Billie Rae Bates's Blog, page 2

Terrific non-TV Toys: Batmobiles by Hot Wheels, 2014-2021

It's been entirely Batty around here in the two BRBTV collectibles series in the past few months. And we've been doing some crossing over between the two series, which we're about to do again! This time it's Batmobiles by Hot Wheels; there are some great varieties from Batman TV shows as well as movies. So big screen, small screen, the screen in your hand -- whatever the one you prefer, these four-wheeled delights are just so fun. This time for Terrific non-TV Toys, we take a look at some designs from the various Batman movie franchises, then next month on Terrific TV Toys, we'll venture back into TV land.

See what else is on the Terrific non-TV Toys playlist.

Just Beneath the Surface- The Twilight Zone (Episode 17 - The Leftovers)

A pre-"Mary Tyler Moore Show" Ted Knight ... that alone is worth the price of admission. "The Lonely" is one of the episodes of classic "Twilight Zone" that Bruce and Brian take on this time. This tale of a man serving out a sentence on a desolate asteroid who receives a rather unusual shipment of "supplies" is an episode I feel like they don't show as often in the typical Syfy marathons and whatever. I haven't seen this episode in a long time, and now, after the above discussion, I've got to go watch it! The second ep that the boys discuss is "The Trade-Ins."

Enjoy the Southfork Experience -- from your own home or phone

A Southfork Experience event has come and gone, and it looked like a wonderful one, for sure. Both Dallas Fanzine and the Ewing Barbecue Podcast / Ultimate Dallas were there, and they've been posting their photos and videos from the jam-packed, star-studded celebration at Southfork Ranch in Texas. Check their various channels for more:

https://www.youtube.com/@ewingbbq 
https://www.facebook.com/dallastvshow
https://www.facebook.com/groups/309971507791234

 

 

 
 

One of these days, I swear BRBTV is gonna get there! In the meantime, though, this author is recording an interview with Josh of the Ewing Barbecue Podcast this week, so look for that on his channel in the weeks to come. Looking forward to it!

Terrific TV Toys: Batgirl Cycle by McFarlane, 2024

It's the third of three Batgirl episodes on the BRBTV collectibles series, and this time, it's joy on wheels. Two wheels. As in, the Batgirl cycle from the 1960s "Batman" TV show starring Adam West, with Yvonne Craig portraying our titian-haired superheroine. In her autobiography, Yvonne told how she had to learn to ride one of these things for the show -- no small task, but she made it look good! And this quite-small replica of her purple-decked motorbike is lookin' good, too. It's part of a larger "Batman" '66 collection by McFarlane Toys.

\

See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.

Just Beneath the Surface Episode 16 - Looking for Love in the Twilight Zone

Can you find love in the Twilight Zone? Should you even look for love in the Twilight Zone? Good questions! Brian and Bruce discuss the theme of love in several key episodes of the classic TV "Twilight Zone" ...

Is that #Farrah ???

Somewhere in Metro Detroit: When you see this hot car strolling by, it must be Jill Munroe!!!! #charliesangels #classictv #hotcars #farrahfawcett
Happy Thursday! The weekend's comin' ...

Terrific non-TV Toys: Batgirl figure by McFarlane, 2024

We've got a three-pete going on in the two BRBTV collectibles series. Or is that a three-episode series? Maybe just a miniseries, or a story arc? Anyway, whatever it is, it's three episodes in a row of the amazing Batgirl. Last month, it was the wedding-dress-clad Barbara Gordon variant figure from Figures Toy Co. on Terrific TV Toys. This time, it's a Batgirl figure from the more-recent McFarlane collection, on Terrific non-TV Toys. Then, next month we'll see a Batgirl cycle straight outta the 1960s "Batman" series also by McFarlane for another ep of T3. So many Batgirls, so little time! (I've said that before, actually.)

See what else is on the Terrific non-TV Toys playlist.

Congratulations, Northeast Ohio Dukes, on a great jump -- and so much great attention

All of the attention this past week couldn't be happening to a better guy and a better crew.  Since Raymond Kohn of the Northeast Ohio Dukes jumped a General Lee replica over a fountain in Somerset, Kentucky, the weekend before last, they've definitely been in the public eye. An interview on Glenn Beck, calls from all kinds of news agencies. And this time, the attention is positive, not like the team unfortunately received in Detroit in the wake of their jump several years back. 

We're listening to the interview below right now, and we just had to share this in a blog post, because what Raymond says here is so important. He addresses the controversy around the flag, and "The Dukes of Hazzard" itself, and he gives it to you straight (and kind), and we just totally love that. "It wasn't racist in the '80s and it's not racist now. The only thing that changed is people." (That's at just after 55 minutes in.) 

That idea of the jump at the White House just blows our mind. Yes, pleez!!!! It would tie in nicely with the 250th anniversary / birthday celebrations this coming year. You'll see Raymond's concept art for that idea and that car at just under 47 minutes into this video, as appropriate as that is!
Thanks to Jason for the heads-up on this video. While we're at it, we'll also include our own BRBTV interview with Raymond at a show a few years back ...

And heck, we'll throw in our own coverage of the Detroit jump, just for good measure! Truly an amazing day, and we certainly hope the boys can come back to Detroit one of these days.

Thanks to Bold Journey magazine for the new interview

The Bold Journey magazine and podcast is all about creating a space for all of us to learn from each other.  "We believe the stories, experiences and insights of our neighbors, friends and peers are worth more than all the wealth in the world as these stories are the most relevant and authentic sources of wisdom," they say on their about page. The magazine is an offshoot of the Voyage Magazine in L.A., and the message is to lift others up, find common ground. So important in this day and age! This author loves that, and I also love the fact that they asked me to do an interview for the magazine.

It just went up:https://boldjourney.com/meet-billie-rae-batesThe topic was work ethic, and you can read all about it at the link. Many thanks to the folks at Bold Journey!

Terrific TV Toys: Barbara Gordon variant figure with wedding dress, Figures Toy Co., 2016-17

We've seen a variety of Barbara Gordon / Batgirl figures by Figures Toy Co. on the Terrific TV Toys series, and we've seen an even greater variety of FTC's line of "Batman" '66 figures in general -- all kinds of characters, and various variants with different outfits, as well! In the latest episode of T3, we've got a variant of the Barbara Gordon set, which like a couple of the earlier figures comes from her introductory episode of the series titled "Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin," which opened the third season of the show in fall 1967. This variant has Babs  wearing the wedding dress in which the Penguin was going to try to force her into a matrimonial situation! Wow, now how didya think that was going to work, Pengie?!

See this variant figure up-close and personal, below. (And if you're wondering, that handy-dandy clear plastic carrying case, which this author also received from pal James, was originally an umbrella holder! Is that not rather ironic!??!!)

See what else is on the Terrific TV Toys playlist.