[sinclairfan]

In 1984, in an episode of Who's The Boss, Judith Light engaged in a catfight/barfight with a young Jersey Girl.  In the 1987 Season Finale of Dynasty, Heather Locklear fought Catherine Oxenberg in a swimming pool.
Which ABC catfight was better?

1.  The actresses
Catherine and, especially, Heather (later, in Melrose Place) were nighttime soap opera all-stars.  But Judith was no slouch herself, being the lead in this comedy, and then starring in several Lifetime dramas.  And Judith's opponent was an attractive college-age temptress.
Push.
WTB  0.5, Dynasty 0.5

2.  The characters
Heather/Catherine are 2 rich, gorgeous, equal alphas--a battle of equals.  But WTB is a battle of contrasts--MILF vs young, future gf vs ex gf.  Hard to find the latter.
WTB 1.5, Dynasty 0.5

3.  The premise
The WTB episode is actually titled "Angela's First Fight".  Brilliant!
WTB 2.5, Dynasty 0.5

4.  The clothes
Heather/Catherine are in spectacular evening dresses (which get soaked).  Top that, Angela!  And yet ... she does!  A bright red, tuggable red sweater.
Push.
WTB 3.0, Dynasty 1.0

5.  The fight
Heather/Catherine splash around (ok, maybe a little dunking).  Judith and her rival are in a standing catball.  Go, Angela!
WTB 4.0, Dynasty 1.0

6.  Intangibles
Heather/Catherine fight alone.  Judith is surrounded by drinking men.  Personal preference.
Push.
WTB 4.5, Dynasty 1.5

Who woulda believed that Who The Boss, or any comedy, would deliver the ultimate 1980s catfight?

[Wicked]

Judith was also on a daytime soap before wtb, but I can't remember which one.Thanks for the great insight on these.

[Wicked]

She was on One Life To Live from 77 thru 83.

[fantasyman]

I remember the Dynasty fight and I think it is much easier to imagine Heather Locklear in a real fight. I think she would beat up Judith Light quite easily irl. I would love to see Heather in another catfish or better yet, a real fist fight.

[shotgun6]

Catherine and Heather were an amazing matchup; very similar in appearance, age, height and weight; and the Dynasty show did a good job developing their animosity; shame the fight was so poorly executed - they really needed the full Alexis/Krystle treatment, pulling hair, ripping clothes, crashing into furniture, and rolling around on the ground, to give their dispute justice.
I was surprised and disappointed that the writers let this fabulous scenario get away from them! Other than the very brief clutching before they fall into the water, it's just a lot of water splashing and some annoying yelping with very little to see..
Another fight I would have loved to see would have been Victoria Principal and Priscilla Presley; again, a very even matchup, and Dallas certainly exploited their rivalry, but they never really came to blows. Too Bad!

[sinclairfan]

Another fight I would have loved to see would have been Victoria Principal and Priscilla Presley; again, a very even matchup, and Dallas certainly exploited their rivalry, but they never really came to blows. Too Bad!

The whole premise of the Priscilla Presley character on Dallas was muddled.  She carried herself with an aloofness that made her unenticing as a sex partner to any of the male leads, and and it wasn't clear if she was a heroine or a villainess or just a plain Jane supporting actress.  It was if the writers and producers got lazy and said, "Watch us, America!  We have Elvis's widow!". 

Morgan Brittany seemed at one point she might clash with Victoria Principal, but no dice.  Nor did Linda Gray ever battle physically with any of J.R.'s mistresses, even though she knew where to find them and even confronted them sometimes.  Lots of unexploited opportunities.

[shotgun6]

Morgan Brittany was sexy - I thought her perfect opponent would have been Morgan Fairchild, from Falcon Crest; they look a lot alike, except for the contrasting hair color; very similar age, height, weight, and body type - and I loved the 80's big hair and bitchy attitudes.

[sinclairfan]

Morgan Brittany was sexy - I thought her perfect opponent would have been Morgan Fairchild, from Falcon Crest; they look a lot alike

Morgan Brittany and Morgan Fairchild had a brief catfight (in a sorority shower!) in a 1978 TV movie called The Initiation of Sarah.  Unfortunately, neither of them was the lead in the story, so the catfight was a letdown.

If the writers of Dallas had any imagination at all, they would have let the 2 Morgan's fight it out.