Life in the Cul-de-Sac: The Golden Era of Knots Landing
For over a decade, from 1979 to 1993, every Thursday night at 10 p.m., millions of viewers tuned in to Knots Landing, a drama set in a picturesque California cul-de-sac. This wasn't your average neighborhood, though. It was a place where secrets unraveled, love affairs blossomed, kidnappings shocked, and even murder lurked around the corner. The show was a rollercoaster of emotions that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. With Joan Van Ark starring as the resilient Val, Michele Lee as the loyal Karen, and Donna Mills as the conniving villain Abby, Knots Landing became the third longest-running primetime drama after Gunsmoke and Bonanza.
While their characters often clashed on-screen, Joan, Michele, and Donna forged a strong bond off-screen. "We were together for so long, working so closely and intensely, that it really felt like family," Donna, now 80, exclusively shares with Closer Weekly in the latest issue, available now on newsstands. "People might not realize just how much laughter there was on set. We had a blast together."
Behind the Scenes: The Laughter and the Challenges
Michele, now 78, recalls one memorable scene with Kevin Dobson, who played Karen's husband Mack, where they struggled to keep a straight face. "We had a young daughter on the show, and we went through all the typical parenting challenges, like sleepless nights," she says with a laugh. "It was like, 'It's your turn.' 'No, I went last time.' And every time they called cut, we got angrier at each other. I kept nudging Kevin with my foot, and he actually fell off the bed! Once you start giggling, it's nearly impossible to stop."
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Another hilarious moment came when the cast decided to take revenge on Donna's character, Abby. "Everyone — the entire cast and crew — came through and slapped me in the face," Donna reveals with a grin. "It was absolutely hilarious and one of those moments that made the long hours worth it."
Despite the laughter and camaraderie, the cast admits that creating a weekly drama series was no small feat. "We worked incredibly long hours," Joan recalls. "Some days would stretch into 18 hours. There were times when I'd drive home, barely able to keep my eyes open," Donna adds.
