DVD Season 11= Death of DALLAS

[JR_fan]

I've watched the first 10 eps of this season so far and it feels SO different from the rest of the series. IMO this is the season the show lost its groove only to recover it in fits and starts (Full disclosure: I'm not one that totally hates the last few seasons but the last season was just sad as a JR fanboy that I am) The two events that changed everything is the loss of Pam and Ewing Oil no longer being run by the Ewings. I'll get to the first point since it's the one that is the main thing:

JR is clearly the main character of the show and he's the straw that stirs the drink in almost every way but i've grown to appreciate Pam by going through the series chronologically like this. The Pam and Bobby relationship was the glue that held the show together. I always used to think that Pam was at times a bit annoying and such but the fact that she was in the middle of the Barnes/Ewing feud and trying to make peace while at the same time being viewed as an outsider by JR and at times Sue Ellen was integral to the show. Once Pam was gone a lot of the internal friction within Southfork and between the families disappeared. It's most evident when you saw Bobby and Cliff so easily burying the hatchet when Pam was in hospital. In that transition before the writers knew exactly where to take Cliff and by extension the Ewing/Barnes dynamic Cliff turned into an almost useless character though i'm glad they kept him around.

As for the Ewing Oil plotline after JR and family lost control it just never felt the same again. They should've never had the Ewings lose the company though it made sense internally but the whole thing felt like one of those things you put in a show bible

NEVER SEPARATE THE EWINGS FROM EWING OIL

Unfortunately they did it and that spark that kept the show going just died. The whole Casey Denault helping JR thing is interesting and shows that JR would even pimp out a man just to get his way LOL I did like how the tables were turned with JR trying to be faithful and Sue Ellen being sorta like JR though they didn't take it far enough. I'm at a point in the season though where that's going to change unfortunately it's JR's behavior that forces the change but oh well....

Another thing about this season that marked the death knell for DALLAS was the complete change in style. Early in the season JR was seen wearing casual clothing which in earlier years you'd never see him do. The lighting and overall direction felt more akin to straight soap opera rather then drama (no problem in that really but when the style was more in the drama vein the change is very apparent) Heck, there was one episode in particular where I thought I was watching a daytime soap! That's how much of a change in directorial style the show went in.

Oh and not germaine to the actual post but was Larry Hagman suffering from a cold or something early that season? His voice sounded kinda stuffed up.

[Jessie]

I've watched the first 10 eps of this season so far and it feels SO different from the rest of the series. IMO this is the season the show lost its groove only to recover it in fits and starts (Full disclosure: I'm not one that totally hates the last few seasons but the last season was just sad as a JR fanboy that I am) The two events that changed everything is the loss of Pam and Ewing Oil no longer being run by the Ewings. I'll get to the first point since it's the one that is the main thing:

JR is clearly the main character of the show and he's the straw that stirs the drink in almost every way but i've grown to appreciate Pam by going through the series chronologically like this. The Pam and Bobby relationship was the glue that held the show together. I always used to think that Pam was at times a bit annoying and such but the fact that she was in the middle of the Barnes/Ewing feud and trying to make peace while at the same time being viewed as an outsider by JR and at times Sue Ellen was integral to the show. Once Pam was gone a lot of the internal friction within Southfork and between the families disappeared. It's most evident when you saw Bobby and Cliff so easily burying the hatchet when Pam was in hospital. In that transition before the writers knew exactly where to take Cliff and by extension the Ewing/Barnes dynamic Cliff turned into an almost useless character though i'm glad they kept him around.

As for the Ewing Oil plotline after JR and family lost control it just never felt the same again. They should've never had the Ewings lose the company though it made sense internally but the whole thing felt like one of those things you put in a show bible

NEVER SEPARATE THE EWINGS FROM EWING OIL

Unfortunately they did it and that spark that kept the show going just died. The whole Casey Denault helping JR thing is interesting and shows that JR would even pimp out a man just to get his way LOL I did like how the tables were turned with JR trying to be faithful and Sue Ellen being sorta like JR though they didn't take it far enough. I'm at a point in the season though where that's going to change unfortunately it's JR's behavior that forces the change but oh well....

Another thing about this season that marked the death knell for DALLAS was the complete change in style. Early in the season JR was seen wearing casual clothing which in earlier years you'd never see him do. The lighting and overall direction felt more akin to straight soap opera rather then drama (no problem in that really but when the style was more in the drama vein the change is very apparent) Heck, there was one episode in particular where I thought I was watching a daytime soap! That's how much of a change in directorial style the show went in.

Oh and not germaine to the actual post but was Larry Hagman suffering from a cold or something early that season? His voice sounded kinda stuffed up.

Great thread, and I agree the show did change around that time. I hated seeing Victoria leaving the show. It was not the same without her. I hated seeing the Ewings lose Ewing Oil. It was a letdown, but the show really did change at that point. Season 12 Linda Gray left after it was completed, don't really blame her. Her storyline was not very good, I personally thought Pam and Sue Ellen should have been written out better. I watched the show until the end, because I was a fan, and wanted to see the complete show. The last two years were not my favourites by far, but I got to see Larry Patrick and Ken and that was worth it for me. I love your comments, and agree with most of what you said.

[Cliff Barnes]

As someone who is a huge fan of the later years, I have always felt pretty alienated in general around other Dallas fans, this forum and anywhere. I sometimes wish we lived in a perfect world where no negative threads of any kind were made, but I realize that's not what makes the forum world go round, which is probably why I'm not very active here. I know it's just my own fault for being an oddball, or whatever, and I hate to argue myself, but sometimes I like to get in my two cents and say that it's all subjective, it may be in vogue to say this is the downslide time or whatever, but I believe it has more to do with when you came to the show and how you came to it, etc. Basically I guess I just don't like making a statement like this season was the death of Dallas or whatever-there is so much more to it and it's clearly an opinion, not a fact.

[Dallasdaze]

I could'nt agree more! I won't buy seasons 9-13 for that reason. Dallas went south after season 8.

[A House Divided]

As someone who is a huge fan of the later years, I have always felt pretty alienated in general around other Dallas fans, this forum and anywhere. I sometimes wish we lived in a perfect world where no negative threads of any kind were made, but I realize that's not what makes the forum world go round, which is probably why I'm not very active here. I know it's just my own fault for being an oddball, or whatever, and I hate to argue myself, but sometimes I like to get in my two cents and say that it's all subjective, it may be in vogue to say this is the downslide time or whatever, but I believe it has more to do with when you came to the show and how you came to it, etc. Basically I guess I just don't like making a statement like this season was the death of Dallas or whatever-there is so much more to it and it's clearly an opinion, not a fact.

I too like the final three seasons so you're not alone there. And the season 12 DVD has been selling well so there are thousands who like it too.

I like all seasons of DALLAS as I can find much to like in each and every season of the show.

[Soap beach]

You're not the only fan of the later seasons, except season 14, that was really the worst season of all seasons, only the storyline with Lean Da Vega and Michelle managed to captivate me.

So no, season 11 was not the death Dallas, so I also agree with the comments of Cliff Barnes.

[southfork78]

felt pretty alienated in general but I believe it has more to do with when you came to the show and how you came to it, etc.

I agree. I'm sure if someone didn't start watching until the later years and didn't see the earlier years until later, the early years could seem a little strange. I started watching after JR was shot and didn't see the first two seasons until years later. While they've grown on me now, they were a little strange at first viewing.

[Swami]

I agree. I'm sure if someone didn't start watching until the later years and didn't see the earlier years until later, the early years could seem a little strange. I started watching after JR was shot and didn't see the first two seasons until years later. While they've grown on me now, they were a little strange at first viewing.

The first season I remember watching first time round was season 3 (DVD). Season 11 wasn't the worst, the real decline started to kick in with some force in season 12.

Swami

[i love jr ewing]

Dallas after Pam left and the Ewing's lost Ewing Oil wasn't good at all they break up my two favorite couples Pam and Bobby and JR and Sue Ellen and they made Sue Ellen in to a b***ch gunning for revenge on JR.

[StevenDanielCarrington]

completly agree with you, great comments.

[Swami]

Pam's departure was a major factor, but also getting rid of the likes of Susan Howard also contributed to the show starting to tail off.

Swami

[Barbara Fan]

Victoria Principal leaving for me was the beginning of the slow decline towards a boring, banal Dallas! The reason I watched Dallas was for the ewings of SF and the original cast. I hated s7 when BBG wasnt around, coped with S8 when Pat Duffy wasnt around, but VP leaving - ended so many of the great plots and storylines of the show
Barnes, V Ewing, whether it was Jock and Digger or Cliff and JR, Romeo and Juliet, Bobby V the rest of his family defending his wife.

One by one as more members left, Sue Ellen (who i have to say I cared little for in her final season- but that was the scriptwriters fault yet again!) Donna (Susan was a great acrtress) Ray, the dumbing down and nearly out of the show Clayton and Miss Ellie - they were people I cared about, loved and who made Dallas the number 1 show in the world!

and what did we get - Jock used to talk about the 3 Bs , well my interpertation of the new actresses on dallas was
Bland, Blonde and boring and cheap substitutes who werent fit to lick the shoes of VP, LG, BBG, SH and co, they couldnt act very welll, I didnt care a jot for their characters, and OK the show was still called Dallas but it wasnt MY DALAAS! and I have always said thank goodness for Video tapes as after a S11, 12, and god forbid S13 episode aI would run upstairs and dig out a mini - 6 episode, that reminded me why i loved this show, why i became addicted to it.

Im currently scanning in old articles from 90/91 and its depressing but funny to see that the press also thought along the same lines as me! and sadly Ken, Patrick and Larry werent enough to keep the show intersting or enjoyable, watching the final year of the show was difficult as there was no one I really cared about left, other than them and they werent enough to save it. It was a tired old show with dreadful "new" actors and I found it really sad that Dallas, once the jewel in he BBcs crown was relegated to a dismal 3pm on a sunday afternoon slot and regularly beaten by an old B/W film on BBC2 or darts!
How the mighty had fallen but it was easy to see why with the cast/actors involved.

I am very critical of the final couple of years but there was no one left that i cared or worried about other than the originals.

I will buy all the seaosn of Dallas on DVD but I doubt the final one will come out of its wrapper unless they have Footage of BBG that Ive never seen before!!

[jej2252]

Victoria Principal leaving for me was the beginning of the slow decline towards a boring, banal Dallas! The reason I watched Dallas was for the ewings of SF and the original cast. I hated s7 when BBG wasnt around, coped with S8 when Pat Duffy wasnt around, but VP leaving - ended so many of the great plots and storylines of the show
Barnes, V Ewing, whether it was Jock and Digger or Cliff and JR, Romeo and Juliet, Bobby V the rest of his family defending his wife.

One by one as more members left, Sue Ellen (who i have to say I cared little for in her final season- but that was the scriptwriters fault yet again!) Donna (Susan was a great acrtress) Ray, the dumbing down and nearly out of the show Clayton and Miss Ellie - they were people I cared about, loved and who made Dallas the number 1 show in the world!

and what did we get - Jock used to talk about the 3 Bs , well my interpertation of the new actresses on dallas was
Bland, Blonde and boring and cheap substitutes who werent fit to lick the shoes of VP, LG, BBG, SH and co, they couldnt act very welll, I didnt care a jot for their characters, and OK the show was still called Dallas but it wasnt MY DALAAS! and I have always said thank goodness for Video tapes as after a S11, 12, and god forbid S13 episode aI would run upstairs and dig out a mini - 6 episode, that reminded me why i loved this show, why i became addicted to it.

Im currently scanning in old articles from 90/91 and its depressing but funny to see that the press also thought along the same lines as me! and sadly Ken, Patrick and Larry werent enough to keep the show intersting or enjoyable, watching the final year of the show was difficult as there was no one I really cared about left, other than them and they werent enough to save it. It was a tired old show with dreadful "new" actors and I found it really sad that Dallas, once the jewel in he BBcs crown was relegated to a dismal 3pm on a sunday afternoon slot and regularly beaten by an old B/W film on BBC2 or darts!
How the mighty had fallen but it was easy to see why with the cast/actors involved.

I am very critical of the final couple of years but there was no one left that i cared or worried about other than the originals.

I will buy all the seaosn of Dallas on DVD but I doubt the final one will come out of its wrapper unless they have Footage of BBG that Ive never seen before!!

Would be interesting to see these articles from 90/91!!

[Joanna~H]

I agree with BF. The last few seasons were dire, it's only worth watching them just to say you have seen the whole thing.
I will buy all that they release, but again like BF said......they probably wont be watched.

[dazzle]

i certainly am not a fan of the later years of dallas...for me, the show went downhill fast after the 10th season(dvd 11 )

[A House Divided]

I've watched the first 10 eps of this season so far and it feels SO different from the rest of the series.

For me, the first 10 episodes of the season 11 DVD are not as good as the last 20 episodes of the season. For me the season gets much better as it progresses but especially from episode 11 onwards - in my opinion.

I find that every season of DALLAS has its own unique "feel" or tone/character unlike DYNASTY seasons 3 - 8, for example, which to me appear to have the same atmosphere and be monotone. That's one quality I liked about DALLAS.

[Fajita Mel]

Just my opinion....

I've always thought the demise of the show started with the loss of Victoria Principal, and Linda Gray's exit was the final nail in the coffin. The two leading ladies on the show gone....I mean....I personally think that spells disaster. Of course it wasn't the same without Barbara Bel Geddes, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard, etc. Those other key characters who added to the storylines were missing. People who were there from the beginning and created that cement; IMO you can't just pull them away one by one and expect it to survive with quality.

Some may think the show's demise started with Patrick Duffy leaving and coming back and the whole dream season. Sure, I can see that point too. But I just think it got even worse taking away the "leading ladies" and replacing them with....girls. However, I did really like Sheree Wilson.

[southfork78]

I don't think I've seen the last few seasons since their original air dates, so I don't remember a lot. But I do remember not being as interested the last few years. To be honest, I'm not sure I even watched regularly anymore because I lost interest. As someone stated, though, it is just a matter of opinion. I watched from early on and that is what Dallas was to me, so I guess when it changed so much, I just lost interest.

[Southforkman]

I find that every season of DALLAS has its own unique "feel" or tone/character..... That's one quality I liked about DALLAS

I've always thought the demise of the show started with the loss of Victoria Principal, and Linda Gray's exit was the final nail in the coffin. The two leading ladies on the show gone....I mean....I personally think that spells disaster. Of course it wasn't the same without Barbara Bel Geddes, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard, etc. Those other key characters who added to the storylines were missing. People who were there from the beginning and created that cement; IMO you can't just pull them away one by one and expect it to survive with quality.

Some may think the show's demise started with Patrick Duffy leaving and coming back and the whole dream season. Sure, I can see that point too. But I just think it got even worse taking away the "leading ladies" and replacing them with....girls. However, I did really like Sheree Wilson.

These are my views exactly.

[jill from scotland]

Dallas for me started to become a joke when Bobby came back in the shower. Victoria Principal leaving was when I started to lose interest and switch off. The final years were quite awful and i wont be buying the DVD