David Paulsen, born on March 3, 1946, initially made a name for himself as a freelance writer for the early seasons of the iconic television series "Dallas" and its spin-off, "Knots Landing". As the show's story editor and producer, he played a crucial role in maintaining its momentum and global popularity during the post-"Who Shot JR?" era, collaborating closely with producer Leonard Katzman to ensure the show's continued success.
Paulsen's mastery of irony and plot structure, reminiscent of Shakespearean storytelling, earned him recognition and acclaim. He brought his unique narrative sensibilities to the ninth and final season of "Dynasty" in 1988, a series that had been struggling creatively and in terms of ratings for several years prior to his arrival.
Despite Paulsen's efforts to revitalize the show, including several improvements, "Dynasty" ultimately failed to recover due to a combination of factors, including ABC's decision to move the show to a less desirable time slot, the departure of key actors, and a decline in audience ratings over several seasons.
In addition to his work on "Dynasty", Paulsen also served as a supervising producer for "Knots Landing" during its seventh season, from 1985-86, although he reportedly did not enjoy his time in this role.
