When Dallas first aired in 1978, I was not alive to catch it. I was lucky to catch any of it at all the first time around -- I was only five years old when Dallas went off the air in 1991. But, with my father being a die-hard JR fan and my mother being a Pam & Bobby fanatic, I was exposed to it the second time again when it began airing on TNN. I often marvel at the fact that even at the age of nine, I absolutely LOVED this show. Granted, I probably didn't really understand half of it, but for an hour every day, my eyes were positively glued to the television set. Now I watch it on SoapNET, at at seventeen years of age I can finally understand it -- and understand the phenomenon behind the show.
Dallas is, without a doubt, one of the most remarkable shows ever created. Solid writing, smooth direction, one of the best theme songs ever, great characters, and phenomenal performers are what secured the fan base for this show during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Comedy, drama, laughter, tears, power, corruption, money, greed, alcoholism, rape, abortions, affairs... you name it, it was there. Heading the cast were veteran actors Jim Davis and Barbara Bel Geddes playing Jock and Miss Ellie Ewing, the mother and father of the Ewing clan. You had youngest son, Bobby (Patrick Duffy), who shocked the entire family by marrying Pamela (Victoria Principal), the daughter of Digger Barnes -- Jock's archenemy and Ellie's former flame. You had ranch hand Ray Krebbs (Steve Kanaly) who not only had been involved with Pam, but we later learn is a Ewing himself -- he's Jock's son. There was Lucy (Charlene Tilton), the rebellious granddaughter of Jock and Ellie, daughter of their alcoholic middle son (and black sheep of the family, if you will), Gary. Rounding it all off you had J.R. (Larry Hagman), the eldest son, and the man everyone loved to hate. Scheming, corrupt, and hungry for money and power, he neglected his wife Sue Ellen (Linda Gray), a former Miss Texas, driving her to the bottle. And we can't forget Cliff -- Pam's brother and J.R.'s worst nightmare (or so he'd like to think).
The cast had unstoppable chemistry, and even though things got far-fetched (we all know the dream sequence... unfortunately) at times, it was and is still a joy to watch. My favorite show of all time and certainly one show that is a piece of Americana. If you've never seen it, give it a look. You'll be hooked.
Dallas is, without a doubt, one of the most remarkable shows ever created. Solid writing, smooth direction, one of the best theme songs ever, great characters, and phenomenal performers are what secured the fan base for this show during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Comedy, drama, laughter, tears, power, corruption, money, greed, alcoholism, rape, abortions, affairs... you name it, it was there. Heading the cast were veteran actors Jim Davis and Barbara Bel Geddes playing Jock and Miss Ellie Ewing, the mother and father of the Ewing clan. You had youngest son, Bobby (Patrick Duffy), who shocked the entire family by marrying Pamela (Victoria Principal), the daughter of Digger Barnes -- Jock's archenemy and Ellie's former flame. You had ranch hand Ray Krebbs (Steve Kanaly) who not only had been involved with Pam, but we later learn is a Ewing himself -- he's Jock's son. There was Lucy (Charlene Tilton), the rebellious granddaughter of Jock and Ellie, daughter of their alcoholic middle son (and black sheep of the family, if you will), Gary. Rounding it all off you had J.R. (Larry Hagman), the eldest son, and the man everyone loved to hate. Scheming, corrupt, and hungry for money and power, he neglected his wife Sue Ellen (Linda Gray), a former Miss Texas, driving her to the bottle. And we can't forget Cliff -- Pam's brother and J.R.'s worst nightmare (or so he'd like to think).
The cast had unstoppable chemistry, and even though things got far-fetched (we all know the dream sequence... unfortunately) at times, it was and is still a joy to watch. My favorite show of all time and certainly one show that is a piece of Americana. If you've never seen it, give it a look. You'll be hooked.