soapfan770

Thanks @Soapsuds and @kalbir !! Obviously CBS Sunday and Friday nights was what everyone watching, along with ABC’s Tuesday. We discussed this elsewhere before but poor King’s Crossing didn’t stand a chance in that odd 8PM Saturday timeslot placement. Not that it hurt the careers of Mary Frann and Linda Hamilton at all. Nor ABC as their replacement show was TJ Hooker. The 1978 Superman movie was broken into two parts as this was when the director’s cut first surfaced.

Thanks @kalbir ! The only possible worst season in the 90’s I can think of would be the 97-98 season, which produced very few successful shows across all of the networks. BTW, here’s the ratings for previous year, Jan 30-Feb 5 1995:

All of the cast will be summoned to some luxurious yacht docked in Monaco that is surprise surprise is owned by Patty. Afterwards Patty sails the yacht from Monaco to Genoa City.

Great, just what we needed is another psycho run amok! Unless Patty kills off Cane and Phyllis, I’m not interested. Josh Griffith has not a [!@#$%^&*] clue to write this show anymore.

No it wasn’t overall was it? We all know CBS was the biggest MESS. It’s biggest nights were Mondays and I guess Saturdays at this point? Oddly CBS canceled the Nancy McKeon & Marissa Hargitay sitcom Can’t Buy Me Love after one season despite breaking into the Top 30, but it just didn’t hold onto the Nanny audience leading into Murphy Brown. ABC was a checkered board mess. An aging yet still decently rated Tuesday night while TGIF was hanging while shows like Lois & Clark moderately thrived in its own corner. ABC threw around a bunch of new sitcoms but nothing worked. Outside of NBC’s Thursday night lineup, things looked either decent (Frasier on Tuesdays, L&O on Wednesdays) or they looked rough. Fox soaps were beginning to age and decline. The X-Files gained a lot of momentum, but the rest of the network’s established hits were trending downward. UPN and WB both cellar dwellers. There wasn’t any real breakout hit. Drew Carey show premiered but wasn’t a hit yet. JAG premiered and was cancelled. Shows like Can’t Buy Me Love, Hudson Street and The Naked Truth showed promise but were quickly cancelled or moved instead of trying to let their ratings grow. Caroline in the City was just a timeslot hit. I guess there was 3rd Rock from the Sun but that ended up a being more of a wacky show with a cult following than a mainstream hit.

That full week’s worth of ratings:

I enjoyed Monday’s ep on this snow day, although I do agree the Shanice/Leslie scenes should be a lot more spicier and have some additional tension. Tomas is dead weight in the quad. Time to cut him loose and make it a triangle.

I too was intrigued by Ginger and Joe Cooper, but season 3 was also the season when I saw it the first time was that anytime Kenny or Ginger popped up I was “like they’re still on the show…?” Played famously by the actress who was the “Bom-chicka-wow-wow” girl! (2006 version of Liberty Biberty), cast by the same casting director who wanted Galen Gering as recast Nick when Morrow walked. (The whole reason for the plane crash sabotage [!@#$%^&*] Latham never resolved and Nick being presumed dead)

You made some excellent points there lol. I had always remember finding Season 11, but after finally rewatching a couple times there is an enormous hole left of where Abby left. Not to mention the season started off with a very unsatisfactory conclusion to the Ted Belcher story. What a whimper. The first half of the season is definitely a mess. I enjoyed the Eric/Linda/Michael triangle but the very weak Gary/Val/Danny/Amanda plot coupled with the Okmin Industries nonsense doesn’t make for a good viewing experience. The second half of Season 11, I’d say after Mary Frances’ death I do feel the show improved as it storylines started to move quicker. What happened to Pat and Lynne Moody was criminal still IMO. For the record I personally enjoyed Melinda Culea as Paula. Paula’s exit scenes were a highlight of the season and still one of my favorite Knots moments, partly out of nostalgia because I remember watching that unfold live as a kid. Interesting parallel of Danny/Val to Falcon Crest’s Charley/Emma. Although FC by that point was under control from the people who had previously written and produced The Equalizer and Miami Vice. I think Knots’ turn was probably motivated by a mix of competition with LA Law and also just lousy writing by Latham & Co. The only parallel I could think of for Dallas was Tommy McKay, although most of his story was the previous season. His scenes with threatening Rose to leave, the bomb story, and his death were all pretty dark and grim.

@Franko That movie “A Night in Heaven” turned out to be a major flop, Atkins “won” the Razzie Award, and director John G. Avildsen later disavowed himself from the fIick. Atkins career went into a major downturn after leaving Dallas. Similar to Lois Chiles the season before? But I do remember Atkins playing Linda Gray’s husband/partner in the 80’s Diva Christmas movie a few years back and recall they have maintained a good friendship over the years, which is is good but it didn’t translate well on screen.

Please correct me if I’m wrong but am I to understand that boring slop Electra had a hissy fit over Dylan accidentally eating her leftover chicken and ordered to her stay in her room? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@Taoboi I’m still #Team Eva all the way and have enjoyed Eva with Izaiah (really reminds me of early Adam & Sally on Y&R and I love it) That said, my other wish for 2026 is for a complete rival family à la the Spectras to make their debut.

Touché! And actually I could live with that as well 😎

Thank you!! Miss chatting with you in the Y&R thread as well. Unfortunately I can’t stomach love scenes between Cane and Phyllis that occur every time I try to watch lol so I’ve been avoiding like the plague. That said been enjoying January so far now that I’m almost caught up yet still mourning the loss of Doug like it was yesterday lol. Things I like are Hayley/Bill, Leslie/Marcel, Ted/Shanice and the BRCA storyline. I knew Naomi was lying from the get go lol. Derek really has got to go at this point. One wish I do have for our Season 2 is something to bring Kat and Eva finally together for a change…..before the rug is pulled under them and we finally get that long rumored baby switch reveal of course lol 😆

Apologies if this has been shared before but after @Paul Raven made mention of his hiring lol in another thread I found this interview: Chris Atkins: 'Dallas' adds a star By VERNON SCOTT, UPI Hollywood Reporter Nov. 24, 1983 HOLLYWOOD -- Chris Atkins, already familiar to youthful moviegoers thanks to his loincloth performance in 'The Blue Lagoon' and other movies, has caught adult attention by joining the cast of 'Dallas,' TV's No. 1 rated show. Whereas a few million people have seen Chris in movies, he is exposed to more than 250 million international viewers weekly in the role of Peter Richards, a camp counselor who becomes involved with the Ewing clan ladies. He is a teenage heartthrob, an established junior hunk who co-starred with Brooke Shields and Kristy McNichol. Now he is seeking more mature aprobation. It annoys him to be asked why, when his movie career is bouncing right along, he has chosen to join a TV series, especially in view of the continued demand for his services in movies, lastest of which is 'A Night In Heaven,' being released this month. The inference is that a move to television is a backward career step. However, it is one thing to step from movie stardom to any old series, and quite another to jump into the most popular show on the air. Chris is not awed by the promise of TV stardom. Until recently he hadn't made up his mind whether to head for college to study sports medicine. At 22, he has a good many options. 'For the last couple of years I was seriously considering going to college. But all my friends graduated this year and are going into the world to establish their lives. I've got a head start in that direction and decided to go on with my life as an actor.' In the past four years, Chris has starred in four feature films, avoiding TV except for occasional talk shows and 'Battle of the Network Stars.' Then 'Dallas' offered him a monetary opportunity he couldn't refuse. 'I thought it would be foolish not to join 'Dallas,'' said Chris. 'TV is the most important medium inthe world today. I don't think it is something an actor can ignore. 'More people will see 'Dallas' in a single night than will see any movie I make. Right now, I think 'Dallas' is the best repertory company on the tube. There's never been anything like it. 'Being a member of the company is an important learning experience for any actor my age. I wanted to expand my career and this was the best way for me to go.' All the same, Chris left the door open to his future in movies. He signed a one-year contract with Lorimar Productions, which produces 'Dallas.' Next year he has the choice of leaving the series or signing for another season. If his character becomes a central factor in the show, negotiations would be even more lucrative than his handsome contract for the current season. 'I haven't made up my mind about next year,' he said. 'It's too early to tell. But I want to do a movie that was postponed when I signed for 'Dallas.' It's titled 'The Terrible Game' and I would play a young James Bond.' So far the 'Dallas' experience has been a plus for Chris, although he was somewhat intimidated at first in the presence of Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Victoria Principal and other high-powered cast members. He needn't have been concerned. They made him feel at home the moment he arrived on Texas locations for the show last summer. Hagman was particularly helpful at putting the youngster at ease. Fortunately, most of Chris' scenes are played with Linda, whom he had known earlier. 'Everyone keeps things light and humorous on the set,' Chris said. 'That's the way I like to work. The cast has been really open and friendly. It helped that I wasn't the only newcomer. Priscilla Presley joined the show this season too.' Chris, whose film parts were limited to juveniles, is playing an adult for the first time in his career. Before signing on with the primetime soap opera, he co-starred with Leslie Ann Warren in 'A Night In Heaven,' playing a college student who seduces a married female professor. 'If things work out, maybe I can stay with 'Dallas' for a while and make movies too,' young Chris concluded.

Obviously Atkins was hired for his heartthrob status and fame from the Blue Lagoon, although by ‘83 Atkins’ own film career was starting to wane after a couple high profile flops. I’m not sure what other young high profile actor would’ve been available at the time to do a TV stint. Kevin Bacon maybe? Ralph Macchio?

Primetime soap recaps for that 1/16/-1/22/84 week: Emerald Point Mon 1/16/84: Glenn's promotion to Harlan's vice president at Adams Industries doesn't please Kay. Harlan creates more tension in their marriage by appointing Hilary as Glenn's assistant. Tom realizes that his growing relationship with Maggie is leading to something very permanent. Cindy, Phil Baines' widow, upsets an already remorseful Simon by accusing him of killing Phil. David wants to write Maggie's story. In light of Alexi's orders to go back to Moscow, Leslie and Alexi consider their options, including defection. Dynasty 1/18/84: Blake receives a ransom note for the return of his horse; Peter announces Fallon will be his wife; Dex and Alexis mix business with pleasure; Kirby suffers a seizure. Hotel 1/18/84: A bar mitzvah celebration at the hotel nearly turns to tragedy when the father of the boy spies a concentration camp survivor who was responsible for the death of thousands of Jews and wants to take vngeance into his own hands. A wealthy industrialist sends his trusted aide to retrieve his willful daughter at tie St. Gregory, but surprisingly the encounter turns romantic. Guest stars:José Ferrer as Alex Huff, Pamela Hensley as Brooke Whitfield, Ken Howard as Bill Tillery, and Barnard Hughes as Joe Freilich. Knots Landing 1/19/84: Gary tells Abby about Cathy's prison sentence but Abby pretends to know nothing about it. She tells Cathy to leave or she will tell her ex-husband where she is. Mack is attacked. Karen and Diana finally make up. Dallas 1/20/84: Peter is able to talk Sue Ellen out of breaking off their affair, but when she is mistaken for his mother, her resolve becomes firmer. J.R. wants to have another child, which Sue Ellen refuses to do. Miss Ellie and Clayton talk about their recent trip and upcoming marriage, then they have a serious misunderstanding. Bobby wants to buy another company against J.R.'s advice. Sly again sets Cliff up. He backs off the offshore deal after Pam tells him about Marilee. Bobby and Jenna reach an agreement, even as Katherine works on Bobby and J.R. works on her. Mark mysteriously goes into the hospital. Falcon Crest 1/20/84: Thanks to Phillip, Melissa has no choice other than to sell her Agretti land to him. Richard is nearly run down by a hit man, as the cartel wants to take over his racetrack. Maggie finds out that Jacqueline had an affair with Johann Riebmann, who was the head of the Nazi Gestapo. Cole comes home to find Melissa waiting for him seductively posed in bed. He kicks her out of the house. The Yellow Rose 1/21/84: After Chance helps his friend Toat Gilmore (Buddy Ebsen) escape from prison during the prison rodeo, Warden Garrett gives Roy a 24 hour deadline to get Toat back. Meanwhile the preliminary hearing on Marlene’s suit gets underway.

I meant to comment on this earlier but wow a 90 minute show in the early 80’s sounds insane. What had worked in the early 60’s for the Virginian was a one time thing. Was NBC that desperate? I guess they were “inspired” by 90-minute AW? Makes sense. I do wonder if the Shapiros had tried to get Emerald Point on ABC at all to air after Dynasty to build a true soap double bill like Dallas and FC. LOL I remember my parents flipping over to St Elsewhere and/or The Equalizer instead of Hotel.

TV ratings January 16-22 1984 Obviously the Super Bowl dominated, but wow at those ratings for the American Music Awards. Propelled by Michael Jackson being the big nominee/winner, it’s weird to see the AMA’s be so relevant after spending the last like 26 years of low ratings and irrelevance to the point the ceremonies went on a 3 year hiatus. Dallas at #5, Dynasty at #6, FC at #13, Knots at #14, Yellow Rose at #60, and Emerald Point was really struggling pitifully at #62. I’m with @kalbir no way did Hotel deserve to be higher ranked lol. Did people just leave the channel on ABC after Dynasty? NBC still struggling. The A-Team and Riptide were a boon, and Cheers showing some growth here. The rest of the lineup was middle to lower pack. Night Court was in its 3rd week and at #49.

Never thought I would ever share an IGN link on SON, but here we are in 2026 with Peter Hoar’s reflections: https://www.ign.com/articles/it-wasnt-a-better-show-with-more-money-doctor-who-director-reflects-on-disneys-ditched-funding-deal-and-admits-something-went-wrong

I promised myself to be more caught up and participate more in the BTG threads in 2026 lol. Have to the moment between Andre and Bill was great with Andre telling Bill off. Meanwhile Tomas eavesdropping on Haley was classic.

I was actually thinking Noone should have played a recast Jane had the show not killed off Mary Francis recklessly so fast. Perhaps Jane had developed great business acumen after running her second and now dead husband’s company who happened to be a wealthy industrialist as well. Jane could easily have come back under the guise to be close to Mary Francis but also look to reconnect with Greg and snag his company for her own. At least we might have gotten a more age appropriate Anne/Greg/Jane triangle out of it. Instead we got the identical cousin (already done with Ciji/Cathy but also clearly influenced by Twin Peaks at the same time lol), complete with this classic moment: Karen: Greg has a sister…???? Mac: Of course, I’m sure I’ve mentioned Claudia numerous times over the years! (Don’t worry Karen we were just as puzzled too! 😂)

Jane Elliot was pretty amazing and that “oh what could have been” rivalry with Abby. After a couple of rewatches since getting KL on streaming I can see why now Strasser had negative feelings about her Knots experience. There’s not much to Dianne Kirkwood at all other than being a diva caricature, and her character just fizzles out only making 2 brief appearances in S12 (and not the 3 most sources claim) with her exit being a throwaway scene of “oh yeah she was still Karen’s boss and is acting unnecessarily cruel”. I would consider the misuse of Strasser a waste of talent.

Ratings from the week of January 4–10 1982. Dallas at #4, FC at #12, Knots tied at #23, Dynasty at a surprisingly low #35 with it competition Quince ME beating it at #29, and Flamingo Road at #45. @Paul Raven That Sunday @7:00/6:00 slot has always been difficult to program. Outside of stuff like 60 Minutes, Dateline, and AFV the only shows I can think of that had some success in that slot were Life Goes On and I guess some of the animated shows on Fox.

Made worse by casting Stuart Pankin as the Benny character. Lord someone at Lorimar must have been a fan because he played a similar bumbling annoying character a multiple episode arc as well on FC during its final season. Like why? Good to see others have their first experiences with Knots the later seasons of Knots as well. By the time Season 10 premiered my family had moved from WV to Colorado, so Knots was coming on at 9 instead (and I old enough to stay up later lol) and from that point I watched as much as I could between watching LA Law alongside it until Linda’s brutal murder left me in the cold the show wasn’t fun to watch anymore.