HOLLYWOOD -- Break out the champagne and shoulder pads: ABC is building a new "Dynasty."
Alphabet has greenlit production on a two-hour telepic that will explore the rise and fall of Aaron Spelling's classic primetime sudser. Matthew Miller ("The Perfect You") is writing and directing the project, which is being exec produced by Stanley M. Brooks and Greg Gugliotta -- the team behind NBC's successful 2003 "Three's Company" mockumentary.

Casting has already started for the telefilm, which is expected to be ready in time for May sweeps. Donna Rosenstein, the ABC casting vet who was at the net during the "Dynasty" glory days, is already on the prowl for thesps to portray key thesps and execs involved in the creation and production of the skein.

The telefilm is being produced by Once Upon a Time Prods. in association with Nitelite Entertainment.

Unlike Brooks and Gugliotta's "Three's Company" pic, the untitled "Dynasty" project won't be a tell-all behind-the-scenes dishfest focusing on out-of-control actors or power-mad webheads.

"We realized we can't do that; it's been done," said ABC senior VP of longform Quinn Taylor, noting that, in any case, there wasn't that much tension between the actors on the show.

"Linda Evans was baking cookies for the cast," Taylor said.

Instead, "This is about the creation of the show, the network politics involved in (needing) a hit show and the pressure to keep one-upping yourself (to stay atop the Nielsens)."

What's more, Miller designed the script so that the saga of "Dynasty" -- which premiered on ABC just days before Ronald Reagan's 1981 inauguration and ended a few months after he left office -- serves as a metaphor for the entire decade of the 1980s.

"If 'Three's Company' was about absolute stardom corrupting absolutely, this is the story of the Reagan years as told through the era of 'Dynasty,' " Brooks said. "It's going to be social commentary and darkly comedic."

Gugliotta added, "It hopefully will be the kind of movie people talk about as a reflection of the era. It's a much bigger story than just 'Dynasty.' "

Taylor said Miller has come up with an "element that is daring and different" to help widen the story out beyond just one TV show.

"We're going to track a middle-class family through the '80s and see how their lives unfold as they watch the show," he said. Segs with the family will be brief and serve to get viewers into and out of certain phases of the history of "Dynasty."

Still, the majority of the pic will be focused on Hollywood.

"Dynasty" was created by Richard and Esther Shapiro for ABC in reaction to CBS' "Dallas," and in some ways the story of "Dynasty" is a classic example of how network politics affects the creative process.

"The drama here is really about more, more, more, more, more," Brooks said. "If J.R. was shot, let's massacre the entire cast. By the end of the show, they had aliens. It was always, how could we be bigger, more eccentric than 'Dallas.' "

Indeed, "All the characters in the movie go on this roller coaster ride of more, more, more," Gugliotta added. "Esther Shapiro becomes totally immersed in the success of the show and its merchandising. ... Esther and Richard wanted to create this rich TV drama, and what transpired was something else."


Neither Spelling nor the Shapiros will be involved in the production of the pic, although Taylor said he has gotten Spelling's blessing for the project.

"I spoke to him about it," Taylor said. "He looked at the outline, he gave it his blessing and he said, 'Enjoy.' "

While casting is just starting on the pic, Brooks said he's already thinking about who should play ABC exec Tony Thomopoulos. "We might use the same actor as in the 'Three's Company' movie,' " he said, referring to actor Gary Hudson.

Brooks and Gugliotta are teamed for NBC's upcoming "The Legend of Butch and Sundance"; duo also worked together on the Eye's hit mini "Living With the Dead."

"Dynasty" pic was put together for Brooks and Gugliotta by ICM; Miller's repped by Endeavor.

This is great!! I'm going to definatly watch out for this!

Actually, it doesn't sound that bad.

I'll definitely have to check it out whenever it airs.

PRODUCTION BEGINS ON "DYNASTY: BEHIND THE SCENES,"
A TWO-HOUR FILM TO AIR ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

Production has begun in Sydney, Australia on "Dynasty: Behind the Scenes," a two-hour movie dramatization of the hit '80s primetime soap opera.



"Dynasty: Behind the Scenes" offers a satirical yet poignant look at how the phenomenally successful show, which ran from 1981-1989 on ABC, reflected the Reagan years of excess and glamour.

"Dynasty," the television series, did not begin as an instant hit. The show's creators, Esther and Richard Shapiro, initially set out on a noble mission to explore the effect of wealth on the American family and other important social issues. Although the show had an inauspicious start, it eventually dazzled audiences around the world with one of TV history's most notoriously wicked female characters, Alexis Carrington; revolutionized the term "cat fight," as Alexis and Krystle went at it through lily pond and mud puddle; inspired millions of women to beef up their shoulder pads; and allowed people to forget about their own ordinary lives and drink in the champagne and caviar existence of a TV family dripping in jewels, but short on basic morality.

Yet behind-the-scenes, success had some side effects -- the stars began demanding bigger and bigger salaries, and the show's budget ballooned, making it one of the most expensive programs on television at the time. "Dynasty: Behind the Scenes" tells of the sometimes desperate - and frequently hilarious - efforts to keep the show at the top of the ratings. No plotline was too outrageous - a royal wedding is interrupted by revolutionary commandos crashing through church windows! -- or too inconceivable - while the "real" Krystle is locked in a dungeon, her "evil twin" beds Blake!

But as the country began reeling from the excesses of the decade, the show began its own decline in the ratings. Ultimately "Dynasty" was cancelled, but not before leaving an indelible imprint on the '80s.

A cast of up-and-comers will portray the actors who became household names as members of the wealthy and dysfunctional Carrington Family. Unforgettable, classic television moments will be seen -- including the cat fights between Alexis and Krystle, the Moldavian Massacre and an on-screen kiss between Linda Evans' and Rock Hudson's characters that sent shockwaves through Hollywood.

Starring in the movie are Pamela Reed ("Proof of Life," "Kindergarten Cop") as Esther Shapiro, Ritchie Singer as Richard Shapiro, Bart John as John Forsythe, Alice Krige ("The Mystery of Natalie Wood") as Joan Collins and Melora Hardin ("Hot Chick") as Linda Evans.

"Dynasty: Behind The Scenes" is produced by Village Roadshow Dynasty Productions. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

Could you post pics of the actors so we can see if they look like the real actors?

Sounds like it should be very interesting.. definately looking forward to it.

I'll watch it.

i'll watch, i am curious to see who will play Aaron Spelling, the grand master of Dynasty and who will play Heather Locklear.

I Strange that they are having a TV Movie about Dynasty I Like true story about TV Shows what happen behind the scenes when it dark times that the only you will see that on a TV Movie they will see behind the scenes with the real cast but not like that

DYNASTY: THE MAKING OF A GUILTY PLEASURE (A.K.A. DYNASTY: BEHIND THE SCENES)

ABC has slated its "behind-the-scenes" telefilm about the 1981-1989 ABC soap for Sunday, January 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, in Desperate Housewives' slot. Housewives returns with all-new episodes starting January 9, after a month break (December 12).

Among the project's principal cast are Melora Hardin as Linda Evans, Bart John as John Forsythe, Alice Krige as Joan Collins, Pamela Reed as Esther Shapiro, Ritchie Singer as Richard Shapiro and John Terry as Vince Peterson.

"From 1981-1989, ABC broadcast the phenomenally-successful primetime drama serial, Dynasty, a series that reflected the Reagan years of excess and glamour. Now ABC takes viewers behind-the-scenes with a satirical, yet poignant, look at the show that allowed people to forget about their ordinary lives and drink in the champagne and caviar existence of the Carrington's - a TV family dripping in jewels but short on basic morality. Dynasty was not an instant hit series when Esther and Richard Shapiro first created the show, but it eventually dazzled audiences around the world with one of TV history's most notoriously wicked female characters, Alexis Carrington; revolutionized the term 'cat fight' as Alexis and Krystle went at it through a lily pond and mud puddle; and inspired millions of women to beef up their shoulder pads. With success came bigger salary demands from the stars and an over-inflated budget, making it one of the most expensive shows on television at that time. Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure tells of the sometimes desperate, and frequently hilarious, efforts to keep the show at the top of the ratings. No plotline was too outrageous or inconceivable for the show that left an indelible imprint on the '80s."

But... who's going to play Heather Locklear and Rock Hudson?

Originally posted by factsoflife
But... who's going to play Heather Locklear and Rock Hudson?

No clue. Here is a photo of the cast:

I was wondering who is playing Alexis. Alice Kriege. I remember seeing her years ago in Ellis Island. I last saw her in the Natalie Wood story
As I look at the photo, I can't place all the character. I see Dominque, Crystal, Alexis, and Blake, The others I see a weak resemblance to Steven. Is it that the Al Corley look.? The show has been off so long I have forgotten who were the characters. Claudia, Joseph, Fallon and Jeff Colby. One face looks like Leann Huntley who played Adam's wife Not a very good cast shot. Half the people I can't reconize.

Originally posted by vze3t9q9
I was wondering who is playing Alexis. Alice Kriege. I remember seeing her years ago in Ellis Island. I last saw her in the Natalie Wood story
As I look at the photo, I can't place all the character. I see Dominque, Crystal, Alexis, and Blake, The others I see a weak resemblance to Steven. Is it that the Al Corley look.? The show has been off so long I have forgotten who were the characters. Claudia, Joseph, Fallon and Jeff Colby. One face looks like Leann Huntley who played Adam's wife Not a very good cast shot. Half the people I can't reconize.

Melora Hardin: Linda Evans
Bart John: John Forsythe
Alice Krige: Joan Collins
Pamela Reed: Esther Shapiro
Ritchie Singer: Richard Shapiro
John Terry: Vince Peterson
Holly Brisley: Heather Locklear
Nicholas Hammond: Aaron Spelling
Rel Hunt: Al Corley
Robert Coleby: Rock Hudson
Felicity Price: Dottie


Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure
Sunday, January 2 at 9/8c

Starring Pamela Reed, Ritchie Singer, Bart John, Alice Krige, Melora Hardin, Holly Brisley, Nicholas Hammond, Rel Hunt, Rachael Taylor and Rory Williamson.

Before Desperate Housewives, ABC-TV had one of the original guilty pleasures -- Dynasty, the phenomenally successful show which ran from 1981-1989 and reflected the Reagan years of excess and glamour. The ABC Premiere Event, Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure, a two-hour dramatization with a behind-the-scenes look at the hit '80s primetime soap opera.

Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure offers a satirical yet poignant look at how Dynasty, the television series, evolved. The show did not begin as an instant hit. In fact its creators, Esther and Richard Shapiro, initially set out on a noble mission to explore the effect of wealth on the American family and other important social issues. But despite an inauspicious start, the series eventually dazzled audiences around the world with one of TV history's most notoriously wicked female characters, Alexis Carrington; revolutionized the term "cat fight," as Alexis and Krystle went at it through lily pond and mud puddle; inspired millions of women to beef up their shoulder pads; and allowed people to forget about their own ordinary lives and drink in the champagne and caviar existence of a TV family dripping in jewels, but a little short on basic morality.

Yet behind-the-scenes, success had some side effects - some of the stars began demanding bigger and bigger salaries, and the show's budget ballooned, making it one of the most expensive television programs at the time. Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure tells of the sometimes desperate and frequently hilarious efforts to keep the series at the top of the ratings. No plotline was too outrageous - a royal wedding interrupted by revolutionary commandos crashing through church windows! -- or too inconceivable - while the "real" Krystle is locked in a dungeon, her "evil twin" beds Blake!

As the country began reeling from the excesses of the decade, the show began its own decline in the ratings. Ultimately Dynasty was cancelled, but not before leaving an indelible imprint on the '80s.

Unforgettable, classic television moments will be seen -- including the cat fights between Alexis and Krystle, the Moldavian Massacre and an on-screen kiss between Linda Evans' and Rock Hudson's characters that sent shockwaves through Hollywood.

This dramatization includes time compression and composite and fictionalized characters and incidents.

Damnit! WABC is showing the Giants/Cowboys game this Sunday. WABC rarely pre-empts ABC Primetime programming, but if a local team is playing on the ESPN Sunday night game, all ABC stations usually also have to air the local team's game.

They'll air ABC programming at 4pm (EM: HE Part 1), 7pm (EM: HE Part 2) and 12:05am (Dynasty Movie)

Ugh, I have to wait 3 more hours for the movie!

Originally posted by pavanbadal
Damnit! WABC is showing the Giants/Cowboys game this Sunday. WABC rarely pre-empts ABC Primetime programming, but if a local team is playing on the ESPN Sunday night game, all ABC stations usually also have to air the local team's game.

They'll air ABC programming at 4pm (EM: HE Part 1), 7pm (EM: HE Part 2) and 12:05am (Dynasty Movie)

Ugh, I have to wait 3 more hours for the movie!

and burn the midnight oil... :lol:

whats em?

Originally posted by factsoflife
whats em?

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

I was excited about seeing this, but I'm not really looking forward to it now. The reviews I've read (it's already aired overseas) have been horrible, and the stars of Dynasty have 'disinherited' it. The cast doesn't seem that impressive and so many key actors and actresses were left out altogether - I don't think there's anyone playing Pamela Sue Martin/Emma Samms or Gordon Thomson, and the actress playing Catherine Oxenberg only has a small part. The fact that Oxenberg and Martin were both replaced could've really added to the 'drama' of the movie.

Also, I noticed in the previews that they have Heather Locklear's 'Sammy Jo' at the Moldavian wedding. On the show, though, Sammy Jo wasn't at the wedding. How hard would it have been for them to check? LOL, sorry, I know that seems nitpicky, but it just adds to a movie that already seems pretty lackluster.

I'll still check it out, though.

Originally posted by Sean Snow
I was excited about seeing this, but I'm not really looking forward to it now. The reviews I've read (it's already aired overseas) have been horrible, and the stars of Dynasty have 'disinherited' it. The cast doesn't seem that impressive and so many key actors and actresses were left out altogether - I don't think there's anyone playing Pamela Sue Martin/Emma Samms or Gordon Thomson, and the actress playing Catherine Oxenberg only has a small part. The fact that Oxenberg and Martin were both replaced could've really added to the 'drama' of the movie.

Also, I noticed in the previews that they have Heather Locklear's 'Sammy Jo' at the Moldavian wedding. On the show, though, Sammy Jo wasn't at the wedding. How hard would it have been for them to check? LOL, sorry, I know that seems nitpicky, but it just adds to a movie that already seems pretty lackluster.

I'll still check it out, though.


no it doesn't seem nitpicky, its a legit complaint, completley and totally valid... can't believe they wouldn't check their facts. that sounds so stupid.