Sheridan a worthy Alexis on ‘Dynasty’ reboot
The witching hour is almost upon us.
Since CW announced it was rebooting “Dynasty,” viewers have awaited the return of the show’s iconic character — and one of prime time’s greatest villains — Alexis Morell Carrington.
As played by Joan Collins in the 1980s original, she wielded her tongue like a dagger, was fond of Bob Mackie-style jackets with football player shoulder pads and was forever on the losing end of lily pond brawls with the second Mrs. Carrington.
CW taps another TV icon, Nicollette Sheridan (“Knots Landing,” “Desperate Housewives”), to play the legendary troublemaker (tomorrow at 8 p.m.).
Her greeting to daughter Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) is a callback to Collins’ entrance: “I’m glad to see that your father had your teeth fixed, if not your tongue.”
But this is not an impersonation. Don’t expect a British accent. This Alexis is a Georgia native whose roots go deep — the better to strangle anyone in her path.
If anything, Sheridan’s Alexis owes more to actress Michelle Phillips, who played her mother, Anne, on “Knots Landing.”
She’s conniving, sultry and disarms others at times with a bit of calculated ditziness.
In a shout-out to “Knots,” Alexis gets flirty with ex-husband Blake (Grant Show) and reminds him of their days playing strip croquet, something Sheridan was fond of as Paige Mathison on that show.
Alexis sizes up Cristal (Nathalie Kelly). “You must be a friend of Fallon’s.”
That’s wrong on every level, and Fallon is delighted to correct her.
“She’s the new Mrs. Carrington. You’d hate her. And that’s my favorite thing about her.”
The reading of Tom Carrington’s will drops a bomb and everyone scrambles to deal with the fallout.
“Dynasty’s” motto might be “Home is where the betrayal starts.” Somebody has actually been in touch with Alexis, and recently, and when you find out who, you might appreciate Fallon’s rage.
CW’s take on this prime-time soap is gorgeous and funnier than most network comedies.
Anders (Alan Dale) counsels Fallon: “It’s always a very special day in a young lady’s life when she goes behind her mother’s back to find dirt to use against her.”
There is the pool fight. There would have to be a pool fight. It’s in “Dynasty’s” DNA.
Fallon uncovers some of Alexis’ deceptions.
“Someone like you needs to be destroyed,” Fallon snipes.
“And you, my dear, need to be smothered,” Alexis says, adding, “with love.”
Now that’s the kind of thing only a real mother would say.