Billie Rae Bates's Blog, page 17

Talkin' "Twilight Zone": Latest episodes of "Just Beneath the Surface"

If you're a fan of the original "Twilight Zone" series of the late '50s to early '60s, then you'll enjoy the discussion of the show on the web series "Just Beneath the Surface." Episodes 7 and 8 of the series are now up, and they explore the hourlong episodes of Season 4, along with the single episode "The Hunt." BRBTV's bud Brian co-hosts.

 
 

"Gilligan" fan and collector Bobby now has the full-on Skipper cosplay!

We've profiled our friend Bobby on this blog before; he's a big-time fan of "Gilligan's Island," particularly of the Skipper, as played by Alan Hale Jr.. (Check out the February 5, 2020 and April 30, 2021 posts.) Bobby has really dug into the details of the variations of captain's hats worn by the Skipper throughout the series and movies, and he has been collecting screen-accurate (and maybe not-quite-so-screen-accurate) replicas of these hats for years. Now, though, Bobby has branched out into other pieces of Skipper's iconic classic TV look.

"This is the hat from the Fun World 'Gilligan's Island' Skipper Halloween costume," Bobby explains. "It is a four-piece set. 1. Shirt 2. Pants 3. Hat 4. Stuffable Belly. I got the costume in 2010 from my local Spirit Halloween store. It was minus the hat. Someone opened it, stole the Skipper hat, and resealed the package, and left it looking untouched. I ended up with only a three-piece set of shirt, pants, stuffable belly."

"I have wanted the Fun World hat for 12 years since it was missing in 2010," Bobby says. "The Skipper and Promoter William Duff of the Illinois division of the 'Gilligan's Island' Fan Club and ventriloquist for Gilligan, www.gilligansisle.com, had the costume and sent it to me. My brother bought me my original set in 2010 that was missing the Captain/Skipper hat part of it. William gave me the complete set all four pieces."

Bobby now has what he needs to re-enact the Skipper's classic television poses and mannerisms! Bobby, you're the most devoted fan of "Gilligan's Island" we've ever met! You can check out his tribute page for Alan Hale to see more of his devotion.

Photos courtesy of Rob "Skipper" Broadhurst; please do not copy without permission.

Terrific TV Toys: Snoopy Easter PVC figures from Plastronics / Whitman's

It's Eastertime once again, and if you were a kid of the '70s and '80s, another tradition, along with coloring eggs and enjoying chocolate bunnies (besides the real reason for the season, of course -- our risen Lord and Savior) was watching the Peanuts holiday special "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown." It's been years since this author has seen it, and it really makes me want to watch it now. This time on T3, we take a look at the book adaptation of the TV special as we examine another set of  Snoopy holiday PVC figures that were once attached to mini-boxes of Whitman's chocolates.

(There is a bonus Snoopy Easter item in this episode; can you guess what that would be?)

See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist. And keep it tuned here for the continuation of the Snoopy PVC series -- next up, Halloween!!!

Terrific non-TV Toys: Batgirl Funko Pop!, Breast Cancer Awareness edition, 2020

Who knew that Funko released a special set of its uber-popular DC Comics Pop! figures for Breast Cancer Awareness Month?! Well, my friend knew, as he snagged me this Batgirl Pop! from that collection. This gal is all pink in varying shades, clad in an otherwise very traditional Batgirl outfit. She's pert and pleasant and she's the focus on the latest episode of the Terrific non-TV Toys series.

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

Terrific TV Toys: "Bionic Woman" figures by Super7, 2022

Hot off the press we've got two new "Bionic Woman" figures by Super7 as part of their ReAction line. You saw another Super7 ReAction figure on a previous episode of T3, an Alfred Hitchcok figure, and now we get back to the Bionics. These two gals are pretty small and quite simple, but the Fembot figure is interesting because it presents yet another take on this classic TV villainess. Whereas the original 1970s Kenner 12-inch figure / doll is clad in black jumpsuit, and the 2012 incarnation by Bif Bang Pow! wears a brown dress, this one wears a blue jumpsuit. What's the reference? You'll find out at the end of this one, courtesy of a couple of photos from the Fire Breathing Dimetrodon blog ...

See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.

Cooter's Place has the "Dukes" stars lined up for spring and beyond

 

Ben Jones, our favorite mechanic Cooter Davenport from "The Dukes of Hazzard," will be hosting his "Dukes" castmates on several dates coming up this month and beyond. And he'll be appearing with his band, as well! Here's the schedule 'til the end of this year from the latest Cooter's Place e-blast:

.......................

March 5 • March 12 • March 19 • March 26
Cooter's Garage Band @ Cooters' Luray
LIVE EVERY SATURDAY!
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

March 26 • March 27
TOM WOPAT @ Cooters' Nashville
Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

APRIL 14 - APRIL 18
RICK "CLETUS" HURST  @ Cooters' Pigeon Forge

Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

MAY 14 • MAY 15
CATHERINE BACH "DAISY DUKE" @ Cooters' Luray
Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

MAY 14
Cooters' Luray 5th Anniversary Car Show
Car Show
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

JUNE 30 - JULY 6
RICK "CLETUS" HURST @ Cooters' Pigeon Forge
Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 16 - 21
RICK "CLETUS" HURST @ Cooters' Pigeon Forge
Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

OCTOBER 14-16
HAZZARD RUN 2022 @ Cooter's Luray
Car Show
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1
RICK "CLETUS" HURST @ Cooters' Pigeon Forge
Meet & Greet
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Terrific non-TV Toys: "Star Wars" AT-AT plush by Animal Magic, pre-2012

We say "pre-2012" for the timeframe of this "Star Wars" goodie because a release date doesn't seem to exist on the Internet! (But I only say that to thereby cause someone to provide it in a comment below to prove me wrong, LOL!) Anyway, this author knows it was manufactured before 2012 because that's when I snagged it! It was at the Star Wars Celebration con in Orlando, Florida, in August 2012, where my friend Andrea and I had a blast. We got to see a huge (maybe life-size?) AT-AT in the lobby of the event venue, which was super-cool. You'll see a clip of that at the beginning of this episode of Terrific non-TV Toys. So let's get up-close and personal with a lovable, soft, plush version of those fearsome AT-AT vehicles!

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

Six Feet Under Hollywood: Wendie Jo Sperber

You'll know her if you see her, and then when you see her you'll remember her from "Bosom Buddies," the "Back to the Future" movies and maybe even the "Hearts Afire" series. The latest post in the Six Feet Under blog focuses on '70s-'80s actress Wendie Jo Sperber ...
Six Feet Under Hollywood: Wendie Jo Sperber:   "I'm an actress who likes to say something funny.  Everybody laughs and your job is done." Wendie Jo Sperber was born in Ho...

Terrific TV Toys: Valentine Snoopy PVC figures by Plastronics / Whitman's, 2004-2012

This author is bummed that the adorable little Snoopy figures attached to small boxes of Whitman's candies have disappeared from store shelves. You used to see them at various holidays -- Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Easter. Wah. I was able to buy quite a few of them, though, while they were out there, a few years back. And I think I've picked up some others along the way at toy shows and places like that. This time on Terrific TV Toys, we're going to start an appreciation of the various Peanuts holiday TV specials, pinning them to these cute PVC figures. Next week is Valentine's Day, so that's where we will begin with this newest T3 episode. Let's look back on the TV special "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown," which first aired on CBS in 1975, and get a close-up view of a few Valentine-themed Snoopy figures, along with the companion books for kids. (And thanks to Wendy for filling in some gaps on the timeframe of these -- some of them were released with Russell Stover candies, as well!)
 

Next up in our Peanuts TV specials miniseries, it will be the Easter Beagle, of course, in a month or two. In the meantime, see what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.

Terrific TV Toys: Valentine Snoopy PVC figures by Plastronics / Whitman's, 2009-2012

This author is bummed that the adorable little Snoopy figures attached to small boxes of Whitman's candies have disappeared from store shelves. You used to see them at various holidays -- Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Easter. Wah. I was able to buy quite a few of them, though, while they were out there, a few years back. And I think I've picked up some others along the way at toy shows and places like that. This time on Terrific TV Toys, we're going to start an appreciation of the various Peanuts holiday TV specials, pinning them to these cute PVC figures. Next week is Valentine's Day, so that's where we will begin with this newest T3 episode. Let's look back on the TV special "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown," which first aired on CBS in 1975, and get a close-up view of a few Valentine-themed Snoopy figures, along with the companion books for kids.
 

Next up in our Peanuts TV specials miniseries, it will be the Easter Beagle, of course, in a month or two. In the meantime, see what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.