Billie Rae Bates's Blog, page 46
March 5, 2018
Terrific TV Toys: Ensign Chekov Transporter figure by Playmates
When "Star Trek" first aired in the late 1960s, Ensign Chekov was the young'un of the crew, reportedly brought in to appeal to a younger demographic for the show. Played by Walter Koenig, he was heavily accented and a bit of a Monkee or Beatle or something like that as he faithfully served his captain.
In 1998, Playmates captured that image of Chekov in one of a series of "Star Trek" action figures with an interesting interactive slant -- each character is on a Transporter pad ready to beam into action, and batteries (included!) light up the stand and their legs. It's a bit clever, if not totally accurate, and fun for any "Trek" fan. It's also the subject of this month's episode of Terrific TV Toys ...
In 1998, Playmates captured that image of Chekov in one of a series of "Star Trek" action figures with an interesting interactive slant -- each character is on a Transporter pad ready to beam into action, and batteries (included!) light up the stand and their legs. It's a bit clever, if not totally accurate, and fun for any "Trek" fan. It's also the subject of this month's episode of Terrific TV Toys ...
March 2, 2018
When's the last time you dropped in on the Bat Cave?
And yea, that's "Bat Cave" with two words, because we're actually talking about a town, not the famous hideout of the Caped Crusader. Our roving reporter Jason snapped us these cool photos as he was out and about in North Carolina.
You'd think that was the best thing ever, to live in a town called Bat Cave, but this burg is actually all about the bats, not our hero Batman. Rats.
Photos by Jason G.; please don't copy without permission.
You'd think that was the best thing ever, to live in a town called Bat Cave, but this burg is actually all about the bats, not our hero Batman. Rats.
Photos by Jason G.; please don't copy without permission.
February 28, 2018
Next up for John Schneider: Detroit Autorama
If you're anywhere near Detroit this weekend, you can catch John ("Bo Duke") Schneider of "The Dukes of Hazzard" at the annual Autorama event happening at Cobo Hall. That's on Sunday only for him, but the day before, Schneider will be in concert at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, (Saturday, March 3). Get your tickets at
https://www.opry.com/calendar/grand-ole-opry-sat-3-mar.
Beyond that, our ole Bo will also be in concert at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Missouri, on April 25. Get more information at https://us.eventbu.com/marshfield/2018-missouri-cherry-blossom-festival-in-marshfield-mo/6639283. Thanks once again to Phyllis for the heads-up!
https://www.opry.com/calendar/grand-ole-opry-sat-3-mar.
Beyond that, our ole Bo will also be in concert at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Missouri, on April 25. Get more information at https://us.eventbu.com/marshfield/2018-missouri-cherry-blossom-festival-in-marshfield-mo/6639283. Thanks once again to Phyllis for the heads-up!
February 19, 2018
Terrific non-TV Toys: Batgirl figures by Funko
Funko has done a variety of figures celebrating the beautiful women of the DC Universe. There are Supergirls, Wonder Women, Harleys, in varying sizes. There also are some smashing Batgirls, and we look at two of those Batgirl figures / collectibles in the second episode of Terrific non-TV Toys.
February 14, 2018
"Dukes" cast members make appearances at Cooter's Place
Your favorite cast members of "The Dukes of Hazzard" are making the rounds at Ben Jones' Cooter's Place locations in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Luray, Virginia, in the coming weeks and months:
Upcoming Appearances: Cooter's GatlinburgMarch 16-17: Sonny Shroyer “Enos”
March 25 – April 2: Rick Hurst “Deputy Cletus”
May 22-29: Rick Hurst “Deputy Cletus”
July 13-14: Sonny Shroyer “Enos”
December 26 - January 2: Rick Hurst “Deputy Cletus”
See the whole Cooter's Place Gatlinburg event schedule.
Upcoming Appearances: Cooter's LuraySaturdays at Cooter's Luray: 1-3 p.m. Ben Jones and "Cooter’s Garage Band” performing
Saturdays at Cooter's Luray: 3-4 p.m. Ben "Cooter" Jones signing autographs
Sundays at Cooter's Luray: 2-4 p.m. Free Bluegrass concerts
See the whole Cooter's Place Luray event schedule.
Upcoming Appearances: Cooter's GatlinburgMarch 16-17: Sonny Shroyer “Enos”
March 25 – April 2: Rick Hurst “Deputy Cletus”
May 22-29: Rick Hurst “Deputy Cletus”
July 13-14: Sonny Shroyer “Enos”
December 26 - January 2: Rick Hurst “Deputy Cletus”
See the whole Cooter's Place Gatlinburg event schedule.
Upcoming Appearances: Cooter's LuraySaturdays at Cooter's Luray: 1-3 p.m. Ben Jones and "Cooter’s Garage Band” performing
Saturdays at Cooter's Luray: 3-4 p.m. Ben "Cooter" Jones signing autographs
Sundays at Cooter's Luray: 2-4 p.m. Free Bluegrass concerts
See the whole Cooter's Place Luray event schedule.
February 9, 2018
New blog shines a light on stars that are "Six Feet Under"
Writer Brian Lombard has contributed some fine posts to this blog on several occasion. He's an avid fan of classic television shows. Graves, however, are an area of expertise for Brian. Graves, you say? Well, yes, Brian researches and visits celebrity graves. And he photographs them. His photos have been featured in several BRBTV products, such as "Let's Roll, Kato: A Guide to TV's Green Hornet" by yours truly and "The Ultimate Super Friends Companion" by Will Rodgers.
Brian is now sharing his experiences in a new blog, Six Feet Under. In it he has already detailed the final resting places of several stars of classic TV:
Jackie Gleason, Audrey Meadows and Art Carney of "The Honeymooners" Mr. RogersNorman Fell, John Ritter, Audra Lindley and Don Knotts of "Three's Company" Some of these graves are very touching tributes to the stars themselves; take Knotts' embellished headstone, for instance, depicting some of his iconic roles. If you can't make the trip yourself to pay your respects to your favorite star, or especially if you are planning to, this new blog is a truly unique guide.
Brian is now sharing his experiences in a new blog, Six Feet Under. In it he has already detailed the final resting places of several stars of classic TV:
Jackie Gleason, Audrey Meadows and Art Carney of "The Honeymooners" Mr. RogersNorman Fell, John Ritter, Audra Lindley and Don Knotts of "Three's Company" Some of these graves are very touching tributes to the stars themselves; take Knotts' embellished headstone, for instance, depicting some of his iconic roles. If you can't make the trip yourself to pay your respects to your favorite star, or especially if you are planning to, this new blog is a truly unique guide.
February 7, 2018
Things are always comin' up orange -- and maybe some green -- at Cooter's Place
Our roving reporter Jason is at it again, digging up "The Dukes of Hazzard" wherever he travels! This time, it was a trip to Cooter's Place in Nashville yesterday, when he snapped some fresh photos for us ...
Can you believe this new addition to the place ... Cooter's race car from the episode "Luke's Love Story"?
Among the offerings are now these canvas prints for $100 each.
On Don Pedro Colley, aka Sheriff Little: "Couldn't help but stop and pay some respect to the man," Jason said. "Wish I had just 1 min to say thank you to him for all he has done."
Jason got himself ... well, a few little things, ya know ... We won't show you the receipt, but he did snag some good stuff, like signed and/or discontinued cars ...
Photos by Jason G.; please do not copy without permission.
Can you believe this new addition to the place ... Cooter's race car from the episode "Luke's Love Story"?
Among the offerings are now these canvas prints for $100 each.
On Don Pedro Colley, aka Sheriff Little: "Couldn't help but stop and pay some respect to the man," Jason said. "Wish I had just 1 min to say thank you to him for all he has done."
Jason got himself ... well, a few little things, ya know ... We won't show you the receipt, but he did snag some good stuff, like signed and/or discontinued cars ...
Photos by Jason G.; please do not copy without permission.
February 5, 2018
Terrific TV Toys: "Justice League" toys from Subway
Let's hit the ground runnin' first thing on a Monday morning, shall we, with another episode of Terrific TV Toys. This time, we follow up the last episode with another look at a great item from the "Justice League" animated series of the early 2000s. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl. They were the core seven of "JL," which would later branch out into "Justice League Unlimited" with lots of other heroes added. This toy set, released in the Subway Kids Pak in 2002, celebrated all our heroes.
January 26, 2018
TV-related treasures abound at Metro Detroit toy show
The toy show at the Royal Oak, Mich., farmer's market is one we always look forward to. It's bigger than most local toy shows, and it's always brimming with wonderful TV-related memorabilia and collectibles. Here's a sprinkling of what we saw last weekend at this show, from "Starsky and Hutch" to "All in the Family" to "The Price is Right" and more ...
My cousin had this Evel Knievel stuff as a kid. Remember the little motorcycle that the figure could ride! Love it.
You don't often see the Batcopter that went with the Batman Mego figure of the '70s!
I had totally forgotten, until I saw this keychain on the table, that I had that full-size Missing Link puzzle toy as a kid! I wonder where that went ...
Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTVCopying with credit is OK; a link would be grand
My cousin had this Evel Knievel stuff as a kid. Remember the little motorcycle that the figure could ride! Love it.
You don't often see the Batcopter that went with the Batman Mego figure of the '70s!
I had totally forgotten, until I saw this keychain on the table, that I had that full-size Missing Link puzzle toy as a kid! I wonder where that went ...
Photos by Billie Rae Bates / BRBTVCopying with credit is OK; a link would be grand
January 24, 2018
Announcing a brand-new web series from BRBTV!
Ooooohhhhhh .... so many toys, so little time ...
That's the lament around BRBTV headquarters. So many wonderful collectibles procured from toy shows, birthdays and Christmas, shopping online, shopping down the road ... So much great stuff displayed on shelves or still stuck in boxes because there's no room on the shelves ... Figures, plates, plush items, other memorabilia ... It is the collector's desire to share, and share is what this collector will do, with a brand-new web series launching today on BRBTV.
It's Terrific non-TV Toys, the spinoff of Terrific TV Toys, which incidentally, just started its fifth big season!
It's movies like 2008's "The Dark Knight" and the 2016 Batsignal model kit you'll see in this inaugural episode below. It's comics like the beloved Archies. It's comic strips like Peanuts. It's pop culture like Barbie, and the Darci and Dawn dolls from the '70s. It's wide open, baby! If it's collected and fun, you might see it here.
As the creator, producer, writer, director, whatever (!), I intend to have fun with this! And I hope you will, too.
That's the lament around BRBTV headquarters. So many wonderful collectibles procured from toy shows, birthdays and Christmas, shopping online, shopping down the road ... So much great stuff displayed on shelves or still stuck in boxes because there's no room on the shelves ... Figures, plates, plush items, other memorabilia ... It is the collector's desire to share, and share is what this collector will do, with a brand-new web series launching today on BRBTV.
It's Terrific non-TV Toys, the spinoff of Terrific TV Toys, which incidentally, just started its fifth big season!
It's movies like 2008's "The Dark Knight" and the 2016 Batsignal model kit you'll see in this inaugural episode below. It's comics like the beloved Archies. It's comic strips like Peanuts. It's pop culture like Barbie, and the Darci and Dawn dolls from the '70s. It's wide open, baby! If it's collected and fun, you might see it here.
As the creator, producer, writer, director, whatever (!), I intend to have fun with this! And I hope you will, too.
