Billie Rae Bates's Blog, page 35

Take a jaunt through the "Star Trek" exhibit

Captain's Log, Stardate ... well, we don't know, but we do know that our latest mission was to explore the new worlds of the "Star Trek" exhibit at The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, Michigan. This fantastical universe of "Trek" costumes, props and information was well-worth the visit. It was at the beginning of September, just one day before the exhibit closed (this summer got away from us, didn't it???). It was fascinating, Captain. Just fascinating. And now we've got your walk-through, in case you weren't able to catch it yourself, or you just want to relive it ...



And we've got a few great photos courtesy of Mike. On the way to the museum, I was telling him, "I hope they have some real costumes and stuff used in the series." Boy, did they!





 
Yea, so happy to become a Borg, yea, that's me ...


And by the way, we've decided September is "Star Trek" Month here at BRBTV. We showed you a set of "Trek" Hot Wheels cars on last week's ep of Terrific TV Toys. Look for a Terrific non-TV Toys episode in the next couple weeks on the same theme!



Photos by Michael Knight / Motor City Reel RidesPlease do not copy without permission

Terrific TV Toys: "Star Trek" cars by Hot Wheels

Vroom-vroom ... Can you just hear that Baja Breaker speeding across the planet in Alpha Centauri! Well, no, you can't, because it didn't happen ...

In our continual love of all things classic "Star Trek," we simply couldn't resist this set of six Hot Wheels cars when they were released a few years ago. This author snapped them right up off the store pegs. It took a few trips to multiple stores, but I eventually got 'em all.

And that was actually the second set of Hot Wheels "Trek" cars I saw -- there's another set of two years earlier that you'll see on a future episode of Terrific TV Toys. But for now ... from the Baja Breaker to the Volkswagen T1 Panel Bus and more ... let's take a closer look at these mini-vehicles carting around the classic crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise ...

Catch episode 2 of "The Rapture Chronicles" with BRB as Francine

For the past few years this author has been having fun with some acting gigs on the side, but I have always wanted to become involved in a screen project that is Kingdom-serving. Enter "The Rapture Chronicles" by producer / director / writer Dray Hill, which I am so thankful to be a part of.

This is a web series designed to change lives, depicting the reality of the Rapture event that all believers know is coming soon. Each episode shows a few characters from various walks of life, in various stages of faith (or lack thereof). Some share their beliefs in the Lord; others might not want to hear it. It's real life. I love it, and I love working with this group.



For some, the Rapture event mentioned in the Bible might be fantasy. I play a character who thinks it's sheer fantasy. Francine is a tough cookie, and her doubt and sarcasm about these Biblical issues definitely took me out of my comfort zone. You'll see what happens, as the episode dropped today both on Facebook and via the YouTube above.

You can also see the interview I did on the role:



Catch up with the first episode and so much more at the Facebook page for the series, as well as the web page at ChurchouseProductions.com, which features photos and links to interviews with the other great folks involved in the series. And watch for future episodes -- this one is hot! Episode 1 jumped to more than 100,000 views on Facebook in just a couple months.

What a nice time at the Hot Wheels show in Marysville, Michigan

It's a show I had my eye on for a few years, and this year, this author finally got to check it out. It was the Hot Wheels Weekend in Marysville, Michigan, all tucked up on the east side of the state near Port Huron and Canada and oh, that big lake called Huron.

Lots of classic cars of every era and variety were there, even a 1930 Model A Ford that the famous John Dillinger once made a getaway in. Super-cool.




Paul Michael Glaser of "Starsky and Hutch" and Butch Patrick of "The Munsters" were the guest stars, and they had nice displays complete with vehicles.







I got the chance to chat with Mr. Glaser a bit -- what a nice person he is. More on that later! And thanks so much to Motor City Reel Rides for posting photos.



Motor City Reel Rides, by the way, has a great new calendar out for 2020 that features photos of many (well, 12) of their beautiful star cars ...




Yes, that's even the beautiful Farrah car from "Charlie's Angels," which you've seen profiled on this very blog. There are two versions of this 2020 calendar, and they're only $10 each. Contact the group at its Facebook page.

And you've gotta love Mike's shirt he had custom-made -- I want a dress of this material!



Photos by Billie Rae Bates and Motor City Reel Rides

Terrific non-TV Toys: Scarlett O'Hara Barbie doll by Mattel

We venture into "Gone With the Wind" territory in the latest episode of Terrific non-TV Toys, into that Civil War era South, for one round with the formidable non-Southern-belle Scarlett O'Hara. She's resplendent in red -- well, burgundy, actually -- in the amazing velvet and feather gown her husband Rhett Butler forced her to wear to Ashley's birthday party in that famous scene. Mattel celebrates that scene in this 1994 Barbie doll from its Hollywood Legends collection. This is an out-of-the-box experience -- she comes out after 25 years.

Check out new playlist of some of BRB's acting clips

This author has been enjoying a few acting gigs the past few years. Not to take over the world or anything -- just to goof around with it a bit. To prove that it can be done. A personal challenge and all. And fulfilling a childhood dream. Blah-blah-blah, whatever, it tends to be fun! And some of the fruits of that labor can be seen on a new playlist on my second YouTube channel, which I've just basically been using for demo reels and stuff.

This new playlist starts with the role of tough interrogator Blanche Lancaster in Evil Genius Entertainment's "Reanimated," then goes into a few other assorted roles, like a rather-evil nun in "SeVen" and the MedGuard member Denna McClure in "Anders Dark," which you can see in both trailers for the web series, but a little bit better in the second trailer.

Soon to come: episode 2 of "The Rapture Chronicles," where I have been truly blessed (thank-you, Dray Hill) to play the thoroughly unsaved Francine O'Neill. Uncomfortable, but, I pray, effective!!! That's coming in September.



On Vimeo, you can also check out "Surprise!", where I am Mary, and "A Taste of Honey," where I was thrilled to play the deliciously evil mom Louise Patterson. Thanks for watching and indulging this silly girl!

Enjoy your Friday! TGIF!!

Terrific TV Toys: Supergirl "S:TAS" figure by Hasbro, 1999

We've been examining, on the Terrific TV Toys series, a set of 12-inch action figures released by Hasbro in the late 1990s celebrating the animated series of the Timmverse, more specifically "Batman: The Animated Series" and "The New Batman Adventures" with Batgirl, Harley Quinn and Nightwing. Now, we turn our attention to Supergirl, who first appeared in the "B:TAS" spinoff "Superman: The Animated Series." She's dated 1999 and so girlish and full of life, as you'll see in the latest episode ...

An update on Tom Wopat's appearance schedule

Kimberly of the Tom Wopat Dedication Fan Club has it covered, as far as appearances for Mr. Tom Wopat, our own Luke Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard." In our May 30 post, we gave you some of Wopat's summer schedule from the fan club page, but now it's time for an update, cuz' there's a lot more stuff coming up ...

Midwest Mopars, Sioux Empire ChapterSunday, September 1, 2019
Misquamicut Fallfest Saturday, September 14, 2019
Nostalgiacon 2019 Saturday, September 28, 2019
Sammy Hagar's High Tide Beach party Sunday, September 29, 2019
Hazzard RUN 2019 Saturday, October 5, 2019
Supermegafest Comic Con Saturday, November 16, 2019
And, as we mentioned last week ...
A Christmas Concert Friday, December 6, 2019
Plus ....
Cooter's Place in Luray, Christmas concert Saturday, December 21, 2019
Wounded Warrior Project Show Friday, March 6, 2020

Shiawassee County = Hazzard County???? A "Dukes" Christmas comes to Corunna, Michigan, once again

Well, he said it, during the Hazzard County Cars and Stars event at the Owosso Speedway in this author's hometown a couple weeks back, Mr. Tom Wopat of "The Dukes of Hazzard." He just happened to mention (and you can see it yourself in ChunkeyMonkey40's video coverage of the event) that he would be returning to these parts -- mid-Michigan and the greater Owosso / Corunna area -- this Christmas for another holiday concert.

Last year, the Hazzard County Christmas concert was a wonderful time, so we look forward to it again this year! Kimberly already has an event created for it on Facebook. The dates are December 6-7. Ya know, when I was a little kid watching the show, I really wanted to go live in Hazzard County. Now, thanks to Pastor Steve Rau, he's plumb-near turning this county where I grew up into Hazzard!!! (Weeeellll ... OK, let's make it "Hazzard North" while Covington, Georgia, can be Hazzard South ...)

Watch this space and the Facebook event page for more details!

Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con celebrates 14 years

George Chakiris of classic "Dallas." Loni Anderson of "WKRP." Angie Dickinson of "Police Woman." Richard Thomas of "The Waltons" and so much more. Lots o' great stars of classic TV shows we know and love are coming once again to the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con in Hunt Valley, Maryland. You've seen coverage of this great show on this very blog in the past (for the past few years, actually). It's a nice time, and this year it's even sponsored by MeTV -- one of our fave networks! Woot-woot, for sure.



It happens September 12-14, 2019, at the Hunt Valley Delta Marriott Hotel.