Happy Halloween! Celebrate the spookiness with the latest episode of "Pop Ninja"

The annual Halloween video episode of the "Pop Ninja" podcast is here, and in this one, Patrick, Lisa, and friends Kendall and this author discuss favorite spooky movies. For my pick, I had to go back to a movie I for years only vaguely remembered seeing on television when I was a kid in the 1970s. It was a movie about a guy turning into a snake -- that's mainly what I remembered. As an adult I got a chance to find the movie and rewatch it. Yeah, it's still chilling and totally creepy. It's 1973's "SSSssss" (that's seven "s"s) and it stars a very young Dirk Benedict before he did "Battlestar Galactica" or "The A-Team." If you haven't seen it, it's worth looking up. Patrick, Lisa and Kendall discuss "Halloween" (I mean, of course!), "Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night I" and "Fade to Black." And we're all in costume!

Thanks to Midwest Book Review for featuring "Let's Roll, Kato" in its reviews

Many thanks from BRBTV to Gary Roen of Midwest Book Review for the heads-up that a review has been posted on "Let's Roll, Kato: A Guide to TV's Green Hornet," Book 6 in the BRBTV Fact Book Series. This author is thrilled and humbled all over again any time I see one of the books out there being enjoyed! This review is part of the October 2022 issue of the online book review magazine "MBR Bookwatch."

Step inside the amazing museum of writer Tim Hollis

If you look closely, you'll spot the Flintstones, the Lone Ranger, Huckleberry Hound, Captain Kangaroo, Mighty Mouse, the Looney Tunes gang, Bozo the Clown, Donald Duck, Snoopy, Batman and Superman. You'll see the vintage book-and-record sets, board games, drinkware, talking dolls, comic books, lunchboxes, cereal boxes. It's a wondrous pop culture wonderland, and it's in the home of  Alabama collector Tim Hollis. 

Tim contacted this author recently and invited me out, but unfortunately I'm not living in Georgia these days, or else I would totally head right over! Anyway, courtesy of podcaster Meagan, step into what he calls his "Weird World." He's an author himself of many different pop culture history books, but the array of pop culture items in this museum in his home is much more astonishing. There are just zillions of yummy items here, many of them related to beloved classic TV shows. Thanks, Tim, for the virtual peek!

Terrific non-TV Toys: Singing Snoopy wizard by Gemmy, 1997

This delightfully magical Snoopy doll has a song for you, and it's just in time for Halloween. This toy comes from Gemmy Industries, and not only does he play the Peanuts theme song, he also shuffles and moves his head. So cute. Perfect for a Halloween display, and you can snag one of these on eBay or elsewhere online in the $25-30 range.

See the other episodes in the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

Happy Halloween from BRBTV!

Terrific TV Toys: Snoopy Halloween PVC figures, Whitman's / others, 2000-2012

Oooooh, that spookiest of seasons is upon us once again, so let's celebrate by taking a look at some Halloween-themed Snoopy PVC figures in the latest episode of Terrific TV Toys. These guys were atop a small box of Whitman's or other brand candies on store shelves a few years ago. We talk about this as well as that wondrous thing called the Great Pumpkin! It's part of our yearlong series commemorating the Peanuts primetime TV specials. Only one episode left after this -- can you guess what that will be???

See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.

Announcing the eighth (and likely final) e-edition of "Dynasty High"!

This author was a bit blindsided by the end of the CW's "Dynasty" reboot on September 16. I had not seen the news online, and so was happily watching along, as usual, but then the end of the episode really seemed like an end, ya know??? The storylines were all wrapped up nice and neat. And I started to wonder ... A quick web search brought up the fact that the CW had canceled the series. Major bummer. I was enjoying it. 

At any rate, with the newer series conclusion, the e-book edition of the "Dynasty High" reference guide can now be finalized, since BRBTV had been updating it each season the CW reboot was on the air. As with previous editions of the e-edition, in No. 8 you'll see a new chapter of episode synopses for the last season, plus additions to the cast list and character guide for the reboot.

The print edition of "Dynasty High" still covers just the original series and its spinoff  "The Colbys," but for the Kindle e-edition, you'll find not only all the lowdown on the reboot, but also color photos throughout.

Terrific non-TV Toys: Malibu Barbie by Mattel, early 1970s

This author has been anxiously awaiting an opportunity to share these 1970s Barbie dolls. And now, alas, the time has come. We've covered so many other great toys, both vintage and modern, and now we turn to these particular precious items of my childhood. First up in a four-part miniseries on Terrific non-TV Toys is the first one I got as a kid -- the Malibu Barbie. Mattel originally released her in a pale blue swimsuit in 1971, so this is a later issue in an orangey-red suit.

Be sure to stay until the end for some great shots of how she looked in the box back in the day, as well as a fantastic item shown in a catalog that I totally forgot I once had!

Next episode in this four-part series: Every Barbie needs a Ken, right? (Or does she?)

See the other episodes in the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

Trade cash with the Carringtons in this creative "Dynasty" board game

My,  my, my, just look at this beautiful, custom-made "Dynasty" board game from our friend Bjørn (see the September 1 post). This is certainly limited-edition, and you can snag one if you're interested. You can buy it at Bjørn's "Dynasty" museum you saw profiled here on this blog, or order it directly from him.

"I draw by hand, scan and colour digitally," Bjørn tells BRBTV. "The art on gameboard and box are from the books I've illustrated on 'Dynasty,' that I also sell on Redbubble. When I met Joan last, she got some originals she liked. Some of them are acrylic paint, and some pencil. But I prefer digital now. On storycards and money I've used mixed media."

"Screenshots of some of my 'Dynasty' illustrations on Redbubble," he says. "Done 'Dallas' and lots of other movies and shows as well. ;)"

Images courtesy of Bjørn; please do not copy without permission.

Terrific non-TV Toys: Golden Age Wonder Woman Pop!, Funko, 2021

Hot pants and all, this Funko Pop! celebrates the version of Wonder Woman from the glorious Golden Age of comics. Throw in a shield and sword, and that's certainly a Wonder Woman you don't see every day. It's the latest episode of Terrific non-TV Toys ...

See the other episodes in the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

Some fresh toy show photos!

It's a great weekend whenever we can get out to a toy show again, in these post-pandemic times. Yesterday it was a small toy show at the New Baltimore Trade Center on the east side of Michigan. Even though it was only a few toy vendors, between them and the regular vendors at the facility there were plenty of juicy TV-related goodies to be found. Some vintage "Starsky and Hutch," "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie," some not-really-vintage "Justice League" and "Batman: The Brave and the Bold," even some not-at-all-vintage "Wandavision" and "Stranger Things" stuff!

#Bewitched  #IDreamofJeannie  #TheAddamsFamily  #StrangerThings  #Wandavision  #Batman  #StarskyandHutch  #Babylon5  #Spider-Man

Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

"Dynasty" goodies shine in this Norway museum

This museum in Norway may boast an array of pop-cultural items, but our eyes are all a-ga-ga over the "Dynasty" items. These photos come from our friend Bjørn, who always sends us such great "Dynasty" stuff. (See the July 30, 2021, July 3, 2018 and May 21, 2018 posts, for instance!)

"The museum is called Antonius Groenings Snurrepiperi museum," Bjørn tells BRBTV. "A local inventor and rumoured time traveler. We have built his office and time machine. The museum is located one hour outside Oslo, in Aurskog Mall, and is open on request, with guided tours available. Lots of costumes, props, vintage toys, Disney animation,  etc. etc. I'm sure u recognize stuff. ;) Had a few American visitors already, saying it was great. ;) A shop full of vintage NIB items as well. ;)" 

The museum includes a Michael Jackson display, and these are original items, such as clothing the pop star actually wore. Bjørn says that BRBTV's "Dynasty High" book is displayed, too -- super-cool!

What a breathtaking collection! Thanks, Bjørn, for sharing it with us!

Photos courtesy of Bjørn; please do not copy without permission.

Catch the newest episode of "Reanimated"

Our motley crew of survivors executes a bold new plan for survival in the latest episode of the web series "Reanimated," from talented Michigan filmmaker John Vincent. This is a zombie apocalypse, after all, so if ever there was a time for a bold plan ...

It's the Season 1 finale, and you can watch all the episodes at the playlist on the Evil Genius Entertainment channel. The series has been a joy for this author to be involved in!

Terrific non-TV Toys: Batgirl True Moves figure, Mattel, 2018

I guess this one had been on the store shelves a while before I snagged it in April 2021, as some research produced a 2018 release date for it. And it's yet another lovely addition to the Batgirl collection at BRBTV headquarters. It's a 12-inch figure by Mattel, but a Barbie it is not, and it's the focus of the latest episode of the Terrific non-TV Toys series ...

See the other episodes in the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

Terrific TV Toys: Snoopy PVC summer figures, Whitman's / others, 2000-2012

Snoopy on motorcross? Snoopy playing tennis? Snoopy as the Masked Marvel? He's the star of the show, as we look at three of the classic Peanuts primetime TV specials (and the novelizations of them, actually), and we examine our next batch of Snoopy PVC figures. We've looked at the PVCs themed for Valentine's Day and Easter already earlier this season, and we've got Halloween and Christmas later this year, but there are lots of these wonderful figures that are not themed around a holiday. So we're throwing these into a general sports / summertime vibe bucket!

See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.

Card-carrying Angel? Sure, why not!

Special thanks to Miguel, honorary procurement chief of BRBTV, for securing this simple but fine piece, an official "Charlie's Angels" fan club card. With a shot of the three original Angels -- Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett and Kate Jackson -- and in the name of the Charles Townsend Detective Agency, it's all official-like, ya know?

Announcing the third edition of the e-book version of "Destination: Dallas"

Weeeellll ... we've got to blame our friend Patrick Shawn Bennett of the Pop Ninja podcast for this one. He traveled to Southfork Ranch in Texas recently and got some great new photos that he offered up for this blog, and it really got this author to thinking ... maybe I should include these in the e-version of "Destination: Dallas." And so here we are, unable to resist the temptation. 

The third edition of the e-book is still in full-color throughout, and it includes a few other updates here and there, as well (like our friend Josh Eilberg's amazing photos of the Southfork reunion events), and still for the same low price, $6. The print edition of the book remains the same, but who knows -- maybe I'll eventually find enough hours in the day to update that one with the continuity of the newer TNT series and all that. It would be pretty time-consuming. But for the time being, I hope you enjoy this up-to-the-minute e-edition update.

Terrific non-TV Toys: Batgirl Artists Alley statue (iridescent), DC Collectibles, 2019

We're knocking out a backlog of non-TV-related collectibles here at the BRBTV headquarters for the Terrific non-TV Toys series, and after focusing on vintage Archie earlier this month, we now turn to modern stuff for several episodes. This Batgirl PVC vinyl statue is part of an "Artists Alley" set by DC Collectibles, featuring various color schemes for the ladies of the DCU we know so well. This one is dark and iridescent, glimmering in a rainbow of colors along her lean, curvy lines. 

See the other episodes in the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

Happy Friday! We're talkin' classic TV again on the Pop Ninja podcast

It was a great time once again on the Pop Ninja podcast, and this time around, this author got to chat about classic cop TV shows, more specifically "Adam-12" and the eternally lovable "Columbo." In the first part of this episode, part of the podcast's third season, Lisa and Patrick discuss some of the great cop movies of the '70s and '80s, then Patrick and I switch it over to the TV "channel." Be sure to listen for the secret code word and PM it to the FB page and you could win your favorite cop movie on DVD! Here's the link to the podcast:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1265612/10952366-pop-ninja-podcast-season-3-episode-5

Hello to our friend Jim in Boss Hogg's Caddy

You might recognize this wonderful piece of machinery as a replica of the Caddy that Boss Hogg drove on "The Dukes of Hazzard." Well, hello to our friend Jim of Jim's Creations, an artist whose talent has been profiled on this blog and in the BRBTV books. He's driving this car today at the Swap Meet and Car Show in Chatham, Ontario. Wish we could drop by!

Terrific non-TV Toys: Archie bendy figure and fan club items, 1988-89

Since there's a backlog of non-TV-related collectibles here at the BRBTV headquarters, we're going to knock out several episodes of the Terrific non-TV Toys series before we get back to some Terrific TV Toys stuff. So this month, for the first of two episode of the non-TV variety, we return to Riverdale. Specifically, we've got some vintage items from the 1980s celebrating the Archie Comics lore. This bendy figure by Jesco was purchased recently but dates to 1989. And this little geeky kid once joined the Archies Fan Club and has most items from that still around.

See the other episodes in the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

And this geeky girl hasn't just written letters to Archie Comics over the years -- read about the interview and friendship with longtime Archie artist Dan DeCarlo.

Just Beneath the Surface: Taking on the Twilight Zone episode "Howling Man"

Our friend Brian and his friend Bruce have dropped another episode of the "Just Beneath the Surface" web series, this time discussing the classic "Twilight Zone" episode "The Howling Man," which this author has always loved. If you want creepy, this TZ episode is creepy. And I actually got to talk to the star H.M. Wynant at the Motor City Comic Con a few years back. Bruce and Brian disagree on the merits of this episode, and you'll find out why as you listen in ...

Green Hornet and Lone Ranger star in exhibit at San Diego Fair

Special thanks to Mary Kay Johnson, granddaughter of Green Hornet creator George W. Trendle, for sending along these photos of items exhibiting at the San Diego Fair (formerly the Del Mar Fair) at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in California. The theme of this year's fair is "Heroes Reunite!", and how appropriate it is to include the Lone Ranger and his nephew, the Green Hornet. The fair is going on now through this weekend.

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From the Trendle family:

G. W. Trendle (1884-1972) owned the first radio station in Michigan – WXYZ “the last word in radio” and knew children needed heroes so he created some: The Lone Ranger (1933), The Green Hornet (1936, descended from the Lone Ranger's brother who owned a silver mine and made The Lone Ranger’s bullets), and Challenge of the Yukon (1938, which became Sgt. Preston of the Yukon on TV in 1955).

The Green Hornet was also made into serials for movie theaters in the 1930’s. The Green Hornet’s car – The Black Beauty – was the first super car with radar, a drone, and rockets.

Ned Jordan Secret Agent (1939) was an undercover FBI agent.

Bob Barclay - American Agent (1950) was a CIA agent in Europe with the cover of a newspaper reporter. But the U.S. government asked that the program be discontinued when newspaper staff in Europe were arrested by governments who thought all the stories were true and all newspaper correspondents were spies!

In 1949 The Lone Ranger became a TV series, followed by Sgt Preston in 1955, and The Green Hornet in 1966.

The message in all of these is “one person can make a difference.” At a time in history when only Caucasians were portrayed in stories, these scripts had major characters that were of other ethnicities: Native American, Asian, , Eskimo, Irish, and Black.

www.greenhornet.com

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Photos courtesy of April Johnston and Mary Kay Johnson; please do not copy without permission.