About this episode
She was the moral compass of Knots Landing and one of primetime TV’s most unforgettable characters. Michele Lee — the actress, singer, director, and producer who brought Karen MacKenzie to life for 14 seasons — joins Steve Kmetko for a wide-ranging, funny, and deeply personal conversation. Michele shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Knots Landing set, from fan-favorite romances to the infamous pranks, and reflects on how her character helped shape conversations about marriage, equality, and resilience on television. She also takes us back to her Broadway roots (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Seesaw), her leap into directing at a time when women weren’t always welcomed behind the camera, and her personal journey through love, loss, and new beginnings. Along the way, she opens up about friendships with Joan Van Ark and Donna Mills, why Knots Landing still resonates today, and a surprising mid-air encounter with George Clooney that only Michele could tell. From the Broadway stage to the Seaview Circle cul-de-sac, Michele Lee proves why she’s a timeless star who’s still here, still sharp, and still inspiring. #MicheleLee #KnotsLanding #KarenMacKenzie #ClassicTV #80sTV #TVDrama #BroadwayMusicals #HowToSucceedInBusiness #Seesaw #GeorgeClooney #DonnaMills #JoanVanArk #BehindTheScenes #HollywoodStories #CelebrityInterview #StillHereHollywood #SteveKmetko Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn Transcription: Mushtaq Hussain https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.