The Yellow Rose is an American soap opera television series that was broadcast on NBC from October 2, 1983, until May 12, 1984. The series was produced by Paul Freeman and was at least partly inspired by the more coltish elements of the soap opera Dallas, and dealt with the intrigues of the Texas-based Champion family who owned a 200,000-acre cattle and oil ranch called "The Yellow Rose".

The Yellow Rose
GenreSoap opera
Created by
Starring
Opening theme
ComposerJerrold Immel
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes22
Production
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseOctober 2, 1983 (1983-10-02) –
May 12, 1984 (1984-05-12)

The Yellow Rose was canceled after one season of 22 episodes. In 1990, the series was rerun again on NBC along with Bret Maverick starring James Garner.

Cast and characters

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  • Sam Elliott as Chance McKenzie, an ex-convict and the illegitimate son of the ranch's late owner Wade Champion
  • David Soul as Roy Champion, one of Wade's sons
  • Susan Anspach as Grace McKenzie, the ranch's housekeeper (eps. 1–9)
  • Edward Albert as Ramon "Quisto" Champion, one of Wade's sons
  • Noah Beery, Jr. as Luther Dillard, ranch hand
  • Ken Curtis as Hoyt Coryell, ranch hand
  • Tom Schanley as Whit Champion, Roy's son
  • Michelle Bennett as Love Child "L.C." Champion, Colleen's daughter
  • Cybill Shepherd as Colleen Champion, Wade's widow

Notable recurring characters include Will Sampson as ranch hand John Stronghart, Chuck Connors as Jeb Hollister, Roy's nemesis and former owner of the ranch, Steve Sandor and Deborah Shelton as Jeb's children, Lenny and Juliette Hollister, Kerrie Keane as Jeb's personal assistant Caryn Cabrera and Jane Russell as Rose Hollister, Chance's mother and Jeb's sister.

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Viewers
(millions)
1"The Yellow Rose"Harvey HartJohn WilderOctober 2, 1983 (1983-10-02)16.1[1]
2"Divided We Fall"Lee H. KatzinStory by : John Wilder & Michael Zinberg
Teleplay by : Paul F. Edwards & John Wilder
October 15, 1983 (1983-10-15)11.2
3"When Honor Dies"Lee H. KatzinStory by : John Wilder & Michael Zinberg
Teleplay by : Jeb Rosebrook & John Wilder
October 22, 1983 (1983-10-22)8.4
4"Walls of Fear"Burt KennedyStory by : John Wilder & Jeb Rosebrook
Teleplay by : Sean Meredith
October 29, 1983 (1983-10-29)10.1
5"Sins of the Father"Burt KennedyStory by : John Wilder & Michael Zinberg
Teleplay by : Paul Savage & Kathleen A. Shelley
November 5, 1983 (1983-11-05)8.7
6"Breaking Trail"Lee H. KatzinPaul F. Edwards & John WilderNovember 12, 1983 (1983-11-12)11.8
7"Moving Targets"Lee H. KatzinStory by : John Wilder & Jeb Rosebrook
Teleplay by : Paul F. Edwards
November 19, 1983 (1983-11-19)11.3
8"Trail's End"Lee H. KatzinStory by : John Wilder
Teleplay by : John Wilder & Paul F. Edwards
November 26, 1983 (1983-11-26)8.9
9"A Question of Love"Lee H. KatzinJohn WilderDecember 10, 1983 (1983-12-10)10.3
10"Only the Proud"Harry FalkJohn WilderDecember 17, 1983 (1983-12-17)9.6
11"Divide and Conquer"Lee H. KatzinPaul F. Edwards, Lew Hunter & John WilderJanuary 7, 1984 (1984-01-07)9.6
12"Hell Hath No Fury"Jack WhitmanColley Cibber & Paul SavageJanuary 14, 1984 (1984-01-14)11.5
13"Deadline"Lee H. KatzinColley Cibber & Paul SavageJanuary 21, 1984 (1984-01-21)11.8
14"Land of the Free"Lee H. KatzinPaul SavageFebruary 11, 1984 (1984-02-11)10.4
15"Sport of Kings"Harry FalkJerry ZiegmanFebruary 18, 1984 (1984-02-18)10.7
16"Running Free"Lee H. KatzinJosef AndersonFebruary 25, 1984 (1984-02-25)10.5
17"Sacred Ground"Harry FalkGerald Di Pego & Janet KapsinMarch 10, 1984 (1984-03-10)10.8
18"Debt of Honor"William WiardJeb RosebrookMarch 17, 1984 (1984-03-17)9.6
19"Chains of Fear"Paul KrasnyPaul F. EdwardsMarch 24, 1984 (1984-03-24)10.6
20"Beyond Vengeance"Bernard McEveetyPaul SavageApril 28, 1984 (1984-04-28)9.2
21"Villa's Gold"Paul KrasnyGarner SimmonsMay 5, 1984 (1984-05-05)9.7
22"The Far Side of Fear"Gary GriffinCliff GouldMay 12, 1984 (1984-05-12)9.1

US television ratings

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Season Episodes Start Date End Date Nielsen Rank Nielsen Rating[2]
1983–84 22 October 2, 1983 May 12, 1984 90 10.1[a]
  1. ^ Tied with Manimal

Theme song

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The series' theme song "The Yellow Rose" — set to the tune of the traditional "The Yellow Rose of Texas" but with new lyrics referencing the setting of the show — was recorded by country singers Johnny Lee and Lane Brody. The song became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart on April 21, 1984.[3]

Home media

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Warner Bros. released the complete series to DVD on May 3, 2011, consisting of all 22 episodes on a five-disc set. The set was released as part of the manufacture-on-demand Warner Archive Collection.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Bruce B. Morris, Prime Time Network Serials: Episode Guides, Casts and Credits for 37 Continuing Television Dramas, 1964-1993, McFarland and Company, 1997.
  2. ^ "1983-84 Ratings History -- The Networks Are Awash in a Bubble Bath of Soaps".
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. Billboard Books. p. 54.
  4. ^ TV Shows on DVD series release announcement Archived 2011-03-20 at the Wayback Machine
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