Dynasty (TV series)

Dynasty was an American primetime television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 1981 to May 1989. The series revolved around the Carringtons, a wealthy oil family living in Denver, Colorado.

The end of the Dynasty

The lackluster reaction to the Moldavian storyline, combined with a poorly received dual role for Evans, the difficult recasting of key character Fallon, and excessive time spent introducing characters to be spun off onto The Colbys, caused a ratings slump.

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Two other factors perhaps also account for the ratings decline: the revival of sitcoms, especially on NBC, whose Cosby Show took the number one position from Dynasty in the 1985-86 season, and Cheers (consistently in the top ten from 1985 until 1993), which aired opposite Dynasty in the 1988-89 season, and more realistic, low-key dramas such as thirtysomething which gained favor in the late eighties.

Related Topics:
Cosby Show - Cheers - Thirtysomething

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After the characters returned from Moldavia, Blake spurned Alexis and in retaliation she found his long-departed brother Ben (Christopher Cazenove) and they swindled Blake out of his fortune. Later, Blake recovered his money, but was rendered an amnesiac in an explosion. In the 1986-1987 season premiere, Alexis found him and convinced him they were still married, but felt guilty and told him the truth. Blake and Krystle also had to deal with their daugther Krystina being kidnapped. Other stories in that season featured Adam's romance with Dana Waring, Sammi Jo's doomed marriage to Clay Fallmont (Ted McGinley) and reconcialiation with Steven (who had recently broken up with closeted politician Bart Fallmont). The season ended with Matthew Blaisdel holding the family hostage.

Related Topics:
Christopher Cazenove - 1986 - 1987 - Ted McGinley

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When The Colbys was cancelled, Fallon and Jeff returned for the 1987-1988 season. Blake and Alexis each ran for governor of Colorado, Alexis married Sean Rowan (who planned to kill her due to her part in the death of his father, Joseph, the former Carrington butler), and Steven's marriage to Sammi Jo collapsed due to her affair with a drug-addicted football player. In the 1988-1989 season, Stephanie Beacham was brought in to reprise her role as firecracker Sable Colby (Tracy Scoggins also recreated her role as Sable's daughter Monica). Beacham's bravura performance made many deem the final season as one of the best in some time, but ABC had had enough and pulled the plug in 1989.

Related Topics:
The Colbys - 1987 - 1988 - 1989 - Stephanie Beacham - Tracy Scoggins

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Many believe that the show was a creation perfect for the Ronald Reagan era and could never have outlived his Presidency.

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