Dallas 2.0: Discussion Thread

The only few great actors on early Dallas where BBG, LH, KK, LG and VP. Jim Davis had horrible timing and he overacted ALL the time. Patrick was extremely hollow and Charlene Tilton was so bad I have to FF through all of her scenes. Charlene even said that she got the job because she begged the producers on a daily bases. I would even say Barbara Bell Geddes was bad because her crying seemed forced (except for Mastectomy). I have her on the Good acting list because she was the only one who could play Ellie.

I never mentioned great acting.

I think it's interesting that BBG and Julie Harris were cast as southern matriarchs Ellie and Lillimae on sister shows because they are like two peas in a pod. They're both petite spitfires from Broadway's Golden Age (BBG was the original Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), and looking back on their classic peformances in the fifties, many modern eyes would call their work a little hammy and OTT. Ellie was probably one of the most understated performances BBG ever gave.

I went a little far with BBG. I have seen her other work and I do not think that the role of Ellie really gave her acting justice.

I never mentioned great acting.

You said Charisma and Star-power. Something that took a long while for Patrick to build and something Charlene never had.

You said Charisma and Star-power. Something that took a long while for Patrick to build and something Charlene never had.

Charlene had plenty of charisma. She got a ton of media focus in the show's first 3-4 years, and it wasn't based on acting (and while she was attractive it wasn't just that either). I'd say Patrick did too.

So what did we think of tonight's episode? The John Ross and Chistopher partnership/truce seems like something that would come at the end of a reunion movie. Of course it'll be flipped on its ear sooner rather than later. And yet I wonder. It sort of feels like they might unite the Ewings and pit them against "the foreigners" (metaphor from Cidre?).

I'm pretty 100 that was Rebecca's "brother" being rolled up in the tarp, but the way the blood splashed on the twin chimps would have been powerful if she'd lost the babies (as much as I am sick to death of soap opera baby deaths).

J.R., that codger, he seems so frail at times and yet he's often the light of the episode. I thought Sue Ellen slapping him and Christopher going to rush John Ross were both unwarranted.

Who is stepping off the chopper?? Cliff, Carter, Gary, Greg Sumner, Dubya??

So what did we think of tonight's episode? The John Ross and Chistopher partnership/truce seems like something that would come at the end of a reunion movie. Of course it'll be flipped on its ear sooner rather than later. And yet I wonder. It sort of feels like they might unite the Ewings and pit them against "the foreigners" (metaphor from Cidre?).

I'm pretty 100 that was Rebecca's "brother" being rolled up in the tarp, but the way the blood splashed on the twin chimps would have been powerful if she'd lost the babies (as much as I am sick to death of soap opera baby deaths).

J.R., that codger, he seems so frail at times and yet he's often the light of the episode. I thought Sue Ellen slapping him and Christopher going to rush John Ross were both unwarranted.

Who is stepping off the chopper?? Cliff, Carter, Gary, Greg Sumner, Dubya??

I havent seen it yet but dvd it...will see it soon. I heard online from other websites that it was a very good episode. Figures now that most if not all are seeing the Olympics.

I know, right? Well next Wednesday starting at noon, they are marathoning the entire season leading up to the finale at 9pm. I've missed two or three eps and I'm off on Wednesdays so I look forward to catching up completely.

I tried watching the first 4-5 episodes but then I fell asleep. Always happy to hear the intro music though

JB doesn't share chemistry with either of her two leading men, I don't believe that the Ewing boys would be interested in her and she is just boring. The casting is all wrong, however I like JH as JR's son who tries to be like his father and ends up being a loser. The dynamics could be very interesting.

JM's Christopher is a disaster. His boring, predictable scenes, his business, the way he acts like a stupid high school girl, everything is wrong. Jesse could play Elena's brother, play with horses shirtless and flirt with Mrs. Ewing and we would all be very happy.

I can't believe that the Tommy actor was not cast as either Christopher or John Ross.

Shouldn't the series have at least one Real Housewives of Dallas type of character? A new Mrs. Ewing, or a friend of the family, a little bit trashy who likes to show off? A sleazy lawyer who is not eighty years old?

Sue Ellen as a Senator is like watching fan fic written by (the always gorgeous) Linda Gray.

John Ross and Christopher cannot carry the show with these two girls. The show could use another Ewing boy (propably Lucas)

I guess Tommy is Ann's son (and not her potential boy toy), the actor is great, Rebecca can be quite interesting (when she is not blackmailed by Baby John Ross in a storyline straight from a kids book), always happy to see Sue Ellen, Larry Hagman could be a caricature, but he is still JR Ewing and if I were a writer I would try to make something interesting out of Bobby's new wife.

So the only thing I can do right now is dream about potential Dynasty 2.0 storylines. I will propably watch the season finale though.

I can't believe that the Tommy actor was not cast as either Christopher or John Ross.

I completely agree. He would've brought so much more depth and charisma to Christopher. I'd also love him as a Cliff Barnes type, which could've worked had they kept him and Rebecca related.

Shouldn't the series have at least one Real Housewives of Dallas type of character? A new Mrs. Ewing, or a friend of the family, a little bit trashy who likes to show off? A sleazy lawyer who is not eighty years old?

The Real Housewives type is Lucy and it saddens me she isn't used more. I don't want her as a lead, but a regular recurring character. The original worked because of that extended supporting cast. The cartel, the DOA, characters like Donna & Dusty before they became regulars. Harv Smithfield. All of those supporting characters in the background help make the show feel real and give it more scope. Who Shot JR only worked because it affected everybody, down to the most minor of characters. Everybody had their chance to shine there.

I guess Tommy is Ann's son (and not her potential boy toy), the actor is great, Rebecca can be quite interesting (when she is not blackmailed by Baby John Ross in a storyline straight from a kids book), always happy to see Sue Ellen, Larry Hagman could be a caricature, but he is still JR Ewing and if I were a writer I would try to make something interesting out of Bobby's new wife.

So the only thing I can do right now is dream about potential Dynasty 2.0 storylines. I will propably watch the season finale though.

Not possible with Brenda Strong in the role. I am beginning to hate that woman. She has the presence of a hair pin! Ugh! Between her and Miggie LoFitz, I don't know who I can't stand more. They are absolutely horrid!

a) I can't believe that the Tommy actor was not cast as either Christopher or John Ross.

b ) Shouldn't the series have at least one Real Housewives of Dallas type of character? A new Mrs. Ewing, or a friend of the family, a little bit trashy who likes to show off?

c) Sue Ellen as a Senator is like watching fan fic written by (the always gorgeous) Linda Gray.

a) I'm thinking he was definitely in the running and in at least one case lost out to a "name" (pfffft!) like Metcalf and got the "consolation prize" of Tommy (who is of course more interesting than JM's Christopher will ever be). He should not have been killed off. Well, at least that's what it looks like. He would have been a good John Ross too, but I think JH works as a cocky little sh!t.

b ) That's a great idea if they could manage to do it in a not-too-obvious way. That dash of trash and glitz (without going to parody, or even Dynasty proportions) would certainly appeal to some of the audience. Donna Reed thought that Miss Ellie should look more glamorous and "downtown Dallas" (which is how Jill Larson once described Opal's wardrobe). Like Chris said, that could certainly be Lucy. And honestly, oof, this is sacrilege, but that's kind of the only way I could see JVA's Val ever working on this show. Remember alt Val in the Dallas' finale? A well-heeled, well-married (and now, well-preserved) Dallas wife. JVA is very protective of Val but she loves playing tarted up trash.

c)

Edited August 2, 201213 yr by SFK

Dallas was the #1 cable show last night pulling in 3.2 million viewers and up slighty in 18-49 with a 0.8.

Edited August 2, 201213 yr by Soapsuds

Those are the same ratings they always get aren't they?

Those are the same ratings they always get aren't they?

Yes...but considering they were up against the Olympics thats ok....I think they finally leveled off.

Actually the show has over 4 million viewers and a 1.1 in demos.....if u add the second airing. i am assuming some miss the first run so they see the repeat.