Billie Rae Bates's Blog, page 73
February 10, 2015
"Destination: Dallas" fact book gets a new cover and a Kindle update
Talented Baltimore artist Dale Cuthbertson has done it again, this time redesigning the cover of BRBTV's "Destination: Dallas" reference guide to the classic 1980s primetime soap. With likenesses of The Big Three -- Larry Hagman, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy -- gracing the front, along with the great state of Texas, and a highly symbolic oil well on the back, the new cover really captures the essence of the classic TV series. It also makes a neat matched set of the first four print editions of the BRBTV fact book series.
And if you pick up the new Kindle edition of "Destination: Dallas," you'll not only behold Dale's new cover but you'll also get the full added continuity of TNT's 2012 "Dallas" reboot series. Material has been added to the cast list, character guide, episode guide and credits for the newer "Dallas" series to make the "Dallas" universe of this Kindle edition truly complete!
And if you pick up the new Kindle edition of "Destination: Dallas," you'll not only behold Dale's new cover but you'll also get the full added continuity of TNT's 2012 "Dallas" reboot series. Material has been added to the cast list, character guide, episode guide and credits for the newer "Dallas" series to make the "Dallas" universe of this Kindle edition truly complete!
February 5, 2015
Terrific TV Toys: Archie Comics dolls by Marx
Remember when everything was Archie? Is everything still Archie? Well, we're not sure how it is for everyone else, but BRBTV has had a longtime love affair with Archie Comics and its characters Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones, Reggie Mantle, Veronica Lodge and the rest. This author read the comics voraciously as a child and grew up with them, really, always loving anywhere else those characters appeared ... numerous cartoon series by Filmation over the years, a made-for-TV live-action movie in the 1990s, "The New Archies" Saturday morning cartoon around that same time, followed a few years later by the PAX-TV cartoon "Archie's Weird Mysteries." We've loved the novelizations of Archie's adventures, we've bought TV shirts of the characters, and we've loved the couple different doll sets of Archie characters there have been over the years.
In the latest episode of the Terrific TV Toys (*of a vintage nature) series, you'll see one of those doll series, the earliest one, produced by Marx Toys in the mid-'70s in a set of four, along with carrying case and various fashions separately sold. Marx made a jalopy for Archie and his friends to ride in, too. It's out there somewhere, in all its yellow and orange glory (not red like Archie's jalopy in the comics, for some reason). We haven't snagged that one yet, but we're still on the lookout ...
In the latest episode of the Terrific TV Toys (*of a vintage nature) series, you'll see one of those doll series, the earliest one, produced by Marx Toys in the mid-'70s in a set of four, along with carrying case and various fashions separately sold. Marx made a jalopy for Archie and his friends to ride in, too. It's out there somewhere, in all its yellow and orange glory (not red like Archie's jalopy in the comics, for some reason). We haven't snagged that one yet, but we're still on the lookout ...
January 31, 2015
Terrific TV Toys: "Batman Beyond" Kids Meal toys from Burger King
Oh, we do love those fast-food toys that come with the meals for kids ... In the latest episode of the Terrific TV Toys (*of a vintage nature) series, Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV shows you her collection of seven out of the eight toys in the set from Burger King celebrating the animated series "Batman Beyond." She rounded those up herself from local Burger Kings at the time!
Stay tuned -- next week's episode shows just why everything's Archie!
Stay tuned -- next week's episode shows just why everything's Archie!
January 29, 2015
Fleetwood Country Cruize-In hosts a "Dukes" reunion
We had a lot of fun at last summer's Fleetwood Country Cruize-In, where we got to talk on-camera with Bo Hopkins, who played Matthew Blaisdel on "Dynasty." Well, this year is going to be even bigger -- several folks from our beloved "Dukes of Hazzard"!
Tom (Luke Duke) Wopat, John (Bo Duke) Schneider, Rick (Cletus Hogg) Hurst, Sonny (Enos Strate) Shroyer, and stunt and car pro Tom Sarmento will be guests. Yeee-haaaa!
Tom (Luke Duke) Wopat, John (Bo Duke) Schneider, Rick (Cletus Hogg) Hurst, Sonny (Enos Strate) Shroyer, and stunt and car pro Tom Sarmento will be guests. Yeee-haaaa!
January 28, 2015
The General rides again in Jim Wilson's latest painting
In the 2014 update of the "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" fact book on "The Dukes of Hazzard," BRBTV profiled Canadian artist Jim Wilson, who crafts works of art from his favorite TV show and yours. Well, Jim is at it again, and he just did this lovely piece last weekend. It's the General belonging to his good friend Jason Darling, who also was profiled in the book for his diorama of the recovery of Lee 1 (and their work is also featured in living color on this very blog, too!!!).
Jim's work is all original and so very cool. Thanks, Jim, for sharing it with us again!
Image courtesy of Jim Wilson;please do not copy without permission.
Jim's work is all original and so very cool. Thanks, Jim, for sharing it with us again!
Image courtesy of Jim Wilson;please do not copy without permission.
January 26, 2015
Hallmark's "Home and Family" hosts a "Dynasty" cast reunion
Thanks to the "Dynasty" Facebook group, we got the heads-up this morning that several cast members of "Dynasty" were about to do an episode of Hallmark Channel's "Home and Family" show. So cool. The show aired at 10 a.m. today, and Pamela Sue ("Fallon") Martin, Al (original "Steven") Corley, Gordon (original "Adam") Thomson, Pamela ("Claudia") Bellwood and John ("Jeff") James really rocked it.
They discussed the beginning of the show, which launched in 1981. "We had to shoot two pilots," Corley said. "Originally George Peppard was the lead." They had to return to Filoli to shoot again when John Forsythe was cast. James added, "Six months later, and they had to put down like 700 flowers to match -- remember, they were all plastic -- because it was later in the summer."
James further reminisced, "The biggest show we had was the massacre in Moldavia, which was when cliffhangers were a big deal." He joked that this cliffhanger became a matter of "who's coming back, who wants too much money?"
Bellwood shared a fun story: "After we shot the Moldavia, I was in the Soviet Union, and it was about the time of glasnost, and I was in Moldavia. And I was shooting in a fruit market, a vegetable market with my husband, a photojournalist. And we were arrested in Moldavia. ... There was still a lot of paranoia. We were put in jail for just not that long, for several hours, for photographing vegetables in a market. I have the dubious distinction of being arrested twice in Moldavia."
James' daughter is coming in to her own success. Laura James, who is 19, won "America's Next Top Model" in Season 19. Later in the two-hour episode, Laura's "Rogue" line of sunglasses was highlighted, as modeled by her dad's castmates.
James talked about Jeff's on-again-off-again drama with Fallon. "Jeff was just madly in love with Fallon. And she was a spoiled brat." (Martin interjected that this was not in real life!) "Every now and then there's chemistry that happens on screen that you just can't create." He said some of the best scenes in his acting career were with Martin in those early days of "Dynasty."
"We were under a great deal of pressure," James elaborated. "Anybody who's does television knows. Every day either you're working or you're doing press or you're traveling." He told Martin at the time she could just hit him if she needed to vent. "It was tough. It was really hard, hard work."
Regarding the storyline of Fallon's baby being kidnapped, Martin said, "I only remember one thing about that. When I was supposed to receive the phone call, the director of that week's show said, I want you to drop to your knees and throw the phone. And I said, oh-for-godssakes, that's ridiculous. And we had this huge argument about it, and he won. And so I had to do it against my better judgement. And the next day the producers came down, which was never a good thing. And they said we have to reshoot it." It was over the top. The cast joked profusely about the baby thing, and the fact that Claudia threw what was thought to be the baby over the building edge, but it was just a doll. Martin shared that she was not a mom in real life at the time, and every time they handed her a real baby for a scene for Fallon, the baby would invariably start crying.
The intro of this episode of "Home and Family" episode was a nice touch, with the similar treatment for the cast members as the original "Dynasty" intro. Bellwood leaned against a doorway, and Martin quite effectively recreated her opening sequence flip-around.
As the special show progressed, Thomson told about meeting his on-screen mom Joan Collins for the first time. "I approached the soundstage, and Joan emerged from the stage door, looking like eight million bucks." He said that Collins told him, "Here to test for the part of my son. It's ridiculous, son. You're much too old." But we fans know it worked, right? "The job utterly changed my life," Thomson said. "Fortunately, she and I both agreed years later that we were walking genetic miracles. Because I was 37."
Corley, who left the show early on, said it was because he wanted to go further with the character of Steven, and the show's producers didn't want to do that. Martin also talked about leaving early: "I had been working in Hollywood for many years, and I don't think I had a huge childhood. I was just ready to fly and go wherever else. It was confining for me. ... Fame was not my favorite, at the time. We became very recognizable everywhere."
As part of the episode, Thomson cooked a Greek dish he was fond of, and Martin and Bellwood got some beauty and makeup tips. Both Pamelas looked just lovely, anyway.
Robert Mycroft, whom BRBTV interviewed for the "Dynasty High" fact book on the series, was also featured in the episode. Mycroft owns a fab collection of "Dynasty" wardrobe and assists Martin in appearances.
Mycroft showed and discussed the red sparkle dress, which this collector called his "holy grail." However, Martin said she didn't wear a lot of Nolan Miller's gowns because she was "too lazy to go for fittings."
Mycroft also showed the two dresses worn in the lily pond fight between Alexis and Krystle, plus Amanda's wedding gown from the Moldavian Massacre.
At the end of the broadcast, a touching letter from Linda Evans was read to the cast.
James said there's always possibility of a "Dynasty" reunion or remake, though, "you can't remake magic."
They discussed the beginning of the show, which launched in 1981. "We had to shoot two pilots," Corley said. "Originally George Peppard was the lead." They had to return to Filoli to shoot again when John Forsythe was cast. James added, "Six months later, and they had to put down like 700 flowers to match -- remember, they were all plastic -- because it was later in the summer."
James further reminisced, "The biggest show we had was the massacre in Moldavia, which was when cliffhangers were a big deal." He joked that this cliffhanger became a matter of "who's coming back, who wants too much money?"
Bellwood shared a fun story: "After we shot the Moldavia, I was in the Soviet Union, and it was about the time of glasnost, and I was in Moldavia. And I was shooting in a fruit market, a vegetable market with my husband, a photojournalist. And we were arrested in Moldavia. ... There was still a lot of paranoia. We were put in jail for just not that long, for several hours, for photographing vegetables in a market. I have the dubious distinction of being arrested twice in Moldavia."
James' daughter is coming in to her own success. Laura James, who is 19, won "America's Next Top Model" in Season 19. Later in the two-hour episode, Laura's "Rogue" line of sunglasses was highlighted, as modeled by her dad's castmates.
James talked about Jeff's on-again-off-again drama with Fallon. "Jeff was just madly in love with Fallon. And she was a spoiled brat." (Martin interjected that this was not in real life!) "Every now and then there's chemistry that happens on screen that you just can't create." He said some of the best scenes in his acting career were with Martin in those early days of "Dynasty."
"We were under a great deal of pressure," James elaborated. "Anybody who's does television knows. Every day either you're working or you're doing press or you're traveling." He told Martin at the time she could just hit him if she needed to vent. "It was tough. It was really hard, hard work."
Regarding the storyline of Fallon's baby being kidnapped, Martin said, "I only remember one thing about that. When I was supposed to receive the phone call, the director of that week's show said, I want you to drop to your knees and throw the phone. And I said, oh-for-godssakes, that's ridiculous. And we had this huge argument about it, and he won. And so I had to do it against my better judgement. And the next day the producers came down, which was never a good thing. And they said we have to reshoot it." It was over the top. The cast joked profusely about the baby thing, and the fact that Claudia threw what was thought to be the baby over the building edge, but it was just a doll. Martin shared that she was not a mom in real life at the time, and every time they handed her a real baby for a scene for Fallon, the baby would invariably start crying.
The intro of this episode of "Home and Family" episode was a nice touch, with the similar treatment for the cast members as the original "Dynasty" intro. Bellwood leaned against a doorway, and Martin quite effectively recreated her opening sequence flip-around.
As the special show progressed, Thomson told about meeting his on-screen mom Joan Collins for the first time. "I approached the soundstage, and Joan emerged from the stage door, looking like eight million bucks." He said that Collins told him, "Here to test for the part of my son. It's ridiculous, son. You're much too old." But we fans know it worked, right? "The job utterly changed my life," Thomson said. "Fortunately, she and I both agreed years later that we were walking genetic miracles. Because I was 37."
Corley, who left the show early on, said it was because he wanted to go further with the character of Steven, and the show's producers didn't want to do that. Martin also talked about leaving early: "I had been working in Hollywood for many years, and I don't think I had a huge childhood. I was just ready to fly and go wherever else. It was confining for me. ... Fame was not my favorite, at the time. We became very recognizable everywhere."
As part of the episode, Thomson cooked a Greek dish he was fond of, and Martin and Bellwood got some beauty and makeup tips. Both Pamelas looked just lovely, anyway.
Robert Mycroft, whom BRBTV interviewed for the "Dynasty High" fact book on the series, was also featured in the episode. Mycroft owns a fab collection of "Dynasty" wardrobe and assists Martin in appearances.
Mycroft showed and discussed the red sparkle dress, which this collector called his "holy grail." However, Martin said she didn't wear a lot of Nolan Miller's gowns because she was "too lazy to go for fittings."
Mycroft also showed the two dresses worn in the lily pond fight between Alexis and Krystle, plus Amanda's wedding gown from the Moldavian Massacre.
At the end of the broadcast, a touching letter from Linda Evans was read to the cast.
James said there's always possibility of a "Dynasty" reunion or remake, though, "you can't remake magic."
January 22, 2015
Terrific TV Toys: Batigirl plush doll from the 1960s "Batman" series
It was nearly a couple years ago when the big announcement came that the "Batman" live-action TV series of the 1960s would at last be officially licensed for merchandise, after all these years. Stars Adam West and Burt Ward signed licensing agreements, but their partner in crimefighting, Yvonne Craig, was a little slower in that process. Thus, of the myriad pieces that have already been released since then, you'll see wonderful likenesses of West, Ward, and others from the show such as the actors who played the various villains, Cesar Romero, Frank Gorshin, Julie Newmar and others, but you won't see Yvonne Craig's lovely likeness ... just yet. At least not on the action figures. Yvonne's first piece of merchandise to use her "likeness" (and we're not counting the amazing adult Halloween costume by Rubie's or the purple and yellow Batcycle miniature, both of which we own, but both of which do not feature her actual likeness -- understand?) is the Batgirl plush doll, 10 inches tall and released just a few months ago by Bleacher Creatures. The company even makes a point to note on its website that Yvonne's likeness is official and legal and all that, for this plush toy. We know how significant that is.
Which brings us to the next installment in BRBTV's Terrific TV Toys web series! Courtesy of her buddy Mike, Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV owns this first official piece of Yvonne Craig Batgirl merchandise and is happy to show it to you in the 25th episode of the series ...
Which brings us to the next installment in BRBTV's Terrific TV Toys web series! Courtesy of her buddy Mike, Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV owns this first official piece of Yvonne Craig Batgirl merchandise and is happy to show it to you in the 25th episode of the series ...
January 19, 2015
Catch Ted McGinley in "Do You Believe?" in March
It's a faith-based movie from the producers of "God is Not Dead," which we thoroughly enjoyed, so we'll be there. It's "Do You Believe?" and it stars one of the cast members of our beloved "Dynasty," Mr. Ted McGinley, whom we remember so fondly as Clay Fallmont.
The film, from Pure Flix Entertainment, has a pretty strong cast otherwise -- Mira Sorvino, Lee Majors, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Astin. "A dozen different souls-all moving in different directions," the plotline at the IMDb says, "all longing for something more. As their lives unexpectedly intersect, they each are about to discover there is power in the Cross of Christ ... even if they don't yet believe it."
The movie was shot in Michigan and is scheduled for release on March 20.
Keep your eye on the Facebook page to learn more.
The film, from Pure Flix Entertainment, has a pretty strong cast otherwise -- Mira Sorvino, Lee Majors, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Astin. "A dozen different souls-all moving in different directions," the plotline at the IMDb says, "all longing for something more. As their lives unexpectedly intersect, they each are about to discover there is power in the Cross of Christ ... even if they don't yet believe it."
The movie was shot in Michigan and is scheduled for release on March 20.
Keep your eye on the Facebook page to learn more.
January 17, 2015
We can't wait to see Jack Coleman don the horn-rimmed glasses once again
He's the only cast member listed on the IMDb page for the "Heroes" 2015 reboot miniseries "Heroes Reborn" so far, though Zach Levi of "Chuck" was just announced yesterday. But hey, we don't mind that details are scant at the moment -- we just love the fact that Jack Coleman is heading back to our TV screen.
The "Dynasty" star will reprise the role of Noah Bennet, a sort of shepherd to the gifted, in the miniseries, planned for release later this year. Is he a good guy? Is he a bad guy? We saw some of both in Noah, such a departure from the idealistic gay icon Steven Cartington on our beloved 1980s primetime soap. And we love that Coleman has had steady work in recent years from recurring roles on "Burn Notice," "Scandal," "Castle" and more, even voice work. We loved his spin on "The Office" with our gal Angela (seriously, she's our own hero).
We just want to know, Mr. Coleman ... why didn't your lovely wife reprise her own role as Tracey Lawton on TNT's new "Dallas"? That would have rocked. Anyway ... time to rewatch the four seasons of "Heroes" we have still sealed in their DVD cases!
The "Dynasty" star will reprise the role of Noah Bennet, a sort of shepherd to the gifted, in the miniseries, planned for release later this year. Is he a good guy? Is he a bad guy? We saw some of both in Noah, such a departure from the idealistic gay icon Steven Cartington on our beloved 1980s primetime soap. And we love that Coleman has had steady work in recent years from recurring roles on "Burn Notice," "Scandal," "Castle" and more, even voice work. We loved his spin on "The Office" with our gal Angela (seriously, she's our own hero).
We just want to know, Mr. Coleman ... why didn't your lovely wife reprise her own role as Tracey Lawton on TNT's new "Dallas"? That would have rocked. Anyway ... time to rewatch the four seasons of "Heroes" we have still sealed in their DVD cases!
January 12, 2015
Jeff Altman signs this great photo for BRBTV
Oooohhhh, this author was thrilled to see the signed photo her fellow author Brian Lombard nabbed from Mr. Jeff Altman, aka Hughie Hogg of "The Dukes of Hazzard," on a recent trip to Las Vegas. Altman performed stand-up -- as is his nature in the post-"Dukes" years -- with some other comedians at the Tropicana Hotel, and Brian was lucky enough to be sitting near the front, and was even blessed enough to chat with the star after the show. "He holds the record for most appearances on David Letterman," Brian says. "He clearly enjoyed playing Hughie and was delighted to see the photo." The club inside the Tropicana where Altman was appearing, Brian says, is part of the Laugh Factory franchise there, a world-famous comedy club originally opened in L.A. by Pauly Shore's father.
We love the way ole Hughie signed this! Thanks so much, Mr. Altman -- you were an amazing Boss-in-Training! And thanks so much to Brian!
We love the way ole Hughie signed this! Thanks so much, Mr. Altman -- you were an amazing Boss-in-Training! And thanks so much to Brian!
