Campy ‘Dynasty’ gets a makeover
‘Ex- Girlfriend’ gets even; ‘Everwood’ gets new life
The following are highlights from the Television Critics Association’s summer preview of upcoming shows.
Ready or not, want it or not, Dynasty is back.
The ’ 80s hit ABC soap, which made catfight icons out of Joan Collins and Linda Evans, returns for a new go-round on CW this October, from producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage ( The O.C. and Gossip Girl).
Changes have been made: The show is set in Atlanta rather than Denver; Sammy Jo is now a gay man and Fallon “has a little bit more Alexis in her,” as star Elizabeth Gillies told the Television Critics Association Wednesday. But it’s basically the same greedis-good, excess-is-best show.
Which also means, like the original, the show will debut Alexis-free. Collins’ Alexis didn’t join the show until the second season. So like the old Dynasty, the new Dynasty is making you wait. “We’re taking our delicious time ... but she is coming,” says producer Sallie Patrick.
While you wait, you’re getting a different version of Evans’ Krystle. That includes changing the spelling to “Cristal” and making her an immigrant from Venezuela, played by Latina actress Nathalie Kelley. “This modern version represents a more modern vision of what’s happening in America,” says Kelley.
Blake Carrington is now played by Grant Show, who considers him “one of the most complicated villains ... in soap-opera history.” This Blake still has a gay son, Steven, but instead of rejecting him out of homophobia, Show says, the new Blake is simply disappointed in him for not being the son he wants.
“What’s really important to me is that Blake truly believes that what he is doing is the best for his family,” says Show. “He does not think he’s doing things wrong. ... This is what you do to maintain your dynasty.” EVERY ‘EVERWOOD’ The former family soap Ever
wood, which ran on The WB from 2002 to 2006, is making a digital return. In honor of the show’s 15th anniversary, CW is rerunning all of the series’ four seasons on its digital network, CW Seed.
Everwood starred Treat Williams as Dr. Andy Brown, who moved his young children (played by Greg Smith and Vivien Cardone) to Everwood, Colo. Fifteen years after the show’s debut, he got to share a press conference stage with them and much of the rest of the cast once again. And he told the Television Critics Association that he was thrilled.
“I think there’s a great mutual love among the whole cast,” Williams says. “This is one of the nicest days I’ve ever had. ... I’m ready to go on Season 5.”
Everwood was one of the first TV shows from Greg Berlanti, who has gone on to give CW
Flash, Supergirl and Arrow, among other hits. “I was so lucky to have made this show when I did, at the beginning of my career. I was blessed. ... I think people who know this show probably know me better. It was very personal.”
At the time, Berlanti says, networks did not have much interest in family dramas — just as they don’t seem to have much interest in them now. Bertanti, however, hopes that is changing. “I do think the success of This Is Us ... will encourage people to do this kind of storytelling again.”
What about an Everwood revival? “No one’s asked,” says Berlanti, “but I think we would all love to work together again.” GO ‘CRAZY’ CW’s critically beloved musical comedy Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is back this October for its third nodoubt-wild season.
The theme of the upcoming season is “revenge,” as Rebecca — star Rachel Bloom — seeks to punish Josh for leaving her at the altar and deciding to become a priest. And her friends will help her, as you’ll hear in the show’s first big production number, a spoof on Disney songs.
“If you thought the show was going to be funny Fatal Attrac
tion, that’s what we’re going for,” Bloom said. “She is going into the season saying ‘I am a strong, sexy woman scorned.’ ” She will be more obviously flawed this season, as well: Less rom-com heroine and more, well, crazy.