Dallas Being Ignored By The Emmy Awards

[Snarky Oracle!]

But that's a little like saying Deadpool would have been a more deserved Academy Award winner than Green Book because lots more people went to watch it.

Shouldn't how well something is crafted count for something. HSB was innovative and took risks in how it was filmed and put together. Dallas was good TV, but generally didn't do that.

Agreed. Popularity and ratings shouldn't determine acclaim or awards. Otherwise, THREE'S COMPANY would have won Emmys for writing (Ha! They actually did!)

That said, HILL STREET BLUES was a blackly pretentious series, unwatchable today. But you couldn't get around it, in terms of the glowing critiques, at the time (one year, all five supporting actors nominations went to HSB). It was very dishonest in a very '80s way.

 

[Victoriafan3]

I love this. Such a shame she wasn’t nominated at least. All the reviews were there in black and white...

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

Agreed. Popularity and ratings shouldn't determine acclaim or awards. Otherwise, THREE'S COMPANY would have won Emmys for writing (Ha! They actually did!)

That said, HILL STREET BLUES was a blackly pretentious series, unwatchable today. But you couldn't get around it, in terms of the glowing critiques, at the time (one year, all five supporting actors nominations went to HSB). It was very dishonest in a very '80s way.

if I had unlimited money and got really, really bored, one thing I think I’d do would be to hire an arranger and singers and band to do painfully earnest vocal versions of instrumental TV theme songs using only the shows’ titles as the lyrics, repeating over and over.

Hill Street Blues and Dallas would bookend what would be sure to be a smash hit album.

 

[Jimmy Todd]

Agreed. Popularity and ratings shouldn't determine acclaim or awards. Otherwise, THREE'S COMPANY would have won Emmys for writing (Ha! They actually did!)

That said, HILL STREET BLUES was a blackly pretentious series, unwatchable today. But you couldn't get around it, in terms of the glowing critiques, at the time (one year, all five supporting actors nominations went to HSB). It was very dishonest in a very '80s way.

I'm glad to hear this point of view. "Pretentious" is a word that definitely applies to that show. I was glad when Knots Landing beat it in the ratings for that time slot.

 

[Kenny Coyote]

Popularity and ratings shouldn't determine acclaim or awards.

Suppose we go with that premise that popularity and ratings shouldn't determine awards.

As of now the way they go about it is described on the Emmy website as : "Voters choose the entries they feel exemplify excellence in their categories."

There is no established criteria being presented for the Emmy awards. Voting is based on what one "feels is excellent" is pretty vague; it's even more more vague than what one "thinks is excellent." One is the result of emotion and the other the result of thought. In the absence of any established criteria by which the quality of a show or an acting performance can be and is objectively scored, it remains a popularity contest - one in which whatever the most voters "feel" is the best, wins.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Suppose we go with that premise that popularity and ratings shouldn't determine awards.

As of now the way they go about it is described on the Emmy website as : "Voters choose the entries they feel exemplify excellence in their categories."

There is no established criteria being presented for the Emmy awards. Voting is based on what one "feels is excellent" is pretty vague; it's even more more vague than what one "thinks is excellent." One is the result of emotion and the other the result of thought. In the absence of any established criteria by which the quality of a show or an acting performance can be and is objectively scored, it remains a popularity contest - one in which whatever the most voters "feel" is the best, wins.

Of course.

I recall reading complaints from academy members in the '80s that other academy members simply voted for shows they knew were critically revered, often not really watching the shows they voted for and/or voted for the work those shows were doing several years earlier and not actually the work they were currently doing.

And the winner is ……

Such is the nature of awards and award shows.

 

[Jimmy Todd]

Of course.

I recall reading complaints from academy members in the '80s that other academy members simply voted for shows they knew were critically revered, often not really watching the shows they voted for and/or voted for the work those shows were doing several years earlier and not actually the work they were currently doing.

And the winner is ……

Such is the nature of awards and award shows.

Joan Rivers said she always "voted for the old ones," especially actors who had been overlooked for years, because they probably wouldn't get another opportunity to win an award.
There are a lot of factors that go into who gets a vote.

 

[Barbara Fan]

Of course.

I recall reading complaints from academy members in the '80s that other academy members simply voted for shows they knew were critically revered, often not really watching the shows they voted for and/or voted for the work those shows were doing several years earlier and not actually the work they were currently doing.

And the winner is ……

Such is the nature of awards and award shows.

@Snarky's Ghost - Im presuming that is Steven Bochco - yes?? I always enjoyed HSB but my love for the 1990s was NYPD Blue and I think Steve Bochco was a great producer, director, writer and all round talent

NYPD Blue for me was the best drama series of the 1990s and I to hate how C4 in UK used to muck around with the timings of it

Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits were 2 of the best actors on TV and DF deserved his Emmys - I wish he hadnt retired, such a talent

 

[Jimmy Todd]

Suppose we go with that premise that popularity and ratings shouldn't determine awards.

As of now the way they go about it is described on the Emmy website as : "Voters choose the entries they feel exemplify excellence in their categories."

There is no established criteria being presented for the Emmy awards. Voting is based on what one "feels is excellent" is pretty vague; it's even more more vague than what one "thinks is excellent." One is the result of emotion and the other the result of thought. In the absence of any established criteria by which the quality of a show or an acting performance can be and is objectively scored, it remains a popularity contest - one in which whatever the most voters "feel" is the best, wins.

This is a good point regarding the lack of even a suggested criteria for judging a performance. It opens the door for subjectivity, so it makes the awards themselves of decreased value.

If an actor gave a superb performance, but was open about his or her political views that happen to be at odds with the majority of Hollywood, you can bet they would be A LOT less likely of receiving any nominations.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

If an actor gave a superb performance, but was open about his or her political views that happen to be at odds with the majority of Hollywood, you can bet they would be A LOT less likely of receiving any nominations.

You mean, like, Kelsey Grammer?

 

[Jimmy Todd]

You mean, like, Kelsey Grammer?

Lol! Ok, you got me with that one, Snarky!
Just curious when was the last time he won an Emmy?

 

[Jimmy Todd]

Lol! Ok, you got me with that one, Snarky!
Just curious when was the last time he won an Emmy?

Ok, I checked. Last time was for a voice over in 2012, 2006 for a show called Boss.
It is possible the country has become a bit more, uh, partisan since then.
I'm sure there are plenty of voters in Hollywood who let the actor's personal beliefs dissuade them from voting for them. The main point is there are various reasons why people vote the way they do, in any scenario. Qualification is not always the main reason.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Lol! Ok, you got me with that one, Snarky!
Just curious when was the last time he won an Emmy?

He won five and was nominated many more times. He later said he'd really never found his conservatism had hurt him in Hollywood.

 

[Jimmy Todd]

He won five and was nominated many more times. He later said he'd really never found his conservatism had hurt him in Hollywood.

. That's interesting. There was one Dallas actor who implied her views her a bit of a detriment to her career.
Personal views as a possible hindrance to a successful Hollywood career could be a provocative thread itself, but back to the original idea of this thread, Dallas definitely had some performances that, the very least, just as good as anyone who ever won an Emmy.

 

[Kenny Coyote]

. That's interesting. There was one Dallas actor who implied her views her a bit of a detriment to her career.
Personal views as a possible hindrance to a successful Hollywood career could be a provocative thread itself, but back to the original idea of this thread, Dallas definitely had some performances that, the very least, just as good as anyone who ever won an Emmy.

She probably had conservative views. The majority of the TV and movie industries have liberal political beliefs. The percentage of people with liberal political ideologies in those industries is not even close to an accurate representation of that of the rest of our country; it's an anomaly. Why do you suppose the anomaly exists?

There were a number of people in the entertainment industry who vowed to move to another country if Donald Trump were elected President. Did any of them keep to their word and do it?

 

[Jimmy Todd]

She probably had conservative views. The majority of the TV and movie industries have liberal political beliefs. The percentage of people with liberal political ideologies in those industries is not even close to an accurate representation of that of the rest of our country; it's an anomaly. Why do you suppose the anomaly exists?

There were a number of people in the entertainment industry who vowed to move to another country if Donald Trump were elected President. Did any of them keep to their word and do it?

She does identify as a conservative, yes.

Why a small group of people who are in a position of influence have this political leaning is an interesting question.

Along that line of thought, whenever an actor injects political or social views into an acceptance speech, I only recall those views being to the left. If anyone can think of an acceptance speech laced with politically conservative views, I'd be curious to hear of that example.

 

[kenneth]

I agree. What was this supposed exploitation of sexual content? They had Victoria Principal, one of the top sex symbols of that time and maybe the best looking actress on TV, but can anyone name even one scene with Pam and Bobby that exploited sexual content just for the sake of it? Did Pam and Bobby even have any sex scenes?

Dallas had exploitation of sexual content because the media said so. Anything that goes against their narrative, like valid point we make here, will be treated like they do not exist.

Gene Siskel was particularly guilty of this.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Dallas had exploitation of sexual content because the media said so. Anything that goes against their narrative, like valid point we make here, will be treated like they do not exist.

Absolutely true, especially back in the day. All the crimes and implied sex content of DALLAS had been done in '70s television, only amongst guest characters and not with the leads. And even then, DALLAS was way tamer than it was portrayed in the media.

Even conservative Michael Landon, of all people, admitted there wasn't really any sex on television then, and all there really was was silly titillation stuff.

I recall CHARLIE'S ANGLES always appeared at the top of media watchdog lists for being the most irresponsibly sexual series on TV ---- even though the program was, in reality, absurdly prim..... But... but they were all so pretty, and they wore bikinis for a single scene every 18 months! It's soft-core porn!! ...Likewise, even after 1977's industry wide pullback on violence, STARSKY & HUTCH continued to be cited as the most irresponsibly violent show on TV, even when, during its last couple of season, they bent over backwards to avoid even showing someone knocked down by a slow-moving vehicle.

This lists and condemnations were based on reputation and had little to do with the shows themselves. It's as if a certain level of outrage must exist in any era, regardless of how salacious or tepid the product is during that era.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

DALLAS received about 30 Emmy nominations over the years, and won a small handful.

Larry was nominated for an Emmy in 1980, and BBG won:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards
And the series was also nominated in 1980 for Outstanding Drama Series

DALLAS, Larry and BBG were nominated again in 1981, Linda too, Jim Davis posthumously:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/33rd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards

Other categories:

1983
Outstanding Music Composition - Series
Bruce Broughton
Won

1984
Outstanding Music Composition - Series
Bruce Broughton
Won

1985
Outstanding Costumes for a Series
William Travilla
Won

1979
Outstanding Film Editing - Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1979
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Barbara Bel Geddes
Nominated

1979
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing - Comedy Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1979
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing - Drama Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1980
Outstanding Drama Series
Lee Rich, Philip Capice, Leonard Katzman
Nominated

1980
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Larry Hagman
Nominated

1980
Outstanding Music Composition - Series
Bruce Broughton
Nominated

1981
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing - Comedy Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1981
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Barbara Bel Geddes, Linda Gray
Nominated

1981
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing - Drama Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1981
Outstanding Film Editing - Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1981
Outstanding Drama Series
Philip Capice, Leonard Katzman
Nominated

1981
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jim Davis, Larry Hagman
Nominated

1982
Outstanding Film Editing - Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1982
Outstanding Music Composition - Series
Bruce Broughton
Nominated

1982
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing - Comedy Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1982
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing - Drama Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1983
Outstanding Film Editing - Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1983
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing - Comedy Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1983
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing - Drama Series
Fred W. Berger
Nominated

1986
Outstanding Costumes for a Series
William Travilla
Nominated

1987
Outstanding Music Composition - Series
Angela Morley
Nominated

1988
Outstanding Music Composition - Series
Angela Morley
Nominated

Let it be said that DALLAS was never really ignored by the Emmys.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

Let it be said that DALLAS was never really ignored by the Emmys.

I would say Dallas was ignored as far as acting - No apparent nominees after 1981, for a show that was still
a ratings giant.

Larry Hagman - the iconic JR certainly deserved more nominations.
Linda Gray - grew the character of Sue Ellen, and also deserved more recognition.
Patrick Duffy, Ken Kercheval - should have had at least some recognition for their work
Susan Howard, William Smithers, Dennis Patrick, Morgan Brittany - all gave strong performances
that were potentially nomination worthy.

There were arguably others, but Dallas ran 1978-1991, and was regularly atop the ratings, at least until the last few seasons.
Someone had to be doing something well 1982-1991
No acting nominations simply seems to be an oversight, at the very least.