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What season, do you think had the steepest decline, in quality? Seasons 1 to 3, the first third of season 4 and the first half of season 6 are excluded, from the poll?
When did FC slip, in quality?
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When it comes to questions like this, I always base my decision on when I emotionally disengaged from a show; for Falcon Crest, that was season 6. During that season, I stopped watching out of enthusiasm and started watching purely out of habit. Since I wasn't as emotionally invested as I used to be, the decline in subsequent seasons didn't shock me nearly as much as the drop-off in season 6 did.
For anyone interested, there is a similar poll on this topic with a pretty clear frontrunner: https://www.tellytalk.net/threads/biggest-drop-in-quality.14987/
When you look at old polls, you really notice just how many more users there used to be here. There are those people—then as now—who never vote in polls, but fortunately, there are still a few who do participate.
For anyone interested, there is a similar poll on this topic with a pretty clear frontrunner: https://www.tellytalk.net/threads/biggest-drop-in-quality.14987/
When you look at old polls, you really notice just how many more users there used to be here. There are those people—then as now—who never vote in polls, but fortunately, there are still a few who do participate.
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After Robert McCullough was fired at the end of Season 3 (either because of his onset manipulations or because Lorimar didn't want to pay both McCullough and Earl Hamner) the show was never the same. I found the first two-thirds of Season 4 to be watchable enough until CBS demanded the year's main storyline (the nazi treasure plot) be ceased immediately, 10 episodes before the end of the season.
To me, that was when FC derailed.
Season 5 was drab and cluttered. Freilich's Season 6 re-energized the show despite some goofy "comedy" thrown in, while his Season 7 became too obnoxiously frenetic. FC tried to go straight again for Season 8, but its mojo had already been stolen. And Season 9 was like a different program.
To me, that was when FC derailed.
Season 5 was drab and cluttered. Freilich's Season 6 re-energized the show despite some goofy "comedy" thrown in, while his Season 7 became too obnoxiously frenetic. FC tried to go straight again for Season 8, but its mojo had already been stolen. And Season 9 was like a different program.
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I thought the first 6 seasons of Falcon Crest were consistently of a high quality and the decline began to set in at season 7 which seemed to think celebrity guest stars was more important that interesting storylines. Season 8 was better and season 9, as Snarky correctly says, was a completely different show.
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Probably season 7. Although it was fun and the acting was good there was too much winking into the camera, as if the show wasn't taking things seriously anymore. Anything could have happened in this season and of course a lot was packed into 28 episodes. Some stuff should have been given more time but the pacing was supersonic.
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Based on the question in the OP, I'd say the "steepest decline" was at the start of Season 7. There were dips before that, sure, but I'd make the argument that the change from Season 6 (which I actually really enjoyed) into Season 7 was where FALCON CREST had its fastest dip in quality. The show just became too busy, too fast, and there were too many characters flowing in and out of the story.
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As much as I don't like saying this I'd say season 7. Imho FALCON CREST was as good as over then. No amount of discussion could convince me otherwise. There were far too many different hands, in control over the 9 seasons. Season 9 was dire compared to season 7 (the revolving door of guest stars). I remember when R.T.E. were showing repeats away back just how much I looked forward to revisting FALCON CREST. Taking all aspects into account FC 7 was better than DYNASTY 7. 1987-'88 of the wine saga was still FALCON CREST, albeit with much octane and as the old saying goes 'grease ligthening'.
Breakfast is taking place at Richard’s mansion. Maggie is with the two lads and the maid Mrs. Raynor; (a scene from season 7, 1987-’88):
Maggie: “No…No Michael please. Please do not throw oatmeal at your brother. I mean it. I mean it. You don’t throw oatmeal at your brother. You eat the oatmeal. You don’t throw the oatmeal.”
Kevin’s face is partially covered in oatmeal.
Maggie goes to comfort Kevin: “Look at you, oh look at you. Oh ssssss…….t,”as she looks at the burning frying pan.
Mrs. Raynor: “Are you sure you don’t want me to help?”
Maggie: “No I don’t want you to help. Want I want you to do is get the toast,” as it burns.
Mrs. Raynor: “Why don’t I take over?”
Maggie: “Because I’m fine. I’m fine…..I’ve got this under control. I’m perfectly capable of fixing breakfast, for two little boys. I’ve got the orange juice squeezed. I’ve got the eggs……oh,” she slips on one of the lad’s toys.
Mrs. Raynor goes to Maggie’s rescue; taking hold of the two cups, as Kevin and Michael look on.
Mrs. Raynor takes the two cups from Maggie and then says: “Please please let me clean up!”
Maggie: “I’m sorry!”
Mrs. Raynor then serves Kevin and Michael their breakfast. Maggie then goes into the living room and mixes what she has in the cup; with a shot of brandy, from behind an ornamental tree.
Breakfast is taking place at Richard’s mansion. Maggie is with the two lads and the maid Mrs. Raynor; (a scene from season 7, 1987-’88):
Maggie: “No…No Michael please. Please do not throw oatmeal at your brother. I mean it. I mean it. You don’t throw oatmeal at your brother. You eat the oatmeal. You don’t throw the oatmeal.”
Kevin’s face is partially covered in oatmeal.
Maggie goes to comfort Kevin: “Look at you, oh look at you. Oh ssssss…….t,”as she looks at the burning frying pan.
Mrs. Raynor: “Are you sure you don’t want me to help?”
Maggie: “No I don’t want you to help. Want I want you to do is get the toast,” as it burns.
Mrs. Raynor: “Why don’t I take over?”
Maggie: “Because I’m fine. I’m fine…..I’ve got this under control. I’m perfectly capable of fixing breakfast, for two little boys. I’ve got the orange juice squeezed. I’ve got the eggs……oh,” she slips on one of the lad’s toys.
Mrs. Raynor goes to Maggie’s rescue; taking hold of the two cups, as Kevin and Michael look on.
Mrs. Raynor takes the two cups from Maggie and then says: “Please please let me clean up!”
Maggie: “I’m sorry!”
Mrs. Raynor then serves Kevin and Michael their breakfast. Maggie then goes into the living room and mixes what she has in the cup; with a shot of brandy, from behind an ornamental tree.
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I think Jane Wyman said Season 7 was the show's last good year.
But it was much too fast-paced, and they tried to throw everything in but the kitchen sink, attempting to scam the viewer that FC's warp speed obscured the fact that the stories stunk. (I admire that they tried to fix it with Season 8 by getting back to basics -- and dropping the synthesized score -- but they'd already lost their mojo and didn't know what to do).
In reruns, I usually have to stop watching after Season 4 -- or when the nazis are crushed beneath the vineyard in that mini-quake.
But it was much too fast-paced, and they tried to throw everything in but the kitchen sink, attempting to scam the viewer that FC's warp speed obscured the fact that the stories stunk. (I admire that they tried to fix it with Season 8 by getting back to basics -- and dropping the synthesized score -- but they'd already lost their mojo and didn't know what to do).
In reruns, I usually have to stop watching after Season 4 -- or when the nazis are crushed beneath the vineyard in that mini-quake.
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This one is not an easy answer. I feel season 7 is the obvious answer, and I suppose if we are talking quality, then yes, but it was still entertaining in it's frantic way.
Season 8 might have been of higher quality, but how entertaining was it? Obviously this didn't fix the problems that season 7 brought on, and while the show was more grounded, I feel it could be more boring in places. After doing a re-watch of season 8, I didn't find it so bad. I don't know. I think my answer could be either of these seasons.
Season 9 was of high quality and entertaining, but I see it was too different for the Falcon Crest die hards. That's too bad because it really had some exciting writing.
Season 8 might have been of higher quality, but how entertaining was it? Obviously this didn't fix the problems that season 7 brought on, and while the show was more grounded, I feel it could be more boring in places. After doing a re-watch of season 8, I didn't find it so bad. I don't know. I think my answer could be either of these seasons.
Season 9 was of high quality and entertaining, but I see it was too different for the Falcon Crest die hards. That's too bad because it really had some exciting writing.
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Yes, that's a good way putting it -- Season 8 should have been more looming.
But that's one thing about daily syndication, let alone marathon viewing: everything moves so much faster that lulls in the original pacing -- only one episode per week -- don't seem quite so obvious... The dark side of that context is that Season 7 just seems like a song from The Chipmunks speeded up to 78 rpm (outdated reference, lost on younger readers).
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Season 7 had so much going on, so many guest stars rolling in and out, and if I'm being honest, it was hard for me to keep up even when binging the show. I personally liked The Thirteen plot with Richard, but other than that, it was too much going on.
Season 8 tried to get more "serious", but what ended up happening was the show got boring. I've said it before, and so have many others, but firing Ana Alicia was a terrible mistake, and slowing the pacing of the storylines didn't help when half the cast were people you didn't care about.
For me, Season 6 was the last good season of the show, and probably one of my favorite seasons of the show overall.
Season 8 tried to get more "serious", but what ended up happening was the show got boring. I've said it before, and so have many others, but firing Ana Alicia was a terrible mistake, and slowing the pacing of the storylines didn't help when half the cast were people you didn't care about.
For me, Season 6 was the last good season of the show, and probably one of my favorite seasons of the show overall.
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To me, Carly Fixx was emblematic of Season 7.
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Yes, when I binged FC, I had already watched seasons 1-3 at some point, and then when prime put all the seasons up, including season 9, I was thrilled. There was a time I never thought I'd get to revisit the rest of the series again, and I had only seen parts of 7, season 8, and season 9 in real time.
In any case, my point is, season 7 was a real challenge to get through. I still enjoyed it, mind you, but I didn't look forward to it the way I had prior seasons, and it took a decent chunk of time because of this. I still think it had a lot of key ingredients, but too many people..some main characters not appearing in some episodes in favor of the guest stars. It was just all over the place, but I enjoyed revisiting that season because it was the season I started watching as a kid.
To kind of echo what @ClassyCo said, the problem with season 8 is that..they got rid of Melissa, and yet continued to focus on these newer people, that would have been guest stars the previous season, only now we are primarily focusing on them, but in in a much slower paced, grounded format, where too much time is dedicated to them. This all said, I have to keep bringing up that in my most recent watch of season 8, I wasn't nearly as put off as I was the first time around. There are things to like, if you allow yourself.
@Snarky Oracle! The Chipmunks sped up to 78 rpm is a perfect way to describe season 7!
In any case, my point is, season 7 was a real challenge to get through. I still enjoyed it, mind you, but I didn't look forward to it the way I had prior seasons, and it took a decent chunk of time because of this. I still think it had a lot of key ingredients, but too many people..some main characters not appearing in some episodes in favor of the guest stars. It was just all over the place, but I enjoyed revisiting that season because it was the season I started watching as a kid.
To kind of echo what @ClassyCo said, the problem with season 8 is that..they got rid of Melissa, and yet continued to focus on these newer people, that would have been guest stars the previous season, only now we are primarily focusing on them, but in in a much slower paced, grounded format, where too much time is dedicated to them. This all said, I have to keep bringing up that in my most recent watch of season 8, I wasn't nearly as put off as I was the first time around. There are things to like, if you allow yourself.
@Snarky Oracle! The Chipmunks sped up to 78 rpm is a perfect way to describe season 7!
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There are people who were glad to see Melissa go (not me, by the way) because her character had become too outrageous and shrill. But I say: fix the writing for her.
My alternative Season 7 would have Emma, Julia and Melissa diagnosed with brain tumors, thanks to the nuclear waste Jacqueline had maliciously buried under the vineyards 35 years earlier (the real reason Jacqueline wanted Chase and his family to leave the valley). Julia and Emma undergo brain surgery and those tumors are removed; Melissa refuses, her condition exacerbating into hallucinations and wild stories which could be delusions or lies (THE COLBYS' FallonNumber2's UFO plotline should have instead happened on FALCON CREST to Melissa, who may-or-may-not believe her baby is an alien). And as that Strontium-90 leaks into the chardonnay, customers begin exploding in Spontaneous Human Combustion (the very term would cause my old roommate to sputter into giggles) and even the wildlife around the winery is affected. And imagine the PR problems!!
I swear I'd do it.
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Seems to me like the writers or producers or someone in power really hated the character of Melissa and deliberately destroyed her. They really thought they could just get rid of her and bring Pilar in to take her place and fans wouldn't care.
They were very wrong.
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Michael Filerman apparently wanted her gone. And when negative fan response caused CBS to tell Lorimar to bring her back (as she was contracted through the end of Season 8), Filerman was angry his authority was superseded and made her return very unpleasant. Even though she had no choice but to return, given that contract.
But Fileman has always sounded like a creep and apparently was. At least he hired Robert McCullough to rewrite the pilot and eventually made him the showrunner thru Season 3 -- even if he hired him because he liked his Hawaiian shirt (as McCullough asserts).