Dynasty
CW’s Dynasty Reboot EP Josh Schwartz: "We are living in an age of dynasties. You can’t look at the news without hearing about Trump or the Clintons or the Kardashians or the Murdochs."
Courtesy/CW
Now is the time for the perfect soap with Donald Trump in the White House, so says Dynasty reboot executive producer Josh Schwartz.
Several of the cast members from the upcoming CW reboot of the iconic ABC primetime soap, along with Schwartz were on hand today at the TCA’s were they addressed members of the media.
“We are living in an age of dynasties,” Schwartz said. “You can’t look at the news without hearing about “Trump or the Clintons or the Kardashians or the Murdochs. Our news is filled with stories of dynasties.”
When the new Dynasty debuts on October 11th at 9PMEST, Blake Carrington (Grant Show) will be quite the villain who loves his children, and will have a much younger fiancée named named Cristal (not Krystle) played by former Vampire Diaries cast member Nathalie Kelley. Josh Schwartz added: “Part of the fun was taking a character like Krystle and dirtying her up a little bit!”
The series backdrop will be Atlanta this time, not Denver. And in a major redo in story this time out, Blake is not homophobic to his gay son Steven Carrington now being played by James MacKay. Steven in the Dynasty revival now is very confident in his sexuality and Blake accepts him. The trouble seems to come in the form of Sammy Jo, who will this time out be a man played by Empire’s Rafael de la Fuente, as opposed to the original schemer Sammie Jo played by Heather Locklear.
The press also learned that the role of Alexis Carrington played in the original series by Joan Collins has not been cast, but will appear sometime later in the season.
So, intrigued by the intel on the CW’s Dynasty reboot? Comment below.
Dynasty
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All My Children
ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
Tuesday’s night airing of ABC and PEOPLE’s two-hour special The Story of Soaps featured many notable daytime and primetime soap stars, past and present, clips from backstage to classic memorable moments, and some participants who were providing commentary on the erosion of the daytime soaps in our culture. Still others, maintained and realized that everything today is serialized from the news we watch, to some of Netflix’s most binge-watchable series, and of course, the birth of reality-programming.
Throughout the airing of the special, The Story of Soaps was trending on Twitter and social media either at the #2, #3 or #4 spots for the entire duration of the broadcast presentation, and the cancelled and beloved All My Children was also at one point trending.
However, known soap writers, journalists, ardent fans, and actors of the genre, were all on Twitter last night live-tweeting their thoughts as the special went down, and there was definitely mixed reactions and reviews, when all was said and done.
What the special did not shy away from, but tackled, was Luke’s rape of Laura at the campus disco on General Hospital. and how that moment now, as Genie Francis (Laura), so eloquently put, would be considered as ‘date rape’ in our culture. The series even included a pivotal moment where Laura addresses Luke (Tony Geary) about the rape years later, after helping Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) through her rape ordeal.
John Stamos (Ex-Blackie Parrish, GH) got a bevy of “Right On’s!” for his comment that the soaps do not get the credit that they deserve and clearly came through as one of the soaps greatest supporters, as did former The Doctors and Knots Landing star, Alec Baldwin.
However, throughout the two-hours, Andy Cohen’s commentary was thread throughout; mostly citing soap’s demise and the creation of reality-programming and his “Real Housewives” franchise, that the special touted as the new soap operas. It continued on the narrative that people preferred to see real-life drama then made-up drama on a fictional soap. And while, that has been a trend in American culture for decades, the commentary came off as often out of place in a celebration of the soaps; and bringing in a lot of negativity to the special that soap fans were tired of hearing.
In a lighting rod moment, Cohen stated: “I know Susan Lucci doesn’t agree with me, but I think that the Housewives have replaced soap operas because truth is stranger than fiction. Soaps became kind of unnecessary because you could do it with real people, and they’re writing the drama themselves.”
The special did also address the cancellations of All My Children and One Life to Live, (which many were not sure they were going to do – given this special was airing on ABC), where One Life’s leading lady and six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Ex-Viki) said what we all wanted to sa ywhen the ax fell on the towns of Llanview and Pine Valley, “People were horrified”.
Clearly, OJ Simpson and his murder trial and reality-programming were also given a chunk of time to show where the once mighty landscape of daytime soaps which once had 13 shows on the air, dwindled town to 4. But, it would have been nice to see more time spent on how in this day and age, the people in this current landscape of the genre work so hard to get episodes done at an unbelievable pace, and how in that climate the performers still deliver gut-wrenching performances.
Photo: ABC
Former Loving, OLTL and Breaking Bad star, Bryan Cranston, did point out how the once powerful soaps, just don’t have the dollars they used to, and need to, to help with production costs and their taping schedule.
Viewers were reminded of soaps’ socially relevant storylines including hankie-inducing moments from: Robin (Kimberly McCullough) and Stone’s (Michael Sutton) HIV/AIDS storyline on General Hospital, to Billy Douglas being a gay teen coming out on One Life to Live, played by a young Ryan Phillippe.
There also did not seem time spent on the contributions of William J. Bell; one of the most prominent writers of the soap genre of all-time.
For many commenting on social media last night, there seemed to be a feeling of some glaring omissions of participants who could speak on this genre, who have been in the trenches as soap producers, soap writers, pundits, actors, and more, who were not included in the special.
So, what was your review of The Story of Soaps? How would you grade it? Do you feel it accurately reflected the history of the genre? Were you happily surprised, or when it came to the end where you over it, or somewhere in between? Sound off in the comment section below. Below are some tweets from notables who have worked as an actor, a writer, and a journalist in the soaps.
What started as a love letter kinda dissolved into a lover kicking you out of bed.
Ummm ok well I guess I appreciate the effort. But that definitely took a turn.🤷🏻♀️😬🤪 #TheStoryofSoaps— Chrishell (@Chrishell7) May 20, 2020
OMG so I’m still watching/catching up on #TheStoryofSoaps. Why does it suddenly feel like a death knell for the genre?! Why can’t it be a celebration? We’re hanging tough with no new episodes IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREAKING PANDEMIC! Why not celebrate our resilience? I’m done!
— Michele Val Jean (@MicheleValJean) May 20, 2020
Here’s the thing: The reason we’re down to 4 soaps is because network execs messed with time slots, cut budgets and interfered with storytelling. ABC can’t admit that so they have to get @Andy to trash them. But #TheStoryofSoaps was still a fun watch. Long live #AMC, #OLTL & #GH! https://t.co/pqR0Gx3cnf
— Carolyn Hinsey (@CarolynHinsey) May 20, 2020
Dynasty
DYNASTY Season Three Finale: A Stripper & Sammy Jo and Alexis & Jeff Bring The Heat; While Adam’s Past Comes Back To Bite Him
If you caught the last episode of Dynasty’s shortened season (due to the coronavirus TV production shutdowns) on Friday night with its season 3 finale, you were in for plenty of drama and humor as only this CW-reboot of the popular ABC sudsy original of the 80’s, can.
In story here’s what went down: riffing on the film, The Hangover, Fallon Carrington (Elizabeth Gilles) and her buds, try to retrace their steps after a night of indulging in too much booze and Sam (Rafael de La Fuente) being roofied by a mixologist. All of this was to be prior to Fallon’s long-awaited wedding to Liam (Adam Huber).
Photo: JPI
When the group ends up in a strip club, we learn that Sam got married to a stripped named “Scorpio” who turned out to be former The Young and the Restless star, Lachlan Buchanan (Ex-Kyle Abbottz). Viewers of ABC’s Station 19 know that Buchanan is currently starring in that drama as well.
The said stripper (and new hubby to Sammy Jo), is actually named Ryan, and even though they met under very odd circumstances it turns out Ryan is quite taken and very kind to Sam. He even puts his number in Sam’s phone, even though Sam says he is not looking for a long-term relationship, but later in the episode we see Sam pondering calling Ryan. The on-screen chemistry between Buchanan and de La Fuente was palpable and we hope this might continue next season, if Buchanan is able and available to appear on the CW soap.
Elsewhere, Alexis (Elaine Hendrix) and Jeff (Sam Adegoke) finally let their guards down and took their relationship to a new level hitting the sheets. Is it true love? Meanwhile, Adam (Sam Underwood) is working to continue to destroy Blake (Grant Show) and his dad’s on-going battle with the Moldavians.
But, it is Anders (Alan Dale)who has the big moments in the episode; confronting Alexis and discovering that Adam pushed her face first into a fire place, paying off a nurse for some medical files, and hopping on a plane to get to the truth of Adam’s past before he destroys his daughter, Kirby (Maddison Brown). Things are not looking good for her either, as Adam learns from Kirby that Anders has some crazy notion that Adam pushed Alexis into the fire. What will Adam’s next move be?
Unfortunately, as showrunner Josh Reims told TV Line, the primetime soaps was unable to film its final two episodes of its 22-season order which was to culminate in the wedding of Fallon and Liam, Reins noted: We’’d been building towards Fallon and Liam’s wedding from the beginning of the year, and it felt like that would have been a good end to the season, so that was a little frustrating.”
As to Sam’s relationship with Ryan, Reims revealed their were plans to bring back Lachlan Buchanan for the last two episodes of the year noting: “We were going to bring back Ryan for Episodes 21 and 22, and we were going to explore the idea of Sam trying to have a relationship with this guy. It was going to be an interesting triangle if we were to bring back Fletcher, Sam’s married ex-boyfriend.”
So, what did you think of the season finale of Dynasty? Are you for a Sam and Ryan relationship? Will Adam finally pay for his crimes? Comment below, but first check out the night of debauchery clip for Sammy Jo and company from Rafael de La Fuente’s Instagram account and then a clip of Buchanan’s stripping prowess on Dynasty.
View this post on Instagram
Oops 😬 So much fun with the girls in this one. #Dynasty finale TONIGHT 9/8c on @thecw
. @lachlanbuchanan as stripper is everything. Wow!😍
Scorpio/ Ryan in #Dynasty pic.twitter.com/SSr7fsxdHz— CHrrLeeS (@chrrlees) May 9, 2020
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All My ChildrenJuly 2, 2020‘Strahan, Sara and Keke’ Canceled by ABC; Show Aired In Timeslot That Once Housed ‘All My Children’
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NewsJuly 7, 2020B&B’s Denise Richards Reveals Her Husband Aaron Phypers Will Be Stand-In During Ridge Forrester Intimate Scenes
Phil
August 2, 2017 at 11:55 am
I will definitely be checking this show out! I am interested in seeing who they cast as Alexis! I suggest Tiffani Theissen or perhaps Heather Locklear! This might turn out to be fun to watch!
Richard
August 7, 2017 at 1:44 pm
Tiffani would be a FANTASTIC Alexis! Omg i loved her as schemer Valerie on 90210!
Jimh
August 2, 2017 at 12:01 pm
Dullnasty…been there done that…
Max
August 2, 2017 at 12:29 pm
How about Ms Susan Lucci as Alexis?
Tristan
October 27, 2017 at 10:52 pm
I agree Susan Lucci needs to return to tv and she probably should have been on the original Dynasty. At least Erica Kane should have had some scenes with Alexis, Sable and Dominique. What the heck was ABC thinking – well they didn’t want La Lucci on night time tv it seems because then she was missing from the daytime canvas. How Dallas got La Lucci and not ABC which was home to her movies of the week and All My Children – oh ABC – All My Stupidness. Cancelling the show, treating Susan Lucci so horribly after all her loyalty to ABC is really horrible. Lucci needs some show – sitcom or drama but even if it was not Alexis she could spice things up that’s for sure. She might be too old to be Alexis as she is 70 or more. Though she looks great but playing a 45 year old might be hard – mind you I saw some photos of La Lucci in some music video and she showed up at the Daytime Emmy’s looking scarily amazing. Give this girl a job!!!!1
Jovin
August 2, 2017 at 1:44 pm
Nope, sorry. This show is a completely different show merely using the Dynasty name to intrigue viewers. A real Dynasty reboot would have had Jeff and Fallon as the leads, with the focus on their kids, and the other younger members much like Dallas did. This show does seem like campy, soapy fun, but it should have. been it’s own show. As a reboot, it will fail miserably. On its own merits, or lack thereof, who knows? I have seen a preview and not many of the characters seem very likeable. But then again thinking back on the original, the characters weren’t that likeable either. Lol. I like reboots that are either continuations of the original, or reboots that place the story and characters in the now as opposed to the era they were in. This kind of tweaking and changing does nothing for me.
Shay
August 3, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Amen, Jovin!…Slapping the “Dynasty” label on this b@$+@^*#ed piece of “pc” nonsense is a total misappropriation of the classic’s title and premise. If there is such a demand for this particular sort of drama, then why is it necessary to attempt to ride the coattails of the original’s massive success with this extremely reconstituted version? Schwartz has already produced his own highly-memorable series in the form of “Gossip Girl,” which wonderfully blended the elements of traditional primetime soaps with modern sensibilities, so we know it can be done, and very well, at that! This just seems like a really lame and lazy way to attract viewers with a bait-and-switch con-job since so many fondly recall the dizzying heights of the real “Dynasty” and may perhaps tune in expecting exactly what you have described, either a continuation or next-generation itineration of the former hit show…neither of which will be in the offing! As for recasting the pivotal role of Alexis??? That is sheer lunacy…Joan Collins is—and always shall be—this most glamorous of villainous vixens…she owns the role! And nobody, no matter how fabulous, can fill her vertiginous stilettos!
Jovin
August 4, 2017 at 1:42 am
I love your writing!!! First and foremost! Next topics….how the hell funny would it be if they got Joan Collins to play Alexis?? Lmao!!! She hasn’t changed in 50 years! Can you imagine Grant Show trying to play it straight opposite JC? Lol!!! This show has a solid ONE season of shelf life. They might as well make it as campy as possible!
Nikki
August 4, 2017 at 10:34 am
Oh I have to agree. This will never make it.
Shay
August 7, 2017 at 6:30 pm
Thank you, Jovin…I always enjoy your posts, too! And I am a real admirer of Joan Collins! Yes, she is absolutely ageless, yet she manages to ooze that old-fashioned silverscreen GG-vibe, just the same! She has certainly not forgotten from whence she came and has stuck with her tried-and-true trademark beauty formula since her ingenue days. She’s also quite a lady offscreen, too…such a survivor to have lasted in this business for years on end, hardworking, and very much full of common sense and the British stiff-upper lip mentality…a great mother, too! Many stories about her family trials-and-tribulations though the years have shown her to be a committed maternal figure to her children—who under her strict guidance never became off-the-rails Hollywood brats. I often read her op-eds in the UK press…she has many interesting views on life/the world and I love that, too! Lastly, despite being married to a man over 30 years her junior, she has never looked ridiculous with a much-younger partner…..they make a really fitting, fabulous couple and if anything, he can’t keep up with her! (Although, no, I cannot envision her playing against Grant Show, even though I usually watch him in whatever….but not this time!) Yes, I am a fan, and there is no way under the sun a Dynasty series will be credible without Joan’s inimitable Alexis…if only this latest project had been a continuation with the original Fallon, Jeff and Steven, even Sammy Jo, and their next generation of offspring, this could have been a viable idea, but as it is being presented? Count me out!
Barbara from Atlanta
August 2, 2017 at 1:45 pm
This thing has FLOP written all over it.
Mary SF
August 2, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Because of the Trumps, Clintons, Kardashins etc this show might be redundant — who needs fiction when CNN is better than a soap — LOL
Lew S.
August 2, 2017 at 1:55 pm
Really???
kalamaty
August 2, 2017 at 1:58 pm
They most better have JOAN COLLINS in that role later in the season. Anything (or anyone) else will simply not do. No getting around it… sorry!
Shane
August 2, 2017 at 2:53 pm
Meh! I’ll pass on this one. I’d rather watch the DVD’s of the original,
Nikki
August 4, 2017 at 10:40 am
Me too Shane the beautiful Linda Evans & Joan Collin’s. If they took the kids of these two and every so often had Linda & Joan drop in it may work., but really I think it’s a flop.
Alan
August 2, 2017 at 3:58 pm
I’m really trying to keep an open mind since it is Schwartz and Savage but the more I hear the less interested I am…
jeffrie
August 2, 2017 at 6:22 pm
Susan Lucci would make the perfect Alexis!!!!!!!!
Steve
August 3, 2017 at 7:25 am
She, too, just awoke from her coma.
It’s called a nap Susan Lucci.
Tristan
October 27, 2017 at 10:57 pm
Ah while I would love to see Susan Lucci on this show or any show – because after seeing her on Devious Maids well the woman can entertain. So hillarious and unErica. And if you saw her done up for the 2017 Daytime Emmy’s or Gloria Estefan’s video okay I might buy her playing Alexis even though she would be like 20 plus years older than the original Alexis. Let’s hope Dynasty reboot gifts Lucci with a role!
Rodd
August 3, 2017 at 3:49 am
I’m interested to see how this plays out. But I’m also leery of trying to accept this show as a DYNASTY re-boot. I think it’s more of the same with some twists. Time will tell. I hope it holds my attention.
Magneto
August 3, 2017 at 4:25 am
I’ll give it a look-see but I’m over these reimaged shows. Unless you’re gonna do a straight up reboot incorporating the characters from the original shows, don’t do it! Create a whole new show and write good material that draws in the crowd. They are banking on the “Dynasty” brand and I think they are going to lose big time.
rose
August 5, 2017 at 4:56 am
Not even sure the CW’s target audiences will even know about the original “Dynasty,” or Joan Collins. Maybe looking to expand audience? But after the “Dallas” reboot, and MF’s description, pretty sure I won’t be watching…well maybe once to give it a chance. Just hope “Twin Peaks” reboot lives up to it’s hype and my expectation.
John Gordon
August 6, 2017 at 7:20 pm
I sort of agree with others that, on it’s own, it might work but the fact that they are begging for comparisons from the original show, it may have already sealed it’s own fate. What worked in the 80’s with Linda Evans and John F. and Joan C. won’t necessarily work with all new cast members.
Mack
August 30, 2017 at 8:56 pm
Give it a chance. It possible since the original creators the Sharpiro’s are heading it up. As for Alexis. Tough shoes to fill. But it has to be Madeline Stowe after her performance as Victoria in Revenge. She seems like the logical choice. & since 1 of producers is from Revenge. Who knows?