Some of you out there will have no idea what this Superman Red and Superman Blue business is, and some of you will be like, "Oh, yeah, that's right -- I remember when they did that in the comics." And actually, this DC Comics storyline for its flagship character (well, I guess he probably shares that mantle with Batman) actually goes back further than you thought. To the 1960s. This author was surprised by that when doing the research, and you'll get a little history lesson in the latest episode of Terrific non-TV Toys.
Wednesday, September 06, 2023
Friday, August 25, 2023
From the VHS vaults: Some early hosting and interviews
This author was digging out the VHS-to-digital video converter a week ago to transfer a video from a rather old crime scene for the latest true-crime book project. And while I was at it, I was thinking, you know, I've got all those old VHS tapes that are deteriorating more by the year that I should probably transfer, too. I didn't necessarily want to spend the time on it, but hey, none of us have as many hours in the day as we would like, right? There's stuff in those tapes that is highly original and preservation-needy.
So on I charged, all this past week, reviewing video after video. And I decided to queue them up in my other YouTube channel, the one I've used for just playlists of other people's videos until now. (The one that nobody knows about -- five subscribers right now, LOL.) It's my author YouTube channel that's more geared to the non-BRBTV stuff. So anyway, the first one has dropped, and others will follow each Friday.
I cringe a bit. Maybe I'll go hide in a cave next Friday, because that installment will be the very first episode of the very first TV hosting gig I ever had. It's rough in parts. It's 1990s. But it's all in good fun.
This first clip is a promo interview for a book-signing I was doing for my first novel back in 2005:
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Area 52 Diner serves up some saucy, spacey surprises
If you find yourself in mid-Michigan anywhere near Highway M-52 and a place called Owosso, make sure you grab some lunch at the Area 52 Diner. This author has been down this stretch a zillion times, having grown up just a few miles down the road, but imagine my surprise rolling through there on the way to my brother’s place, traveling from Metro Detroit, and seeing that this eatery has reopened under a new name. When did that happen??? (About three months ago, our waitress said.) But this restaurant, which I am pretty sure my parents and I went to after church on Sundays many eons — and no doubt many name changes — ago, not only reopened under a new name but with the coolest theme ever. The photos will say it all!
Saturn’s onion rings, a black-and-white sci-fi movie playing above the counter, flying saucer lighting, and more. Somebody’s got a sense of humor. Love it. New favorite place. (And oh, yeah — the food was good!)
Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV
Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand
Tuesday, August 08, 2023
Check out an eye-popping "Dukes of Hazzard" collection at Jon Holland's new YouTube channel
Our buddy and fellow author Jon Hollard, a longtime "Dukes of Hazzard" collector and historian, has started up a new YouTube channel to share the love. You can schedule an appointment to see his "Dukes" museum in Williamsburg, Virginia. We've gotta swing out that way one of these days!
Wednesday, August 02, 2023
Terrific TV Toys: Scooby-Doo toothbrush set, Meijer, 2020ish
Scooby-dooby-doo, let's brush those choppers! The latest episode of the Terrific TV Toys series gives you a gander at a pair of battery-operated toothbrushes from the Midwest retail chain Meijer, but there were other sets released under other labels. These are oh-so kid-friendly, but hey, us bigger kids can love 'em, too!
See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.
Monday, July 17, 2023
Even “The Twilight Zone” has Christmas
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 …
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:
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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."
Bobby loves doing Skipper cosplay:
You can see more of Bobby's Skipper cosplay at his Rob "Skipper" Broadhurst, Alan Hale Jr. Tribute Artist Facebook page.
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!
Here's Jason, left, and Billy, with Billy's wife, Kim. Thanks for the photos, guys!
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.
Three views of the same thermos, featuring images from the Krofft shows of the '70s, except for "Land of the Lost," unfortunately. Very cool and priced at $50 loose without the lunchbox.
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Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTV
Copying with credit is OK; a link would be grand
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