This Is Joan Collins

Well, that was nothing but fun! And considering that the subject of this most entertaining of show biz docs never came close to making a great film and damn few good ones, while competing for 80s TV schlock monarch with Larry Hagman, the reason must lie not with Ms. Collins' career, and certainly not with her four rather schlubby ex husbands, but with the amusing, chatty, occasionally bitchy, more frequently insightful and blessedly unpretentious personality of the dame herself. Give it a B.

Top 5 tidbits/anecdotes (in no particular order):

1) RFK propositioning her 2) Marilyn M warning her away from Zanuck 3) John Forsythe insisting in his contract on center billing on all "Dynasty" PR shots 4) Brando having no respect for his craft (somehow, I always suspected this) 5) Richard Burton as the mother of all skirt chasers.

Known as the poor man's Elizabeth Taylor in Hollywood circles is so off base after watching this TV Special. Yes she could be a stunt double for La Liz but that is where it ends. Good times and bum times I've seen it all and my dear I'm still here should be her theme song. Miss Collins narrates her seven rollercoaster decades in showbiz sharing her extraordinary home archive footage, giving an intimate glimpse into one of the world's most iconic figures. Known as the evil villainess in many of her roles especially Dynasty she does it with a sense of self-depreciating humor but with a naughty sparkle in her beautiful eyes. Well worth a 2nd viewing.

I grew up in the Dynasty era Joan Collins and knew very little about her other than her role as Alexis Carrington. 'This Is Joan Collins' gives us a very candid view of this amazing star. No one can deny Joan's stunning beauty and amazing, enviable figure, and this programme is full of films and photos from throughout her life. She is the ultimate superstar!

Joan is an honest narrator and admits to her misdemeanours as well as her successes. She has certainly led a full and exciting life, full of ups and downs. Joan was a revolutionary, standing up for women's rights, getting the wages she was due, standing up to the fat cats in Hollywood.

By the end of this programme, I love our Joanie and I am so pleased she found true love- a love which is reciprocated- with Percy Gibson.

There comes a point in this documentary in which, talking about her stint at Fox in the 1950s, Joan Collins says she was a utility star: she got the part when a bigger star didn't want it. That pretty much sums up her career as recounted in this BBC documentary, in between the affairs and marriages, accompanied by film clips of other glamorous stars.

One of the compensations in not being the supernova is that you don't burn yourself out. You can work forever, following the natural course from Juliet to Lady Capulet to the Nurse. Also, every once in a while, you get the job because you haven't priced yourself out of the market, or because you can convince your sister to turn her best-seller into a screenplay that you can flog with a juicy role for yourself. Plus, there's the chance you get the role that turns you into a true star for a bit.

That's what happened to Miss Collins when she was cast in Dynasty, even though she notes that she was probably third or fourth choice. Being a utility star means you get to play a wide range of roles, and when one of them clicks, you make some hay while the sun shines. Otherwise, it's a typical life, with highs, lows, and an outsized appreciation of how to look good for the camera.

Joan Collins is fun. She is also a survivor. She survived the studio system, the casting couch, many career and personal ups and downs and several relationships with men who were not nice.

Of course this is about her and from her perspective only. She seems pretty open about her foibles, her mistakes and her actions.

Joan is as fun as she is on the screen. She has a sense of humor about herself and her life.

This was surprisingly uplifting and inspirational. If glamorous, charismatic, fiesty and talented Joan Collins has to face life's constant punches, you realize everyone does. Don't take is personally just soldier on the best you can.