“Who Shot J.R.?” On November 21, 1980, every longtime viewer—and a host of intrigued newbies—would tune in to find out, a staggering worldwide audience of 350 million people invested in the fate of a ruthless, wealthy oil and cattle baron named J.R. Ewing. Forty-five years after its premiere in 1978, the influence of primetime drama Dallas lives on. In The Story of Dallas, we explore how the series created stars, pioneered the cliffhanger, and left its imprint on today’s prestige programs.
THE STORY OF DALLAS
WHY WE LOVE DALLAS • Family rivalries, deep passions, soaring triumphs, delicious revenge, a dastardly villain, and money, money, money: Dallas captured the excess of an age, turned its cast into household names, and began the era of must-see TV.
THE SEEDS OF SOUTHFORK • Creator David Jacobs had another show in mind before setting a new type of series in a major Texas city.
THE MAIN ATTRACTION • Throughout its run, Dallas welcomed more than 1,800 actors in a variety of roles. From guest stars to major players, Texas had never been busier, or so densely populated.
THE MUST-SEE MOMENTS • There’s a reason why 83 million Americans tuned in to find out “Who Done It?” But was it all — or at least the ninth season — just a dream? This is how Dallas pioneered the cliffhanger and offered some great television in between.
THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD • Simple, provocative, and extremely effective: When CBS asked, “Who shot J.R.?”not only did everyone want to find out, they would answer back with global admiration, leading to homages and parodies in equal measure.
THE SPINOFFS • The success of Dallas led to specials, movies, and Gary and Val anchoring Knots Landing, which lasted 14 seasons. In 2012, a new generation of Ewings stirred up Southfork in a Dallas revival.
THE INFLUENCE • Contemporary rival Dynasty may look the most like Dallas, but the themes and production values behind Dallas have provided the backbone for 21st century hits such as Succession and Yellowstone.
The Story of Dallas
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