Today, the popularity of Yellowstone, which tells the story of the Duttons in the state of Wyoming, in an area of Indian Reservation, is worldwide but still does not reach the feet of another great American family, the Ewings, who dominated Dallas. Well, imagine the weight of having open TV content in the United States, decades before the concept of the Internet was not something from the universe of The Jetsons, it went around the world. 45 years ago, the CBS miniseries literally stopped people from discussing “Who killed J.R.?” To date, no other has achieved the same prestige.

Dallas was a soap opera, it was born to have five seasons (and had 14), having debuted in April 1978 and popularizing a Texas city that gained international fame. The plot revolves around the tumultuous lives of the Ewings, with broken marriages, employees, and enemies in the oil world. With the exception of an honest Bobby Ewing, they were generally adept at ruthless and Machiavellian commercial exploits. Although millionaires, they all lived together on the ranch known as ‘Southfork’.

The Ewing clan was led by “Jock” Ewing (Jim Davis) and “Miss Ellie” Ewing (Barbara Bel Geddes). His three children competed with each other for the succession of the business: J.R. (Larry Hagman), the main antagonist, who was married to the alcoholic Sue Ellen (Linda Gray); Bobby (Patrick Duffy), who married Pamela Barnes (Victoria Principal), rival sister of J.R., Cliff Barnes (Ken Kercheval) and Gary (David Ackroyd/Ted Shackelford), father of teenager Lucy (Charlene Tilton), the result of a romance with waitress Valene Clements (Joan Van Ark).

Between blackmail intrigues, extra-marital affairs, and even murder, Dallas had it all. The dispute between the Ewings and the Barnes was the backbone of the entire conflict because in the 1930s, “Jock” Ewing allegedly cheated on his former partner, Willard “Digger” Barnes (David Wayne/Keenan Wynn). Something mentioned but not shown (today would have spin-offs like 1883 and 1923, from Yellowstone). To make matters worse, “Miss Ellie” was Digger’s great love, but she married Jock. She came from a cattle ranching lineage and wasn’t as keen on oil exploration money, but she was happily married.

Who drove much of the conflict – and won the public’s love, even as a villain – was the unscrupulous JR, who gave Larry Hagman the role he would always be remembered for (after Major Nelson in Dream Jeannie). Until then, he was remembered as the son of Broadway legend Mary Martin and nicknamed the “Mad Monk of Malibu” for his eccentric behavior. However, his charisma as JR transformed Dallas. The public couldn’t get enough of his nastiness. And when at the end of season three the character is shot and drops (seemingly) dead, it was a bombastic and legendary hook. Millions watched as J.R. was attacked and the slogan “Who shot J. R.?” entered the world lexicon.

The answer only came in the following season and at that point, Hagman’s salary was unmatched by TV standards at the time ($100,000 per episode). Yes, the revelation broke another ratings record. Dallas‘ popularity was so significant that even in the middle of the Cold War it was broadcast in some communist countries.

Over its 14 seasons, Dallas was nominated for 21 Emmys (it won 4) and paved the way for antiheroes and dense TV dramas. But hey! Brad Pitt made his professional debut as one of Lucy’s boyfriends! So it is!

Rescuing this milestone of storytelling on its 45th birthday is important. Back then, working in TV was about starting or ending careers, but it rarely carried the weight that Dallas had while it was on the air. There was an unsuccessful attempt to rescue it, but it did not survive more than one season. Seeing how brands today become franchises, Dallas would certainly be one of them. Here’s the trivia and nostalgia and content that marked the culture of the 80s. And of course, one of the most hated villains of all time, the incomparable JR.

Pesquisar

Pesquisar