Drill Bits – Dallas Decoder

Drill Bits: ‘Dallas’ is Back! Now Start Tweeting, TV Expert Says

February 24, 2014 by Chris Baker 6 Comments

Christopher Ewing, Dallas, Elena Ramos, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo, Pamela Rebecca Barnes Ewing, TNT

Don’t just stand there. Tweet!

If “Dallas” fans want the TNT drama to stick around for a while, TV ratings expert Marc Berman has some advice for them: Start tweeting.

The amount of buzz a show generates on Facebook, Twitter and similar sites is increasingly important to its chances of survival, says Berman, editor in chief of TV Media Insights, a top industry news site. For example, the ABC Family series “Pretty Little Liars” doesn’t generate huge ratings, “but when you look at what that show does on social media, the numbers are through the roof,” Berman says.

“Pretty Little Liars” generated 391,000 tweets that were seen by 3.9 million users last week, according to media research giant Nielsen, which now measures Twitter chatter about TV shows. The show ranked second only to AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” which generated 484,000 tweets that were seen by 4.9 million users.

“Dallas” has a strong social media presence too. The show’s official Facebook page has received 1.4 million “likes,” and its Twitter feed has 78,000 followers. Berman says fans can support the series this season by talking about it on social media and sharing “Dallas”-related tweets and Facebook posts.

The “Dallas” stars are also getting in on the action. Yesterday, Linda Gray told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that she’s even received pointers from TNT — and co-star Josh Henderson — on the ins and outs of social media.

(This season, your Dallas Decoder is doing his part too. I’ll live-tweet each new episode on Monday nights — and to keep the conversations going after the show, my weekly #DallasChat Twitter discussions will move to Tuesday nights.)

Of course, traditional ratings matter too, Berman says. Last year, “Dallas” averaged 2.7 million viewers on Monday nights, but the audience grew to 3.8 million when you include people who record the show on DVRs and watch it later in the week. “The show must hold onto those numbers. If you see it lose 10 percent or 20 percent of its audience, that won’t be good,” he says.

And yes, DVR numbers matter. “Nobody looks at one set of numbers anymore. With ‘Dallas,’ you’re adding another million viewers [through DVR playback]. That’s important,” he says.

Berman also thinks it’s a good sign that TNT will give the show a midseason break. The cable channel plans to show the season’s first eight episodes in the winter and spring, and then put the series on hiatus until the summer, when the final seven hours will be telecast.

Summers are less competitive, and when “Dallas’s” first season was shown in the summer of 2012, the series averaged 4.2 million viewers. “By breaking up [the third season], you’re going to give ‘Dallas’ a better shot at staying on the air,” Berman says.

So what does Berman, a longtime “Dallas” fan, think of the new season? He’s seen the first two episodes and is impressed with the way the writers have made J.R.’s legacy part of the storyline. “It’s honoring Larry Hagman’s memory the way the original series honored Jim Davis’s memory after he died. They’ve done it really, really well,” he says.

We’re Pumped

Dallas, Ewing Energies gas, gasoline, TNT

Fill ‘er up

The real-life Ewing Energies gas station will open today at 466 10th Avenue in New York City.

Henderson, in his guise as John Ross, announced the news in a video posted this morning to “Dallas’s” Facebook page. “The price of gasoline — it’s out of your control. But not mine,” John Ross says.

The gas will sell for just $1.98 a gallon — but for today only. As John Ross explains, “Unlike our competitors, who want to rob you blind, I just want to make us both rich.”

If you can’t make it to the station today, you can visit the “Dallas” Facebook page to enter a sweepstakes to win “Black Gold” gift cards.

Look Who Else is Tweeting (and Talking)

Speaking of tweeting: If you’re looking for Julie Gonzalo after 3 p.m. Eastern today, check Twitter. The “Dallas” star says she’ll live-tweet the afternoon portion of TNT’s 26-hour “Dallas” marathon, which kicked off last night and will culminate tonight at 9 with the debut of the third-season premiere, “The Return.”

Meanwhile, Gonzalo’s co-stars are hitting the talk-show circuit to promote Season 3.

Henderson will appear on “Live with Kelly and Michael” today and “The Wendy Williams Show” on Friday, February 28. Both shows are syndicated, so check your local listings.

According to Gray’s Facebook page, she’ll also appear on “Live with Kelly and Michael” soon. Gray’s post also indicates she’ll guest on “Today,” “Piers Morgan Tonight,” “Watch What Happens Live” and “Katie.” Precise airdates haven’t been announced.

Finally, Patrick Duffy is scheduled to drop by “Live with Kelly and Michael” on Friday, March 7.

Boy, Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan must love discussing “Dallas” as much as we do!

We’ve Got It Covered

Your Dallas Decoder is going to work harder than ever to deliver exceptional coverage of “Dallas” this season. In case you missed it, here’s an overview of our plans.

“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.

Filed Under: Drill Bits, News Tagged With: Jim Davis, Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Marc Berman, Patrick Duffy

Drill Bits: Ready to Take a Shot of J.R.? His Bourbon is Here

February 21, 2014 by Chris Baker 11 Comments

Linda Gray and Andy Harmon hit the red carpet

Drink up

The stars of “Dallas” came together last night for a party to preview the third season’s first episode — along with the show’s new three-way split-screen title sequence — and to launch the J.R. Ewing Bourbon.

That’s right. You can now take a shot of J.R. (or better yet, a whole glassful).

The bourbon, inspired by Larry Hagman’s famous character, will come in bottles that feature a screen-printed image of Southfork and a wooden stopper. The bourbon will sell for about $34.95 a bottle and hit store shelves beginning in late March.

Initially, the bourbon will be sold in 14 states in the south and Midwest, including these markets: Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, New Orleans, Chicago, Memphis, Kansas City, St. Louis, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Columbus, Little Rock, Atlanta, Denver and Phoenix.

Plans call for the bourbon to be available nationally by June and internationally by the end of the year.

Here’s how the Southfork Bottling Company, the new company behind the bourbon, describes the product in its news release:

“J.R. Ewing Bourbon is well balanced and possesses a maturity that adds to its complexity. The nose is classic and slightly fruity, with notes of vanilla, oak sweetness and a touch of orange. The taste profile is surprisingly mild, yet crisp, and exhibits a lightly spicy/honey taste that lingers on the palate.”

Sounds like J.R. has a product worthy of his name. In a statement, Andy Harmon, the bottling company’s co-founder, said the bourbon’s quality reflects “J.R.’s thirst for the best in life. … [T]he new brand really pays tribute to the character with whom everyone around the world is familiar.”

Among the bold-faced names attending the launch party: Emma Bell, Marlene Forte, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Julie Gonzalo, Linda Gray, Jesse Metcalfe and Mitch Pileggi.

The Ewings Take Manhattan

Talk about an oil slick

While we’re waiting to fill up with J.R.’s bourbon, we can all head to New York City to fill up with the Ewings’ gasoline.

A real-life Ewing Energies gas station will open somewhere in Manhattan on Monday, February 24, the day “Dallas’s” third season begins. John Ross (Josh Henderson) will announce the precise location in a video that’ll be posted Monday morning on the show’s Facebook page.

The stunt comes courtesy of Grey New York, which handles marketing for the show. To tout the opening, there’ll be radio spots, billboards and branded oil trucks and a sweepstakes to win “Black Gold Card,” Advertising Age reports.

New Yorkers can expect the Ewings to undercut the competition, just like J.R. once did on the original show. How low will prices go? As the Wall Street Journal points out, the national average price for a gallon of gas this week is $3.38. This compares to 62 cents a gallon when the original “Dallas” debuted in 1978 and 86 cents in 1980, the year J.R. was shot.

Big D, Big Apple

J.R. Takes Manhattan Too

In case you missed it: The new J.R. Ewing action figure from Figures Toy Company was recently spotted around Manhattan, where he checked out the billboards for “Dallas’s” new season featuring sexy shots of Henderson, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo and Jesse Metcalfe.

Visit Dallas Decoder’s Facebook page to see more shots like the one shown here.

Special thanks to Dallas Decoder’s better half, Cook In/Dine Out maestro Andrew, for serving as the hand model for these pictures. Poor Andrew’s hands are still thawing out.

The Reviews Are In

The reviews for “Dallas’s” third-season premiere are beginning to roll in, but isn’t yesterday’s write-up from yours truly the only one that really matters? In case you missed it, be sure to also check out our interview this week with Charles Yusko, the show’s hairstylist.

“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.

Filed Under: Drill Bits, News Tagged With: Charles Yusko, Cook In/Dine Out, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Larry Hagman

Drill Bits: ‘Dallas’ Season 2 Arrives on DVD

February 11, 2014 by Chris Baker 6 Comments

Ann Ewing, Bobby Ewing, Brenda Strong, Dallas, Emma Bell, Emma Ryland, Patrick Duffy, TNT

They’re here

“Dallas’s” second season arrives on DVD today, and not a moment too soon. Fans now have less than two weeks to catch up with the Ewings before TNT begins televising Season 3 on Monday, February 24. It’s a good thing many of us have a long weekend coming up. We’re going to need it.

The four-disc set, which sells for $39.98, includes all 15 second-season episodes, along with lots of extras. The highlights:

• An extended version of “J.R.’s Masterpiece.” The instant-classic funeral episode offers about six minutes of extra footage, including Ann’s eulogy, which is based on a conversation Brenda Strong had with Larry Hagman before he died.

The latter nugget is one of the tidbits you’ll hear from executive producers Cynthia Cidre and Michael M. Robin on the audio commentary. Other revelations: Cidre and Patrick Duffy initially believed Bobby shouldn’t speak at the funeral, and the scene where the Ewings arrive in Nuevo Laredo to retrieve J.R.’s body was filmed at the Fort Worth stockyards.

• More than 15 deleted scenes. In one sequence, Bobby comes onto the Southfork patio and finds J.R. listening to his ex-wife being interviewed on the radio. Says J.R.: “You just missed it, Bob. Sue Ellen called me a philanderer — on the radio. I’m not saying I don’t deserve it. I’m just surprised she didn’t used a dirtier word.” You’ll also see Ann and Bobby discuss Christopher’s search for Pam. “I think that sometimes the past is best left alone. … I’d just hate for Pam to cause you or Christopher any more pain,” Ann says.

• Cast interviews. The cast’s panel discussion at last year’s Paley Fest television festival is included, along with a feature where the actors recall working with Hagman. (Robin’s tribute is especially moving.) Also included: an interview that Hagman recorded around the time the new “Dallas” debuted in 2012. In a particularly poignant moment, he praises his new co-stars and says, “We’ve got four wonderful young actors that are going to drag me through another 13 years. At least I hope to hell they will.”

As if the DVD isn’t enough, TNT also announced plans yesterday to televise every episode from “Dallas’s” first two years before Season 3 begins. The 25-hour marathon starts Sunday, February 23, at 8 p.m.

You dirty boy

Presenting Mr. Henderson

TNT set hearts aflutter last week when it shared sexy shots of Elena (Jordana Brewster), Pamela (Julie Gonzalo), John Ross (Josh Henderson) and Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) on Facebook and Twitter and asked “Dallas” fans which character should be the “face” of the show’s third-season advertising campaign.

The winner: John Ross, whose image received 31,000 “likes” on Facebook and 360 “favorites” on Twitter. Something tells me his daddy would be awfully proud.

I’ve posted all four images on Dallas Decoder’s Facebook and Pinterest pages. Which one do you like best?

Look Who’s Talking

The “Dallas” cast will soon be making the talk-show rounds to promote the third-season premiere. Last week, the folks who operate Linda Gray’s Facebook page announced she’ll appear soon on NBC’s “Today,” CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight,” Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live” and Katie Couric’s syndicated show.

Of course, if you can’t wait to hear the scoop on “Dallas,” check out the highlights from Gray’s recent conversation with Dallas Decoder and other bloggers.

“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.

Filed Under: Drill Bits, News Tagged With: Cynthia Cidre, J.R.’s Masterpiece, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Michael M. Robin, TNT

Drill Bits: The Ewing Oil Store, Now Open for Business

February 10, 2014 by Chris Baker 62 Comments

Dallas, Ewing Oil Company Store, J.R. Ewing

Drink up, darlin’

You’ve watched the Ewings for years. Want to start living like them too?

The Ewing Oil Company Store, a new online retailer, is selling “Dallas”-themed merchandise for fans who want to bring a little bit of Southfork glamour into their homes. The signature product: a J.R. Ewing decanter inspired by the one seen on the TNT series.

“I was watching the show and like any crazed fan, the minute I saw that decanter, I wanted one,” said Stephen W. Phillips, who owns and operates the store. Phillips hired a glassworks company to create the decanters, which hold 31 ounces and sell for $39.95 each. Each decanter features J.R.’s signature etched into the glass and comes with a Southfork-branded bottle stopper.

Phillips’ products are not licensed by Warner Bros., which produces “Dallas,” although he’s contacted the studio about making his products “official.” If another company comes out with commercial products that are similar to his, Phillips said he may be required to stop selling his versions.

Last year, a Texas liquor distributor said it’s planning to sell J.R. Ewing bourbon in bottles like the one seen on the show, but it hasn’t hit the market. “Maybe there’s room for their product and mine,” Phillips said.

The Ewing Oil store’s other barware products include a Southfork liquor tray, a Ewing family ice bucket and a Ewing Global stainless steel flask. Additionally, the store sells Ewing Oil hardhats; replicas of the license plates that appeared on the show, including J.R.’s “Ewing 3” plate; and t-shirts that pay homage to classic “Dallas” storylines (the Gold Canyon 340 oil strike, the battle over the Tundra Torque).

Phillips’ love for “Dallas” began when he watched the show as a child with his grandmother on Friday nights. His enthusiasm for the Ewings continued through college, when daily “Dallas” reruns were appointment television for Phillips and his fraternity brothers.

Over the years, Phillips and his friends have staged their own version of the Oil Baron’s Ball, and he once made a pilgrimage to Southfork, where Phillips made his best friend push him into the swimming pool.

Don’t the people who run the ranch frown upon that sort thing? “It’s definitely frowned upon, but at least I can say I did it,” he said.

Batten Down the Hatches

Watch out, Christopher Ewing. Hurricane Heather is about to touch down on Southfork — or at least that’s how onetime “90210” star AnnaLynne McCord describes Heather, the new ranch hand she’ll play on “Dallas” next season.

“She comes on strong like a tornado and hurricane all wrapped into one,” McCord tells the MediaMikes entertainment news site. “Her energy is definitely a force to be reckoned with. I think that that dynamic is something that Christopher really likes about her. He is in this family that lies to everyone all the time and he has this one ‘creature’ that comes in saying, ‘I am going to tell you so much of the truth; you won’t be able to handle it.’”

McCord, who TNT bills as a guest star, tells MediaMikes she’ll wrap up her stint on the show during the third season’s 10th episode.

Now Streaming

TNT’s second season of “Dallas” arrives on DVD tomorrow, but if you can’t wait, head over to Netflix, where the show’s first two seasons are now streaming. As the Dallas Morning News suggests, a 25-hour “Dallas” marathon is the ideal way to beat the cold weather blues.

“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.

Filed Under: Drill Bits, News Tagged With: AnnaLynne McCord, Stephen W. Phillips, TNT

Drill Bits: TV Hall of Fame Won’t Induct Larry Hagman in 2014

December 30, 2013 by Chris Baker 8 Comments

Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing, TNT

Let him in

Sorry to deliver bad tidings during the holidays, but it looks like Larry Hagman won’t be inducted into the Television Academy’s Hall of Fame next year.

The academy announced its 2014 honorees before Christmas and Hagman wasn’t on the list. The inductees will be Jay Leno, Julia Louis-Drefus, producer David E. Kelley, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, programming executive Brandon Stoddard and sound engineer Ray Dolby, who’ll be honored posthumously.

Like a lot of Hagman’s fans, I’ve been hoping the late actor would finally get his spot in the Hall of Fame, which the academy’s chairman and chief executive, Bruce Rosenblum, refers to as the organization’s “highest honor” in its announcement. Hagman should have been inducted a long time ago, but including him in 2014 might have helped make amends with fans who were justifiably outraged when the academy excluded him from the special tributes during this year’s Primetime Emmys broadcast.

I’m not the only one who thought this could have been Hagman’s year. Chris Beachum, senior editor of the awards website Gold Derby, listed Hagman among 24 possible inductees for 2014, along with journalist Ed Bradley and filmmaker Ken Burns. (Louis-Dreyfus and Kelley were on Beachum’s list too.)

According to the Hall of Fame announcement, candidates are submitted by academy members to a selection committee chaired by Peter Roth, president of Warner Bros. Television Group, which includes the studio that produces TNT’s “Dallas.” Presumably, the committee reviews the nominations, weighs each individual’s contributions to television and chooses the final selections.

I suppose it’s possible no one submitted Hagman’s name this year, but that seems mighty unlikely, especially after the brouhaha that erupted over his snub during the Emmy tributes. No matter where the blame lies, isn’t it a shame Hagman is once again being overlooked by the medium he helped shape?

Vote for ‘Dallas’

TNT’s “Dallas” is one of the choices in TV.com’s race for this year’s best nighttime soap opera. The show was in the lead until a few days ago, when it slipped to second place behind FX’s “Sons of Anarchy.” (If you’re puzzled by “Sons of Anarchy’s” inclusion in the soap opera category, get in line.)

Cast your votes here. The polls close Wednesday, January 2.

OWN It, Darlin’

Dallas, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing, TNT

Encore, encore!

Did you miss Linda Gray’s recent appearance on “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” You have another opportunity to catch it: OWN is scheduled to repeat the episode Friday, January 3, at 6 p.m. (Sue Ellen Ewing is back on Friday night, at least for one week.) Also, if you missed it, be sure to check out my recent tribute to Gray, who is Dallas Decoder’s Woman of the Year for 2013.

Life on the D-List

’Tis the season for list-making, and so TV Guide has published its ranking of the 60 best series of all time. The good news: “Dallas” makes the cut. The bad news: It’s in 47th place.

Look, I love lists and understand the tough calls that go into making them, but shouldn’t “Dallas” rank a little higher? After all, the series ran 14 seasons, pioneered serialized storytelling, produced the biggest prime-time cliffhanger of all time, held the top spot in the Nielsens for three seasons and inspired a sequel that’s about to begin its third year.

If nothing else, couldn’t TV Guide have ranked “Dallas” 38th instead of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”? Or 46th, instead of “Barney Miller”?

Elsewhere, Entertainment Weekly is out with its list of the best and worst episodes for 50 shows, including TNT’s “Dallas.” As EW sees it, the second-season finale, “Legacies,” was the show’s finest hour in 2013 while “Trial and Error” was the worst, although the magazine doesn’t seem to have many complaints about it. Neither do I.

Return Engagement?

Will “Knots Landing’s” Gary and Valene pay another visit to TNT’s “Dallas” anytime soon? Ted Shackelford and Joan Van Ark have different opinions, she tells Showbiz 411. Says Van Ark: “Ted’s not sure if we’re ever going back. But I’m convinced we are. I’d like to mix it up with Sue Ellen some more.”

You said it, honey. “Dallas” fans are spoiling for a Sue Ellen/Val rematch after this year’s showdown.

#DallasChat Returns January 6

Reminder: #DallasChat, my Monday evening Twitter discussion of all things “Dallas,” is taking a break for the holidays. The next #DallasChat will be held January 6 at 9 p.m. Eastern time. Don’t miss it.

“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.

Filed Under: Drill Bits, News Tagged With: Joan Van Ark, Knots Landing, Larry Hagman, Legacies, Linda Gray, Ted Shackelford, TNT, Trial and Error

Drill Bits: Want the Scoop on ‘Dallas’? Follow Those Tweets

October 9, 2013 by Chris Baker 6 Comments

Dallas, John Ross Ewing, Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Pamela Rebecca Barnes

Tweethearts

If you’re not following the stars of TNT’s “Dallas” on Twitter and Instagram, you’re missing some of the best sources of news about the show’s third season.

Since production began last week, cast members have been tweeting up a storm, even using their own Season 3 hashtag: #DallasS3. On the first day of filming, Patrick Duffy shared a picture of himself and Josh Henderson standing on a soundstage, which Duffy captioned, “First scene of the first episode of season #3!!” Last night, the social media feeds lit up with a shot of Henderson and Julie Gonzalo embracing in a barn. Besides highlighting the couple’s overall adorableness, the image also shows Henderson sporting what appears to be Larry Hagman’s famous J.R. wristwatch.

Indeed, the tweets offer a glimpse of the new looks that costume designer Rachel Sage Kunin has created for the third-season episodes, which are slated to debut in early 2014. On “Dallas’s” new Instagram feed, followers were treated to a shot of Jordana Brewster donning a fitted red dress, while Linda Gray tweeted a picture of herself looking runway-ready while standing on what looks like the show’s conference room set. (Study the image and you’ll also see a monitor displaying a “Ewing Global” logo. Will this be the name of the family’s company in Season 3?)

In another shot, Brenda Strong wears a turquoise necklace while joining Gray and Emma Bell on the Southfork patio. Meanwhile, it appears Christopher Ewing will have a beard next season, based on the images that Jesse Metcalfe has been sharing with his Twitter and Instagram followers. Could the facial hair signal a darker turn for Christopher? Perhaps more tweets will tell.

Give Us the Juice

Not all of the Season 3 teases are coming via social media. Last weekend, the Dallas Morning News caught up with Henderson at the real-life Cattle Baron’s Ball, where the actor declared, “Season 3 has the juice. It’s going to be the absolute juiciest.”

“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.

Filed Under: Drill Bits, News Tagged With: Brenda Strong, Emma Bell, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Rachel Sage Kunin, TNT

Drill Bits: ‘Dallas’ Season 3 — Spoilers, Speculation and More

October 2, 2013 by Chris Baker 27 Comments

Ann Ewing, Bobby Ewing, Brenda Strong, Christopher Ewing, Dallas, Elena Ramos, Ewings Unite, Jesse Metcalfe, John Ross Ewing, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Pamela Rebecca Barnes, Patrick Duffy, TNT

Back to work, people

Production on “Dallas’s” third season begins today. There isn’t a lot of news to report, although insiders have dropped a few tidbits about what fans can expect when TNT begins televising the episodes next year. If you want to be surprised, stop reading here.

• Jenna Wade may return. The show’s writers are toying with bringing back Bobby’s first love, TV Guide reported last month. Said Executive Producer Cynthia Cidre: “It’s on our [planning] wall, and we’re thinking about it seriously.” Priscilla Presley, who played Jenna for five seasons on the original “Dallas,” stoked the speculation a few days later when she tweeted, “What do you think would happen if Jenna Wade returned to Dallas?”

• Cliff Barnes and Judith Ryland will return. Dallas Decoder has confirmed Ken Kercheval will be back as Cliff Barnes, but there’s no word on whether Audrey Landers will return as Afton Cooper. Meanwhile, during a recent Twitter exchange with “Dallas” writer Aaron Allen, fans expressed hope Judith Light’s character, Judith Ryland, will return in Season 3. Allen’s response: “Judith is back!”

• Good news for Linda Gray and Jordana Brewster. During another Twitter exchange with fans, Allen offered this nugget: “If you’re hoping for more Elena and Sue Ellen driven stories, you’ll LOVE season 3.” He also tweeted: “Bobby and Ann have kind of a slow burning story this year. It gets bigger in the second half.” (Sounds like a good time for Jenna to show up, no?)

• More new characters are on their way. Get ready to meet Nicholas, whom Showbiz411 describes as “a powerful billionaire businessman. Self-made. Rough childhood. Raised himself up by his bootstrap. He’s charming, sophisticated, smart, cunning.” Elsewhere, TV Guide’s William Keck tweeted about another newbie: Heather, whom he described as “a pretty tomboy ranch hand … who is attracted to bad boys.”

• New loves, old traditions. Christopher will get a new love interest, Jesse Metcalfe told “Access Hollywood” last week. (You don’t suppose it’s Heather, do you?) Meanwhile, Brenda Strong and Julie Gonzalo tweeted pictures of themselves and Emma Bell on horseback this week, leading fans to wonder if they’re preparing for an episode set at the Ewing Rodeo. Giddy up!

So when will fans get to see the Ewings back in action? TNT, which ordered 15 episodes, hasn’t announced a premiere date. One possibility: the show will begin in the winter and continue into the spring, then take a break and resume in the summer.

Let J.R. Speak

During the first two seasons of TNT’s “Dallas,” the show’s regular cast members took turns delivering the “Previously on ‘Dallas’” voiceover that starts each episode. Longtime fan Joe Siegler has an idea: Why not use Larry Hagman’s voiceover exclusively, beginning with the third-season episodes?

As Siegler sees it, this would honor Hagman and ensure his presence remains in each episode. It would almost be like ol’ J.R. is watching over his family and bringing the audience up to speed on their doings each week.

This week, Siegler took to Twitter and ran his suggestion past a few cast members. Brenda Strong retweeted his message and added, “Great idea!” We agree. Make it happen, TNT.

Et Cetera

• Don’t miss Dallas Divas Derby’s interview with Kenneth Larsen, a talented artist and “Dallas” enthusiast who recently tweeted terrific drawings of Hagman and Gray.

• This week, I’m asking fellow fans to choose their all-time favorite “Dallas” cliffhanger. Head over to Dallas Decoder’s Facebook page to weigh in.

• Like to discuss “Dallas”? If so, consider dropping by one of my weekly #DallasChats, held Monday nights at 9 Eastern on Twitter. You’ll have fun, I promise!

“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.

Filed Under: Drill Bits, News Tagged With: Aaron Allen, Audrey Landers, Brenda Strong, Cynthia Cidre, Emma Bell, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Judith Light, Julie Gonzalo, Ken Kercheval, Linda Gray, Priscilla Presley, TNT

Drill Bits: J.R. Ewing, Ready for Action

September 26, 2013 by Chris Baker 1 Comment

Dallas, Figures Toy Company, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

Figures of interest

It took a few decades, but J.R. Ewing is finally an action figure.

Figures Toy Company is now selling two J.R. figures: “Oil Tycoon,” which comes dressed in a three-piece business suit, and a “Who Shot J.R.?” version that features a replica of the vest Larry Hagman wears in the famous scene where J.R. is gunned down.

Both figures are 12 inches tall and come with cowboy hats. The figures sell for $79.99 apiece or $159 for a set. Figures Toy Company began accepting orders on its website last week and plans to ship the figures in December.

Each figure will be limited to quantities of 750 during the initial production run, so collectors should order them while they can.

“I am an avid ‘Dallas’ fan from when I was a child,” said Anthony Balasco, the company’s founder and chief financial officer. He remembered how Mego Corporation scuttled plans for a line of “Dallas” figures during the show’s heyday and decided Figures Toy Company would finish what Mego started.

To create Hagman’s action figure likeness, the Figures Toy Company sculptor relied on photos of the late actor provided by Warner Bros., the studio that licenses “Dallas” merchandise. “The only challenge was to decide what year/time period to use for J.R. We choose the earlier years when the show was at its most popular ratings,” Balasco said.

Figures Toy Company, which Balasco founded in 1989, also sells figures based on other classic TV shows and entertainers, including “The Dukes of Hazzard,” the 1960s “Batman” series and the rock band KISS. A line of “Gilligan’s Island” figures is in the works too.

There are no plans to make figures based on other “Dallas” characters, but Balasco is open to the idea of giving other Ewings the action figure treatment.

“If the fans want the line to continue, then please let us know by purchasing the J.R. Ewing figures,” Balasco said. “We would love to be able to offer Sue Ellen to go with J.R.”

You heard the man, “Dallas” fans. Place those orders today!

Preston Hagman Speaks

In case you missed it: Preston Hagman, Larry’s son, tells “Entertainment Tonight” he isn’t angry that his father was snubbed during the recent Primetime Emmy tributes: “I think my dad was a trailblazer in the industry to set the stage for other actors. So it’s not anger. It’s definitely disappointment.”

Bringing Up Baby

Dallas Decoder offers belated congratulations to Jordana Brewster and her husband Andrew Form, who recently welcomed their first child, a boy named Julian. Perhaps when he gets a little older, Julian will enjoy playing with a J.R. Ewing action figure?

“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.

Filed Under: Drill Bits, News Tagged With: Jordana Brewster, Larry Hagman, Preston Hagman, Who Shot J.R.?

Drill Bits: Emmy Overlooks Larry Hagman … For Now

July 19, 2013 by Chris Baker 3 Comments

Dallas, Family Business, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing, TNT

Ouch, Emmy

Larry Hagman wasn’t nominated for an Emmy yesterday, but the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has a few more opportunities to honor “Dallas’s” biggest star.

First up: the “In Memoriam” montage that will be shown during this year’s Emmy ceremony, which CBS will broadcast on September 22. Hagman deserves to be featured prominently in the tribute reel, which is also certain to include fellow icons James Gandolfini and Jean Stapleton.

(Steve Forrest and Dale Robertson, two other “Dallas” vets who died recently, deserve spots in the reel too.)

Additionally, the academy could — wait, make that should — induct Hagman into its Hall of Fame next year. Chris Beachum, senior editor of awards website Gold Derby, lists Hagman among 24 possible honorees, along with stars such as David Letterman, Tyne Daly and the late Don Knotts.

Hagman, who died last fall after bringing J.R. Ewing back to life on TNT’s “Dallas” revival, was a contender for inclusion in this year’s dramatic supporting actor Emmy race. The show received no other nominations.

Hagman was twice nominated for best actor during the original “Dallas’s” heyday but never won. He joins a list of beloved stars who were snubbed by Emmy, including Andy Griffith, Jackie Gleason and Michael Landon.

Four E’s for Big D

Although fans of TNT’s “Dallas” were mighty disappointed by this year’s snubs, keep in mind: The original series won just four awards during its 14-season run. Barbara Bel Geddes received the best actress award in 1980, composer Bruce Broughton won awards for his musical scores in 1983 and 1984 and Travilla received the Emmy for costume design in 1985.

“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.

Filed Under: Drill Bits, News Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Bruce Broughton, Dale Robertson, Larry Hagman, Steve Forrest, Travilla

Drill Bits: Will Larry Hagman Be Nominated for an Emmy?

July 16, 2013 by Chris Baker 18 Comments

Dallas, Hedging Your Bets, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, TNT

Show him some love, Emmy

Will Larry Hagman receive some much-deserved Emmy recognition when this year’s prime-time nominees are announced on July 18?

The “Dallas” star, who died last fall, is a contender in the dramatic supporting actor race. The editors at awards website Gold Derby rank Hagman 15th on the list of likely nominees in that category, putting his odds at 100 to 1.

In other words: Hagman’s chances are pretty slim.

On the other hand: Never bet against ol’ J.R.

“You don’t know how sentimental the voters might be,” says Chris Beachum, Gold Derby’s senior editor. “Mr. Hagman played one of the most iconic characters of all time … anything can happen.”

The dramatic supporting actor race is always competitive, often with seven or eight strong contenders competing for six slots, Beachum says. This year’s likely nominees include Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad”) and Mandy Patinkin (“Homeland”), but surprises are possible. Last year, the experts were caught off guard when Jim Carter and Brendan Coyle scored supporting actor nominations for their roles on “Downton Abbey.”

The latest Emmy competition covers programs televised from June 2012 through May 2013, so the first two seasons of TNT’s “Dallas” revival are eligible. Hagman died in November after completing the first half of the second season, which TNT telecast in the winter and spring.

Hagman never won an Emmy. He was twice nominated for best actor during the original “Dallas’s” heyday, losing to Ed Asner (“Lou Grant”) in 1980 and Daniel J. Travanti (“Hill Street Blues”) in 1981. If Hagman is nominated this year, he’ll follow in the boot steps of TV daddy Jim Davis, who received a posthumous nomination in 1981.

Barbara Bel Geddes is the only actor to win an Emmy for “Dallas,” receiving the award for best actress in 1980.

None of the other actors from TNT’s “Dallas” revival are considered likely contenders for nominations this year, Beachum says, although the show could be nominated in technical categories such as costuming and cinematography.

If Emmy overlooks Hagman, his next best shot for recognition from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences will be an induction into its Hall of Fame. Beachum lists Hagman among several possible inductees this year, along with David Letterman, Tyne Daly and the late Don Knotts.

Deep-sixed

Hold on, darlins

The good news: Entertainment Weekly included “Dallas” on its recent list of television’s 100 all-time greatest shows. The outrageous news: The series ranked only 61st.

To this, we say: Hold on, darlins! When “Dallas” debuted 35 years ago, it dared to build a dramatic series around J.R., TV’s original anti-hero. “Dallas” also pioneered serialized storylines in prime time and the season-ending cliffhanger.

Without “Dallas,” EW wouldn’t have shows like “The Sopranos” (No. 5 on the magazine’s list), “Mad Men” (No. 9) and “Breaking Bad” (No. 18) to fawn over.

Moreover, does anyone honestly believe “Gilmore Girls” (No. 45), “The Rifleman” (No. 46) and “Freaks and Geeks” (No. 59) deserve to rank higher than “Dallas”?

Hagman’s Hat Man

Ever wonder who made the hats that Hagman sported on TNT’s “Dallas”? Check out Cowboys & Indians’ recent profile of hatmaker Butch Dorer.

“Drill Bits,” a roundup of news about TNT’s “Dallas,” is published regularly. Share your comments below.

Filed Under: Drill Bits, News Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Jim Davis, Larry Hagman, TNT