Dallas Chit Chat at the Paley Center!

Breaking News: The cast and crew of the new Dallas are getting together tomorrow to discuss all things scandalous! Since March 11th, is Larry Hagman Day, and it's also the day the series will officially say good by to J.R. Ewing, I think this Paley Center event will make for a great companion.  Make sure to bring your kleenex!

If you are like me, and don't live in LaLa Land, you can still watch the event via the live streaming link! So there's no excuse - throw on your favorite neckerchief and become part of the show! Panel begins at 1:50 Pacific Time. Be there or be square, yo!

Larry Hagman (1931 - 2012)

For 81 years, this planet rocked.

Now that Larry is gone, Earth has instantly become a lot less fun.

I am completely and utterly heartbroken by the passing of Larry Hagman, who died last week. He was a staple of my childhood, and an important figure of my life as an adult, when I re-discovered Dallas. As I tend to say, I'm always a little late to the game, and true to form, I did not really appreciate Dallas until the DVD releases. Around this time, my own life got a very dark and out of control. In those moments of total despair, I knew a Dallas episode would give me at least 45 minutes of respite. I became completely attached to the series, and I was fascinated by how Larry could make J.R. the most loveable jerk on television.

Larry was a phenomenal actor, and he came from a great background. His mother was Mary Martin, a highly respected theater actress and his father was a lawyer. According to IMDb, Mary was asked to replace Barbara Bel Geddes, when she originally left Dallas. Now, that would have been something!  Larry also got his start in theater, but began honing his soap opera chops on Search for Tomorrow and The Edge of Night in the 50s and 60s. He abandoned those roots just for awhile when he was cast as Major Nelson on the hit comedy series I Dream of Jeannie, which ran from 1965 - 1970. While I have always enjoyed Jeannie, I became obsessed with both Barbara Eden and Larry during the 70s when each one took a dramatic departure from their supernatural sitcom roles. Eden is a completely underrated actress, and anyone who visits my blog has seen me heap praise on her TV movie work. Likewise, Larry, who had a pretty amazing television career in his own right between Jeannie and Dallas, really rocked my world as J.R. Ewing, or as I like to call him, The Unloved Ewing. From the moment I laid eyes on his lovely but forever put-upon bride, Sue Ellen, I knew I was looking at television gold. Their relationship continues to fascinate me, and Larry and Linda Gray had some kind of fantastic chemistry. As we would all find out this week, when Linda released a statement about Larry's passing, they were best friends. It shows on screen and certainly off.

(I have already written oodles about my love of Dallas, so feel free to click on this link for more ten gallon hat madness!)

I'm not sure what else I can say about Larry except that I love him. I got a chance to meet both him and Linda Gray in 2010 at an autograph show. They were there with Barbara Eden, Bill Daily, Patrick Duffy and Charlene Tilton. As an unemployed full time student, I could only afford to get Linda and Larry's autograph, but I did get to see everyone in the room. Let me just say Patrick Duffy is one crazy handsome guy! Anyway, Larry walked by us while we were standing in line, and said hi to everyone. As he walked away I remarked that I couldn't believe how tall he was. Turns out he's not much bigger than my husband, but his larger than life persona just adds to his physical presence! He was feeling a little out of sorts, but had big, bright eyes and seemed eager to talk to us. It was a brief encounter, maybe just two minutes or so, but it's one that I will treasure forever. Linda and I actually got to have a mini-convo and she is the sweetest person. She held my friggin' hand!

Sorry, I don't mean to get off topic, but I've been thinking a lot about seeing Larry in person and how in those brief moments, I could see what a star he truly was. True to form, he lit up the new Dallas earlier this year. Not all actors get to resurrect a beloved role twice in life. The press went wild for the new series and all of the attention Larry got was more than well deserved, it was a right. He took a character that could have been simply loathsome and made him into one of the most complex villains the small screen ever saw.

By all accounts, he was kind and fun. He was married to the same woman for 58 years, no small feat in a business where people change partners as often as they change socks. He could make you laugh just as easily has he could make you hate him. He was a gift to fans of television. He was simply amazing.

My heart goes out to all of Larry's friends, his family and of course I share my grief with all of his fans. We will always love you Larry and of course, we will never forget you.

 

Dallas 2012: Hot Stuff!

The word is out: Dallas gets a big thumbs up! At least these two fans gave it the green light. I’d like to thank Caffeinated Joe and Chad for taking the time to put some thoughts to word doc for me. I, too, have seen the new Dallas, so I’ll throw in my two cents at the end, but seriously, these guys said everything I was thinking.

Enjoy!

Beware: Minor Spoilers




Caffeinated Joe: 

My wife, my kids and I recently watched the first two episodes of the new TNT Dallas. I have to say we loved it! My daughter is coming at this from the point of view of a newbie, she has never seen an episode of the original series. She loved it, she was scared of J.R. and she thought the theme was imposing and epic. Wow! And those reactions are from this new Dallas!

My wife and I watched the original show back in its heyday and were just as pleased with this new take. Bobby is the same old good guy we have always loved, trying to do the right thing by his family, even by his scoundrel of a brother. And J.R. is slowed down and not on top - right now at least - but you can see the dastardly glint in his eye. He does not like being played for the fool and John Ross and the fake Marta have both done that - look out! Good to see Sue Ellen, too, even if she didn't have too much to do. Hope she does in the future. Even great to see Ray and Lucy at the wedding, hope there are more visits from other past cast members in the future, especially Cliff Barnes and "his" company, Ewing Oil! (Amanda By Night note: You will definitely see Cliff!)

Christopher and John Ross are also characters we knew and loved in the old show, even if they are played by new actors. These recasts aren't jarring, since the previous actors in those roles were basically kids. We can accept that these two are what those kids grew up to be. Love how they mirror their fathers, even if they aren't consciously trying to do so. The young ladies are good as the romantic interests for the boys, even if they are both kind of model-pretty and similar. Interested to see what Rebecca and her brother are up to! Lastly, Ann is a great wife for Bobby. She is not a victim or a wallflower, but comes across as an equal to him, and also comes across as a great mistress of the manor, the role Miss Ellie played for years at Southfork.

Seeing the family at Southfork is also a big plus. This was the setting for so much of the drama, I truly hope Bobby has a change of heart and keeps the ranch in the Ewing family. So, obviously I am happy with the "remake/retake/continuation" of the Ewing saga. If the quality holds up like these two episodes, I am sure we are all in for another long ride with our favorite Texas family!




Chad Williamson: 

So many things to say about Dallas!!! I'll start with the opening. It doesn't have the wonderful "3 Panel" opening that used to start the show, but it does use the traditional theme song with cityscape views of Dallas. Interesting new opening, which I kind of liked, but I did wish that they had also done the "3 Panel" opening that I'm used to. (I was always disappointed as a kid if they hadn't used new photos/video clips in the opening credits of the first episode of the season!)

The older characters are all exactly what we remember. Honestly, it was like those actors just walked back into their roles. From JR's mischievous smile to Bobby's playful manner to Sue Ellen's amazing voice and beauty. If I'm waxing poetic, I apologize. It was just a treat to see them recreate these iconic roles. (Amanda By Night note: Sue Ellen is totally foxy, wax away!)

The new characters are all interesting too. I like both actors that are playing John Ross and Christopher. They're both good actors and easy on the eyes. The two new love interests, Elena and Rebecca, are equally talented, but I did have to warm up to them. I also really like Brenda Strong's performance of Anne Ewing. She's gorgeous and nice and you really see that the writers have made her the "perfect" match for Bobby, in spirit and love.

I won't ruin the plotlines because I hate it when people do that, but I will say that they wasted no time in starting the official "backstabbing" that made the show so much fun.

There were a couple of mentions to Pamela (which I thought was nice) and many reference to Miss Ellie. I hate it when shows don't recognize their heritage/past history. I love that the writers embraced the history of the show and didn't try to write a completely different version of what has happened in the past. I think they're smart for recognizing that fans of the original show expect a certain amount of history and mention of past events that have shaped who the characters are and where they've come from. Oh, and also, you'll see a couple of cameos from past characters. (Not enough of those, if you ask me!)

All in all, I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised by the effort that they've put into it.




Amanda By Night: What can I say? The fine folks at TNT made Dallas available through iTunes, and I got myself a season pass. I am pleased to support the show, but if anyone doesn’t want to pay but is still interested in seeing what the new Dallas may bring, the first episode is available for free. Who could say no to that?

I’m not sure what I was anticipating, but I think I had pretty high expectations. Dallas is not just a show I love, I treasure it because it’s given me a place to escape to when times have been tough. I love the dysfunctional antics at Southfork and look at the Ewings as part of my own crazy family. I thought I might be setting myself up for a big letdown, but what is life for if you can’t hope for something, right? So, I just went with it. I’m pleased to say, I was not disappointed one bit by the new show. Joe and Chad summed up most of it, but I’ll just say where I agree:

Ann is a fantastic match for Bobby. My favorite moment was when she pointed a rifle at an intruder’s head and promised him she never misses a target! She’s feisty, much in the same way Pam was, but is also unique enough I don’t feel like it’s Pam Part Deux. I also liked the two young female leads more than I thought I would. I thought Rebecca, played by Julie Gonzalo, is going to turn out to be a surprise, and the love triangle emerging with Jordanna Brewster’s character Elena and the two cousins, John Ross and Christopher (Josh Henderson and Jesse Metcalfe) is sure to be tasty. We’ve got class issues, romance problems, deception and mystery. It’s wonderful.

Speaking of the cousins, I just want to say I think John Ross is a fantastic character. Henderson is really working the part with a slight drawl and a whole lot of repressed anger. I also love that he’s forever agitated by his dad. In that respect, he’s completely relatable. Whenever he rolls his eyes at J.R., I have to smile. He doesn’t know what he’s in for, does he?

And of course, the original cast members are amazing. Larry Hagman is the obvious stand out. He lights up the room and hasn’t lost an ounce of dark charm. I agree that Sue Ellen was not utilized enough, and I too hope that changes. Bobby is still handsome and still naïve. I am glad these folks are back in my lives!

And I could go on and on. Time will tell if they can keep the balance of retro soap and contemporary drama, but they are definitely off to a great start!

Last Call at Southfork!

If you'd like to write a review of the new Dallas, please email me at amanda@madefortvmayhem.com by Wednesday morning at 10 AM (EST, preferably) so I can get it up by the evening. I have already received two wonderful responses, and as luck would have it, iTunes uploaded the first two episodes so I'm also going to chime in on what I thought.

And don't worry TVM fanatics, I'm going to be posting a new movie review either tonight or tomorrow. Thanks all for indulging my Dallas obsessions!

Help a Dallas Fan Out!

Tonight is the night, gang! I am soooooo excited for the new Dallas, I can't even begin to form the right words. But check this out: I don't have cable. Since I went back to school I learned the hard way that cable is a luxury. This makes me sad, but I know the new Dallas will eventually show up on my doorstep (hopefully via Hulu or iTunes).

However, my sadness will surely turn to gladness if you lucky cable subscribers would email me your thoughts on the show. It's easy: Email me at amanda@madefortvmayhem.com and let me know what you think of the new millennium's most dysfunctional family.

Your reviews can be big or small, positive or negative (although any unfavorable positions should be worded without the normal vitriol that is reserved for other sites/blogs), just be honest and please let me know what you liked or disliked, not just that you thought it was good/bad, por favor. I will cobble together the best parts and create a community driven review. And I will link to your site if you like, so please forward your url along with your thoughts.

I will live vicariously through you, and honestly, if I can't be there myself this is the best way I can  think of to enjoy Dallas 2012!



Who knew the end was just the beginning?
(ad courtesy of Vintage Toledo TV)

Dallas-o-Rama!

Dallas was more than just a television phenomena, it was also a merchandising goldmine. Everything from Who Shot J.R. (or the alternative, I Shot J.R.) tee shirts to jigsaw puzzles found their way into many a home during the run of the series. I’ve managed to acquire a little of this awesomeness myself, so I thought it would be fun to look at Dallas-mania as told through Spencer’s Gifts!





 I recently received a copy of the aptly titled book Dallas: The Official Biography of the Ewings by Laura Van Wormer What makes this book so interesting to me is that it takes a look at the characters as though they were real. I know there have been several novelizations, but this is just a fictional biography of the most dysfunctional southern family of all time (and that’s saying something!). My friend David Felter got me a copy of this for Christmas and indeed, receiving this gift was one of my more religious experiences. It’s a large paperback with tons of photos, and it takes you up to 1985, just missing the dream season by two years. Certainly that would have made the bio rather interesting! As it stands, it’s a fun page-turner and highly recommended for Dallas crazies!






As I mentioned, there were several novelizations released as well… A dozen came from a division of the Pioneers Communications Networks called Soaps and Serials, Inc. In an interview with the owner of Pioneer, Sid Seltzer explained that the books ran together in themes. The subplot or sub-theme of the previous book would carry over into the next one, and they used actual scripts for their stories. Soaps and Serials released many books, including a novelization of One Life to Live, which I found for $1 at a used bookstore last year! Yes, I’m bragging. Anyway, I also have one Dallas novelization titled Ardent Memories. I paid a little more for that one, but they are offered at reasonable prices on Amazon. Here is the list, in order:

Love Conquers Fear
Ardent Memories
Love’s Challenge
Power of Passion
Dangerous Desire
Double Dealing
Hostage Heart
This Cherished Land
Power Play
Winner Takes All
Reality Strikes
Shattered Dreams

The series starts with Season 2 and runs through that season alone. According to Ultimate Dallas (that site is must for Dallas fans, btw), Dell Publishing also released a book by Lee Raintree. One cover featured the cast and the other version did not. I need the cast version, like today!





And then there were the board games. I will just link to this site so you can see what there is. I have two of these games, but I’m not quite sure which ones… I need to unpack, no? My good friend Joanna from Christmas TV History gave me one of the two board games I own… Some people know me so well!

And let’s not forget the awesomeness of the Dallas Trading Cards. Released in 1981 by Donruss, they came seven to a pack (along with bubble gum!). As far as I know, I have the entire series (and thank you John from Kindertrauma for supplying me with a few of them!).





But perhaps of the most awesomest of things one could own in the world of Dallas memorabilia, I cannot think of anything cooler than the portrait of Jock Ewing, which hung proudly at Ewing Oil for so many years. The painting, which was owned by Larry Hagman, was recently auctioned for $39,680! It had only been expected to wrangle around $3,000, which just goes to show you how passionate we Dallas fanatics are!

The new series begins on Wednesday, June 13th at 9 PM EST. Come and catch the fever!

Dallas on the Family Feud

It was indeed a truly wonderful moment in TV when the cast of Dallas joined Richard Dawson, along with Eight is Enough (well, in this case five will do just fine) and the crazy crew at One Day at a Time for game show mayhem! The air date was Monday, October 8th, 1979 and several shows, including the ones mentioned and Benson (of man, I adore Benson!) all gathered to raise money for their favorite charities. The Dallas crew went with Charlene Tilton's charity, the Kennedy Child Study Center, located in St. Johns Hospital in Santa Monica.

This was the first time the cast of Dallas appeared on Family Feud and they took it all the way to the $10,000 grand prize! However, the highlight of the show happened when Richard Dawson said he thought he recognized Charlene and she told him a story about meeting him when she was seven. Apparently he offered her candy and a smile, and the dirty jokes flowed for the rest of the show! Charlene was only 19 during this taping and she seems both amused and slightly uncomfortable about the way the story unfolded in front of our sullied eyes. In short, it was awesomeness. Richard, of course, handled everything with just the right touch of humor and all in all, this is what we call great TV! Here are a bunch of images from the episode which available on The All Star Family Feud DVD!



Let's start The Family Feud!




   The crew are literally holding up JR!     However, the Eight is Enough cast look like they have problems of their own!       Here are the gorgeous Dallas contestants:      Don't fret guys, the Speed Round makes us all nervous!      The One Day at a Time cast hopes to botch J.R.'s grand success      Has Dawson finally stumped J.R.?      Nope! Even Mizz Romano had to give J.R. a hand!      Speed Round #2: Same actors, same success!       J.R. puts another notch on his belt! Only this time it's a good notch!  

Dallas: Premiere Air Date

Dallas 2012 is just around the corner. TNT officially set the release date for June 13th, 2012, and they're getting the whole shebang off the ground with a 2 hour episode, which I like to call a TV movie! I am very excited for this reboot. Word on the street has it that Sue Ellen is now running Ewing Oil. I'm sure she kept J.R.'s wet bar in its proper place.

Will you watch the new Dallas?

Dallas Remake is a Go!

It's true, you can't keep a good villain down!

TNT is picking up the Dallas Reboot, and the pilot is scheduled to air during the summer of 2012.

Why, oh why, do I have to wait until next summer?!? Oh well, I think things are looking good so I plan on sticking it out. The people behind this production seem pretty interested in honoring the show's original fans while creating a new battle between Christopher and John Ross. Granted, I wish these two guys looked old enough to run a big oil corporation, but I will not complain. I'm just too damn excited!

Here's a sneak peak:



(**goosebumps**)

Updates Galore!

Yes sir, I've got it all lined up for you!

You may have noticed a couple of changes here at Made for TV Mayhem. I’m currently revamping the site. I’ve changed my banner, and I’d like offer my deepest thanks and gratitude to Lance Vaughan at Kindertrauma for creating it! He also created the MFTVM Funhouse pic on the right. I owe him my life! Also, where would I be without Bert Convy? Such a heartbreaker, he is. I think it’s doubtful I’ll stick with a black and white background, but for now I think this site screams “television madness” and that’s exactly what I wanted!

I’d like to throw a big thank you to my friend Jason who got the news out that Born Innocent is coming to DVD from Hen’s Tooth Video in June! I couldn't find much out on the website but apparently you can only order through Amazon and a couple of other sources. I’m not sure how good Hen’s Tooth Video’s quality will be, but this is such a great, and slightly rare, TVM, it might be worth the coinage either way. They've also just released Gargoyles, which did have a DVD release some time ago but went out of print.

If you are going to be in Louisville, Kentucky from July 22nd – 24th, then you really must go to the Fright Night Film Fest con, where they are hosting the 1st ever Dark Night of the Scarecrow reunion! How absolutely incredible is that?!?

I’ve also posted links to the Movies About Girls podcast I participated in and you will find those links on the right. It’s a really fun show so check it out! (Psst: The Romy and Michelle one is my favorite!)

Before I bid you adieu, let me direct you to a ukulele player my friend Adla turned me onto. Seems he has a penchant for TV theme songs. Here is his rendition of Dallas:

Happy Birthday Dallas!

Yes, sir. My favorite night time soap turns 33 today! And I couldn't be happier! Maybe that's because TNT is reviving the series, and they are casting many of the original actors such as Larry Hagman and Linda Gray! No wonder I'm so excited! Last year I wrote a review of the pilot, called Digger's Daughter. And for anyone who wants to really get into the Dallas spirit, you can click on this link and check out my many articles on the awesomeness of 10 gallon hats!