What went wrong -- and right -- with DALLAS?

[DallasFanForever]

the story doesn't add up, realizing Katherine likes to write phony notes!

Katherine liked to write phony notes and Pam was in no condition to even write a note, which no one even questioned. Maybe I can buy the very short four word note Pam wrote in the hospital to Bobby and Christopher but the letter Bobby read to the family?

 

[Jock's Ghost]

Katherine liked to write phony notes and Pam was in no condition to even write a note, which no one even questioned. Maybe I can buy the very short four word note Pam wrote in the hospital to Bobby and Christopher but the letter Bobby read to the family?

Exactly. Why not an audio tape? those burnt digits aren't bending to write. It's amazing how the early seasons went out of it's way to make things work and then a total disregard for logic on its most basic level.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Certainly they could have found a Southworth cousin to fill the void while Ellie was away, but they likely felt BBG was not interested in returning.

BBG was essentially fired. She didn't really leave voluntarily -- she requested a nominal raise and a temporary reduction in work hours due to her heart surgery the year before. Her reps didn't take seriously the threat to bring in another actress. When BBG realized they were moving in that direction, it was too late. And the 84/85 season took sail without her. Months later, when the producers saw Reed's scene weren't working, they cut her back significantly -- and fast -- in the plots, and then quietly approached BBG to come back.

So the usual narrative for what happened (e.g., "snooty Broadway star leaves series, jealously watches another actress in her old role, calls up producers and demands she be allowed to come back, necessitating the firing of Reed") is crap.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

Excellent article! I can't disagree with anything.
The first 8 seasons are it's most entertaining and aside from Jamie miscast, things were good. An interesting point about Donna Reed coming in as another character. Certainly they could have found a Southworth cousin to fill the void while Ellie was away, but they likely felt BBG was not interested in returning.
I can enjoy the show all they up through Pam's exit. I'm struggling to watch 11. I won't likely won't bother with the rest.

If Donna Reed had been cast as another character, then would Howard Keel be written out?
Presumably, that character would have less authority over SF, since Miss Ellie owned it.
How would this effect her relationships with JR and Bobbie?
I suppose that it could have been done, but there would have been some
practical/logical things to be addressed.
Seasons 11 and 12 had their moments, but 13 and 14 were horrible.
You are correct, the first 8 seasons were great.

 

[DallasFanForever]

If Donna Reed had been cast as another character, then would Howard Keel be written out?

I don’t think he would’ve been written out. I think it would’ve been more of a situation where he’s still around but maybe traveling back and forth a lot to go tend to Miss Ellie until she has “recovered.” Of course had BBG not returned the next season then a decision with Clayton’s character would’ve had to be made eventually.