Breaking News
‘Knots Landing’ and ‘Dallas’ Creator, David Jacobs, Dead at 84
One of the all-time great television producers and creators of the primetime soap opera, David Jacobs, has passed away on August 20 from complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Jacobs son, Aaron informed The Hollywood Reporter that his father died on at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California.
Jacobs is best known for bringing the familial soapy drama to CBS in the 80’s first with the juggernaut, Dallas, followed by the beloved Knots Landing. The original version of Dallas ran from 1978-1991 and lasted 14 seasons and 357 episodes. Meanwhile, it’s spinoff, Knots Landing debuted at the end of 1979 and lasted until 1993. It also ran for 14 seasons and 344 episodes.
The winning combination of Jacobs and Michael Filerman would serve them well with Dallas and Knots Landing. David was a story editor for the ABC drama Family, which landed him a deal at Lorimar Productions where he met Filerman, a then, upcoming development executive. In fact, Jacobs recalled in an interview, how he approached Filerman with the idea to do an American version of Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes From a Marriage, expanding it to four couples and setting it in a cul-de-sac. (Sound familiar, ‘Knots’ fans?)

Photo: JPI
However, Filerman told Jacobs to watch No Down Payment, a 1957 drama about the tawdry, soap opera-type happenings in a Southern California housing development. “I wanted to do art. He wanted to do trash. And between us, we did television. It was a beautiful partnership,” Jacobs related on what the duo created together as their legacy.
As the story goes, Jacobs wrote a pilot, ‘The Untitled Linda Evans Project” because CBS was looking for something for the eventual Dynasty star. Filerman switched the cover and called it “Dallas” and the rest, as they say, is history! David remained a creative consultant on Dallas throughout its run but gave up his day-to-day duties to create another show, Knots Landing.

Courtesy/CBS
The spinoff saw Gary and Val reunite and move from Texas to the fictional Southern California suburb and neighborhood of Knots Landing. And while it did not have the original glitz of Dallas it had all the stellar performances and more personal conflicts from a lead female cast featuring: Michele Lee, Donna Mills, Constance McCashin, and Joan Van Ark.
Through the years, Jacobs was much more hands on for Knots Landing. In a piece for the New York Times, he wrote, “The pleasure watching Dynasty and Dallas and Falcon Crest was voyeuristic; the pleasure of watching Knots Landing was vicarious. Dynasty and Dallas and Falcon Crest were about Them. Knots Landing is about Us.”

Photo: CBS
In addition, David Jacobs was the executive producer on ABC’s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Homefront. He received two Emmy nominations for Homefront in the early 90’s.
Survivors include children: Aaron and Albyn, his second wife, Diana; daughter Molly; and grandchildren Riley and Georgi.
Share your condolences, remembrances and ‘thank you’s’ to David Jacobs for giving us Knots Landing and Dallas via the comment section below. And for more on David and ‘Knots’, take a look back at Michael Fairman’s interview with Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee and Donna Mills from three years ago, celebrating the series 40th anniversary.
Brilliant creator. Sadly no one is streaming either Knots or Homefront.
The prime time soap opera king was David Jacobs without a doubt. 14 years of Dallas and 14 more years of Knots is incredible. Two of my favorite shows of all time. Condolences to the family.
Breaking News
‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July
There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.
The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.
On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”

Photo: JPI
THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.
Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.
The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.
As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.
Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.
So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Breaking News
ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order
In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.
The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.
The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”

Photo: ABC
In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”
A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS
The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.
Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear. The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.
It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.
So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Santa Barbara’ Alums A Martinez and Marcy Walker: In Conversation; Two-Hour Livestream Event with the Iconic Cruz and Eden Announced
Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7. That’s when Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker, also known as beloved Santa Barbara supercouple, Cruz and Eden, will participate in a global two-hour streaming event where they will be in conversation together for the first time in years.
The last time A and Marcy appeared publicly together was back in August of 2024, when both stars were in attendance at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara. Now, host Melissa Braverman, who has also penned the upcoming book, Santa Barbara: The Complete Story, will moderate this special event beginning at 4pm ET/1pm PT.
Fans around the world who continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of Santa Barbara will be able to watch Braverman lead an intimate discussion with the actors and go behind the iconic characters of Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell.

Photo: JPI
In a statement, Braverman shared, “A Martinez and Marcy Walker didn’t just play a couple. They created a cultural phenomenon that resonated across continents. This event is a rare opportunity for fans to hear directly from A and Marcy about their chemistry, their favorite storylines, and the lasting impact of the show’s unique storytelling.”
She added, “A and Marcy’s partnership as Cruz and Eden was unforgettable. Bringing them together for a dedicated conversation about their SB journey is a true event, and a testament to their enduring appeal and the sheer popularity of the characters they created.”
The exclusive event will feature: a moderated discussion exploring the actors’ favorite memories from the Santa Barbara set. Behind-the-scenes insights into the show’s most famous location shoots and dramatic arcs, and a Q&A session where ticket holders can submit questions in advance to the stars.
Martinez, currently starring in AMC’s hit series Dark Winds is known for his multi-decade TV and film career. He won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1990 for his portrayal of Cruz. In the soaps, A has also appeared on General Hospital, One Life to Live, Days of Our Lives and The Bay. Walker, whose unforgettable daytime run began as Liza Colby on All My Children before her definitive turn on Santa Barbara, took home the Outstanding Lead Actress honors in 1989 for her work as Eden Capwell.
Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime reunion are $100, and registration is open now. For additional event information, visit Melissa’s author page on Facebook or www.melissabraverman.com.
So, if you are a Santa Barbara fan and one of the unforgettable Cruz and Eden, does this sound like the event for you? Let us know, and share your favorite Santa Barbara moment and storyline of Cruz and Eden’s via the comment section, But first, in case you missed it, the Michael Fairman Channel shared the arrivals at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara in this video below.
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