BUFFALO COURIER EXPRESS. Friday. January 23,1981
Dallas’ Keeps Step Ahead of the Copycats
LEONARD KATZMAN, predictably, doesn't think much of television’s copycat syndrome, which has invaded prime-time soap lately. Who’s Leonard Katzman, you ask? He’s the chap who produces CBS’ runaway hit, "Dallas," for Lorimar Productions and who can blame him for feeling ripped off?
Flick on NBC (Ch. 2) Tuesday nights at 10 and there’s "Flamingo Road" with Howard Duff providing the peacock network's answer to CBS’ great anti-hero, J.R. Ewing, played by Larry Hagman. Tune in ABC (Ch. 7) Monday nights at 9 and there’s John Forsythe running an empire of oil based wealth much as J.R.'s daddy does in “Dallas,” only this is "Dynasty,” don’t you know’.
OF COURSE, Lorimar and CBS ripped ... er, spun off "Dallas” well before "Flamingo Road” or “Dynasty” surfaced — just by moving a couple of characters to "Knots Landing” and unfolding another web of sex-tinged plots among the beautiful people. Whenever that Thursday night show needs a boost, it gets one from “Dallas” — like Mary Crseby showing up pregnant with J.R.’s baby. But Katzman would like to tell you the king of suds still airs Friday nights (Ch. 4, 10 p.m.) with J.R. about to finally meet his female match. Susan Flannery, in next Friday’s episode. Katzman figures it should take his show’s copycats a while to catch up with that move.
"None of the copies have touched our format,” Katzman argued when interviewed by Channel One in Los Angeles two weeks ago. "And even our first 10 to 12 shows (back when "Dallas” was in danger ot being canceled) didn’t touch on what we have now. "Between Larry and the writers, we’ve created the greatest anti-hero in all ot television,” Katzman went on in listing his reasons for the show’s near-weekly No. 1 status. “People secretly would love to do the things that he gets away with.
“FURTHER, THIS family lives together every Friday night headed by a strong father figure. And there’s that element ot voyeurism —the viewers are surrounded by this group of tremendously attractive people. That’s so important. People stay with our show in reruns because they want to stay with the characters. ” Katzman is most perturbed by the ripoff nature of “Dynasty,” the only prime-time soap not cranked out by Lorimar. "I think they’ve taken a great deal of what we have in our show,” Katzman said. “There’s a great deal of wealth through oil. But the question is: Will audiences accept their cast, care about them and root for them? No, I’m not concerned about it. My feeling is we have the audience. They have to come and get it.” They’re coming, Leonard, they’re coming. That three-hour premiere just missed hitting Nielsen’s top 10.
So don’t be surprised if Katzman concocts another wild season-ending show, although he’ll have to go some to top the "Who shot J.R ?” mystery Katzman revealed that classic 1980 finish came about only because CBS made a late request for two additional shows.
“WE WERE originally going to do 23 episodes and the season was to end with Digger Barnes dying,” the producer said "But the network wanted two more shows and we figured shooting J.R. was the way to go. Texas is still a gun-oriented society. That’s the way they are down there and we thought it was a perfect way to end the season.” What followed was a matchless buildup to this season’s beginning and, despite much of the drama being short-circuited by the actors’ strike, the opener was viewed by a record 150 million. Katzman mentioned that figure, thought for a moment, flashed a smile and said, "I’m amused by all the people who say they never watch the show and then proceed to tell you all about it.”
Katzman feels the population move from northern cities into Dallas helps the show’s following. “Dallas is the major financial center of the South and Southwest now," he said. “But interest in the characters is the chief reason tor the show’s success. I certainly think there’s another year or two of material without repeating anything. After that, who knows how long we’ll go? 'Gunsmoke’ lasted 20 years.”
YES, KATZMAN also was responsible for Matt Dillon and friends, not to mention Steve McGarrett and his "Hawaii Five-O” hounds. But now’s he going to keep J.R. fresh by bringing on Leslie Stewart (Miss Flannery), a sharp New York public relations type, to mastermind his new role in the business world as he resumes control of Ewing Oil and brother Bobby shocks the family by jumping into an alternative energy venture. "She’s the first woman J.R. respects,” Miss Flannery told this column “She’s just as unscrupulous, she refuses to tall under his charm and she’s nice, not just an SOB. She rivals his Southern style and she’s a match for him in every way.”
I can see the suds bubbling now
By
Paul Raven ·
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