What if they recasted the role of Jock?

[Frankie]

What if the character, Jock Ewing, survived the plane crash? What if they recasted the role of Jock Ewing? Would it have worked?? Who would have played the role?

[JockEwing]

NEVER

[Jakey]

I agree no actor could take the place of Jim Davis in the role of Jock, no would one even come close. He was classic.

[SueEllen35]

I guess that would also apply to any other actor/actress that left and was replaced. Look at Miss Ellie - she was played by Donna Reed (miscast!!). Even though Digger Barnes, Gary, Kristin, and Jenna all had actors/actresses play their parts that was early in the show. Didn't each character get played once or twice before the later cast member was a regular. I think the new/improved cast members were the better choice.

But to replace Jim Davis, there would have to another actor that could play Jock as well as Jim Davis did. He was hard core, ruggid and he was Jock. It's too bad that he died when he did. Jim Davis still gets his due even though he was on for three years. I don't know what other character that could only be on for three years and leave an impression like he did.

Jim, we all salute you whereever you are!

[Wes]

Kristin Sheppard was originally played by Colleen Camp. Mary Crosby later assumed the role.

Gary Ewing was originally played by David Ackroyd (a relative of Dan?) and later by Ted Shackelford.

Jenna Wade was originally played by Morgan Fairchild and later by Priscilla Presley.

Digger Barnes was portrayed by david Wayne and Keenan Wynn.

I thought Mary Crosby was much more effective as the vindictive Kristin than the first actress. However, I think that the first Gary and the first Jenna were more realistic in their roles than the later, less compelling actors.

As for Digger, I think both actors did an equally good job of playing him - although they seemed to be playing two different parts.

[Anti-Krebbs]

The only good recasting that Dallas did, in my mind, was the children, and Mary Crosby as Kristin. (Though I did like Ted Shackleford as Gary, but he was always Gary to me anyway).

Remember though, the ones you, Wes, mentioned only played the parts in ONE episode. Colleen Camp only played Kristin once, maybe twice, and it was in a row. David Ackroyd only played Gary in episodes 6 and 7, the two part Reunion episode that started season one. Jenna Wade was played by Morgan Fairchild early on, then by Francine Tucker, and finally by PBP. The two actresses before PBP played Jenna for only an episode or two.

It's like comparing apples to oranges. Of course those small parts could be recast. But the character of Jock was very important, a star character of the show. He had also been on since the beginning, and a lot of people were great fans of Jock. I think in a situation like that, a recasting would not work. The main stars should not be recasting unless absolutely necessary (like with Miss Ellie). There was the opportunity for Jock to die, and I am glad they chose that route, though I would have liked a quicker death instead of drawing it out.

In my opinion, there were a select few of the characters that would not work to recast. Any of the stars in the opening credits I feel could not have been recast, minus the later season characters (in some cases, a rock would do better than the actors chosen for the parts). Another exception is Jenna Wade. I feel she could be recast at any minute and not a lot of people, besides PBP fans, would care. I like the thought of Dyan Cannon, if not Morgan Fairchild, playing the role of Jenna Wade.

I think the characters that were on from the beginning (along with Donna), could never have been recast. This was proved with the Donna Reed fiasco. BBG portrayed Miss Ellie a certain way, and Donna Reed did not play the character in the same way. No one could have copied Jim Davis' way of playing Jock. It was best to not recast.

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"Sleep on little sister, sleep on..."

[Weststar Oil Corp]

Charlton Heston as Jock Ewing

[Pamela Barnes]

Charlton Heston?? The monkeys acted better than him in Planet of the Apes and he was awful in The Colbys.

It is interesting that you mention Jock was in the show for only 3 years, I tend to forget that, it seemed he was in it a lot longer.

I can`t really think of anyone who could of played Jock unless its another of those old style Western actors, John Wayne may have been a good Jock if he had lived.

[chance]

No one else could have ever replace Jim Davis as Jock, it just wouldn't work.

[cliff2]

I think Howard Keel could play Jock.

[Swami]

No-one else could have portrayed Jock Ewing the way Jim Davis did. To leave such a powerful image in the public's memory is testament to his ability.

Swami

[JR's FURY]

I think Howard Keel could play Jock.

Howard Keel was too "moralistic" in a sense...not to say that Jock wasn't. But take this into account...remember when JR was trying to find something on Orloff when he ran for office and JR was like "well, if we can't find anything we'll just put it there!"

Jock's response: "Whatever"

This is the classic "do whatever it takes to win" mentality that Jock had, and NO other actor could have played it better than Jim Davis!!

[snuggletiger]

It was the episode ELECTION when Cliff ran for office. And Jock tells JR that line
"No man can be in politics and be that clean". and thats when Jock tells him there has to be a skeleton somewhere. and JR offers to put one there and Jock says whatever.

Catch that scene with Jock and the candidate he's got running against Cliff. He sits there and tells the guy he's too boring and his wardrobe stinks, then Jock turns to JR and says "Get him a media whatchamacallit and some new clothes".

[JR_fan]

How did the public react to Wes Parmalee/Ben Stivers? Wasn't he supposed to be Jock?

Personally I can't really see anybody having the kind of grit and saltiness that Jim Davis had. Yet, Davis had a charm that was hidden underneath all that outward nastiness.

[shelly25]

I'm sorry, but for me no one else could've ever played Jock besides Jim Davis. He was one of a kind and is sorely missed. Even after he passed his prescence was still felt well into the later seasons of the show, which is a testimate to the type of person/character he was on the show. We miss you Jim! Hopefully you are up there having a bourbon and branch....

[Swami]

My sentiments exactly!

Swami

[AlanP]

Well, I think they should have recast Pam.
The series, lost it's focus when, she left.
Jock, was a wonderful character, but, he was not as integral to the series.
He was more of a minor character.
I liked Donna Reed as Miss Ellie. She was not as great a BBG, however, she gave her a more glamorous role. I think She would have been great if she would have originated the role. I think Hagman wanted his mother (mary Martin) for the role, when, BBG, left.

[richard avery]

it would not be the same