Meeting The Fabulous Ladies of Knots Landing

Long before any Real Housewife flipped a table in Jersey, screamed in Beverly Hills, or held a fruit in Atlanta, there were the original queens of primetime: the ladies of “Knots Landing.” Honey, they didn’t need confessionals, taglines, or Bravo editing tricks—they had big hair, big drama, and even bigger shoulder pads. And they served it weekly for 14 glorious seasons on CBS, from 1979 to 1993.

As a proud card-carrying member of the Primetime Soap Obsessives Club, I can say with zero shame that “Knots Landing” was my absolute everything. It was the slightly scrappier, more emotionally grounded (but no less addictive) little sister to “Dallas,” set in the dreamy SoCal cul-de-sac of Seaview Circle—where the lawns were manicured, but the marriages were messy.

And at the center of this middle-class melodrama were three fierce, unforgettable women: Karen McKenzie (the moral compass), Valene Ewing (America’s sweetheart with a spine of steel), and Abby Fairgate Cunningham Ewing Sumner (whew—just saying her name requires a cocktail). They were played, respectively, by the powerhouse trio of Michele Lee, Joan Van Ark, and Donna Mills—women who didn’t just chew scenery, they made it haute couture.

Karen was the crusader with a conscience, Valene was the wounded soul-turned-warrior, and Abby… well, Abby was the blueprint for every TV vixen who came after her. I mean, let’s be honest: without Abby, there would be no Amanda Woodward, no Wilhelmina Slater, no Blair Waldorf —and definitely no Lisa Rinna holding a diamond and stirring the pot.

So when the show finally rode off into that primetime sunset in 1993, many of us were left emotionally untethered. (Insert dramatic fainting couch moment here.) Life, tragically, moved on. But my obsession never faded—especially every time a show like “Desperate Housewives” or “This Is Us” tried to convince us they’d reinvented the ensemble drama. Please. The ladies of “Knots Landing” did it all first. And better.

Flash forward a few years ago (November 2019) when I got wind of a one-night-only live reunion called “An Intimate Evening with Michele Lee, Joan Van Ark and Donna Mills” at Oscar’s in downtown Palm Springs. Naturally, I lost all sense of composure, called my friend David Arias, and screamed, “We are GOING.” It was a pilgrimage. A spiritual journey. A chance to bask in the glow of three TV goddesses who defined my youth.

And let me tell you—those women delivered. There were fabulous clips from the show, behind-the-scenes secrets, touching stories of real-life friendship, and empowering reflections on portraying strong, complex women on TV in an era when that was still a revolutionary idea.

All of this, mind you, was enjoyed while dining alfresco under the Palm Springs stars, cocktail in hand, heart bursting with nostalgia. And yes—because we are VIPs in both ticket and spirit—David and I got to attend the meet-and-greet afterward. I may or may not have fan-gushed when we took a group photo, blurted out how Knots changed my life, and cried just a little bit.

Then, just when I thought it couldn’t get any better—it happened again. In 2022, after the pandemic dust settled, the trio reunited once more for an encore performance. And yes, David and I packed up and headed back to the desert like it was our spiritual mission. Another dinner under the stars, more dishy stories, more hugs from the ladies—and another photo for my “Shrine of Seaview.”

Fast forward to 2025: JOAN VAN ARK—aka Valene freakin’ Ewing—agrees to be a guest on my podcast Hollywood Obsessed. I nearly passed out from excitement. When I finally got to chat with her for a full hour via Zoom, I was on cloud nine, ten, and eleven. We laughed, we reminisced, and she shared her extraordinary journey—from her stage beginnings to her breakout on “Dallas” and, of course, her iconic run on Knots. Honestly? It was a full-circle moment I’ll treasure forever.

Now… Michele, Donna—your turn! My "Knots Landing" obsession won’t be fully complete until I get the full trifecta on the podcast. Ladies, if you're listening, let's make this happen. I’ve got the mic. I’ve got the questions. And I’ve got enough emotional investment to last another 14 seasons.

Because here’s the truth: some shows fade. Some characters disappear. But "Knots Landing"? It sticks. It becomes part of your DNA. And the fabulous women who brought it to life? They’ll always have a permanent home in my heart—and a reserved seat at my dinner table, should they ever want it. 

Don’t forget to check out my exclusive two-part interview with the iconic Joan Van Ark—now streaming on Hollywood Obsessed podcast! Packed with juicy stories, heartfelt reflections, and that signature Valene charm, it’s the ultimate love letter to "Knots Landing." So pour yourself a glass of white wine, cue the theme music, and get ready for a nostalgia trip like no other…

Episode 123 – Listen HERE

Episode 124 – Listen HERE

See you back on Seaview Circle!