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?
AWESOME!!! It was an amazing show. The writer’s were on their game. The dastardly J.R. comes “alive” after what seems to be a disappointing end to his reign as “the master of manipulation” when we find him at first, a mute in a retirement home. His son John Ross and his relationship prove that backstabbing will prevail in this once again golden age of television. Jelena is BRILLIANT. The acting was good and I am sure that as time passes will get even better (and more outrageous!!) Thank you TNT for doing it right…after all “blood may be thicker than… Read more »
I loved it………Can’t wait for next week……I use to watch the old series with my mother and now am watching the new one with my daughter we so love the show…..and the actors are all GREAT…….
I’m a fan of Dallas, I enjoyed the show last night and hope it stays..I was great seeing alot of the older group and still got it..Course JR is not going to change..Its was great..
I loved the new show also and I will watch and can’t wait for next week. I can not wait until next week. I loved the old series and I can see how the new series would attact new people. JR. Did not let me down!
My husband and I loved it. I hope it will continue!!! We are fans!!! Loved the new younger generation and loved Bobby. I thought it was just great!
I have high hopes for the new Dallas – we need it to succeed! Guess it’s too late to make suggestions, as the 10 episodes are already done, but I’ll definitely tune in for more.
Larry Hagman was fantastic and Patrick Duffy was never better. Linda Gray hasn’t lost any of her magnetism. Can’t wait to see Ken Kercheval next week.
It was great to see them again, no matter what happens in the future. Huge potential for great drama and humor. Loved John Ross and Elena. Good start and hope it keeps getting better.
Loved it — so many plots and questions — only criticisms: Interior of Southfork is terrible, where are the wonderful furnishings and the gorgeous kitchen? The Cattlemen’s Ball — awful visually — why not use old footage for the ball and just put in the current characters? And the wedding at Southfork, tacky, not up to the usual Southfork standards for an EVENT. Otherwise, keep it coming!
I LOVED IT WATCHED IT IN THE 70’S, 80’s and 90’s. IT’S BACK BETTER THAN EVER! HERE’S TO ANOTHER GREAT RUN!
I absolutely loved it….JR has not lost any of his devious scheming ways. It will be nice to see how he and his son will continue to try and one up each other. JR called it right when he said his son”was a chip off the old block” …….hilarious. He created this monster and now he has to fight it. Well done
I loved the new “Dallas” series! The writing was fantastic and the young actors are not only beautiful but talented. It was disturbing at first with J.R. in a nursing home but when he “came back” with that evil glint in his eye it was great! Can’t wait to watch next week!
I could not wait for the show to start last night, I love Bobby & JR, JR keep the good work up. Please do not Cancel the show (DALLAS) we love it.
Super fan of the original Dallas-love the new one as well, writers did a great job of bringing the old series into the new one. Really think it’s going to be a hit. Kudos to TNT for airing it.
Thanks for bringing Dallas back! My husband and I watched last night and loved it.Yes I will watch it again. Loved the new and the old cast GREAT JOB!!!!
Kathy
I was worried it would look like a reunion show; it wasn’t. It was really good. While watching I couldn’t help up think of all the shows it is better than that are currently on TV. I am so sick of watching “Friends” remakes or “Friends” as drama (Third Rock, CSI, Gray’s Anatomy, How I met you Mother). How nice to have a show with a different plot. It actually has men on it that aren’t stupid and some really smart women as well that aren’t constantly in man-hate mode. The men actually do something besides a) look at a… Read more »
I’m torn in my opinion of this new show. I sat back with no interruptions and watched with a clear head not trying to compare the acting. It was hard to do. Neither of the young male leads are good actors. Compared to Patrick Duffy and Larry Hagman, both of the youngsters paled in comparison to their older counterparts. It was very disappointing. And poor SueEllen….poor poor SueEllen. Still has the same voice, same style and same role. Yikes. The plot is old and worn out. But, the intro song and sights was exciting to watch while waiting in anticipation… Read more »