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20 TV Shows That Ran Too Long: Falcon Crest #10

posted 8 years ago by radrobd
5 replies | jump to latest

http://tvline.com/gallery/tv-show-endings-revenge-the-good-wife-finales-photos/#!10/falcon-crest-ending/

FALCON CREST
The classic CBS soap hit a glorious creative peak in its sixth and seventh seasons under visionary showrunner Jeff Freilich. But shortly after the thrilling Season 7 finale aired, the network fired Freilich and brought in a new regime whose first order of business was to make the show an unwatchable bore. Angela Channing & Co. hung on until Season 9, which was two seasons longer than us.

[–] engle_james 8 years ago

I kind-of enjoyed season 8, but I agree with them that the show went on too long. With Jane Wyman gone for most of season 9, it really didn't seem like Falcon Crest, not to mention the totally new direction the show went in.

I would have added the Facts of Life, Twin Peaks, Roseanne, Prison Break, and Lost to the list ahead of Falcon Crest.

[–] radrobd 8 years ago

Season 8 was kind of a bore. Killing off Melissa was a mistake, compounded by the fact that the brought Ana-Alicia back as a doppelganger later in the season. The show brought in too many unfamiliar characters (the Ortega family and a new branch of the Agrettis).

I actually liked season 9, although it definitely didn't feel like Falcon Crest, even with the new creepy opening credits.

[–] jarrodmcdonald-1 8 years ago

I feel 'Falcon Crest' went into decline after the fifth season. Season 1 it was still trying to find itself. But seasons 2-5 were truly spectacular with strong writing and sharp performances. After Abby Dalton leaves at the beginning of season 6, it goes downhill for me. And then when Robert Foxworth exits at the end of season 6, it loses its soul and becomes too over-the-top. The big name guest stars in seasons 6 & 7 were an obvious gimmick to keep viewers watching but most of those arcs fell flat.

I do agree about season 8 being a disaster from a creative standpoint. Many poor decisions that cut away at the overall continuity. And season 9 seems more like a different series-- it should have been called 'The Gregory Harrison Show' at that point.

[–] PrometheusTree64 8 years ago

Season 6 and 7 were FC's "creative peak" under "visionary showrunner Jeff Freilich"???

Say what? In whose universe??

S7 in particular was utter shlock. And when the ratings started tanking as a result, CBS then called up Lorimar and said "fix it!"

Unfortunately, when they changed producers for S8, the show no longer knew how to get serious again, without becoming drab and stale. And, of course, S9 indeed felt a totally different series.

For my money, I wish the earthquake cliffhanger had happened at the end of S4 (instead of S5) and the show had called it quits right there. Because the last five years of FC were really tough for me to sit thru.

--
LBJ's mistress on JFK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcXeutDmuRA

[–] vampslayer33000 8 years ago

I didn't hate season 8 at all and found it refreshing after what, IMHO, was a disaster the previous two seasons.

Season 9 was a different show and should not even be considered part of Falcon Crest.