On 12/24/2025 at 8:30 AM, soapfan770 said:

Reading back over this thread for the first 13 years FC had only made it to 27 pages. But ever since FC resurfaced in the spring of ‘22, we’ve been able to dissect even more even though it never even had the depth of something like Knots.

I agree that Falcon Crest was more plot driven compared to Knots Landing but I think network interference and backstage drama played a part in that. I was too young to have watched in real time and Soapnet reruns were 20+ years ago so my memory of those was spotty but watching the episodes in streaming I could totally dissect the soap elements and influences from other stories.

Found this little nugget of information. Apparently a fan in the spring of 1988 wrote to request a photo of Margaret Ladd. In addition to the photo, he received a photocopy of Margaret's letter.

Dear Fans,
I thought I'd better sit down and write a quick note before spring fever takes complete control of me. It's absolutely gorgeous here. The weather is warm, the air is full of fra- grance, and everyone is heading for the beaches. *
As I've mentioned before, FALCON CREST is at several different stages throughout the world, making it impossible to keep you updated on the current situations and events on and off the set. I can let you know that the networks are not sure they are going to renew FALCON CREST this year. If they do, they are going to drop many of the regular cast members from the show. They are also considering changing the format from a continuing saga to a regular one hour episode in which an individual story is started and finished each week. I think this will detract from the show. What do you think? I believe that they will probably only keep Angela, Richard, Maggie, Melissa and Lance as regulars on the show, which saddens me, be- cause I've grown to love Emma and my television family. I've asked my fans in the United States to write the producers and writers and show their support for Emma. Just a simple note to let them know that you, the fans, love her character and would hate to see her go. I could certainly use your help.. If you have a moment would you drop a line to Jeff Freilich and Joanna Brough at both of the addresses be- low? I would truly appreciate it. Thank you!
C.B.S
. c/o Falcon Crest 7800
Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca. 90036

Weird someone was considering changing the format of the show to be an even more episodic, considering the short multi-arc format Freilich and Co. tried out in S7 causing the the show to go off the rails (and blow out the budget).

As for poor Margaret, she only lasted the first 10 episodes of S8 before being written out, although was brought back for the season finale. And of course we all know what happened to Melissa.

I get Brough, the returning Stern & Black and the rest of the new S8 team wanted to return FC back to its roots or back down to Earth, but they totally went about it the wrong way ie killing off Melissa, still trying to resolve loose ends with the Thirteen plot, Richard’s plotting against Angela etc.

1 hour ago, DRW50 said:

Thanks @DRW50 glad you figured out how to link this one.

I wish the show had just let Foxworth leave/die like he wanted to at the end of S5 to spare us from Chase’s S6 storyline. The show could have easily still done Maggie’s pregnancy but without the Wainwright stuff, just have Angela be meddling as she sees a new Gioberti heir to raise and groom.

On 1/2/2026 at 12:47 PM, soapfan770 said:

the networks are not sure they are going to renew FALCON CREST this year.

I had no idea Falcon Crest was on the chopping block in 1987/88, but for whatever reason the long time drama CBS decided to end instead that season was Cagney & Lacey. Magnum, P.I. also ended in 1987/88, but I believe that the short final season was planned from the beginning. Falcon Crest was also spared the chopping block in 1988/89 as the long time drama CBS decided to end that season was Simon & Simon.

On 1/2/2026 at 12:47 PM, soapfan770 said:

As for poor Margaret, she only lasted the first 10 episodes of S8 before being written out, although was brought back for the season finale.

Margaret Ladd had her episodes cut in 1987/88 and 1988/89 and halfway through 1989/90 she was written off. It's funny that her last episode was also the last episode broadcast in the 1980s.

2 hours ago, soapfan770 said:

I wish the show had just let Foxworth leave/die like he wanted to at the end of S5 to spare us from Chase’s S6 storyline. The show could have easily still done Maggie’s pregnancy but without the Wainwright stuff, just have Angela be meddling as she sees a new Gioberti heir to raise and groom.

Jeff Wainwright storyline was awful (sort of a dust off of that slimy film producer from season 2) and had way too many inconsistencies and plot holes. I did not like the season 6 rewrite to add an assault (season 5 during the kidnapping/hostage there were no signs of an assault (clothing intact, no injuries), no mention of an assault to the police during the rescue, and in the hospital no medical exam or tests or medications) which lead to a who's the daddy storyline with a pro-life slant. Maybe because I'm viewing this through today's standards, but it comes across as irresponsible and I'm actually surprised CBS allowed this.

16 minutes ago, kalbir said:

I had no idea Falcon Crest was on the chopping block in 1987/88, but for whatever reason the long time drama CBS decided to end instead that season was Cagney & Lacey. Magnum, P.I. also ended in 1987/88, but I believe that the short final season was planned from the beginning. Falcon Crest was also spared the chopping block in 1988/89 as the long time drama CBS decided to end that season was Simon & Simon.

Margaret Ladd had her episodes cut in 1987/88 and 1988/89 and halfway through 1989/90 she was written off. It's funny that her last episode was also the last episode broadcast in the 1980s.

Jeff Wainwright storyline was awful (sort of a dust off of that slimy film producer from season 2) and had way too many inconsistencies and plot holes. I did not like the season 6 rewrite to add an assault (season 5 during the kidnapping/hostage there were no signs of an assault (clothing intact, no injuries), no mention of an assault to the police during the rescue, and in the hospital no medical exam or tests or medications) which lead to a who's the daddy storyline with a pro-life slant. Maybe because I'm viewing this through today's standards, but it comes across as irresponsible and I'm actually surprised CBS allowed this.

I believe I first became aware of the fact that FC’s future was kind of up in the air at the end of S7 due the budget expensiveness and blowout along with the declining ratings from an article I read on filming the finale, I believe I may have shared here several pages back (may need to go dig it up again). The S7 finale certainly has series finale written all over it with enough ambiguity that we know life at FC will continue i.e. Angela’s evil laugh at Melissa “I’ll be back” along with the possibility of Chase being alive. Had the show ended in 1988, a reunion movie a year or two later could’ve easily tied up any loose ends (Angela and Melissa settling their feud, Maggie finding both Richard and Chase alive)

I wish they had hired Ladd back for the series finale—it would have been funnier had Emma just barged with a fussy baby Angela in tow.

I definitely agree with the Jeff Wainwright story was awful and disturbing. The whole rape retcon was terrible. Actually it’s downright disgusting how the material is treated made even worse by the Melissa kidnapping plot later on and none of it holds up well. In fact it’s downright embarrassing to watch.

They could’ve easily had Wainwright arrested and jailed for good and maybe make a brief appearance later when Wainwright is revealed to be Carlton Travis’ son.