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‘Knots Landing’ Premiered 40 Years Ago Today: Remembering The Greatest Primetime Soap Of Them All
It wasn’t Dallas that was proved to be the longest running primetime soap opera, but it’s spin-off Knots Landing, and forty years ago on this date, back on December 27th, 1979, the characters we loved from the Southern California cul-de-sac of Seaview Circle, began to capture our hearts and strike our fancy.
Originally, when the show made its debut on CBS, the series episodes were self-contained, but shortly thereafter, following the sudsy cliffhangers of Dallas, ‘Knots’ changed into the serialized storytelling format, especially with the arrival of bad girl seductress Abby Cunningham (Donna Mills), and when all was said and done, it gave viewers some of the juiciest cliffhangers ever, serving them up on a weekly basis, better than anyone else. ‘Knots’ lasted 14 seasons and would end its run on May 13th, 1993.
‘Knots’ creator, David Jacobs said part of his inspiration for the series came from the classic 1977 film by Ingmar Bergman’s”Scenes from a Marriage”. And as ‘Knots’ fans know, the show revolved around several couples in its humble beginnings; the Ewings (Val and Gary), the Fairgates (Karen and Sid), the Averys (Laura and Richard) and the Wards (Ginger and Kenny). After Don Murray exited the series as Sid, it opened up the canvas for ‘Knots’ heroin, Karen played by Michele Lee. In fact, Michele received the series only acting Emmy nomination for her performances in Sid’s death episodes.
Even though the other primtime soaps were glitzier,(Dallas, Dynasty, Falcon Crest), and in the public conscience (Who Shot J.R? – Dallas), ‘Knots’ continued to be the little engine that could, bringing more realistic stories and issues of the day to the forefront.
Photo: Lorimar
The series finally cracked the top ten, just once, back in 1985. Over the years the cast included: Ted Shackleford, Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee, Kevin Dobson, Donna Mills, William Devane, Costance McCashin, Nicollette Sheridan, Julie Harris, Alec Baldwin, Lisa Hartman, and so many more. In addition, well-known daytime soap stars came to ‘Knots’ including: Jane Elliot, Peter Reckell and Kathleen Noone.
In its 344 episodes during its 14-year run, who can ever forget when … Val’s twins were taken for her, and the cliffhanger when she is almost reunited with them! Karen’s drug addiction, Abby’s daughter, Olivia’s (Tonya Crowe) drug addiction, Laura’s videotape that she leaves for her friends and her beloved Greg Sumner when she succumbs to cancer, an unhinged Jill Bennett forcing pills down Val’s throat at gunpoint to make it look like she committed suicide, and all the other familial storylines, affairs, revenge plots, murder, corporate intrigue and takeovers.
In this primetime soap, it was the women who were the key and central figures of the story and they were played to perfection each in their own right by longtime series stars: Michele Lee, Joan Van Ark and Donna Mills. (And Constance McCashin up to when she was killed-off the show). One thing is for sure … Thursday nights at 10pm have never been the same since its departure.
So, today on its 40th anniversary, check out the videos below which include: the original pilot opening of ‘Knots”, the opening title sequences over the 14 years, the gut-wrenching cliffhanger where Val sees her twins, the emotional moment when Sumner sits alone and weeps as he watches Laura’s goodbye message, Abby dealing with her daughter;’s drug addiction, and the now classic Karen “polyanna” speech.
Then, share your remembrances and favorite moments as we celebrate Knots’ 40th anniversary via the comment section below.
I sure miss this show! The storyline with Jill Bennett forcing Val to take pills just tore our hearts out. This show emphasized relationships as well a storylines (in contrast to today’s shows that emphasize storylines only). First class show all the way.
YES. & didn’t Jill kill herself, in order to blame Val or Gary?
Yes she did. Took pills, stuck her finger in a little hole in the trunk to shut it. Oh the random things we remember!
YES! I miss that show
This was the best of the prime time soaps…since Peyton Place but i liked them all..Alec Baldwin should had been included as a daytime star as he played Billy on The Docotrs!!!
Donna Mills, Ted Shackleford, Joan Van Ark and and kevin Dobson all did daytime too
Awesome show, simply the best, they don’t make this way anymore!
When will this be on a streaming service!!!
The best soap ever the baby storyline was done so well Joan Van Ark deserved a Emmy just a great soap
Oh Kay, the memories that storyline brings back! I remember rewatching that “Val sees her twins” scene over and over….so powerful. With all the dreck available on DVD, WHERE IS KNOT’S?
Oh, I did the exact same thing. I kept rewinding our Beta vcr over and over. The score music from that scene has been in my head ever since. I still get chills and tears watching it-so glad I’m not alone.
I agree 100%. After she gets the twins back and she lets the Fishers say goodbye to them – there has never been a more moving scene in television.
Knots IMO was by far the BEST nighttime drama on television and like you said Michael, Thursday nights have never been the same…of course TV hasn’t been the same in years but that’s a whole other subject…I didn’t start watching Knots until the second year when they decided to make it into a serial…By the way, Jaime Lyn Bauer actually guest star on Knots for an episode.
OMG! I remember watching on Thursday nights. I remember when Sid died & how sad that episode was-
I LOVED Abby and her affair with Gary; WOW. I remember Olivia’s escalating drug addiction. Remember when Paige slept with Karen’s son? OMG. #fire
Oh God,those were the days! I so loved that show, also Dallas, Falcon Crest, starting with Peyton Place and many others. There were so many of those night time soaps, as I called them. Never missed one!
Violet and all…Add Dynasty to list. What a cast. Also on my list, and while not a traditional soap, was The Thornbirds.
rose, I replied days ago, but maybe everyone’s on vacation as none of my replies have been posted, to you and others as well.Anyway, I just wanted to say I also loved Dynasty and do you remember Flamingo Road and the night time spin-off of Lisa with Eileen Fulton, from ATWT? Don’t remember the name.
Violet, wasn’t it called OUR PRIVATE WORLD? The great Eileen Fulton will never be forgotten in DAYTIME history. My mom started watching ATWT in 1968 (ish) just for Lisa.
Was it Our Private World or Our Private Lives?
Rose, thanks for mentioning my all-time favorite, THE THORN BIRDS. We watch the DVDs twice a year and reread the novel every other year. Talk about appointment TV!
You and me both, Violet. All the great actors and good writing that made those shows a part of our lives even today. Looking forward to them got me through many a dull work day!
You just had to go & rebreak my heart with that Grey & Laura clip. Sobs……
Thanks for sharing those clips. I started watching at 10 years old with my grandmother the very first night (yep, she let me stay up until 11). Knots has endured as my favorite television show of all time. The saga of Val’s twins, which culminated from multiple seasons worth of stories involving Lotus Point, The Wolfbridge Group, Dr. Ackerman and every character on the canvas, was the greatest soap umbrella story I have ever seen. To me it was Shakespeare. And that frustratingly fantastic season finale sent my teenage self into a tailspin for the entire summer. Happy 40th!
Yes! I agree with all of this! I was 11 when I started watching, the very first night (it was Christmas break, and we were all at my grandparents’ house)… and I watched every week till the finale in May 1993. Season 6… oh, Val’s babies. It was just… phenomenal stuff… like you said, Shakespeare. Joan Van Ark was just incredible. Goodness, I love and miss this show. So glad I’m not alone.
Knots Landing lasted 14 years and is one of the best. Great cast, great stories and great cul-de-sac! Can we go back for a re-union on CBS?
Great acting by the entire cast! One standout among many was when Val finally saw her twins. Riveting!
I thought that story arc with Olivia’s drug problem was phenomenal. If Val had been Olivia’s mother, she would have just utterly collapsed; if it had been Karen, she’d have spent her time wringing her hands and agonizing over what she’d done wrong and trying to be “supportive” and what not. But not Abby! No indeed; she handled it in true Abby fashion, got right down to work and starting taking care of business–and from that moment, the drugs did not have a chance! It was totally different from the way I had seen kid-is-taking-drugs storylines handled on any other show, and it was totally in character for Abby, and it was a riot to watch. I can remember laughing out loud at that scene where she took the hammer to the bathroom door. Bravissima to Donna Mills; that storyline was probably her best work on Knots–and that’s saying something.
Is the series available on any of the streaming services?
I have searched everywhere and can only find clips on YouTube whereas the others like Dallas are available in full episodes. Anyone have any info on streaming this show?
Knots Landing was much more satisfying than any other nighttime soap because it took itself seriously in the right places. Noteworthy were the use of music, lighting and editing. A lot of classic scenes have already been discussed but I remember one in which Paige went to a hospital to visit her mother. The scene opens with Paige walking towards the camera down a long hallway all alone carrying a flower. Then there’s drama in the hospital room. Then it closes with Paige walking away from the camera down that long hallway and pausing to drop the flower either onto the floor or into the trash. Very well done. Also, the scenes with Anne and Klaudia in which they have voice over thought conversations as well as what they actually say. So clever and fun to watch! One more that I remember is Greg’s monolog with his father’s portrait. At the end of the scene, they used lighting to fade out as though it were on stage instead of in a tv studio. So well done.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Days of our Lives long-running cast member James Reynolds revealed on the November 10 edition of Entertainment Tonight that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his character of Abe Carver will now be going through an on-screen Parkinson’s battle as well.
Speaking with ET’s Nischelle Turner, the 80-year-old actor and Daytime Emmy winner shared how he attempted to hide the warning signs dating back to 15-20 years ago when he would have, “What they call the hallucinations. My wife (Lissa) would say, ‘You were hitting me last night in bed,’ and I would say, ‘What?!’ I was having these really horrible dreams.” Reynolds also added that he realized falling out of bed was an early symptom of Parkinson’s too.
Discussing the on-going tremors that have become more noticeable over time especially in hands, James shared that when he finally told the Days of our Lives cast they were nothing but “extraordinarily helpful and supportive.”
Photo: ET
SCREEN LIFE TO MIRROR REAL LIFE
Now with DAYS about to launch into Abe’s Parkinson’s storyline, Reynolds hopes that he can turn his experience into something positive by encouraging others facing the disease to keep fighting. During the sit-down, Reynolds co-star Jackée Harry (Paulina Price) recalls her reaction to learning of Reynolds’ real-life diagnosis and how she has continued to search for new treatments to inform James about.
Although Parkinson’s disease currently has no cure, there are medications and treatments can help those manage symptoms and improve quality of life. The condition progresses at a different pace from individual to individual.
As discussed in his conversation with ET, Reynolds cited Michael J. Fox and Alan Alda as two high-profile celebrities who have brought awareness to the disease.
Photo: JPI
In story on DAYS, Abe in recent weeks had been experiencing tremors which led to seek help and a diagnosis Dr. Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans). Soon Abe and others will find out of his battle with Parkinson’s. Although on the promo for this week’s DAYS, Abe is seen telling Kayla, that he will do something, “when the time is right.”
James Reynolds is one of the most prolific performers, being the longest-running Black Actor in a role on a television series, not to mention his aforementioned Lead Actor Daytime Emmy win in 2018, and being inducted in 2025 into the Daytime Emmy Gold and Silver Society of honorees.
You can check out James’ in-depth conversation on his Parkinson’s diagnosis below.
Share your thoughts for James after learning of his health battle, and what do you think of Days of our Lives incorporating the disease into Abe Carver’s Salem storyline? Let us know in the comment section.
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Michael Easton Pays Homage to ‘One Life to Live’ Cast and Those From Llanview We Lost in Candid Photos
Michael Easton remains one of the soulful individuals we know. Not only is he an accomplished actor from his various roles on daytime soaps, primetime and films, but he is graphic novelist, a director, writer and a photographer.
In a surprise Instagram post on Tuesday, November 10, Easton took a trip back to Llanview and the beloved One Life to Live with a series of photographs that he himself took and showcased in a touching display.
It was on One Life to Live that Easton first portrayed John McBain, a role he played from 2003-2012, and then, he would play the role for another year after OLTL was canceled and he took the character over to General Hospital until 2013. With all the ABC/Prospect Park legal disputes going down at that time over who owned the rights to the characters, eventually Easton became Silas Clay on GH, and later Hamilton Finn.
Photos: Michael Easton
Now, Easton is sharing some fantastic snaps he took 21-years ago when the OLTL cast recorded a benefit album to help those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
The photos include: the late Phil Carey (ex-Asa Buchanan), Renee Elise Goldsberry (ex-Evangeline Williamson), plus the late Kamar de los Reyes, who was Easton’s best friend and the former Antonio Vega of Llanview.
In addition, there are images of six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (ex-Victoria Lord), Timothy D. Stickney (ex-RJ Gannon), Bree Williamson (ex-Jessica Buchanan), Tika Sumpter (ex-Layla Williamson), Robin Strasser (ex- Dorian Lord), the late Patricia Elliot (ex-Renee Buchanan), Melissa Archer (ex-Natalie Balsom) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr Manning), Kathy Brier (ex-Marcie Walsh), Ilene Kristen (ex-Roxy Balsom) and even Melissa Fumero (ex-Adriana Cramer), Trevor St. John (ex-Todd/Victor Lord Jr.), Robert S. Woods (ex-Bo Buchanan), Catherine Hickland (ex-Lindsay Rappaport), the late Nathaniel Marston (ex-Al Holden), Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair Cramer), and Eddie Alderson (ex-Matthew Buchanan).
Photo: Michael Easton
In his post, Easton shared in full: “FOUND A MEMORY (part one) stored on an old Nikon camera. In 2005, the cast of One Life to Live recorded a benefit album with all the proceeds going to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Not being nearly as talented as my fellow actors (looking back what a badass cast it was) my contribution was to take photographs of their amazing faces.”
Michael continued, “In lieu of a proper photo studio, our friend Richie Hersch was kind enough to loan us his bar, Prohibition, on the upper west side for the afternoon to have an impromptu jam session. It was a beautiful time and I look back fondly on those moments, even when it takes finding a camera to awake the memory.”
With sorrow, Easton also shared, “It also brings up a little heartache as some of our friends are no longer with us and although they live in our hearts it’s nice to see them again and remember how perfect they were.”
This was followed by PART Two of FOUND A MEMORY with a carousel of images from Easton in a second post, which included: candid shots of Melissa Fumero, Dan Gauthier (ex-Kevin Buchanan) Paul Satterfield (ex-Dr. Spencer Truman) along with Trevor St. John, Nathaniel Marston, Kamar de los Reyes and many others.
Take a look at the One Life to Live cast images from Michael Easton below.
Then let us know, does it make you miss the beloved ABC soap opera even more? What did you think of Michael’s photos of the cast? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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