Prime-time at its finest hour....Hats off to "Dallas"!

raysond

For the 14 seasons that it ran on CBS-TV(1978-1992),"Dallas" was an American institution of television bliss. The show itself has stood the test of time and one of the longest-running prime time shows in the history of television. "Dallas" is second to shows that have been around longer,but it still holds its ground to classic shows like "Bonanza"(NBC,1959-1973),"Gunsmoke"(CBS,1955-1975),"Ozzie and Harriett"(ABC,1953-1966),"Lassie"(CBS,1954-1971),"Murder,She Wrote"(CBS,1981-1996),and "Knots Landing"(CBS,1979-1993) for longetivity. Only two other shows had match its longest streak,"The Simpsons",and the cop show "Law and Order" are on the same level as Dallas,but both are nearing their series completion.

Only "Gunsmoke",and "The Ed Sullivan Show",were on for over 20 years and these have been the longest-running shows ever to run on television.

Once the show unfolded every Friday night at 9pm eastern time on CBS-TV,you knew what to expect or what would be the unexpected. Viewers were glued to their sets to see what surprises would occur within the Ewing family. They were shocked to find out who J.R. would con,how Bobby would uphold the honor and tradition of the family name,and what would Sue Ellen do for another drink,and how far will Lucy(the baby of the family)go to find a love or end up in a turbulant relationship since she was always into something. Viewers were also introduced to new characters on the show that were involving in the scandals,backstabbing,and total bitchery that were inflicted in the goings on within the Ewing household.

The episode that everyone will remember will be the one where the question was answered,"Who Shot J.R.?",remains to this day one of the most watched shows in television history. They was always something going on within the show,with great characters,great stories,you knew this show was a prime time gem and a huge ratings winner for CBS. After the series when off the air,three TV-movies related to Dallas were featured including one where the origins of Jock Ewing were revealed and how he mastered an Texas Empire.

Its amazes me more that this show is not on anywhere these days,but it needs to be shown. Classic TV.

score /10

raysond 21 May 2003

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0157191/