Knots Landing (1979–1993)

A popular night time soap opera, it followed the adventures of five families living in a coastal suburb of Los Angeles in California: Gary and Valene Ewing, relatives of the popular Ewing ... See full summary »

Creator:

David Jacobs

Stars:

Michele Lee, Ted Shackelford, Joan Van Ark

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 41 wins & 44 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Michele Lee	...	Karen MacKenzie (344 episodes, 1979-1993)
Ted Shackelford	...	Gary Ewing (342 episodes, 1979-1993)
Joan Van Ark	...	Valene Ewing (327 episodes, 1979-1993)
Kevin Dobson	...	M. 'Mack' Patrick MacKenzie (291 episodes, 1982-1993)
William Devane	...	Gregory Sumner (269 episodes, 1983-1993)
Donna Mills	...	Abby Ewing (236 episodes, 1980-1993)
Constance McCashin	...	Laura Avery (198 episodes, 1979-1987)
Pat Petersen	...	Michael Fairgate (182 episodes, 1979-1991)
Nicollette Sheridan	...	Paige Matheson (181 episodes, 1986-1993)
Julie Harris	...	Lilimae Clements (165 episodes, 1980-1987)

Storyline

A popular night time soap opera, it followed the adventures of five families living in a coastal suburb of Los Angeles in California: Gary and Valene Ewing, relatives of the popular Ewing clan of Dallas; Sid and Karen Fairgate, their all-American neighbors; the troubled Richard and Laura Avery; young newlyweds Kenny and Ginger Ward; and divorcee Abby Cunningham, Sid's scheming sister.

---

Plot Keywords:

california | marriage | soap opera | soap | divorce | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

Official Guide

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 December 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

California

Filming Locations:

1761 Potrero Road, Hidden Valley, Thousand Oaks, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Lorimar Television, Roundelay

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (344 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Throughout the show's history, both Lisa Hartman-Black and Stacy Galina both played characters that were killed off, only to re-appear in later episodes as a new character. The physical resemblances between their respective characters was part of the story.

---

Quotes

Abby Fairgate Cunningham Ewing Sumner: Give it to me!
Olivia Cunningham Dyer: Give you what?
[Abby pushes the cocaine on her nose and shoves it into her nostril]
Abby Fairgate Cunningham Ewing Sumner: Give me your car keys.
Olivia Cunningham Dyer: I have to have a car to go to school.
Abby Fairgate Cunningham Ewing Sumner: I told you I would not allow you to use drugs, you're not going to school. Give me your house keys.
Olivia Cunningham Dyer: What are you gonna do? Lock me out?
Abby Fairgate Cunningham Ewing Sumner: No, I'm not gonna lock you out. I'm gonna lock you in with me.
Brian Cunningham #2: [on a different show, Abby chops down the bathroom door, to stop Olivia from snuffing cocaine] Mom!
Abby Fairgate Cunningham Ewing Sumner: Go to bed, Brian.
[...]

---

Connections

Referenced in Beverly Hills, 90210: Wildfire (1991)

User Reviews

The greatest prime time soap is missed very much

"Knots Landing", for 14 years, was the greatest television experience ever. From December 27, 1979, until May 13, 1993, we followed the sudsy lives of our favorite characters. From Val and Gary's initial movie into the neighborhood, to Abby's arrival and her nonstop manipulations, to Laura's terminal brain cancer and the impact it had on everyone's lives, to the ultimate psycho Jill, it was all terrific entertainment. Not overly-glossy and implausible like other night-time soaps, "Knots" had a realism all it's own. It will be missed and remembered fondly.