Dallas Decoder

#DallasChat Daily: What’s J.R. and Sue Ellen’s Best Scene?

June 27, 2014 by Chris Baker 9 Comments

J.R. and Sue Ellen Ewing’s love story spanned more than three decades. What’s your favorite moment?

Their clash before he was shot? The time they reminisced about their courtship? Their confrontation after she caught him in bed with Holly Harwood? The time she gave him a taste of his own medicine? Their reunion at the Cattle Baron’s Ball? Something else?

Your #DallasChat Daily question: What’s J.R. and Sue Ellen’s best scene?

Share your comments below and join other #DallasChat Daily discussions.

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

#DallasChat Daily: How are Sue Ellen and John Ross Alike?

June 26, 2014 by Chris Baker 6 Comments

John Ross is J.R.’s son from tip to tail, but what does he have in common with his mother, Sue Ellen?

Your #DallasChat Daily question: How are Sue Ellen and John Ross alike?

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Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Josh Henderson, Linda Gray, TNT

#DallasChat Daily: Did Sue Ellen Love Any of Her Suitors?

June 25, 2014 by Chris Baker 11 Comments

J.R. was the love of Sue Ellen’s life, but how much did she care for the men with whom she cheated during their marriage?

Among her flings: J.R.’s arch rival, Cliff Barnes; little John Ross’s camp counselor, Peter Richards; investment banker Nicolas Pearce; and of course, everyone’s favorite rodeo cowboy, Dusty Farlow.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Did Sue Ellen love any of the men she had affairs with?

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Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Christopher Atkins, Jack Scalia, Jared Martin, Ken Kercheval, Linda Gray

#DallasChat Daily: Did J.R. Love Any of His Mistresses?

June 24, 2014 by Chris Baker 16 Comments

Everyone knows Sue Ellen was the love of J.R.’s life, but what about the women he cheated with during their marriage?

Among the mistresses: J.R.’s longtime secretary, Julie Grey; his favorite prostitute, Serena Wald; his favorite model, Mandy Winger; and of course his least favorite sister-in-law, Kristin Shepard.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Did J.R. love any of his mistresses?

Share your comments below and join other #DallasChat Daily discussions.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Deborah Shelton, Larry Hagman, Mary Crosby, Stephanie Blackmore, Tina Louise

Melinda Clarke to Play Tracey McKay on ‘Dallas’

June 23, 2014 by Chris Baker 29 Comments

Dallas, Melinda Clarke, Tracey McKay, TNT

Melinda Clarke (Getty Images)

“Dallas” has cast Melinda Clarke as Tracey McKay, one of Bobby Ewing’s girlfriends from the original series. Clarke will appear on the TNT drama during the second half of the third season, which resumes Monday, August 18.

Tracey was introduced during the original “Dallas’s” 12th season and was played by Beth Toussaint. The character is the daughter of Ewing rival Carter McKay, played by George Kennedy, and was briefly romanced by Bobby (Patrick Duffy), but the affair ended when he tangled with Tracey’s drug-dealing brother Tommy, played by J. Eddie Peck. Tracey briefly returned to the series the following season when Tommy was killed off.

This season, TNT’s “Dallas” introduced Carter’s grandson Hunter (Fran Kranz), a childhood friend of John Ross and Christopher’s who is secretly helping Nicolas (Juan Pablo Di Pace) with his scheme against the Ewings.

A TNT spokeswoman confirmed the casting of Clarke, who is best known for her roles on “The O.C.” and “Nikita,” along with a recurring gig on “C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation” as Lady Heather, a dominatrix. Clarke also appeared alongside Julie Gonzalo in episodes of “Nikita” and “Eli Stone.”

TNT has provided no details on Tracey’s storyline, although showrunner Cynthia Cidre previously hinted one of Bobby’s old flames could return and provide a new obstacle for him and Ann (Brenda Strong). Ultimate Dallas reported the character’s return yesterday.

There’s also no word on why Toussaint isn’t returning as Tracey. Toussaint’s most recent television role was on “The Young and the Restless” in 2006, according to her IMDb profile.

What do you think of Melinda Clarke’s casting as Tracey McKay? Share your comments below and read more news from Dallas Decoder.

Filed Under: News, News Tagged With: Beth Toussaint, Brenda Strong, Cynthia Cidre, Fran Kanz, George Kennedy, J. Eddie Peck, Juan Pablo di Pace, Julie Gonzalo, Melinda Clarke, Patrick Duffy

#DallasChat Daily: Were J.R. and Sue Ellen Good Parents?

June 23, 2014 by Chris Baker 7 Comments

J.R. and Sue Ellen’s marriage had its ups and downs, but how would you describe the way they raised their son, John Ross?

Consider: J.R. devoted much of his life to building a legacy for John Ross, although he wasn’t exactly a moral role model for the boy, was he? Meanwhile, Sue Ellen drank throughout her pregnancy and struggled to bond with John Ross when he was a baby, although after her divorce from J.R., she allowed the child to stay at Southfork because she believed it was best for him. On balance, did the couple do right by John Ross?

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Were J.R. and Sue Ellen good parents?

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Filed Under: #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Josh Henderson, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, TNT

It’s Couples’ Night on #DallasChat

June 23, 2014 by Chris Baker 1 Comment

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

Two of a kind

You’re invited to Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter, which I’ll hold Monday, June 23, from 9 to 10 p.m. Eastern time. We’ll discuss “Dallas’s” dynamic duos, so our theme will be “Coupling.”

If you have ideas for questions, leave them in the comments section below, tweet them to me @DallasDecoder or post them to my Facebook page. I may choose one or more questions and ask them during our discussion.

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. Who is your favorite couple on #DallasTNT? #DallasChat

A1. John Ross and Pamela. They’re this generation’s J.R. and Sue Ellen! #DallasChat #DallasTNT

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.

I look forward to seeing you tonight!

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With: Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, TNT

#DallasChat Daily: Which Story Should’ve Ended Differently?

June 20, 2014 by Chris Baker 24 Comments

Not every “Dallas” storyline ends on a satisfying note. What if you had the power to change the things that disappointed you?

Would Bobby choose Jenna over Pam? Would Sue Ellen ride off into the sunset with Dusty? Would Miss Ellie have returned to Southfork after her travels abroad? How would you have written J.R. out of the TNT series?

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Which “Dallas” storylines should have ended differently?

Share your comments below and join other #DallasChat Daily discussions.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Jared Martin, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, Victoria Principal

#DallasChat Daily: Which ‘Dallas’ Storylines are Overrated?

June 19, 2014 by Chris Baker 8 Comments

Do you hate “Dallas” storylines that other fans love?

Maybe you feel the “Who Shot J.R.?” mystery doesn’t stand the test of time. Perhaps you were bored by the Pam/Bobby/Jenna love triangle, or maybe you think “Dallas” was getting along quite nicely without Bobby when he suddenly materialized in Pam’s shower. Perhaps you find Judith Ryland’s transformation into a drug-smuggling madam utterly ridiculous.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Which “Dallas” storylines are overrated, and why do you dislike them?

Share your comments below and join other #DallasChat Daily discussions.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily Tagged With: Judith Light, Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, TNT, Victoria Principal

#DallasChat Daily: Which ‘Dallas’ Storylines are Underrated?

June 18, 2014 by Chris Baker 12 Comments

Do you love “Dallas” storylines that other fans hate?

Maybe you find Sue Ellen and Peter’s May/December romance provocative and love everything (or most things) about the “dream season.” Or perhaps you were intrigued by the Wes Parmalee saga. On the new show, maybe you wonder why Christopher and Heather’s romance doesn’t receive more attention from your fellow fans.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Which “Dallas” storylines are underrated, and why do you like them?

Share your comments below and join other #DallasChat Daily discussions.