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?
how can i get the first 8 programs i forgot that it started on wednesday night in june.i watched the show tonight 7-18-2012 and im just sick that i missed it from the beginning so please help me get caught up on the episoids thanks.
BONNIE » Only seven have aired so far. Check the TNT site or if your cable provider offers on-demand service.
This show is so low budget. If this was truly a cattle ranch with wealthy owners, they would not have cheap drapes, Ikea furniture, and low budget sets. The master bath that Bobby uses has Formica countertops! I thought these people were supposed to have money! There is little or no artwork on the walls. I have not even started on the new actors….tell John Ross to shave. He cannot grow enough facial hair to do it justice…. For that matter, no one on the show has good facial hair, but then they cannot act either. Fortunately you have some… Read more »
When the old theme song comes on —I just LOVE it. I wish they would also add it at the end of the show. Dallas is one of the two or three continuing saga’s that I have ever watched. I cannot begin to tell you how much joy this show brings me – again. I watched all of the first shows and will NOT miss one of this second go round either. Love the group old and new. Sure do miss Miss Elly and Jock tho.
The acting is great especially the young actors,.The one thing that will kill this show is the horrendous music throughout.The entrance music is still great.
I am 76 and have always been able to tell if a movie will or will not make it,(t.v.also) by the music that is played. Once u have changed it, welllll, watch what good things will happen
Good luck;
Lane
I love it that Dallas has returned. I loved the old Dallas and the new generation of Dallas. forget what the critics say. There is finally a program worth watching. T V today has no descent show, with all the reality shows and crap . Writers are doing a good job. Bring on more. Loved it.
The new Dallas kicks ass i watch it with my girlfriend every wed night keep it coming great series hey JR trim up those brows brother ……………..
Love it, old and new. Keep it going
I absolutely love the new series. John Ross Ewing III is the man.
LOVE IT, both the old & new.
Never missed the original , and I love this one.
i loved the show the first time around and never missed an episode so I couldn’t wait for the comeback. However, I found it impossible to watch after seeing JR. What the h–l?? Has anyone taken a look at him…..really looked?? It is physically distracting to look at those “eyebrows”!! Seriously, someone in makeup needs to tend to that forest above his eyes because it looks as though they have not been groomed since the show was on 14 years ago.
The new Dallas is so much fun! I really detest the PC Bobbie, Anne and Chrisopher…please put some sandpaper and 3-d into their characters. Love Hagmann, he is such fun to watch! Keep it coming.
I love the show and am sooo happy it is on. It’s so much fun to see JR back and some of the other cast members. I am loving it but sadly I am sniffing some “message-y” nonsense coming on. Like a Cain vs. Able ~green vs. the left’s favorite enemy big oil political righteousness. That would just not happen in the Ewing family. I guess they have been wussified. Would hate to see no balance of thought achieved on this and have it turn into another snooty, self righteous preachy series. That would be a turn off to JR… Read more »
I am in total agreement about the preachy PC. Get off the liberal hay wagon, and make these people the real salty, earthy and businessmen/women they need to be! I am so glad this is on and not another sickening reality show. Yippie! A night of fun tv.
I LOVE DALLAS! Thank you for bringing it back. I too would love to see Pam return and Knots Landing.
OMG…Thank goodness it will be returning. Now all we need is Pam to comeback and make havoc on the Ewing family…I smell success. Knots Landing anyone with Abby…who was on GCB on ABC that was cancelled. Was that a mareting ploy or what…hehehe
Anyway…as I have stated before…Dallas is campy and soapy…but most of all entertaining…isnt that what TV is about…entertaining us for 1 or more hours a night? mmmm