Between the Lines and Behind the Scenes of "Dallas"
Sue Ellen Ewing has shown us many sides of her personality since “Dallas” began in 1978. She’s been a loyal wife, a vengeful divorcee, a high-society lady who lunches, a down-in-the-gutter drunk, a take-no-prisoners businesswoman, a failed politician — and much, much more.
Your #DallasChat Daily question: Which version of Sue Ellen do you like best?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!
Bobby Ewing has been “Dallas’s” white knight for more than three decades, but he’s no stranger to the dark side. He pulled more than one dirty trick when he was battling J.R. for control of Ewing Oil, and there’s that whole business about framing Cliff Barnes for J.R.’s “murder.”
Your #DallasChat Daily question: What’s the worst thing Bobby’s ever done?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!
J.R. Ewing liked to say John Ross was his son “from tip to tail,” and John Ross certainly has a lot in common with his daddy. But John Ross also likes to think of himself as his own man, as we saw when he confronted Sue Ellen over her drinking and shouted, “I am not my father!”
Your #DallasChat Daily question: How is John Ross different from J.R.?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!
J.R. Ewing usually made Darth Vader look like a boy scout, but sometimes ol’ J.R. did the right thing. Remember when he refused to drag Sue Ellen’s name through the mud during their custody fight over John Ross? Or how about the time he returned ownership of Southfork to Bobby?
Your #DallasChat Daily question: What was J.R.’s most heroic act?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!
Some Trekkies prefer “Star Trek: The Next Generation” to the original series and some Whitney Houston fans insist her version of “I Will Always Love You” is superior to Dolly Parton’s. Do any “Dallas” fans like the new show better than the original?
Your #DallasChat Daily question: Which “Dallas” series do you like best — and why?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Remember the “Miss Ellie Rule”: Keep it civil. Have a great discussion!
You want more #DallasChat? You’ve got it.
Starting today, #DallasChat will become a daily feature at Dallas Decoder. I’ll post a new question each weekday; you can drop in and answer at your leisure, then check back throughout the day to see how other fans have answered the question and to comment on their posts.
There’s one rule: Keep it civil. I’ll moderate all posts and rude comments won’t be approved, so don’t bother leaving them. Remember the “Miss Ellie Rule”: If you wouldn’t want Mama to read what you’ve written, don’t hit the “post” button.
Otherwise, have at it. Let’s make this a forum for fun, lively and insightful conversations about our favorite TV show.
I plan to offer a daily #DallasChat question until TNT’s “Dallas” resumes its third season on Monday, August 18. And yes, I’ll continue to host #DallasChat discussions on Twitter so we can talk about the show in real time.
Ready to start the new era of #DallasChat? Here’s your first question. Go answer it!
Thanks for the memories
Who wants to make #DallasChat history?
The next edition of #DallasChat, our weekly “Dallas” discussion on Twitter, will be held Monday, May 19, from 9 to 10 p.m. Eastern time. The theme will be “Memories and Milestones.” At the end of the discussion, I’ll ask the 500th #DallasChat question — and I want you to tell me what that question should be.
Leave your suggestions in the comments section below, tweet them to me @DallasDecoder or post them to my Facebook page. I’ll choose the best question and ask it at the end of the chat.
If you’re new to #DallasChat, here’s how it works: For one hour, I tweet 10 questions to my fellow “Dallas” fans. Each question is numbered and includes the hashtag #DallasChat, so your answers should do the same. Please include the show’s official hashtag, #DallasTNT, in your tweets too.
Here’s a sample exchange:
Q1. When did you begin participating in #DallasChat? #DallasTNT
A1. I was here for the first #DallasChat on April 29, 2013. Fifty discussions later, I’m still chatting! #DallasTNT
Here are two tips:
• During the discussion, enter #DallasChat in Twitter’s search field. This will help you watch the search results so you can follow the conversation. Click “All” to see all the related tweets.
• Be sure to include #DallasChat in your tweets. This allows the other participants to see your contributions to the conversation.
This will be an historic #DallasChat. Don’t miss it!
High plains dreamer
You’re invited to join Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter, which I’ll hold Monday, May 12, from 9 to 10 p.m. Eastern time. Our theme will be: “What If? II.”
Like the previous “What If?” discussion, this one will focus on alternate outcomes and twists for “Dallas” storylines.
Leave your suggested questions in the comments section below, tweet them to me @DallasDecoder or post them to my Facebook page. I’ll choose one or more questions and ask them during our discussion.
If you’re new to #DallasChat, here’s how it works: For one hour, I tweet a series of questions to my fellow “Dallas” fans. Each question is numbered and includes the hashtag #DallasChat, so your answers should do the same. Please include the show’s official hashtag, #DallasTNT, in your tweets too.
Here’s a sample exchange:
Q1. What if Patrick Duffy hadn’t returned to “Dallas” in 1986? Could the show have held onto its audience? #DallasTNT #DallasChat
A1. Probably not. The show would’ve continued to fall apart without Bobby. #DallasTNT #DallasChat
Here are two tips:
• During the discussion, enter #DallasChat in Twitter’s search field. This will help you watch the search results so you can follow the conversation. Click “All” to see all the related tweets.
• Be sure to include #DallasChat in your tweets. This allows the other participants to see your contributions to the conversation.
You won’t want to miss this discussion. See you tonight!
Young love
Memorandum
To: Jeff Bewkes, chairman and chief executive officer, Time Warner Inc.
From: Dallas Decoder
Re: “Dallas”
So TNT wants to start chasing younger viewers, huh?
That’s what you told investors yesterday, and it sounds like a smart plan to me. As you pointed out, TNT traditionally targets somewhat older audiences — a strategy that served the cable channel well for a long time, but not so much these days.
The numbers tell the tale: According to the Los Angeles Times, TNT’s prime time audience has declined 13 percent during the past five years, from 2.2 million to 1.9 million viewers, while the median age has gone up, from 47 to 52 years.
So yeah, I see why you think it’s time for a new strategy.
The good news is your lineup includes “Dallas,” a show that could become a cornerstone in your plans to rebuild TNT.
Yes, it’s true “Dallas’s” ratings are down: The show averaged 2.7 million viewers last season, including roughly 958,000 adults between ages 18 and 49, the demographic often used to gauge a show’s youth appeal. This year, “Dallas” is averaging 1.9 million viewers, including roughly 630,000 18-to-49-year-olds.
But here’s the thing: Even though “Dallas’s” numbers have dipped, it still performs pretty well when compared to TNT’s other original dramas — especially where the younger crowd is concerned. For example, this winter, “Rizzoli & Isles” averaged about 952,000 adults between ages 18 and 49, while “Perception” grabbed approximately 574,000 viewers in this category.
Also, all the shows boost their audiences when you add DVR users who record the programs and watch them later in the week. Sometimes, the increase is dramatic: Thanks to DVR users, “Dallas’s” season premiere hit 1.4 million 18-to-49-year-olds, while the midseason cliffhanger snagged 1 million viewers in the demo.
There’s also this: “Dallas” is TNT’s biggest show on social media — and we all know how the kids love to post, tweet and share these days. “Dallas’s” official Facebook page has 1.6 million “likes,” while the show’s Twitter feed has 89,000 followers. By comparison, “Major Crimes,” TNT’s most-watched show, has 491,000 Facebook likes and 12,500 Twitter followers.
You also told investors you think TNT’s programming should be a little edgier. Well, my goodness, did you see “Dallas’s” midseason finale? It wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but it sure got people talking.
I guess it all comes down to this, Mr. Bewkes: As the head honcho at Time Warner — the conglomerate that owns TNT, the channel that televises “Dallas,” and Warner Bros., the studio that produces it — the show’s future rests in your hands.
And since you’re a smart fellow, surely you can you see how “Dallas” can serve as your bridge to the younger, media-savvy viewers you’ve set your sights on. It’s one more reason this show deserves a fourth season.
A word of caution, though: Just because TNT is going to start chasing younger viewers, don’t get any wacky ideas about sidelining “Dallas’s” veterans. This show has always had multi-generational appeal, and even though fans love the new generation of buff, young Ewings running around Southfork these days, we still want longtime favorites like Bobby and Sue Ellen to get plenty of screen time.
In other words: Mess with Miss Texas and you’ll receive a much different memo from Dallas Decoder.
Why do you think TNT should renew “Dallas”? Share your comments below and read more opinions from Dallas Decoder.
Serial moms
You’re invited to join Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter, which I’ll hold Monday, April 28, from 9 to 10 p.m. Eastern time. Since Mother’s Day is right around the corner, our theme will be: “Mama Drama.”
Leave your suggested questions in the comments section below, tweet them to me @DallasDecoder or post them to my Facebook page. I’ll choose one or more questions and ask them during our discussion.
If you’re new to #DallasChat, here’s how it works: For one hour, I tweet a series of questions to my fellow “Dallas” fans. Each question is numbered and includes the hashtag #DallasChat, so your answers should do the same. Please include the show’s official hashtag, #DallasTNT, in your tweets too.
Here’s a sample exchange:
Q1. Who is a better mother: Miss Ellie or Sue Ellen? #DallasTNT #DallasChat
A1. Definitely Sue Ellen. She at least tries to reign in John Ross. Miss Ellie always looked the other way with J.R. #DallasTNT #DallasChat
Here are two tips:
• During the discussion, enter #DallasChat in Twitter’s search field. This will help you watch the search results so you can follow the conversation. Click “All” to see all the related tweets.
• Be sure to include #DallasChat in your tweets. This allows the other participants to see your contributions to the conversation.
This will be a fun conversation. I hope you can join us!
Dallas Decoder 