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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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