The big night is finally here. The Ewings of Dallas are back on the air after 14 years away. Will this new series outlast the original or does it deserve to be quickly cancelled instead?
The new Dallas on TNT is a continuation of the primetime soap opera that began in 1978. John Ross (Josh Henderson) and Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) are fighting over Southfork, just like their fathers (Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy) did back in the CBS days. Others in the cast include Linda Gray, Brenda Strong, Jordana Brewster, and Julie Gonzalo.
Is the new Dallas worth your time? Here’s what some of the critics are saying:
NY Daily News: “So we’ve got love and money both in play here, and soon they swirl together into a tale that’s got more kick than Texas chili made with live rattlesnakes. It’s also soapy, of course, not to mention campy. Hagman in particular hasn’t lost an ounce of his villainous sleaze. No one expects Dallas to have the kind of reach now that it had three decades ago. But between old fans who will enjoy a revisit and young folks who never even heard of Miss Ellie, TNT is placing a sound bet.”
TV Guide: “Unfortunately, these young ‘uns are not larger than life, paling next to the icons that bore them, buzzing around like gnats in the shadow of legends. Still, the comfort level in the new/old Dallas is considerable, as we gawk at which of the old-timers is still on their game and who are the worse for wear. (Linda Gray’s Sue Ellen seems especially mummified, given no help by the writers turning her into a most improbable politician and professional wet blanket. She was more fun when she drank.) The show’s predictably melodramatic rhythms and telegraphed twists will be like nectar to those still pining for this old-school style of skullduggery.”
USA Today: “Forget Dallas; they should have called it Thebes. You can find mummies who look fresher than this mold-encrusted relic, and who have newer ideas in their empty, embalmed heads. Not, of course, that this embarrassing throwback has any idea to offer beyond a desire to cash in on the standard-setting success of the CBS original in the 1980s… There will no doubt be some out there who so loved the original Dallas, they’ll still find this little “D” enchanting. There will be others who come for the camp value alone, from the wooden performances to the often risible dialogue. As for the rest of us, we can be grateful that a busy TV summer offers plenty of other choices.”
LA Times: “Then as now — and acknowledging some good work among the younger set, especially the Texas-born Henderson — it is Hagman’s show. To say there is no series here that would be worth watching without him is indeed only to point out another way in which the new Dallas is very much like the old… The pilot dawdles until the right word rouses [JR] back to action like a demon from his thousand-year sleep. His eyes light up, and the party starts.”
Hollywood Reporter: “The writing is not there. Neither is the acting. And the plot -– well, it’s not like that was a strong point of the original version anyway. But none of the elements is present, just soap bubbles and silliness. This is a remake that should never have been remade.”
STL Today: “TNT has wisely scheduled Dallas for 10 episodes, all completed before the premiere. More could be ordered, but at least the audience can be assured of one complete story arc. Executive producer Cynthia Cidre (Cane) and her team have provided many entry points for new viewers, and references they may not get are either explained or expendable. The young cast, especially the male leads, is appealing, and the show looks good, benefiting from shooting on location in Dallas. The storytelling was compelling enough to lead me to watch three episodes (TNT provided all 10) in a row.”
Tampa Bay Times: “Filmed for the HD world with better landscapes, better acting and slightly better writing, this newly retooled Dallas feels upgraded from the early, fumbling pace of the original series’ early days… I’m probably in the minority, but for me a world of oil leases, adultery and methane gas wasn’t quite enough to snare the attention of the iPad generation, anymore.”
So, the critics are quite mixed on the new Dallas series to say the least.
What do you think? Are you a fan of the original? Have you watched the new series? Will you go back to watch again?
Newer and/or Related Articles
-
Dallas: Season Two Ratings
Apr 30, 2013 -
Dallas: Season Three Renewal for TNT Series
Apr 30, 2013 -
Dallas: Should the TNT Series Be Renewed for Season Three?
Apr 15, 2013 -
Dallas: Larry Hagman Still on the Show’s Call Sheet
Jan 4, 2013 -
![Dallas: Larry Hagman Remembered by Castmates [Updated]](http://cdn.tvseriesfinale.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/dallas201225-88x66.jpg)
Dallas: Larry Hagman Remembered by Castmates [Updated]
Nov 25, 2012 -
Dallas: Should the TNT Series End Without JR Ewing?
Nov 24, 2012 -
Dallas: Season Two Production Begins
Oct 3, 2012 -
Dallas: Season One Ratings
Aug 9, 2012 -
Dallas: TNT Releases New Promo Trailer
Dec 1, 2011 -
Dallas: Cast and Crew Talk About New Series Casting
Nov 3, 2011 -
Dallas: Production Begins & Larry Hagman’s Still Feisty
Oct 27, 2011 -
Dallas: Ken Kercheval Booked for New TNT Series
Sep 16, 2011 -
Dallas: Patrick Duffy Excited About the New TNT TV Series
Jul 25, 2011 -
Dallas: First Look at the New and Classic Cast
Jul 10, 2011 -
Dallas: TNT Orders New TV Series
Jul 8, 2011 -
Dallas: Jess Metcalfe and Julie Gonzalo Join TNT Pilot
Feb 10, 2011 -
Dallas: The Ewings Want to Eat Dinner with You
Aug 14, 2008 -
Dallas
Sep 30, 2007
{ 213 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →
Old viewer and now a new old viewer. Thought it was great and the new younger generation is great. Hope it continues for many years.
I loved it! I thought that how they already positioned JR as the cause of all problems was brilliant. As far as the critics go, who cares! If the public loves it, then it will endure. From the comments I have read, Joe Public seems to accept and like it, so all I have to say is “LONG LIVE DALLAS 2012!”
Love it, will be watching next week!!
From an old Dallas fan, I thought the first two hours were GREAT! They almost picked up where they left off and the actors that played the sons were particularly good. John Ross has every JR trait. I cannot say enough good things. For younger viewers, I can see how they might not get into it, particularly trying to keep up with each of the sub-plots.
Watched the original show and as long as they keeps some of the original actors in the show I will stay with the show.
Love it!
I loved every minute. I can’t wait for next weeks show. Dallas is the best show of the summer!!!
I was a fan of the orignial series and did not miss one of them. In review of 2012 premier, keep them coming! I was impressed with the scripts and the actors that were choosen to play the parts and I believe this series can just be as good as 1978 through 1991.
Awesome!! I was so excited to watch the new Dallas. I had watched some of the older show and really enjoyed it and the characters. It was nice to see many of them return. I too am so sick of reality television so this was a welcomed change! I am missing my favorite soap-All My Children, so this will help fill the void!
I watched thev premiere last night and I am so sad the Bobby is dying. Jr however hass not lost a beat still the same lying, cheating ass that I loved growning up as a kid. The Younger genration, well John Ross is just like his dad. I look forward to the hell fights and drama that is to come. I vwas hoping to see Cliff last night tho his name was in the credits maybe next week!!!! Now if we could only see Dynaaty and Falcon Crest again!!!!
Cliff was in it during the pre-wedding scene. It was short, but he was with Lucy.
That was Ray
Loved it!!! Finally, a drama worth watching. So
sick of reality shows. I grew up watching Dallas and
I enjoyed the new episodes.
It was great to be able to tune in again !!! Getting the plot “off the ground” after 21 years took a bit of doing, and the new-kids-on-the block ( with the exception of Bobby’s adopted son ) are probably useless ( because these people can’t act at all ), but that good ol’ Dallas plot is developing and Cliff Barnes is due back next week, so break out the snacks and “coldies” and get ready for some real TV entertainment !!!
I feel that bringing in the 2 young female characters at so early a date is not only a waste of time now, but will probably be so in the future because this isn’t a young-adults soap opera: it’s a TV classic that relies upon good scripts and strong characters, not post-teenage angst ( yelling, fist-a-cufts and good makeup ) to get you to tune in everyweek. Are these girls an attempt to suck in the younger audience ??
If so, I wonder when the singing and dancing is going to start — what else are they good
for ?? They appearently were hired for their looks, not ability, and I predict one of them will eventually fade away and be replaced by someone who can really pull the younger audience in, like a Carrie Underwood. ( Now SHE’D be believable !!! ).
“John Ross” was a heck of a disappointment. The Ewings have always been well-bred people as Jock and Miss Ellie could afford to see to, but Josh Henderson’s “street-punk” portrayal shows that he obviously doesn’t have the “gravitas” or the acting skills to handle this weighty role. The last bastion of a failed actor is to “play tough” and Henderson’s “angry young man” adaptation was almost laughable except for the direct irritation. With an accomplished cast as this, cheap acting ( in this case, the cheapest ), just doesn’t fit. I almost turned the show off because I personally just couldn’t stand Henderson’s totally unexpected and over-the-top over-acting that kept getting worse, and worse, and worse. I also don’t think he looked the part. I just didn’t expect JR’s and Sue Ellen’s child to be a smallish, loud-mouth punk, devoid of any class or style — Henderson’s portrayal just doesn’t fit !!! ( It’s almost as if the role was written for an arrogant Detroit hip-hop drug dealer — that’s how he protrayed John Ross. How sad !!! ).
I’ve read that 10 or so episodes are “in-the-can” and I hope the kids turn out to be ancillary as opposed to half of the show because, if that’s the case, I’m going to be muting most of the kids dialog if only to ignor a bunch of unaccomplished nobodys trying to play “big time” roles.
Larry Hagman has still “got it” !! JR is riveting, Bobby is still good ‘ol, down-to-earth Bobby, Sue Ellen needs a face-lift ( that no one would begrudge her since she’s an ex-Miss Texas and has all the money in the world ) and her role will enlarge, I’m sure. The addition of Cliff ( although not as much as I would like to see ) is back and anyone who is familiar with Dallas-of-old KNOWS that all the “good stuff” seems to revolve around Cliff Barnes. Cliff is the reason the Ewings coalesce into the powerful Ewing family ( and coupled with their internal “machanizations” ) results into great “cliff-hangers” ( no pun intended ) that one has come to expect from a great series such as this.
I’m watchin’ !!!! The principals say the scripts and director are just what they want.
I just hope that the introduction of a bunch or innocous “also-ran” kid actors don’t chew too heavily into the plot and turn an anticipated “great show” into a “could’ve been a great show, but …..”.
BTW, didn’t the old Dallas producers try a “kids Dallas” for a little while ???? I think they did and it died quickly !!! ( “Those that refuse to remember the past are condemed to repeat it” — I hope not !!! ).
I predict: “number one by September !!”.
I thought the new Dallas was very engaging, kept me pretty glued to the tv , just like the old one did. Yes some characters are older, but there is a balance, with many new young characters for romantic interest and story entaglements.
Considering the age of the show, I like the storyline, and really enjoyed the 2 hr premier and will be back next week watching the next episode.
USA Today was too harsh. The critic must not have been around for the original so had no “feeling” for the way Dallas excited people. Oh well, I like it
I am 62 and I loved the new Dallas! I know, I know, I’m old, but I really can’t wait to see it again next Wednesday. Love JR! He does look older but just as evil as ever! However, every new show I like seems to be cancelled, so I hope I am not the kiss of death for Dallas.
I suppose we could be assaulted with another reality show, but enough. Let’s try for some scripted drama! Tine for a change.
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →