TNT revived Dallas for a 2012–14 series. Would you revisit it again?

[Pamela_E]

I didn’t know she wanted Abby to make an appearance. Why was she told no? I also thought it was a good opportunity to include Falcon Crest to the Dallas universe and add Richard Channing. These were missed opportunities in my opinion to expand upon the existing fan base and expand the scope of the continuation.

As I understand it, I know WB own Knots Landing as a show but David Jacobs owns the characters apart from Val and Gary.

Not sure how that works.

Cynthia Cidre met Donna and Michelle, and was keen. She told Ultimate Dallas this at some event. How keen she was to bring Donna in.

I believe there was also pressure from higher ups in terms of the shows direction, CC had good intentions on the whole.

David Jacobs was never going to let them use characters he owned, he was clearly pissed off at his lack of involvement and how he felt he had been treated when he offered to assist.

Behind the scenes was more interesting than the show itself.

 

[stevew]

As I understand it, I know WB own Knots Landing as a show but David Jacobs owns the characters apart from Val and Gary.

Not sure how that works.

Cynthia Cidre met Donna and Michelle, and was keen. She told Ultimate Dallas this at some event. How keen she was to bring Donna in.

I believe there was also pressure from higher ups in terms of the shows direction, CC had good intentions on the whole.

David Jacobs was never going to let them use characters he owned, he was clearly pissed off at his lack of involvement and how he felt he had been treated when he offered to assist.

Behind the scenes was more interesting than the show itself.

I can’t blame him for being upset. Not only was it all his ideas as far as I can tell he had good ideas. The politics of such is strange to me. I’m sure it was all a money game of who owned what and what they made money off of.

 

[Pamela_E]

I can’t blame him for being upset. Not only was it all his ideas as far as I can tell he had good ideas. The politics of such is strange to me. I’m sure it was all a money game of who owned what and what they made money off of.

It was a shame that the fans were so unhappy, well many, not all. Ironically Cynthia Cidre acknowledged the only reason the show came back was because of Ultimate Dallas and in particular a newspaper article that prompted interest, which was about the number of fans on this forum and then the insane get together which created global headlines . So much so she wanted UD acknowledged in the credits but the request was refused.

So I personally believe she did have good intentions regarding the original but she had other people to deal with. Not easy being a showrunner.

 

[stevew]

It was a shame that the fans were so unhappy, well many, not all. Ironically Cynthia Cidre acknowledged the only reason the show came back was because of Ultimate Dallas and in particular a newspaper article that prompted interest, which was about the number of fans on this forum and then the insane get together which created global headlines . So much so she wanted UD acknowledged in the credits but the request was refused.

So I personally believe she did have good intentions regarding the original but she had other people to deal with. Not easy being a showrunner.

No I can’t imagine it would be easy. You’re expected to be an artist but you’re a politician trying to create. It’s a wonder how anything of value or entertainment makes it to the light of day.

 

[Werewillie Oleson]

I believe that would have worked. I just didn't wish to see a mirror story of Lorimar Dallas by having John Ross seeking out the services of call girls and mistresses. We had already seen that with JR

But you wanted as much of the original vibe from Lorimar Dallas as possible, not? Then why is this being dismissed as "been there, done that"?
It's a soap, what are the odds that there wouldn't be any adultery storylines in it? Besides, the consequences in TNT Dallas are equally (if not more) dramatic, and that's the thing soap needs to do.

As for the John Ross/Christopher-bad guy/good guy switcheroo, what difference would it make in the grand scheme of things if the storylines would play out in a similar fashion?

Would it have been better if the next generation was the same age as the Ewing sons in 70s/80s Dallas? Possibly, but then I could use the same "been there, done that" argument.
I think the fun part of the next generation is their cocky attitude. "Uncle Bobby is the past!" They think they can take over from the old-timers, scheming and whoring and clutching at straws, only to find out that it takes more than an attitude to be one of the Big Players.
And I LOVE the new Dallas girls.

They were learning what it's like to be in a Dallas soap. TNT Dallas for beginners, indeed.
All in all, it was a fresh approach but with enough heritage to connect it with the essence of Lorimar Dallas (rather than specific moments or places).

Initially, it looked as if CWDynasty was going to do something similar but the writers (fans of the original) figured it would be awesome to turn it into the Liz Gillies Comedy Hour.

At the end of the day, there's always going to be something odd or unsatisfactory about a sequel series, even if they had done aaall the things suggested in this thread.
But the impossible had happened, DALLAS was back, for real. Even after all these years there's something mind-boggling about it.

CWDynasty only has to do one thing to make it watchable for me: to treat itself as a real soap opera. I have no problems with the cast, reworked characters or storylines as long as I feel that the events actually matter to them. And not this mindless bubbly "fun" stuff that has zero impact on anything. There's absolutely nothing, nothing, to emotionally invest in.
I've never felt tricked or pranked by new Dallas, everything that happens means everything to all the characters involved.

I liked PP as Jenna but let's face it, she was only hired as a name back in the 1980's.

Oh yeah, total stunt casting. Considering that she wasn't even a real actress I think she did decent job on Dallas, for the most part anyway.

How keen she was to bring Donna in.

Wow, I had no idea.

 

[Pamela_E]

But you wanted as much of the original vibe from Lorimar Dallas as possible, not? Then why is this being dismissed as "been there, done that"?
It's a soap, what are the odds that there wouldn't be any adultery storylines in it? Besides, the consequences in TNT Dallas are equally (if not more) dramatic, and that's the thing soap needs to do.

As for the John Ross/Christopher-bad guy/good guy switcheroo, what difference would it make in the grand scheme of things if the storylines would play out in a similar fashion?

Would it have been better if the next generation was the same age as the Ewing sons in 70s/80s Dallas? Possibly, but then I could use the same "been there, done that" argument.
I think the fun part of the next generation is their cocky attitude. "Uncle Bobby is the past!" They think they can take over from the old-timers, scheming and whoring and clutching at straws, only to find out that it takes more than an attitude to be one of the Big Players.
And I LOVE the new Dallas girls.
View attachment 26472
They were learning what it's like to be in a Dallas soap. TNT Dallas for beginners, indeed.
All in all, it was a fresh approach but with enough heritage to connect it with the essence of Lorimar Dallas (rather than specific moments or places).

Initially, it looked as if CWDynasty was going to do something similar but the writers (fans of the original) figured it would be awesome to turn it into the Liz Gillies Comedy Hour.

At the end of the day, there's always going to be something odd or unsatisfactory about a sequel series, even if they had done aaall the things suggested in this thread.
But the impossible had happened, DALLAS was back, for real. Even after all these years there's something mind-boggling about it.

CWDynasty only has to do one thing to make it watchable for me: to treat itself as a real soap opera. I have no problems with the cast, reworked characters or storylines as long as I feel that the events actually matter to them. And not this mindless bubbly "fun" stuff that has zero impact on anything. There's absolutely nothing, nothing, to emotionally invest in.
I've never felt tricked or pranked by new Dallas, everything that happens means everything to all the characters involved.

Oh yeah, total stunt casting. Considering that she wasn't even a real actress I think she did decent job on Dallas, for the most part anyway.

Wow, I had no idea.

By 1983 had all the other soaps done big name casting? I can't recall. Dallas seemed to avoid that, not that I old enough to know anyone. PP I knew, mostly from newspapers and news stories. I had no idea who Donna Reed was. There seemed to be stars from the golden age of Hollywood, who I wasn't really aware of.

 

[Karin]

By 1983 had all the other soaps done big name casting? I can't recall. Dallas seemed to avoid that, not that I old enough to know anyone. PP I knew, mostly from newspapers and news stories. I had no idea who Donna Reed was. There seemed to be stars from the golden age of Hollywood, who I wasn't really aware of.

That's an interesting question. I think Falcon Crest is the one out of the big four 80s soaps that was most known for having big stars from the golden age of Hollywood on their show. There was of course Jane Wyman who was with it from the beginning to end. Then they had Mel Ferrer between 1981-1984 and Lana Turner from 1982-1983.

Dynasty got Joan Collins as Alexis from the second season in 1981. But Rock Hudson didn't join their show until in 1984.

Knots Landing got Ava Gardner to play Greg Sumners mom but that wasn't until in 1985. Of course Julie Harris had also done some movies in the golden era of Hollywood and she joined the show in 1980.

Then as for Dallas, they did get Howard Keel on their show from 1981. So I am not sure I would say they would avoid stunt casting all together.

Of course the first time I watched the shows I had no clue who all these people were and what they were famous for. I was simply too young. Same thing with Priscilla Presley. I didn't know who Elvis was since he had died before I was born. So I first heard about Elvis when I was watching Dallas with my parents and they told me that Priscilla used to be married to him.

 

[Rove]

I don't mind the stunt casting if it's a natural fit within the current story. An example was Dallas hiring Alexis Smith as Lady Jessica Montford. I knew nothing about the actress but appearances like this make me look up information on their past acting roles.

 

[Rove]

It's a soap, what are the odds that there wouldn't be any adultery storylines in it?

I don't mind the adultery story if it's organic. TNT Dallas however had John Ross and Christopher drifting from one relationship to another. In the end it means nothing. It might be "soapy" but I need that connection to a character to understand why their making that choice. JR loved the ladies but for him - mostly - it was a means to an end which usually involved business.

 

[Pamela_E]

That's an interesting question. I think Falcon Crest is the one out of the big four 80s soaps that was most known for having big stars from the golden age of Hollywood on their show. There was of course Jane Wyman who was with it from the beginning to end. Then they had Mel Ferrer between 1981-1984 and Lana Turner from 1982-1983.

Dynasty got Joan Collins as Alexis from the second season in 1981. But Rock Hudson didn't join their show until in 1984.

Knots Landing got Ava Gardner to play Greg Sumners mom but that wasn't until in 1985. Of course Julie Harris had also done some movies in the golden era of Hollywood and she joined the show in 1980.

Then as for Dallas, they did get Howard Keel on their show from 1981. So I am not sure I would say they would avoid stunt casting all together.

Of course the first time I watched the shows I had no clue who all these people were and what they were famous for. I was simply too young. Same thing with Priscilla Presley. I didn't know who Elvis was since he had died before I was born. So I first heard about Elvis when I was watching Dallas with my parents and they told me that Priscilla used to be married to him.

I didn't even know Howard Keel was famous when the show was on. Of course now I know all the names you have mentioned, not because of soaps but just because of their careers.

Funny as back then TV was seen as inferior and the place movie stars went when their film career had died. Was Joan Collins that well known before Dynasty? The only place I knew her from was a soundtrack my older brother had to one of her films, I think the Stud and inside the cover was clips from the film. I remember thinking it was very rude but I liked one of the songs 'Love is like Oxygen'.

 

[Spooky Owl!]

I thought Joan Collins, whom I'd seen in various TV guest spots (as well as in the movie THE BRAVADOS) was black -- a light-skinned, British black woman. .. the exotic features, saunter, the '70s disco garb...

I was three episodes into her tenure on DYNASTY before I realized: 'hey--- that's a white woman!'

Live and learn I guess.

 

[Karin]

I didn't even know Howard Keel was famous when the show was on. Of course now I know all the names you have mentioned, not because of soaps but just because of their careers.

Funny as back then TV was seen as inferior and the place movie stars went when their film career had died. Was Joan Collins that well known before Dynasty? The only place I knew her from was a soundtrack my older brother had to one of her films, I think the Stud and inside the cover was clips from the film. I remember thinking it was very rude but I liked one of the songs 'Love is like Oxygen'.

Honestly I don't know how well known Joan Collins was before Dynasty. But she was definitely a contract player during the Studio System in the Golden Age of Hollywood. She also made some really good movies together with big stars from that time era. Like for instance:

The Road to Hong Kong (1962) with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.
Rally Around The Flag Boys! (1958) with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.
The Virgin Queen (1955) with Bette Davis.
Bravados (1958) with Gregory Peck.
Sea Wife (1957) with Richard Burton.

So IMHO she did have a successful career before Dynasty! :danc:

 

[Pamela_E]

Honestly I don't know how well known Joan Collins was before Dynasty. But she was definitely a contract player during the Studio System in the Golden Age of Hollywood. She also made some really good movies together with big stars from that time era. Like for instance:

The Road to Hong Kong (1962) with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.
Rally Around The Flag Boys! (1958) with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.
The Virgin Queen (1955) with Bette Davis.
Bravados (1958) with Gregory Peck.
Sea Wife (1957) with Richard Burton.

So IMHO she did have a successful career before Dynasty! :danc:

I think her career had dried up before Dynasty came along, her choice I believe.

Sorry I have sent this topic off on a tangent

 

[retrosonic]

Lets not forget that Joan Collins played female villain "The Siren" on Batman in 1966!!!

 

[retrosonic]

As to the original question that started this thread, could Dallas be revisited? I think the answer lies in a prequel series, set around 1950.
Lets face it, any "Dallas" reboot would be aimed primarily at fans of the original series. Thats why its "Dallas" and not "Odessa".

The really nice thing about a prequel is that its essentially, pre-written. We know the broad outline of the 1950s Dallas story, how Jock and Digger were partners and how they had a falling out due to Diggers drinking, and how Jock ended up with Miss Ellie. But there is an enormous amount of story that lies untold, that can be visited in the prequel, such as the very questionable actions of Jock and the early cartel members. I'd love to see some of the stunts Jock, Jordan Lee, Andy , etc pulled in the early years of the cartel. The original series hints that some REALLY questionable stuff went on, it would great to see exactly how they all became rich, whose lives they ruined in the process, and the extra marital affairs that went on as well.

If its written right, and if its CASTED right, this could be a very popular show. Whomever gets chosen to play the roles of Jock, Miss Ellie, JR, Bobby, Ray, Digger, etc, have to have both a visual and acting umbilical cord to the original actors...... very hard to do.

 

[the-lost-son]

It was a shame that the fans were so unhappy, well many, not all. Ironically Cynthia Cidre acknowledged the only reason the show came back was because of Ultimate Dallas and in particular a newspaper article that prompted interest, which was about the number of fans on this forum and then the insane get together which created global headlines . So much so she wanted UD acknowledged in the credits but the request was refused.

So I personally believe she did have good intentions regarding the original but she had other people to deal with. Not easy being a showrunner.

I completely agree. I‘m sure there were plenty demands of higher management which had an influence on the show.

- season 1 of TNT Dallas felt designed to address the audience of Desperate Housewives (which finished shortly before)
3 Desperate Housewives alumni in the main cast and a secret to be revealed in the season‘s finale (Rebecca‘s heritage)
- season 3 of TNT Dallas was designed to profit from Breaking Bad‘s success at that time
- cast additions like Judith Light and especially Lee Majors should have strengthened a feeling of nostalgia

CC lost the hard-core fans with a focus away off the Ewings, but the actors got along well with her and with each other.
So she took care of a comfortable working environment. Something not every TV show can claim.

 

[Werewillie Oleson]

I think her career had dried up before Dynasty came along

I guess none of the 80s soap icons were at the top of their game at that time.
Aaron Spelling should have paid Joan Collins for playing Alexis' background story before Dynasty had even started.

It doesn't look very "dry" to me...

The really nice thing about a prequel is that its essentially, pre-written

Then how are we going to be surprised? Unless....it continues going further back in time. A backwards soap!

"Howdy, Master Ramos"

 

[Spooky Owl!]

Collins was never popular in America until DYNASTY; she worked a lot and did a lot of cop show guest spots, and did her soft-core movies like THE STUD which got tons of early-cable TV play, but she was much better known in the UK... Of course when Alexis happened, although ABC didn't want her, Joan became a metaphor for a decade.

 

[Werewillie Oleson]

when Alexis happened, although ABC didn't want her

Who else could it have been? Adrienne Barbeau, perhaps, but she should have played Rebecca Wentworth's younger sister and protect Southfork from a zombie invasion and save Lucy who's being chased by a monster boar.

 

[Spooky Owl!]

Who else could it have been? Adrienne Barbeau, perhaps, but she should have played Rebecca Wentworth's younger sister and protect Southfork from a zombie invasion and save Lucy who's being chased by a monster boar.

After Elizabeth Taylor and Raquel Welch turned them down, and Sophia required more money than the show could pay for longer than six episodes, ABC and Esther Shapiro wanted Jessica Walter, a solid actress. The network viewed Joan as a hack, but Aaron insisted; the 1981 writers' strike was ending and Spelling fought for Joan ("...a bitch made in heaven..."), and once the network brass saw a rough cut of Alexis' courtroom scene with Brian Dennehy, they were much more enthusiastic about Collins' casting.

The rest is herstory.