The Colbys is an American prime time soap opera, which originally aired on ABC from November 20, 1985 to March 26, 1987. Produced by Aaron Spelling, it was a spin-off of Dynasty, which had been the highest rated series for the 1984–1985 U.S. television season. The Colbys revolved around another wealthy, upper-class family, who were distant relatives of the Carringtons of Dynasty and who owned a large multi-national corporation. Intended to surpass its predecessor in opulence, the series' producers were handed an immensely high budget for the era and cast a handful of well-known movie stars among its leads, including Charlton Heston, Barbara Stanwyck, Katharine Ross and Ricardo Montalban. However, The Colbys was ultimately a ratings disappointment, and was canceled after two seasons.
The Colbys (Season 1)
The Celebration (Episode 1)
Writer: William Bast
Air date: 1985-11-20
Runtime: 44 min
Overview: The Colbys return from Denver to their home in Bel Air, California, where Jason Colby holds a press conference regarding the pipeline venture between his company, Colby Enterprises, and Denver-Carrington. Jason's wife, Sable, however, is upset that Jason's sister, Constance, has turned over her shares in the family company to her estranged nephew, Jeff, rather than to Jason and Sable's three children. Jason, meanwhile, shares a secret with Constance- he's dying. Later, Jason learns his business rival Zachary Powers is trying to muscle in on his deal with Denver-Carrington. Constance, meanwhile, contacts Jeff's estranged mother, Francesca, in London and asks her to reunite with the son she abandoned as a child and a reluctant Francesca agrees. Constance then pays a secret visit to her lover, a rancher named Hutch, while keeping her true identity a secret from him. Jeff arrives in California to claim his share of the family empire- and also to find his long-missing, presumed-dead ex-w
Conspiracy of Silence (Episode 2)
Air date: 1985-11-27
Runtime: 44 min
Overview: After Miles introduces his new bride ""Randall"" to the family, Jeff is stunned when Fallon doesn't recognize him. Battle lines are immediately drawn between Miles and Jeff after Jeff reveals Randall's true identity. Constance calls in a psychiatrist to treat Fallon, who suggests the family accept her as Randall and not force her memory. Jeff calls Fallon's father, Blake, who flies to California to see her. However, when Fallon doesn't recognize him either, Blake entrusts Jason and Constance with looking out for Fallon before returning to Denver. Jeff has a chilly reunion with his mother, Francesca, as he's still bitter over her abandonment of him as a child. Francesca then reunites with her sister Sable and, later, with Jason, with whom she was once close. Jason's business rival, Zachary Powers, conveniently runs into Sable twice and hits on her, but she rejects his advances. A dying Jason tries to resolve his conflict with son Miles, to no avail. Jeff gets to know ""Randall"" better, the
Moment of Truth (Episode 3)
Writer: William Bast
Air date: 1985-11-28
Runtime: 44 min
Family Album (Episode 4)
Air date: 1985-12-05
Runtime: 44 min
Shadow of the Past (Episode 5)
Air date: 1985-12-12
Runtime: 44 min
A House Divided (Episode 6)
Air date: 1985-12-19
Runtime: 44 min
The Reunion (Episode 7)
Air date: 1985-12-26
Runtime: 44 min
Fallen Idol (Episode 8)
Writer: Oliver Clark
Air date: 1986-01-02
Runtime: 44 min
The Letter (Episode 9)
Air date: 1986-01-09
Runtime: 44 min
The Turning Point (Episode 10)
Writer: Charles Pratt, Jr.
Air date: 1986-01-16
Runtime: 44 min
Thursday's Child (Episode 11)
Air date: 1986-01-30
Runtime: 44 min
The Pact (Episode 12)
Air date: 1986-02-06
Runtime: 44 min
Fallon's Choice (Episode 13)
Air date: 1986-02-13
Runtime: 44 min
The Trial (Episode 14)
Writer: Don Roos
Air date: 1986-02-20
Runtime: 44 min
Burden of Proof (Episode 15)
Air date: 1986-02-27
Runtime: 44 min
My Father's House (Episode 16)
Air date: 1986-03-06
Runtime: 44 min
The Outcast (Episode 17)
Writer: Don Roos
Air date: 1986-03-13
Runtime: 44 min
The Wedding (Episode 18)
Air date: 1986-03-20
Runtime: 44 min
The Honeymoon (Episode 19)
Writer: Mary Ann Kasica
Air date: 1986-03-27
Runtime: 44 min
Double Jeopardy (Episode 20)
Air date: 1986-04-10
Runtime: 44 min
A Family Affair (Episode 21)
Air date: 1986-04-17
Runtime: 44 min
The Reckoning (Episode 22)
Air date: 1986-05-01
Runtime: 44 min
Anniversary Waltz (Episode 23)
Air date: 1986-05-15
Runtime: 44 min
Checkmate (Episode 24)
Air date: 1986-05-22
Runtime: 44 min
Seasons
Episodes 24
Episodes 25