Into that good night
Saying goodbye to “Dallas” isn’t hard because I never got used to the show being back in the first place. Like many fans, I grew up with the original series, watching it with my family on Friday nights for more than a decade. When “Dallas” went off the air in 1991, I kept on watching — first in cable reruns, then on mail-order VHS tapes and finally on DVD. I used to imagine the show returning someday, but I never expected it to actually happen. Once it did, it felt like I was living my own version of a “Dallas” dream season. Pam Ewing’s may have ended after 31 episodes, but mine lasted three whole years.
Like all dreams, this one was a bit surreal. On the new “Dallas,” J.R. was old, Bobby answered to “Robert” and Sue Ellen was sometimes missing in action. But once the show found its groove — and once Linda Gray moved front and center — I came to love it. This was a darker, edgier interpretation of the “Dallas” I once knew, but it was still “Dallas,” and it went on to deliver moments that became all-time favorites: J.R. returning ownership of Southfork to Bobby. Ann secretly recording Harris, then socking him. The revelation that Rebecca is Pamela. Sue Ellen getting drunk on the night before J.R.’s funeral. Bobby’s slow-motion walk away from Cliff. John Ross declaring that he’s not his father. All those Johnny Cash musical montages.
The more I watched, the more the new series transported me back to my childhood. On the morning after every episode, I received a phone call from my mom, who could hardly wait to gab about what happened to the Ewings the night before. Our conversations were a lot like the post-“Dallas” discussions we used to have around the Saturday morning breakfast table when I was a kid. “Dallas” also became something I could share with my husband Andrew, who spent years being mystified by my obsession with the original series. (The first time I sat him down to watch “Digger’s Daughter,” he dozed off before Bobby and Pam arrived at Southfork.) The new show hooked Andrew right away, though, and he came to enjoy it as much as me.
More than anything, I loved covering “Dallas” for this website. I got to critique episodes, interview cast members and compile list after list of “Dallas” minutiae. Writing about the show also took me back to my youth, when I used to sit at the kitchen table, pecking out “Dallas” story ideas that I’d mail to Leonard Katzman, the original show’s producer. He never wrote back, but my Dallas Decoder posts received lots of feedback from fellow fans who were eager to comment and share their own thoughts about the show. I loved hearing from them, as well as all the folks who helped me “fanalyze” the series during my weekly #DallasChat discussions on Twitter. Together, we became our own “Dallas” family, bonding over our shared love for the new series.
Does that sound corny? I’m sure it does, but it’s true. Yes, “Dallas” was a soap opera, a TV show, flickering images inside the box in front of the living room sofa. But to a lot of us, it meant so much more. I wrote about the series whenever I found a spare moment, whether it was late at night at home or on the train during my morning commute. I’ve also lugged my laptop to beaches and national parks, and on more than one occasion, I’ve asked Andrew to reschedule dinner reservations or rearrange weekend plans so I could complete some Dallas Decoder writing project. He never complained — not even on the night we had to delay our anniversary dinner because I had a phone interview with Julie Gonzalo. (It probably didn’t hurt that Andrew and I share a not-so-secret crush on Pamela Rebecca Barnes Ewing Ewing.)
Through it all, watching, writing and chatting about “Dallas” was an extended, please-don’t-wake-me moment — with two exceptions. The first came two years ago, when my childhood hero Larry Hagman died. Like all “Dallas” fans, I hated losing him, although I was grateful the new series gave him an opportunity to leave us playing the character he loved most. The second tough moment was far more personal: the death of my older brother last year. Growing up, Rick was our family’s version of J.R. He was forever breaking the rules and landing in hot water with people — including the multiple girlfriends he was always juggling — but since he possessed one of the world’s great smiles, you could never stay mad at him. One month after Bobby stood at J.R.’s gravesite and paid tribute to his big brother, I found myself standing in a church, eulogizing mine. Losing Rick is the hardest thing I ever experienced, but I’m so glad I had this website, which offered a welcome distraction when I needed it most.
“Dallas” also provided me with one of the coolest experiences of my life: Earlier this year, the show’s costume designer, the wonderful Rachel Sage Kunin, allowed me to shadow her for a “day in the life” story for Dallas Decoder. Andrew joined me as we followed Rachel around and watched her prepare the cast’s wardrobe for the third-season finale. She also took us on a tour of the soundstages; we actually got to wander around the Southfork living room and the Ewing Global offices! I could hardly believe my good fortune. I planned to post the story after the season finale aired in September, but then TNT canceled the series and I shifted into #SaveDallas mode. Now that those efforts have ended, I look forward to finally sharing the piece soon.
Speaking of #SaveDallas: As I wrote last week, I was proud to be part of the legion of fans who came together and tried to rescue the series after its cancellation. We didn’t succeed in saving the Ewings, but we did let the world know how much they mean to us. As for the cancellation itself: I believe “Dallas’s” ratings drop can be attributed to a lot of factors, including its tough time slot and the loss of fans who felt the show strayed from the spirit of the original series. Some of these folks are Dallas Decoder regulars, and even though they don’t share my affection for the new series, they never begrudged me my opinion. I thank them for this. I also thank all the readers who did love the show and came along with me for the ride. I hope you had fun.
So even though I’m disappointed “Dallas” is ending and even though I’ll miss it, it’s not hard to say goodbye. My favorite TV show returned for three years. I got to watch it, to write about it, and to share it with my family and fellow fans. It was a joyful experience; to ask for anything more almost feels greedy. I thank the cast for delivering so many performances that moved me, and I thank the many gifted people who worked behind the scenes. Once again, I also thank everyone who reads this site. Make no mistake: “Dallas” has ended but Dallas Decoder is going to stick around. I still have things I want to say about the show, and I still want to hear what all of you think. We have great conversations ahead.
That brings me to the other reason it isn’t hard to say goodbye to “Dallas,” which is this: It’s not a final farewell. We’re unlikely to see another “Dallas” series anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean the Ewings won’t return with new adventures in the future. Maybe it won’t be a TV show; perhaps the stories will be told through other forms of media. Consider the serendipity of the timing of “Dallas’s” end, which came a few days shy of the anniversary of Mr. Hagman’s death. Just as J.R. will never really leave us, I refuse to believe we’ve seen the last of his family. Someday, somehow, “Dallas” will return — and with any luck, I’ll be here to take the ride all over again.
After all, who says dreams can’t come true twice?
How do you feel about the end of “Dallas”? Share your comments below and read more opinions from Dallas Decoder.
Dallas Decoder 
Thank you for saying what I was feeling.
Thanks Lynn!
IT’S NOT OVER TILL IT’S OVER! DALLAS FANS UNITE #SAVEDALLAS
I am so very sorry about your older brother! Thank you for saying what you feel about the Dallas reboot! I think, myself, I found it harder to say goodbye to CBS Dallas after 13 years, but I still am shocked and heartbroken over TNT cancelling this new version. It may not been perfect, but the writers and the cast did a fabulous job giving us great new stories and keeping the memory of our hero Larry Hagman and JR Ewing alive. Like you, I think the cancellation of Dallas TNT was due to several factors, including the awful Monday night slot in S2 and S3, the fact that it came up against stiff competition like The Voice and Monday Night Football, Larry’s/JR’s tragic death, and the fact that it sort of strayed a little from what made the original such a success, which was the fight for Ewing Oil btw Bobby and JR! Like Cathy Mudd, I refuse to give up the fight, if there is even a small chance that Netflix could pick it up. I thank you also for the fantastic Dallas Chats. They have been so much fun and I hope they will continue!
Thanks for your kind words, Jennifer. You are the most loyal #DallasChatter of all! I always enjoy hearing what you have to say about the stories and characters. Team Bobby Ewing forever!
I am just devastated over TNT pulling out on Dallas and I am even more sad that another network could not pick the show up and continue the series even if it was for one more season. In one way I think it is so cool that Larry Hagman got to finish JR Ewing, It is kind of like Dallas rebooted just for his great legacy. I will miss this show and the wonderful cast, In another way the Dallas reboot gave me a passion to believe in chasing my dreams, I always wanted to see a show filmed and staged in Dallas Texas and now I know it can be done. Chris I hope one day Cynthia C will give you an interview so we can at least read where she was taking season 4. Thank you for all the wonderful updates and interviews.
Lovely piece. Glad to know you’re sticking around.
James, thank you!
I know you appreciated the new series too. It really was a dream come true.
Chris
I’m not even going to read this. Why “Good-bye, ‘Dallas’!”? We just heard that Netflix is going to start negotiating with Warner come January, so I don’t understand allt hese swansongs out here.
I actually think Netflix is talking about the licensing rights for Season 3 and not the production of a new version or Season 4.
Guido, I think we should accept what the producers told us last week — the efforts to find “Dallas” a new home have ended. I would be extremely surprised if Netflix picks up the show.
I would love to see “Dallas” become a series again, but I don’t think it’s going to happen anytime soon.
Chris
Why not a movie 2-3 times a year? I would pay to see it, or watch it as a special on tv.
I love that idea, Sonja. Maybe someday it will happen.
This is such a beautiful tribute. I’ll miss “Dallas” and the #DallasChats. Thank you for inspiring the #SaveDallas hashtag, too. At least we know we didn’t go down without a fight!
Don’t worry, Girl 1! The #DallasChats will continue. I hope you can join us sometime!
CB
A great tribute to a fantastic show! You are absolutely right in saying that we should feel blessed that we got three more years of Ewing adventures… The quality of the TNT version could be a bit uneven at times, but it managed to add quite a few highlights to the show’s canon. And it was a new experience to watch DALLAS in an age of global communication, which allowed me to get the latest in Germany practically at the same time as the USA; I really loved that, as we’ll as seeing so many different opinions expressed online, even when some of them admittedly annoyed me no end…
Dallas Decoder posts have become eagerly awaited parts of my DALLAS routine, and I look forward to more of those. Do keep them coming, please.
Stephan,
I’ve missed hearing from you! I’m glad you were able to join the “Dallas” experience, even though you’re not here in the states. The global network of “Dallas” fans never fails to impress me.
I look forward to continuing to write about “Dallas” — old show and new — in the years to come.
Thanks so much,
Chris
I for one will be forever thankful if NETFLIX would pick Dallas up, I thought they already tried this angle and it failed? Maybe now that all contracts for production dates are done, Netflix can finally negotiate a deal with Warren Brothers. There is always hope
Dallas Fan,
I don’t expect Netflix to pick up “Dallas.” Unless we hear differently from people associated with the show or the studio, I wouldn’t get my hopes up. As fans, I think we should accept what the producers told us last week — the efforts to find a new show have ended.
Chris
The way you likened the show to a dream that lasted three years instead of Pam’s 31 episode dream was brilliant. It did feel that way. Like a surrealistic dream. The new show had a lot of potential and that is what saddens me the most. I think it was cancelled before it reached it’s full potential of what it could be. Especially concerning the younger characters like John Ross, PamBecca, Chris and Elena…
Over all I look at Dallas TNT as an alternative universe from the original show. I have a totally different idea in my head of what happened to the characters after the show went off the air in 1991. I guess that’s what happens when you have been writing on the same Dallas fanfic since 1994. I am sure I am not alone in that either as fanfics is a great way to keep the characters alive after the show goes off the air… 😉
Thank you for your blog posts. I’ve enjoyed reading them. Also I am sorry that you lost your brother. *hugs*
Thanks, Karin. I appreciate your condolences and your compliment.
The past few years really was a dreamlike experience. I’m not sure I’m awake yet.
CB
It’s very sad to see Dallas end the way it did,when the series was getting good. Just think what could have been, to see JR’s secret daughter, and the aftermath of Christopher’s death. To me seeing Dallas again after 20+ years was a joy and rare to see a series that was on 13-14 seasons and return again, to see what has happened to the Ewings since the dreaded series finale in 1991. The new series became a breath of fresh air from watching the original series. Don’t get me wrong, I like the original Dallas with the Who Shot JR? storyline, Bobby’s death & showery return. But this new series was different for some reason, just like you said more darker and edgier. Seeing JR, in a different way that we haven’t seen before, in a sanitarium, depressed and looking out the window, while his brother, Bobby visiting him and talking to him about how Ewing Oil and Southfork changed him and how he loved his brother by kissing his forehead says a lot about this new series.
JR’s death, the revealation of Rebecca Sutter as Cliff’s daughter, Pamela, the rise of John Ross after JR’s death and Sue Ellen returning to the bottle was some of the moments in this new incarnation of the series. It’s a shame that if the series would have came back 3-4 years before 2012, what the series could have been, how many more sneaky tricks JR would have done with Ewing Global or if JR and Sue Ellen would have gotten back together again. There is so many “what ifs” that we will never know.
All I know is that someday,someone will create a different incarnation of Dallas. It won’t rest. There is still a fan base in this country and around the world. Thousands and thousands of fans who hashtagged #SaveDallas and tweeted on Twitter are the real loyal Dallas hardcore fans, who stayed thick and thin through these 47 days since TNT cancelled Dallas. The fans deserved more than just 40 episodes and a cancellation of this incarnation of Dallas. #DallasForever
TH, thanks so much.
Like you, I have a lot of “what ifs.” What I would’ve given to see J.R. and Sue Ellen together again, or to see him back in control of the Ewing empire. If only things had worked out a little differently.
Thanks again,
Chris
Beautifully written. I am sorry to hear about your brother and very happy Dallas helped you through the grief process. Dallas was a huge influence for me as well growing up and the last three years brought back so many heartwarming memories and many new ones. I brought many new fans to the Dallas brand. We attended the Dallas premiere in Philadelphia with Jordana and Julie and had “Dallas theme parties” for finale episodes and JR’s funeral. It was a blast!
Unfortunately, Dallas is gone again but it will never be forgotten. Some are stating there is still hope with Netflix because of a tweet circulating about contracts up in January and rights will be up for grabs. I actually think Netflix is talking about the licensing rights for Season 3 and not the production of a new version or Season 4.
I will continue to support your page. Thank you for all the memories. My hope from all of this is that a new audience got to see just how fabulous Linda Gray is and we see her real soon back on TV.
Frank, thanks for your kind words.
It sounds like you had a similar experience to me — the last three years brought back a lot of great memories, but we also enjoyed the new show on its own merits.
I think you’re right about Linda Gray: I suspect a whole new generation has discovered how awesome she is.
Thanks again,
Chris
Actually there was an article in Variety back in 2013 explaining that Dallas would last at least 3 seasons because Warner Brothers and Netflix had a licensing agreement for them.so that negotiation happened back then and whatever is going on now must be something newer if in fact any negotiations are happening. I know Cidre said netflix was out of the question because of foreign licensing agreements but Warner recently negotiated foreign licensing agreements with Netflix for Longmire so never say never.im all for being realistic but if t there’s a shred of hope then im going to hang on to it and hope for the best.
The consensus is that it was the foreign not domestic licensing agreements that were profitable for Warner Brothers, many networks in different countries signed those “lifetime” agreements with Warner Brothers meaning they had to broadcast the shows regardless for the duration of it’s run.. Now that the show has been canceled would those agreements become null and void for those networks that have shown the entire run? However I do know that in many countries Dallas was behind a season behind and have yet to broadcast season 3. I have heard conflicting stories regarding the contracts with some rumors saying the deadline to renew with actors and production was November 30th, and the contracts with the writers and licensing agreements ends in January. To those who may suggest that Warner Brothers which actually owns Dallas does not “have” to publicly state that there is no further negotiations with other networks or on line streaming media outlets such as Netflix, they are correct. However the point should be that Warner Brothers is being insensitive to those fans who are still clinging on to hope that Warner Brothers is still actively seeking another network or perhaps there are legal issues on why they cannot comment at this time. If Warner made an announcement on Dallas it would be appreciated and perhaps mend some bridges with those fans who are going to cancel TNT from their local cable packages. Netflix has in fact picked up several shows that were canceled by other networks before and some that were canceled years ago such as Arrested Development so to say that there is no chance that Netflix could pick up Dallas is forgetting that 7 years had passed since Arrested Development was canceled by FOX and then revived by Netflix in 2013. To put it in perspective it’s only been just under 2 months since Dallas was canceled by TNT which is owned by Warner Brothers.
Chris! if the efforts to save the show were not successful per the producers…will there be any closure for fans (John Ross sister, Cliff/Jail, etc)??? maybe a tv movie? or Cynthia at least sharing with us her story-lines for the proposed Season 4? it truly cannot end on this note =((
After all we did support this show from DAY ONE! it’s the least we deserve, lol!
I hope we get to see the storylines and scripts too, Angela. I’m so curious!
lOVE that youre going to keep the chat, love Dallas sinceday one, from
Puerto Rico!!!
Thanks Luz!
Initially, CC stated she would release the two episodes that were written in addition to the outline for Season 4 for the fans if Dallas was cancelled. I realize she thought she was getting renewed at the time but now word on the street is Warner is prohibiting any info to be released. What do you think that’s all about Chris B.?
Not sure, Frank.
I would like to see a Cynthia Cidre interview in which she takes accountability and responsibility for her capricious mishandling of an iconic television show. This was promoted as a continuation, yet it fell flat and felt inauthentic. The foisting of the ill-conceived Ramos family, Mexican drug cartel, brothel with doggie costume fetish patron and the horrendously contrived threesome are only a handful of examples of Cidre’s mistakes.
You can blame TNT and the bad times lot, but the product of the writing and poor continuity ruined the show. Cynthia Cidre was in denial in every interview about her “delicious” cliffhangers, twists and turns that were lame, predictable and often incoherent and schizophrenic.
We deserved better than Cidre’s poor product. She was the show runner and the buck stopped with her. TNT even gave her $100k to kill Christopher Ewing, a legacy character, for ratings and shock value. Sad, despite the poor casting. Sad.
I think once the contracts do expire (anywhere between 11/30 and early January), Warner can do whatever they want with the show and it’s a clean slate. Right now and until contracts expire, they have to say everything is over. Once they pass the expiration date, then they can start talking. Warner would not allow Cynthia to release the three scripts and 60 page bible for season four, because I think they have a plan in the back of their heads. It can’t be a coincidence that hours after Cynthia’s press release that “Longmire” gets picked up by Netflix. My gut tells me something is going on and we won’t know about it until an official announcement is made that something is done. So I say keep those messages coming to Warner and Netflix, and back them into doing a deal.
Longmire which is owned by Warner was canceled by A&E on August 28th then on November 19th it was announced that Netflix had picked up the show almost 3 months after it was canceled. You’re right November 19th was the same day that the producers of Dallas made the announcement that Dallas was done. The question is would Warner and or Netflix be able to get back all or most of the actors to portray their characters once again after all contracts and licensing agreements have ended? That’s the big question. Writers and showrunners come and go as it did on the original 14 season Dallas run so that wouldn’t be an issue. They may have to negotiate with Cynthia Cidre who developed the revival and David Jacobs the creator of Dallas again to revive the show however. I agree there is an air of uncertainty which is confusing. I am supporting efforts to have Netflix pick up the show for a 4th season as they have shown in the past repeatedly that they can successfully pick up shows that were canceled by other networks. It is a long shot but fans of several canceled series have seen their favorite shows being revived on Netflix, why would Dallas be any different?
I do hope we are able to #SaveDallas I myself are still hoping even though we keep reading things like this that makes it hard
PLEASE Netflix put Dallas back on TV #SAVEDALLAS
Not going to say good bye, ever. Will watch reruns of DVD’s, first show & this one. Always will be a fan, always. Dallas so much a part of my fondest memories, good memories. Always going to be a fan
In response to Andy’s post, I hate to confess it but I do agree with you, I was really proud of Cynthia Cidre work with season one and I also loved the beginning of season two. I do believed she honored JR.Ewing with dignity although she left out some important storylines. It just seems after JR masterpiece everything shifted to drug cartel nonsense, and allowing us fans to think she was bringing back Pamela Ewing for the finale in season two just to shift it to give us closure that the character did indeed died was a huge mistake. I was in Cynthia corner and I am still thankful for the attempt she gave to give us Dallas fans for these wonderful three seasons but not listening to the fans heart beat to save this show was Cynthia’s biggest mistake of all, I loved her writing and how much plot she gave each episode, all that needed to be done was bless the fans for higher ratings and Dallas could have been saved even on the Monday night lineup.
I heard that Longmire was picked up on Netflix. I sure hope that Netflix doesn’t pick up Dallas and put it on there. I, myself, don’t have Netflix and I couldn’t care less. I tried to sign up for their free trial and they wanted my credit card info. I don’t have a credit card and don’t need one. So if they put Dallas on Netflix, it will be one less viewer watching it. Put it Dallas on a network or else. #DallasForever
I agree, not Netflix. Not putting my credit card out there either.
Hello Chris,
Above all, I want to start off by thanking you for the wonderful tribute you have created for our beloved show with Dallas Decoder, your passionate support of the #SaveDallas campaign, and sharing your personal thoughts and insights about Dallas with such eloquence, respect, candor and warmth. You are a class act!
Like you, and many others who have left comments, I grew up watching Dallas, and then “rediscovered” it through reruns, and the DVD box sets. The franchise is filled with wonderful memories and nostalgia for me, and it was surreal to have my beloved Ewings back on TV after 21 years. It was truly like getting caught up with long, lost, dear friends.
I am truly saddened by the cancellation, and every time I even read a post or article mentioning it, I feel my heart sink all over again.
I am so grateful for having 3 more seasons of Dallas, and have not taken a minute for granted.
I have been reflecting on why the cancellation has impacted me as much as it has, and I now realize it has nothing to do with the actual decision to end the show, but everything to do with how it was ended. It was like loosing something you truly love and care about without being given the opportunity to prepare for it or even say goodbye. The experience leaves you with a sense of loss and something that is unfinished.
With the sweeping leadership and format changes at TNT…all skewing to a younger, edgier demographic, I had an uneasy feeling throughout season 3 that time was ticking down for Dallas on the network. Even though I did feel that they would most likely choose to end the show sooner rather then later, the several significant cliff hangers and additional investment in the modified final scene left me hopeful that they would give us an abbreviated “final” 4th season. I thought perhaps even as a 10 episode run during summer 2015 in its original time slot.
The legacy of Dallas and its beloved characters is something very special, as most posts on this thread illustrate. This iconic 36 year old franchise deserves to go out with some class and finesse, and most of all…closure for the characters that we have loved since day one. Unceremoniously pulling the plug with a brief statement, after setting up several significant cliffhangers and no sense of closure has left me at a loss.
The two items that I would have really loved to see in a series finale of this incarnation of Dallas are:
1) The next heir to JR’s throne be born (John Ross and Pamela’s child perhaps?)…so a new generation of the Ewing family would be thoroughly established and a link between the Ewing and Barnes family would continue down the line.
2) For Sue Ellen to fully regain her personal power, strength and voice. I so wanted her to find the unconditional, secure and loving relationship that she has always longed for…now that she is truly free of JR’s hold over her for the first time in nearly 50 years, and made peace with their love, dysfunction, his passing and her addiction.
I can now only hope that perhaps a few years down the road someone will see that there is still (and will always be) a passionate following for this wonderful saga, and that there are still many stories left to be told. I would really be grateful for even another reunion movie or mini-series at this point. How about a 5 episode mini-series on CBS in summer 2018, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Dallas…where (and how) it all started!
I also want to thank the amazing actors, producers and crew for bringing Dallas back to our screens, it was a wonderful run! Special love and thanks to Linda and Patrick for “returning” to Southfork after all these years…it wouldn’t be Dallas without you!
Thanks for indulging me in my ramblings about the end of Dallas on TNT Chris…I think I finally feel a bit of that closure I was looking for. Keep up the great work with Dallas Decoder!
Robert, thanks for your comments. I like your ideas for a series finale and I love your idea for a 40th anniversary miniseries. Wouldn’t that be great?
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
Chris
Very good and moving piece you wrote there Chris – I’m so glad Dallas Decoder helped you through the sad loss of your brother.
I must confess I was not a big fan of the new Dallas, but it did mean Larry got to die while playing JR and in Dallas itself surrounded by his friends and cast members.
I think the problem for me with the new series isn’t so much anything it did wrong, though there were a few things I would criticise, it’s just it was carrying so much baggage and weight of expectation from the original – not unlike the Star Wars Prequels – that for some of us it was always going to be found disappointing.
I hope you get back to your excellent critiques of the original show soon!
Thank you, Paul. I appreciate your kind words and your other feedback. The classic critiques will return soon!
Chris
I am sad to see this series end. No other recent series has captured my imagination like Dallas TNT. I was disappointed in the third season but still wanted to see John Ross, Pamela, and Ann face new challenges. Thank you for your work on this site. Your writing is really heart felt yet polished. It is hard to realize how great this website is until you compare it to what it available for other TV shows out there. It is very well organized and the writing is as professional as anything you would see in a national newspaper or magazine. I look forward to discussing the show more in depth in our future Dallas chats. It would be great for you to have some content of an academic nature. Maybe you can track down someone who wrote a dissertation or journal article analyzing Dallas?
Garnet,
Thanks so much for this nice message. I appreciate it very much. This site is a labor of love. I’m really happy other people enjoy it.
I’m always looking for ways to improve Dallas Decoder. I like your idea of adding some academic essays. I’ll look into doing that.
Thanks again,
Chris
What a great personal tribute. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I watched “Dallas” for the first time with one of my older brothers. It was Friday and we were up late watching television. My best guess is that I watched it because it came on after “The Dukes of Hazard” and because I wanted to know what all of this “Who shot J.R.?” was all about. My brother explained to me what was going on the best he could. He is three years older than me and this was a time when we were not like we were brothers, it was like we were friends hanging out. He was talking to me while we were watching “Dallas” as he would be if he was hanging out with his buddies. I had no idea what was going on with the show. All I know is that I liked everybody on the show. I really appreciate the interview with Julie Gonzalo. I thought it was so cool of her to do the interview, and I also think it is cool that you two sacrificed part of a day important to you to do it. Having someone support your interests in life is one of the best things. When “Dallas” was brought back, I was happy about it. I didn’t understand it and it was clear that the writers of the show did not really really understand the show. I suspect strongly that Larry Hagman used his celebrity influence to make the show better. I wish that the “Ramos” family was explained better to the audience, because it was weird. I feel that the audience was underestimated and misjudged. I in no way feel insulted by the new show, and whatever issues or complaints I had, I always looked forward to the next episode.
Michael,
Thanks so much for your feedback and especially for your condolences.
My brother Rick was not as big a “Dallas” fan as me, but he liked the show, along with “The Dukes of Hazzard.” (Rick was especially fond of Daisy Duke.)
I can remember talking about the “Who Shot J.R.?” mystery with my brother during the summer and fall of 1980. We grew up in the Washington, DC, suburbs, and on the night the shooter was going to be revealed, Rick was hoping to watch the episode, then call our favorite aunt in another time zone to bet her money that he could accurately predict the identity of J.R.’s assailant. I guess he wasn’t counting on her figuring out that he’d see the episode before she did. I smile when I think about that now. My brother was always trying to make a quick buck. J.R. would have liked him.
Rick and I were not as close as we should have been as adults, but I miss him a lot. In an odd way, “Dallas” offers me another way of keeping his memory alive.
Thanks again, Michael. I appreciate your reading my site and sharing your thoughts. I hope you can participate in tomorrow night’s #DallasChat!
CB
Chris, I am very sorry to hear about your loss. I deeply feel for you and your family.
Thank you for all your great work on this website, and for staying with us! I’m truly looking forward to participating in many more discussions, and sharing my thoughts on Dallas with you and other fans…
Even though I am a huge Dallas fan all the way since the late 1970s, this is the first I have seen of Dallas Decoder. I must say your write up is a beautiful tribute to the show, one of the best and most iconic in the history of TV. I am still sad the show won’t continue, to see Josh Henderson continue to grow and do an admiral job as John Ross, to see Bobby Ewing be the patriarch of the Ewing family, to still see Sue Ellen, and to see how Bobby handles the murder of his brother and what effect Christopher’s death has on John Ross as well. It took a few episodes, but I grew to love the new Dallas. And will miss it. I also agree, that at some point in time, we will see Dallas back. It might take 10 or 20 years, but I think the show will come back. It’s just shame it won’t be in 2015!
Cidre made promises she could not deliver and got in over her head with poor writing, stupid story lines, not honoring the history of the original and not listening to fans, so the show was cancelled. If it were to ever come back, they would have to replace her with someone who knows what they are doing and who knew what Dallas was really about!!!