Jenna Wade

Pandora

Telly Talk Active Member
I think the writers struggled to find purpose for any character who wasn't tied to Ewing Oil or the feud. Mark, at least, had some potential. With his wealth and company, he could have been a strong ally for Cliff. I don't recall much being done with Mark's businesses though. In comparison, Jenna couldn't do much except maybe serve drinks at the Ewing BBQ.
Very good suggestion. His allying with Cliff would have been interesting.

If that was the case then the writers and actress did a great job. I liked Priscilla/Jenna in the first season as she played the part beautifully. I loved her laid back representation...keeping Bobby at arms length due to her history with him and being highly protective of Charlie.

Of course the Ewing family had no beef with Jenna so no conflict there but that wasn't the story...it was between Bobby, Pam and Jenna. As most have rightly pointed out her character overstayed her welcome and pairing Jenna up with Ray was vomit-inducing.
I thought the pairing with Ray was great as long as it remained platonic. They just didn't seem to be great romantic partners ... they lacked chemistry (IMHO>)
 

Rove

Telly Talk Warrior
Mark, at least, had some potential.
I think Mark had lots of potential. I've noted in other threads there was a moment when the house of Barnes was going from strength to strength; Cliff, Afton, Pam, Mark and sitting on the fence causing trouble, Katherine. And as this house of Barnes was building the house of Ewing was diminishing to the point I think only JR and Bobby were residing at Southfork.

I liked this era and how things were changing, it felt organic. The Ewing family might have circled the wagons when outsiders attempted to crush them but then the Ewing's had a habit of eating their own.

But out went Mark. Katherine was dispensed with by a steering wheel only to be resurrected by a shower and well Afton was packed off in a stunning red dress which Vivian Ward (Pretty Woman) would have been proud of.
 

Monzo

Telly Talk Enthusiast
Hey, here's Elvis' ex-wife on the most popular prime-time soap
Speaking of Priscilla as Elvis's ex-wife, I know that Elizabeth Taylor's son and Marlon Brando's sister were on Dallas, but were there any other relatives of big stars (and I don't mean the children of cast members) who were on the show?

As for Jenna as a character, she fulfilled her purpose, much like Mark. If the character had been too sympathetic, she could have damaged Bobby and Pam's status as the show's super couple. For me, Jenna is the only character on Dallas who overstayed her welcome, which is kind of sad. Perhaps the character's image among fans would be better today if Jenna had left the show before Bobby's death, maybe after the trial by realizing that Bobby loved Pam and starting a new life elsewhere.
 
Speaking of Priscilla as Elvis's ex-wife, I know that Elizabeth Taylor's son and Marlon Brando's sister were on Dallas, but were there any other relatives of big stars (and I don't mean the children of cast members) who were on the show?

As for Jenna as a character, she fulfilled her purpose, much like Mark. If the character had been too sympathetic, she could have damaged Bobby and Pam's status as the show's super couple. For me, Jenna is the only character on Dallas who overstayed her welcome, which is kind of sad. Perhaps the character's image among fans would be better today if Jenna had left the show before Bobby's death, maybe after the trial by realizing that Bobby loved Pam and starting a new life elsewhere.
well, Larry and Mary Martin.. Talia “Rita Briggs” Balsam was daughter of actor Martin Balsam. Mavis Anderson was married to real-life superlawyer Scotty Demarest. Casey Denault was the son of Stella Stevens. A student in Lucy’s SMU literature class married Victoria Principal, presumably after wowing her with his knowledge of Flaubert. (talk about getting the most of a minor role - he was virtually an extra) Muriel Gillis was the niece of Robert Redford. (well, she should have been, anyway)

Not the greatest examples. but it’s a try, anyway.

oh, I forgot, Mary Crosby daughter of Bing has to be at the top of the list.
 

xab

Telly Talk Fan
I can't help it, but I just can't warm up to Jenna Wade. It's not even that she's a particularly unlikeable character. Priscilla B. Presley is also a looker, but her character seems distant and somehow "cold" to me. I don't particularly like her. Maybe that will change. Was she popular with the fans back then? What about you all? I'm currently halfway through season 8.
She's not distant. She just can't act — and she's ridiculous when she tries. Wait for the dream season: you'll see a great demonstration when Jenna completely loses her mind over Bobby's "death"...
Darius the horse was a better actor.
 

Spooky Owl!

Telly Talk Supreme
"Bubby........... Bubby.............Bubby..........."

priscilla-presley-jenna-wade-1738348452.jpg
 

Piggyrella Sanderson

Maximum Member
well, Larry and Mary Martin.. Talia “Rita Briggs” Balsam was daughter of actor Martin Balsam. Mavis Anderson was married to real-life superlawyer Scotty Demarest. Casey Denault was the son of Stella Stevens. A student in Lucy’s SMU literature class married Victoria Principal, presumably after wowing her with his knowledge of Flaubert. (talk about getting the most of a minor role - he was virtually an extra) Muriel Gillis was the niece of Robert Redford. (well, she should have been, anyway)

Not the greatest examples. but it’s a try, anyway.

oh, I forgot, Mary Crosby daughter of Bing has to be at the top of the list.

There was also Robert Walker Jr. (Clayton´s lawyer), son of the protagonist of Hitchcock´s "Strangers on a Train". And both Larry´s children, she in various minor roles, and he as April´s masseuse. And Michael Douglas´ mother Diana as John Ross´s shrink in Season 7. I think that Linda´s late son appeared as an extra in a barbecue. Also Cathy Podewell´s rl husband in the scene of JR finding Cally and their son. Oh and Ugly Baby Eric Farlow was the son of a crew member of the show.
 
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