"Knots Landing" (1979) TV series 1979-1993

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Creator:

David Jacobs

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

Release Date:

27 December 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A popular night time soap opera, it followed the adventures of five families living in a small California community: Gary and Valene Ewing...

Plot Keywords:

California | Divorce | Soap | Marriage | Soap Opera

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 41 wins & 44 nominations

Cast

Michele Lee	...	Karen MacKenzie / ... (344 episodes, 1979-1993)
Ted Shackelford	...	Gary Ewing (333 episodes, 1979-1993)
Joan Van Ark	...	Valene Ewing / ... (319 episodes, 1979-1993)
Kevin Dobson	...	M. 'Mack' Patrick MacKenzie (287 episodes, 1982-1993)
William Devane	...	Gregory Sumner (259 episodes, 1983-1993)
Donna Mills	...	Abby Ewing / ... (233 episodes, 1980-1993)
Constance McCashin	...	Laura Avery / ... (190 episodes, 1979-1987)
Nicollette Sheridan	...	Paige Matheson (179 episodes, 1986-1993)
Pat Petersen	...	Michael Fairgate (163 episodes, 1979-1991)
Julie Harris	...	Lilimae Clements / ... (160 episodes, 1980-1987)

Runtime:

60 min (344 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-14 | Australia:PG | Iceland:12 (some episodes) | Iceland:L (some epiosodes) | Australia:M (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Granada Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Trivia:

The theme song, written by Jerold Immel was re-arranged for every season.

Quotes:

Anne W. Matheson Sumner: You're only here with Mack now, because I wasn't here when he met you. Now he feels obligated.
Karen Cooper Fairgate MacKenzie: Mack is under no obligations, Anne.
Anne W. Matheson Sumner: The hell he isn't. Admit it. If Mack had to choose between us, he'd never choose you.
Karen Cooper Fairgate MacKenzie: You with your little tract house, your little dead-end street in your little dead-end life with your outdoor barbecue and your "Kiss the Cook" apron. It all makes me sick.
Karen Cooper Fairgate MacKenzie: Anne, I'm gonna get off the phone right now, I think we've said about...
Anne W. Matheson Sumner: You wanna know the truth. I'll tell you the truth. I never intended to die, I intended to make Mack come to his senses. I did it so that Mack could choose between us.
[Mack is shown listening to what Anne is saying]
M. "Mack" Patrick MacKenzie: [later on, at Mack and Karen's house] I never give a gift unless I like it myself and I love hot dogs.
[Mack puts on a "Kiss the Cook" apron]
M. "Mack" Patrick MacKenzie: Especially when they're charcoal barbecued. I'll even put your names in them. You know, Karen, I love our house and listen...I love how quiet it is on our cul-de-sac.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Gimme a Break!: Alabamy Bound: Part 2 (#4.18)" (1985)

one of TV's all time best dramas

Knots Landing,the TV stalwart through the 80's and some of the 90's was one of TV's best dramas. The characters were so real,they became as well known as family members. The series excelled in complex characters. From the strong women like Karen, Laura,Paige and Abby to the utterly fascinating flawed men like Greg Sumner and Gary Ewing.The show was not without its mistakes- not all the serpentine,complicated plots worked, and the reliance of the plots in later episodes on insane stalkers, was predictable. Nevertheless, when Knots stories jelled,the effects were often breathtaking. Who can forget the great moments like Sid's death and Karen's coping, Abby's marrying Greg in the middle of his romance with Paige, Laura's funeral,the return of Val's twins, the body under the cement, Olivia's drug addiction and Abby's intervention, Jill's shocking villainy revealed to Val...the list of great Knots moments goes on.There hasn't been a show like it on TV since. It is sorely missed.