About
"The question is always, 'where is the conflict?' And the hardest thing to do is to write conflict between people who care about each other. It's easy enough to have people who don't like each other carrying on. But if two people really do love each other, and in spite of that are engaged in a conflicted situation, that's harder to do, but it's compelling."
In the half-hour solo portion of his interview, Richard Shapiro discusses writing for late 1960s episodic television including Land of the Giants, as well as working with Natalie Wood on the 1979 television movie The Cracker Factory. He also talks about his writing partnership with his wife, Esther Shapiro, and the challenges of being a freelance writer.
In the two-and-a-half-hour joint portion of their interview, Richard Shapiro and Esther Shapiro describe creating the hit primetime drama Dynasty. They speak of the characters and the actors who played them, recall some of the well-known storylines, talk about behind-the-scenes production details, and comment on the enduring international popularity of the show. They also touch on the short-lived spin-off series The Colbys and offer their thoughts on why the show didn't match the success of the original program. They outline their early partnership, writing for the daytime soap opera Love of Life, as well as the television movies Sarah T.: Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic, Minstrel Man, Intimate Strangers, and John Steinbeck's East of Eden. B-roll consists of several photos from Dynasty. Jennifer Howard conducted the interviews on May 7, 2004 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Highlights
Richard Shapiro on writing with Shimon Wincelberg for Garrison's Gorillas
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the idea for Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on how Dynasty reflected the 1980s
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the legacy of Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the Dynasty spinoff The Colbys
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on meeting his wife, Esther Shapiro in college; on their writing partnership and his goals as a writer
On he and his wife getting hired by Warner Bros. to write a movie; on writing for Ironside and Land of the Giants
On the challenges of being a freelance TV writer; on moving to Europe; on working with Natalie Wood on the ABC movie The Cracker Factory; on his writing partnership with his wife
Chapter 2
START OF JOINT INTERVIEW WITH ESTHER SHAPIRO: On becoming a writing team; on writing for Manhunt; on pitching
On Richard continuing to write solo; on the pair writing for the soap opera Love of Life
On writing the made-for-TV movies Sarah T.: Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic, Minstrel Man, and Intimate Strangers
Chapter 3
On writing scenes of conflict; on their involvement with the TV miniseries East of Eden
On creating Dynasty; on casting Joan Collins as "Alexis Carrington"
On the cast of Dynasty - John Forsythe and Linda Evans
Chapter 4
On Linda Evans' character "Krystle Carrington" on Dynasty; on the stars of the show
On the producers of Dynasty; on audience reaction to the show, merchandizing, and memorable storylines (including the catfights)
Chapter 5
On "Steven Carrington's" homosexuality on Dynasty; on Rock Hudson's kiss with Linda Evans; on the Moldavian Wedding Massacre
On their favorite storylines, why the show ended, and the legacy of Dynasty
On the Dynasty spinoff The Colbys; on writing Emerald Point, NAS and Heartbeat
On creating Richard and Esther Shapiro Entertainment; on then-current projects
Chapter 6
On whether or not they'd work in television again; on advice to aspiring television writers; on the highlight of their careers
On career regrets and how they'd like to be remembered
B-roll photos from their career: of a New Yorker magazine cover, a personal telegram, and the Dynasty cast
Shows
Bonanza
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing for Bonanza
Colbys, The
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the Dynasty spinoff The Colbys
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the actors and characters on The Colbys
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Charlton Heston's input on the scripts of The Colbys
Richard and Esther Shapiro on why The Colbys wasn't successful; on the alien abduction storyline
Dallas
Richard and Esther Shapiro on differences between Dallas and Dynasty
Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Linda Evans' character "Krystle Carrington" on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Dynasty star John James
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Dynasty star Pamela Sue Martin and her character "Fallon Carrington Colby" and Emma Samms, the second actress to portray the character
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Dynasty star Jack Coleman ("Steven Carrington")
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Dynasty star Gordon Thomson ("Adam Carrington")
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Dynasty star Heather Locklear ("Sammy Jo Dean Carrington")
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Dynasty star Diahann Carroll ("Dominique Deveraux")
Richard and Esther Shapiro on production on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the producers of Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on audience reaction to Dynasty and the show's popularity overseas
Richard and Esther Shapiro on merchandizing on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the catfights between "Alexis" and "Krystle" on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on memorable storylines on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on memorable storylines on Dynasty - on "Steven Carrington's" homosexuality
Richard and Esther Shapiro on "Steven Carrington's" homosexuality on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Rock Hudson's kiss with Linda Evans on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the Moldavian Wedding Massacre on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on notes from the network on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on their favorite storylines and episodes of Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on why Dynasty ended
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the Dynasty reunion
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the success of Dynasty and how it affected them
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the legacy of Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the Dynasty collection at Marshall Field's
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the idea for Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the pilot for Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the title of Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Aaron Spelling's involvement with Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on differences between Dallas and Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on how Dynasty reflected the 1980s
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the development and pilot of Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the creation of Joan Collins' character ("Alexis Carrington") on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the costumes of Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the cast of Dynasty
Emerald Point, N.A.S.
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing Emerald Point, NAS
Heartbeat
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing Heartbeat
Intimate Strangers
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing the made-for-TV movie Intimate Strangers
Ironside
Richard Shapiro on writing for the NBC show Ironside
Land of the Giants
Richard Shapiro on writing for the series Land of the Giants
Love of Life
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing for the soap opera Love of Life and how it helped them later when creating Dynasty
Manhunt
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing for Manhunt
Minstrel Man
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing the made-for-TV movie Minstrel Man
Route 66
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing for Route 66
Sarah T.--- Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing the made-for-TV movie Sarah T.: Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic
Topics
Advertising and Sponsorship
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing the made-for-TV movie Intimate Strangers
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing the made-for-TV movie Intimate Strangers
Characters & Catchphrases
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the creation of Joan Collins' character ("Alexis Carrington") on Dynasty
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Richard Shapiro on his mentor Shimon Wincelberg
LGBTQIA+
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Dynasty star Jack Coleman ("Steven Carrington")
Richard and Esther Shapiro on memorable storylines on Dynasty - on "Steven Carrington's" homosexuality
Richard and Esther Shapiro on "Steven Carrington's" homosexuality on Dynasty
Pop Culture
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the creation of Joan Collins' character ("Alexis Carrington") on Dynasty
Representation on Television
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing the made-for-TV movie Minstrel Man
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Dynasty star Jack Coleman ("Steven Carrington")
Richard and Esther Shapiro on memorable storylines on Dynasty - on "Steven Carrington's" homosexuality
Richard and Esther Shapiro on "Steven Carrington's" homosexuality on Dynasty
Television Industry
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing the made-for-TV movie Intimate Strangers
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the challenges facing an independent production company
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the pilot for Dynasty
Underrepresented Voices
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing the made-for-TV movie Minstrel Man
Professions
Writers
Richard Shapiro on his goals as a writer
Richard Shapiro on the challenges of being a freelance TV writer
Richard Shapiro on defining himself as a writer
Richard and Esther Shapiro on their pitching style
Richard and Esther Shapiro on advice to aspiring television writers
Genres
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing for the soap opera Love of Life and how it helped them later when creating Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the cast, producers, audience reaction, and memorable storylines on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on memorable storylines and the legacy of Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the Dynasty spinoff The Colbys
Richard and Esther Shapiro on creation of Dynasty
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing the made-for-TV movie Sarah T.: Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing the made-for-TV movie Minstrel Man
Richard and Esther Shapiro on writing the made-for-TV movie Intimate Strangers
People
Irwin Allen
Richard Shapiro on working with producer Irwin Allen on Land of the Giants
Diahann Carroll
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Dynasty star Diahann Carroll ("Dominique Deveraux")
Joan Collins
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the creation of Joan Collins' character ("Alexis Carrington") on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on what Joan Collins brought to the character of "Alexis Carrington" on Dynasty
Douglas S. Cramer
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the producers of Dynasty
Barry Diller
Richard and Esther Shapiro on working with Barry Diller at FOX
Linda Evans
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Linda Evans' character "Krystle Carrington" on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Rock Hudson's kiss with Linda Evans on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the cast of Dynasty - Linda Evans
John Forsythe
Richard and Esther Shapiro on John Forsythe on Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on cast changes in the pilot of Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the cast of Dynasty - John Forsythe
Leonard H. Goldenson
Richard and Esther Shapiro on ABC founder Leonard Goldenson's reaction the pilot of Dynasty
Charlton Heston
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the actors and characters on The Colbys - Charlton Heston as "Jason Colby"
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Charlton Heston's input on the scripts of The Colbys
Rock Hudson
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Rock Hudson's kiss with Linda Evans on Dynasty
John James
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Dynasty star John James
Heather Locklear
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Dynasty star Heather Locklear ("Sammy Jo Dean Carrington")
Nolan Miller
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Nolan Miller's costume design on Dynasty
Toni Morrison
Richard and Esther Shapiro on consulting with Toni Morrison on the made-for-TV movie Minstrel Man
George Peppard
Richard and Esther Shapiro on cast changes in the pilot of Dynasty
Elaine Rich
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the producers of Dynasty
Katharine Ross
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the actors and characters on The Colbys - Katharine Ross
Esther Shapiro
Richard Shapiro on his writing partnership with his wife, Esther Shapiro
Richard Shapiro on he and his wife getting hired by Warner Bros. to write a movie
Richard Shapiro on his wife, Esther Shapiro
Aaron Spelling
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the idea for Dynasty
Richard and Esther Shapiro on Aaron Spelling's involvement with Dynasty
Barbara Stanwyck
Richard and Esther Shapiro on working with Barbara Stanwyck on The Colbys
Anthony D. Thomopoulos
Richard and Esther Shapiro on the pilot for Dynasty
Shimon Wincelberg
Richard Shapiro on his mentor Shimon Wincelberg
Natalie Wood
Richard Shapiro on working with Natalie Wood on the ABC movie The Cracker Factory