calvinnme
I don't know if Jane Wyman was chosen to play the lead of hard-as-nails Angela Channing because she was then newly-elected President Reagan's first wife or not. The rumor back then was that the producers wanted her in the role as a kind of side-swipe at Reagan, whose right-wing politics they detested. Then came the rumors that first lady Nancy Reagan wouldn't let the president watch the show because Jane Wyman was in it. Back when we all had a common culture at the dawn of cable, this was all really very amusing. However, regardless of why and how she got the part, Jane Wyman owned that role and made it something special. Starting out playing the lead at age 64, she didn't miss a step until the last season or so, when bad health finally got the best of her.The setting is the fictitious Tuscany Valley of California and its lush vineyards. Chase Gioberti, played by Robert Foxworth, was Angela's nephew who was always going round and round with her. This was the principle conflict - Chase's principled stand versus Angela's dog-eat-dog approach to all problems. This first season has a kind of Romeo and Juliet theme to it as Chase's son and wealthy heiress Melissa Agretti fall in love and Melissa finds out she is pregnant. Fate being what it is on soap operas, Melissa ends up in an arranged marriage to Angela's lazy grandson-heir, Lance, with everyone outside the principle trio - Melissa, Angela, and Lance - believing Lance to be the father. Angela arranged this marriage to give her eventual ownership of the Agretti vineyards. This show was one of the popular night-time soap operas of the 80's along with Dallas, Dynasty, and Knot's Landing. Most of the characters weren't as rich as in Dallas - after all, we're talking grapes here not gasoline - but the stories didn't have the goofiness that Dynasty always had and Dallas eventually descended into.Highly recommended for people who remember the old nighttime soap operas and loved them like I did, and also for people who like soap operas in general.
PeterMitchell-506-564364
Falcon Crest would be one of the most heartless soapies I've ever seen, but that's what gave it's individuality and a certain coolness. I watched quite a bit of it when it first aired, then lost interest, but then watched it again, some. There were a mixture of really good people and some who really bad, with underlying and hurtful intentions, if insinuated through some playful dialogue. And if you were a fan of it, you'd know exactly who I'm talking about. We had gorgeous woman, some of em, real bitches, and new discovery Lorenzo Lamas, who basically went on to make Body Rock, then plummeted into doing real B action movies, where if you saw him act in Falcon Crest, you wouldn't of thought this is what he'd end up doing. I mentioned the movie, Viper to a guy, and he said he wouldn't watch it. Why? Cause he thought Lorenzo Lamas, was a s..t actor. I agree to a point. There are worse actors out there. I think his best acting was in The Bold And The Beautiful, but in this show he was fun to watch. But on the whole, Falcon Crest didn't grab me. The characters were too underwritten, especially the good ones. But I think that was the whole problem with the show. I mean, the setting of story, a vineyard, for Christ's sake. Lamas, Ann Alicia, were Jane Wyman were really the only people who grabbed my interest, but with the exclusion of the latter, the other two were the ones who gave it a spark, that this show so desperately needed.
dogtag32
Falcon Crest was such a great show! It stood apart from serious-Dallas and campy-Dynasty and rivoted viewers for 9 seasons. Headed by Jane Wyman, the cast and crew rose to the challenge of taking their place beside the classic dramas of Dallas, Dynasty and Knots Landing. With gorgeous on location photography and crisp screenplays....the show was able to capture its own following. Currently airing on SoapNet, this vintage drama has finally been uncorked!
Jay-188
I am surprised, that this is the first comment ever made on this highly quality-regarded 80's series. I grew up pretty much on Dallas & Dynasty Clan, & without a doubt those are the 2 best TV dramas on my list. The question remains though: Who comes up 3rd? For me without a doubt, it's Falcon Crest. The all-time family affair with all the dirt, intrigues, plays & surprises. I love Falcon Crest. Unfortunately, here in NY you can not find any re-runs on any cable channels. I hope one of them will pick it up soon. If you haven't seen any of them yet, try to visit the TV & Movie library in NYC. They have every episode archived.