The Colbys

Buzz

The Colbys ranks 4,459 out of the 18,229 shows on TV.com.

The 41 users who count themselves as The Colbys fans have written a total of 1 reviews.

Status

Premiered

Ended

Genre

Theme

THE COLBYS premiered in the fall of 1985, as a spin-off of the popular and highly-rated primetime soap opera, "Dynasty." Originally, titled "Dynasty II: The Colbys," the spin-off introduced viewers to a new dynasty: the wealthy and powerful Colby clan of California. In the series' premiere, Jeff Colby (son-in-law... more »

THE COLBYS premiered in the fall of 1985, as a spin-off of the popular and highly-rated primetime soap opera, "Dynasty." Originally, titled "Dynasty II: The Colbys," the spin-off introduced viewers to a new dynasty: the wealthy and powerful Colby clan of California. In the series' premiere, Jeff Colby (son-in-law of the Carrington family from "Dynasty") relocated to California to reconnect with his own kin and claim his shares in the family fortune. Jeff also hoped to reconnect with his ex-wife Fallon, who was believed to have perished the previous year, but who was not only very much alive but suffering from amnesia and newly married to Jeff's cousin Miles! Heading up the Colby clan was Jeff's uncle, Jason Colby, a powerful businessman (à la "Dynasty"'s Blake Carrington) who ran Colby Enterprises, the family company. Jason was married to the devious Sable, but was in love with her more sympathetic sister Francesca, who was also Jeff's mother. It was soon revealed that Jeff was actually the love child of Jason and Francesca. Jason's older sister, Constance, served as the matriarchal figure of the family. Rounding out the family were Jason and Sable's three children- twins, Miles and Monica, and daughter Bliss. Other characters included Garrett Boydston (the family lawyer), Hutch Corrigan (Constance's love interest) and Zachary Powers (Jason's ruthless business rival).

When the show first premiered, many critics dismissed it as a clone of the original series, "Dynasty." And in many ways, it was. Jason, the powerful business magnate, was strikingly similar to Dynasty's Blake Carrington. Likewise, Sable appeared to be patterned after Dynasty's villainess Alexis (and to reinforce that idea, it was revealed that Alexis and Sable were cousins), while Francesca seemed akin to Dynasty's Krystle. Additionally, old Dynasty plotlines seemed to be recycled in the new series. For example, on Dynasty, Jeff married Kirby, who had been raped by Adam and became pregnant, while on The Colbys, Jeff married Fallon, who had similarly been raped by Miles and became pregnant. The similarities between the two shows and the frequent cross-overs from Dynasty cast members did little to help The Colbys establish its own identity during its initial season, which, unfortunately, did not share the same ratings success as its predecessor. To make matters worse, at the end of the first season, two of the series' regulars, Barbara Stanwyck (Constance) and Ken Howard (Garrett), quit the show.

During the show's second season, efforts were made to improve the show, such as adding a handful of new characters and curtailing the crossovers with the original series. In January 1987, Michael Parks joined the cast as Phillip Colby, Jason's trouble-making younger brother, who had long been presumed dead. Then, in March 1987, the show made its boldest move ever, when, in the season-ending cliffhanger, the show's heroine, Fallon, was abducted by a U.F.O!! And while that particularly episode, scored the highest ratings for the series, it was not enough to save the show, which was soon cancelled (although some of the characters would transition back to the parent series, "Dynasty").less «

• The Colbys was a precursor for X-Files.

  In Dynasty's history we've seen some spectacular season finales, but this one topped them all. In the last episo...more »

  In Dynasty's history we've seen some spectacular season finales, but this one topped them all. In the last episode of The Colbys, Fallon Carrington/Colby experiences a 'close encounter' with a UFO. Was this an illusion of a spoiled but troubled girl finally gone mad? Maybe it was the ultimate over the top joke to end this sadly failed promise that was Dynasty's spin-off? Fallon was at the right place at the right time. It was the real thing, wasn't it? At the time I thought it was a dare, but a couple of years later our TV-screens would be invaded by the X-files. Same encounters, same themes. Fallon was a 'Believer', and Aaron Spelling was so good, he was ahead of his time! What do you think? Does anyone have other idea's? less «

  DanFixx Last online 1 day, 4 hrs ago
  1 comments, last one Aug 25, 2008 + Add Comment

• Who Did You Like/Hate The Most-Alexia Or Stable

  Alexis at times had no redeeming qualities. The thing that stand out the most is when she caused Krytle Carrington her chi...more »

  Alexis at times had no redeeming qualities. The thing that stand out the most is when she caused Krytle Carrington her child. But she did have deep love for a few people including her children and Dexc Dexter. Stable's min down-fall was to direct all her anger at Jeff Colby. What Constance left Jeff was non of her business but she schemed and plotted until it cost her her marriage and damaged relationships with her children. On the other hand Stable was very vunerable and loved deeply to the point of sacrifing herself for others. less «

  Lyles20 Last online Oct 10, 2008
  5 comments, last one Mar 16, 2008 + Add Comment

•  

  7 Good

  Should have been better hide « show »

  The Colbys was obviously a spin-off of Dynasty. It had a great cast, but the writing and storylines on this show were awful. Things picked up in season 2. I especially liked the storyline with Bliss and Kolya, but they were sadly underused and were scheduled to be written out had the show been renewed for a third season. Why they decided to end season 2 with Fallon boarding a U.F.O. I will never know, but I still give this show a 7.

  Do you agree?

    0 0

  Report Abuse

  Jagger1966 Added Aug 18, 2005 All my reviews