OT: Anyone Watching “Dallas?”

OT: Anyone Watching “Dallas?”

Le le le le sigh. I really wanted to like this show, because when OG Dallas was in it’s heyday, I’d be plastered next to the television patiently awaiting what outrage J.R. Ewing would wrought, and oo-ing and ah-ing over Pam, but not Sue Ellen, because she was a drunk, bitter biotch. Bobby was hot and a good guy. Never mind that if placed 150 years in the past, the Ewings might have owned my people–I liked it anyway. It just took a bit more suspension of reality when you’re a slave descendant who traces their roots to–you guessed it–Dallas, or at least within a 20-mile vicinity.

Author : Christelyn Karazin

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Le le le le sigh. I really wanted to like this show, because when OG Dallas was in it’s heyday, I’d be plastered next to the television patiently awaiting what outrage J.R. Ewing would wrought, and oo-ing and ah-ing over Pam, but not Sue Ellen, because she was a drunk, bitter biotch. Bobby was hot and a good guy. Never mind that if placed 150 years in the past, the Ewings might have owned my people–I liked it anyway. It just took a bit more suspension of reality when you’re a slave descendant who traces their roots to–you guessed it–Dallas, or at least within a 20-mile vicinity.

Anyone else fight the urge to gallop like a pony when they hear the opening credits? Anyone? Is it just me?

But…seeing shrunken little Larry Hagman still playing the villain just isn’t convincing to me anymore. Aren’t old people supposed like little puppies and kittens? Somehow, with one boot in the grave, I just can’t wrap my head around JR still jockeying for his birthright at South Fork when he should be more worried about his death benefits. The skin one Sue Ellen’s neck seems to be stretched so tight it makes me wince. Yes there’s some young eye candy and the story lines have the appropriate levels of soap-opera cheesiness that we all expect, it’s just…remembering what the old goats looked and acted like back in the 1970′s and 1980′s makes me a little sad. Everyone seems so frail, except for Patrick Duffy, whose character has stomach cancer (ironic, because he looks the healthiest out of  the bunch). Oh, and how could I forget about Cliff Barnes, who now looks like he might want to look into auditioning for Rumpelstiltskin.

Bottom line, watching washed up stars is more of a cautionary tail about wearing hats and sunscreen than anything else.

Thoughts?

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zipporah 1725 pts

one word: about the texans 'owning us': there were many FREEBORN BLACKS in that state. My family was one of the families: freeborn since 1820 when TX became a state. Anyway, i wasnt much of a Dallas fan. only because i liked Larry Hagman in I dream of Jeannie and didnt want to ruin the 'tony nelson' image..LOL

HR Professional 19 pts

I eagerly anticipated the show to begin.  I have been hooked from episode 1.  Thank goodness this is a scripted show with professional actors as opposed to a scripted reality show. 

 

This show is entertaining and feeds my need for drama.

Mo_Gemini 8 pts

I'm hooked. I live in Dallas but I am not a native. I do enjoy seeing shots of the city and the whole family rivarly. You don't know who is out to get who! Dallas Morning News did have an article in the Sunday's paper (you have to subscribe to read the full article online) on how the show could improve, such as show the characters stuff in traffic in between the ranch and downtown Dallas (very realistic) and make one of the female characters blonde. I would like to see more characters of color though!  New episodes come in January so I am sure there will be several marathons if anyone wants to catch up.

HarlemGirl 216 pts

Nothing beats the "Who shot JR" moment!!!

eugeniaberg 7245 pts moderator

Love it, I'm just so happy it's not a reality show I almost jumped up & down. Took me straight back to my childhood & Friday nights at my house around the tv to watch Dallas. I just love the fact JR Ewing came our of deep psychological depression just to be evil again, LOL. Oh its so campy but it's great.

WendyH 88 pts

I came out of lurking to say that I'm enjoying the show.  Based on the comments so far, it looks like I"m the only one...LOL!!!  I enjoy the constant tension between John Ross and Christopher.  OK, I'll be honest.  I just REALLY like looking at John Ross and Christopher.  I still love J.R. even though he's a geriatric rascal now instead of a middle aged one.  I thought the season finale was good as well and enjoyed Christopher's shirltess love scene.  Although, considering the $200 a month I pay for cable I should have recieved a little more bang for my buck.  :)

Toni_M 18834 pts moderator

 WendyH Actually I've been meaning to watch Dallas, I just haven't gotten around to it. But I'd at least want to give it a shot before ruling it out forever. However....I didn't watch the original and I feel like maybe I need to go and do that first. 

Toni_M 18834 pts moderator

Funny thing is, the major villain on another show I watch "Teen Wolf" (itself a remake) this past season was an old man. And he was convincingly menacing and evil. 

 

I guess it's a matter of the acting and setting. 

 

Also, it has hot half naked men exercising for no reason: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cazcR7TBbpI

 

 

I did want to give Dallas a chance, I just haven't gotten around to watching it.

Toni_M 18834 pts moderator

Actually this post made me realize WHY Teen Wolf is doing so much better than other shows aimed at young adults that are remakes of other shows (90210, Melrose Place, etc): It's an IMPROVEMENT on the original. 

 

Most of the time when remakes are made, the creators are trying to bank on nostalgia carrying the show, rather than creating characters or re-interpreting characters in a way that makes the audience care about them.

 

If there's nothing to be invested in aside from, "Want to know how your characters would look in a modern setting? BOOM! ....Now please keep watching." the show is going to tank.

 

 

It also helps that the series includes older cast members that adults can relate to, rather than them being the "unaware adults in the background".

WendyH 88 pts

I agree with you about Teen Wolf.  I think it's a very well done show.  At work, we always have the Tuesday morning water cooler talk about it and my staff cracks up about the fact that I'm so into it.  They are all in their early to mid 20's while at 43 I'm old enough to be Scott, Stiles and Derek's mom...LOL!  I just tell them that I'm really into Alison's dad.  Not a total lie since he's pretty hot, too. 

Toni_M 18834 pts moderator

 WendyH I actually think the dads on the show are kinda foxy. ;) Foxiness for everybody!

 

It started off as a guilty pleasure show and then it unexpectedly got better than any other show/movie in its genre. There are a couple of gaps/plot holes, but overall it's so much fun, I cannot wait for next season. 

 

 

WendyH 88 pts

'Foxiness for everbody!"  I love that  :) 

 

Even Derek's uncle, the Alpha, has looked good to me during the last two episodes.  I think it's the new facial hair he suddenly sprouted...I'm a sucker for a good looking man with a neat beard or a mustache and well trimmed goatee (sp?).  :)

Ms. Kay 405 pts

 Toni_M #Team Teen Wolf! Love that show!! [privately: in my defense my little cousin got me hooked on the show *true story]

introvertedwanderer 1056 pts

It just goes to show that the new adaptions of shows that were on before, fail to capture what made the original shows special. I think part of it has to do with the look that they try to go for with the new shows.  In the originals, the characters didn't have to look like models, a lot of them were just average to slightly above average looking people. Take original Melrose Place, in which most of the characters on there did not look like models, at least in my opinion, and then the new version of the show that came out a few years ago.  I didn't watch the new version but I don't think the show is still on the air now. Or Beverly Hills 90201. I don't think that an actress that looks the way Shannen Doherty did back in the early 90's, could even hope to land a role in a series like that now. It sounds very superficial, but just think back to how actors in a lot of these shows used to look, and compared to casts for many nighttime soap dramas now.

ariahead 82 pts

No, I'm sorry. I need big shoulder pads and too much makeup. I need cat fights in the fountain. All of these young actors, the males especially are so wooden and lacking in charm. It just goes to show how worn out Hollywood is for ideas that they have to reprise shows now. What's next "Green Acres".

Toni_M 18834 pts moderator

 ariahead You said it so now it's going to happen. :B

ariahead 82 pts

 Toni_M I hope so. These things are supposed to be campy and corny. Not all serious and deep. There was a humor in the eighties that isn't there now.

Bellydancer 789 pts

I watched the old show but not the last 3 seasons but I am loving the new series plus I am tired of reality tv so I love me some night time soaps. I hear they are bringing Dynasty back also, now that was my show.

KingsDaughter 4641 pts

 Bellydancer Yes! I loved Dynasty. It was so over the top lol Dominique vs Alexis was always epic. 

The Working Home Keeper 6620 pts

I loved the original Dallas!  I was excited to hear about the new show, but then I totally forgot about it LOL!

Brenda55 19459 pts moderator

No.  Watched the old series off and on  back in the day. That was enough.  I did not like those characters enough to be curious enough to check out this retread.

Law Wanxi 5792 pts

I haven't watched it. Even the opening credits lack vitality compared to the old ones:

http://youtu.be/MlHC4a2LbhI

 

I didn't think Sue Ellen was a bad person, she was simply misunderstood, the same way Anna Wintour is often misinterpreted as other than warm and gentle. 

 

Victoria Principal lives quietly in Malibu these days. 

http://www.principalsecret.com/pdf/coverstory.pdf

KingsDaughter 4641 pts

 Law Wanxi I've not seen this one but I loved the old Dallas. I agree that Sue Ellen was misunderstood. She was not a villain in the class of Alexis and she cut more of a pathetic figure if anything. Of course I was a kid when I first watched the show and was  enamoured with Christopher Atkins who played the role of Peter.