His blood pressure rose too
Ratings for TNT’s “Dallas” rebounded this week after dipping on Independence Day.
Approximately 3.4 million viewers watched “Truth and Consequences,”the show’s fifth episode, on July 4. Although the audience was down about 18 percent from the previous week – no surprise there, TV audiences always shrink on holidays – “Truth and Consequences” still managed to become the evening’s top original cable show and the 16th most-watched cable program of the week.
TNT’s sixth “Dallas” installment, “The Enemy of My Enemy,” did better: It scored 3.6 million viewers on July 11, including 1.3 million viewers between the ages of 18 and 49, the group advertisers pay a premium to reach. “Dallas” and USA’s “Royal Pains” tied for second place among the 18-to-49 crowd that evening; the top-rated cable show in that demographic: ESPN’s “ESPY Awards,” which was seen by 1.5 million viewers in that group.
“Dallas” is averaging 4.5 million viewers of all ages on Wednesday nights, although the numbers go up when people who record the show and watch it later are counted.
‘Who Shot J.R.?’ Still Making News
“Who Done It?,” the “Dallas” episode that reveals Kristin as J.R.’s shooter, remains one of the most memorable television moments of the past 50 years, according to a study published this week.
The 1980 broadcast ranked 44th on the memorable moments list, ahead of “events” like Chaz Bono’s participation in “Dancing with the Stars” (No. 59) and Kim Kardashian’s marriage to Kris Humphries (No. 76), but below ABC’s 1977 miniseries “Roots” (No. 36) and the Beatles’ performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” (No. 43).
Sony Electronics and the Nielsen television research company conducted the study. The findings are based on a survey in which people were given a list of landmark TV events and asked to rank them.
News stories dominated the list: Coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks ranked first, followed by reporting on the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster (No. 2) and the 1995 verdict in the O.J. Simpson murder trial (No. 3).
Dressing ‘Dallas’
Here at Dallas Decoder, we’re big fans of Rachel Sage Kunin, costume designer for TNT’s “Dallas,” which is why we’re pleased to see her get a little love in the press.
In a new interview with the design site Artinfo, Kunin reveals why Linda Gray is her favorite cast member to dress – and why we’re unlikely to see John Ross sporting a Stetson with his business suits.
ICYMI: Gray Speaks
Ultimate Dallas’s revealing interview with Gray stirred the Ewing-verse this week, prompting us to weigh in with a call for more screen time for Sue Ellen. Of course, we weren’t the only ones. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to check out the Dallas Morning News’s blog post and Dallas Divas Derby’s wish list for the new show’s second season (No. 3: Save Sue Ellen!).
Line of the Week
“What now?”
John Ross’s exasperated response to seeing Bobby and Christopher barge into his room at the end of “The Enemy of My Enemy” made me laugh. Look, I love Bobby and Christopher, but you gotta admit: These two can be a little too Dudley Do-Right for their own good. I see why John Ross finds them a little hard to take sometimes.
Sweet and Strong
A reminder: This week’s “Dallas Drinks” offering is The Bobby, named for Patrick Duffy’s all-American hero. The recipe comes from Dallas Decoder’s favorite spouse at Cook In/Dine Out.
“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.
Dallas Decoder 
Up-to-no-good Ewings don’t have a chance with goody-goody Ewings always poking into their business! I’m sure the younger J.R. will learn to deal with Bobby as the older one has. Wild goose chase to ensue, no doubt.
Have you seen the full Nielsen list of moments? I can only find top 20 lists and people who give excerpts, but I’d like to see the fully list. Besides Roots, were there any other scripted programming events aboue Who Shot J.R.?
I have not seen the complete list. Other stories indicate the list includes the finales for “M*A*S*H,” “Cheers” and “Seinfeld,” but I’m not sure where those episodes ranked.
I can just imagine all the whoops, hoots, and hollers last week when Bobby storm into Ryland’s office in the coming attractions. I know I’m guilty of it! I think that was a big part of the rating boost. And love the Bobby drink recipe! I’ll have to print that out.
I don’t know much about ratings, however this last episode was one of my favorites. Left me wondering about the next show. I am looking forward to it. Like the younger people on the show, but I love to see the older characters, especially Bobby!!
I’m glad you liked this episode! The next one is even better. I’m hopeful more people will tune in to see this week’s installment. They’ll be glad they did. Thanks for commenting!