HazzardNet Newsletter: The Dukes are HOT in November!
Published: Sat, 11/20/10
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It's that time of year again, with the holidays heading at us full throttle! And this time, we're ready! Well, not really, but we're gonna be ready! We're gonna get started right by listing our thanks to you, our friends and neighbors and cousins at HazzardNet! This humble website has kept going because of you. This community keeps growing because of you. Your participation on the Forums, your sharing of photos in the Image Gallery and your fanfic, and your enjoyment of all the fun stuff like the Dumpster Diver and Destructo Truck gives the administrators here a reason to live. It also helps us know where to direct our efforts as HazzardNet grows into its second decade as the highest ranked Dukes of Hazzard fan website in the world. In 2010, the HazzardNet administrators faced some personal challenges that strained our resources and manpower. Thankfully, those situations were temporary. During the interim, we're extra grateful for the contributions and time of our senior members who kept an eye on the place and made sure the flat beer kept flowing at the Boar's Nest. We'd like to thank Roger Duke for his tireless dedication to The Fan of the Month program, providing well-deserved recognition to the longtime HazzardNet members who have set themselves apart. In addition to running the Fan of the Month gig, Roger has also kept the Fan Trivia going as a hotbed of intrigue. He also does other stuff, we're not sure what, but we try not to watch too closely, 'cause whatever it is, he's doing a bang-up job, so why interfere? Thank you, Roger Duke, and sal-ute! We also want to recognize a member of HazzardNet whose graphic arts have entertained and impressed us all. HossC, we thank you for your epic contributions to the eye candy on HazzardNet! Your talent is appreciated, and we hope to see more of it in 2011! Thank you, and Sal-ute! HazzardNet would also like to thank CMT for broadcasting The Dukes of Hazzard once again. CMT has been a great home for the show and for fans alike. In addition to their support and promotion of previous DukeFest events, CMT has run many Dukes of Hazzard specials, interviews, and marathons. It might be a little selfish to call CMT the Dukes of Hazzard channel, but we're happy to look at it that way. Please tune in and watch The Dukes of Hazzard on CMT, weeknights, check yer local listings! Also check out this "CMT Minute" with John Schneider, where he has - you guessed it, a minute to answer a serious of random questions! *** "The Dukes" Animated Series DVD Pre-Orders Have Begun! Of all Dukes of Hazzard rare collectibles, there was never one as elusive as the "The Dukes" animated series. This famous Saturday morning cartoon originally aired on CBS from February 5th 1983 to November 5th 1983. The legendary creative talents of Hanna-Barbera, who brought you The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo and many other classic cartoons, gave "The Dukes" animated series a whimsical, comedic flair on an international platform. The premise was a worldwide race with the farm at stake, with, you guessed it, The Dukes against Boss and Rosco. Dirty tricks? You bet. Cheating? Absolutely. But only on Boss and Rosco's part. The Dukes, for themselves, played fair and square, and helped other people along the way. In fact, it's the very "Duke" nature of the cartoon that makes it work so well. No matter how much trouble the Dukes had of their own, they never turned down a chance to help somebody else. Far from being preachy, this cartoon delivered plenty of action, slapstick humor, wit and down-home charm. Sorrell Booke (Boss Hogg) and James Best (Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane) outdid themselves in applying their vocal talents to their animated characters. Left to their own devices, not only would they have won the race by cheating, but they would have stolen the show in the process. The Duke family was fully represented throughout the 20 episode run. Just so you know what you're getting, the first 13 episodes featured Coy, Vance and Daisy on the international adventures. Amazingly, the vocal contributions of Bryon Cherry ( Coy Duke) and Christopher Mayer (Vance Duke) reveal more personality in the animated series than they achieved during their stint on the original Dukes of Hazzard. This cartoon began production during the infamous "Bo and Luke" strike against Warner Bros, but fear not. John "Bo" Scheider and Tom "Luke" Wopat take the wheel in the Dukes animated series for a full 7 episodes. It's good to hear their Yeehaas again, even if they do seem a little surprised to find themselves in the middle of a cartoon. What, your agent didn't mention the cartoon? Welcome back, boys! Daisy, voiced by the lovely Catherine Bach, remains Daisy. Is she truly that sweet in real life, or just drawn that way? Both, of course. During the international adventures, Uncle Jesse stays at home on the farm. He keeps in the loop by reading the letters Daisy sends home. His character, along with Denver Pyle's voice, add a sense of continuity with the Hazzard County we know, while the adventures themselves span the globe. With releasing The Dukes animated series, Warner Bros is answering a long-running demand for this fondly-remembered rarity. As of this writing, pre-orders have begun and the first 400 DVD's are autographed by James Best, famously known as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. Because of the anticipated high demand for the autographed product, pre-orders are currently limited to 1 DVD per customer. You can order yours today right here. The release of The Dukes DVD is very appropriate for the holidays. Not only because it makes a great gift, but because episode #17, "A Dickens of a Christmas" is a heartwarming, thoughtful story featuring Bo, Luke, Daisy, Boss Hogg, Rosco, and Flash as they face being away from home for the holidays. James Best again outdoes himself with his vocal characterizations of Rosco in this episode, and if this was the only episode on the entire DVD, you'd still have your money's worth. ***
Awright, that's enuff....what,
there's more? MaryAnne, this newletter is already huge. It's a Holiday
Spectacular, not a Holiday Catalog.. Oh, Mufn said to include the Holiday Catalog? Ok, I realize when the monthly newsletter gets done once a year, things back up some. Here, lemme just cram it into the articles and hope it doesn't explode like New Year's confetti. And by popular demand, The Annual HazzardNet Christmas and All Things Yule (want) Giftin' Guide is now available! This aint' just another mail-order fruitcake catalog, folks. This is an online store of hand-picked Dukes of Hazzard mechandise and product reviews, along with related items that are sure to please the Dukes of Hazzard lovers and car-chase nuts in your entire family. Find the perfect gift for friends, family, and HazzardNet members here! When you place an order through this catalog, HazzardNet gets a little pocket change that helps to offset our overhead costs for the dedicated server space, software upgrades, and other technical essentials that operate invisibly and reliably in the background. We try to keep our advertising on HazzardNet to a minimum as to not interfere with the look and enjoyment of the site. Whether you take the time to click on an advertisement for more information, or you actually make a purchase, it's always appreciated and it helps us keep the lights on. As 2010 winds down, we'll share more Dukes of Hazzard news, HazzardNet happenings, and more holiday fun. We know 2010 has been tough for a lot of people out there. It hasn't left us untouched either, but we're certain that things have turned the corner. Maybe on two wheels, but they've turned the corner! A safe and happy Thanksgiving to ya'll, and may blessings be shared with your friends and families. Sincerely, The HazzardNet Staff MeadowMufn, MaryAnne and Brian |
In this edition: Hat tips to HazzardNet members, The Dukes on CMT, The Dukes Animated Series available for pre-order, and the HazzardNet Annual Christmas Gift Guide.
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