Dallas Decoder

The Dal-List: 18 Reasons to Love ‘Dallas’s’ Eighth Season

May 20, 2015 by Chris Baker 25 Comments

Middlin’ along

Dallas Decoder will soon begin critiquing the original show’s eighth season, which aired from 1984 to 1985. Here are 18 reasons to love it.

Side eye

18. Whenever Pam throws shade. She does it a lot this season.

Metaphor much?

17. When Bobby stops wearing shades. Those things are as big as Southfork!

In good hands with him

16. Dr. President David Palmer. Babe’s farmer shows up too.

Bitches be crazy

15. This nut finally gets caught. Even better: She gets away.

Genus: Hipsterous precursorous

14. Eddie’s wall of hats. Keep on trucking, dude.

Me, me, me

13. Mandy’s wall of Mandy. Keep it classy, honey.

Be nice, J.R.

12. Jamie’s makeover. “What’s next? Are we going to cap her teeth?”

Don’t poke out his eye

11. These lapels. All hail Sue Ellen, intergalactic space empress!

Never change, Ray

10. Ray’s workout gear. It’s also the outfit he wears to weddings, funerals, birthdays and bar mitzvahs.

Blonde ambition

9. This. I bet Jordan helped do her hair.

Groin show

8. Sue Ellen’s parting shot. Who kneed J.R.?

Far out

7. Road trip! Best part of this storyline: Philip Chan guest stars as Edward Chan.

Stay. Please.

6. Jenna goes to jail. She also gets out. (Can’t have everything.)

Eat your heart out, Harv

5. Scotty Demarest. “It is a sy-lun-suh.”

Swoon!

4. Cousin Jack. Best mole since Julie Grey’s.

Beats the sanitarium

3. “The Institute for Advanced Awareness.” Because if anyone needs their awareness advanced, it’s her.

Again with the metaphors

2. We don’t like tomato juice either. But we never turn down eggs and toast.

Death is but a dream

1. “Swan Song.” Who cares if the last few scenes are a dream? This is “Dallas’s” finest hour. (Or its finest hour-and-a-half, if you want to get technical about it.)

Why do you love “Dallas’s” eighth season? Share your comments below and read more “Dal-Lists.”

Filed Under: Dal-Lists, Opinion Tagged With: Charlene Tilton, Dack Rambo, Deborah Shelton, Dennis Haysbert, Fern Fitzgerald, Jenilee Harrison, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Morgan Brittany, Patrick Duffy, Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, Stephen Elliott, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard, Swan Song

Join the Next #DallasChat on Wednesday, May 20, at 8 p.m.

May 18, 2015 by Chris Baker 2 Comments

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

Humpty dance

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Wednesday, May 20, from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Since this will be our first midweek chat — and since Dallas Decoder will soon begin reviewing the original show’s midpoint eighth season — our theme will be: “Do the Hump.”

Are you new to #DallasChat? Here’s how it works: During the 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. Who posed the greatest threat to J.R. and Sue Ellen’s marriage? #DallasChat

A1. It was that Winger tramp, Mandy. She almost stole J.R. forever! #DallasChat

Here are three 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 can’t think of a better way to celebrate Hump Day, can you? See you Wednesday!

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

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Linda Gray

Poll: Which ‘Dallas’ Episode is the Best?

April 13, 2015 by Chris Baker 8 Comments

Here’s a list of some of “Dallas’s” most memorable episodes. Vote for your favorite or share other choices in the comments below.

Share your comments below and vote in Dallas Decoder’s other polls.

Filed Under: Opinion, Polls Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, TNT, Victoria Principal, Who Shot J.R.?

Join Our Next #DallasChat on April 13

April 6, 2015 by Chris Baker 1 Comment

Heels over head

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Monday, April 13, from 9 to 10 p.m. Eastern time.

The theme: “Two-timin’.”

New to #DallasChat? Here’s how it works: During the 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-filled group conversation.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. Why did J.R. have so much trouble staying faithful to Sue Ellen? #DallasChat

A1. J.R. was addicted to the chase — whether it was other women or his next big deal. #DallasChat

Here are three 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.

This will be our first #DallasChat in three weeks. I promise to make it worth the wait!

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

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, News Tagged With: Larry Hagman

The Dal-List: 37 Reasons to Love ‘Dallas’

April 2, 2015 by Chris Baker 45 Comments

Love to love them

“Dallas” debuted 37 years ago today. Here’s why we still love the Ewings.

Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Pam Ewing, Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal

Drive us crazy

37. “Digger’s Daughter.” Bobby marries Pam, Lucy and Ray take a roll in the hay and Jock calls J.R. a jackass. Could this show have gotten off to a better start?

Big house on the prairie

36. Southfork. To a lot of us, the white house on Braddock Road is more revered than the one on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Jim Davis, Jock Ewing, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Sue Ellen Ewing

Is blood thicker than liquor?

35. Bourbon and branch. Forget oil. This is what really fueled the Ewing empire.

Can’t touch this

34. Every time Jock asks for “a touch” of bourbon. Spoiler: It was always more than a touch.

Barbara Bel Geddes, Dallas, Miss Ellie Ewing

Stop or mom will shoot

33. “Ray, get me the shotgun out of the hall closet.” The quintessential Miss Ellie moment.

Long walk

32. Pam’s middle screen during the opening credits. It never changed! For almost a decade, she never stopped crossing the Southfork lawn.

Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Knots Landing, Larry Hagman

Fishy

31. J.R.’s first visit to “Knots Landing.” J.R.: Hey, that is good. What do you call this? Valene: Tuna fish.

Smirky

30. Kristin Shepard. So much more than the answer to a trivia question.

About face

29. Sue Ellen’s 180s. No one does the slow, dramatic turn better.

Clean scream

28. The cleaning lady who found J.R. Her reaction alone made it worth waiting eight months to find out who shot him.

Moment of truth

27. “It was you, Kristin, who shot J.R.” The most famous line in “Dallas” history.

Daddy’s decree

26. “Real power is something you take.” Or maybe this is the show’s most famous line. Six words that encapsulate the Ewing creed.

He sizzles

25. Breakfast on the patio. Would you like some insults with your bacon?

Them pipes!

24. The musical stylings of Miss Afton Cooper. She can steal us away anytime she wants.

Bleeds it leads

23. Headlines like these. The editors of The Dallas Press: The only people more obsessed with the Ewings than we are.

Snake in the grass

22. “Hey, Ray. … You getting good mileage on Donna’s car?” So nice of him to be concerned, isn’t it?

Dallas, Donna Culver Krebbs, Susan Howard

Wind ’em up

21. Donna vs. Bonnie. “Dallas’s” best barroom brawl.

Bobby Ewing, Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Sue Ellen Ewing

Will power

20. Daddy’s will. Pitting your hyper-competitive sons against each other in a yearlong battle for control of the family empire? Sounds like a plan!

Watch out, wallpaper

19. “I’m going to drink myself into oblivion.” And she damn near did.

Paging KITT

18. The synthesized seventh-season theme music. We half expect Knight Rider to come roaring into the credits.

Bobby Ewing, Christopher Ewing, Dallas, Eric Farlow, Pam Ewing, Victoria Principal

Oh, that lighting!

17. Bradford May’s cinematography. The Ewings never looked as gorgeous as they did from 1983 to 1984.

J.R. Ewing here

16. The phone at the Oil Baron’s Club. Be careful with that thing or you’ll poke out Dora Mae’s eye!

Charlene Tilton, Christopher Atkins, Dallas, Lucy Ewing, Peter Richards

Yes, sparklers

15. Lucy’s modeling career. There’s nothing about this picture I don’t love.

Dallas, Katherine Wentworth, Morgan Brittany

Hat attack

14. Katherine Wentworth. How can you blame a gal for going a little nuts over Bobby Ewing? Also: the hats!

Turban renewal

13. When Sue Ellen changed into this outfit to go to the movies. What, you mean you didn’t wear something similar when you saw “Porky’s II” in 1984?

The best loser

12. Cliff Barnes. As essential to the “Dallas” mythology as any Ewing. Ken Kercheval is brilliant.

Drip drop

11. “Marilee, you all right, honey? Did it go up your nose?” Best pool dunking ever.

Buzz kill

10. When Bobby flat lines, jolting Pam. Gets us every time.

Who says cowboys don’t cry?

9. … And then when Ray loses it. Few things move me more than this moment.

What a dream

8. The dream season. Look, we love Bobby as much as anyone, but this is one of “Dallas’s” best years — especially where the leading ladies are concerned.

Mr. Clean

7. Bobby’s return. Was the dream explanation a cop-out? Sure, but who’s going to complain about seeing Patrick Duffy in the shower?

The long goodbye

6. Pam. Give the lady her due: Fans spent twice as long clamoring for her return as she spent on the show.

Dallas, John Ross Ewing, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Omri Katz

Word

5. “John Ross, this is Ewing Oil.” Chills.

A star is born

4. Brad Pitt’s hair. Also: “Randy”!

Dallas, J.R.'s Masterpiece, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing

Woman of the hour

3. “J.R.’s Masterpiece.” Linda Gray’s tour de force. If you can watch this episode without bawling like a baby, you’re stronger than me.

Dallas, John Ross Ewing, Josh Henderson, TNT

Another star is born

2. “I am not my father!” Chills again!

Forever our hero

1. Larry Hagman. How we loved this man. What an actor! What a guy! We’ll never stop missing him, and we’ll always be grateful he shared his gift with the world.

Why do you love “Dallas”? Share your comments below and read more “Dal-Lists.”

Filed Under: Dal-Lists, Opinion Tagged With: Audrey Landers, Barbara Bel Geddes, Brad Pitt, Bradford May, Christopher Atkins, Digger’s Daughter, Fern Fitzgerald, J.R.’s Masterpiece, Jim Davis, Josh Henderson, Ken Kercheval, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Mary Crosby, Morgan Brittany, Patrick Duffy, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard, Victoria Principal, Who Shot J.R.?

You’re Invited to Our ‘Who Shot J.R.?’ Party on March 16

March 9, 2015 by Chris Baker 12 Comments

Dallas, House Divided, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Who Shot J.R.?

Who done it?

Dallas Decoder is throwing a party to mark the 35th anniversary of the “Who Shot J.R.?” cliffhanger — and you’re invited!

On Monday, March 16, at 9 p.m. Eastern, let’s all watch “A House Divided,” the classic 1980 episode that ends with J.R. getting shot. While we’re watching, let’s share our memories and observations during our #DallasChat on Twitter.

It’ll be like live tweeting a current TV show — except instead of a network broadcasting the episode for us, it’s up to each of us to play it on the device (TV, tablet, laptop, etc.) of our choice.

Here’s how it will work:

1. Get the episode. You’ll find “A House Divided” on the “Dallas: The Complete Third Season” DVD set, which is available from Amazon, WB Shop and many other online retailers. You can also purchase the individual episode from Amazon and iTunes.

2. Watch it. No matter what device you use to watch the episode, don’t hit play until March 16 at 9 p.m. Eastern (8 p.m. Central, 7 p.m. Mountain, 6 p.m. Pacific). The show starts with brief previews — the first thing you’ll see is Vaughn Leland declaring, “It was crooked!” — followed by the opening credits and then the episode itself. It’s important we all start watching at the same time so we’re in sync.

3. Discuss it. Once the show begins, go to Twitter and join the discussion. Include #DallasChat in all your tweets, and enter #DallasChat in Twitter’s search field to see what other fans are saying. Click “All” to see all the related tweets. (I’ll be tweeting from my Twitter handle, @DallasDecoder.)

“Who Shot J.R.?” is one of the most important moments in “Dallas” history, so I hope we can all enjoy it together through the magic of social media. It’ll be fun!

Help us live tweet the #WhoShotJR cliffhanger tonight on #DallasChat. The fun starts soon! http://t.co/fISaoJlCZz pic.twitter.com/yNm2Q5e0sd

— Dallas Decoder (@DallasDecoder) March 16, 2015

Got questions about #DallasChat? Leave them in the comments section below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With: House Divided, Larry Hagman, Who Shot J.R.?

Poll: Which ‘Dallas’ Character Should Have Stayed Alive?

March 2, 2015 by Chris Baker 22 Comments

Here’s a list of “Dallas” characters who were killed off for a variety of reasons. Choose one character who should have stayed alive, even if it meant recasting the role with another actor.

Share your comments below and vote in Dallas Decoder’s other polls.

Filed Under: Opinion, Polls Tagged With: Jesse Metcalfe, Jim Davis, Keenan Wynn, Mary Crosby, Sheree J. Wilson, TNT, Victoria Principal

Dare to Dream During Tonight’s #DallasChat

March 2, 2015 by Chris Baker 3 Comments

Perchance to scheme

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Monday, March 2, from 9 to 10 p.m. Eastern time.

Tonight’s theme: “What If? III.” Like the previous editions in our “What If?” series, this discussion will be devoted to imagining alternate outcomes and twists to “Dallas” storylines.

Here’s how #DallasChat 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 group conversation.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. What if J.R. hadn’t gone into the oil business? What other career would have suited him? #DallasChat

A1. J.R. was a born politician. Given his charm and charisma, he could have gone all the way to the White House! #DallasChat

Here are three 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.

Our “What If?” discussions are always fun. I hope you can participate!

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

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

Poll: Who is ‘Dallas’s’ Second Greatest Character?

February 23, 2015 by Chris Baker 22 Comments

J.R. will always be “Dallas’s” greatest character, but who’s the runner-up? Vote for your choice or share other options in the comments section.

Share your comments below and vote in Dallas Decoder’s other polls.

Filed Under: Opinion, Polls Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Jim Davis, Josh Henderson, Ken Kercheval, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, TNT, Victoria Principal

Tonight, #DallasChat Will Drill Deep

February 23, 2015 by Chris Baker 2 Comments

Dig it

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Monday, February 23, from 9 to 10 p.m. Eastern time.

Tonight’s theme: “Drilling Deep.” We’ll examine the psyches of the Ewings and the Barneses, including their core values, innermost feelings and buried secrets.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. What was the source of J.R.’s ambition? #DallasChat

A1. In the beginning, J.R. wanted to win Jock’s respect. Later, J.R. was driven by his need to build a legacy for John Ross. #DallasChat

Here are three 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.

I hope to see tonight!

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

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements Tagged With: Larry Hagman