Last night I watched Dallas (On Demand)-- specifically the farewell to the character JR and the actor, Larry Hagman. I must admit I was a real fan when this show was on in the late 70s to the early 90s. It got a little weird toward the end, but it was interesting watching the Machiavellian contrivings of this very wealthy family and the good vs. evil battle between the two Ewing brothers. I also must mention that the theme is a very beautiful horn piece that makes me want to gallop (on a horse that is) into the wide open spaces across Texas. I was curious as to how they would handle Hagman's death.
A few things came to mind as I watched this rather touching episode. No matter what anyone says about the character JR Ewing -- yes, he was a scoundrel, bitingly sarcastic, and inordinately bright -- there was very little if anything socially redeeming about him. What good deeds he might have done, were totally over-shadowed by his ruthlessness.
It's easy to see why this show dropped in popularity. I think, perhaps, that Americans tired of seeing the machinations of this very wealthy family, when many of us struggled to make ends meet. (This may be why Dynasty also fell out of favor at this time.) Furthermore, frankly, in the company of the Ewings, 'good' always seemed to take a real beating; even the good guys were really rough around the edges.
Now JR has been replaced by other dark and evil characters -- among whom is his son, John Ross. I don't know who this actor is -- he is strikingly handsome -- but he is guilty of mawkish, over-acting -- perhaps due to maudlin, under-writing? If this family is as evil as they appear, might I suggest that under no circumstances should ANY of them breed.
A few things came to mind as I watched this rather touching episode. No matter what anyone says about the character JR Ewing -- yes, he was a scoundrel, bitingly sarcastic, and inordinately bright -- there was very little if anything socially redeeming about him. What good deeds he might have done, were totally over-shadowed by his ruthlessness.
It's easy to see why this show dropped in popularity. I think, perhaps, that Americans tired of seeing the machinations of this very wealthy family, when many of us struggled to make ends meet. (This may be why Dynasty also fell out of favor at this time.) Furthermore, frankly, in the company of the Ewings, 'good' always seemed to take a real beating; even the good guys were really rough around the edges.
Now JR has been replaced by other dark and evil characters -- among whom is his son, John Ross. I don't know who this actor is -- he is strikingly handsome -- but he is guilty of mawkish, over-acting -- perhaps due to maudlin, under-writing? If this family is as evil as they appear, might I suggest that under no circumstances should ANY of them breed.
9 comments:
But then THE SOPRANOS came in. Talk about evil! Looks like the writers feel they must keep upping the ante. I was so sickened by the cold-blooded violence on BOARDWALK EMPIRE that I couldn't keep watching it, although, at first, I enjoyed following the story of Nucky's wife, the Irish immigrant Margaret.
I was a faithful viewer of Dallas in the old, original days. I tried watching an episode when it started up this year, but it was just too stupid, and evil and over the top for me. The charm was gone.
Loved it way back when. One of the first night-time soaps.
Hi Kathy, We watched it all last season and enjoyed it.. We haven't watched this season yet at all--but have it on DVR. I too was/am curious how they would handle Larry's death. I do like the younger generation of actors in this show... BUT--it's definitely not like the old one was which I LOVED... BUT--times have changed and I'm now an old lady!!!!! ha
If you enjoy dramas and like medical dramas, this year's new show on TNT, Monday Mornings (9 p.m Central time on Mondays) is the best medical drama I've ever seen. Excellent show --but it may be hard to get into it now.....
How are you doing? We are fine and still hiking and traveling. I'm still keeping my weight off (HOORAY) --but maintenance is harder than dieting. I'm at 136 now---and trying to hold at least at 140...
We bought that gorgeous rose that you and I both saw at Biltmore, Milestone. Hope it does well this year.
Hugs,
Betsy
Loved this fun post, Kathy! I do remember watching Dallas when it was in its hey day, but then totally lost touch with it. I enjoyed learning more about what happened since from you.
I watched very little of the original Dallas, although my wife was a fan. Betsy and I have recorded this season's episodes, but haven't seen any yet.
Missed the show then and skipped it now. There's too much of that in real life for me to watch it on TV.
This was fun to read. I'm just not, never have been, a t.v. fan, but I did used to watch Dallas.
Great post! I watched the original Dallas, but never got into the new version. Even better than the show was the wonderful send-up of it done in Mad Magazine back then ... one of the best lines went right to the basic problem of the show: how did the Ewings got so rich if JR was screwing everybody - why would anyone trust him enough to keep doing business with him?
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