Writing characters off temporarily

[the-lost-son]

I know, the TV business was different back then. Primetime stars like Joan Collins were unhappy to accept a contract with reduced no. of episodes, others refused the very same (BBG) which is understandable. Nobody worked there for their health. I for one never blamed Duffy/Hagman for cashing in during the dire last years, I would have done the same.

All major primetime soaps shared with growing age one similar problem - increasing success led to increasing salaries which led to studios giving out budget restrictions (eg. reduced on location shoots) and layoffs off essential longterm characters - resulting in thinned out shows with ca. 3 original cast members left.

Major characters returning are iconic moments (Dusty, Miss Ellie in S6 (DVD7), Julia in FC ) - absence makes the heart grow fonder.

I dislike Dallas' last years because of JR's and Bobby's over-exposure, they are basically in every scene (which was fitting as they earned the most). In contrast to that I loved JR in TNT's Dallas despite (or because?) of his lighter schedule.

So I wondered if you had any suggestions how to write off a character (and for how long) with the idea if bringing back that character later.

Here are a few ideas:
- Cliff Barnes: He was over-exposed (and somehow lost) in the last years as well. I would write him off after his suicide attempt for a full season. Rebecca then goes full beast mode on the Ewings on his behalf. He returns later, eg. when Pam needs him most.
- JR: I'd write him off severall times for max. 5-6 episodes. He should come back when the family is in trouble and dirty things need to be done, eg. during the ranch war (just forget about Halleyville)
- Rebecca: I wouldn't kill her off at all. I'd have her handing the company to her children. She returns when things get ugly or Cliff runs wild.
- Clayton, Lucy, Afton, Donna were hanging around at a certain point without much to do. Any ideas?

 

[tommie]

In contrast to that I loved JR in TNT's Dallas despite (or because?) of his lighter schedule.

I think it's the same effect that using Alexis in a limited capacity in season 9 on Dynasty had - with a lighter schedule and less appearances they had to suddenly make her appearances count, which leaves you as a viewer at the edge of your seat when she pops up.

With that in mind, I'd experiment to maybe put JR and Bobby on backburner at some points in the latter seasons if they needed to save a bit of money to keep other long-term characters. I doubt Duffy or Hagman would've gone for it though. They clearly were doing the show for the money at that point (again, I don't blame them per se for that).

 

[Monzo]

I would have brought Lucy back for the annual barbeque so that her permanent return at the end of season 11 would have been more in flow with the show, because her return when Christopher had no idea who she was was strange.

Towards the end of season 10, Pam was supposed to find out by chance that Afton had a child with Cliff. Afton had been able to persuade Pam to remain silent, so Cliff's child was always a potential storyline that would be picked up again in season 12.

Mandy should have come and gone as a movie star. She always thinks it's finally over with JR, but then she shows up again in the next season. It would have been interesting if JR had resisted Mandy when he was newly married to Cally.

Ray could have visited his aunt every now and then, with Donna or without her. Without Ray, Donna might have been more interested in politics again - or in another man, and there would have been conflict when Ray returned.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I’m not sure how this would go over back then so this is purely hypothetical. I’d write off J.R. for a season, perhaps have him missing somewhere unknown. The entire season would build around the mystery of where he was, why he was missing and why hasn’t he been in contact with anyone. Business would suffer and the family would have all kinds of issues in his absence. The whole thing would build towards his return in the very last episode of the season.

 

[LMLDallas78]

Ray could have visited his aunt every now and then,

I like this idea but Ray might not have been particularly missed so no major loss or exciting comeback. I would like to see what this did for Donna though, without needy Ray breathing down her neck huffing and puffing, "woe is me" constantly.

Pam should have been temporarily written out of the emeralds/kidnapping story. Victoria didn't look well here and this story was so uninteresting. My previous love for early Pam might have re-ignited if this hadn't happened and she was given a much juicier story.

Definitely Miss Ellie should have been written out during Donna Reed's stint. Most fans missed Miss Ellie without BBG present and still missed Miss Ellie with Donna Reed playing her. Donna would have been spared her cruel treatment and criticism.

Cutting back on JR and Bobby was never going to happen and Cliff deserved so much better in later seasons.