to see Dallas for an East European is always a strange experience. under the Communist regime, it was a fairy tale. under the democratic regime - a promise. but, always, in a strange way, more than fiction. because Larry Hagman creates a spectacular bad guy, splendid mixture between Shere Khan and Darth Vader. because it has the gift to be more than one of many soap opera from the same period but a phenomenon. because, its spectacular longevity transforms the viewer in part of story. sure, all is a fiction . but the dose of reality is right for discover the trace of series in every day life. it has the right story and the right actors. this is its success roots. and the seal for a period looking the perfect story for understand the reality escaping from it.
74 Reviews
"Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer!" (J.R Ewing)
dgrahamwatson4 May 2006
Dallas has to be one of the greatest ever TV shows, because it had all of the attributes for entertainment. It had great characters, good writers and story lines that ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime. Oh how easy it was to run an an oil company! Watching Dallas was pure fantasy, it's simply what makes TV fun and relaxing, take out an hour from the real world and enjoy, for people who saw the show they know what I mean!
So there we were introduced to the Ewing's who were in a bitter feud with the Barnes. However it was the biggest mismatch since George Foreman pounded Joe Frazier into the canvas 6 times in two rounds in the 1973 heavyweight title fight. The Ewing's led by JR body-slammed Cliff Barnes around for the first two seasons. In reality it was not a fair contest, a multimillion dollar family with connections up against a small town lawyer were always going to come out on top! However, that was to change as the series progressed. Of course the show quickly centered on JR (played by Larry Hagman) and the writers created a character that people would really hate; he had no problem playing fast and lose with other peoples lives.
So what did JR do that upset so many people! Swindled and cheated the cartel on more than one occasion, blackmailed politician's and government officials into helping him with his crooked deals, had the police set people up on phony charges as he had much of Braddock and Dallas police dept in his payroll. However JR wasn't satisfied with just tormenting the powerful, his family were not spared either, he was instrumental in trying to break up both Bobby, Garry and his mothers marriage's on numerous occasions. Cheated on his wife so many times that he turned her into an alcoholic and had her committed to a sanitarium. Government regulations were also no obstacle to his ambitions. He defied a State department embargo and illegally sold oil to Cuba, instigated a military coup in some oil rich country in Asia and risked a middle east war by hiring mercenaries to blow up Saudi Arabian oil fields to jack up the price of oil, and finally had a run in with the CIA and the Justice Department.
It was not just Cliff Barnes he wreaked havoc on, other people were fair game too. He betrayed, conned and left many of his subordinates, business associates and former lovers twisting in the wind, either in jail, broke or on the run from the police. As a consequence of his meddling, reputations were ruined family relationships were left in tatters and ambitions shattered as he turned his back or double crossed some of his closest confidants. It doesn't get any better than this! Not surprisingly the phrase "I'll get you JR if it's the last thing I'll do" or "you'll pay for this JR" both became fairly regular clichés as they all vowed revenge! As I write this I can count at least 5 attempts on JR's life as they tried to get even.
Many would say that the golden years of Dallas were the 1978-82 seasons. That's probably true, all the characters were developed through those seasons and I think Dallas had it's highest ratings. However my personal favorites were the 1987-1990 (the last series was poor)! In 1986 with the series tottering on the edge, the writers took a chance and despite ridicule brought back the character Bobby by making the previous season all a dream. It was a risk but they resuscitated a series by binning the most boring and tired looking season in 1985/86 (and that's according to Larry Hagman too) as never happening and therefore having a fresh start to the series.
To start with not everything went JRs way he lost Ewing oil, Sue Ellen started to get her act together and fight back on equal terms, Pam left the series and Bobby became a more aggressive character without her. It was a brave attempt by the creators to revive the series and they certainly pulled it off, Dallas never would have lasted as long if they had not done it! They filmed in locations such as Austria, France , Russia and gave a higher profile to the skin crawling Jeremy Wendell head of Weststar and after his exit he was followed by the lager than life Carter Mackay, who kept up the pressure on JR and the Ewing's far more than the cartel.
Some of the story lines introduced scenarios from movies such as COOL HAND Luke when JR was sentenced to hard time on a chain gang , or ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST when JR in bizarre scheme bribed a judge to commit him into a puzzle house to find out information from Clayton's mentally ill sister. Even Bobby was not spared, on his trip to Paris his wife April was kidnapped very much a story similar to the 1987 movie FRANTIC.
With the proliferation of satellite and cable TV the major networks sensitive to their advertising revenue delved into trash TV and the half hour sitcoms which are cheap to make. Just over the horizon audience participation shows i.e. Opra, Rikki Lake and Springer and dopey half hour sit-come's were awaiting and if you were to fast forward looming ahead were the so called reality TV shows of the late 1990's.
Dallas was the first of the glam soaps and the second last to be canceled (1991). Was it all more entertaining than what's on today, well you be the judge!
So there we were introduced to the Ewing's who were in a bitter feud with the Barnes. However it was the biggest mismatch since George Foreman pounded Joe Frazier into the canvas 6 times in two rounds in the 1973 heavyweight title fight. The Ewing's led by JR body-slammed Cliff Barnes around for the first two seasons. In reality it was not a fair contest, a multimillion dollar family with connections up against a small town lawyer were always going to come out on top! However, that was to change as the series progressed. Of course the show quickly centered on JR (played by Larry Hagman) and the writers created a character that people would really hate; he had no problem playing fast and lose with other peoples lives.
So what did JR do that upset so many people! Swindled and cheated the cartel on more than one occasion, blackmailed politician's and government officials into helping him with his crooked deals, had the police set people up on phony charges as he had much of Braddock and Dallas police dept in his payroll. However JR wasn't satisfied with just tormenting the powerful, his family were not spared either, he was instrumental in trying to break up both Bobby, Garry and his mothers marriage's on numerous occasions. Cheated on his wife so many times that he turned her into an alcoholic and had her committed to a sanitarium. Government regulations were also no obstacle to his ambitions. He defied a State department embargo and illegally sold oil to Cuba, instigated a military coup in some oil rich country in Asia and risked a middle east war by hiring mercenaries to blow up Saudi Arabian oil fields to jack up the price of oil, and finally had a run in with the CIA and the Justice Department.
It was not just Cliff Barnes he wreaked havoc on, other people were fair game too. He betrayed, conned and left many of his subordinates, business associates and former lovers twisting in the wind, either in jail, broke or on the run from the police. As a consequence of his meddling, reputations were ruined family relationships were left in tatters and ambitions shattered as he turned his back or double crossed some of his closest confidants. It doesn't get any better than this! Not surprisingly the phrase "I'll get you JR if it's the last thing I'll do" or "you'll pay for this JR" both became fairly regular clichés as they all vowed revenge! As I write this I can count at least 5 attempts on JR's life as they tried to get even.
Many would say that the golden years of Dallas were the 1978-82 seasons. That's probably true, all the characters were developed through those seasons and I think Dallas had it's highest ratings. However my personal favorites were the 1987-1990 (the last series was poor)! In 1986 with the series tottering on the edge, the writers took a chance and despite ridicule brought back the character Bobby by making the previous season all a dream. It was a risk but they resuscitated a series by binning the most boring and tired looking season in 1985/86 (and that's according to Larry Hagman too) as never happening and therefore having a fresh start to the series.
To start with not everything went JRs way he lost Ewing oil, Sue Ellen started to get her act together and fight back on equal terms, Pam left the series and Bobby became a more aggressive character without her. It was a brave attempt by the creators to revive the series and they certainly pulled it off, Dallas never would have lasted as long if they had not done it! They filmed in locations such as Austria, France , Russia and gave a higher profile to the skin crawling Jeremy Wendell head of Weststar and after his exit he was followed by the lager than life Carter Mackay, who kept up the pressure on JR and the Ewing's far more than the cartel.
Some of the story lines introduced scenarios from movies such as COOL HAND Luke when JR was sentenced to hard time on a chain gang , or ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST when JR in bizarre scheme bribed a judge to commit him into a puzzle house to find out information from Clayton's mentally ill sister. Even Bobby was not spared, on his trip to Paris his wife April was kidnapped very much a story similar to the 1987 movie FRANTIC.
With the proliferation of satellite and cable TV the major networks sensitive to their advertising revenue delved into trash TV and the half hour sitcoms which are cheap to make. Just over the horizon audience participation shows i.e. Opra, Rikki Lake and Springer and dopey half hour sit-come's were awaiting and if you were to fast forward looming ahead were the so called reality TV shows of the late 1990's.
Dallas was the first of the glam soaps and the second last to be canceled (1991). Was it all more entertaining than what's on today, well you be the judge!
There will be only one Dallas!
Sylviastel1 November 2006
I can't believe that Dallas is being made into a film starring John Travolta as J.R. Ewing. There will only be one J.R. Ewing and that's Larry Hagman. I don't care if he is too ill to play him but I can't imagine another J.R. Ewing. I remember watching Dallas on Friday nights after another southern show, Dukes of Hazzard. I always thought Dallas was great show always entertaining with a stellar cast besides Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Victoria Principal, Barbara Bel Geddes, George Kennedy, Ken Kercheval, Patrick Duffy, Priscilla Presley, Charlene Tilton, etc. This was one show that was quite entertaining to watch on Friday nights. Sure, it was silly sometimes but you can't beat Dallas not with the original cast. It was quite a show of the 1980s.
The granddaddy of 'em all!
hnt_dnl11 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers
When you think influential television shows, DALLAS should be near or at the top of your list. It is on mine! DALLAS was the first really great nighttime soap opera. In reality, it started the genre. There were later shows that followed and were even at times more popular (the spin off KNOTS LANDING, the stylish and classy DYNASTY, the forgotten stepchild FALCON CREST), but DALLAS was the first.
DALLAS is the tale of the rich, powerful oil family the Ewings, who reside in Braddock County, Texas, right outside of Big D. The patriarch is John Ross "Jock" Ewing, an old school oil baron who did it the hard way, wildcatting and working in the oil fields. The matriarch is Eleanor Southworth, "Miss Ellie" Ewing, the heart and soul of the family. The land that contains the Ewing's ranch and home is from her side of the family, but she and Jock own it jointly b/c Jock saved the family land when they were about to lose it back in the day. So at first, it was a marriage of convenience, but they quickly fell in love and had 3 sons: Gary, Bobby, and the eldest John Ross Ewing Jr., or as we all know him: JR!
For me, JR Ewing is one of the top 2 or 3 characters in all of TV history. Played by the great Larry Hagman, there has never been or ever will be another character like JR. Hagman imbibed JR with a no-nonsense, larger-than-life, unapologetic style that can never be copied. The best TV villain ever! Hagman had a great supporting cast that complimented him: Patrick Duffy (the saintly younger brother Bobby), Linda Gray (JR's alcoholic, self-destructive, but SEXY wife Sue Ellen), Victoria Principal (Bobby's wife Pamela Barnes Ewing, the daughter of Jock's old rival Digger Barnes), Ken Kercheval (Pam's brother and JR's biggest rival Cliff Barnes), Steve Kanaly (Jock's illegitimate son and ranch foreman Ray Krebbs), Susan Howard (Ray's wife and political activist Donna Culver Krebbs), Lucy Ewing (prodigal son Gary's daughter and a spitfire of a young lady) and the aforementioned legends Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie) and Jim Davis (Jock).
The style and set design, in addition to the great characters, of DALLAS is what really draws you in: the beautiful Dallas spots, the expansive Texas scenery, the restaurants, offices, etc. Also, the fashion is great: chic, classy for the females and cowboy boots and suits for the males! And of course, DALLAS had the ultimate cliffhanger: Who shot JR! Perhaps the most memorable cliffhanger (and maybe the real first one) in all of TV history. I remember it as a kid and it still resonates with me today. But let's face it: the greatness of DALLAS can be summed up with two letters: J and R!
DALLAS is the tale of the rich, powerful oil family the Ewings, who reside in Braddock County, Texas, right outside of Big D. The patriarch is John Ross "Jock" Ewing, an old school oil baron who did it the hard way, wildcatting and working in the oil fields. The matriarch is Eleanor Southworth, "Miss Ellie" Ewing, the heart and soul of the family. The land that contains the Ewing's ranch and home is from her side of the family, but she and Jock own it jointly b/c Jock saved the family land when they were about to lose it back in the day. So at first, it was a marriage of convenience, but they quickly fell in love and had 3 sons: Gary, Bobby, and the eldest John Ross Ewing Jr., or as we all know him: JR!
For me, JR Ewing is one of the top 2 or 3 characters in all of TV history. Played by the great Larry Hagman, there has never been or ever will be another character like JR. Hagman imbibed JR with a no-nonsense, larger-than-life, unapologetic style that can never be copied. The best TV villain ever! Hagman had a great supporting cast that complimented him: Patrick Duffy (the saintly younger brother Bobby), Linda Gray (JR's alcoholic, self-destructive, but SEXY wife Sue Ellen), Victoria Principal (Bobby's wife Pamela Barnes Ewing, the daughter of Jock's old rival Digger Barnes), Ken Kercheval (Pam's brother and JR's biggest rival Cliff Barnes), Steve Kanaly (Jock's illegitimate son and ranch foreman Ray Krebbs), Susan Howard (Ray's wife and political activist Donna Culver Krebbs), Lucy Ewing (prodigal son Gary's daughter and a spitfire of a young lady) and the aforementioned legends Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie) and Jim Davis (Jock).
The style and set design, in addition to the great characters, of DALLAS is what really draws you in: the beautiful Dallas spots, the expansive Texas scenery, the restaurants, offices, etc. Also, the fashion is great: chic, classy for the females and cowboy boots and suits for the males! And of course, DALLAS had the ultimate cliffhanger: Who shot JR! Perhaps the most memorable cliffhanger (and maybe the real first one) in all of TV history. I remember it as a kid and it still resonates with me today. But let's face it: the greatness of DALLAS can be summed up with two letters: J and R!
The Good the bad the ugly!
mm-3925 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I do not like Soap Operas and I liked Dallas. The Good: Character development was great. The mean, get it done boy father Jock Ewing gave a real old school Oilman feel. Jock was the only character to keep J R in line. Hagman's gave the J R character a slick, dirty, aggressive I the antagonist who plays the game better and harder then anyone else. Bobby J R 's brother was good, fair tough was J R's counter balance for the show. The mom, Ray, Lucy etc were side character which played minor roles and had side stories, which balance the script out. Sue Ellen and Cliff Barns were the punching bag characters for J R! J R stood out and was most of the show. The hat, wicked smile, laugh, and sarcasm made for a juicy script. J R would have an affair, underhand dealing with company, and fight a feud with Cliff and or Sue Ellen. sometimes both at a time.
The bad: When Jock died J R's counter balanced died, and made the show too much about J R. After six years Dallas ran out of good ideas. Dallas became formulated. Who's having sex with who? What miss understanding/getting burnt deal is going happen now. After the who shot J R series Dallas slowly faded away. The ugly: When Bobby died and came back in the shower it was all a dream episode many people stopped watching Dallas. Cast was leaving and or being replaced with new actors for the same characters. Stories got more and more over the top. The final 3 years of the series became just ugly. Still a T V icon show. J R is a T V character icon. Even if the series went way too long, Dallas is the gold standard of T V soaps. High budget, and prime time. 7 or 8 out of 10 stars.
Kind Of a very long "Godfather" TV-saga.
tomasg-6981426 August 2016
Well, I just want to publish my very own personal review about this global smash hit. And keep it that way.
Liked it A lot when it was on screen here in Sweden during the years about 1981-1993(?). (Some 2-3 year delay from U.S prime time.) That was a usual standard for American TV shows for European watchers by then.... (National television was Russian style in Sweden too, you know.) Got curious when my mother got hooked on the Ewing/Barnes feud, myself being just seven years old at the time. (I naturally didn't get so much out of it then.)
What was meant by the creators of "DALLAS" to be a five act drama TV show with the troublesome marriage between Bobby Ewing and Pamela Barnes in center, grows to be the major series of the 80's. (The response from the viewers after some episodes were so good that the producers called for an extension.)
We were allowed to get into the flesh of a family, with sons and daughters always fought each other for power and wellness. Office suits mixed with rancher blue jeans. Oil business and kettle care in the same sweet melody.
When the DALLAS show was released over here on DVD in a "two season per year-plan" in the early 00's, It was time to take the trip all over again. During a six year period, I consistently dug deeply into it season by season during free time, and enjoyed it to the fullest.
The Southfork Ranch almost became my own living room.
Not A member of A fan base, I want to share my own profit of taking the trip from start to finish:
"The Jock Ewing Years" are/were DALLAS at it's best. Jim Davis was the Brando of the Ewings, without doubt. The plot of the whole show was more centered and interesting while he was present. The screen writers re-grouped the three sons of an oil-mafia matriarch, surly in a "godfather" style. Late Larry Hagman (R.I.P) was the senior son J.R, the natural heir of the throne. Always thinking business, besides the hunger for women as a pleasure. Stone cold and calculating, he smashed every fly that came around him trying to steal his limelight.
2nd son Gary was placed beside in script, for several reasons. (Fans aware of "Knots Landing", uh?)
Baby brother Bobby eventually took the fight with his older brother for the captain's seat; after having his "easy living"-years he rapidly learn the business, but a little too late to ever compete with his way too superior brother, who were always one step ahead.
(Actor Patrick Duffy once said that an early take with Larry Hagman, which included some physical acting, ending up with Hagman laughing at his opponent's bad acting, was a real boost to shape up, and never feel minor in acting skills to Larry in a scene ever again.)
Cowboy Ray Krebbs (Steve Kanaly), the janitor of SF ranch, grows highly during this long history of the Ewings. Starting as kind of a youth manservant to them, he turns out to be more family than anybody of the Ewings ever dreamed of. (My personal favorite down to earth personality figure during the whole saga.) Forced into a world he never wanted to be part of.
On the opposite side, One Cliff Barnes always moaning of his father's stolen piece in the Ewings wealth, him being a partner to Jock Ewing in their oil "teen-years". (But drank it away.) Cliff B builds his own castle, but keeps up having hard time to compete with old J.R Ewing as Texas Oil Baron no. 1. Some good strikes on the way for Clifford, from time to time, always gave the series some fresh air and a forward push.
The family drama went on for years and years. People comes and goes. Weddings, barbecue parties, and some good fist fights at the annual Oil Baron's Ball. Liquor for breakfast, coffee for lunch. Heavy fuel for hard people.
Halfway the series gets a little stalled, but the writers kept on finding new and sometimes cheer ways to keep the story going on.
Yes, there's alcoholic intoxicated wives on the way.
It's getting kind of silly around the "dream-season" alright. (A solution created because of the actors big egos $....)
But I kept on watching it after that anyway, didn't I?
And did I love the ride?
YES. To the final "shot".
Liked it A lot when it was on screen here in Sweden during the years about 1981-1993(?). (Some 2-3 year delay from U.S prime time.) That was a usual standard for American TV shows for European watchers by then.... (National television was Russian style in Sweden too, you know.) Got curious when my mother got hooked on the Ewing/Barnes feud, myself being just seven years old at the time. (I naturally didn't get so much out of it then.)
What was meant by the creators of "DALLAS" to be a five act drama TV show with the troublesome marriage between Bobby Ewing and Pamela Barnes in center, grows to be the major series of the 80's. (The response from the viewers after some episodes were so good that the producers called for an extension.)
We were allowed to get into the flesh of a family, with sons and daughters always fought each other for power and wellness. Office suits mixed with rancher blue jeans. Oil business and kettle care in the same sweet melody.
When the DALLAS show was released over here on DVD in a "two season per year-plan" in the early 00's, It was time to take the trip all over again. During a six year period, I consistently dug deeply into it season by season during free time, and enjoyed it to the fullest.
The Southfork Ranch almost became my own living room.
Not A member of A fan base, I want to share my own profit of taking the trip from start to finish:
"The Jock Ewing Years" are/were DALLAS at it's best. Jim Davis was the Brando of the Ewings, without doubt. The plot of the whole show was more centered and interesting while he was present. The screen writers re-grouped the three sons of an oil-mafia matriarch, surly in a "godfather" style. Late Larry Hagman (R.I.P) was the senior son J.R, the natural heir of the throne. Always thinking business, besides the hunger for women as a pleasure. Stone cold and calculating, he smashed every fly that came around him trying to steal his limelight.
2nd son Gary was placed beside in script, for several reasons. (Fans aware of "Knots Landing", uh?)
Baby brother Bobby eventually took the fight with his older brother for the captain's seat; after having his "easy living"-years he rapidly learn the business, but a little too late to ever compete with his way too superior brother, who were always one step ahead.
(Actor Patrick Duffy once said that an early take with Larry Hagman, which included some physical acting, ending up with Hagman laughing at his opponent's bad acting, was a real boost to shape up, and never feel minor in acting skills to Larry in a scene ever again.)
Cowboy Ray Krebbs (Steve Kanaly), the janitor of SF ranch, grows highly during this long history of the Ewings. Starting as kind of a youth manservant to them, he turns out to be more family than anybody of the Ewings ever dreamed of. (My personal favorite down to earth personality figure during the whole saga.) Forced into a world he never wanted to be part of.
On the opposite side, One Cliff Barnes always moaning of his father's stolen piece in the Ewings wealth, him being a partner to Jock Ewing in their oil "teen-years". (But drank it away.) Cliff B builds his own castle, but keeps up having hard time to compete with old J.R Ewing as Texas Oil Baron no. 1. Some good strikes on the way for Clifford, from time to time, always gave the series some fresh air and a forward push.
The family drama went on for years and years. People comes and goes. Weddings, barbecue parties, and some good fist fights at the annual Oil Baron's Ball. Liquor for breakfast, coffee for lunch. Heavy fuel for hard people.
Halfway the series gets a little stalled, but the writers kept on finding new and sometimes cheer ways to keep the story going on.
Yes, there's alcoholic intoxicated wives on the way.
It's getting kind of silly around the "dream-season" alright. (A solution created because of the actors big egos $....)
But I kept on watching it after that anyway, didn't I?
And did I love the ride?
YES. To the final "shot".
The show that re-defined prime time soaps
k_dizzle_scarface_nizzle17 November 2004
This show literally changed prime-time television for the better. The show centers around the lives, loves and scandals of the Ewings, a family of oil-rich barons who reside in-where else?-Dallas. When the
show started on CBS in the spring of 1978, the show centered around the "Romeo & Juliet" love story of Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) and Pamela Barnes Ewing (Victoria Principal), the daughter of the Ewings' arch enemy Digger Barnes. Story lines, and ratings. changed for the better when DALLAS refocused on the devilish dealings of Bobby's oldest brother John Ross "JR" Ewing, Jr. (Larry Hagman. DALLAS reached the peak of its' popularity when JR was shot in the spring of 1980. For years, the show would remain at the top of the ratings until it started getting competition first from ABC's "Dynasty" and then NBC's "The Cosby Show". DALLAS' ratings was never the same after 1986 when Pam dreamed the entire 1985-1986 season. The show ran until 1991, when low ratings virtually killed it. It also spun off the longest-running prime-time soap ever, KNOTS LANDING.
show started on CBS in the spring of 1978, the show centered around the "Romeo & Juliet" love story of Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) and Pamela Barnes Ewing (Victoria Principal), the daughter of the Ewings' arch enemy Digger Barnes. Story lines, and ratings. changed for the better when DALLAS refocused on the devilish dealings of Bobby's oldest brother John Ross "JR" Ewing, Jr. (Larry Hagman. DALLAS reached the peak of its' popularity when JR was shot in the spring of 1980. For years, the show would remain at the top of the ratings until it started getting competition first from ABC's "Dynasty" and then NBC's "The Cosby Show". DALLAS' ratings was never the same after 1986 when Pam dreamed the entire 1985-1986 season. The show ran until 1991, when low ratings virtually killed it. It also spun off the longest-running prime-time soap ever, KNOTS LANDING.
Sex! Oil! Family! Everything Television should be!!
MickeyTo16 September 1999
Dallas garners its own chapter in the history of television for several reasons. In its heyday this show was very popular! (The Who Shot JR episode remains one of the most watched programs of all time.) Dallas defined the 80's as the 'ME' generation, big hair and Republican values! JR Ewing takes his place as one of fictions most notorious villains. And the show itself conquered new territory. It was trashy television ... with bite!
The story centers around the Ewing family. Their lives center around oil and power (two things that mixed well in the 1980's). Their nemisis is the family Barnes, bitter rivals continuously looking for their fair share of an empire that they claim they helped to build.
The series opens up as Bobby Ewing brings home his new wife Pamela, first daughter to the Barnes family. The soap opera takes off and the sparks fly.
Over a 13 year run the show deals with all sorts of issues. Alcoholism (Sue Ellen is fabulous when she is sloppy!), infidelity, (JR sleeps with just about anyone with a skirt), drugs, impotence, politics, down syndrome, sibling rivalry, neurofibromatosis, breast cancer, divorce, child custody, homosexuality and physical abuse. And what's so great is that it deals with none of these topics well.
Dallas is not a show to be taken seriously, at least not on a cerebral level. If you want serious drama, watch Hill Street Blues. If you want something preachy, watch Facts of Life. Dallas is best watched with brain waves turned down to their lowest level, with a grain of salt and with an ear for catty drama!
Best storyline: Sue Ellen's drinking causes her to have the baby prematurely. No one knows for sure who the baby's real father is (Cliff or JR) - but Pam had better find out soon as she has just learned that she and Cliff are carrying a gene that could kill any children they intend to have. Complicated? Yes. But you gotta love it!
The story centers around the Ewing family. Their lives center around oil and power (two things that mixed well in the 1980's). Their nemisis is the family Barnes, bitter rivals continuously looking for their fair share of an empire that they claim they helped to build.
The series opens up as Bobby Ewing brings home his new wife Pamela, first daughter to the Barnes family. The soap opera takes off and the sparks fly.
Over a 13 year run the show deals with all sorts of issues. Alcoholism (Sue Ellen is fabulous when she is sloppy!), infidelity, (JR sleeps with just about anyone with a skirt), drugs, impotence, politics, down syndrome, sibling rivalry, neurofibromatosis, breast cancer, divorce, child custody, homosexuality and physical abuse. And what's so great is that it deals with none of these topics well.
Dallas is not a show to be taken seriously, at least not on a cerebral level. If you want serious drama, watch Hill Street Blues. If you want something preachy, watch Facts of Life. Dallas is best watched with brain waves turned down to their lowest level, with a grain of salt and with an ear for catty drama!
Best storyline: Sue Ellen's drinking causes her to have the baby prematurely. No one knows for sure who the baby's real father is (Cliff or JR) - but Pam had better find out soon as she has just learned that she and Cliff are carrying a gene that could kill any children they intend to have. Complicated? Yes. But you gotta love it!
The first in a trend of nighttime soap operas...
AlsExGal26 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
... including a spin-off "Knot's Landing" that began in 1979. I'm originally from Dallas, I lived there the first 35 years of my life. I was 20 when this premiered back in 1978, and I hardly recognized the place that was portrayed, to the point that it was funny. The show tried and changed a few things up front, things that unless you go back and watch season one, you will quickly forget or maybe you never knew at all. Basically the entire series is about the conflict between two families - the Ewings and the Barnes', with other characters thrown in as needed. Jock Ewing heads the Ewing clan, which runs a successful oil company. "Digger" Barnes is a wildcat oil man who basically has been beaten down by life and by the Ewings in particular. Jock and Digger started out on the same rung of the same ladder, Jock has succeeded by foul means or fair, Digger has failed.
Throw into this a rivalry between Jock's two sons - the older, meaner, and famous J.R. (Larry Hagman), and the younger and more honest Bobby (Patrick Duffy). J.R. is the son that basically runs the family company and he will have no sibling even sharing that position. Now throw another complication of Bobby having just married Digger's daughter, Pam, and Pam's brother Cliff being the long time lover of J.R.'s long ignored and cheated on wife, Sue Ellen (Linda Grey), and you have all kinds of interesting scenarios. There is another Ewing son, Gary, and he has long since wisely decided to get away and stay away from this toxic situation and these toxic people. Jock and his wife are finishing raising Gary's daughter, Lucy (Charlene Tilton), who is a spoiled brat.
In the beginning, the focus was more on the Romeo and Juliet situation of Bobby and Pam, but people soon showed far more interest in the horribly evil greedy and lusty J.R., so the focus went to him and pretty much stayed there.
It's hard to keep a show focused for fourteen seasons, especially when you have real life situations pop up and story lines play out. For example, one cast member died early in the series (Jim Davis as Jock) and his absence was explained away for a full year before Jock's death was written into the script. As the years wore on other cast members left never to return, others left and were then urged to come back. This resulted in all kinds of strange devices and even hurtful situations. The strangest plot device - the absence of Bobby turning into a season long dream when the season after Duffy's exit became a complete disaster AND Patrick Duffy agreed to return. The hurtful situation - Donna Reed was asked to step in to replace Barbara Bel Geddes as Jock's widow, Miss Ellie, only to be summarily shown the door when Bel Geddes agreed to return.
And the one situation nobody ever talked about. In season one under aged Lucy is shown sleeping with Ewing hired hand Ray Krebs. Several seasons later it is revealed that Ray is the result of a past affair Jock had, making him a new rival of J.R.'s but also (OH THE HORROR!) Lucy's uncle! Great shades of incest, I think the writers just hoped everyone would forget this. (Somebody get me a bucket! BLECH!) Although everybody displayed good acting here, Dallas would have probably petered out after just a few seasons if not for the supreme job Larry Hagman did at portraying J.R. He stole every scene, every oil well, and every woman, and he was the man in the ten gallon hat with a menacing smile that everybody loved to hate. The second highest rated show in TV history - back when watching TV was a three network communal experience - had to do with who had shot him at the end of the third season in 1980. With all of his antics there was no shortage of suspects. Contrast this with the hapless affable accidental astronaut he played in "I Dream of Jeannie" and you have to admit Hagman showed great range. The fact that the reincarnation of Dallas could not go on after Hagman's death is somewhat a testament to his role as the glue that held everything together.
The unrealistic part? Coming from Dallas, the Ewings would have probably lived in Highland Park or Preston Hollow, not some ranch in the middle of nowhere. But in retrospect, maybe living on the ranch was a good idea, or else today's Ewings would have Dubya as a neighbor with the constant secret service intrusion, lobbyists parking on their front yard, stray bullets from the hunting rifle of visiting ex-Veep Cheney, and everything else that would come from having this particular ex president as a neighbor.
Sorry my review was so long, but Dallas was a long series and Texas is a very big state.
Throw into this a rivalry between Jock's two sons - the older, meaner, and famous J.R. (Larry Hagman), and the younger and more honest Bobby (Patrick Duffy). J.R. is the son that basically runs the family company and he will have no sibling even sharing that position. Now throw another complication of Bobby having just married Digger's daughter, Pam, and Pam's brother Cliff being the long time lover of J.R.'s long ignored and cheated on wife, Sue Ellen (Linda Grey), and you have all kinds of interesting scenarios. There is another Ewing son, Gary, and he has long since wisely decided to get away and stay away from this toxic situation and these toxic people. Jock and his wife are finishing raising Gary's daughter, Lucy (Charlene Tilton), who is a spoiled brat.
In the beginning, the focus was more on the Romeo and Juliet situation of Bobby and Pam, but people soon showed far more interest in the horribly evil greedy and lusty J.R., so the focus went to him and pretty much stayed there.
It's hard to keep a show focused for fourteen seasons, especially when you have real life situations pop up and story lines play out. For example, one cast member died early in the series (Jim Davis as Jock) and his absence was explained away for a full year before Jock's death was written into the script. As the years wore on other cast members left never to return, others left and were then urged to come back. This resulted in all kinds of strange devices and even hurtful situations. The strangest plot device - the absence of Bobby turning into a season long dream when the season after Duffy's exit became a complete disaster AND Patrick Duffy agreed to return. The hurtful situation - Donna Reed was asked to step in to replace Barbara Bel Geddes as Jock's widow, Miss Ellie, only to be summarily shown the door when Bel Geddes agreed to return.
And the one situation nobody ever talked about. In season one under aged Lucy is shown sleeping with Ewing hired hand Ray Krebs. Several seasons later it is revealed that Ray is the result of a past affair Jock had, making him a new rival of J.R.'s but also (OH THE HORROR!) Lucy's uncle! Great shades of incest, I think the writers just hoped everyone would forget this. (Somebody get me a bucket! BLECH!) Although everybody displayed good acting here, Dallas would have probably petered out after just a few seasons if not for the supreme job Larry Hagman did at portraying J.R. He stole every scene, every oil well, and every woman, and he was the man in the ten gallon hat with a menacing smile that everybody loved to hate. The second highest rated show in TV history - back when watching TV was a three network communal experience - had to do with who had shot him at the end of the third season in 1980. With all of his antics there was no shortage of suspects. Contrast this with the hapless affable accidental astronaut he played in "I Dream of Jeannie" and you have to admit Hagman showed great range. The fact that the reincarnation of Dallas could not go on after Hagman's death is somewhat a testament to his role as the glue that held everything together.
The unrealistic part? Coming from Dallas, the Ewings would have probably lived in Highland Park or Preston Hollow, not some ranch in the middle of nowhere. But in retrospect, maybe living on the ranch was a good idea, or else today's Ewings would have Dubya as a neighbor with the constant secret service intrusion, lobbyists parking on their front yard, stray bullets from the hunting rifle of visiting ex-Veep Cheney, and everything else that would come from having this particular ex president as a neighbor.
Sorry my review was so long, but Dallas was a long series and Texas is a very big state.
Classic, influential show
jojofla2 February 2000
"Dallas" is without question one of the most compulsively enjoyable television programs of all time. I watched it when it was first telecast and still watch the reruns.
Along with "Dynasty", "Dallas" defined '80s excess, Republican values, big hair and everything else. But "Dallas" was also a smartly written program, unlike "Dynasty", which was basically a cartoon (albeit a fun one). The miracle of "Dallas" was how it managed to retain it's major characters for nearly a decade, keep strong storyline pumping for them, unlike most soap operas, which drop characters left and right. But "Dallas" had some of the strongest-written characters in television history: ambitious J.R., dependant Sue Ellen, good-guy Bobby, prim-and-proper Pam, envious Cliff, unassuming Ray, and so many others, whose memory I cherish--Miss Ellie, Donna, Katherine, Mickey Trotter, etc....
Additionally, with the "Who Shot J.R.?" cliffhanger in 1980, "Dallas" created a new marketing tool the television continues to use to this day to retain audiences. Not just soap operas use the season ending cliffhanger; it's been effectively used by such shows as "Friends" and "Will & Grace" recently.
"Dallas" was for many years the most watched program on TV, and continues to be watched by devoted fans, many of them discovering its greatness thru reruns. One episode, and you'll be hooked, too.
Along with "Dynasty", "Dallas" defined '80s excess, Republican values, big hair and everything else. But "Dallas" was also a smartly written program, unlike "Dynasty", which was basically a cartoon (albeit a fun one). The miracle of "Dallas" was how it managed to retain it's major characters for nearly a decade, keep strong storyline pumping for them, unlike most soap operas, which drop characters left and right. But "Dallas" had some of the strongest-written characters in television history: ambitious J.R., dependant Sue Ellen, good-guy Bobby, prim-and-proper Pam, envious Cliff, unassuming Ray, and so many others, whose memory I cherish--Miss Ellie, Donna, Katherine, Mickey Trotter, etc....
Additionally, with the "Who Shot J.R.?" cliffhanger in 1980, "Dallas" created a new marketing tool the television continues to use to this day to retain audiences. Not just soap operas use the season ending cliffhanger; it's been effectively used by such shows as "Friends" and "Will & Grace" recently.
"Dallas" was for many years the most watched program on TV, and continues to be watched by devoted fans, many of them discovering its greatness thru reruns. One episode, and you'll be hooked, too.
Good Old JR
DKosty12323 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
It is amazing how one actor, Larry Hagman, alias JR Ewing, could so dominate a program that no matter who you put around him he'd still come out on top. That really is the story of this show. Every large family has it's black sheep. JR is the nightmare come true of them all.
By the time Hagman came to this show, he had plenty of acting experience. He had learned to be a straight man to Barbara Eden on I Dream of Jeannie. In a way, his deceptions of Doctor Bellows to explain the strange goings on around him & Jeannie prepared him well for this role. JR is the ultimate deception character.
In a way if Hayden Rourke (Dr. Bellows) had been able to have done a couple of Dallas shows as JR's therapist, it would have made interesting fodder. I mean if innocent Tony Nelson could baffle Bellows, old JR could have confounded him with both hands tied behind his back.
The plots got me started with this show. Then the good looking women who were always waltzing through kept me interested. Finally old JR just kept me coming back for another & another.
The highlight everyone remembers is JR being shot. That too me is one of many. When the DVD's get to the season where Bobby is killed in the accident, put the accident scene in slow motion & keep a special eye on Victoria Principal (Pamela). If the scene is not touched up from it's original broadcast, you will see a little wardrobe malfunction which happened long before the Super Bowl & gives you a much better look at Victoria briefly, than you could ever imagine.
With all the spice, all the intrigue, all the feuds, & all the nasty old rich oil Barron's, this show always entertained. Like old JR would tell them at the oil Barron's, "Bring me a bourbon & branch."
By the time Hagman came to this show, he had plenty of acting experience. He had learned to be a straight man to Barbara Eden on I Dream of Jeannie. In a way, his deceptions of Doctor Bellows to explain the strange goings on around him & Jeannie prepared him well for this role. JR is the ultimate deception character.
In a way if Hayden Rourke (Dr. Bellows) had been able to have done a couple of Dallas shows as JR's therapist, it would have made interesting fodder. I mean if innocent Tony Nelson could baffle Bellows, old JR could have confounded him with both hands tied behind his back.
The plots got me started with this show. Then the good looking women who were always waltzing through kept me interested. Finally old JR just kept me coming back for another & another.
The highlight everyone remembers is JR being shot. That too me is one of many. When the DVD's get to the season where Bobby is killed in the accident, put the accident scene in slow motion & keep a special eye on Victoria Principal (Pamela). If the scene is not touched up from it's original broadcast, you will see a little wardrobe malfunction which happened long before the Super Bowl & gives you a much better look at Victoria briefly, than you could ever imagine.
With all the spice, all the intrigue, all the feuds, & all the nasty old rich oil Barron's, this show always entertained. Like old JR would tell them at the oil Barron's, "Bring me a bourbon & branch."
A kind of legend
Vincentiu20 January 2012
First soap opera for me. Bridge between communism era and transition to democracy. A book with strong color images. Crumb from far America. Spider web. And a character - JR. The years of high school are parts of evening when Dallas magic is present. Love stories, a dream as explanation for slices of movie, oil, Texas, fights, cruelty, wives and powerful husbands, Miss Ellie and the ranch, pieces of exotic world and tension of each meeting. It is not an impressive show today. Only an old picture in attic or a childhood game. The episodes are smoke of lost time. Proofs of a youth or pieces of a way to discover world. So, only remarks may be gentle and fragile. Dallas is beginning . One from many others. A porch. Or chewing gum. So, just ash carpet.
Once In A Lifetime
jrewingfan14 August 2005
Dallas is a once in a lifetime show and experience. From 1978 to 1991 the series ran on CBS. Larry Hagman was by far the standout actor. His portrayal of J.R. Ewing is without comparison. Hagman takes the role and chews it up. This series was so much better than any other prime time soap. Dynasty jumped the shark with its alien arc, Dallas never went that route. All of its plot lines were very feasible and probable. The death of Jim Davis (Jock Ewing) drove storyline for many, many more years. I am saddened at the recent death of Barbara Bel Geddes, (Miss Ellie). For anyone looking for a good, drama driven, emotion filled TV series this is the show for you. I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting the DVD release of the remaining seasons. I have worn out Seasons 1 and 2, and just received Season 3. Once In A Lifetime and Classic. Enjoy!!
One of the best T.V series ever
hcalderon121 January 2005
It had great actors and beautiful settings. Power, wealth, and suspense, this show had it all. Larry Hagman was great as the evil J.R Ewing, you just really love hating him. Patrick Duffy known as Bobby Ewing played as J.R younger brother, he was a nice guy compared to J.R in the shows. Victoria Principal was terrific as Pam Barns Ewing known as Bobby Ewing wife, she was a good character that stood her ground. Jim Davis known as Jock Ewing J.R and Bobby's dad was a eager and strong hearted person, it was sad that he passed away before the 4th season. Dallas Kept you in suspense through the whole especially when J.R got shot after the 3rd season. The Ewing family always kept people in the community about what went on at Southport Ranch.
Greatest TV soap ever by a long way
sophieahmed21 January 2012
Dallas was and still is a TV phenomenon. It took the model of the tired old American soap and turned it into something fresh, fascinating and compelling watched by millions of people around the world. It used for the first time the device of the cliffhanger at the end of the season to keep people coming back for more. Personally I believe the 1981-1984 central seasons were its high point with the titanic struggle between JR and Bobby for control of Ewing Oil plus other strong story lines.
What was the secret of its success and longevity? I believe this is down to 3 factors.
1. The story lines cleverly combined subjects that would appeal to a mass audience - love and sex, glamour, money and power, family problems, and controversial subjects for the time e.g. Sue Ellen's alcoholism that attracted interest and raised awareness.
2. Excellent writing with top notch scripts.
3. Superb acting from the key cast team. I have to single out Larry Hagman's performance as JR, I have never seen any performance to match it in any TV drama. He completely got under JR's skin and while he showed us what a monster the man was, he also made us aware of his redeeming features (particularly his strong sense of family) so that we never quite lost empathy for him. Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and Ken Kercheval also gave remarkable performances as Bobby the 'good' brother who was never boring, Sue Ellen the wronged wife who eventually found a life of her own and Cliff, JR's neurotic, bungling rival who rarely managed to best him.
What was the secret of its success and longevity? I believe this is down to 3 factors.
1. The story lines cleverly combined subjects that would appeal to a mass audience - love and sex, glamour, money and power, family problems, and controversial subjects for the time e.g. Sue Ellen's alcoholism that attracted interest and raised awareness.
2. Excellent writing with top notch scripts.
3. Superb acting from the key cast team. I have to single out Larry Hagman's performance as JR, I have never seen any performance to match it in any TV drama. He completely got under JR's skin and while he showed us what a monster the man was, he also made us aware of his redeeming features (particularly his strong sense of family) so that we never quite lost empathy for him. Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and Ken Kercheval also gave remarkable performances as Bobby the 'good' brother who was never boring, Sue Ellen the wronged wife who eventually found a life of her own and Cliff, JR's neurotic, bungling rival who rarely managed to best him.
Good story
nablaquadro10 January 2007
When Dallas was aired for the first times in the 80s I was a child and I couldn't appreciate it yet. Since last September, when a satellite channel proposed again this Soap Opera, I had a small crush of it. I became fond of J.R.'s intrigues, his rivalry with Bobby and Cliff Barnes, the beautiful Pamela and nice Miss Ellie.
Dallas' strength is the plot. Not completely concerned about love and betrayals (typical but annoying), the Ewing Oil battles can move even the male audience transforming the Soap in a TV-series. Jim Davis' death (the mythical Jock, R.I.P.) put a lot of fuel in the "engines" with the legacy questions and relations getting worse. J.R.'s Machiavellian plans filled the script of amusing and caustic irony, always enjoyable.
The recitative level wasn't so great; all the actors, actually, had their height in this series, but the general quality is decent. Except for Ken Kercheval and Steve Kanaly, which proved to be good actors giving a great shape to their characters, challenging J.R. at any cost. Special mention to Charlene Tilton, which is really beautiful and should have had greater relief in the story.
Ending too late, in 1991 (2-3 years too many), the story was slowly plagued by script tricks and poorly credible deaths or departures, compromising its heritage made of several Emmys and 1 Golden Globe won.
6,5 / 10
Dallas' strength is the plot. Not completely concerned about love and betrayals (typical but annoying), the Ewing Oil battles can move even the male audience transforming the Soap in a TV-series. Jim Davis' death (the mythical Jock, R.I.P.) put a lot of fuel in the "engines" with the legacy questions and relations getting worse. J.R.'s Machiavellian plans filled the script of amusing and caustic irony, always enjoyable.
The recitative level wasn't so great; all the actors, actually, had their height in this series, but the general quality is decent. Except for Ken Kercheval and Steve Kanaly, which proved to be good actors giving a great shape to their characters, challenging J.R. at any cost. Special mention to Charlene Tilton, which is really beautiful and should have had greater relief in the story.
Ending too late, in 1991 (2-3 years too many), the story was slowly plagued by script tricks and poorly credible deaths or departures, compromising its heritage made of several Emmys and 1 Golden Globe won.
6,5 / 10
A groundbreaker, in so many ways
BRBTVcom11 June 2005
"Dallas" created some HUGE TV moments ... J.R. Ewing's shooting, the "Dream Season" and Bobby returning in the shower ...
Beyond that, though, I especially loved the writing of "Dallas," particularly in the working of J.R.'s various schemes, both at the Ewing Oil offices and offsite. He was just-plain the master manipulator, and while I don't encourage anyone to aspire to this kind of mastery(!), it sure was FUN to watch him in action! Yikes! The way he executed those deals seemed to set the show apart from rivals like "Dynasty."
I enjoyed the way the show evolved in the later seasons. In the last two seasons, in particular, there seemed to be this sophisticated edge that avoided insulting the viewer (as sometimes the campiness of "Dynasty" could). While "Dynasty" was busy being flashy (and hey, I liked that, too -- I was a teen when it originally aired, after all), "Dallas" was playing the game just a bit cooler, calmer, a touch more complicated. Plus, Jeannie aside, Larry Hagman was BORN to do that role. Meow!
Beyond that, though, I especially loved the writing of "Dallas," particularly in the working of J.R.'s various schemes, both at the Ewing Oil offices and offsite. He was just-plain the master manipulator, and while I don't encourage anyone to aspire to this kind of mastery(!), it sure was FUN to watch him in action! Yikes! The way he executed those deals seemed to set the show apart from rivals like "Dynasty."
I enjoyed the way the show evolved in the later seasons. In the last two seasons, in particular, there seemed to be this sophisticated edge that avoided insulting the viewer (as sometimes the campiness of "Dynasty" could). While "Dynasty" was busy being flashy (and hey, I liked that, too -- I was a teen when it originally aired, after all), "Dallas" was playing the game just a bit cooler, calmer, a touch more complicated. Plus, Jeannie aside, Larry Hagman was BORN to do that role. Meow!
Hard to Believe it's Been So Long Since This Great Series Premiered
Bob-459 November 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Ross Hunter and Jerry Wald were legendary Hollywood movie producers who made handsomely mounted melodramas with major superstars, such as Lana Turner, Susan Hayward and Jane Wyman. 'Dallas' producer Leonard Katzman created his own TV superstars out the cast of Dallas. Larry Hagman (JR) was primarily known for sitcoms (I Dream of Jeannie). Jim Davis was known for B westerns and supporting roles in A westerns ('Big Jake'). Barbara BelGedes was known as a famous theater actress and for her supporting role in 'Vertigo'. Patrick Duffy had been 'The Man From Atlantis'. Victoria Principal didn't need to be known; take one look and that face and figure and she had your attention. This cast would have been enough to wet your interest; but when Katzman also added remarkable actors like Linda Grey and Ken Kercheval, he had the makings of a classic. Of course you also had dumb cowboy Steven Kanaly and sexpot Charlene Tilton, but their impact on the series was minimal compared with the others, particularly Hagman, Kercheval and Grey. Grey as Sue Ellen, Hagman's long suffering, promiscuous, alcoholic wife, collaborated with Hagman and literally created her part out of whole cloth. If you read creator David Jacobs' novel, you'll find that Sue Ellen is hardly mentioned. In fact, the story is told from Pam Barnes' (Principal) view. Victoria Principal is a tough, beautiful lady and her past personal life (mistress of the rich and famous) was sordid enough to make Sue Ellen a nun by comparison; but Pam Barnes simply not interesting enough a character to propel a series. Since husband Bobby was a good guy, Pam had to be a good girl; and good girls are kinda boring. Thankfully, Hagman, Grey, Kercheval and, to some lesser extent, Duffy became the show's principal (pardon the pun) characters. This was true especially after the death of Jim Davis in 1981. Davis WAS Jock Ewing and WAS the Patriarch of the Ewing family. He was the glue that made the Ewing family stable as well as compelling. 'Dallas' never fully recovered from his loss. Worse, much of Leonard Katzman's writing talent, including his excellent story editor Camille Marchetta, were drafted to work the 'Dallas' spin off, 'Knots Landing'. Minor recurring characters were dispatched in stale, repetitive ways by the mid 80s. Nonetheless, 'Dallas' was glamorous and surprisingly frank for primetime TV. Those elements kept many fans even when the plotting was becoming predictable. Besides, what other series, before or since could claim as delicious a villain as JR. As essayed by an often brilliant Larry Hagman, JR was a master of the abuse of power. Conniving, frequently cowardly, JR was amoral enough to do just about anything to anyone. However, JR was loyal enough to his family to quit before he destroyed any of them. On the occasions he retreated from family destruction JR could be surprisingly gallant. Hagman as JR epitomized 'Dallas,' which is why Hagman is the actor best associated with the show.
WARNING: SPOILERS
When Jim Davis died before shooting began for the season, the producers covered by sent his character on a long journey, then killed him in an aircraft accident. Since Bobby and JR had nearly suffered the same fate the first full season, this seemed a bit contrived. Why not simply have a show eulogizing Davis as had Will Geer received on 'The Waltons'? It seemed as though producer Katzman wanted to milk poor Davis as long as possible. Then Dusty, Sue Ellen's lover, was thought killed in a plane crash (He was simply paralyzed, thus introducing his father, Clayton Farlow [Howard Keel], Miss Ellie's [Bel Geddes] second husband.) Then Priscilla Pointer, who played Pam's mother was killed in a plane crash. Many secondary characters perished by shootings and falling through high rise windows (Doesn't anybody lock their windows in Dallas?) Auto crashes indirectly claimed the lives of Timothy Patrick Murphy, Bobby (temporarily) and later Pam. In Murphy's case, he had AIDS, so his character was written out. In Duffy's case, he arrogantly left the series for a career in the movies. When that didn't work out, Duffy returned to the series in the silliest manner. His 'death' was just a dream. Principal likely saw the handwriting on the wall, and Pam left in the same manner (horribly burned in auto accident) the following season. At least, I THINK that's what happened. I had long since lost interest in 'Dallas'. Nonetheless, 'Dallas' continued for several more years, ending at 13 seasons, the longest running drama in TV history (not counting 'Gunsmoke,' which had started as a half hour series).
END OF SPOILERS
'Dallas' was NOT a hit, initially. 'Dallas' started its first full season (fall '78) in the ratings cellar. By mid season, however, 'Dallas' was repeatedly drawing renewable ratings and had climbed to the top 20 by season's end. Leonard Katzman must have been gratified that his 'flop' series almost beat 'Battlestar Galactica' for favorite new show at the People's Choice awards that year. In any event, by fall 1979, 'Galactica' was memory, and 'Dallas' premiered in the top ten. Soon 'Dallas' climbed to number one and remained there for many years.
'Dallas' was beautifully photographed, edited and scored. The acting and directing were about as fine as any you'll ever find on series TV. While the writing suffered in later seasons, it generally was above par for series TV. If you decide to watch the show, try to start at the beginning. The first three or four seasons are outstanding television.
WARNING: SPOILERS
When Jim Davis died before shooting began for the season, the producers covered by sent his character on a long journey, then killed him in an aircraft accident. Since Bobby and JR had nearly suffered the same fate the first full season, this seemed a bit contrived. Why not simply have a show eulogizing Davis as had Will Geer received on 'The Waltons'? It seemed as though producer Katzman wanted to milk poor Davis as long as possible. Then Dusty, Sue Ellen's lover, was thought killed in a plane crash (He was simply paralyzed, thus introducing his father, Clayton Farlow [Howard Keel], Miss Ellie's [Bel Geddes] second husband.) Then Priscilla Pointer, who played Pam's mother was killed in a plane crash. Many secondary characters perished by shootings and falling through high rise windows (Doesn't anybody lock their windows in Dallas?) Auto crashes indirectly claimed the lives of Timothy Patrick Murphy, Bobby (temporarily) and later Pam. In Murphy's case, he had AIDS, so his character was written out. In Duffy's case, he arrogantly left the series for a career in the movies. When that didn't work out, Duffy returned to the series in the silliest manner. His 'death' was just a dream. Principal likely saw the handwriting on the wall, and Pam left in the same manner (horribly burned in auto accident) the following season. At least, I THINK that's what happened. I had long since lost interest in 'Dallas'. Nonetheless, 'Dallas' continued for several more years, ending at 13 seasons, the longest running drama in TV history (not counting 'Gunsmoke,' which had started as a half hour series).
END OF SPOILERS
'Dallas' was NOT a hit, initially. 'Dallas' started its first full season (fall '78) in the ratings cellar. By mid season, however, 'Dallas' was repeatedly drawing renewable ratings and had climbed to the top 20 by season's end. Leonard Katzman must have been gratified that his 'flop' series almost beat 'Battlestar Galactica' for favorite new show at the People's Choice awards that year. In any event, by fall 1979, 'Galactica' was memory, and 'Dallas' premiered in the top ten. Soon 'Dallas' climbed to number one and remained there for many years.
'Dallas' was beautifully photographed, edited and scored. The acting and directing were about as fine as any you'll ever find on series TV. While the writing suffered in later seasons, it generally was above par for series TV. If you decide to watch the show, try to start at the beginning. The first three or four seasons are outstanding television.
Oh, how I want to be a Ewing!
Sweet Charity29 January 2004
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.
loses steam around Saeson 5
movieman_kev1 October 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The only Primetime Soap that I ever got into was "Dallas", the cautionary tale of J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman), the ruthless CEO of Ewing Oil, and his relationship with his brother Bobby (Patrick Duffy), who married the daughter of the chief rival to the Ewing empire, Pam Barnes, as well as the underhanded dealings and constant backstabbing that make up this intricately plotted show. all of this being presided over by patriarch Jock Ewing (Jim Davis) and his wife, Miss Ellie. For the first 4 seasons this show was a captivating, compelling watch. But the death of the excellent & still missed Jim Davis caused the show to seem to lack that special sheen that it once did, the whole Bobby.Dream fiasco only nailed the lid shut on an already faultering show. By the end of the run the Dallas of old had become a sad pale imitation/ parody of itself.
My Pre-Season 5 grade: A
My Post-season 5 grade: D
1st & 2nd Seasons DVD Extras: Commentaries by Creator David Jacobs, Actor Larry Hagman, and Actress Charlene Tilton on Digger's Daughter, and Reunion Parts 1 & 2; and Soaptalk's 2003 Dallas reunion
Season 3 DVD Extras: Screen-specific Commentaries by Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray on "Sue Ellen's Choice" and "A House Divided"; and a 20 minute featurette on the "Who Shot J.R.?" Phenomenon
My Pre-Season 5 grade: A
My Post-season 5 grade: D
1st & 2nd Seasons DVD Extras: Commentaries by Creator David Jacobs, Actor Larry Hagman, and Actress Charlene Tilton on Digger's Daughter, and Reunion Parts 1 & 2; and Soaptalk's 2003 Dallas reunion
Season 3 DVD Extras: Screen-specific Commentaries by Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray on "Sue Ellen's Choice" and "A House Divided"; and a 20 minute featurette on the "Who Shot J.R.?" Phenomenon
Bring Dallas Back On Air
Big Movie Fan13 December 2002
Actually, I don't wish to see Dallas back on air. It was a superb series but I'd much rather remember it the way it was.
As everyone knows, the show revolved around the life of an oil-rich family which included the wicked J.R. Ewing, Gary Ewing and Bobby Ewing. J.R.'s wife was Sue Ellen who caused him no end of problems during the series.
The show was realistic to begin with. Well, it was realistic in a TV kind of way. It had some great stories at times including the classic 1980 storyline-Who Shot J.R.? This was a good period in the show's history. However, a short while after that, things went downhill.
Everyone knows about the story where Bobby was killed but returned a season later and the viewers learnt that Bobby's wife Pamela had dream the past year's storylines. This was just a complete lack of credibility and it set a precedent for years to come both with American and British soaps. In Emmerdale in the late 90's, Kim Tate returned from the dead and no doubt a few more soap characters will return. If it happens and you feel cheated, blame Dallas.
However, we all kept watching it after this as the plots became more and more wacky. As for the final episode, it was just complete fantasy but interesting all the same.
All in all though, Dallas was a superb show. I felt cheated at the way Bobby returned from the dead but to be fair, Dallas gave us some entertaining moments and was the inspiration for future shows such as the even crazier Sunset Beach. Yes, Dallas was a good show and I think if they repeated the whole show on TV, I might just become glued to it again.
As everyone knows, the show revolved around the life of an oil-rich family which included the wicked J.R. Ewing, Gary Ewing and Bobby Ewing. J.R.'s wife was Sue Ellen who caused him no end of problems during the series.
The show was realistic to begin with. Well, it was realistic in a TV kind of way. It had some great stories at times including the classic 1980 storyline-Who Shot J.R.? This was a good period in the show's history. However, a short while after that, things went downhill.
Everyone knows about the story where Bobby was killed but returned a season later and the viewers learnt that Bobby's wife Pamela had dream the past year's storylines. This was just a complete lack of credibility and it set a precedent for years to come both with American and British soaps. In Emmerdale in the late 90's, Kim Tate returned from the dead and no doubt a few more soap characters will return. If it happens and you feel cheated, blame Dallas.
However, we all kept watching it after this as the plots became more and more wacky. As for the final episode, it was just complete fantasy but interesting all the same.
All in all though, Dallas was a superb show. I felt cheated at the way Bobby returned from the dead but to be fair, Dallas gave us some entertaining moments and was the inspiration for future shows such as the even crazier Sunset Beach. Yes, Dallas was a good show and I think if they repeated the whole show on TV, I might just become glued to it again.
The Original Prime Time Soap
shelbythuylinh27 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
As that the Dallas show was suppose to be about Pam and Bobby Ewing. But then JR Ewing the villain and later on, anti-hero or anti-villain became more popular.
Larry Hagman tried to get out of I Dreamed of Jeannie fame as he was the straight man to Barbara Eden. But the late Hagman seemed to love playing the character of JR the breakout star.
He had his soft spots like love for his mother and love-hate relationship with his wife Sue Ellen and others as also his younger nicer brother Bobby.
The feud was with the equally ambitious Barnes family in which Pam was a Barnes before marrying Bobby that cause the feud even much more destructive.
It made for cheesy TV but that it really ID the JR role to that over in Hagman. The late Barbara Bel Geddes as his mother is the only sane person along with Bobby there.
Too bad the late Jim Davis as Jock died of lung cancer prior during the early seasons there.
Larry Hagman tried to get out of I Dreamed of Jeannie fame as he was the straight man to Barbara Eden. But the late Hagman seemed to love playing the character of JR the breakout star.
He had his soft spots like love for his mother and love-hate relationship with his wife Sue Ellen and others as also his younger nicer brother Bobby.
The feud was with the equally ambitious Barnes family in which Pam was a Barnes before marrying Bobby that cause the feud even much more destructive.
It made for cheesy TV but that it really ID the JR role to that over in Hagman. The late Barbara Bel Geddes as his mother is the only sane person along with Bobby there.
Too bad the late Jim Davis as Jock died of lung cancer prior during the early seasons there.
An Iconic show
Kingslaay11 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Dallas can be easily regarded as one of the greatest TV dramas of all time. Excellent plots and twists, acting, brilliant characters, cliffhangers and setting is what gives this show its iconic status.
Viewers are treated to the complications and exciting events that surround the dynamic Ewing family. From Ewing Oil to Southfork Ranch the drama and intensity never seems to stop. Dallas beautifully show us a traditional family structure largely influenced by the Patriarch (Jock) and Matriarch (Miss Ellie). But this is so ordinary or traditional family and every family can be said to have its black sheep. J.R. Ewing, played by Larry Hagman, steals the show with his incredible performance as the unscrupulous and scheming oil baron in Dallas. We are treated to a number of schemes and manipulations through the episodes as J.R aims to have his cake and eat it too. In 1980 J.R's schemes had gone too far which led to the biggest event in television history, Who Shot JR? The beauty of this cliffhanger was almost anyone in the show was a suspect, he was that evil. More people in America tuned in to watch who shot JR than vote in the Presidential election. This show also helped make the cliffhanger popular that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Nowadays many shows use cliffhangers. While the quality of the show declined in its latter seasons the show will be remembered most for its twists and performances of earlier seasons (1-10).
Dallas is as entertaining and relevant as it was then as it is today. The combination of plots, twists, unique setting and great scheming by J.R makes this show timeless. His character and the show will forever occupy a special place in the TV sphere. Evil never dies.
Viewers are treated to the complications and exciting events that surround the dynamic Ewing family. From Ewing Oil to Southfork Ranch the drama and intensity never seems to stop. Dallas beautifully show us a traditional family structure largely influenced by the Patriarch (Jock) and Matriarch (Miss Ellie). But this is so ordinary or traditional family and every family can be said to have its black sheep. J.R. Ewing, played by Larry Hagman, steals the show with his incredible performance as the unscrupulous and scheming oil baron in Dallas. We are treated to a number of schemes and manipulations through the episodes as J.R aims to have his cake and eat it too. In 1980 J.R's schemes had gone too far which led to the biggest event in television history, Who Shot JR? The beauty of this cliffhanger was almost anyone in the show was a suspect, he was that evil. More people in America tuned in to watch who shot JR than vote in the Presidential election. This show also helped make the cliffhanger popular that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Nowadays many shows use cliffhangers. While the quality of the show declined in its latter seasons the show will be remembered most for its twists and performances of earlier seasons (1-10).
Dallas is as entertaining and relevant as it was then as it is today. The combination of plots, twists, unique setting and great scheming by J.R makes this show timeless. His character and the show will forever occupy a special place in the TV sphere. Evil never dies.
Compared to some current real life people, J.R. Ewing is a classy pussycat.
mark.waltz30 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
At least he had charm. At least he had Jock and Miss Ellie to look up to. At least he had Jeannie in a bottle. Oh wait, wrong show. Larry Hagman went from perplexed astronaut on a hit sitcom to one of the greatest villains in broadcast history, and even today, outside of the final episode of "MASH". nobody can top the ratings in finding out "Who shot J.R.?" Decades after the show went off the air and a couple of TV movies, "Dallas" was brought back with Hagman once again holding the reigns, and when he passed away, it was obvious that the new "Dallas" could not go on without him. Rather than have J.R. die like any normal 80 something year old would, J.R. was murdered, and something tells me that this is exactly how he wanted to go, pulling the strings and still fully feisty, and yet smarter than most people in charge and lovable in spite of all those evil schemes on his roster.
The original "Dallas" brought back the prime-time soap as daytime soaps were at their height, the Luke & Laura years just around the bend, and the success of this show changed the serial format of daytime TV as pretty much every daily soap brought in a power hungry patriarch businessman to run the show and emulate what was going on at Southfork and at Ewing oil. From "Dallas", we got a spin-off (the classy "Knot's Landing"), a campy hit rip-off ("Dynasty") and a replacement of oil for wine ("Falcon Crest"), but they owe it all to "Dallas". Without J.R., there would be no Palmer Cortlandt, no Asa Buchannan, no Alan Spaulding (he might have been introduced before J.R., but the "Guiding Light" patriarch really developed even more after "Dallas" was created).
Where there was bad, there had to be good, and as bad as J.R. was, there was still some good in him, seen every time he felt that he was losing control of his baby-doll wife Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) who got a backbone in season 3 and divorced him after finding out he had slept with her own sister. Good brother Bobby (Patrick Duffy) fought to keep his love for Pamela Barnes Ewing (Victoria Principal) from being destroyed by his brother's schemes, but the animosity between J.R. and Pamela's equally scheming brother Cliff (Ken Kercheval) kept that from happening. The Barnes/Ewing feud went back decades, but with matriarchs Miss Ellie and Rebecca being friends, it seemed not to be of the Capulet/Montague or Hatfield/McCoy variety. It was complex, and even though Miss Ellie had once been involved with Pamela's father, that didn't pass on in resentment to Pamela's mother. Barbara Bel Geddes and Priscilla Pointer shared a great dynamic, and when they decided to kill off Rebecca, I was sorely disappointed.
Over the years, there were some great regular cast members and many guest stars. David Wayne and Keenan Wynn as Digger, Tina Louise as J.R.'s lovelorn first secretary who didn't get stranded on an island, but ended up face down on pavement after being tossed off a roof; MGM musical star Howard Keel, initially recurring, and later a regular as Miss Ellie's second husband, Clayton; Alexis Smith as his psychotic sister who locked Miss Ellie in a car trunk; Audrey Landers as the luscious Afton Cooper, lover of both J.R.'s and Bobby's; "Three's Company" veteran Jenilee Harrison as a Ewing cousin; Dack Rambo as her brother; and of course, other regulars like Steve Kanaly as the illegitimate Ewing, Susan Howard as his ethical wife who stood up to J.R. with every immoral act he tried to commit, and of course, the diminutive but irrepressible Charlene Tilton as Ewing granddaughter Lucy who unknowingly slept with her uncle.
The complexities of the series are too numerous to mention, but if you start from season one and get at least through the episode before Bobby "died" (then came back after a season where everything was wiped out), you can see how very "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" this is. Bobby and J.R. both had sisters-in-laws who shot them, and while I could have seen more of Morgan Brittany's Katherine, I was ready to let go of Mary Crosby's Kristen. Veteran movie star Martha Scott was delightfully obnoxious as Sue Ellen and Kristen's mother, a stark contrast to Miss Ellie and Rebecca. Even glimpses of Jock's first wife Amanda (played by soap veteran Lesley Woods and later the elegant Susan French) showed her to be quite gentle, even if suffering from a mental illness that made Jock's wildcatting absences even more stressful. Barbara Bel Geddes' Miss Ellie showed what it was to be a lady, strong and determined, although she needed to give J.R. a wallop and remind him that she could take him down if she needed to. Instead, the writers simply wrote her and Clayton out, making it clear that she was sick of it all, certainly not true to the character. By this time, it was apparent that they didn't care anymore, and in its last couple of seasons, "Dallas" became a shell of itself, almost as ridiculous as "Dynasty". TV movies fooled around with the history even more and the new TV series didn't even acknowledge facts that had been brought up during those times.
The original "Dallas" brought back the prime-time soap as daytime soaps were at their height, the Luke & Laura years just around the bend, and the success of this show changed the serial format of daytime TV as pretty much every daily soap brought in a power hungry patriarch businessman to run the show and emulate what was going on at Southfork and at Ewing oil. From "Dallas", we got a spin-off (the classy "Knot's Landing"), a campy hit rip-off ("Dynasty") and a replacement of oil for wine ("Falcon Crest"), but they owe it all to "Dallas". Without J.R., there would be no Palmer Cortlandt, no Asa Buchannan, no Alan Spaulding (he might have been introduced before J.R., but the "Guiding Light" patriarch really developed even more after "Dallas" was created).
Where there was bad, there had to be good, and as bad as J.R. was, there was still some good in him, seen every time he felt that he was losing control of his baby-doll wife Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) who got a backbone in season 3 and divorced him after finding out he had slept with her own sister. Good brother Bobby (Patrick Duffy) fought to keep his love for Pamela Barnes Ewing (Victoria Principal) from being destroyed by his brother's schemes, but the animosity between J.R. and Pamela's equally scheming brother Cliff (Ken Kercheval) kept that from happening. The Barnes/Ewing feud went back decades, but with matriarchs Miss Ellie and Rebecca being friends, it seemed not to be of the Capulet/Montague or Hatfield/McCoy variety. It was complex, and even though Miss Ellie had once been involved with Pamela's father, that didn't pass on in resentment to Pamela's mother. Barbara Bel Geddes and Priscilla Pointer shared a great dynamic, and when they decided to kill off Rebecca, I was sorely disappointed.
Over the years, there were some great regular cast members and many guest stars. David Wayne and Keenan Wynn as Digger, Tina Louise as J.R.'s lovelorn first secretary who didn't get stranded on an island, but ended up face down on pavement after being tossed off a roof; MGM musical star Howard Keel, initially recurring, and later a regular as Miss Ellie's second husband, Clayton; Alexis Smith as his psychotic sister who locked Miss Ellie in a car trunk; Audrey Landers as the luscious Afton Cooper, lover of both J.R.'s and Bobby's; "Three's Company" veteran Jenilee Harrison as a Ewing cousin; Dack Rambo as her brother; and of course, other regulars like Steve Kanaly as the illegitimate Ewing, Susan Howard as his ethical wife who stood up to J.R. with every immoral act he tried to commit, and of course, the diminutive but irrepressible Charlene Tilton as Ewing granddaughter Lucy who unknowingly slept with her uncle.
The complexities of the series are too numerous to mention, but if you start from season one and get at least through the episode before Bobby "died" (then came back after a season where everything was wiped out), you can see how very "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" this is. Bobby and J.R. both had sisters-in-laws who shot them, and while I could have seen more of Morgan Brittany's Katherine, I was ready to let go of Mary Crosby's Kristen. Veteran movie star Martha Scott was delightfully obnoxious as Sue Ellen and Kristen's mother, a stark contrast to Miss Ellie and Rebecca. Even glimpses of Jock's first wife Amanda (played by soap veteran Lesley Woods and later the elegant Susan French) showed her to be quite gentle, even if suffering from a mental illness that made Jock's wildcatting absences even more stressful. Barbara Bel Geddes' Miss Ellie showed what it was to be a lady, strong and determined, although she needed to give J.R. a wallop and remind him that she could take him down if she needed to. Instead, the writers simply wrote her and Clayton out, making it clear that she was sick of it all, certainly not true to the character. By this time, it was apparent that they didn't care anymore, and in its last couple of seasons, "Dallas" became a shell of itself, almost as ridiculous as "Dynasty". TV movies fooled around with the history even more and the new TV series didn't even acknowledge facts that had been brought up during those times.
Larry Hagman the Heart Of Dallas!
ShelbyTMItchell7 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The now departed Larry Hagman is great and was the best in the role of JR Ewing. And that nobody can and never, ever replace him. As a lot of people thought that he would never top his "I Dream of Jeannie" nice guy role of Major Tony Nelson.
He seemed to have such a great time doing JR after playing second banana and straight man to Barbara Eden after all of those years. The show was full of backstabbing on a personal and professional level. Along with being so dysfunctional.
It proved that money did not buy you happiness. But it sure can make you more backstabbing in the heart of Dallas TX. Hagman has support with Linda Gray, Victoria Principal, Barbara Bel Gedes as Miss Ellie, the matriarch of the Ewing family, and Patrick Duffy as nice brother Bobby.
Still it is Hagman that steals the show each and every single time. As it was going to have Bobby and Pam Ewing as the two stars, played respectively by Duffy and Principal But in the end, JR ended up being the man you love to hate and the focal character.
RIP Larry and Barbara Bel as you are now reunited!
He seemed to have such a great time doing JR after playing second banana and straight man to Barbara Eden after all of those years. The show was full of backstabbing on a personal and professional level. Along with being so dysfunctional.
It proved that money did not buy you happiness. But it sure can make you more backstabbing in the heart of Dallas TX. Hagman has support with Linda Gray, Victoria Principal, Barbara Bel Gedes as Miss Ellie, the matriarch of the Ewing family, and Patrick Duffy as nice brother Bobby.
Still it is Hagman that steals the show each and every single time. As it was going to have Bobby and Pam Ewing as the two stars, played respectively by Duffy and Principal But in the end, JR ended up being the man you love to hate and the focal character.
RIP Larry and Barbara Bel as you are now reunited!
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