Latest episode of "Fantastic Forum" explores the rogues galleries of superheroes

In the December 2 post of this blog we told you all about "Fantastic Forum," an award-winning TV show based in Washington, D.C., for which Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV has done a tad interviewing and other on-camera stuff. The comic book, sci fi and fantasy-themed show, which is a delightful mix of discussion forum, interviews of comics industry pros, and other fun features, just won the the 2011 Monty Award for Best Arts and Humanities Program, and Ulysses Campbell won as best program host.

Well, check out the latest episode of this long-running program, which airs on several different stations around D.C., at various (great!) timeslots. It's linked from YouTube below, and this ep includes BRB as a panelist in a discussion about the various rogues gallery villains that heroes like Superman and Batman are so vexed to contend with ...

Announcing the BRBTV Reports of interviews from the "Batman" and "Superman" animated series

Fresh on the heels of the BRBTV Report on "Superman: The Animated Series" (see our post just a few inches down!) comes two new additions to the series, "Superman: The Animated Series, The BRBTV Interviews" and "Batman: The Animated Series, The BRBTV Interviews."

Both of these great 1990s kids' TV shows (for kids of all ages, you understand!) reflected the work of a whole lot of writers, artists, directors, producers and voice actors. Beyond the core names that so many people recognize, such as Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Glen Murakami, Jean MacCurdy, Paul Dini, Kevin Conroy and Tim Daly, there were many others who contributed to the groundbreaking animated series’ massive success at creating a unique take on DC Comics’ beloved heroes Batman and Superman.

So now BRBTV brings you two sets of original interviews with several folks whose talent has touched the series:

• Joe R. Lansdale, the “Mojo storyteller” who loved the Dark Knight as a kid.
• Randy Rogel, an Emmy-Award-winning writer who is no stranger to ‘toons.
• Scott Beatty, author of “Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight,” who addresses the influence of the series on the overall Bat-realm.
• Ty Templeton, artist of the popular comic books accompanying the series.
• Robert N. Skir, a writer who has taken on several other small-screen favorites, too.
• Michael Horse, the “Twin Peaks” veteran who voiced Ubu.
• Dorian Harewood, the actor with a heart for music who did a variety of voices here.
• Corey Burton, a voice artist with a diverse resume, including several of these interesting characters. 
• Mark Evanier, a writer with a varied resume who tackled the Darkseid storylines.

As a special bonus, in the "Superman" interview report, author Will Rodgers gives you a peek at his collection of action figures associated with the show. As with the other volumes in this BRBTV Reports series, it's all in a convenient, portable, Kindle format with photos appearing in color where available. And the price for these is our lowest -- $1.50 -- so you can read the thoughts of these cool guys for such a minor investment.

Stay tuned: We've got more BRBTV Reports coming up in 2012, as well as a rather intriguing new installment in the BRBTV (print!) fact book series ...

Happy holidays to all!!!!

With his latest Broadway show now over, Tom Wopat heads back to the screen -- big and small

Tom Wopat offers a special message to his fans in his latest email newsletter ...

"It's been awhile since I've written you personally – I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Over the past few months, I have been keeping busy! After the daily commitment of 'Catch Me If You Can' ended in September, it's been really great to get back into some film and tv roles, plus focus more on live singing appearances.

"In the film and TV world, you may have seen my recent appearance on the CBS show 'A Gifted Man,' but if not, the whole episode is streaming online here. I also filmed a musical for ABC called 'Elixir,' with an incredibly talented cast including Jane Seymour, Chelsea Kane, Sara Paxton, Drew Seeley and more. 'Elixir' will be out in early 2012; we will be posting a lot more information about that. And today, as you read this, I am on the set of the upcoming Quentin Tarantino film 'DJANGO UNCHAINED,' which will be in theaters in December 2012.

"As you know, I have booked a lot more live shows over the next year, and am really looking forward to seeing many of you there. If you don't see your city on the list yet, stay tuned as we will be adding more!

"I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.

- Tom"

John Wesley Shipp takes another fatherly turn, this time on "Teen Wolf"

John Wesley Shipp is announcing it from his own Facebook page, and you can get the story at ZAP2it: Shipp will appear in the second season of the series "Teen Wolf."

Our former Martin Ellis of "Santa Barbara" will portray Isaac's "not-so-nice dad -- and the owner of Beacon Hills Cemetery," ZAP2it says. "He sees a whole new side of his son after Derek brings Isaac into the wolf pack, and a few 'mysterious incidents' plague him in particular. Shipp is headed to Atlanta to begin shooting the intense role next week. MTV confirms that we can expect to see him in two episodes."

Shipp says he's heading over to the set on Tuesday.

In other JWS news (!), the actor will return to "One Life to Live" during its finale week. This former dad from "Dawson's Creek" played a rather interesting dad on this soap. Read about it at Michael Fairman's soaps site.

It's a "Fantastic Forum" -- and a fantastic thing for comics fans!

Since 2007, fans of the comic book and sci-fi / fantasy genres in the Washington, D.C., area have enjoyed a special treat -- the weekly "Fantastic Forum" TV show created and produced by Ulysses Campbell. The show, which airs on several different outlets in D.C., even recently won the 2011 Monty Award for Best Arts and Humanities Program, and Ulysses won as best program host!

But the show isn't just local -- it's global, with episodes posted on YouTube and Vimeo, and at the show's official site, as well, so that fans everywhere can enjoy the topics Ulysses and his crew explore: Everything from profiles of characters like Batman to an examination of the treatment of female characters in comics, to the "Superpower of Love," to discussions of crossovers and the portrayal of politics in comics. Besides the panel segments featuring a variety of guests, over the years the show has also featured original interviews with a ton of folks in the comics industry: Neal Adams, Jim Shooter, Matt Wagner, Frank Cho, Jo Chen, Howard Chaykin and more.

We've told you on this blog before about the video correspondent and hosting work of Billie Rae Bates on the Comics Continuum website and accompanying TV show based in Metro Detroit. Well, now BRB is honored to have been asked by Ulysses to help out with some interviews, panel discussion and hosting duties for "Fantastic Forum."

It's a testament to Ulysses that he doesn't do this all by himself -- he has an army of people helping him out, both behind and in front of the camera (just check out the credits on the episode guide page of the show's site!). Besides the recent Monty Awards, "Fantastic Forum" also won a 2010 Accolade Competition Award of Merit and a 2010 DCTV Viewer’s Choice Award for Best Program in the News and Public Affairs category.

BRB is thrilled to be able to participate in the show! Catch her interview with "Walking Dead" artist Charlie Adlard in Episode 31 below, shot at this year's Baltimore Comic Con, and watch future episodes to see her as a panelist and host.