Criticism by cast members

[Ukdallasfan]

I have often wondered whether there are any interviews of the cast members in which they speak of things like how hard they worked, the feeling of being dispensable, unhappiness with their characters’ storylines etc?
Linda spoke vaguely about being tired of Sue Ellen drinking and having affairs and how she was almost fired for asking to direct but, otherwise, she’s forever upbeat and full of her time on the show. I’ve seen Susan Howard criticise the dream season quite bluntly but not much else.
I have no doubt that the cast were happy a lot of the time. Let’s face it they became global superstars and earned good money but nothing like today’s standards, but we all know that show business is one of the toughest businesses in the world. I’d be really interested if any of you out there know of any written or televised interviews in which any of them just go for it and tell it like it was? I have wondered about NDA’s but, given how long the show was over, the risk of a civil suit would have been fairly low.
I LOVE that Larry, Linda and Patrick were genuinely such good friends but, as someone commented recently, the Three Amigos stories that are recycled over and over again become a bit tedious. Thanks

 

[MenaceTheDennis]

It’s no secret that Victoria was unhappy with the scripts the last five years that she was on. I think Patrick has alluded to how milquetoast Bobby had become before he left in 1985. Plus Larry, when pressed, said the scripts weren’t up to par the last four years. It’s interesting how many of the Dynasty cast members have said how bad the scripts were the last four years, but hardly any Dallas cast members. Go figure.

 

[Toni]

When we go back to old interviews or books like "50 Years of Dallas", we can notice that there are two kinds of "criticism": the "I´m still in this successful show and wish my character was more (whatever)", and the "I was in this dumb show and they didn´t know what to do with my character". There are other kind of criticisms, but they don´t really sound too believable... more like petty.

 

[Ukdallasfan]

Thanks I tend to agree but wish there had been more

 

[Barbara Fan]

Morgan Brittany gave interview about not liking someone in the cast very much

Howard keel comments in his bio that both he and BBG were unhappy at the way their characters were written basically when BBG morphed into Angela Lansbury in Murder she wrote dallas style

BBG was also unhappy at their suggesting Miss Ellie could become an alcoholic (the dreadful laurel Ellis storyline) and also how she ended out of Dallas and consigned to 4 episodes in the final season so she left

Thats why I loved old Dallas Fanzine and UD interviews with cast members who werent Larry, Linda and Patrick as you got a different perspective and a different view point
John Beck and Jared Martin did great interviews, as did Steve Kanaly and Susan Howard

Victoria on Wogan 1984 said she far enjoyed early Pam as she had a bit more fire

 

[Barbara Fan]

PS Now when i listen to interviews Steve Kanaly seems to have the best memory and recollection of filming Dallas and the key events over the years out of all the cast and he should write it down for a book! Id buy it!