33 Years Ago Today, an Iconic Soap Opera Aired Its Final Episode After 14 Seasons
Thirty-three years ago today, the iconic primetime soap opera Knots Landing aired its final episode after 14 seasons on CBS.
The series finale, which aired on May 13, 1993, was a two-hour episode titled "Just Like Old Times."
In the finale, the core couples reunited-Karen (Michele Lee) and Mack (Kevin Dobson), and Val (Joan Van Ark) and Gary (Ted Shackelford)-for a barbecue, and Abby (Donna Mills) returned in the final moments. It neatly wrapped up conflicts (including Val coming back from the "dead"), and ended with Abby buying back her house and a newlywed couple moving into the Seaview Circle cul-de-sac.
Related: Knots Landing Star Reveals What She Took From Iconic Soap Opera Set
Knots Landing, which aired from 1979 to 1993, was a spinoff of the soap opera Dallas, which also ran for 14 seasons from 1978 to 1991. Both Gary and Val's characters started on Dallas before moving to California to start over in Knots Landing.
However, the Knots Landing finale wasn't really the end. In 1997, a two-part miniseries called Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac aired, followed by a 2005 special titled Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again.
In October 2025, Lee, now 83, appeared on the Still Here Hollywood Podcast, during which she made a confession about the long-running series.
"Knots Landing, the show, became less and less interesting to me," she admitted. "...Time went by, and it became more and more soap opera because they found soap operas were so strong at that time. It was difficult for me, it really was."
Still, Lee also acknowledged that the show gave her "wonderful opportunities."
"I was able to produce and direct some of the things off of Knots Landing. You know, once you're on a show that's successful, they promise you anything And if you ask, sometimes they give it to you."
For those who want to re-live the show, Knots Landing is available to stream for free on Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Plex.
Next: 63 Years Ago Today, a Music Icon Walked Off The Ed Sullivan Show Over a Song Dispute
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 5:30 AM.