Wanted: Teri Austin!

[Billy Nolan]

A few months ago we finished watching the entire series with all the specials, reunions, etc. and I wonder why Teri Austin plays such a subordinate role or no role at all in the runions and specials? She is not mentioned and her storylines were neglected in the overall context. Rumorsaid that she was Ted Shackelford's partner for a while and the split should not have been easy, but nonetheless Teri Austin was part of the ensemble for a few years and "Jill Bennett" shaped a significant part of "Knots Landing".

 

[Monzo]

Jill was part of second generation characters and unlike Nicollette Sheridan she didn't share her love life in public or had a music career past like Michelle Phillips, who both were second generation, too, so Jill is not important for reunions, because these specials are for not just for die-hard fans but also for average viewers, who might not remember the entire show's history,.. Anyway I like Jill. I like how this character turned out. Maybe her way (along with Linda's) was the most unexpected of the show.

 

[Billy Nolan]

Yes OK. but overall it seems illogical to me for the entire course of the series that so little "memory" was given to her during the specials. I'm less interested in the actress Teri Austin, but in the role and character of "Jill". She was an essential part from her start in Knots Landing and shaped a lot in terms of the storylines.

 

[Julia's Gun]

I reckon Ted vetoed it. After their real-life relationship ended he wanted nothing to do with her.

But a villains reunion would be fun: Chip Roberts/Michael Sabatino, Mark St Claire/Joseph Chapman, Sam Behrens/Danny, Jean Hackney, Jill, etc.... A bit niche, but us Telly Talkers would like it!

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I reckon Ted vetoed it. After their real-life relationship ended he wanted nothing to do with her.

I've been quite intrigued by their relationship.

I read somewhere that Ted had left his wife for Teri (and looking at the dates, that looks right). And I remember watching an interview with Ted from around the time Jill died. He was asked about his romance with Jill, and said something like "Jill is no more". The person clarified that they meant Teri, and he pretty much said the same again. It looked like a very sore subject for him.

 

[Willie Oleson]

I didn't know any of this.
That "hate the way you eat" insult will never look quite the same again.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

That "hate the way you eat" insult will never look quite the same again.

I know. That's some real method acting.

 

[Julia's Gun]

And I remember watching an interview with Ted from around the time Jill died. He was asked about his romance with Jill, and said something like "Jill is no more". The person clarified that they meant Teri, and he pretty much said the same again. It looked like a very sore subject for him.

That was what I was thinking of too. I think it's this interview with Joan Rivers, at about 4:15

 

[Mel O'Drama]

hat was what I was thinking of too. I think it's this interview with Joan Rivers, at about 4:15

Oh yes. Thanks for this. When I was posting earlier I tried to find it and I looked over a couple of other interviews from around that time, including Janet Langhart and a very long cast interview on Donahue, and it was starting to irritate me that I couldn't find it.

Ted does give a great interview. He seems very grounded and refreshingly direct. In that Donahue interview, someone asked about the reasons for Laura being written off, and the cast seemed ready to to murmur the usual party lines, but it was Ted who bluntly said it was because of budget.

 

[Willie Oleson]

It looks like Ted and John James have had a similar experience with a sexy blonde actress.

 

[Billy Nolan]

I am just thinking. It was similar with Ben - Douglas Sheehan. He was never part of a reunion - and his role was hardly discussed either.

 

[micmic]

I was thinking to myself how weird it is that some characters like Jill or Harold were on the show for so long, yet they’re still insignificant (for me) compared to other characters like Sid or Ciji.
But that’s just my feeling...

 

[Seaviewer]

I was thinking to myself how weird it is that some characters like Jill or Harold were on the show for so long, yet they’re still insignificant (for me) compared to other characters like Sid or Ciji.
But that’s just my feeling...

I don't think that's weird. Longevity doesn't necessarily equate to significance. Harold was only ever Manny's nephew and then Olivia's love interest. Jill was little more than a supporting character until she tried to whack Val.

 

[Daniel Avery]

Jill was a character that kept being moved from one place to another to drive story for several leads. While this is exactly the kind of behavior one expects from a "supporting character" (helping drive story for others), her shift from one plot and/or motivation to several others may have contributed to her inability to be viewed as a major, long-term character. A lot of supporting characters like Ben, Peter, and Lilimae had one plotline or purpose, while Jill changed gears several times during her run. She started as a potential spoiler for Mack/Karen, then became (with Peter) a potential threat to Greg and his empire. Pairing her with Gary gave him something to do as his marriage to Abby fell apart, and at some point they decided to make her a spoiler in a potential Gary/Val reunion. Even in death she gave story to Val, Gary, Mack, Karen, and (to a lesser extent) Frank and Pat. She also went from a principled (if secretive) woman out to avenge her parents' deaths to a genuinely loving partner to Gary, then to an insanely jealous 'other woman' who plots to kill her rival and ultimately stages her own 'murder'. With so many facets to her tenure, it might be harder for viewers to grasp just how long she was on the show.

As for Austin's seeming lack of participation in reunions, etc., a lot of actors don't have a level of sentimentality about various roles they play. Once they leave a role, they don't look back and choose to look forward to what's next.

 

[Julia's Gun]

As for Austin's seeming lack of participation in reunions, etc., a lot of actors don't have a level of sentimentality about various roles they play. Once they leave a role, they don't look back and choose to look forward to what's next.

True, but i'd love to hear from Austin that she was actually really jealous and resentful of Joan and how she adored sticking her fingers in her mouth and pushing pills down her throat...

 

[Billy Nolan]

That was what I was thinking of too. I think it's this interview with Joan Rivers, at about 4:15

Interesting interview. Unfortunately, Ted Shackelford mumbles something - or my English skills are not that good and I don't understand him correctly: What exactly does he say after he says from about 4 : 15 "Jill is no more ..."? Does he say "Maybe in German"? Or have I misunderstood that? Does he mean that the episodes in which he broke up with Jill have not yet aired in Germany?
Or have I misunderstood that?

 

[Mel O'Drama]

What exactly does he say after he says from about 4 "Jill is no more ..."? Does he say "Maybe in German"?

He says "Jill is no more. Me and Joan, maybe?"

Because Jill is no longer on the show, he thinks she must be asking about Val.

 

[Billy Nolan]

thanks for clearing up!

 

[Mel O'Drama]

thanks for clearing up!

Anytime, Billy.

 

[Mustard]

I am just thinking. It was similar with Ben - Douglas Sheehan. He was never part of a reunion - and his role was hardly discussed either.

Rumours a while back said that Douglas Sheehan and Joan Van Ark didn't get on all that well. Joan was obviously far more fond of Sam Behrens (Danny) than Douglas.