Flamingo Road Why didn't this show succeed?

[Angela Channing]

In the UK it wasn't really given a chance. It started out on Saturday nights, I think around 9pm, in the time slot that previously belonged to The Dukes of Hazard which probably attracted a very different audience which probably didn't stick around to watch Flamingo Road. Season 2 was given a much later time on a Tuesday, I think originally 9.30 before it moved to about 11pm.

UK audiences were also beginning to suffer from prime time soap fatigue as Flamingo Road went out on the same channel as Dallas, Knots Landing, Dynasty and The Colbys. I think had Flamingo Road been screened before Dynasty came into being it would have been a bigger hit but by the time it was launched it was just one more show in an already crowded field.

 

[Monzo]

I think timeslot was an important issue those days. Maybe we would have the same conversation about Falcon Crest if CBS had aired it on another night with no strong lead-in and strong competition...

I've started watching Flamingo Road again, only watched tv-movie and pilot so far. My problem always was and still is: there is no one to root for. Of course, I like some characters more than others, but there are no characters I love to hate like on other prime time soaps from that time. Season 2 got better as far as I remember, but Dynasty got Alexis at the same time, then Falcon Crest arrived, while Dallas and Knots Landing were already there, so Flamingo Road was not just last place in ratings, but also in storytelling. Joan Collins proved what stunt casting can do, so Flamingo Road should have copied that, add a popular vixen for final six episodes of the second season to see if ratings improve.

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

I think timeslot was an important issue those days. Maybe we would have the same conversation about Falcon Crest if CBS had aired it on another night with no strong lead-in and strong competition...

I've started watching Flamingo Road again, only watched tv-movie and pilot so far. My problem always was and still is: there is no one to root for. Of course, I like some characters more than others, but there are no characters I love to hate like on other prime time soaps from that time. Season 2 got better as far as I remember, but Dynasty got Alexis at the same time, then Falcon Crest arrived, while Dallas and Knots Landing were already there, so Flamingo Road was not just last place in ratings, but also in storytelling. Joan Collins proved what stunt casting can do, so Flamingo Road should have copied that, add a popular vixen for final six episodes of the second season to see if ratings improve.

I like Morgan Fairchild so despite how awful Constance was I sort of wanted to see her get what she wanted, then what she deserved lol
First go around I liked Field but the second time he was weak as anything and almost pathetic.
Sam, Lane, Lute May and Elmo were all kind people but none were hold your attention winners.

 

[tommie]

In the UK it wasn't really given a chance. It started out on Saturday nights, I think around 9pm, in the time slot that previously belonged to The Dukes of Hazard which probably attracted a very different audience which probably didn't stick around to watch Flamingo Road. Season 2 was given a much later time on a Tuesday, I think originally 9.30 before it moved to about 11pm.

UK audiences were also beginning to suffer from prime time soap fatigue as Flamingo Road went out on the same channel as Dallas, Knots Landing, Dynasty and The Colbys. I think had Flamingo Road been screened before Dynasty came into being it would have been a bigger hit but by the time it was launched it was just one more show in an already crowded field.

I think that cultural barriers might be an issue too. It's been a while since I watched FR but it felt more culturally "American" than a lot of the other shows which might've hindered its success. I think when shows goes into subcultures (in this case the South) it becomes harder for international audiences to grasp it. Empire had the same problem - despite being a huge success in the US, international audiences weren't interested because it went to far into specifically African-American culture.

 

[Willie Oleson]

I'm not suburban, darling. I'm subcultural!

 

[tommie]

View attachment 27561
I'm not suburban, darling. I'm subcultural!

Morgan is truly an exlusive taste of American.

 

[Willie Oleson]

International audiences didn't understand her hair.

I just took a peek at the German language uploads and I noticed that the picture quality is MUCH better than the (previous) English language uploads recorded from GoodLife channel/TV (or whatever it was).
It's still useless because of the dubbed voices even though I'd probably understand enough of it. And I already know the story anyway.
Hmm, dilemma.

 

[the-lost-son]

I just took a peek at the German language uploads and I noticed that the picture quality is MUCH better than the (previous) English language uploads recorded from GoodLife channel/TV (or whatever it was).
It's still useless because of the dubbed voices even though I'd probably understand enough of it. And I already know the story anyway.
Hmm, dilemma.

I've heard about Flamingo Roads, but never watched it because of the lack of DVDs. Now, it's on YouTube (in German).

Before I invest myself into it, I'd be thankful if someone could summarize the series in a few words (you all seem familiar with it).

The intro seems like it's taking place in an African village, which is obviously not the case.

I like Dallas (till Pam's exit)
Falcon Crest (toll somewhere in season 5)
I don't like Dynasty and haven't watched Knots Landing.

Thanks for any opinions if it is sth. I might enjoy.

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

I've heard about Flamingo Roads, but never watched it because of the lack of DVDs. Now, it's on YouTube (in German).

Before I invest myself into it, I'd be thankful if someone could summarize the series in a few words (you all seem familiar with it).

The intro seems like it's taking place in an African village, which is obviously not the case.

I like Dallas (till Pam's exit)
Falcon Crest (toll somewhere in season 5)
I don't like Dynasty and haven't watched Knots Landing.

Thanks for any opinions if it is sth. I might enjoy.

Small town politics, rich people drama but in a different way to Dynasty which was showy.
Very basic outline for the beginning of the show is an outsider disrupts the status quo of the town.
Field Carlyle - lawyer, deputy, good guy. Engaged to his high school sweetheart because it's expected but he cares very little about her
Lane Ballou - singer in a traveling show. Sweet but street smart. Takes a liking to Field (mutual) and has to fight her feelings vs what would be easier. Has a secret
Titus - sheriff, runs the town with blackmail and fear. Instantly dislikes the way Lane challenges his iron rule
Constance Weldon - longtime girlfriend of Field. Spoiled, self-centered. Can't stand that Field is more attracted to Lane than to her. Will do whatever it takes to keep Field
Claude Weldon - businessman, in cahoots with the sheriff but also under his thumb. Adores his daughter, thinks his son could do more and his wife should let him be
Sam Curtis - businessman, less in Titus' pocket than Claude, has a conscience. If you liked John Beck as Mark Graison you'll like John Beck as Sam Curtis

 

[the-lost-son]

Small town politics, rich people drama but in a different way to Dynasty which was showy.
Very basic outline for the beginning of the show is an outsider disrupts the status quo of the town.
Field Carlyle - lawyer, deputy, good guy. Engaged to his high school sweetheart because it's expected but he cares very little about her
Lane Ballou - singer in a traveling show. Sweet but street smart. Takes a liking to Field (mutual) and has to fight her feelings vs what would be easier. Has a secret
Titus - sheriff, runs the town with blackmail and fear. Instantly dislikes the way Lane challenges his iron rule
Constance Weldon - longtime girlfriend of Field. Spoiled, self-centered. Can't stand that Field is more attracted to Lane than to her. Will do whatever it takes to keep Field
Claude Weldon - businessman, in cahoots with the sheriff but also under his thumb. Adores his daughter, thinks his son could do more and his wife should let him be
Sam Curtis - businessman, less in Titus' pocket than Claude, has a conscience. If you liked John Beck as Mark Graison you'll like John Beck as Sam Curtis

Thank you for your fast, detailed reply. It sounds promising and different. I'll definitely give it a try now.

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

I just took a peek at the German language uploads and I noticed that the picture quality is MUCH better than the (previous) English language uploads recorded from GoodLife channel/TV (or whatever it was).
It's still useless because of the dubbed voices even though I'd probably understand enough of it. And I already know the story anyway.
Hmm, dilemma.

Interesting! Youtube will auto translate the captions too so you can follow along in English if spoken German isn't understandable.

 

[Willie Oleson]

Youtube will auto translate the captions

But those youtube translations are horrible!

 

[darkshadows38]

there's a lot of tv shows that i wonder why hell did they flop?

 

[Monzo]

I just took a peek at the German language uploads and I noticed that the picture quality is MUCH better than the (previous) English language uploads recorded from GoodLife channel/TV (or whatever it was).

Unfortunately entire German dubbed version has been removed on You Tube. I'm sad, because I've already started to re-watch.

 

[TJP]

I'm currently rewatching "Knots Landing" and add filming locations to the respective thread.

I'm planning to do "Flamingo Road" after that. Are there any plans to create a sub-section dedicated to "Flamingo Road" on this forum? Or does it make sense to post an episode-wise location analysis right here?

 

[ClassyCo]

I'm currently rewatching "Knots Landing" and add filming locations to the respective thread.

I'm planning to do "Flamingo Road" after that. Are there any plans to create a sub-section dedicated to "Flamingo Road" on this forum? Or does it make sense to post an episode-wise location analysis right here?

I'd be alright with a new, episode-by-episode thread.

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

I'd be alright with a new, episode-by-episode thread.

I'd also be ok getting updates on this one. There might be a bigger audience to respond who are already following this thread.

 

[TJP]

So maybe the forum moderators can establish a "Flamingo Road" section as a direct sub-menu to the "US Soaps" folder where "Flamingo" topics can be structured in threads.

I think I will need five or six more months to finish "Knots Landing", but will start working on "Flamingo Road" locations then.

 

[Monzo]

I'd like to read more about Flamingo Road, but does it really need its own section?

Successful prime-time soaps such as Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, The OC or Empire do not have their own section in here, same with daytime soaps that have been on air for decades. Is Flamingo Road more popular?

 

[Willie Oleson]

I'd like to read more about Flamingo Road, but does it really need its own section?

I count 3 Flamingo Road threads and in none of them the actual content (story) is being discussed. Too bad they haven't done a dream season because then forum members would discuss en masse how to fix it and they would continue to do so for decades. Or forever.