{{Short description|American screenwriting duo}} {{For|the fictional character Esther "Esty" Shapiro|Unorthodox (miniseries)}} {{Infobox person | name = Richard Shapiro | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Richard Allen Shapiro | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1934|06|27}} | birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | years_active = | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | known_for = ''Dynasty'', ''The Colbys'', ''Dynasty: The Reunion'' | spouse = Esther Shapiro | occupation = Television writer, screenwriter, television producer }} {{Infobox person | name = Esther Shapiro | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Esther June Mayesh | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1928|06|06}} | birth_place = Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | years_active = | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | known_for = ''Dynasty'', ''The Colbys'', ''Dynasty: The Reunion'' | spouse = Richard Shapiro | occupation = Television writer, screenwriter, television producer }}
'''Richard Allen Shapiro''' (born June 27, 1934)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lccn.loc.gov/no98101217|title=Library of Congress Authorities: Shapiro, Richard, 1934–|publisher=Library of Congress|via=lccn.loc.gov|access-date=August 31, 2018}}</ref> and '''Esther June Shapiro''' (née '''Mayesh'''; born June 6, 1928)<ref name="FR">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/25/Esther-Shapiro.html|title=Esther Shapiro Biography 1934–|via=Filmreference.com|access-date=August 31, 2018}}</ref> are an American married couple who work as television screenwriters and producers, through their Shapiro Film Corporation.<ref name="FR" /> They are best known as the creators of the long-running 1980s prime time soap opera ''Dynasty'', its spin-off series ''The Colbys'', and the 1991 miniseries ''Dynasty: The Reunion''.
In 1984, Doubleday/Dolphin published the companion book ''Dynasty: The Authorized Biography of the Carringtons'',<ref>''Dynasty: The Authorized Biography of the Carringtons'', 1984, Doubleday/Dolphin, 150 pg. {{ISBN|0-385-19525-7}}.</ref> which included an introduction by Esther Shapiro.
==''Dynasty''== The Shapiros created and produced the prime time soap opera ''Dynasty'', which debuted in 1981.<ref name="SOE">{{Cite book |last=Schemering |first=Christopher |author-link=Christopher Schemering |title=The Soap Opera Encyclopedia |date=September 1985 |pages=80–81 |isbn=0-345-32459-5|title-link=The Soap Opera Encyclopedia (Schemering book) |publisher=Ballantine Books }}</ref> Written as the Shapiros' creative response to the 1979 oil crisis,<ref name="NYM Esther">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KxMCAAAAMBAJ&q=pamela+sue+martin+leave+dynasty&pg=PA32|title=The Real Star of ''Dynasty''|work=New York|first=Joe|last=Klein|author-link=Joe Klein|date=September 2, 1985|pages=32–39|via=Google Books|access-date=June 1, 2017}}</ref> and intended by ABC to be a competitor for CBS's ''Dallas'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/arts/television/dynasty-reboot-cw.html|title=A ''Dynasty'' for Generation ''Gossip Girl'' (Mom Can Watch, Too)|first=Alexandra|last=Jacobs|date=October 6, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 6, 2017}}</ref> the series ranked #28 its first season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1TwpAAAAIBAJ&pg=4230,6622066&dq=dynasty+nielsen+ratings&hl=en|title=Prime-time soap opera ''Dynasty'' trying old whodunnit technique |first=Fred |last=Rothenberg |work=The Register-Guard|date=July 24, 1981 |access-date=September 1, 2015}}</ref> Ratings steadily grew, with ''Dynasty'' reaching #1 for the 1984–85 season.<ref name="Directory Ratings">{{cite book|last1=Brooks|first1=Tim|first2=Earle|last2=Marsh|author-link1=Tim Brooks (television historian)|title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present|date=October 2007|edition=9th|pages=1689–1692|publisher=Ballantine Books|chapter=Top-Rated Programs by Season|isbn=978-0-345-49773-4|title-link=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present}}</ref><ref name="Ratings 1985">{{cite web|url=http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1984.htm|title=ClassicTVHits.com: TV Ratings > 1984–1985|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=August 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815052553/http://classictvhits.com/tvratings/1984.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> A spin-off, ''The Colbys'', debuted in 1985,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/07/arts/abc-revises-fall-list-in-battle-for-ratings.html |title=ABC Revises Fall List in Battle for Ratings |work=The New York Times |date=May 7, 1985 |access-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref> but was cancelled after two seasons.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brooks|first1=Tim|last2=Marsh|first2=Earle|title=The Directory To Prime Time TV Shows |edition=8th|publisher=Ballantine Books|date=2003}}</ref> ''Dynasty'' was cancelled in 1989, with the Shapiros writing and producing a reunion miniseries in 1991.<ref name="People 1991-08-05">{{cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20115641,00.html|title=Alexis Strikes Again!|last1=Gliatto|first1=Tom|first2=Vicki|last2=Sheff|date=August 5, 1991|work=People|volume=36|issue=4|pages=66–68|access-date=February 21, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Deseret">{{Cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/47975/DYNASTY-CLIFFHANGER-IS-JUST-THAT.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019071243/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/47975/DYNASTY-CLIFFHANGER-IS-JUST-THAT.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 19, 2012|title=''Dynasty'' Cliffhanger is Just That|first=Joseph|last=Walker|date=May 24, 1989 |work=Deseret News|access-date=September 25, 2010}}</ref><ref name="CT 1989">{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/05/21/the-real-life-fallon/ |title=The Real-life Fallon: Emma Samms Of ''Dynasty'' Is A Star On A Mission |work=Chicago Tribune |first=Barbara |last=Szul |date=May 21, 1989 |access-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref>
During ''Dynasty''{{'s}} run, the Shapiros also co-created the prime time soap opera ''Emerald Point N.A.S.'', which lasted for one season from 1983 to 1984,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Handler|first1=David|title=Relevancy tarnishes ''Emerald''{{'s}} glitter|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4733544/indiana_gazette/|work=Indiana Gazette|date=June 1, 1999|location=Pennsylvania, Indiana|page=10|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2018}} {{Open access}}</ref> and the medical drama ''HeartBeat'', which ran two seasons from 1988 to 1989.<ref name=directory>{{cite book|last1=Brooks|first1=Tim|last2=Marsh|first2=Earle|title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present|edition=9th|date=2007|publisher=Ballantine Books|page=596|isbn=978-0-345-49773-4}}</ref>
At the height of ''Dynasty''{{'s}} popularity in 1985, Joe Klein of ''New York'' called Esther "the ABC network's most valuable asset ... and perhaps the most influential woman executive in television".<ref name="NYM Esther"/> ''Dynasty'' producer Aaron Spelling and others compared Esther to her creation, Blake Carrington (John Forsythe).<ref name="NYM Esther"/>
==''Dynasty'' legacy== In January 2004, Esther Shapiro participated in a marathon of the show's episodes on SOAPnet, ''Serial Bowl: Alexis vs. Krystle'', giving behind-the-scenes tidbits and factoids.
In 2005 Ritchie Singer and Pamela Reed portrayed the Shapiros in ''Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure'', a fictionalized ABC television movie based on the creation and behind the scenes production of ''Dynasty''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.der-denver-clan.de/de/dynasty_behind.207.html|title=''Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure'': Credits|publisher=Der-denver-clan.de|access-date=February 27, 2009|archive-date=January 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119014716/http://www.der-denver-clan.de/de/dynasty_behind.207.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The first season of ''Dynasty'' was released on Region 1 DVD an April 19, 2005 by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. This edition includes audio commentary by Esther Shapiro.
The Shapiros announced on January 12, 2011, that they had written a ''Dynasty'' prequel feature film script set in the 1960s, and were shopping it to studios for a possible film franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/220158/shoulder-pad-alert-another-classic-prime-time-soap-is-headed-for-the-big-screen |title=Shoulder Pad Alert! Another Classic Prime-Time Soap Is Headed for the Big Screen |first=Marc |last=Malkin |date=January 12, 2011 |website=E! Online |access-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref> In a September 2011 interview, ''Dynasty'' actress Joan Collins chatted about a ''Dynasty'' television revival: "I've been in constant contact with Esther Shapiro, who wrote it, and apparently they've written a script."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a338959/joan-collins-new-dynasty-script-has-been-written.html |title=Joan Collins: 'New ''Dynasty'' script has been written' |first=Catriona |last=Wightman |date=September 6, 2011 |access-date=March 1, 2014 |website=Digital Spy}}</ref>
In September 2016, it was announced that a ''Dynasty'' reboot was in development at The CW, with the Shapiros attached as producers.<ref name="THR 2016-09">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dynasty-reboot-works-at-cw-934334 |title=''Dynasty'' Reboot in the Works at The CW |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first1=Lesley |last1=Goldberg |first2=Michael |last2=O'Connell |date=September 30, 2016 |access-date=October 6, 2016}}</ref><ref name="DL 2016-09">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/dynasty-reboot-the-cw-josh-schwartz-stephanie-savage-1201829178/ |title=''Dynasty'' Reboot Set At the CW With Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=September 30, 2016 |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref> The project received a series order in May 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/dynasty-cw-1202422808/|title=''Dynasty'' Reboot, Military Drama ''Valor'' Land Series Orders at CW|last=Holloway|first=Daniel|work=Variety|date=May 10, 2017|access-date=May 11, 2017}}</ref><ref name="BBC remake">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39882304|title=Everything we know about the ''Dynasty'' remake|first=Emma|last=Saunders|publisher=BBC|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=May 11, 2017}}</ref> and premiered in the US on October 11, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/the-cw-fall-premiere-dates-dynasty-valor-the-flash-1202109659/|title=The CW Sets Fall 2017 Premiere Dates For ''Dynasty'' & ''Valor'' And Returning Series|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref> ''Dynasty'' ran for five seasons, ending in September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/dynasty-will-end-with-season-5-on-the-cw-1235022456/|title=''Dynasty'' Will End with Season 5 on The CW|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=May 12, 2022|access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2022/05/12/dynasty-cancelled-season-6-the-cw/|title=''Dynasty'' Cancelled After 5 Seasons|website=TVLine|first=Andy|last=Swift|date=May 12, 2022|access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref>
==Personal life== The Shapiros are Jewish, with Esther's family being Sephardic Jews from Greece and Turkey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/hollywood/225467/dynasty-creator-esther-shapiro-dishes-80s-soaps-reboot/|title='Dynasty' Creator Esther Shapiro Dishes on '80s Soap's Reboot|first=Gerri|last=Miller|date=October 5, 2017|website=Jewish Journal}}</ref>
==Credits== {|class="wikitable" |- ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Project ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Position ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes |- |1962 |''Route 66'' |Co-writers (story credit only, as Richard Shapiro and Esther Mayesh; teleplay by Stirling Silliphant) |Episode: "A Long Piece of Mischief" |- |1964 |''Bonanza'' |Co-writers (as Richard Shapiro and Esther Mayesh) |Episode: "A Dime's Worth of Glory" |- |1966 |''Combat!'' |Writer: Richard Shapiro only |Episode: "Gulliver" |- |1966–1967 |''Iron Horse'' |Co-writers |(2) episodes |- |1968 |''Tarzan'' |Co-writers |(3) episodes |- |1968 |''Garrison's Gorillas'' |Co-writers: Richard Shapiro & Shimon Wincelberg |Episode: "Run from Death" |- |1969–1970 |''Land of the Giants'' |Writer: Richard Shapiro only |(4) episodes |- |1971 |''Medical Center'' |Writer: Richard Shapiro only |(1) episode |- |1975 |''Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic'' |Co-writers |Television film |- |1976 |''The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday'' |Writer: Richard Shapiro only |Film |- |1977 |''Intimate Strangers'' |Co-writers/Co-producers |Television film |- |1977 |''Minstrel Man'' |Co-writers |Television film |- |1979 |''The Cracker Factory'' |Writer/producer: Richard Shapiro only |Television film |- |1981 |''East of Eden'' |Writer: Richard Shapiro only |Miniseries |- |1981–1989 |''Dynasty'' |Co-creators/Co-executive producers |(220) episodes |- |1983–1984 |''Emerald Point N.A.S.'' |Co-creators/Co-executive producers |(22) episodes |- |1985–1987 |''The Colbys'' |Co-creators/Co-executive producers |(49) episodes |- |1987 |''Free Spirit'' |Co-writers |Television film |- |1988–1989 |''HeartBeat'' |Co-creators/Co-executive producers |(18) episodes |- |1989 |''When We Were Young'' |Co-writers |Television film |- |1991 |''Dynasty: The Reunion'' |Co-creators/Co-executive producers |Miniseries |- |1991 |''Blood Ties'' | Writer: Richard Shapiro only<br>Co-executive producers |Television film |- |1996 |''The Colony'' |Co-writers/Co-executive producers |Television film |- |2017–2022 |''Dynasty'' |Co-creators/Co-executive producers |(108) episodes |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|id=0788616|name=Richard Shapiro}} * {{IMDb name|id=0788503|name=Esther Shapiro}} * [http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2005/04/17/lifestyles_of_the_rich_and_the_ruthless/ "Lifestyles of the rich and the ruthless"], ''The Boston Globe'', April 17, 2005 * [https://www.boxofficemojo.com/features/?id=1794&p=.htm "''Dynasty'' Heirs Remember the Beginning"], Scott Halloran, BoxOfficeMojo.com, April 22, 2005 * {{LCAuth|no98101217|Richard Shapiro}} * {{LCAuth|n84048793|Esther Shapiro}} * {{EmmyTVLegends name|richard-shapiro|Richard Shapiro}} * {{EmmyTVLegends name|esther-shapiro|Esther Shapiro}}
{{authority control}} {{Dynasty}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shapiro, Richard And Esther}} Category:American male television writers Category:American women television writers Category:American television writers Category:American television show creators Category:American soap opera writers Category:American television producers Category:Married couples Category:Screenwriting duos