It’s Christmas in July over there at the “Just Beneath the Surface” web series. The latest episode discusses the only Christmas episode of the classic “Twilight Zone” series, “The Night of the Meek.” Tune in as Bruce and Brian debate the episode’s ending, the episode’s message and even the production values …
An indulgence of great classic television by journalist and author Billie Rae Bates.
Monday, July 17, 2023
Wednesday, July 05, 2023
Terrific non-TV Toys: Malibu Skipper by Mattel, 1970s
Skipper has arrived! You've seen her big sis, Barbie, as well as Ken and PJ. Now it's time to take a look at the Malibu Skipper from the 1970s, the fourth part in our miniseries on the Malibu dolls. Like the others, this one was a doll of this author's childhood, and boy, I loved this girl. Especially with all the fashions that you'll see in this episode. And it's not the last you'll see of the vintage Barbies -- there will be a future episode on a '70s Barbie vinyl doll case and another array of fashions, so stay tuned for that.
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Cooter's Place has a great slate of events lined up for "Dukes" fans
We're glad that ole Cooter doesn't stop, because he has served up great "Dukes of Hazzard" events for many years now. In the coming weeks Ben Jones and his wife Miss Alma are welcoming "Dukes" cast members and others to the Cooter's Place locations in Luray and Pigeon Forge. This is straight from the e-blast:
Friday, June 23, 2023
Bobby gives us another look at his "Gilligan's Island" Skipper hat collection
You've seen Bobby's yummy collection of "Gilligan's Island" collectibles on this site before, and he's a real fan of Skipper, played by Alan Hale. (Check out the March 27, 2023, and April 11, 2022 posts, for two examples.) Now he's got another Skipper hat he is sharing with BRBTV.
"This is my actual Lancaster brand Skipper hat replica," Bobby says. "The brand Alan Hale Jr. wore as the Skipper on the original show, the three seasons, 98 episodes, '64-'67, and the last two of the three reunion movies, '79 and '81. A friend got it for me as a Christmas present in 2017. I made it into the Skipper's Lancaster Yachting Hat/Captain Hat from a Lancaster Uniform Cap Co. police hat."
Photos courtesy of Bobby; please do not copy without permission.
Wednesday, June 07, 2023
Terrific TV Toys: "Dukes of Hazzard" calculator by Unisonic, 1981
We're back in Hazzard County for the latest episode of the Terrific TV Toys series, with another selection from the massive array of merchandise that was released when the show originally aired in the 1980s. This item is quite a practical "toy," so to speak, as this author uses it every month to balance the checkbook! It works just great, and though it's a bit old-school, it is a treasure nonetheless.
See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.
Monday, May 22, 2023
A look inside Nic and Norman's for the "Dead"-heads among us
Special thanks to Jason and Billy for sharing these photos from their trip earlier this month to the Nic and Norman's restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The eatery, owned by Norman Reedus of "The Walking Dead" and the show's executive producer and makeup guru Greg Nicotero, features everything from brisket nachos to crab and avocado toast to chicken pot pie to meatloaf to shrimp and grit cakes and whatever else in-between. Their chain has two other locations in Senoia, Georgia, and Lexington, Kentucky. Jason was enthralled by the former-train-station atmosphere of this Chattanooga spot, though. Looks comfy, not to mention delicious!
Sunday, May 07, 2023
Some glimpses of the goods from Novi toy show
It seemed like a brand-new show, at least it was one this collector had not seen before. It happened yesterday at the Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi, Michigan, home of the wildly popular Motor City Comic Con (which is in just a couple weeks, incidentally, and which I may actually make my grand return to this year after several years away). And this toy show was pretty lush -- one big convention hall with lots of tables. It wasn't well-attended -- maybe it wasn't advertised that much? Anyway, no matter. It was nice to not have hordes of people.
So many TV-show-related goodies! There are a ton of photos to show, everything from "All in the Family" to the beloved Batman and Scooby-Doo to the ever-present "Star Trek" and so much more. Such a joy to get back to a nice-sized toy show. Maybe this one is / will be yearly and if so, it's highly recommended. Folks there were really nice to chat with.