangle status quo really could be facing extinction in a story that will rock the world of everyone in Riverdale and be sure to keep people talking for months on end!

In fact, we’ll even go so far as to call it the Archie Story of the Century. With a title like “Archie Marries Veronica Part 1: The Proposal,” how could we call it anything else?!

Could it be true? Has Archie finally decided to take the plunge and propose to comics’ favorite rich girl? It sure looks that way! Earlier this year readers got a chance to relive “Freshman Year” with the famous teens of Riverdale High. Now make way for this special story that takes a look at Archie and his friends after they graduate college! What careers will they seek? Will the friends stay in Riverdale or disperse? What would lead Archie to have marriage on his mind? And why would he choose Veronica over Betty? How will Betty react? Can Archie shake off his klutzy past and hold down a steady job… for more than a month? Two things are certain: with the Lodges as hosts, this will be the biggest wedding Riverdale has ever seen … and the biggest Archie Comics story since the famous “Love Showdown!”

Acclaimed superhero movie producer Michael Uslan draws upon his lifelong love of Archie comic books to write this very special tale, rendered by legendary Archie Comics artist Stan Goldberg! The Archie story of the century begins here… don’t miss it!

ARCHIE #600
Shipping: August 12, 2009
On sale at comic specialty shops: August 19, 2009
On sale on newsstands: September 1, 2009
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

Spotted: James Farentino

A cocky young kid in white high-waisted pants. That's our boy Nick Toscanni of "Dynasty," known to the rest of the world as James Farentino. At least that was our boy back in 1962, when this episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" originally aired.

A couple decades before his character fell for Krystle Carrington, Farentino played Bernie, the son of the owner of a boarding house in the Sydney Pollack-directed episode, called "The Black Curtain." Bernie notices something strange about one of the boarders, discovering he's secretly a mobster accused of murder. Bernie decides to cash in on this fact, in-between verbally harassing unsuspecting young ladies. And Farentino is pretty handsome as a young street-smart guy.

Watch the episode courtesy of Hulu and MSN TV here:
http://beta.video.msn.com/play/?pid=om_S9FOCZ4_nQFh1Jo2D4Dzxzx3C6qNG&v=hulu

John Schneider sells TV shows to 2 cable networks

Our own Bo Duke, Mr. John Schneider of "The Dukes of Hazzard," updated fans via email today, noting how he's been workin' some interesting angles on future TV lineups.

"I managed to sell two shows last month based on stunts!" he says. "A reality show, 'Crash Test Dummies,' and a drama, 'The Dead Ringer.' One is to Spike and the other to USA. Right now I am pitching a show about finding the next world-class jockey and also a half-hour sitcom called 'Johnny Black.' 'Johnny Black' is one meeting away from being purchased by CMT! It centers on a world-famous bad-boy singer who is actually quite subdued at home. Me."

OK, well ... further testament to the fact that our John-John's not slowing down anytime soon. And pursuant to that, another note on what's coming up on Schneider's agenda:

Lightning Fest
August 7-8
Dyersville, Iowa
http://collector.johnnylightning.com/?xcid=jlhome

Joining Schneider will be BRBTV's bud Paul Harrington of the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club, along with his vast "Dukes of Hazzard" museum and car display.

Coming up in Archie Comics

ARCHIE #597
"A Typical Day": In this issue-length epic, a documentary film crew follows Archie and his friends through a "typical" day. But will the kids really act "typical" when they know they're being filmed? Will their true colors come out, or will the crafty film crew conspire to conceive contrivances for the "candid" kids? Don't miss this anything-but-typical issue!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman
ART: Stan Goldberg
On sale at comic specialty shops: May 27, 2009
On sale on newsstands: June 9, 2009
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

ARCHIE DIGEST #254
"The Last Day of School": The last day of school has arrived, and the teens may be surprised to find that the faculty is looking forward to their "vacation" as much as the kids are!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Tim Kennedy
"Swing Time": Archie, Reggie and Jughead reminisce about how they used to swing from and through the trees as little kids, but when they attempt to try it again, they learn just to "leaf" some memories alone!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Bob Bolling
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic specialty shops: May 20, 2009
On sale on newsstands: June 2, 2009
88-page, full color digest
$2.69 U.S.

ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #199
"Thinking of Sinking": Archie is given a boat that's a real fixer-upper, but will this rickety-raft be enough to float Betty and Veronica's boats?
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare
ART: Jeff Shultz
"Old Fashioned Guy": Tired of a world addicted to high-tech gadgets, Archie "takes a hike" – literally – to get away from it all!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Pat Kennedy
"The Report": The local newspaper sends its newest interns, Archie and Jughead, to cover girls' sports and safety, but the only ones out of the safety zone are Archie and Jughead!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Pat Kennedy
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

BETTY #180
"The Prom Crashers, Part 2": Picking up from VERONICA #194, the prom crashing continues! Betty and Veronica have both endured their fair share of memorable proms since Archie's debut in the 1940s. A constant source of drama and mayhem, the school prom has long sent the eternal love triangle of Veronica, Archie and Betty to the brink. Now, Betty and Veronica form an alliance to face the source of much of their past prom grief: Cheryl Blossom! They've crashed Pembrooke's prom, and Archie has followed along for damage control – but what if the girls don't want Archie to save them? Do they have designs on Cheryl's date and the other eligible Pembrooke pals? Will Archie take his chances with a Pembrooke gal? And what's happening back at Riverdale's own prom? Grab your tux, gown, cummerbund and corsage and join the fun!
SCRIPT: Dan Parent
ART: Stan Goldberg
On sale at comic specialty shops: June 3, 2009
On sale on newsstands: June 16, 2009
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #89
GET SET TO WAX UP YOUR BOARD AND RIDE THE WAVES IN THIS SURF-TACULAR ISSUE!
"Surf's Up": When a reality show about a hunky surfer hits Riverdale, guess which rich girl is first in line to be an extra? "Catch the Wave!": Rainy days don't put a damper on Betty and Veronica's surfing – not when they can "surf indoors" with their interactive "Whee" gaming system!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Dan Parent
PLUS: Summer fun fashions and quizzes!
On sale at comic specialty shops: May 13th, 2009
On sale on newsstands: May 26th, 2009
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #194
"Class Action!": The girls think summer means a break from education, but little do they realize just how educational their recreational plans are!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Jeff Shultz
"All at Sea": Veronica is happy to have Archie to herself for the maiden voyage of her dad's new cruise ship, but when circumstances cause Archie to stay behind with Betty, he's cruising for a bruising!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Jeff Shultz
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic specialty shops: May 13, 2009
On sale on newsstands: May 26, 2009
88-page, full-color digest
$2.69 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #171
"My Father's Betrayal, Part 2": The latest "New Look" saga has rocked Riverdale, with Veronica and her friends facing off against Mr. Lodge and his constituents as the teens try to keep a beloved nature preserve from becoming an industrial park! Last issue, the problem came to light. This issue, it's time for action! Petitions...posters...publicity...public meetings...it's all part of a multi-tiered strategy by the teens to bring the plight of the forest to the public. They even enlist a botany professor to join their protest! But when people on both sides of the issue debate, the problem is grayer than ever. Who will prevail? Can a compromise be reached before the trees all come down? It's the story you just can't afford to miss, served up in the "realistic" art style that made Betty and Veronica's "Bad Boy Trouble," Jughead's "Matchmakers," and Moose and Midge's "Breakup Blues" some of the most talked-about Archie stories in recent years! Famous superhero art team and Eisner Award nominees Rick Burchett and Terry Austin lend their formidable penciling and inking talents to this intriguing tale, brought to you by "New Look" scribe Melanie J. Morgan.
SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan
ART: Rick Burchett and Terry Austin
PLUS: Other new and classic tales
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic specialty shops: May 27, 2009
On sale on newsstands: June 9, 2009
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

JUGHEAD #195
"The Milkweed Lament": Who is Pop Tate's best and steadiest customer? Everyone would say Jughead, of course, but they've somehow overlooked the mysterious Mr. Milkweed! What lengths will Jug go to in order to ensure that he is number one? "The Sandman": Jug's pals build a sand sculpture worthy of the big award. They just should have looked more closely before building it on top of Jughead! "Appetitement Excitement!": Jughead gets more thrills, chills and spills at the theme park's snack stand than the rest of the gang does from the rides!
SCRIPTS: Craig Boldman
ART: Rex Lindsey
On sale at comic specialty shops: May 20, 2009
On sale on newsstands: June 2, 2009
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #150
150th ISSUE SPECTACULAR
"Rip Van Juggie": After gorging himself in a hot dog eating contest, Jughead falls into a deep sleep...and envisions a future that can cause more nightmares than even too many hot dogs!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Pat Kennedy
"Meat of Champions": Reggie is certain that Jughead's choppers have finally met their match when Jughead accepts the new steakhouse's "eat a 72 ounce steak in 60 seconds" challenge!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Fernando Ruiz
"Family Resemblance": Put on your hazard gear – it's an Andrews family reunion, and clumsiness runs in the family!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Bob Bolling
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic specialty shops: May 13, 2009
On sale on newsstands: May 26, 2009
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #102
"Finders Keepers, Part Two": The thrills and spills continue as we look back on Salem's life as a young wizard! Salem and his Uncle Mort are deep inside the cavern fortress of the evil Lizarmyn in search of treasure – and nothing is going right! Can Salem change the frog-wizard Todicus back to normal, or will they wind up on a Lizarmyn dinner table?! This dilemma is more than the pair can "digest," but they're determined to be removed from the menu!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn
PENCILS: Chad Thomas
INKS: Jim Amash
Massively magical cover by Chad Thomas!
On sale at comic specialty shops: May 13, 2009
On sale on newsstands: May 26, 2009
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

Bowling champs Chris and Lynda Barnes make an Archies appearance

From Archie Comics

Over the years, Archie Comics has presented many "real people" in its pages. Sometimes they appeared in parody form, with satirical versions of their names and likenesses used. Other times, the actual people lent their names and likenesses. A wide-range of "real" folks, from school librarians to comic shop owners to famous celebrities like Don Kirschner, Glenn Scarpelli and The Veronicas have appeared in Archie Comics-form.

The trend of having real people appear in Archie comics continues this issue. Real-life husband-and-wife team Chris and Lynda Barnes are noted for winning the most prestigious titles in bowling: Chris is the PBA player of the year and Lynda the 2008 USBC Queens champion. Now, bowling’s reigning championship couple thrills Archie Comics readers in the story "7-10 Slip" from PALS 'N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #131.

It all starts when Pop Tate breaks his arm in a fall. Naturally, the kids want to help, so they rally together to raise money for his medical bills. While their individual efforts to use their talents to raise funds are noble, the gang soon realizes they need some extra-special help. They call in Chris and Lynda Barnes for a special charity bowling event that attracts the attention of the whole town. With Chris and Lynda on board, it’s the most "striking" Archie story yet!

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #131
"7-10 Slip": When Pop Tate breaks his arm in a fall, the kids rally together to raise money for his medical bills. They get some help from real-life bowling champions Chris and Lynda Barnes. This husband-and-wife team is noted for winning the most prestigious titles in bowling: Chris is the PBA player of the year and Lynda the 2008 USBC Queens champion. Now they'll "bowl" you over Archie Comics style, in the most "striking" story yet!
SCRIPT: Stephen Oswald.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
"Music to my Ears": Frankie Valdez decides to cut a singing demo, but when Maria discovers all of Frankie's backup singers are female, their love song hits a sour note!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
"Bypass the Gas": At Miss Grundy's urging, the teens decide to use alternate methods of transportation to save fuel. Will the idea take off, or will it "run out of gas?"
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Bob Bolling.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic specialty shops: May 6, 2009
On sale on newsstands: May 19, 2009
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

Bat-Blog does a guest shot in the L.A. Times, and Motor City is the place to be this weekend!

Our buddy Tommy of the Bat-Blog lends his expertise to the Los Angeles Times today, listing the top 10 Batman vintage collectibles! Is that fun or what? Check it out:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/05/top-10-vintage-batman-toys-for-your-inner-boy-wonder.html

Meanwhile, now's the time to drop in on the Motor City. At least this weekend's the time, when the annual mind-blowing Motor City Comic Con gets underway once again at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Michigan. Not only will Dan Parent of Archie Comics be there to chat with fans and draw some cool stuff, but you might just be blessed enough to encounter two of the Big Three of "The Dukes of Hazzard." John Schneider (Bo Duke) and Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke) are scheduled to appear! (And speaking of the Big Three, call it one-and-a-half-and-another-half for our beloved "Three's Company": Joyce Dewitt, Priscilla Barnes and Richard Kline!)

And in the "Dallas" corner, the Ultimate Dallas site has a brand-spankin'-new interview up with Mr. Patrick Duffy, our own hunky Bobby Ewing, man of our dreams. (Did we mention he's hot?) Get it while it's hot off the press, so to speak: http://ultimatedallas.com/dallasinterviews/

Archie Comics launches mobile comics program

From Archie Comics

MAY 11, 2009, MAMARONECK, NY—Archie Comics makes the leap into the digital world of mobile content today with the launch of a new app for the iPhone.

Co-President Victor Gorelick explained: “Archie Comics has always worked with legendary creators to create funny stories. Over the years, we have been successful in bringing those stories to each new generations. The new iPhone application allows us to better reach the next generation of Archie fans. We have always provided our readers with the best reading experience possible, and this new endeavor is no exception. People have come to expect high-quality, humorous entrainment, and we always do our very best to deliver that to our fans with every comic.”

Co-President Fred Mausser said, “We are excited about the possibilities of the new iPhone application. This will be another format for our fans to enjoy digital Archie Comics. The iPhone is an evolution for the comics industry and we look forward to bringing our tradition of humor and mirth into this new medium.”

Managing Editor Mike Pellerito said, “iPhone apps an area where Archie Comics foresees significant growth. We are focusing on iTunes with our partner iVerse. Selling our comics directly to fans electronically will expand our ability to get our comics in the hands of our fans in a whole new way. We have been included in the iPhone app with Comicology since their launch earlier this year and comics as a whole are doing very well on iTunes.”

Spotted: George Kennedy

Walker-wielding but still looking good, George Kennedy, our own Carter McKay of "Dallas," was a delight to see in the 2007 flick "Sands of Oblivion" on the Sci Fi Channel. In the movie, Kennedy is John Tevis, a rather exuberant and obsessed older gentlemen searching in the California desert for a piece of the set of Cecil B. DeMille's "Ten Commandments" buried many decades earlier. The item, purported to be an actual Egyptian artifact, is of special significance to him.

Kennedy shares the desert scenes with the hunky Victor Webster of the syndicated "Mutant X," who plays his grandson, as well as Adam Baldwin, the non-Baldwin-Brother megahunk BRBTV just can't get enough of on NBC's "Chuck."

You can't really say that Kennedy is slowing down since his days at Weststar Oil. He has a brand-new project in the works, "Six Days in Paradise."

Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray featured on celebrity merchandise site

"Your online store for purchasing authentic celebrity memorabilia from some of your favorite stars" ... so says FanSourceCelebritySales.com, which starts out its biz with three classic TV stars. All of them are female, all are liked by BRBTV, and two are part of the BRBTV family!

Morgan Fairchild and Linda Gray of "Dallas" -- the former, one of the Jenna Wades, and the latter, the one and only Sue Ellen Ewing -- are two of the three, and there's an assortment of fun stuff you can buy in their name. Quite literally. Because often they sign the stuff. It's one-of-a-kind stuff, too.

Fairchild's assortment is mostly clothing, but there is a nice little nugget -- an autographed script from her "Dallas" appearance. For Gray, you can snag a Southfork watch, her own flashlight gift to the "Dallas" crew members, and other goodies.

Since the third actress featured on the site is our beloved Lindsay Wagner (and we already own that Bionic Woman doll and board game ... alas ...), let's hope FanSource plans to expand this site to many, many more great classic TV stars.

BRBTV birthdays for May

- Lance LeGault, who is a BRBTV triple-shot as Al Halliday on "Dallas," Ray Bonning on "Dynasty" and Les Sloane on "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 74 on May 2.
- Melissa Gilbert, the "Little House on the Prairie" star who was the original voice of Barbara Gordon and Batgirl on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 45 on May 8.
- Jeanna Michaels, who was Lydia Saunders on "Santa Barbara" and secretary Connie on "Dallas," turns 53 on May 9.
- Denver Pyle, the venerable Uncle Jesse of "The Dukes of Hazzard," was born on May 11, 1920, and died on December 25, 1997.
- Karen Cellini, who took over the role of Amanda Carrington on "Dynasty," celebrates her 51st birthday on May 13.
- Nina Arvesen, "Santa Barbara"'s long-suffering Angela Raymond whom you kinda had to keep your eye on, turns 48 on May 16.
- Priscilla Pointer, who played Pam's mom Rebecca Wentworth on "Dallas," turns 85 on May 18.
- Pointer's castmate on "Dallas," Gail Strickland, who portrayed Veronica Robinson, was also born on May 18, turning 62.
- Richard Hatch, who put temptation in the face of Claudia Blaisdel as Dean Caldwell on "Dynasty," and also was a brief (original) Stephen Slade on "Santa Barbara," turns 64 on May 21.
- Priscilla Presley, the lovely (third and final) Jenna Wade on "Dallas," turns 64 on May 24.
- Barbara Stock, who was Liz Adams on "Dallas," turns 53 on May 26.
- Shannon Kenny, who was the voice of villain Inque on "Batman Beyond," turns a young 38 on May 26.
- Adrian Paul, who was Kolya (Nikolai) Rostov on "The Colbys," turns 50 on May 29.
- Ted McGinley, the handsome Clay Fallmont on "Dynasty," turns 51 on May 30.
- Omri Katz, the bright John Ross Ewing III on "Dallas," turns a young 33 on May 30.
- David Ackroyd, who was the original Gary Ewing on "Dallas," then played Lt. Fred Merrill on "Dynasty," turns 69 on May 30.

Happy birthday to all!