As a kid back in the 80's I remember watching some of the Prime Time Soaps with my parents. My favorite was 'Dallas' but I also watched some of 'Knots Landing'. By the time I was old enough to actually get 'Knots' Claudia Lonow had been written off the show.
Today it seems many writers of tv drama's cannot seem to write for anyone over 25. (Think 90210, Gossip Girl to name a few). Back in the 80's it seems the adults running the prime time soaps could not write for anyone under 25. While older actors such as Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Linda Evans, Joan Van Ark and Joan Collins were given meaty material, the younger characters (think Katy Kurtzman, Charlene Tilton, even Mariska Hargitay on 'Falcon Crest') on the nightime soaps such as Lonow as Diana on 'Knots Landing' were given little to do. Eventually most were written off their respective shows.
Watching 'Knots' and 'Dallas' today on DVD it weird as Claudia Lonow as Diana (not to mention the other younger actress's above) were some of the most interesting characters on the show. Lonow's Diana was a typical teen, annoying, interesting and complex. Not the cookie cutter sex pots on television today.
Lonow gets the last laugh however. While many of her former co-stars struggle to get roles in tv movies and daytime soaps, Lonow threw her creative talents into writing and producing and has been writing for television on shows like 'Less Than Perfect', 'The War At Home', 'Cashmere Mafia' for awhile now. Lonow also served as Producer on many of these shows as well.
Below: Jon Foster in 'Accidentally on Purpose'
Today, Lonow is a creator, writer and executive producer on the new CBS sit-com 'Accidentally on Purpose'. I have written about this show before (mainly my love for Jon Foster...whom Lonow and the writers manage to get shirtless often...) but was unsure of the shows chances of long term success. Well last nights episode cemented to me this show is going to be around for awhile. While I have enjoyed the previous episodes, last nights installment had me laughing out loud. Although the leads are likable, it is the supporting cast that brings forth the belly laughs. Ashley Jensen, Nicolas Wright and especially Lennon Parham are really shining and the writers filled them with a multitude of great lines in last nights episode. So Kudos to Claudia Lonow and the cast and writers of 'Accidentally on Purpose'! Maybe Donna Mills will be calling her for a job soon.
2 comments:
Very interesting perspective. As I was reading this I just got done watching the new 90210 and now watching the new Melrose Place. All talentless young actors that get cast for being pretty. Back in the day they used to cast according to talent and it made the show's great. I miss those days.
Wow Tye! Diana rocked on Knots Landing! Had no idea of the connection. thank you
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