Members All My Shadows Posted June 7, 2020 Members Share Posted June 7, 2020 (edited) I love Chuck Connors, but I thought Jeb was too old to be the main nemesis of the Champions, especially since all of the surviving Champions were younger and portrayed as mostly honest people. If Wade were still alive, then those two old boys fighting it out could have been fun. They had the perfect solution to this with Rose. I haven't done any BTS research on the show yet, so I don't know how committed Jane Russell was to the series, but having Rose make peace with Chance and then become a matriarch figure at the ranch, putting her in the position to lead all battles against Jeb - that would have been amazing. I can't believe they didn't do more with Rose or with the deliciously devious Caryn Cabrera. Yes, the cast was fantastic. David Soul is the stand-out for me, and honestly, I think Roy was the most complex character. He's the reluctant patriarch to a family, kinda in love with his dead father's widow, angry that this long-lost half-brother has shown up and is taking all the glory (and the love interest), wanting to hate him, but it's not who he is to hate a man who isn't doing him any harm, also trying to raise his son as a single father while the ex-wife is low-key fighting against him, etc. He was great. It really did start well. They kinda did these multi-episode stories that had a beginning, middle, and end over two or three episodes, and the very first one with drug smuggling that led to the murder of Colleen Champion's boyfriend and later a respect ranch hand from the Rose wasn't that great, but then they did the cattle drive, which actually made for some good soapy moments mixed with the adventure theme. Then we had a slow and completely pointless multi-ep arc with Buddy Ebsen as an escaped prisoner trying to reunite with his family. The self-contained episodes weren't all bad either, but the bad ones were terrible. I'm not sure which was worse - Edward Albert's Quisto (who really does nothing much the entire series except as a devil's advocate yelling out legal points and speaking in Spanish with a creepy grin on his face) sneaking into a slave labor camp that targets illegal immigrants or the same character trying to expose an abusive foster parent. The introduced one of the other Champion siblings, Greg Evigan as a gambling-addicted rodeo star, in one ep, and it was good, and obviously he should have stayed and had conflict with the family, but he was a one-and-done. There was mention of another sister when the family was voting on whether to start drilling for oil or not, but she never showed up. Edited June 7, 2020 by All My Shadows 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wendy Posted June 7, 2020 Members Share Posted June 7, 2020 The successor to the time slot for "The Yellow Rose" was "Hunter". And even though that was a "Dirty Harry" Lite show to start with, I think it was around that era that even "regular" dramas like this one began using soap elements. In the case of "Hunter", a running arc in S1 about his being the black sheep of being related to the mob, Dee Dee's rape in S2. Soap story telling were not just for the "soaps" themselves by the 1980s, and that formula holds today. Maybe it's why fewer need to watch daytime soaps. Prime time uses the elements and people still get their fill. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DRW50 Posted June 7, 2020 Members Share Posted June 7, 2020 Miami Vice too. I think Hill Street Blues opened the door for this type of storytelling, but the other difference is that even though Hunter was a tough guy show (my grandfather LOVED Hunter), it was also a show that wanted you to care about the characters, which was a departure from a lot of past Jack Webb type cops that mostly used the cops as symbols. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Soaplovers Posted June 7, 2020 Members Share Posted June 7, 2020 I remember Deborah Shelton in the Pam Ewing role as the daughter of the main heavy plus was a love interest for David Soul..and it was dropped like the story with Jane Russell as Sam Elliot's mom. Shame. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members All My Shadows Posted June 8, 2020 Members Share Posted June 8, 2020 Yes! She gave Jeb Hollister the opportunity to be more than just the big bad villain while further connecting the two families, but the whole Hollister angle just seemed to be dropped until they brought Rose back to tie up a season’s worth of story in one episode. Another character who was there and just vanished was Marlene, Roy’s pregnant ex-wife and estranged mother of his son. Another character who could have generated lots of story with the family and on her own but just dropped. It’s like someone was hell-bent on making Cybill Shepherd the only adult woman in the cast. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members All My Shadows Posted June 10, 2020 Members Share Posted June 10, 2020 2000 Malibu Road was WILD, and I'm so sad it just ended like that. Does anyone know anything about the Lisa Hartman Black narration to wrap up the series? I'd love to know how they tried to tie it all up. Idc idc, Tuesday Knight stole the entire show from start to finish. Hunnybunny never stopped hustling, and the comedic chemistry with Scott Bryce was so strong. Brian Bloom - as gorgeous as EVER, but Drew Barrymore's character was a total bore! Jennifer Beals was depressing, but it was so easy to root for the character and want her to end up all right. Lisa Hartman's story was honestly the dullest, maybe because there were so many things we just didn't know and never would find out. Loved Constance Towers, though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JamesF Posted June 10, 2020 Members Share Posted June 10, 2020 I can't remember the whole thing but I know that Jade and the cop ended up together, I think with the suggestion they had a baby. Perry wound up in a mental institution and Jade "visits her often". I remember thinking that was such a dark and almost comically flippant way to wrap up her cliffhanger. I also remember Joy survived the lightning strike (I can remember Lisa Hartman's voiceover saying these things) but drawing a blank on Lindsey... It was such a great romp of a mini-series. I'm not sure it would have lasted a 22+ episode season but it was an entertaining ride. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Paul Raven Posted June 15, 2020 Author Members Share Posted June 15, 2020 Executive Suite 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DRW50 Posted June 15, 2020 Members Share Posted June 15, 2020 Never have watched much of that show. An interesting cast...Mitchell Ryan is one of those guys who looked better as he aged. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members slick jones Posted June 15, 2020 Members Share Posted June 15, 2020 BERRENGER'S JANUARY 5, 1985-MARCH 16, 1985 NBC NEW YORK CITY HEADQUARTERS OF BERRENGER'S DEPARTMENT STORES Jack Adams Liam Sullivan Mr. Allen Michael David Lally Ms. Anderson Nancy Burnett Mrs. Bennett Eve Roberts Babs Berrenger Anita Morris Billy Berrenger Robin Strand David Berrenger Justin Dana Gloria ____ Berrenger Andrea Marcovicci Paul Berrenger Ben Murphy Sarah ___ Berrenger Never Seen Simon Berrenger Sam Wanamaker Shane Bradley Yvette Mimieux Frank Chapman Richard Sanders Mr. Daly Herb Mitchell Mr. Dempsey Dave Blackwood Mr. Giorda Bob Tzudiker Allison Harris Donna Dixon Kyle Harris Harvey J. Goldenberg Laurel Hayes Laura Ashton John Higgins Jeff Conaway Melody Berrenger Hughes Claudia Christian Todd Hughes Art Hindle Max Kaufman Alan Feinstein Danny Krucek Jack Scalia Jacob Ludwig Jack Hogan Rue McDaniels Joan Benedict Jane Mills Arlene Martel Mr. Montgomery Joseph Hacker Ana Morales Jeanne Linero Connie Morales Connie Rivera Julio Morales Eddie Velez Mami ____ Morales Alma Beltran Nick Morrison Steve Kahan Frank Murphy Michael Hennessy Mr. Oller George Wyner Mr. Peters Ben Hartigan Enzo Rinaldi Cesar Romero Stacey Russell Jonelle Allen Detective Schmidt Stack Pierce Zach Shepherd Ray Parker, Jr. Cammie Springer Leslie Hope Adolpho Alex Rebar Andy Michael Genovese Bernice Veronica Redd Bernie Robert Pastorelli Betty Spice Williams Crosby Bob Christian Jacobs Caroline Tannis Benedict Charlene Pamela Harlow Debbie Barbara Stock Drew Richard Brander Ellen Kim Miyori George Michael Cutt Helen Francine York Helen the saleslady Jill Andre Ilene Neva Patterson Jackie Myrna White Jenny Patricia Conwell Lucky Joseph Della Sorte Lynn Bernice Massi Marta Irma Garcia Mona Cynthia V. Morris Monica Tina Blum Raoul Daniel Eden Rich Curry Walls Rose Rana Ford Sylvia Noma Milty Titan Thomas Rosales, Jr. Tom Steve Itkin Wayne David Blackwood Buyers Grace Simmons Marion Yue Customers Carla Cavadini Meredith Duncan Steve Itkin Denise Latelle Andrea Ucci Executive Bennett Guillory Guard Don Diamond Janitor Nick LaTour Maitre'd Dante D'Andre Minister Edmund Penney Newscaster Michael Laurence Saleswoman Heather Cunningham Tailor Wally Campo Television Reporter Lori Michaels Tenant Allen Williams Waiter Pierre Manasse Window Washer Charles Bouvier Wine Steward Gene Knight ???????? roles unknown Colleen Casey Nick Corello Margie Impert Leah Kates Kenneth Kimmins James McKrell Robert Miranda Milton Seltzer Jeff Silverman Alan Toy Please register in order to view this content 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Paul Raven Posted June 16, 2020 Author Members Share Posted June 16, 2020 (edited) Edited June 16, 2020 by Paul Raven 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members slick jones Posted June 23, 2020 Members Share Posted June 23, 2020 THE YELLOW ROSE OCTOBER 2, 1983-MAY 12, Q984 THE YELLOW ROSE RANCH Barbara Anderson Robin Wright Tess __ Anderson Elizabeth Rogers Caryn Cabrera Kerrie Keane Colleen ___ Champion Cybill Shepherd L.C. "Love Child" Champion Michelle Bennett Quisto Champion Edward Albert Roy Champion David Soul Trey Champion Greg Evigan Whit Champion Tom Schanely Judge Sam Claymore Dick Sargeant Matt Colby Jesse Vint Hoyt Coryell Ken Curtis Julia Dalton Hanna Landy Lila Devereaux Barbara Stock Juanita Diaz Isela Vega Luther Dillard Noah Beery Cal Everett Ed Lauter Jed Fargo William Smith Lieutenant Ralph Foster James "J.A. Preston Jack Frye Jeff Morris Warden Carl Garrett Hugh Gillin Ben Gilmore Christopher Allport Duncan Gilmore Scott Hylands Toat Gilmore Buddy Ebsen Johnny Hogan Howard Morris Jeb Hollister Chuck Connors Juliet Hollister Deborah Shelton Lenny Hollister Steve Sandor Rose Hollister Jane Russell Del Horton Lonny Chapman Rudy Lansing Barney McFadden Chance MacKenzie Sam Elliott Grace __ MacKenzie Susan Anspach Bryce Macklin Woodrow Parfrey Mayor Virgil Mapes William Windom Yolanda Munoz Ruth Britt Major General Nathan Donegan Smith Aurelia ___ Padilla Maria Melendez Raoul Padilla A Martinez Nick Pappas John Colicos Barton Pearce Jim Antonio Alton Prine Sencer Milligan Charlie Reno Clu Gulager Lane Roberts Joanna Pettet _____Sanchez Mike Gomez Chief John Strongheart Will Sampson ____ Stryker Paul Mantee Billy Taggert Dennis Burkley Johnny Tupelo Ron Masak Sheriff Lew Wallace L.Q. Jones Sarah ___ Webber Nancy Parsons Earl Yates Les Lannom Floyd Yates David Graf Jesse Yates Pat Hingle Buck Bill McKinney Charlie Ed Crick Charlie George Fisher Clem Bert Remsen Deke Billy Green Bush Louis Geoffrey Lewis Marlene Karen Carlson Mavis Vonetta McKee Purvis Herbert Jefferson, Jr. Ricki Corinne Bohrer Sal Steven Keats Taza Rion Hunter Catcher Kario Salem Construction Workers: Nick Dimitri Bill Hart Foreman William Jordan Gas Station Attendants Ritchie Montgomery Dennis Fimple HorseShoe Player Michael Brockman Hotel Manager Ted Gehring Men David Cadiente John McIntyre Old Man Hank Worden Sergeant Ken Grant Woman Melonie Vincz Young Woman Irma Garcia ???? Roles Unknown Billy Burton Kenny Call David S. Cass, Sr. Damon Douglas Judyann Elder Kimberly Foster Hugh Gorrian Herman Poppe Thomas Rosales, Jr. Elizabeth Savage 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Paul Raven Posted July 15, 2020 Author Members Share Posted July 15, 2020 Who's to blame for `Beacon Hill'? Bob Wood doesn't know what went wrong with the season's most ballyhooed new show; the creator blames the producer and vice -versa Robert D. Wood, the president of CBS - TV, is the man who had to make the decision to cancel Beacon Hill, and "I'm sick about it," he says. "With the departure of Beacon Hill, a little bit of me went with it." "I couldn't fault the intention of the series or the production, which was superbly mounted," Mr. Wood goes on. "There was some nit- picking about the writing on the part of some critics, but as far as I'm concerned it was the Tiffany of TV series. And in all my years in the business, I don't remember a series getting as much promotion or as much advance notice in the consumer press. "But the public simply rejected it. Watching the audience decline each week was like watching the rungs of a stepladder going down" Mr. Wood says he doesn't want to play Monday- morning quarterback on the reasons why Beacon Hill didn't attract a mass audience. "Maybe we were too ambitious," he says. But the creator of Beacon Hill, Sidney Carroll, says it could have survived if the producers had only followed his original plan. As Mr. Carroll explains it, he scripted the two -hour pilot and then wrote out plot outlines for the first 13 episodes of Beacon Hill. He got involved in the production of the pilot and says he was quite satisfied with how it turned out. He cites the episode's 23.1 rating and 42 share (on Monday, Aug. 25, 9 -11 p.m., NYT) as one of the indicators that "the general public liked the people in the pilot." But between the completion of the pilot and the start of production on the first episode, according to Mr. Carroll, the producer, Jacqueline Babbin, changed the plot outlines he had written. "When I saw how the first two finished scripts differed from the way I outlined them," he says, "I walked off the series." In Mr. Carroll's eyes, the likeable characters he had created in the pilot were turned into "a lot of stinkers. They became nasty and sad and stupid." Ms. Babbin sees things a little differently. "Sidney's plots were charming little stories that could've filled 20 minutes out of each hour," she says. "But CBS wanted stronger material, stories with more bite, more guts to them." Both Ms. Babbin and Alan Wagner, the CBS vice president closest to the series, disagree with Mr. Carroll about the quality of the two -hour pilot. "With 19 characters to be introduced, it was like a French -farce situation," she says. "The characters ended up being unsympathetic because the viewer wasn't given enough time to understand any of them. And CBS over - promoted and ballyhooed the pilot to the point of stupidity." "It was really an error on our part to open up with an episode populated with with so many characters," adds Mr. Wagner. "Everything became complicated, the public got confused and you couldn't follow the characters without a scorecard" Mr. Wagner points to a second "major error." "The series didn't find its direction early enough," he says. "The first batch of episodes were placed in too small a frame and were on too small a scale to interest an audience in 1975." Ms. Babbin adds that the public didn't know what to make of Beacon Hill's characters because "they were too real - they weren't like the cardboard cut -outs you usually see in TV series, who seem to spend all their time in fast cars." 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vetsoapfan Posted July 15, 2020 Members Share Posted July 15, 2020 The writing for Beacon Hill, by the dreaded Anne Howard Bailey, was heinously awful. The first several episodes were atrocious. After Bailey got canned, the writing took a surprising upswing in quality, but I think by that time the audience was just not willing to give the show another try. The same thing happened on the daytime soap How to Survive a Marriage. Bailey was the original writer and her material was just awful. She was fairly quickly replaced by the wonderful Rick Edelstein, who wrote beautifully for the series, but after being burned by AHB's garbage, viewers never seemed to sample HTSAM again. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Soaplovers Posted July 15, 2020 Members Share Posted July 15, 2020 The amount of money spent on Beacon Hill is why the network didn't give it time. Also, it appears that there were internal disagreements over the tone and focus of the show. Was it supposed to be a primetime soap, or more a drama with self-contained stories (ala like the Waltons). Lastly, no matter how much it may have improved...it would always be compared to Upstairs Downstairs. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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