Are You Tough Enough for Our April 11 #DallasChat?

April 4, 2016 by 6 Comments
Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Patrick Duffy

Fists of fury

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat will be Monday, April 11, from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Our theme will be “Ewing Tough,” and questions will be posted on Twitter and Facebook.

If you want to participate on Twitter, here’s how it will work: I’ll tweet 10 questions from my Twitter handle, @DallasDecoder. Answer each question by tweeting your response.

To participate on Facebook, here’s what you need to know: At 8 p.m. Eastern time, I’ll share a special #DallasChat image on my Dallas Decoder Facebook page. I’ll post 10 questions throughout the next hour under this image; you can post your answers in the same space.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. Which Ewing was the best fighter? #DallasChat

A1. Oh, that’s easy. Bobby could throw — and take — a punch like no one else. #DallasChat

Here are three more tips:

• Each #DallasChat question is numbered (Q1, Q2, etc.), so your responses should include the corresponding number (A1, A2, etc.).

• Include the hashtag #DallasChat in all your replies and other comments.

• During the discussion on Twitter, enter #DallasChat in the search field. This will help you watch the search results so you can follow the conversation. Click “All” to see all the related tweets.

This promises to be another fun discussion. I hope you can participate!

Got suggestions for #DallasChat questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With:

Barnes or Ewing? Facebook or Twitter? We’ll Decide April 4

March 28, 2016 by 2 Comments
Cliff Barnes, Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Ken Kercheval, Larry Hagman

Mice and men

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat will be Monday, April 4, from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Our theme will be “Barnes vs. Ewing,” but this chat will be a little different than usual: I’ll post the same questions simultaneously on Twitter and Facebook. Hopefully this will give Facebook fans who don’t have Twitter accounts an opportunity to join the #DallasChat fun.

If you want to participate on Twitter, the rules are the same: I’ll tweet 10 questions from my Twitter handle, @DallasDecoder. You’re encouraged to respond to each question and comment on other fans’ answers, continuing our long tradition of freewheeling group discussions.

If you want to participate on Facebook, here’s how it will work: At 8 p.m. Eastern time, I’ll post a special #DallasChat image on my Dallas Decoder Facebook page. I’ll ask 10 questions throughout the next hour under this image; you can post your answers in the same space.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. Do you think J.R., deep down, admired Cliff’s tenacity? #DallasChat

A1. No. The only deeply held feeling J.R. had toward Cliff is hatred. #DallasChat

Here are three more tips:

• Each #DallasChat question is numbered (Q1, Q2, etc.), so your responses should include the corresponding number (A1, A2, etc.).

• Include the hashtag #DallasChat in all your replies and other comments.

• During the discussion on Twitter, enter #DallasChat in the search field. This will help you watch the search results so you can follow the conversation. Click “All” to see all the related tweets.

If nothing else, this chat should be an interesting experiment. I hope you can participate!

Got suggestions for #DallasChat questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With: ,

Our March 28 #DallasChat Questions Are Up to You

March 21, 2016 by 3 Comments
Dallas, Larry Hagman, J.R. Ewing

Daddy dearest

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Monday, March 28, from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Our theme will be “Chatter’s Choice IV.” Like the previous sessions, you’ll get to decide the topics we discuss.

Leave your suggested questions in the comments section below, tweet them to me @DallasDecoder or leave them on my Facebook page. I’ll choose the best questions and tweet them during the discussion so everyone will have an opportunity to answer.

If you’re new to #DallasChat — or if you need a refresher — here’s how it works: During each hour-long discussion, I tweet 10 questions from my Twitter handle, @DallasDecoder. Fans respond to the questions and comment on each other’s answers, making each chat a fun, freewheeling group conversation.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. Was J.R. a good father? #DallasChat

A1. Yes. He loved John Ross, even if he didn’t always teach him the best lessons. #DallasChat

Here are three more tips:

• Each #DallasChat question is numbered (Q1, Q2, etc.), so your responses should include the corresponding number (A1, A2, etc.).

• Include the hashtag #DallasChat in your tweets.

• 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.

I hope you can participate. See you there!

Got suggestions for #DallasChat questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With:

You’re Invited to a Special #DallasChat on March 21

March 14, 2016 by 4 Comments
Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

Who loved J.R.?

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Monday, March 21, from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

This will be our 100th #DallasChat, and it will conclude with our 1,000th question. To mark this special occasion, we’ll celebrate in true Ewing style by treating this discussion as our very own “Chatter Barons Ball.”

If you’re new to #DallasChat — or if you need a refresher — here’s how it works: During each hour-long discussion, I tweet 10 questions from my Twitter handle, @DallasDecoder. Fans respond to the questions and comment on each other’s answers, making each chat a fun, freewheeling group conversation.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. Did you love to hate J.R. or hate to love him? #DallasChat

A1. Neither. I just loved him. #DallasChat

Here are three more tips:

• Each #DallasChat question is numbered (Q1, Q2, etc.), so your responses should include the corresponding number (A1, A2, etc.).

• Include the hashtag #DallasChat in your tweets.

• 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.

I hope you can participate. See you there!

Got suggestions for #DallasChat questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With:

#DallasChat Asks, ‘J.R., Who Do You Think You Are?’

March 7, 2016 by 1 Comment
Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

Reflections

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Monday, March 14, from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

This discussion will be devoted to “Dallas’s” best baddie. Our theme: “J.R., Who Do You Think You Are?”

If you’re new to #DallasChat — or if you need a refresher — here’s how it works: During each hour-long discussion, I tweet 10 questions from my Twitter handle, @DallasDecoder. Fans respond to the questions and comment on each other’s answers, making each chat a fun, freewheeling group conversation.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. Did J.R. learn any lessons? #DallasChat

A1. He often made the same mistakes over and over, but toward the end, he finally seemed to break his worst habits. #DallasChat

Here are three more tips:

• Each #DallasChat question is numbered (Q1, Q2, etc.), so your responses should include the corresponding number (A1, A2, etc.).

• Include the hashtag #DallasChat in your tweets.

• 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.

I hope you can participate. See you there!

Got suggestions for #DallasChat questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With:

George Kennedy: ‘Dallas’ Villain, Real Life Hero

March 6, 2016 by 8 Comments
Carter McKay, Dallas, George Kennedy, Jeri Gaile, Rose McKay

Rose and the briar

George Kennedy was nothing if not versatile. The actor, who died last week at 91, brought to life such diverse characters as Joe Patroni, the everyman hero of the “Airport” disaster flicks, and Ed Hocken, the dimwitted police captain in the “Naked Gun” movies. Kennedy’s most famous role is the one that won him a best supporting actor Oscar: Dragline, the leader of the chain gang in “Cool Hand Luke.” With the exception of Robert Redford, Paul Newman never had a better sidekick than George Kennedy.

“Dallas” fans also remember Kennedy as Carter McKay, the burly, blustery oil baron who did battle with the Ewings during the original show’s final seasons. The series was already running on fumes when Kennedy arrived, but there were flashes of inspiration, and he played a central role in many of them. The Ewing Oil/Westar tanker collision gets my vote for the second-best business storyline in “Dallas” history (after J.R. and Bobby’s contest for control of Ewing Oil, of course), while the Southfork range war brought the show back to its western roots, at least for a little while. Both stories cemented McKay’s status as a worthy antagonist to the Ewings.

But even when the material wasn’t great, it was still a hoot to watch Kennedy act opposite Larry Hagman. J.R. routinely got a rise out of McKay, causing him to erupt in ruddy-faced anger; it was almost as much fun as watching J.R. toy with Cliff Barnes. Kennedy also had a nice rapport with Patrick Duffy, whose character’s heroics seemed to irk McKay as much as J.R.’s mischief. In fact, the McKay line that “Dallas” diehards probably remember best — “Don’t give me that crap!” — was directed at Bobby, not J.R. You also have to admire the deference Kennedy showed Barbara Bel Geddes in the memorable range-war scene in which Miss Ellie zooms past McKay’s hired guns in her Volkswagen convertible (one of the few times Mama is shown driving), throws the car in park, marches up to his front porch and gives him a piece of her mind.

Indeed, Kennedy ensured McKay was more than a one-note villain. The actor could be downright cuddly in his scenes with Jeri Gaile, whose endearing performance as McKay’s young wife Rose was another bright light during “Dallas’s” final years. Kennedy also did a nice job conveying McKay’s struggles to re-connect with his estranged children, including the drug-addicted Tommy. These scenes seem even more poignant when you realize Kennedy’s family dealt with the scourge of addiction in real life: He and his wife adopted one of their grandchildren after the girl’s mother became addicted to drugs. One of the most touching tributes to Kennedy last week came from Fox News Channel’s Bill O’Reilly, who hailed him as “a hero” and aired a 2002 clip in which Kennedy opened up about his family’s troubles.

It’s also been heartening to see so many “Dallas” fans pay tribute to Kennedy on social media and sites like this one. Some of this might have to do with the fact that the death of a “Dallas” star is a relatively rare thing: Among the actors who appeared in the original show’s opening credits, Kennedy is the only seventh who has died. (The others: Jim Davis, Donna Reed, Dack Rambo, Howard Keel, Bel Geddes and Hagman.) But I also hope Kennedy’s death will prompt fans to revisit — and reassess — the show’s later seasons. Even when the storytelling isn’t great, Kennedy is quite good. We’re fortunate he was part of the show we all love.

What are your favorite memories of George Kennedy on “Dallas”? Share your comments below and read more opinions from Dallas Decoder.

Filed Under: Opinion, Opinion Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Fool Around With #DallasChat on March 7

February 29, 2016 by 5 Comments
Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Kristin Shepard, Larry Hagman, Mary Crosby

Fools for lust

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Monday, March 7, from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

The theme, “Two-timin’ II,” is a sequel to a similar discussion from last year.

If you’re new to #DallasChat — or if you need a refresher — here’s how it works: During each hour-long discussion, I tweet 10 questions from my Twitter handle, @DallasDecoder. Fans respond to the questions and comment on each other’s answers, making each chat a fun, freewheeling group conversation.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. Did J.R. have feelings for Kristin? #DallasChat

A1. Does unapologetic lust count as a feeling? If so, then yes, J.R.’s feelings for Kristin were very strong. #DallasChat

Here are three more tips:

• Each #DallasChat question is numbered (Q1, Q2, etc.), so your responses should include the corresponding number (A1, A2, etc.).

• Include the hashtag #DallasChat in your tweets.

• 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.

I hope you can participate. See you there!

Got suggestions for #DallasChat questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With: ,

Celebrate Leap Day With #DallasChat

February 22, 2016 by 3 Comments
Barbara Bel Geddes, Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Jim Davis, Jock Ewing, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Miss Ellie Ewing, Patrick Duffy

Fab foursome

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Monday, February 29, from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Given the date, our theme will be “Leap Day.”

If you’re new to #DallasChat — or if you need a refresher — here’s how it works: During each hour-long discussion, I tweet 10 questions from my Twitter handle, @DallasDecoder. Fans respond to the questions and comment on each other’s answers, making each chat a fun, freewheeling group conversation.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. Leap Day comes once every four years. What’s something in “Dallas” that’s almost as rare? #DallasChat

A1. That’s easy: a moment of peace in the Ewing family! #DallasChat

Here are three more tips:

• Each #DallasChat question is numbered (Q1, Q2, etc.), so your responses should include the corresponding number (A1, A2, etc.).

• Include the hashtag #DallasChat in your tweets.

• 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.

I hope you can participate. See you there!

Got suggestions for #DallasChat questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With: , , ,

You’ll Face Tough Choices During Our Feb. 22 #DallasChat

February 15, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Bobby Ewing, Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy

Face to face

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Monday, February 22, from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

This discussion will be centered around “Would you rather” questions. (An example appears below.) Get ready to face some tough choices!

If you’re new to #DallasChat — or if you need a refresher — here’s how it works: During each hour-long discussion, I tweet 10 questions from my Twitter handle, @DallasDecoder. Fans respond to the questions and comment on each other’s answers, making each chat a fun, freewheeling group conversation.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. Would you rather be as feared as J.R. or as respected as Bobby? #DallasChat

A1. I’d love to have J.R.’s reputation for ruthlessness. No one ever took advantage of him! #DallasChat

Here are three more tips:

Each #DallasChat question is numbered (Q1, Q2, etc.), so your responses should include the corresponding number (A1, A2, etc.).

Include the hashtag #DallasChat in your tweets.

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.

I hope you can participate. See you there!

Got suggestions for #DallasChat questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With: ,

On Feb. 15, #DallasChat Brings You Its Very Best

February 8, 2016 by 1 Comment
Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

Good question, or bad?

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Monday, February 15, from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Our theme will be “The Best of #DallasChat IV.” Once again, I’ll ask favorite questions from previous discussions.

If you’re new to #DallasChat — or if you need a refresher — here’s how it works: During each hour-long discussion, I tweet 10 questions from my Twitter handle, @DallasDecoder. Fans respond to the questions and comment on each other’s answers, making each chat a fun, freewheeling group conversation.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. Was J.R. the hero or villain of “Dallas”? #DallasChat

A1. He was so good at being bad, how can anyone be sure? #DallasChat

Here are three more tips:

• Each #DallasChat question is numbered (Q1, Q2, etc.), so your responses should include the corresponding number (A1, A2, etc.).

• Include the hashtag #DallasChat in your tweets.

• 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.

I hope you can participate. See you there!

Got suggestions for #DallasChat questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With:
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