Interviews

Knots Landing’s Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee & Donna Mills Share Backstage Memories, Watch Back Classic Scenes & Remember the Cul-De-Sac On Its 40th Anniversary

January 20, 2020

Photo: MFTV Inc

The primetime soap that lasted longer than them all was not Dallas, Dynasty or Falcon Crest, but Knots Landing! The series about the lives of the people of the cul-de-sac at Seaview Circle in Southern California ran on CBS from December 27th, 1979 till May 13, 1993.

Throughout Knots’ run, the show centered on the lives of female characters; most notably Joan Van Ark as Valene Ewing, Michele Lee as Karen Fairgate MacKenzie and Donna Mills as Abby Cunningham Ewing (yes, there were several other married names too!).

What made Knots Landing so special was its more ‘grounded in reality’ storylines (than over-the-top on the other primetime soaps), while also delivering the soapy goodness and those riveting cliffhangers and those gut-wrenching performances that had millions of fans tuning in every week on Thursday nights.

Who can ever forger the 3-year story arc of Val having her twins taken from her at birth, or Sid’s death that left Karen a grieving widow, or the moment we saw Abby’s other side as mother lioness with her children, trying to deal with her daughter Olivia’s drug problem. These were only some of the unforgettable moments and portrayals by these three women.

To commemorate Knots Landing’s 40th anniversary. Michael Fairman sat down with Joan, Michele and Donna at Donna Mills’ home for this very special deep-dive conversation for his You Tube channel, The Michael Fairman Channel.

During their conversation the ladies share: what they thought of it each other the first time they met … if there was any competition between them, their thoughts on the leading men on the show that included: Ted Shackelford, Don Murray, Kevin Dobson, William Devane and more. In addition, they dish on the wealth of talent that came through the show including: Alec Baldwin, Julie Harris, Howard Duff, Halle Berry and so many more. Plus, if there were a reboot of Knots’ just where would Val, Karen and Abby be now!

In some of the most heartfelt and touching moments contained within the interview. Michael had chosen several clips from ‘Knots’ to play back to the women to get their reactions and thoughts to those fan favorite moments. A must-see for all die-hard and longtime “Knots” fans.

We won’t spoil anymore, but suffice to say, we hope you check out the full interview below featuring Joan, Michele, and Donna.

Then, let us know what were your favorite moments contained within the interview … and share your favorite ‘Knots’ memories during its run via the comment section.

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Guest

Soaphound

I still miss this show. Those cliffhangers! Remember when Abby spent an entire episode trying to find a place to bury Peter Hollister’s corpse…finally dumping it in a hole destined for concrete? Then later the slab cracked and Karen said, “The whole area has to be dug up and repoured. What do you think, Abby?” That look on Donna Mills’ face was priceless. And the episode when Abby locked daughter Olivia in the house to force her to detox! Classic TV that we just don’t have anymore. And why, oh why, is this show not available on DVD? Some of… Read more »

Guest

DMRR

I remember the concrete burial! Lotus Point, right?
Olivia’s storyline was SO well-done!

Guest

DMRR

I loved “Knot’s” I LOVED Abby! Donna Mills, always so beautiful & talented. I remember her in “Play Misty for Me.” Just fabulous.

Guest

shelly

Thank you Michael for this interview!!! Beautiful, timeless ladies; very gracious. Sometimes my Dallas obsession makes me forget that Knot’s Landing was a favorite as well. Watching Knot’s on Thursday nights was a welcome to the weekend during my college years. I was still a kid at home and remember the very early scenes when Sid was killed and Ginger’s baby shower was interrupted by violence. Reunion please!! (I could’ve done without the political stuff but that’s ok).

Guest

DMRR

I remember Sid’s death; and I thought Ginger was so gorgeous

Guest

Jimh

Joan Van Ark played on Days,,,Donna played o LIAMST and GH

Guest

Kay

Joan van ark was on y&r she was the original Gloria !

Guest

Jimh

thanks…i forgot that one!!!

Guest

Patrick Rose

MARQUEE : ^^^^ ” A must-see for all die-hard and longtime “Knots” ” what an enviable position, you are… not that I’d know what to do… gush over KNOT”S forever my fave prime time… yeah, even before Dallas! AND I was Sue Ellen #1 when I even think about what daytime never failed… that would go to As the World Turns, I was so caught… yet I have to add in “Another World” it was sophisticated… Just wow on seeing how these three FRIENDS for all time , remain just kudos… thanks MF for keeping us alive; continue to imagine

Guest

Patrick Rose

congrats… “pat” on the back.. which is really hug

what a bucket “drop” WHAT

“snap”

you had a time, @

Joan Van Ark, Michelle Lee, Donna Mills !?!?!? mind blow up

Guest

Steve Ward

Loved the interview. It’s hard to believe that Donna, who I watched on ‘Love is a Many Splendored Thing’ back in the late 60s is on the doorstep of turning 80. She is always gorgeous.

Guest

Adam

Great interview! Knots is my all time favorite show. Loved that Michael got almost an hour interview with the three leading ladies.

Guest

Patrick Rose

“Michael” you look elated; like a kid in a candy store ; one for the books; man

knot’s women

^^^pic – that’s a framer

Guest

Barbara from Atlanta

I liked Knots Landing. However, I’ve disliked the interviews that I have seen with its stars in the past decade (including this one) for two reasons. One, Michele Lee and Joan Van Ark talk WAY too much, constantly interrupting the interviewer and (worse) cutting off the remarks being made by the former co-star who appeared with them. In this interview, I’m not even sure Donna Mills managed to finish a sentence without Lee or Van Ark interrupting her. Two, the interviews (including this one) significantly ignore the importance Laura (Constance McCashin) played to the show. There are passing references to… Read more »

Interviews

(WATCH THE REPLAY) Y&R 50th Anniversary Celebration Livestream

March 26, 2023

Congratulations are the order of the day for the cast, crew, and creatives, past and present, as The Young and the Restless turns 50 this Sunday.

The show debuted back on March 26, 1973 as a half-hour soap, before CBS wanted it to to an hour in 1980. Through the years, viewers have watched the loves, lives, and the drama of the citizens and key families of Genoa City. Y&R was co-created by the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, and Bill remained as head writer of the series until 1998.

Photo: MFChannelYouTube

To mark the golden anniversary, You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, welcomed several Y&R cast members this past Friday for a special livestream conversation touching upon their time on the iconic daytime drama series.

Sharing stories on: their auditions to land their roles on Y&R, some of their memorable storylines, who helped them the most when they first came to the show, remembering the dearly-departed grand dame of Genoa City, Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor), and more were: Jess Walton (Jill), Tracey Bregman (Lauren), Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Jason Thompson (Billy), Scott Reeves (ex-Ryan), Tricia Cast (Nina) and Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea).

You can check out the replay of our Y&R 50th anniversary celebration below.

Now, share you ‘congrats’ for Y&R’s amazing 50th anniversary milestone via the comment section and your thoughts on our livestream chat.

Interviews

(WATCH) Y&R 50th Anniversary Party Red Carpet Interviews Part One

March 26, 2023

Today, Sunday, March 26th, 2023 marks the official 50th anniversary of The Young and the Restless. Hard to believe that 5 decades of love, lust, intrigue and familial drama has passed since the series debuted on CBS back on March 26, 1973.

Ten days ago, many of the stars of Y&R, past and present, gathered together at a memorable celebration in honor of this milestone, when Y&R, CBS and Sony through a big bash for the show at the Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles.

Michael Fairman TV was there conducting interviews on the red carpet and trying to steal some moments with so many of your favorites.

The first half of the video interviews can be viewed now below, or via You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel which include conversations with: Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla), Mark Grossman (Adam), Kimberlin Brown (ex-Sheila) Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki), Eric Braeden (Victor), Jason Thompson (Billy), Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe), Tricia Cast (Nina) and Scott Reeves (ex-Ryan).

In addition, we have also included here, the previously posted exclusive conversation with two of Y&R’s original stars, Janice Lynde (ex-Leslie) and Jaime Lyn Bauer (ex-Lorie), along with B&B’s John McCook (ex-Lance, Y&R).

Let us know which chats you enjoyed the most in the comment section.

Interviews

(EXCLUSIVE) Y&R Alum Janice Lynde, John McCook & Jaime Lyn Bauer Talk Brooks Sisters & Lance, Behind the Scenes Exits & The Music They Performed

March 25, 2023

During the The Young and the Restless 50th anniversary party red carpet, a few of the OG stars chatted with Michael Fairman in an exclusive video interview for You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.

Two of Y&R’s original cast members, Janice Lynde (Leslie Brooks) and Jaime Lyn Bauer (Lorie Brooks) were joined by John McCook, who played their love interest on the show, Lance Prentiss.

Courtesy/CBS

Janice and Jaime were with the show from its inception in 1973, and they were later joined by John who debuted in 1975. As daytime fans know, John later joined the cast of The Bold and the Beautiful where he has played Eric Forrester for 36 years.

During the conversation, Janice and Jaime talk about the Brooks sisters storylines, and the on-screen triangle between them and John. Later, the trio share how Y&R during its humble beginnings back in 1973, was a very musical soap, as each of them sang on the daytime drama series, while Lynde was also an accomplished pianist.

Courtesy/CBS

The former stars of Y&R pay tribute to the late Victoria Mallory, who replaced Janice in the role of Leslie Brooks, and recall inside stories of their time on the show and what led to their ultimate departures.

Watch Janice, John and Jaime discuss their time on The Young and the Restless below.

Make sure to ‘subscribe’ to the Michael Fairman Channel for more Y&R 50th party red carpet Interviews, celebrity features, music videos, and more.

How can we celebrate Y&R’s 50th without the contributions of the OG stars, right? Let us know what you thought about our conversation with Janice, John and Jaime in the comment section.