Making a grand entrance just before the opening theme? Well, that we can believe. But on the TV show "Roseanne"?
Yes, indeed, it was our own one-and-only Alexis Colby of "Dynasty" splashing into a 1993 episode of the hit sitcom starring Roseanne Barr / Arnold. Playing Ronnie, a high-falutin' cousin of Roseanne who snubbed her out of being a bridesmaid for her wedding, Collins enters the title character's loose-meat diner and immediately dives into the cattiness for not only Roseanne but her business partners.
"You know, I'm a little busy now. Can you come back and envy me in about 10 minutes?" she says to Nancy as the Sandra Bernhard character asks her if that's a real Fendi bag.
"I heard Becky got married," she slyly says to her cousin. "Any grandchildren yet?"
There's even a "Dynasty" reference, as the girls are reminiscing through old photos:
"Oh, God, is that mudfight going to haunt me forever!" Collins says with an eye roll.
"Yea," Roseanne pipes up, "remember how upset I got with you for stealing my boyfriend Blake?"
Despite the drastic change of scenery, tone, format and camera style(!), Collins has just about as many costume changes as the typical "Dynasty" episode -- from a smart blue suit to patterned leggings to cheetah blouse and tightie-pants to simple blouse and jeans. And though she enters with a rich, sophisticated, snobbish aura, she softens as the storyline advances.
The episode, titled "First Cousin, Twice Removed," even features a verbal catfight. For a minute, anyway.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Greg Evigan takes on the "Phantom Racer"
We have to admit, there's not a single movie that Syfy puts in its 9 p.m. Saturday timeslot that we won't watch, being diehard fans of the creature-feature and all. So Greg Evigan had an easy audience in BRBTV when he told us back in June about the movie he was exec-producing and starring in for the science-fiction network (see our June 30 post). Frankly, we couldn't wait. And we didn't have to wait! The movie, called "Phantom Racer," aired this past Saturday.
Our own Willie Gust of "Dallas," who more famously starred in "B.J. and the Bear" right after kidnapping little Lucy Ewing, was looking comfy and right at home behind the wheel of a big rig again as J.J. Sawyer in the movie, his first foray into producing. Playing younger than his 55 years here, Evigan is a former racecar driver returning to his hometown after 17 years. He reunites with an old buddy, Cliff, who confesses that he and their other friend, Cutter, had actually sabotaged J.J.'s car in the big race crash that claimed Cutter's life so many years before (a crash for which J.J. was blamed). And if Evigan is playing young, his love interest in the film, former "Baywatch" babe Nicole Eggert, was right on target for her own 37 years as Tammy, the onetime love interest of all three of the racing friends. She's now married to Cliff and is the mother of a teen girl.
You can see the big reveal from a half-mile down the track, especially if you've ever seen a soap in your life (!), but the real fun of this film is the car. You see, ole Cutter didn't take too kindly to being offed in the race, so he has returned to commandeer the old racing car as the "Phantom Racer." As the invisible driver, he clips off Cliff and several others, then comes after J.J.
We have to admit, what we liked most about this movie was that it showed you actually can use actors past their 20s in lead roles. Actors don't die when they hit 35, ya know? Why not use more of our beloved classic TV stars? Anyhow ... you could certainly see Evigan's influence in other ways, like the inside joke of Tammy's daughter, Jesse, as she sarcastically tells J.J., "You killed my two dads." (Well, we don't think Evigan killed the show, Jesse -- it was pretty good, if we recall! And thanks, Mr. Evigan, for J.J.'s significant pause and half-smirk; we thought you were gonna look right at the camera to make sure we all got it!)
Our own Willie Gust of "Dallas," who more famously starred in "B.J. and the Bear" right after kidnapping little Lucy Ewing, was looking comfy and right at home behind the wheel of a big rig again as J.J. Sawyer in the movie, his first foray into producing. Playing younger than his 55 years here, Evigan is a former racecar driver returning to his hometown after 17 years. He reunites with an old buddy, Cliff, who confesses that he and their other friend, Cutter, had actually sabotaged J.J.'s car in the big race crash that claimed Cutter's life so many years before (a crash for which J.J. was blamed). And if Evigan is playing young, his love interest in the film, former "Baywatch" babe Nicole Eggert, was right on target for her own 37 years as Tammy, the onetime love interest of all three of the racing friends. She's now married to Cliff and is the mother of a teen girl.
You can see the big reveal from a half-mile down the track, especially if you've ever seen a soap in your life (!), but the real fun of this film is the car. You see, ole Cutter didn't take too kindly to being offed in the race, so he has returned to commandeer the old racing car as the "Phantom Racer." As the invisible driver, he clips off Cliff and several others, then comes after J.J.
We have to admit, what we liked most about this movie was that it showed you actually can use actors past their 20s in lead roles. Actors don't die when they hit 35, ya know? Why not use more of our beloved classic TV stars? Anyhow ... you could certainly see Evigan's influence in other ways, like the inside joke of Tammy's daughter, Jesse, as she sarcastically tells J.J., "You killed my two dads." (Well, we don't think Evigan killed the show, Jesse -- it was pretty good, if we recall! And thanks, Mr. Evigan, for J.J.'s significant pause and half-smirk; we thought you were gonna look right at the camera to make sure we all got it!)
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Louise Sorel talks about her return to daytime
She departed with "her butler, $40 million in cash and a limousine." Sound a little like Augusta Lockridge of our beloved "Santa Barbara"? Well, certainly. It was Louise Sorel, but it wasn't Augusta. It was another of her alter-egos, Vivian Alamain of "Days of Our Lives." Sorel will reprise her role on the NBC soap this fall.
Sorel, who's also working on her memoirs right now, chats about the show, the characters and the state of soaps today in an interview with Soaps.com. And she mentions "SB" a time or two.
Sorel took on the role of Vivian Alamain a few months after she left "SB," and she ran it until 2000. SoapOperaSource.com has a little more on Sorel's return.
And Entertainment Weekly notes that Sorel also will be cohosting the Soap Opera Digest Awards.
Sorel, who's also working on her memoirs right now, chats about the show, the characters and the state of soaps today in an interview with Soaps.com. And she mentions "SB" a time or two.
Sorel took on the role of Vivian Alamain a few months after she left "SB," and she ran it until 2000. SoapOperaSource.com has a little more on Sorel's return.
And Entertainment Weekly notes that Sorel also will be cohosting the Soap Opera Digest Awards.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Colbie Caillat and timeless teen icon Archie Andrews "fallin" together in comic book style
From Archie Comics
Perpetual teen and all-American comic book icon Archie Andrews may have sent shockwaves around the world when it was recently announced he will propose to fussy heiress Veronica Lodge (and not girl-next door Betty Cooper) in the 600th issue of the 68-year-old comic book, but don't tell Universal Republic singing sensation Colbie Caillat.
The platinum-plus, award winning singer/songwriter has 'fallen' for the redheaded Archie in a big way, and will be ushering in her new single "Fallin' For you" and upcoming new album, BREAKTHROUGH, due out August 25, by literally "fallin' " for Archie in a historic singing match-up splashed inside the pages of Veronica's very own comic - VERONICA # 196. The combustible issue features Archie and Colbie on the cover playfully readying for their musical debut together while a very wary Veronica looks on! The much-buzzed about issue hits newsstands on September 2.
The charismatic Colbie, whose breakthrough 2007 single "Bubbly" and debut double-platinum album COCO took the entire music and online world by storm, may be facing her most daunting challenge yet as she heads into fabled Riverdale. Known for generations as the idyllic home of Archie Andrews and his pals 'n' gals from Riverdale High - it's even more famous as the comedic hornet's nest to one of the most storied love triangles in all of comicdom. And even though Archie's much-publicized proposal to Veronica is set five years in the future, the comic hijinx surrounding Colbie, Archie, Veronica and Betty is most definitely churning in real time.
In the story, appropriately titled "Fallin' for You", Betty wins tickets to see Colbie Caillat in concert, and Veronica wants in, but Betty has already promised to take Archie! Of course, when Veronica wants something, she doesn't give up that easily. And wait until you see what happens when she runs into Colbie!
Archie was ... ahem ... conspicuously unavailable for comment.
As for Betty, she only asks that you pick up a copy or two of VERONICA#196 to see who exactly falls for who ....
Colbie Caillat burst on to the music scene in July 2007 with COCO, gaining unprecedented notoriety prior to the release of the acclaimed album as one of the emerging 'do-it-yourselfers' in the digital realm. Cited as the #1 unsigned artist on MySpace at the time, her unscripted rise attracted a passionate online audience across the globe.
Hailed at the beginning of 2007 by Rolling Stone magazine as the music scene's most promising undiscovered star (Universal Republic Records welcomed her into the fold soon after), her laid-back song "Bubbly" and subsequent album COCO connected with fans via a groundswell of word-of-mouth excitement that helped vault her to the top of the online, radio and video charts: The CD debuted with a record breaking opening on iTunes' coveted Albums chart within hours of its release, scoring a Top 5 landing on its first go-around on the Billboard Top Albums chart (the song hovered amid the top echelon of the charts for months and even returned to the Top Ten for a second run in the fall of '07). "Bubbly" hit #1 on the Triple A and Hot AC formats, garnering more than 100 million in radio audience, with her world-famous MySpace site setting record after record in online popularity, currently nearing an astounding 50 million visits by fans.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Checkin' in with John Schneider
It's been a while since we got a status on the continually busy Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," so let's just see what Mr. John Schneider is up to ...
- A role on "90210": "Don't be surprised when you see that I am not a nice man on that show," Schneider says in today's issue of his official newsletter. "I guess they needed someone to emotionally beat on Liam" (played by Matt Lanter), "and that's me. I make Lionel Luther look like an understanding parent!" The CW remake of Fox's '80s-'90s "Beverly Hills, 90210" is scheduled to return for its second season on September 8.
- Back in the studio at the end of July recording music again -- "and this time in connection with his good friend Toby Keith," his official site says.
- A movie wrap: A few weeks back, Nasser Entertainment Group wrapped its film of the book "In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?" by Charles Sheldon. Schneider appears in the film, based on the second best-selling Christian book of all time (behind only the Bible itself!), along with Adam Gregory and Maxine Bahns. The company is planning their second "WWJD?" film to shoot in early next year. To learn more about the film visit WWJDmovie.com.
- No-go on the Clint flick: Schneider was in consideration to play Clint Eastwood's son in a new movie, but no-go. "It seems that he is looking for someone with more of a 'character' look to play his son," Schneider says in his blog. "I'm bummed, but life goes on. Personally I think he forgot what he looked like at 48. I thought it would be a great fit."
- A role on "90210": "Don't be surprised when you see that I am not a nice man on that show," Schneider says in today's issue of his official newsletter. "I guess they needed someone to emotionally beat on Liam" (played by Matt Lanter), "and that's me. I make Lionel Luther look like an understanding parent!" The CW remake of Fox's '80s-'90s "Beverly Hills, 90210" is scheduled to return for its second season on September 8.
- Back in the studio at the end of July recording music again -- "and this time in connection with his good friend Toby Keith," his official site says.
- A movie wrap: A few weeks back, Nasser Entertainment Group wrapped its film of the book "In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?" by Charles Sheldon. Schneider appears in the film, based on the second best-selling Christian book of all time (behind only the Bible itself!), along with Adam Gregory and Maxine Bahns. The company is planning their second "WWJD?" film to shoot in early next year. To learn more about the film visit WWJDmovie.com.
- No-go on the Clint flick: Schneider was in consideration to play Clint Eastwood's son in a new movie, but no-go. "It seems that he is looking for someone with more of a 'character' look to play his son," Schneider says in his blog. "I'm bummed, but life goes on. Personally I think he forgot what he looked like at 48. I thought it would be a great fit."
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Michael Uslan to script Pureheart the Powerful for Archie
From Archie ComicsArchie Comics made headline news this summer when it was announced that Michael Uslan (executive producer of "The Dark Knight", "Batman Begins") would be scripting the "Archie marries Veronica" story. The news was covered in newspapers around the world and was featured in television segments from "The Rachel Maddow Show," the "Today" show, "The View" and "Live with Regis & Kelly," to name just a few! Both David Letterman and Jay Leno included the Archie and Veronica wedding in their monologues!
Early next year Archie Comics and Michael Uslan will begin their next exciting project together with the re-imagining of Pureheart the Powerful (Archie as a superhero, if you recall), in a series of five specials.
"We're not just talking ONE superhero here!" Usland says. "Archie will be joined by Betty as Superteen, Jughead as Captain Hero, Reggie as Evilheart Jr., and wait'll you see the super-versions of Veronica, Dilton and Moose! Surprises galore are just ahead!"
He continues, "Pureheart and Pureheart's Emergency Patrol will debut in a series of five one-shot comic books that bring back to life the five historic superhero titles that launched Archie Comics, originally known as MLJ Comics, back in the Golden Age of the 1930s and 40s."
Friday, August 07, 2009
Spotted: Barbara Bel Geddes
"You're Lucia Clay, you're 26, and Alan says you're very lovely." So a woman tells herself amid her nightly dreams, as a foghorn sounds in the distance ...
That young lady is Barbara Bel Geddes, two decades before she perched herself at the "other" head of the table at Southfork on "Dallas," and the episode is "The Foghorn" of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents." Clad in light satin and long luxurious gloves in a sumptious ballroom scene, she quickly steals the heart of her fiance's business associate, played by Michael Rennie. She's unmistakable, our younger Miss Ellie Ewing, with her sweetly mannerisms. Tiny as a thimble, she sashays out of her engagement and into a budding friendship with this (married) man. Despite their happy times together, she develops a feeling of dread. And that's all we can say!
The March 1958 episode was part of the show's third season. No surprise, Bel Geddes also appeared in Hitchcock's film "Vertigo" that same year.
That young lady is Barbara Bel Geddes, two decades before she perched herself at the "other" head of the table at Southfork on "Dallas," and the episode is "The Foghorn" of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents." Clad in light satin and long luxurious gloves in a sumptious ballroom scene, she quickly steals the heart of her fiance's business associate, played by Michael Rennie. She's unmistakable, our younger Miss Ellie Ewing, with her sweetly mannerisms. Tiny as a thimble, she sashays out of her engagement and into a budding friendship with this (married) man. Despite their happy times together, she develops a feeling of dread. And that's all we can say!
The March 1958 episode was part of the show's third season. No surprise, Bel Geddes also appeared in Hitchcock's film "Vertigo" that same year.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
BRBTV birthdays for August
- Joanna Cassidy, who played the smart and seductive Sally Bullock on "Dallas," voiced Maggie Sawyer in the animated "Superman" series, and even did a guest shot on the "Dukes of Hazzard" spinoff "Enos," starts off this round of birthdays -- she turns 64 on August 2.
- Lauren Tom, who voiced Dana Tan on "Batman Beyond," turns 48 on August 4.
- Louise Sorel, unforgettable as Augusta Lockridge on "Santa Barbara," turns 69 on August 6.
- John Glover, who voiced Edward Nygma / Riddler on "Batman: The Animated Series," and more recently as the amazing Lionel Lockridge on the CW's "Smallville," turns 65 on August 7.
- Paul Dini, writer for "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 52 on August 7.
- Sydney Penny, who played B.J. Walker on "Santa Barbara," turns 38 on August 7.
- Mel Tillis, who played Burl Tolliver on an episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard," and also performed as himself on a different episode, turns 77 on August 8.
- Richard Anderson, whom we loved as Oscar Goldman on "Bionic Woman" but who also played Buck Fallmont on "Dynasty," turns 83 on August 8.
- Kate O’Mara, the Jackie Collins-type character of Caress Morrell, causing trouble for sis Alexis on "Dynasty," turns 70 on August 10.
- Will Friedle, the Batman of the future, Terry McGinnis, on "Batman Beyond," turns 33 on August 11.
- George Hamilton, who had a mean gleam as Joel Abrigore on "Dynasty" but just can't get enough of those Old Navy and snack-chip commercials lately, turns 70 on August 12.
- Jeff Altman, the wholly obnoxious Hughie Hogg on "The Dukes," turns 58 on August 13.
- E.J. André, co-star to Joanna Cassidy as the wizened Mr. Eugene Bullock on "Dallas," was born on August 14, 1908 and died on September 6, 1984.
- Glenn Corbett, the hunky Paul Morgan on "Dallas," was born on August 17, 1930 and died on January 16, 1993.
- Diana Muldaur, voice of Dr. Leslie Thompkins on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 71 on August 19.
- Ray Wise, who was Blair Sullivan, Lucy's contact in the modeling biz on "Dallas" and who more recently has starred as the devil on the CW's "Reaper," turns 62 on August 20.
- Barbara Eden, the delightful J.R. Ewing adversary of LeeAnn de la Vega on "Dallas," as well as Larry Hagman's previous costar on "I Dream of Jeannie," turns 75 on August 23.
- Frank Runyeon, who was Father Michael on "Santa Barbara," has a birthday on August 23, as well, turning 56.
- Mel Ferrer, who played Harrison Page on "Dallas," was born on August 25, 1917 and died on June 2, 2008.
- Wanda DeJesus, another "SB" star as one of the several Santana Andrades, turns 49 on August 26.
- John Allen Nelson, the original (and hottest) Warren Lockridge on "SB," turns 50 on August 28.
- Russell Curry, who was Lt. Victor Boswell on "SB," also has a birthday on August 28, turning 53.
- Emma Samms, the second Fallon on "Dynasty" who returned to her role as Holly Sutton Scorpio on ABC's "General Hospital" last year, turns 49 on August 28.
- Sonny Shroyer, our loving Enos Strate on "The Dukes of Hazzard," is our last BRBTV birthday for August 28, turning 74.
- Jim Davis, the legendary Jock Ewing of "Dallas," was born on August 29, 1909 and died on April 26, 1981.
- Ellen Geer, who is a BRBTV tripleshot as Dr. Anita Krane on "Dallas," Dorothy on "SB" and a brief stint in the pilot episode of "Dynasty," turns 68 on August 29 (and yes, she is the daughter of "Waltons" actor Will Geer).
- Don Pedro Colley, the stern Sheriff Little of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 71 on August 30.
- Ben Jones, the reliable ole Cooter on "The Dukes of Hazzard" and venerable host of the yearly DukesFest, turns 68 on August 31.
Happy birthday to all!
- Lauren Tom, who voiced Dana Tan on "Batman Beyond," turns 48 on August 4.
- Louise Sorel, unforgettable as Augusta Lockridge on "Santa Barbara," turns 69 on August 6.
- John Glover, who voiced Edward Nygma / Riddler on "Batman: The Animated Series," and more recently as the amazing Lionel Lockridge on the CW's "Smallville," turns 65 on August 7.
- Paul Dini, writer for "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 52 on August 7.
- Sydney Penny, who played B.J. Walker on "Santa Barbara," turns 38 on August 7.
- Mel Tillis, who played Burl Tolliver on an episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard," and also performed as himself on a different episode, turns 77 on August 8.
- Richard Anderson, whom we loved as Oscar Goldman on "Bionic Woman" but who also played Buck Fallmont on "Dynasty," turns 83 on August 8.
- Kate O’Mara, the Jackie Collins-type character of Caress Morrell, causing trouble for sis Alexis on "Dynasty," turns 70 on August 10.
- Will Friedle, the Batman of the future, Terry McGinnis, on "Batman Beyond," turns 33 on August 11.
- George Hamilton, who had a mean gleam as Joel Abrigore on "Dynasty" but just can't get enough of those Old Navy and snack-chip commercials lately, turns 70 on August 12.
- Jeff Altman, the wholly obnoxious Hughie Hogg on "The Dukes," turns 58 on August 13.
- E.J. André, co-star to Joanna Cassidy as the wizened Mr. Eugene Bullock on "Dallas," was born on August 14, 1908 and died on September 6, 1984.
- Glenn Corbett, the hunky Paul Morgan on "Dallas," was born on August 17, 1930 and died on January 16, 1993.
- Diana Muldaur, voice of Dr. Leslie Thompkins on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 71 on August 19.
- Ray Wise, who was Blair Sullivan, Lucy's contact in the modeling biz on "Dallas" and who more recently has starred as the devil on the CW's "Reaper," turns 62 on August 20.
- Barbara Eden, the delightful J.R. Ewing adversary of LeeAnn de la Vega on "Dallas," as well as Larry Hagman's previous costar on "I Dream of Jeannie," turns 75 on August 23.
- Frank Runyeon, who was Father Michael on "Santa Barbara," has a birthday on August 23, as well, turning 56.
- Mel Ferrer, who played Harrison Page on "Dallas," was born on August 25, 1917 and died on June 2, 2008.
- Wanda DeJesus, another "SB" star as one of the several Santana Andrades, turns 49 on August 26.
- John Allen Nelson, the original (and hottest) Warren Lockridge on "SB," turns 50 on August 28.
- Russell Curry, who was Lt. Victor Boswell on "SB," also has a birthday on August 28, turning 53.
- Emma Samms, the second Fallon on "Dynasty" who returned to her role as Holly Sutton Scorpio on ABC's "General Hospital" last year, turns 49 on August 28.
- Sonny Shroyer, our loving Enos Strate on "The Dukes of Hazzard," is our last BRBTV birthday for August 28, turning 74.
- Jim Davis, the legendary Jock Ewing of "Dallas," was born on August 29, 1909 and died on April 26, 1981.
- Ellen Geer, who is a BRBTV tripleshot as Dr. Anita Krane on "Dallas," Dorothy on "SB" and a brief stint in the pilot episode of "Dynasty," turns 68 on August 29 (and yes, she is the daughter of "Waltons" actor Will Geer).
- Don Pedro Colley, the stern Sheriff Little of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 71 on August 30.
- Ben Jones, the reliable ole Cooter on "The Dukes of Hazzard" and venerable host of the yearly DukesFest, turns 68 on August 31.
Happy birthday to all!