Knots Landing Reunion: The Laura Mystery

[Dr. Thong]

Just watched the Knots Landing Reunion and I am baffled by the fact that when they screened the clip of Sumner watching Laura's farewell video from beyond the grave, they blurred out the face of Constance McCashin (Laura) from the video and dubbed in another actress's voice.

The main question is: Why??

Was there some kind of a dispute between McCashin and the producers?? Or was it done because of some weird licensing restriction or perhaps the producers didn't want to pay a residual??

If anyone has a clue about this, please!!:confused:

[Ireneparalegal]

Just watched the Knots Landing Reunion and I am baffled by the fact that when they screened the clip of Sumner watching Laura's farewell video from beyond the grave, they blurred out the face of Constance McCashin (Laura) from the video and dubbed in another actress's voice.

The main question is: Why??

Was there some kind of a dispute between McCashin and the producers?? Or was it done because of some weird licensing restriction or perhaps the producers didn't want to pay a residual??

If anyone has a clue about this, please!!:confused:
really? hmmm, gonna go watch it!!! thanx Dr.

[James"Thunder"Early]

To make a long story short, Constance has held a grudge against the producers ever since she was fired from the show. She's a psychiatrist now and apparently she didn't want to confuse her patients by them seeing her on television, so she declined the reunion.

[Stuck In The '70's]

I didn't notice it . I thought the reunion was pretty good but Laura should have been there. She was a vital member of the cast for 8 years and except for that part she was never mentioned. John Pleshette should have been there too. On the plus side I was glad to see Don Murray.

[Dr. Thong]

To make a long story short, Constance has held a grudge against the producers ever since she was fired from the show. She's a psychiatrist now and apparently she didn't want to confuse her patients by them seeing her on television, so she declined the reunion.

Interesting. That's as valid an explanation as any. I'm sure that from a legal standpoint, they could have shown the clip in its original form, but they showed class by honoring her request. If that's the way it happened, of course.

Still, it diminishes the history of the show not to show some clips of Laura. They would have been better off not to show the scene where Sumner watches the video or - just show William Devane's reaction shot.

[ThomasE]

I was shocked to see that as well. I was like, "huh?". Oh, well. I wish that Constance could have been there too.

[Stuck In The '70's]

Interesting. That's as valid an explanation as any. I'm sure that from a legal standpoint, they could have shown the clip in its original form, but they showed class by honoring her request. If that's the way it happened, of course.

Still, it diminishes the history of the show not to show some clips of Laura. They would have been better off not to show the scene where Sumner watches the video or - just show William Devane's reaction shot.
They did the same thing when Beverly Hills 90210 was ending when Shannen Doherty wouldn't let her picture be used. I remember one shot had the cast but her picture was blurred.

[Dr. Thong]

They did the same thing when Beverly Hills 90210 was ending when Shannen Doherty wouldn't let her picture be used. I remember one shot had the cast but her picture was blurred.

I don't know how contracts work in Hollywood, but I would think that once you sign to do a show, they can do what they want with your likeness. Then again, what do I know???

[Stuck In The '70's]

I don't know how contracts work in Hollywood, but I would think that once you sign to do a show, they can do what they want with your likeness. Then again, what do I know???
Thats what I always thought too. I mean they're used when the show goes into syndication but then the same footage is blurred out when they do a special. It doesn't make much since. :lol:

[Pitooey]

The reunion was good. I enjoyed the whole thing. Are they airing knot's Landing on any channel right now? .

[Dr. Thong]

Thats what I always thought too. I mean they're used when the show goes into syndication but then the same footage is blurred out when they do a special. It doesn't make much since. :lol:

Perhaps the rights only cover the TV show. You know, transferring it to another medium?? That kind of thing. Kind of like when they license music for a TV show but can't issue it on DVD with that music because the licensing doesn't cover that??

I don't know. I just think it's silly to have another actress overdub "Laura's" voice. Kind of reminds me of when Emma Samms took over as Fallon on Dynasty and they had her reshoot scenes previously filmed with Pamela Sue Martin for "flashback" scenes so the present would match with the past. This is kind of similar...and equally cheesy.:rolleyes:

[James"Thunder"Early]

The reunion was good. I enjoyed the whole thing. Are they airing knot's Landing on any channel right now? .
Don't know if you get the channel, but SoapNet airs it everyday at 4 pm.

[troopoleon8897]

I taped it on dvd and i missed the last ten minutes, who was the legendry Knot's Landing suprise guest??

[James"Thunder"Early]

I taped it on dvd and i missed the last ten minutes, who was the legendry Knot's Landing suprise guest??Julie Harris

[Stuck In The '70's]

I taped it on dvd and i missed the last ten minutes, who was the legendry Knot's Landing suprise guest??
Julie Harris

[ClassicTV4Ever]

Thats what I always thought too. I mean they're used when the show goes into syndication but then the same footage is blurred out when they do a special. It doesn't make much since. :lol:

The special is completely seperate from the show. It's a whole different project. When she was on knots I'm sure there was something in her contract that stated that Warner Bros. had the right to use her footage and likeness for syndication and home video releases. Since this is a completely different project, she'd have to sign another contract to give permission to use her footage again.

[Ireneparalegal]

When the show finished, they had somewhat of a special looking back at the show. Wasn't there another reunion show before the recent one? I feel like I have seen something a long while back because when i had read abt the reunion the first thing i thought was "Again?" Am I right or am i wrong?

btw Constance McCashin appeared on the Knots Landing Block Party 1993 so why would there be any issue now? If there was a dispute and she was asked to leave, why would she return in 1993 when the series finished?

[Stuck In The '70's]

When the show finished, they had somewhat of a special looking back at the show. Wasn't there another reunion show before the recent one? I feel like I have seen something a long while back because when i had read abt the reunion the first thing i thought was "Again?" Am I right or am i wrong?

btw Constance McCashin appeared on the Knots Landing Block Party 1993 so why would there be any issue now? If there was a dispute and she was asked to leave, why would she return in 1993 when the series finished?
They had a reunion movie which aired over 2 nights a few years back. This was just a special with the cast all remembering. I forgot about the Block Party. I don't know why Constance would still be mad. A Lot of the cast was let go around that time including Julie Harris and she seems to have gotten over it. :lol:

[Ireneparalegal]

anyone have any links regarding why Constance was no longer on Knots Landing...I want to read the details.

[Coffeecup]

I always like Kenny and Ginger. I saw the show and thought it was so so. I was nice to see a younger Nicolette. All but Joan have aged well. I wish Joan would do something to that shaggy hairdo.

[comedyfreak]

I really enjoyed the special, my favorite clip was how they showed Abby really caring about her kids. The way she helped her daughter come to terms with her addiction.

[Dr. Thong]

I really enjoyed the special, my favorite clip was how they showed Abby really caring about her kids. The way she helped her daughter come to terms with her addiction.

Abby always got away with her misdeeds and never paid a price for them. She always got off scot-free. Olivia coming apart the way she did was karmic payback for her schemes. Of course, it only happened twice, so Abby still was ahead of the game.:rolleyes: