What if Guzzler Bennett had returned?

[Michelle Stevens]

If Richard Kelton had not died in 1978 just as his only appearance on Dallas aired (Fallen Idol), do you think Taylor "Guzzler" Bennett would have returned or would he have gotten the Garrison Southworth treatment, just forgotten? Do you think there was a place in the seasons to come for him returning to Dallas that would have worked?

 

[Toni]

If Richard Kelton had not died in 1978 just as his only appearance on Dallas aired (Fallen Idol), do you think Taylor "Guzzler" Bennett would have returned or would he have gotten the Garrison Southworth treatment, just forgotten? Do you think there was a place in the seasons to come for him returning to Dallas that would have worked?

He´d probably have taken the Oceanic (aka "Crash´r´Us") flight from South America and, of course, he would never arrive...

​

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

the world may very well have spontaneously melted into a giant ball of pure greatness!

 

[Monzo]

I’ve always wondered if they considered bringing the character back as a recast for season 9; however, since Guzzler came across as inauthentic in his original episode and the plan was to lead Pam down a false trail, they opted for a new character (Matt Cantrell) instead.

If I had a choice, I would have brought Guzzler back in the first half of season 11 as a good friend wanting to support Bobby following Pam’s accident and disappearance—though the question would remain as to whether his intentions were truly sincere.

There is another single episode character I’ve always wondered about regarding a potential return: Luke Middens. He could have served (via recast) as a love interest for Charlie, or perhaps appeared as a college student in season 13 constantly getting into trouble with Bobby always coming to his aid. He might even have struck up a friendship with James or a relationship with Lucy; there would have been plenty of possibilities for an adult version of Luke.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

If Richard Kelton had not died in 1978 just as his only appearance on Dallas aired (Fallen Idol), do you think Taylor "Guzzler" Bennett would have returned or would he have gotten the Garrison Southworth treatment, just forgotten? Do you think there was a place in the seasons to come for him returning to Dallas that would have worked?

I had forgotten that the actor died. Gives greater resonance to his speech to Pa, doesn't it?

If I had a choice, I would have brought Guzzler back in the first half of season 11 as a good friend wanting to support Bobby following Pam’s accident and disappearance—though the question would remain as to whether his intentions were truly sincere.

When CBS suggested DALLAS shift away from serialization and to stand-alone episodes in the late-'80s (so the show would rerun better in the summer), Leonard Katzman feigned enthusiasm and threatened to do stories about Bobby's old highschool basketball coach arriving at Southfork.

The network backed off. Not that what Katzman did instead was any better.

There is another single episode character I’ve always wondered about regarding a potential return: Luke Middens. He could have served (via recast) as a love interest for Charlie, or perhaps appeared as a college student in season 13 constantly getting into trouble with Bobby always coming to his aid. He might even have struck up a friendship with James or a relationship with Lucy; there would have been plenty of possibilities for an adult version of Luke.

Except I never really liked the kid actor they hired in the first place. I guess he was "cute" but he just gave a mediocre kid-performance, and you could just envision his mom and tutor standing by just out of camera range.

Sometimes they used to obligatorily cast kid actors almost like it didn't matter. (That's what ruined EVE'S BAYOU).

 

[Bobby Southworth]

I had forgotten that the actor died. Gives greater resonance to his speech to Pa, doesn't it?



When CBS suggested DALLAS shift away from serialization and to stand-alone episodes in the late-'80s (so the show would rerun better in the summer), Leonard Katzman feigned enthusiasm and threatened to do stories about Bobby's old highschool basketball coach arriving at Southfork.

The network backed off. Not that what Katzman did instead was any better.



Except I never really liked the kid actor they hired in the first place. I guess he was "cute" but he just gave a mediocre kid-performance, and you could just envision his mom and tutor standing by just out of camera range.

Sometimes they used to obligatorily cast kid actors almost like it didn't matter. (That's what ruined EVE'S BAYOU).

That speech is kind of eerie, isn't it? I remember finding out he was dead, and had passed before the episode even aired here in the states, I think??

As for Luke. I'm with ya on the kid actor. I mean, I didn't really think he was bad, but very much..I could see him doing the exact same thing, more or less on Little House On The Prairie.

Speaking of Little House. I've said it before, but in a way, that whole episode reminded me of Little House, especially Bobby channeling some Michael Landon. I have to say, even though it's kind of a slow episode, Patrick really did play these emotions well. I think it always stood out to me because of how convincing he was. The young, idealistic Bobby. We'd never really see this side of him again after Pam.... went on holiday?

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

That speech is kind of eerie, isn't it? I remember finding out he was dead, and had passed before the episode even aired here in the states, I think??

Yes, when I first heard that speech, I didn't think much of it. But later -- and I don't think it was my age -- I found it pretty effective. Initially, it just struck me as a self-involved '70s 'man-speech' and I kind of dismissed it... I think it was because it was from one of those early stand-alone episodes with a stand-alone guest star, so it initially didn't resonate with me.

As for Luke. I'm with ya on the kid actor. I mean, I didn't really think he was bad, but very much..I could see him doing the exact same thing, more or less on Little House On The Prairie.

Speaking of Little House. I've said it before, but in a way, that whole episode reminded me of Little House, especially Bobby channeling some Michael Landon. I have to say, even though it's kind of a slow episode, Patrick really did play these emotions well. I think it always stood out to me because of how convincing he was. The young, idealistic Bobby. We'd never really see this side of him again after Pam.... went on holiday?

Oh, yeah, Patrick was just fine in the episode (lacking the obnoxious Michael Landon narcissism) and Bruce Broughton's score totally sold it. (Getting older, I forgot Broughton's name, so I just asked ChatGPSomethin' which composer won three Emmy award for DALLAS, and it assured me several times that it was Marvin Hamlisch).

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

especially Bobby channeling some Michael Landon

I remember as a little kid thinking Bobby and the guy from Little House were the same person.

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

I’m thinking as the show settled into the post Pam and Sue Ellen era, Bobby and April fighting for control of Ewing Oil against Michelle Stevens and Guzzler (now a couple) would have revitalized the show..

The feud would last until the Fantastic Four are compelled to join forces with JR to fight off a villainous force along the lines of Jeremy Wendell and Weststar, maybe even more powerful and more villainous than that.

Cliff would be involved somehow, and in a surprising treat for longtime viewers, Jeb Ames and Willie Joe Garr, out on parole, would join the action. Perhaps their Red File knowledge is what gives the villains early leverage in the battle, and would have been what they used to secure an early release, with the bad guys being influential enough to make that happen.

Sometimes a return to the past is just what is called for!

(Edison Faraday Haynes and a newly-released Willie Gust would wisely stay out of the fray).

 

[Michelle Stevens]

I’m thinking as the show settled into the post Pam and Sue Ellen era, Bobby and April fighting for control of Ewing Oil against Michelle Stevens and Guzzler (now a couple) would have revitalized the show..

The feud would last until the Fantastic Four are compelled to join forces with JR to fight off a villainous force along the lines of Jeremy Wendell and Weststar, maybe even more powerful and more villainous than that.

Cliff would be involved somehow, and in a surprising treat for longtime viewers, Jeb Ames and Willie Joe Garr, out on parole, would join the action. Perhaps their Red File knowledge is what gives the villains early leverage in the battle, and would have been what they used to secure an early release, with the bad guys being influential enough to make that happen.

Sometimes a return to the past is just what is called for!

(Edison Faraday Haynes and a newly-released Willie Gust would wisely stay out of the fray).

LOL, I think you're on to something here @Taylor Bennett Jr. I like the concept of the Dallas Fantastic Four.

 

[CeeCee72]

Dallas had a habit of introducing characters and then just being DONE with them - Guzzler and Luke are two examples.

Even characters who had long runs and important storylines (Mandy, Jack, Matt) are just shipped out of town and never mentioned again. Afton and Mitch I guess are exceptions, but for the most part, Dallas characters disappeared into a black hole.

 

[Toni]

Dallas had a habit of introducing characters and then just being DONE with them - Guzzler and Luke are two examples.

Even characters who had long runs and important storylines (Mandy, Jack, Matt) are just shipped out of town and never mentioned again. Afton and Mitch I guess are exceptions, but for the most part, Dallas characters disappeared into a black hole.

Not Da Winger Tramp. She left and returned 300 times in 3 seasons...

 

[CeeCee72]

Not Da Winger Tramp. She left and returned 300 times in 3 seasons...

Yes, but when she finally left at the end of season 10, she promised Sue Ellen she would hear from her again. What was the point of that if they never intended to bring her back? I would have much preferred her return than what we got with Cally and Vanessa.

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

Dallas had a habit of introducing characters and then just being DONE with them - Guzzler and Luke are two examples.

Even characters who had long runs and important storylines (Mandy, Jack, Matt) are just shipped out of town and never mentioned again. Afton and Mitch I guess are exceptions, but for the most part, Dallas characters disappeared into a black hole.

that’s one of the things that made the Jason Ewing addition bum me out.. it was mainly a way to introduce a couple of new Ewings to the mix, and they ended up just hanging around for a season or two not doing much of consequence (other than Jamie dying or almost dying multiple times), then fizzling out, never to be mentioned again.

 

[CeeCee72]

that’s one of the things that made the Jason Ewing addition bum me out.. it was mainly a way to introduce a couple of new Ewings to the mix, and they ended up just hanging around for a season or two not doing much of consequence (other than Jamie dying or almost dying multiple times), then fizzling out, never to be mentioned again.

I really wish they had kept Jack. He could have reunited with April or even been Sue Ellen's love interest instead of Nicholas Pierce. Dallas, especially in the later years, just kept introducing endless new and boring characters when the show would have been better served bringing back characters we were already invested in.

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

I really wish they had kept Jack. He could have reunited with April or even been Sue Ellen's love interest instead of Nicholas Pierce. Dallas, especially in the later years, just kept introducing endless new and boring characters when the show would have been better served bringing back characters we were already invested in.

for whatever reason (AIDS scare, to put it charitably?) they wouldn’t even have Jack kiss anyone. Note how weird his “relationships” were in the dream season.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Dallas had a habit of introducing characters and then just being DONE with them - Guzzler and Luke are two examples.

Oh, DYNASTY did that, too, but they kept them on the show for another five years.

 

[Willie Oleson]

The fabulosity of a character's return would require, at the very least, being (well-) remembered by the viewers. They'd have to give a spoken summary why Guzzler was the Guzzler from that old, forgotten episode, and why that should make his return exciting.
I'd bring back Liz Craig (and The Store) for the Valentine's Lingerie storyline, one plot twist after another including a Mandy Winger doppelganger murder mystery.

 

[James from London]

I'd bring back Liz Craig (and The Store) for the Valentine's Lingerie storyline

Gosh, never in all these years has that ever occurred to me. Liz Craig and Ozwald Valentine would have made a very interesting combination.

As has been sort of mentioned, I feel like they did kind of bring back Guzzler, reincarnated in the body of Matt Cantrell and filtered through the prism of Pam Ewing's subconscious.

 

[Willie Oleson]

through the prism of Pam Ewing's subconscious.

All characters should have woken up in that season finale scene, to make us speculate about whose dream it was.
"Who did this to Pam?"