If the powers that be took a vote to bring back Dallas, how would you vote?

[stevew]

Because I don’t see a prequel or movie as an option right now - of course anything is possible - I want to ask a question similar to one already asked BUT just the two remaining options or nothing at all.

Of course I think the bigger question would be what would new viewers want. In reality, imo, what this loyal fan base wants (or a majority opinion) would be a great base for any show, and such is bound to be attention grabbing to new viewers. This fan base isn’t made up of cult viewers, but those hanging onto the worlds most successful television drama. The people here get attention grabbing.

 

[Jabari Lamar]

The problem is, even if there was any type of consensus about what made the original show succeed and what a new show should have, I don't think you can use this forum as a judge of the remaining fanbase of Dallas. Most fans are more casual, even if they like something they don't feel compelled to come to a message board to talk about every day.

We know TNT debuted with around 7 million. I think we could assume that the majority of that group would probably returning fans of the original? I would also guess there's at least a few million more who may have missed it because they didn't have TNT. But even just at 7 million, say there's your base (not counting any of the older fans who may have died in the 6 years since then - a morbid thought, but most fans who watched the show in the original run would be getting up there in age, with the youngest being in early 50's). That's a decent number to build a show on (and way more people than have ever posted on this forum). But we also know that it had dropped to closer to 4 million by the end of season 1 (and that's with Larry Hagman still alive and one the show). Now the question is why? What was it that caused those fans who stopped watching to leave? I think if there was a way to get a detailed breakdown of the demographics of the viewers of season 1, and what they liked and didn't like about it, that would be one of the best ways to determine how viable another continuation would be.

 

[Karin Schill]

I voted continuation. But I might also be interested in a prequel series set in the 1960s where we'd get to see Gary run away from home and meet Valene, Bobby & Jenna's relationship and when JR first met Sue Ellen.

 

[stevew]

The problem is, even if there was any type of consensus about what made the original show succeed and what a new show should have, I don't think you can use this forum as a judge of the remaining fanbase of Dallas. Most fans are more casual, even if they like something they don't feel compelled to come to a message board to talk about every day.

We know TNT debuted with around 7 million. I think we could assume that the majority of that group would probably returning fans of the original? I would also guess there's at least a few million more who may have missed it because they didn't have TNT. But even just at 7 million, say there's your base (not counting any of the older fans who may have died in the 6 years since then - a morbid thought, but most fans who watched the show in the original run would be getting up there in age, with the youngest being in early 50's). That's a decent number to build a show on (and way more people than have ever posted on this forum). But we also know that it had dropped to closer to 4 million by the end of season 1 (and that's with Larry Hagman still alive and one the show). Now the question is why? What was it that caused those fans who stopped watching to leave? I think if there was a way to get a detailed breakdown of the demographics of the viewers of season 1, and what they liked and didn't like about it, that would be one of the best ways to determine how viable another continuation would be.

Good point but not sure there’s a way to get at such. I think the ideas here probably do match the unspoken fan base. Things like the change in the set and the change in the personalities would have driven them away just as it annoyed die hard fans.

To me the issue is they needed to create a new show and now without Larry Hagman they might as well not even pretend to hang onto the past but actually move forward with nods to the past. But if it’s going to be DALLAS it should be Ewing heavy, even if that’s 4th and 5th generation Ewing’s.

 

[stevew]

I voted continuation. But I might also be interested in a prequel series set in the 1960s where we'd get to see Gary run away from home and meet Valene, Bobby & Jenna's relationship and when JR first met Sue Ellen.

I agree and anything’s possible but it seems to me the best chance for such is a successful continuation which brings up that big of history to lead to a history piece for a mini series. Just my opinion.

 

[Werewillie Oleson]

Anything, everything, as long as it happens!

 

[Jabari Lamar]

Good point but not sure there’s a way to get at such.

There isn't. I was just speculating.

I think the ideas here probably do match the unspoken fan base.

What makes you think that?

 

[stevew]

There isn't. I was just speculating.



What makes you think that?

Because as with any sample you look at a part and speculate on the whole.

 

[Jabari Lamar]

Because as with any sample you look at a part and speculate on the whole.

But my point this is an extremely small sampling of fans. Are there even 20 active members at the moment? As I type this, 9 people have voted in the poll, so far. Out of the 7 million who watched the show at its height, that's nothing.

 

[lbf522]

I would like to know what it was like for JR when he first started at Ewing Oil.

 

[stevew]

But my point this is an extremely small sampling of fans. Are there even 20 active members at the moment? As I type this, 9 people have voted in the poll, so far. Out of the 7 million who watched the show at its height, that's nothing.

I do agree that it’s a small sample but it’s also the only sample available. I also don’t believe the primary objective should be to completely satisfy the sample or even all 7 million. 1st of all no scenario could do that and 2nd of all a well done story respectful of the past should be sufficient to hold those fans as a base. The real objective should be to tell a good drama which attracts a fans today. This can be done, for example House of Cards on Netflix, smaller primary cast, more politics than business, on a streaming service. The point is it can be done. The point of my questions is to find any agreement from the small available sample of an existing fan base.

 

[stevew]

I would like to know what it was like for JR when he first started at Ewing Oil.

There seems to be some interest in this story and there have been series that have focused on history like that. Not sure if it’s in the cards for Dallas but anything is possible.

 

[xab]

I'd like a tvmovie to put a final period to the big book of Dallas, no cliffhanger anymore, no nothing. I just wish we could say a respectful goodbye to the Ewings.
I started watching Dallas when I was 12, I'm 50 now, I've seen all actors passing away one after another, I don't need a continuation which explains how Cliff died off-screen... Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray won't get any younger... We had to endure JR's funeral because Larry died. So JR is dead. With no TNT continuation he could have lived forever. Well sort of. He's officially dead, just like Katherine and Christopher... I don't need to watch John-Ross talking to Sue Ellen's grave... Dallas should rest in peace and its characters young and alive forever...
Could a continuation be anything but depressing ?

A prequel, why not... ? But we'd spend our time comparing the vets with the newbies. And after TNT fiasco I don't think any PTB is interested in the franchise anymore.

 

[stevew]

I'd like a tvmovie to put a final period to the big book of Dallas, no cliffhanger anymore, no nothing. I just wish we could say a respectful goodbye to the Ewings.
I started watching Dallas when I was 12, I'm 50 now, I've seen all actors passing away one after another, I don't need a continuation which explains how Cliff died off-screen... Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray won't get any younger... We had to endure JR's funeral because Larry died. So JR is dead. With no TNT continuation he could have lived forever. Well sort of. He's officially dead, just like Katherine and Christopher... I don't need to watch John-Ross talking to Sue Ellen's grave... Dallas should rest in peace and its characters young and alive forever...
Could a continuation be anything but depressing ?

A prequel, why not... ? But we'd spend our time comparing the vets with the newbies. And after TNT fiasco I don't think any PTB is interested in the franchise anymore.

You’re probably correct. I don’t see such a wrap up movie being done either but you’re probably right overall.

 

[Sea - Boo! - Er]

I voted continuation. But I might also be interested in a prequel series set in the 1960s where we'd get to see Gary run away from home and meet Valene, Bobby & Jenna's relationship and when JR first met Sue Ellen.

I agree and anything’s possible but it seems to me the best chance for such is a successful continuation which brings up that big of history to lead to a history piece for a mini series. Just my opinion.

I would like to know what it was like for JR when he first started at Ewing Oil.

The problem with any prequel is already knowing how it will turn out. But I agree that the best format for such stories would be a telemovie or mini. Leave the ongoing series for moving forward.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

It has to be a complete re-boot.

A continuation series isn't viable any more unfortunately.

 

[stevew]

Anyone who voted leave it alone, I certainly get it, but just so I know a bit more, how would you react to talk of a reboot and how would you react to talk of a continuation? Would you watch either?

 

[pete lashmar]

It depends what you want out of Dallas - if you want J.R, Ellie, Jock etc then you have no other choice than a complete reboot. However any such reboot needs to have a clean slate, no old storylines, a completely new set of plots and stories rather than follow the original. Not only does that give the show a complete free reign, it will also avoid the obvious comparisons.

If you want the original cast back then you have to accept that brand new characters will have to be introduced in order to give the show a large enough cast for new stories to develop - but is that a Lorimar continuation or a TNT one?

For me if the show returns it could only be a total and complete reboot, but, as I've said many times, it needs a cast and good solid actors - no pretty boys and girls who look nice but can't act of their way out of a paper bag.

We have the original series that we can watch whenever we want, no one can take that away from us.

If Dallas has any kind of future it's with a new cast and complete reboot - but one that focuses on The Ewings & The Barnes, not on the help!

 

[stevew]

It depends what you want out of Dallas - if you want J.R, Ellie, Jock etc then you have no other choice than a complete reboot. However any such reboot needs to have a clean slate, no old storylines, a completely new set of plots and stories rather than follow the original. Not only does that give the show a complete free reign, it will also avoid the obvious comparisons.

If you want the original cast back then you have to accept that brand new characters will have to be introduced in order to give the show a large enough cast for new stories to develop - but is that a Lorimar continuation or a TNT one?

For me if the show returns it could only be a total and complete reboot, but, as I've said many times, it needs a cast and good solid actors - no pretty boys and girls who look nice but can't act of their way out of a paper bag.

We have the original series that we can watch whenever we want, no one can take that away from us.

If Dallas has any kind of future it's with a new cast and complete reboot - but one that focuses on The Ewings & The Barnes, not on the help!

Good points. You make me think with just the basic foundation from the original, a reboot could work. My concern would be could they get a good cast. I think you could get a good cast that looks good but it would be expensive. I’m going to play with this idea.

 

[stevew]

It depends what you want out of Dallas - if you want J.R, Ellie, Jock etc then you have no other choice than a complete reboot. However any such reboot needs to have a clean slate, no old storylines, a completely new set of plots and stories rather than follow the original. Not only does that give the show a complete free reign, it will also avoid the obvious comparisons.

If you want the original cast back then you have to accept that brand new characters will have to be introduced in order to give the show a large enough cast for new stories to develop - but is that a Lorimar continuation or a TNT one?

For me if the show returns it could only be a total and complete reboot, but, as I've said many times, it needs a cast and good solid actors - no pretty boys and girls who look nice but can't act of their way out of a paper bag.

We have the original series that we can watch whenever we want, no one can take that away from us.

If Dallas has any kind of future it's with a new cast and complete reboot - but one that focuses on The Ewings & The Barnes, not on the help!

Good points. You make me think with just the basic foundation from the original, a reboot could work. My concern would be could they get a good cast. I think you could get a good cast that looks good but it would be expensive. I’m going to play with this idea.