It's BRBTV's first TV spot!

BRBTV has employed a number of marketing avenues over the years, but we're pretty excited to now have ventured into advertising on ... television!!!! You know, that medium we cover in the first place!!! How cool.

A 15-second spot for the most recent installment of the BRBTV fact book series, "Superchicks: A Guide to TV's Wonder Woman and Isis," has been running on the "Comics Continuum" TV show based in Detroit and also airing in parts of Ohio and Indiana. If you recall, Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV did a bunch of work for the show in its early days, hosting episodes and doing myriad on-camera interviews with professionals in the comic book, TV, and movie industry.

Terrific TV Toys video series takes a look at the Supergirl Mego

The other day we introduced you to a new video series on the BRBTV YouTube channel, Terrific TV Toys (*of a vintage nature). We took at look at BRB's own classic Batgirl Mego action figure (doll, if you will!). Next up, it's the classic Supergirl of the same Mego series. Same size, same body mold, beautiful blond hair, beautiful blue eyes! She's a true star of the '70s toy circuit, and she's up-close and personal in this installment ...

Awesome Con: Ernie Hudson talks -- of all things -- "The Dukes of Hazzard"

This author had a fantastic time at last weekend's Awesome Con in Washington, D.C. It was the second year for this event, and it was huge. Lots of great TV and film stars, lots of great costumes, and lots of great people to hang with. Look for coverage of the event on upcoming episodes of the "Fantastic Forum" TV show (IMDb), which this chick is blessed to be a part of. We had a great set overlooking the convention floor, and we shot a ton of wonderful stuff (three episodes and several interviews) under the direction of producer Ulysses E. Campbell and a sterling camera and talent crew. What a great experience!!!! Magnificent weekend with true professionals, says BRB!

One of the folks we got to see was Ernie Hudson of "Ghostbusters" fame, who us "Dukes of Hazzard" fans remember from the 1982 episode "Dear Diary." (You know, the one where the adorable Flash buries Rosco's diary at the Duke farm.) Hudson played Avery in the episode. Fellow author Brian Lombard (who wrote the "Bradypalooza" guide to "The Brady Bunch") is an avid "Dukes" fan and asked Hudson about the episode during the actor's panel discussion. In particular Brian wanted to know about that moment when the car went off the cliff and exploded in mid-air -- was that an accident or planned that way?

 From last weekend's Awesome Con: Ernie Hudson in a discussion panel
moderated by Ulysses Campbell, producer of the "Fantastic Forum" TV show.

At first Hudson quipped that he didn’t know because he hadn’t seen the episode. As the laughter died down in the vast convention room, and it seemed this was the only answer there would be, the actor graciously continued: “I don’t watch everything I do. I’m not embarrassed to say that. Well, the part I wanted to play was the bad guy. I found out great, I got the job. And then they handed me the script. I thought, oh no. And the guy who was playing the part wasn’t really an actor, so I was kinda disappointed. Then when I got there, they had a tank top and some baby oil for me. I don’t think I had hardly any lines. Maybe one line or something. So they wanted me to oil up. I’m thinking, this is ‘Dukes of Hazzard,’ and I've got my head oiled up! And I was like, no, no. First off, the day I was working, I drove to the set, and as I was coming in to the driveway, there was a Confederate flag. It didn’t start the day off right.” (Audience laughs)

“Then I get there and I see the baby oil and the tank top.Then I go, ‘No, I want to see the director.’ I went, ‘No, no. This ain’t gonna happen.’ I’m walking to see the director and I go past the one other black guy in the entire room, and he’s telling a black joke." (Laughter) "So now I’m like, OK, this is getting bad. So now I’m going to see the director, I’m going to say I’m not wearing this thing. And he’s going to say something, and I’m going to knock him up. You know how you’re thinking in your head, when he says this, I’m going to say that. Then something said, just let it go, whatever happens. You can deal with it. And then I just …” (spreading hands) “And I saw the director, and I said listen, and he said, no, it’s OK, it’s over. And then I did show up in one of the funniest experiences I’ve ever had. With Tom (Wopat), and in fact I just worked with John Schneider again. That was a really big learning experience for me. Because sometimes you’re acting on the emotion of what you’re expecting to happen. And none of that happened. It actually turned out nice.”

We're kinda thinking that with the tremendous body of work he's had over the years, Ernie doesn't get many questions about our beloved "Dukes"!

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand.

Catch the brand-new video series from BRBTV: Terrific TV Toys!!!!

The rest of the world may know her as an action figure, but to a little girl, she's a doll. And to this little girl, she may have been the very first doll she ever owned. We're talking the 8-inch Batgirl figure by Mego, part of a large collection of what we're affectionately terming Terrific TV Toys (*of a vintage nature) owned by Billie Rae Bates that you'll see in a new video series from BRBTV.

Step back in time as BRB shows you up-close and personal these items from her childhood that celebrated or accompanied great classic TV shows such as the "Batman" -- in '60s live action or in '60s-'70s Filmation -- and various incarnations of the "Super Friends" of Saturday morning. Future installments of the series will look at the official licensed (vintage!) toys from "The Six Million Dollar Man," "The Bionic Woman," "Charlie's Angels," "The Dukes of Hazzard" and more. There's lots of great stuff here to examine, and it's all there in brilliant color, though often worn and well-played-with!

Happy Easter from BRBTV!!!

 

The mysterious crane avenger has been at it again, liberating poor hapless stuffed critters from claw machines all over southeast Michigan. Scoobies are his specialties, and you can see the fruit of his rescue missions above. My, how the Doo family has grown since our Halloween, Christmas and even Valentine's Day photos.

So to give each Doo his (or her) due ...

Middle (Easter!) row, from left: Sweety-Doo, Scooby-Boo, Grampa-Doo in front and Snotty-Doo behind him, then the recently rescued Delivery-Doo, with Pinky-Doo and Apple-Doo in front of him, then in the center it's Bunn-Ana-Doo with Bunny-Doo and Hoppy-Doo, with Squirty-Doo in front in the basket, Bucky-Doo in back and Spotty-Doo in the basket, his sister Dottie-Doo behind, Scrappy-Doo in front (yep, we've got one of those, too), Smiley-Doo in the back, then Hearty-Doo and Lovey-Doo.

Bottom row: Limey-Doo, Justice-Doo, Blue-Doo, My Big Boy, Papa Marley and his two boys, Marley-Doo and Doobie-Doo, Courage-Doo and Valor-Doo.

Top row, the Christmas Doos: Candy-Doo, Antler-Doo, Santa-Doo, Santa-Too, Rudy-Doo, and Candy-Too.

Catch Byron Cherry and Don Pedro Colley in Ohio on July 4

The Northeast Ohio Dukes are serving up a stunt show and lots of fun on July 4 and 5, and that will even include Byron ("Coy Duke") Cherry and Don Pedro ("Sheriff Little") Colley of "The Dukes of Hazzard."

 

What a way to celebrate the birthday of the good ole U.S. of A.! Yeeeee-haaaaa!

Spotted: Diahann Carroll

She's so glam and young and luscious, and this is several years before she took on the formidable Alexis Colby as Dominique Deveraux on our beloved "Dynasty." This is a first-season episode of "The Love Boat," and this is the lovely Diahann Carroll, playing true to form as a famous songstress.

Roxy Blue is her name, and she saunters onto the cruise (standing up Bob Hope, no less) to have a little get-away in this 1977 episode, which was the fifth in the show's inaugural season. That get-away involves a little get-down with Isaac the bartender, who becomes even more enamored with the singer (he was a big fan before, but even more so now). Isaac develops feelings for Roxy, but Roxy brushes it off as a fling. By the time she gets off the boat, though, you know she is going to miss Isaac dearly.

Carroll is sophisticated and accomplished but a little flirtier than our Dominique. She drinks her Kahlua on the rocks and thinks about life a little bit. And she's got a few nice '70s fashions in this episode, too.

Kate O'Mara dead at age 74

For the second time in just a few days, BRBTV learns sad news about one of the stars of the beloved TV shows we cover ... Ms. Kate O'Mara, whom we know as Caress Morell of "Dynasty," passed away on Sunday. She was 74.

O'Mara had a short illness, it's been reported (see the People story), and we have to say we are surprised, because O'Mara was out and about meeting and greeting fans at an autograph show just a few months ago. It was a hopeful sign to us that we might see her at more shows like this.

On "Dynasty" she was called in to be an evil challenge for her on-screen oh-so-evil sis, Alexis Morell-Carrington-Colby-Dexter-Rowan-whatever ... And sure enough, she had Alexis all nervous, with the threat of publishing a tell-all book about her (shades of Joan Collins' real-life sister Jackie Collins -- boy, do we miss those '80s). O'Mara was British-accented and elegant enough, despite the fact that her character had just been sprung from prison. She got her fair share of glorious gowns and bubbling baubles on the glittery primetime soap, and we enjoyed her performance. May she rest in peace, and thanks to Brian for the heads-up on this one.

Tom Wopat has tons of shows coming up this spring and summer

From the web crew of Tom ("Luke Duke") Wopat ...

Tom's up to a lot lately with a huge lineup of shows coming this spring and summer! Take a look below and see if he's coming to a town near you!  We also wanted to share this video of Tom rehearsing Frank Sinatra's classic, "I Fall In Love Too Easily," at Rockwell Table and Stage during sound check. Click HERE to watch and enjoy!
 

UPCOMING PERFROMANCES: 
Apr 12 - Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts- Orange Park, FL

Apr 19 - Curtis Theatre - Brea, CA 
Apr 24 - Apr 26 – Universiry of Wisconsin Varsity Band – Madison, WI
May 2 - The Van Dyck (Early Show) - Schenectady, NY
May 2 - The Van Dyck (Late Show) - Schenectady, NY
May 9 - The Stage at Rockwells (Early Show) - Pelham, NY 
May 9 - The Stage at Rockwells (Late Show) - Pelham, NY 
May 17 - Ram's Head On Stage - Annapolis, MD - NEW SHOW! 
May 24 - Jonathan’s - Ogunquit, ME
July 9-10 - Crossroads Music Series - Nashville, TN
Jul 11 - Iridium (Early Show) - New York, NY 
Jul 11 - Iridium (Late Show) - New York, NY 
Jul 12 - Iridium (Early Show) - New York, NY
Jul 12 - Iridium (Late Show) - New York, NY
Jul 26 - Grand Marshall of Baraboo Circus Parade - Baraboo, WI

*Click the venue name for tickets or more information

Dane Witherspoon dead at age 56

A Martinez has evidently broken the news on his Facebook page that nobody else out there has, that Dane Witherspoon, his "Santa Barbara" costar, has died. BRBTV offers condolences to Witherspoon's family and friends.

We loved him as the original Joe Perkins from the moment the show launched in July 1984, that blessed summer we were pinned to the TV to catch this new soap amid the summer Olympics where Mary Lou Retton and Carl Lewis reigned.

Martinez, who played Cruz Castillo to much acclaim on the soap, offered these words, which he kindly allows BRBTV to post:

"Dane passed this morning. People who watched Santa Barbara in its earliest days will remember him as Joe Perkins, a character to which he brought a quiet grace and deep, bittersweet sense of soul. He was a singular, standup guy, loved and admired by many. My first thought, upon meeting him in 1984: 'This is the most beautiful man I've ever seen.' That beauty went all the way to his core."

Witherspoon was born in December 1957 in Texas, as Richard Dane Witherspoon, according to the IMDb. He appeared on "The Waltons" and "Eight is Enough" before his "SB" days, and he kept a pretty low profile afterward. What a shame; we thought he was a natural talent and so wonderfully handsome.

He was married to his "SB" costar Robin Wright from 1986 to 1988, and yes, we saw those sparks in the Kelly and Joe storyline. They were just electric together; we were so bummed when Witherspoon was off the show.

Morgan Fairchild, John O'Hurley to appear in "Christian Mingle"

Corbin Bernsen making Christian films? Yes, the longtime actor who we've enjoyed on both "Psych" and "General Hospital" (Carly's dad, was it? and the other Carly, not this one ... oh, never mind!!!) Is not only making a Christian movie, but he's partnering with a well-known Christian dating service to do it.

Bernsen's Home Theater Films has planned "Christian Mingle" for release later this year, and yes, the movie does involve the online community in its plot, which centers around a 30-something female looking for love. Delightfully enough, the movie will include Morgan Fairchild, whom we know as the original Jenna Wade on the just-as-original "Dallas," and John O'Hurley, our own Stephen Slade of "Santa Barbara."

Read the movie's press release on PR Newswire. And read more about this budding moviemaker's other projects at CBN.com and Beliefnet.

Sheree J. Wilson has a new flick, Facebook fan page and more

It's got young blondes in skimpy clothes and other typical slasher flare. And a few zombies thrown in. Heck, it's even got William Shockley -- that's a plus in our book. It's "Dug Up," a recent project featuring Sheree J. Wilson, whom we know as April Stevens Ewing of "Dallas."

And trust us -- that Shockley thing is goooooooodddd. He was the only thing we could watch in every one of his scenes on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," and he's really in his element in this movie's trailer. He looks great. Wilson looks great, too.

Wilson also has had a role on our favorite web series, "DeVanity," and a new project called "Jail Wagon," shot in Texas and scheduled for release this year.

You can try to keep up with Wilson at her official website, and she's also got a new fan page on Facebook.

Next up for Jack Coleman: "Salvation"

Our own second Steven Carrington of "Dynasty," Jack Coleman, is set to appear in a pilot for a new series for NBC. Called "Salvation," the drama centers around the church culture in Texas. Ashley Judd will play the matriarch of the church family. Unfortunately, looks like Coleman has the role of Judd's husband, who dies. Rats. Still, we'll be curious to see how the series, if picked up, treats the ministry world.

Read more at ...
TheWrap.com
Hollywood Reporter
DigitalSpy.com

John Schneider's wife auditions for "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"

TMZ has posted an audition video made by John ("Bo Duke") Schneider of "The Dukes of Hazzard" and his wife, Elly Schneider. Elly's interested in filling a slot on the popular reality show "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." As of this post, the votes from TMZ viewers were 72 percent "no" on whether or not Elly's video makes the cut.

That's just all we'll say, frankly. Thanks to Brian for the heads-up!

John Wesley Shipp will be "Flash"-ing once again, but as who?

OK, we have it on good authority that Mr. John Wesley Shipp, whom we know as Martin Ellis on "Santa Barbara" and who we talked to at an event in Nashville a couple years back will be appearing on the new "Flash" series. We have it on the same good authority that the pilot for said new "Flash," series, which will air on the CW network, possibly in the fall if it's picked up (which, really, it should be picked up), is being shot right now, as we type.

Sure enough, Shipp is credited for the pilot episode of the series, for a role not yet named. You can get a little more at TV Guide. Our good authority thinks it may be the main character's dad. That would be a fine tribute to Shipp's work on the original "Flash" series, which sadly only lasted a season but was good enough to go longer!

Grant Gustin plays the title character in the new series. He originated the role on the CW's "Arrow." See a photo of Shipp on the set with Gustin at JustJaredJr.com.

Spotted: Ted Shackelford

What do you get when you cross Daisy Duke with Gary Ewing? Well, from the "Young and the Restless" perspective, you get the character of Chelsea!. And while we've been enjoying watching Catherine Bach in her rather flamboyant role as Chelsea's mom Anita on the daytime soap (she's had more airdates since Christmas, with everything that's been going on in Chelsea's life lately), we were tickled earlier today to see Ted Shackelford sweep in as dear old Dad.

It wasn't so dear a reunion, really. He raided the closet of Chelsea's husband Adam (assumed dead right now, but they're hinting at a typical soaps return from the dead for this one), and in his dapper suit he just couldn't stop talking about his shortcomings as a father. Shackelford is handsome and rather stately in the role, though there's a touch of the down-and-out about him. Still, we're signed on. Bring on more! And while you're at it, Ted, come back to the new "Dallas"! Like all the other originals, you're just fab there.

And speaking of the return of the classics ... Donna Mills popping up today on "General Hospital" as Silas' former wife's mom? Seriously. That magic soaps lighting strikes again! Will these people age, already????

Charlene Tilton talks about her time in the foster system

She went from a little girl in foster homes to a young actress hanging out at Southfork, and that's what Charlene Tilton, our own little Lucy Ewing of "Dallas," will talk about at a prayer breakfast next week.

"I am honored to be the keynote speaker with my talk "From Foster Home to Southfork," Tilton says on her Facebook fan page. Her daughter, singer Cherish Lee, will perform at the event, which happens March 13 in Glendale, California.

The actress also just did an interview with MyFoxLA on her time in foster care.

Tilton is returning to the new "Dallas" on TNT, by the way, for a wedding in the March 17 episode.

Get ready to get your bourbon, J.R. style

You watched Sue Ellen grab the bottle in the final episode of Season 2 of TNT's "Dallas," and you watched J.R drink from it earlier. Now you can own it. Or something a whole lot like it. It's that fab square bottle of bourbon engraved with J.R. Ewing's name, so stately on his bar, next to glasses also so engraved, and about to be so stately on your own bar.

The J.R. Ewing Bourbon "private reserve" whiskey hails from Kentucky and will be coming around the South and Midwest (yay) by the end of this month, with other regions to follow. Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Warner Bros. Television Group are producing the licensed product with Southfork Bottling Co. and Glazer’s Inc., says official press release. We can't help but adore it.

See more at the Dallas News and Dallas Culture Map.

 

Photo from PRWeb

"Dallas" takes viewers back in time -- in more ways than one

TNT pulled out all the stops to trumpet last night's Season 3 premiere of "Dallas." In Manhattan, drivers were treated to $1.98-a-gallon gas from Ewing Energies. See the story on Good Morning America / Yahoo.

It's certainly a tribute to the original "Dallas" episode where J.R. Ewing undercut the competition with low gas prices at his own stations. "Some might call it predatory pricing," the GMA story said of yesterday's gas stunt. "I just call it good business," the fictional oil baron John Ross Ewing said in a news release. Gotta love it.

Meanwhile, as you celebrate the return of the series, you can catch Entertainment Weekly, Chron, the Examiner and Zap 2 It all weighing in on what this season will hold. We're seeing our little John Ross coming along nicely as the replacement J.R. (Of course, we were in his corner from the beginning, just loving the casting choice for both the boys.)

Happy Valentine's Day from BRBTV!

In honor of Valentine's Day, and as a follow-up to our Halloween and Christmas posts, the Doos of BRBTV headquarters have convened once again for a photo. And you can see the Doo family continues to grow! An unnamed crane game crusader has been very busy rescuing these pooches from crane games all over Michigan.

Front and center, it's Apple-Doo and Sweety-Doo, the latter of which is a special Valentine Doo released just this year. They're joined by Justice-Doo, the latest arrival, who was rescued from a truck stop in Dexter, along with Dottie-Doo. In the back row, from left: Rudy-Doo, Candy-Doo, Santa-Doo,  Blue-Doo, with Pinky-Doo in front of him, then Scooby-Boo, Squirty-Doo, My Big Boy, Smiley-Doo, with Grampa-Doo in front, then Limey-Doo, Santa-Too, Candy-Too, and Antler-Doo.

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

Spotted: Andrew Stevens, Mary Crosby, Joanna Cassidy, Steve Forrest, K Callan!

OK, sooooo .....picture yourself as a television miniseries at the height of the popularity of the television miniseries, the 1980s. You're based on a book by the sister of a "Dynasty" star. You're produced by the producers of "Dynasty." Your costumes are even designed by the costume designer of "Dynasty." So naturally, your cast features no less than five stars from ... "Dallas"?

Yea, we were a little thrown off by that, too, as we gleefully viewed 1985's "Hollywood Wives," a juicy, glittery tale of life inside Tinseltown. Whether it just be fun happenstance or some kind of subvergent casting sabotage, here's what it is ...

• Andrew Stevens, who we know as young, rather cocky Casey Denault on "Dallas," takes center stage in the miniseries, and in a dual role. He's Buddy, an aspiring, struggling actor, but he's also (with scruffy hair and long beard) the off-kilter Deke. Deke sets off on a long arduous journey across the country to L.A., with his long, lumbering, bow-legged sort of limp (no, he doesn't walk the whole way, but it's almost that bad, spanning across several hours of the miniseries). And we won't reveal any more than that!
• Mary Crosby, who frankly shot J.R., is the young, vivacious, incorrigible Karen Lancaster. Karen's not really into acting; she just likes speeding around town in her sportscar and spending her award-winning-actor-father's cash. And she wears slinky dresses and lets her wavy locks flow long, much like Kristin.
• Joanna Cassidy, who was the put-upon Sally Bullock in early "Dallas," is the even more put-upon ex-wife of a successful movie producer played by Anthony Hopkins. She insecurely moons over her ex and wonders what she did wrong. Yea, yea, blah-blah-blah, adds nothing to the plot, let's move on ...
• Steve Forrest, who was Wes Parmalee and Ben Stivers on "Dallas" (which includes the idea that he was the possible non-dead Jock Ewing!), is one of the lead characters here, a philandering, aging actor trying to regain his youth. He, of course, sleeps with a younger woman, namely Mary Crosby's character.
• K Callan, who was Amy Stevens on "Dallas," shows up rather briefly as Catherine, a woman involved in the shady "adoption" of Andrew Stevens' character(s).
• And we'll even mention Vernon Weddle, who was John Carter on "Dallas" and actually had a couple bit parts on "Dynasty." He shows up here, too.

OK! Well, apparently members of the "Dynasty" cast were booked at the time! Nevertheless, the miniseries is lots of fun!

A "Dallas" pickup and a hot Archie car jump off the toy shelves at us

OK, we knew about the Archie cars from a toy show we recently took in, but we have to admit to doing a little "Whaaaaattttt?????" as we wandered the toy aisle last night. The Hot Wheels / Matchbox section is not one we tend to spend a lot of time in (action figures and Barbs -- that's us), but what delight it was to come across this "Dallas" treasure. This is a 1970 Chevrolet C-10 blue pickup truck with white cab. It's by Greenlight Collectibles Hollywood and is a tribute to the original series, not the more recent TNT one. It says it's part of Series 6.

And the Archie car is a 1940 Ford Coupe by Hot Wheels with the hot gals on the door. You know the ones. C'mon now, Archie, where's the Cheryl car? Make it red, pleeezzzz.

It seems to be part of a recent trend, in the past couple years or so, of tons of TV show-themed toy cars. I mean, when you've got cars from "The Rockford Files" (we love you and your Camaro, James Garner), that's big.

Photo by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV

Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand

Spotted: Pamela Bellwood

This author has booked a cruise for April (no, not on that cruise line, thankfully), so she's celebrating by indulging in the first season of "The Love Boat." And who does she spot?

It was a few years before she stepped onto the "Dynasty" set, in this 1977 episode of "The Love Boat," so no wonder there was that crack about whether or not she's finished high school! She's cute as a button, Ms. Pamela Bellwood, who we know as Claudia Blaisdel Carrington Carrington (and maybe one or two more). And her on-screen boyfriend-then-fiance in the episode is Robert Reed, official "Brady" dad. How fun.

In the action, Bellwood is the "other woman" as a divorced couple comes to terms -- so to speak -- with the tension and passion between them. Reed's counterpart in the mess is Loretta Swit of "M*A*S*H," while Richard Mulligan is Swit's new husband (and former divorce lawyer). Are ya into it? Well, throw in an adorable little Scott Baio and Kristy McNichol -- and we mean little; this was 1977 -- in a horribly awkward kid love story, and you're sure to be into it.

Oh, and we loved seeing Hermione Baddeley, whom we enjoyed immensely in her "Wonder Woman" episode. This was the third episode of the inaugural season of this classic series, and the storylines are sloooooowly improving from the stinky quality of the pilot, so we're avidly on to episode 4!

Spotted: Ray Wise

He's debonair, he's as handsome as ever, and he looks wonderful under that magic soaps lighting. He just popped up yesterday as the much-hyped Ian Ward character on CBS' "The Young and the Restless." We wondered who we would see in that role! With all the build-up for this charismatic and powerful former cult leader, we knew they would have to cast big. So there he was, Mr. Ray Wise, whom we know so fondly from "Twin Peaks" and even as Blair Sullivan on "Dallas" and Spiro Koralis on "The Colbys." We are not disappointed! Don't drink this guy's Kool-Aid!

We've been oh-so intrigued for several months now with "Y&R"'s storyline of Nikki Newman's long-lost child. When her child was revealed to be existing character Dylan McAvoy, it seemed a bit inexpensive, for sure. But Dylan is played by Steve Burton, the former Jason Morgan of "General Hospital," so, um, yum! We're digging that part of it. We got to meet Burton many years ago, at an appearance at a Sears store in Michigan, of all things.

Now, in this new role of Dylan's long-lost father, Wise is commanding, powerful, soooo intimidating. All with his trademark smile. Still ... we relish the potential of a confrontation between this new Ian Ward and Nikki's husband Victor Newman (played by Eric Braeden, whom we saw as a young-un on a couple "Wonder Woman" episodes, and who has seriously owned this "Y&R" role for so many decades). Our ole Victor might just squash Ian like a bug! Smash!

Ben Jones speaks out about new "Party Down South" reality show

Ben ("Cooter Davenport") Jones of "The Dukes of Hazzard" has never been afraid to speak out on stuff he feels strongly about over the years, such as the 2005 movie treatment of "The Dukes" and Warner Bros.' rumored plans to remove the Confederate flag from "Dukes" merchandise a couple years back. Now, he's got a viewpoint to share about the new reality TV show "Party Down South," currently being promoted by CMT and premiering last night. Here's his statement, reprinted with permission ...

LOOKS LIKE CMT IS INSULTING AMERICA’S FAMILIES

It seems to me that by relentlessly promoting the sleazy “Party Down South” during commercial breaks for the family-friendly “Dukes of Hazzard” that CMT is cynically insulting the sensibilities, the values, and the intelligence of our audience. Any sensible viewer would have to ask “why?” and the answer, unfortunately, lies in the tastes and sensibilities of the folks in Santa Monica, California where CMT program decisions are made, and in New York City, where CMT’s corporate ownership Viacom is located. The idea of these folks making decisions about country music programming, heartland values, and the ways of Southern and rural Americans is ludicrous at best. But their decisions demean our heartland’s culture and debase our traditions.

When the unacceptable becomes acceptable, when the bar is continually being lowered, what then is unacceptable? Unfortunately, we already have the answer: not much.

I am offended that CMT is insensitive to their obvious and blatant insult. I guess these folks are just too immersed in their own lifestyles to understand their audience. And according to their press releases, the network has bought a number of these so-called “reality” series. They are counting on shows like “Party Down South” (previously named “The Dirty South”) to pay the freight for what was once a great Country Music and Americana network. Hopefully, this foul and dreadful show will meet an early demise, and be replaced by upbeat, positive Nashville entertainment.

 Anyhow, I am always amazed at the good hearts and moral tenacity of our fans. I guess we all learned a little bit about right and wrong somewhere along the way. Thanks for your clear message to CMT. They really need to hear it. Spread the word, y’all.
 
Personally, I am sick and tired of having my native Southland portrayed in the national media by shows like “Party Down South” aka “The Dirty South”. Shame on these people. "Dukes Of Hazzard" fans can leave comments for CMT on this page: https://www.facebook.com/cmt

 Ben Jones aka “Cooter”