Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure

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Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure
Dynasty The Making of a Guilty Pleasure (2005) - European DVD cover.jpg
European DVD cover
Genre Docudrama
Written by Matthew Miller
Directed byMatthew Miller
Starring Pamela Reed
Melora Hardin
Ritchie Singer
Bartholomew John
Alice Krige
Theme music composer Bill Conti
Richard Marvin
Country of originAustralia
United States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerGreg Gugliotta
Producers Randy Sutter
Eric Shepard
Ted Babcock
Peter Sadowski
Robert M. Sertner
Frank von Zerneck
Editor Sandra Montiel
Running time90 minutes
Original release
Network ABC
Release2 January 2005 (2005-01-02)

Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure is a 2005 American made-for-television film based on the creation and behind the scenes production of the 1980s prime time soap opera Dynasty . It was broadcast on ABC on 2 January 2005. [1]

Contents

Plot

The film begins with the following disclaimer:

The following dramatization includes time compression and composite and fictionalized characters and incidents.

In 1980, ABC development executive Vince Peterson (John Terry) meets with producer Aaron Spelling (Nicholas Hammond), looking for a series featuring "greed and manipulation and sex and power and vanity" to battle against CBS' hit nighttime serial Dallas and make it "look like Sesame Street ." Writers Richard and Esther Shapiro (Ritchie Singer and Pamela Reed) are already developing their own modern take on I, Claudius , and Dynasty is conceived. From the beginning, Esther's intent to explore "real social issues" and not have the show be an "inane soap with beautiful people and beautiful clothes" clashes with the network and advertisers' squeamishness with homosexual character Steven, "the first openly gay character on a prime time drama series." John Forsythe (Bartholomew John)—the voice of Charlie's Angels ' Charlie—and Linda Evans (Melora Hardin) are cast as Blake and Krystle Carrington. With the new series at #40 in the ratings, ABC pushes for Steven to be "cured," and Richard conceives a female J. R. Ewing: Blake's bitter ex-wife Alexis. Soon Dynasty welcomes Heather Locklear (Holly Brisley) as sexpot Sammy Jo, and Joan Collins (Alice Krige) as villainess Alexis. [1]

Ratings rise as Alexis tears her way through Dynasty and Sammy Jo makes Steven reconsider same-sex romance. Steven's portrayer Al Corley (Rel Hunt), annoyed at the direction his character is taking, asks "Hey, I'm not gay ... but correct me if I'm wrong, is homosexuality a disease that can be cured by a blonde bimbo in Daisy Duke shorts?" ... and is soon replaced. Stuck at #2—despite the tease of an affair by Krystle with guest star Rock Hudson (Robert Coleby)—Dynasty becomes "the most expensive show in history" and spawns a spin-off series. The Moldavian wedding massacre finally drives the show to #1 as the world learns that Rock Hudson has AIDS. Collins wants more money for "putting the 'nasty' in Dynasty," but Esther plays hardball to prove that everyone is replaceable. Ratings begin to slide in the aftermath of the Moldavia storyline, and by the seventh season ABC is talking about cancellation. Esther files a profit-seeking lawsuit when news surfaces of Aaron's plans for Spelling Entertainment to go public. Long unhappy with storyline quality, John finally explodes; Joan faces the public spectacle over her divorce. Realizing that the important things in life are passing her by, Linda decides she needs to leave Dynasty, and a supportive Joan wishes her well. Season nine ends with Blake and Alexis in mortal peril, but few viewers. ABC unceremoniously cancels the show—"the '80s are over." [1]

Wanting to give the fans a proper ending, Esther, Richard and Aaron approach ABC about a reunion movie. The network is reluctant, but Aaron's influence prevails. The cast happily return at reduced salaries; when asked if she wants a stunt double for Alexis' final catfight with Krystle, Joan quips, "What the hell—for a few shots I'd like to get in this time!" All depart smiling, knowing they have made history.

Cast

Main

Additional

Reception and criticism

The film received mixed reviews both for content and for historical accuracy, and was criticized by all three of Dynasty's leads—John Forsythe, Linda Evans, and Joan Collins — in separate press releases. [2] The New York Times called it "funny" and "less satirical than it has been billed" with "some serious moments, which it doesn't overplay." [1]

As noted in the film itself, dramatic license is taken with both the historical timeline and events, as well as the fictional storylines originally presented on Dynasty. It was produced primarily in Australia, with several non-American cast members.

Related Research Articles

<i>Dynasty</i> (1981 TV series) 1980s American prime time television soap opera

Dynasty is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 12, 1981, to May 11, 1989. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver, Colorado. Dynasty stars John Forsythe as oil magnate Blake Carrington, Linda Evans as his new wife Krystle, and later Joan Collins as his former wife Alexis.

<i>The Colbys</i> American soap opera

The Colbys is an American prime time television soap opera that originally aired on ABC from November 20, 1985, to March 26, 1987. Created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and Eileen and Robert Pollock and produced by Aaron Spelling, it is a spin-off of Dynasty and revolves around the Colbys, another vastly wealthy family who own a large multinational conglomerate and are connected to the Carringtons of Dynasty. Intended to surpass its predecessor in opulence, the series' producers were handed an immensely high budget for the era, and cast a handful of well-known movie stars among its leads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda Evans</span> American actress

Linda Evans is an American actress known primarily for her roles on television. In the 1960s she played Audra Barkley, the daughter of Victoria Barkley in the Western television series The Big Valley (1965–1969). She is best known for portraying Krystle Carrington in the 1980s ABC primetime soap opera Dynasty, a role she played from 1981 to 1989.

<i>Dynasty: The Reunion</i> American TV series or program

Dynasty: The Reunion is a 1991 American television miniseries that served as a reunion of the 1981–1989 prime time soap opera Dynasty which continues the story of the Carringtons, a wealthy family living in Denver, Colorado. Directed by Irving J. Moore, the four-hour miniseries was broadcast in two parts on ABC on October 20 and 22, 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blake Carrington</span> Soap opera character

Blake Alexander Carrington is a fictional character on the ABC television series Dynasty, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. The role of Blake was originally portrayed by actor John Forsythe from 1981 to 1989. Forsythe returned for the miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion in 1991. In the reboot of the series, Blake is played by Grant Show from 2017 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krystle Carrington</span> Fictional character in the American television series "Dynasty"

Krystle Carrington is a fictional character from the 1980s American TV series Dynasty, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. Portrayed by Linda Evans, the character was introduced in the 1981 pilot episode. In the story, Krystle is the former secretary and new wife of oil tycoon Blake Carrington, and initially has to adjust to his machinations and upper class lifestyle. The arrival of Joan Collins as Blake's glamorous ex-wife Alexis Carrington provided a foil for Krystle for the remainder of the series. Evans left Dynasty early in its ninth and final season, though she reprised her role for the 1991 miniseries continuation, Dynasty: The Reunion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrington family</span> Core family in the soap opera Dynasty

The Carringtons are the core family of the American prime time soap opera Dynasty, which aired on ABC from January 12, 1981 to May 11, 1989. The series was followed up by a two-part miniseries entitled Dynasty: The Reunion in October 1991. A Dynasty reboot premiered on The CW on October 11, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fallon Carrington</span> Soap opera character

Fallon Carrington is a fictional character from the ABC television series Dynasty and its spin-off The Colbys. Created by Richard and Esther Shapiro, the role of Fallon was originated by Pamela Sue Martin in the show's first episode in 1981, and Martin left at the end of the fourth season in 1984. Fallon was recast with Emma Samms in 1985, and the character was spun off onto a companion series called The Colbys. After the cancellation of the second series, Fallon returned to Dynasty in 1987, and remained on the series until its finale in 1989. Samms later reprised the role for the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion. Elizabeth Gillies plays Fallon in The CW's 2017 reboot series Dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sammy Jo Carrington</span> Soap opera character

Sammy Jo Carrington is a fictional character on the ABC television series Dynasty, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. The niece of central protagonist Krystle Carrington, Sammy Jo marries and has a son with Steven Carrington.

Richard Allen Shapiro and Esther June Shapiro are an American married couple who work as television screenwriters and producers, through their Shapiro Film Corporation. They are best known as the creators of the long-running 1980s prime time soap opera Dynasty, its spin-off series The Colbys, and the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion.

<i>Dynasty</i> (1981 TV series, season 1) Season of television series

The first season of Dynasty originally aired in the United States on ABC from January 12 through April 20, 1981. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver, Colorado.

<i>Dynasty</i> (1981 TV series, season 2) Season of television series

The second season of Dynasty originally aired in the United States on ABC from November 11, 1981, through May 5, 1982. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver, Colorado.

<i>Dynasty</i> (1981 TV series, season 3) TV series

The third season of Dynasty originally aired in the United States on ABC from October 27, 1982, through April 20, 1983. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver, Colorado.

<i>Dynasty</i> (1981 TV series, season 4) Season of television series

The fourth season of Dynasty originally aired in the United States on ABC from September 28, 1983, through May 9, 1984. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver, Colorado.

<i>Dynasty</i> (1981 TV series, season 5) Season of television series

The fifth season of Dynasty originally aired in the United States on ABC from September 26, 1984, through May 15, 1985. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver, Colorado.

<i>Dynasty</i> (1981 TV series, season 6) Season of television series

The sixth season of Dynasty originally aired in the United States on ABC from September 25, 1985, through May 21, 1986. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver, Colorado.

<i>Dynasty</i> (1981 TV series, season 7) US television series

The seventh season of Dynasty originally aired in the United States on ABC from September 24, 1986, through May 5, 1987. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver, Colorado.

<i>Dynasty</i> (1981 TV series, season 9) Television season

The ninth and final season of Dynasty originally aired in the United States on ABC from November 3, 1988, through May 11, 1989. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver, Colorado.

<i>Dynasty</i> (1981 TV series, season 8) Season of television series

The eighth season of Dynasty originally aired in the United States on ABC from September 23, 1987, through March 30, 1988. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver, Colorado.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Heffernan, Virginia (1 January 2005). "Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure: If You've Got It, Flaunt It: ABC Trumpets an 80's Hit". The New York Times . Retrieved 26 February 2009.
  2. "Dynasty stars disinherit film". USA Today . 30 December 2004. Retrieved 1 May 2010.