View source for Dallas (TV series)

{{Short description|American television series}}
{{about|the series that ran from 1978 to 1991|the 2012–2014 series|Dallas (2012 TV series)|other uses|Dallas (disambiguation)#Television}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = DallasLogo.jpg
| caption              = Title card designed by [[Wayne Fitzgerald]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/wayne-fitzgerald-1930-2019-designed-title-sequences-for-the-graduate-and-the-godfather/ |title=Wayne Fitzgerald (1930–2019), designed title sequences for "The Graduate" and "The Godfather" |author=Linnea Crowther |date=2019-10-01 |publisher=Legacy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/wayne-fitzgerald-dead-dies-godfather-chinatown-1203354025/ |title=Prolific Title Designer Wayne Fitzgerald Dies at 89 |date=2019-09-30 |publisher=Variety }}</ref>
| runtime              = 47–50 minutes <!-- Runtimes do not count commercials -->
| creator              = [[David Jacobs (writer)|David Jacobs]]
| writer               = [[List of Dallas (1978 TV series) crew members#Writing staff|List of writers]]
| director             = [[List of Dallas (1978 TV series) crew members#Directorial staff|List of directors]]
| starring             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Barbara Bel Geddes]]
* [[Jim Davis (actor)|Jim Davis]]
* [[Patrick Duffy]]
* [[Larry Hagman]]
* [[Victoria Principal]]
* [[Charlene Tilton]]
* [[Linda Gray]]
* [[Steve Kanaly]]
* [[Ken Kercheval]]
* [[Susan Howard]]
* [[Howard Keel]]
* [[Priscilla Presley|Priscilla Beaulieu Presley]]
* [[Donna Reed]]
* [[Dack Rambo]]
* [[Sheree J. Wilson]]
* [[George Kennedy]]
* [[Cathy Podewell]]
* [[Kimberly Foster (actress)|Kimberly Foster]]
* [[Sasha Mitchell]]
* [[Lesley-Anne Down]]
* [[Barbara Stock]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = [[Jerrold Immel]]<ref>{{cite news |url= |title=The Mythmaking Power of the Dallas Theme |author=Patrick Michels |date=2008-11-25 |publisher=[[Dallas Observer]] }}</ref>
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 14
| num_episodes         = 357
| list_episodes        = List of Dallas (1978 TV series) episodes
| executive_producer   = {{plainlist|
* [[Philip Capice]] (seasons 1–9)
* [[Lee Rich]] (seasons 1–3)
* [[Leonard Katzman]] (season 10–14)
* [[Larry Hagman]] (seasons 12–14)
}}
| producer             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Leonard Katzman]] (seasons 1–8)
* James H. Brown (season 9)
* [[David Paulsen (producer)|David Paulsen]] (seasons 10–11)
* Howard Lakin (season 12)
* Cliff Fenneman (seasons 13–14)
}}
| company              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Lorimar Productions]] (seasons 1–9)
* [[Lorimar-Telepictures]] (seasons 10–11)
* [[Lorimar Television]] (seasons 12–14)
}}
| network              = [[CBS]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1978|4|2}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|1991|5|3}}
| related              = {{Plain list|
* ''[[Dallas: The Early Years]]''
* ''[[Dallas: J.R. Returns]]''
* ''[[Dallas: War of the Ewings]]''
* ''[[Dallas (2012 TV series)|Dallas]]'' (2012 series)
* ''[[Knots Landing]]''
}} 
}}

'''''Dallas''''' is an American [[prime time]] [[soap opera]] that aired on [[CBS]] from April 2, 1978, to May 3, 1991. The series revolved around an affluent and feuding [[Texas]] family, the [[Ewing family (Dallas)|Ewings]], who owned the independent oil company [[Ewing family (Dallas)#Ewing Oil|Ewing Oil]] and the cattle-ranching land of [[Southfork Ranch|Southfork]]. The series originally focused on the marriage of [[Bobby Ewing]] and [[Pam Ewing]], whose families were sworn enemies. As the series progressed, Bobby's elder brother, oil tycoon [[J. R. Ewing]], became the show's [[List of breakout characters|breakout character]], whose schemes and dirty business became the show's trademark.<ref name="NYTimes19900415">{{cite news |last=Jacobs |first=David |title=TV VIEW; When the Rich And the Powerful Were Riding High |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/15/arts/tv-view-when-the-rich-and-the-powerful-were-riding-high.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 15, 1990 |access-date=August 31, 2010}}</ref> When the show ended on May 3, 1991, J. R. was the only character to have appeared in every episode.

The show was prominent for its [[cliffhanger]]s, including the "[[Who shot J.R.?]]" mystery. The 1980 episode "[[Who Done It (Dallas)|Who Done It]]" remains [[List of most watched television broadcasts in the United States#The highest-rated broadcasts of all time|the second-highest-rated primetime telecast ever]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Hyatt |first=Wesley |title=Television's Top 100 |url=https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/televisions-top-100/ |url-status=dead |publisher=McFarland |location=US |year=2012 |pages=169 |access-date=November 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326163815/http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-4891-3 |archive-date=March 26, 2011  |isbn=978-0-7864-4891-3}}</ref> The show also featured a "Dream Season", in which the entirety of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 9|season 9]] was revealed to have been a [[dream]] of Pamela Ewing. After 14 seasons, the [[series finale]] "[[Conundrum (Dallas)|Conundrum]]" aired in 1991.

The show had an [[ensemble cast]], with [[Larry Hagman]] as a greedy, scheming oil tycoon [[J. R. Ewing|J.R. Ewing]], stage/screen actress [[Barbara Bel Geddes]] as family matriarch [[Miss Ellie Ewing|Miss Ellie]] and [[Western (genre)|Western]] movie actor [[Jim Davis (actor)|Jim Davis]] as Ewing patriarch [[Jock Ewing|Jock]], his last role before his death in 1981. The series won four [[Emmy Award]]s, including a [[32nd Primetime Emmy Awards|1980]] [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series]] for Bel Geddes.

With its 357 episodes, ''Dallas'' remains one of [[List of longest-running scripted American primetime television series|the longest lasting full-hour prime time dramas in American TV history]]. ''Dallas'' also spawned a [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]] series, ''[[Knots Landing]]'', in 1979, which also lasted 14 seasons and a total of 344 episodes.

In 2007, ''Dallas'' was included in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's list of "100 Best TV Shows of All-Time".<ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1651341_1659192_1652529,00.html |title= The 100 Best TV Shows of All-Time |first= James |last= Poniewozik |author-link= James Poniewozik |magazine= [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date= March 4, 2010 |date= September 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002233122/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/completelist/0,,1651341,00.html |archive-date=October 2, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The series finale had a cliffhanger that was resolved in the first of two subsequent [[#Films/specials|reunion films]]: ''[[Dallas: J.R. Returns]]''. The second, ''[[Dallas: War of the Ewings]]'', aired in 1998.  This was followed by a retrospective special, ''[[Dallas Reunion: The Return to Southfork]]'', in 2004.

In 2010, [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]] announced it had ordered a [[Dallas (2012 TV series)|new, updated continuation of ''Dallas'']], ignoring the events of the two reunion films.<ref name="tvsquad.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/09/08/tnt-tbs-order-4-pilots-including-dallas-update/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl2%7Csec3_lnk3%7C169395 |title=Jordan, Chris. "TNT, TBS Order 4 Pilots, Including 'Dallas' Update" ''TV Squad''; September 8, 2010 |access-date=September 10, 2010 |archive-date=July 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705063109/http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/09/08/tnt-tbs-order-4-pilots-including-dallas-update/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl2%7Csec3_lnk3%7C169395 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The revival series, continuing the story of the Ewing family, premiered on TNT on June 13, 2012, and ran for three seasons, ending its run on September 22, 2014.

==Original premise==
''Dallas'' debuted on April 2, 1978, as a five-part [[miniseries]] on [[CBS]]. Although the miniseries was created as the series' [[Television pilot|pilot]], by the time it was aired, neither the producers nor the network were hopeful that it would continue beyond these five episodes and had no plans for expansion. It was shown in a late Sunday night time-slot, known for low ratings. However, the miniseries proved popular enough to be turned into a regular series and broadcast for 13 full seasons from September 23, 1978, to May 3, 1991. The five pilot episodes, originally considered a miniseries, are now referred to as [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 1|season 1]], making fourteen seasons in total.

The show is known for its portrayal of wealth, sex, intrigue, conflict and power struggles. Throughout the series, the main premise is the longtime rivalry between [[Ewing family (Dallas)|the Ewing]] and Barnes families, which came to a head when the Barnes daughter [[Pam Ewing|Pamela]] ([[Victoria Principal]]) eloped with the youngest Ewing son [[Bobby Ewing|Bobby]] ([[Patrick Duffy]]), in the first episode. The series is largely set in [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas, Texas]], and fictional Braddock County, where the Southfork Ranch is located.

[[File:SouthForkFront.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Southfork Ranch]], home of the Ewing family]]
The backstory was that, in the 1930s, [[wildcatter]] [[Jock Ewing|John Ross "Jock" Ewing]] ([[Jim Davis (actor)|Jim Davis]]) had allegedly cheated his one-time partner, [[Willard "Digger" Barnes]] ([[David Wayne]]/[[Keenan Wynn]]), out of his share of their company [[Ewing family (television)#Ewing Oil|Ewing Oil]], and married Digger's only love, [[Miss Ellie Ewing|Eleanor "Miss Ellie" Southworth]] ([[Barbara Bel Geddes]]/[[Donna Reed]]). In contrast to Jock, Miss Ellie came from a long line of ranchers with great love for the land and the cattle. Following their marriage, the Southworth family ranch, [[Southfork Ranch|Southfork]], became the Ewings' home, where Jock and Miss Ellie raised three sons: [[J. R. Ewing|J.R.]] ([[Larry Hagman]]), [[Gary Ewing|Gary]]  ([[David Ackroyd]]/[[Ted Shackelford]]) and [[Bobby Ewing|Bobby]] ([[Patrick Duffy]]).

J.R., unscrupulous and unhappily married to former [[Miss Texas]] beauty queen [[Sue Ellen Ewing|Sue Ellen Shepard]] ([[Linda Gray]]), was frequently at odds with Bobby, who had the morals and integrity that J.R. lacked. Middle son Gary was Miss Ellie's favorite as he displayed Southworth traits; however, Gary had conflicted with both Jock and J.R. since childhood and was dismissed as a weak link. At 17, Gary secretly met and married 15-year-old waitress [[Valene Ewing|Valene Clements]] ([[Joan Van Ark]]), producing the first Ewing grandchild - petite and saucy [[Lucy Ewing|Lucy]] ([[Charlene Tilton]]) - before returning to Southfork to settle down. Although Jock warmed to Valene and supported Gary's fledgling family, J.R. pressured Gary into [[alcoholism]] by landing him with bad business deals that caused him to flee Southfork. With Gary gone, J.R. persecuted Valene until she left the ranch and the state, leaving Lucy to be raised by her grandparents.

During the first episodes of the series, teenage Lucy is seen sleeping with [[ranch foreman]] [[Ray Krebbs]] ([[Steve Kanaly]]). Later, in [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 4)|season 4]], Ray was revealed to be Jock's illegitimate son through an extramarital affair during [[World War II]]. Unhappy with his small, one-dimensional role, Kanaly had considered leaving the show; to add depth to the Ray character, Hagman suggested that the writers create a plot wherein Ray becomes half-brother to J.R., Gary, and Bobby, noting his resemblance to Davis. The episodes where Ray and his niece Lucy had a fling are, as Kanaly told [[Dinah Shore]] in an appearance on her show, "prayerfully forgotten, I hope".

Ray had previously engaged in a short fling with Pamela, but she left him and married Bobby, and the pilot episode begins with the two of them arriving at Southfork Ranch as newlyweds, shocking the entire family. J.R., who loathed the Barnes family, was not happy with Pam's living at Southfork, and constantly tried to undermine her marriage to Bobby. Meanwhile, Pam's brother [[Cliff Barnes|Cliff]] ([[Ken Kercheval]]), who had inherited Digger's hatred towards the Ewings, shared J.R.'s objections to the marriage and continued his father's quest to get revenge.

Most of the seasons ended with ratings-grabbing cliffhangers,<ref>{{cite news |last=Meisler |first=Andy |title=Television; When J.R. Was Shot The Cliffhanger Was Born |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/07/arts/television-when-j-r-was-shot-the-cliffhanger-was-born.html |work=The New York Times |date=May 7, 1995 |access-date=August 31, 2010}}</ref> the most notable being the [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 3)|season 3]] finale "[[A House Divided (Dallas)|A House Divided]]", which launched the landmark "[[Who shot J.R.?]]" storyline and was ranked No. 69 on ''[[TV Guide]]''{{'s}} list of "TV's Top 100 Episodes of All Time".<ref name=TVGuide100Episodes>{{cite news |title= TV's Top 100 Episodes of All Time |work= [[TV Guide]] |date= June 15, 2009 |pages= 34–49}}</ref> Other season finale cliffhangers include an unidentified female corpse in the Southfork swimming pool ([[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 4|season 4]]); a blazing house fire ([[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 6|season 6]]); Bobby's death ([[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 8|season 8]]) and subsequent resurrection ([[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 9|season 9]]); and J.R.'s apparent suicide ([[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 14|season 14]]).

==Cast and characters==
{{main|List of Dallas (1978 TV series) characters|List of Dallas (1978 TV series) cast members}}
{{see also|Ewing family (Dallas)}}

===Main cast===
[[File:DallasCast.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|The original Ewing family. From left to right: [[Ray Krebbs]], [[Bobby Ewing|Bobby]], [[Pam Ewing|Pamela]], [[Miss Ellie Ewing|Miss Ellie]], [[Jock Ewing|Jock]], [[Lucy Ewing|Lucy]], [[J. R. Ewing|J.R.]] and [[Sue Ellen Ewing|Sue Ellen]].]]
For the original five-episodes miniseries ([[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 1|season 1]]) six actors received star billing: [[Barbara Bel Geddes]] as matriarch [[Miss Ellie Ewing]], whose family were the original owners of Southfork; [[Jim Davis (actor)|Jim Davis]] as her husband [[Jock Ewing]], the founder of Ewing Oil and head of the Ewing family; [[Patrick Duffy]] as their youngest son, [[Bobby Ewing|Bobby]]; [[Victoria Principal]] as [[Pam Ewing|Pamela Barnes Ewing]], the daughter of the rival Barnes family whom Bobby brings home as his wife in the pilot episode; [[Larry Hagman]] as [[J. R. Ewing|J.R. Ewing]], the oldest son, who strongly objects to his new sister-in-law; and [[Charlene Tilton]] as [[Lucy Ewing|Lucy]], Bobby's, J.R.'s and Ray's teenage niece, who adores Bobby and Ray but resents J.R. for disposing of her parents in order for her to be raised by "true Ewings".

Not receiving top billing during season 1, although appearing in the majority of the episodes, were [[Linda Gray]] as [[Sue Ellen Ewing|Sue Ellen]], J.R.'s long-suffering, alcoholic wife; [[Steve Kanaly]] as Pam's ex-boyfriend [[Ray Krebbs]], a Southfork ranch hand who would later turn out to be Jock's illegitimate son; and [[Ken Kercheval]] as Pam's brother [[Cliff Barnes]], J.R.'s archrival. Gray and Kanaly were promoted to the regular cast as of the first episode of [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 2)|season 2]] and Kercheval as of the first episode of [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 3)|season 3]]. [[David Wayne]] received guest star billing as [[Willard "Digger" Barnes]].

Further on in the series, several new characters were added as the original actors departed the series:

For [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 5|season 5]], after guest starring since [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 2|season 2]], [[Susan Howard]] joined the main cast as [[Donna Culver Krebbs]], politician and widow of a former Texas governor, who becomes Ray's first wife and mother to his daughter Margaret.

[[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 8|Season 8]] saw [[Howard Keel]] promoted to the star cast after appearing since [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 4|season 4]] as wealthy, occasionally hot-tempered rancher [[Clayton Farlow]], Miss Ellie's husband following Jock's death, and of [[Priscilla Beaulieu Presley]] as Bobby's teenage sweetheart [[Jenna Wade]], who gives birth to Bobby's only biological child, Lucas, and eventually becomes Ray's second wife. Jenna had previously been played by [[Morgan Fairchild]] for a [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 2|season 2]] episode, and [[Francine Tacker]] for two episodes in [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 3|season 3]] before the role was permanently taken over by Presley in [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 7|season 7]]. [[Donna Reed]] also joined the main cast during [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 8|season 8]], temporarily portraying Miss Ellie until Barbara Bel Geddes returned in the following year.

[[Dack Rambo]], portraying wandering cousin [[Jack Ewing]], was promoted to regular status for [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 10|season 10]], after having appeared regularly since the end of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 8|season 8]]. However, he was written out of the show midway through the tenth season. Jack's sister Jamie Ewing ([[Jenilee Harrison]]) appeared in season 8. Jack's ex-wife [[April Stevens Ewing]], played by [[Sheree J. Wilson]], first appeared during seasons [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 10|10]] and [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 11|11]], before being promoted to a main character for [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 12|season 12]]. Originally a scheming character, April eventually became Bobby's second wife after his divorce from Pam.

[[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 13|Season 13]] saw several additions to the main cast: [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] winner [[George Kennedy]] as [[Carter McKay]], who buys Ray's ranch and eventually becomes the head of Ewing Oil rival WestStar; [[Cathy Podewell]] as the young and naïve [[Cally Harper Ewing]], J.R.'s second wife, whom he married to escape false [[rape]] charges; [[Sasha Mitchell]] as J.R.'s illegitimate firstborn son, [[James Beaumont (Dallas)|James Beaumont]]; [[Kimberly Foster (actress)|Kimberly Foster]] as April's devious sister [[Michelle Stevens]], who marries both James and Cliff Barnes; and finally [[Lesley-Anne Down]] as PR woman [[List of Dallas characters|Stephanie Rogers]]. While Kennedy and Podewell had appeared regularly throughout [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 12|season 12]], Mitchell, Foster and Down's characters were all new to the series when they joined the regular cast.

Finally, for [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 14|the 14th and final season]], after guest starring in the last episodes of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 13|season 13]], [[Barbara Stock]] joined the cast as Cliff's fiancée [[Liz Adams]].

===Supporting cast===
[[File:Dallas Barnes.jpg|right|thumb|The Barnes-Wentworth family. Clockwise from top right: [[Cliff Barnes]], [[Pam Ewing|Pamela Barnes Ewing]], [[Rebecca Barnes Wentworth]] and Katherine Wentworth.]]
During its 14-year run, ''Dallas'' saw several actors appearing in supporting roles. The most notable include:
* [[David Wayne]] (seasons 1–2) and [[Keenan Wynn]] (season 3) as [[Willard "Digger" Barnes]], alcoholic wildcatter father of Cliff, legal father of Pam and sworn enemy of Jock;
* [[Colleen Camp]] (season 2) and [[Mary Crosby]] (seasons 3–4 and 14) as Sue Ellen's scheming sister [[Kristin Shepard]], who has an affair with J.R. and is revealed to be the one who shot him in the "[[Who shot J.R.?]]" storyline;
* [[Jared Martin]] (seasons 3–6, 8–9, and 14) as Sue Ellen's cowboy lover and Clayton's adoptive son, Steven "Dusty" Farlow;
* [[William Smithers]] (seasons 4–5 and 8–12) as Jeremy Wendell, villainous WestStar Oil frontman who tries to conquer Ewing Oil;
* [[Leigh McCloskey]] (seasons 4–5, 8 and 12) as medical student Mitch Cooper, Lucy's on-off husband;
* [[Audrey Landers]] (seasons 4–8 and 12–13) as Mitch's sister [[Afton Cooper]], an aspiring singer and Cliff's longtime girlfriend;
* [[Priscilla Pointer]] (seasons 4–6) as Rebecca Barnes Wentworth, Pam and Cliff's estranged mother;
* [[Morgan Brittany]] (seasons 5–8 and 11) as Rebecca's daughter Katherine Wentworth, Pam and Cliff's psychotic half-sister who falls madly in love with Bobby;
* [[John Beck (actor)|John Beck]] (seasons 6–7 and 9) as Mark Graison, Pam's lover and eventual fiancé after her first divorce from Bobby;
* [[Miss USA]] winner [[Deborah Shelton]] (seasons 8–10) as model Mandy Winger, girlfriend of Cliff Barnes; longtime mistress of J.R.;
* [[Jenilee Harrison]] (seasons 8–10) as Jamie Ewing Barnes, Jack's sister who eventually enters into an ill-fated marriage with Cliff Barnes;
* [[Andrew Stevens]] (seasons 11–12) as Casey Denault, a young hustler who works for J.R., romancing Lucy and April in order to get to their money:
* [[Leigh Taylor-Young]] (seasons 11–12) as Kimberley Cryder, the wife of a WestStar oil executive that J.R. romances to further his business empire;
* [[Ian McShane]] (season 12) as Don Lockwood, an English film producer who becomes Sue Ellen's second husband;
* [[Gayle Hunnicutt]] (seasons 12–14) as Vanessa Beaumont, mother of James and J.R.'s sweetheart, later temporarily his fiancé.

Longtime child characters include J.R. and Sue Ellen's son [[John Ross Ewing III]] (portrayed for seasons 4–6 by Tyler Banks, and for seasons 7–14 by [[Omri Katz]]); Bobby and Pam's adopted son [[Christopher Ewing]] (portrayed by Eric Farlow for seasons 6–8, and by [[Joshua Harris (actor)|Joshua Harris]] for seasons 9–14), and Jenna's daughter Charlotte "Charlie" Wade ([[Shalane McCall]], seasons 7–11, also played by Laurie Lynn Myers for a season 2 episode).

Among the most frequently appearing business associates of the Ewing family are oil cartel members Jordan Lee ([[Don Starr]], seasons 2–14), Marilee Stone ([[Fern Fitzgerald]], seasons 2–13) and Andy Bradley ([[Paul Sorensen]], seasons 2–10); Jock's good friend Marvin "Punk" Anderson ([[Morgan Woodward]], seasons 4–11) and his wife Mavis ([[Alice Hirson]], seasons 6–7 and 10–11); and shady investment banker Vaughn Leland ([[Dennis Patrick]], seasons 3, 5, and 7–8). Other longtime Ewing acquaintances include Dallas PD detective Harry McSween, serving as J.R.'s source within police force ([[James Brown (actor)|James Brown]], seasons 2–12); family attorney Harv Smithfield ([[George O. Petrie]], seasons 3–14); and Donna's stepson, U.S. Senator Dave Culver ([[Tom Fuccello]], seasons 3–6, 8, 10–11, and 13–14).

Also appearing in many episodes are several background characters, including Bobby's secretaries Connie Brasher (portrayed by [[Donna Bullock (actress)|Donna Bullock]] in season 1, Ann Ford and Nancy Bleier in season 2, and [[Jeanna Michaels]] in seasons 2–4) and Phyllis Wapner ([[Deborah Tranelli]], seasons 4–14); J.R.'s secretaries Louella Caraway Lee ([[Meg Gallagher]], seasons 2–4) and Sly Lovegren ([[Deborah Rennard]], seasons 5–14); Cliff's secretary Jackie Dugan ([[Sherril Lynn Rettino]], seasons 2–5 and 7–14); Ewing Oil receptionist Kendall Chapman (Danone Simpson, seasons 6–14); Southfork maid Teresa (Roseanna Christiansen, seasons 6–14); and Oil Baron's Club staff Dora Mae (Pat Colbert, seasons 7–14), Cassie (Anne C. Lucas, seasons 5–10), and Debbie (Deborah Marie Taylor, seasons 11–14). Widely known supporting actor [[Tina Louise]] played J.R.'s secretary, Julie Grey, during the first two seasons before her character was killed off.

===Main cast departures===
By the end of the series, only three of the series' original characters (J.R., Bobby, and Cliff) were left in Dallas, the others having either died or left town.

Jock Ewing was the first main character to depart the series, as Jock died offscreen in a mysterious helicopter crash in South America, during [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 5|season 5]]. Actor [[Jim Davis (actor)|Jim Davis]], who played Jock, had died just after production had completed on [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 4|season 4]] in 1981.

Bobby Ewing's death in the [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 8|season 8]] finale, alongside his subsequent absence during the following season, was explained away at the beginning of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 10|season 10]] as having been dreamed by Pamela, thus erasing everything that had happened during [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 9|season 9]]. Patrick Duffy had left the series to pursue other opportunities, but due to declining ratings, he was convinced to return to the series by production company [[Lorimar Television|Lorimar]] as well as by series star Larry Hagman.<ref name="Dreamzone"/>

Jack Ewing left Dallas to continue his travels and get away from J.R., midway through [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 10|season 10]], and returned a final time for two episodes towards the end of the season. While there has been no official reason as to why actor Dack Rambo was written out of ''Dallas'', Rambo himself later stated that he believed the reasons to be his bisexuality or his conflicts with Larry Hagman, which Rambo said had particularly intensified during his last season on the show (season 10). Before ''Dallas'', Rambo and Hagman had worked together on ''[[Sword of Justice (TV series)|Sword of Justice]]'' in the late 1970s.<ref name="os911127">[https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1991/11/27/actors-pay-price-of-aids-stigma/ "Actors Pay Price Of Aids Stigma"]  ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]''; November 27, 1991</ref><ref name="people920511">[http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20112643,00.html Lipton, Michael A. "Dack Rambo's Brave New World"] ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]''; November 27, 1991</ref> Hagman later denied any involvement in Rambo's dismissal from ''Dallas''.<ref name="UltimateActors"/>

Pamela was severely burned after driving a car into an oil tanker, which then exploded into flames, in the [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 10|season 10]] finale in 1987. During [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 11|season 11]], Pam disappeared after her half-sister Katherine was seen around the hospital, with Pam seemingly leaving Bobby and Christopher due to her unwillingness to let them see her in such a physically disfigured fashion. While Victoria Principal never returned to ''Dallas'' again after the season 10 finale, [[Margaret Michaels]], a Principal look-alike, played Pam in the opening episode of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 12|season 12]]. Having undergone plastic surgery which explained the difference in her appearance, it was revealed that Pam was dying of a disease, though only she and her doctor knew about this. After this episode, Pam is never seen again. Unable to reach a salary agreement and having a desire to start her own business,<ref name="Curran">{{cite book|title=25 Years of Dallas|last=Curran|first=Barbara A.|date=2004|publisher=Virtualbookworm.com|isbn=1-58939-583-2|pages=250–251}}<!--|access-date=17 April 2015 --></ref> it was Principal's own decision not to return to the show after the season 10 finale.<ref name="wms870129">[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19870129&id=oew0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=DhQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6823,9304662 "Victoria Principal leaving 'Dallas'"] ''[[Wilmington Morning Star]]''; January 29, 1987</ref><ref name="hc870130">[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1987_438626/hagman-not-happy-that-victoria-principal-is-leavin.html "Hagman not happy that Victoria Principal is leaving 'Dallas'"], ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''; January 30, 1987</ref>

Budget cuts also meant other long term cast members were let go.<ref name="Curran"/> In addition to Pamela's departure, Ray and Donna divorced at the end of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 10|season 10]]. Donna moving to [[Washington, D.C.]], where she later married Senator Andrew Dowling (guest star [[Jim McMullan]]), with whom she raised Ray's daughter Margaret. Actress [[Susan Howard]] stated in 1987 that the producers had told her that her character had run its course.<ref name="hc870130"/><ref name="ultimatesusan"/> As [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 11|season 11]] ended, Ray sold his ranch to Carter McKay and left Dallas for Switzerland with Jenna and Lucas, Charlie having already moved there to attend a [[finishing school]].  Ray returned for five episodes in the early period of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 12|season 12]].

[[Lucy Ewing]], who had left with husband Mitch at the end of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 8|season 8]], returned to Southfork in the final episodes of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 11|season 11]], only to leave again two years later for Europe. On both occasions, [[Charlene Tilton]]'s axing was a decision made by the creative team, who had difficulties creating storylines for her.<ref name="UltimateActors">[http://www.ultimatedallas.com/news/database6.htm Ultimate Dallas: Actor Trivia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822092348/http://www.ultimatedallas.com/news/database6.htm |date=August 22, 2012 }}</ref>

Sue Ellen left in the [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 12|season 12 finale]], moving to [[London]] with her new husband, film director Don Lockwood (guest star [[Ian McShane]]). While Linda Gray was let go by the same budget cuts that ended Steve Kanaly's run on the show,<ref name="UltimateActors"/> Sue Ellen's exit has since been described by Gray as a mutual decision by her and [[Leonard Katzman]], agreeing that the character "had come more than full circle".<ref name="UltimateLinda">{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatedallas.com/dallasinterviews/lindainterview2.htm|title=Official Dallas website - exclusive dallas interview Linda Gray|author=David Massey - Goldlion|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628062445/http://www.ultimatedallas.com/dallasinterviews/lindainterview2.htm|archive-date=June 28, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Stephanie Rogers (Dallas)|Stephanie Rogers]] was let go as Cliff's PR representative at the end of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 13|season 13]], making actress [[Lesley-Anne Down]] the most short-lived member of the regular cast, appearing in 8 episodes and being on the opening title sequence in 13 episodes.

[[Barbara Bel Geddes]] had quadruple heart bypass surgery on March 15, 1983, just days after finishing her last scenes on [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 6|season 6]]. Bel Geddes then missed the first 11 episodes of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 7|season 7]], as she had a period of rest and recuperation following the surgery. After the season 7 finale, Bel Geddes left ''Dallas'' entirely after disagreements over her workload and salary in the period following her heart surgery. The role of Miss Ellie was then recast with [[Donna Reed]] for [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 8|season 8]], with Reed signing a 3-year contract.<ref name="People841119">[http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20089172,00.html "21 As Dallas's New Miss Ellie, Donna Reed Trades the Kitchen for a Home on the Range"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120205849/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20089172,00.html |date=November 20, 2012 }} ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''; November 19, 1984.</ref> Bel Geddes was asked to return for the start of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 9|season 9]], a request to which Bel Geddes agreed, resulting in a high-profile public relations debacle that left Reed infuriated and in litigation with the series producers, who eventually made Reed a $1 million out-of-court settlement. Reed died unexpectedly of pancreatic cancer a few months later, in January 1986.<ref name="lat860114">[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-14-mn-27829-story.html Times Wire Services: "Donna Reed, 64, Dies of Cancer at Her Home"] ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''; January 14, 1986</ref> Miss Ellie remained on the show until near the end of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 13|season 13]], when she and Clayton left Dallas, deciding to travel around Far East Asia before eventually settling in Europe near Ray and Jenna. Following her exit from ''Dallas'' in 1990, Bel Geddes retired from acting.

When [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 14|the 14th and final season]] of the series commenced, ten actors received regular cast status. Although half of them left the show prior to [[Conundrum (Dallas)|the series finale]], all of them remained billed in the series' opening sequence throughout the year. [[Clayton Farlow]] made four appearances, clearing up business that included deeding Southfork to Bobby; [[April Stevens Ewing]] died early on in the season, kidnapped on her honeymoon by Hillary Taylor (guest star [[Susan Lucci]]); [[Cally Harper Ewing]] left midway through the season to build a new life, with a new boyfriend and her and J.R.'s newborn son; Liz Adams broke her engagement to Cliff and left near the end of the season, and James Beaumont left the show a couple of episodes prior to the series finale, to start a new life on the east coast with his newly discovered toddler son Jimmy, and Jimmy's mother Debra Lynn (guest star [[Deborah Tucker]]).

As the series concluded, Carter McKay stayed put at WestStar, as powerful as ever; Michelle Stevens was left heartbroken and humiliated, alone in the ranch she had bought from McKay hoping to live there with James; Cliff Barnes was once and for all the sole owner of Ewing Oil, and Bobby Ewing, now owner of Southfork, was finally able to find closure after April's death. J.R., however, having lost both Ewing Oil and Southfork, as well as being abandoned by his sons, was at the end of his rope; the series ended with the unanswered question whether or not he killed himself.

==Production==
{{See also|List of Dallas (1978 TV series) crew members}}

===Seasons 1–8===
The 1956 film ''[[Giant (1956 film)|Giant]]'' is considered to be the inspiration for ''Dallas''. Both productions focus on the struggle between wealthy oilmen and cattlemen in Texas, in the mid to late 20th century. In addition, both productions have a lead character prominently referred to as "J.R."<ref>Gary M. Cramer, "'Giant': A giant book about a giant film", ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'', May 3, 2018.</ref>

Series creator [[David Jacobs (writer)|David Jacobs]]'s partner Michael Filerman suggested ''Dallas'' as the name for the show. Jacobs knew nothing about the city other than the [[Kennedy assassination]] and the [[Dallas Cowboys]]; only after visiting the state to prepare for filming did he realize that the show should be called ''[[Houston, Texas|Houston]]'' as the petroleum industry is much more important there, while Dallas has banking and insurance.<ref name="marshall201810">{{Cite magazine |last=Marshall |first=Max |date=September 19, 2018 |title='Dallas' at 40: The Inside Story Behind the Show That Changed Texas Forever |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/dallas-at-40-the-inside-story-behind-the-show-that-changed-texas-forever/ |magazine=[[Texas Monthly]] |language=en-US |access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref> He wrote the first and the final episode of the original five-part miniseries ([[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 1)|season 1]]), with the other three episodes being written by [[Arthur Bernard Lewis]], [[Camille Marchetta]] and Virginia Aldrige. While Aldrige did not return to the series again and Marchetta left during [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 4)|season 4]], Lewis grew to be one of ''Dallas's'' most influential writers.

[[Leonard Katzman]] had been a part of season 1 as producer, and during [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 2)|season 2]] his influence increased, as he began writing and directing episodes. Series creator David Jacobs left his day-to-day duties as executive story consultant at the end of season 2, in order to focus on the production of spin-off ''[[Knots Landing]]''. The executive producers of ''Dallas'' in the first 3 seasons were [[Philip Capice]] and [[Lee Rich]]. During the first 8 seasons of the show, ''Dallas''{{'}}s production team remained basically intact (the main exception being Rich's leaving after [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 3)|season 3]]). After Lee Rich's departure, Philip Capice served as the sole executive producer, Leonard Katzman as producer and showrunner, Cliff Fenneman as associate producer, and Arthur Bernard Lewis as [[story editor|executive story editor]]/supervising producer. And, although 25 writers contributed with scripts, the trio of Katzman, Lewis and [[David Paulsen (producer)|David Paulsen]] wrote nearly two-thirds of the episodes during these first eight seasons. Paulsen had joined the show during the [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 4)|season 4]] and was promoted to [[story editor]] for [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 6)|season 6]]. The trio wrote every episode but two during seasons [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 7)|7]] and [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 8)|8]].

===Season 9===
Creative conflicts between executive producer Philip Capice and producer Leonard Katzman led to Katzman leaving the show at the end of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 8|season 8]].<ref name="latimes880401">[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-04-01-ca-627-story.html Haithman, Diane. "The Baron of 'Dallas': Producer Reminisces on 10th Anniversary"] ''Los Angeles Times''; April 1, 1988</ref> Although Katzman was to continue writing for the show during [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 9)|season 9]] and also acted during this season as "creative consultant" (which meant he was sent copies of all scripts and asked to give his input), Capice decided to bring in a new production team: joining him and associate producer Cliff Fenneman were James H. Brown as producer and Peter Dunne as supervising producer/showrunner, executive story consultant Joel J. Feigenbaum, and story editors Hollace White and Stephanie Garman.

However, increased production costs<ref name="latimes880401"/> and the claim of decreased ratings (though the accuracy of this has been disputed)<ref name="Dreamzone">{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatedallas.com/episodeguide/dreamzonefaq.htm|title=Dallas TV series Dream season official dallas website|author=David Massey - Goldlion|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620055752/http://www.ultimatedallas.com/episodeguide/dreamzonefaq.htm|archive-date=June 20, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> caused production company [[Lorimar Television|Lorimar]] to persuade both Patrick Duffy and Leonard Katzman to return. As [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 9)|season 9]] came to a close, Katzman was on board to return as showrunner for the following season and the season finale saw [[Patrick Duffy]] inexplicably resurface on screen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatedallas.com/backstage/behind5.htm|title=Official Dallas website Bobby Ewing returns|author=David Massey - Goldlion|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524043841/http://www.ultimatedallas.com/backstage/behind5.htm|archive-date=May 24, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Season 10===
As of the [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 10|season 10]] premiere, there was another major overhaul of the crew, with Leonard Katzman not only returning to the production side of the show but also getting promoted to executive producer, reportedly on the condition that he would get "total authority" of the show,<ref name="latimes880401"/> while Philip Capice and most of the season 9 staff left the production. Alongside Katzman, David Paulsen was brought back as the show's new producer, while the position as supervising producer was offered to newcomer Calvin Clements Jr. and Cliff Fenneman remained associate producer. A new writing staff was hired to work alongside the producers, including Katzman's son Mitchell Wayne Katzman as story editor and Leah Markus as story consultant. Markus left after two years, while the others remained until the show's end.

Scriptwise, [[Patrick Duffy]]'s return was explained by having the entire [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 9|season 9]] being a dream of [[Victoria Principal]]'s character [[Pam Ewing|Pam]], effectively sweeping away the events occurring during the period in which Katzman's involvement with the show had been minimized.

Even the cast were affected by the production and political struggles. While [[Larry Hagman]] ([[J. R. Ewing|J.R.]]) reportedly supported Katzman, and had played a great part in bringing Duffy back, [[Susan Howard]] ([[Donna Culver Krebbs|Donna]]), who also had written the script for one of the [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 9|season 9]] episodes, had sided with Philip Capice, and was opposed to the idea of annulling the events of season 9. While she returned to write another episode for season 10, she left the show, both as a writer and as a cast member, at the end of the season.<ref name="ultimatesusan">{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatedallas.com/dallasinterviews/susan2.htm|title=Dallas Exclusive Interviews|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117013035/http://www.ultimatedallas.com/dallasinterviews/susan2.htm|archive-date=November 17, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="latimes880401"/>

===Seasons 11–14===
During the final four years of the show, Leonard Katzman remained showrunner, with series star [[Larry Hagman]] joining him as executive producer (beginning with [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 12|season 12]]) and [[Ken Horton]] as co-executive producer (as of [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 13|season 13]]).

Supervising producer Calvin Clements Jr. left the show after [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 10|season 10]], and was replaced for seasons [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 11|11]] and 12 by the returning Arthur Bernard Lewis, who remained a writer on the show until its end. Lewis was thus reuniting with Leonard Katzman and David Paulsen. However, Paulsen left ''Dallas'' at the end of the 11th season (to join rival soap '' [[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]''), and was replaced as the show's producer first by Howard Lakin for season 12, and then by longtime associate producer Cliff Fenneman for the final two years. Lakin spent seasons 13 and [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 14|14]] as supervising producer.

Mitchell Wayne Katzman was promoted to co-producer as of season 12, while Frank Katzman (the other son of Leonard Katzman) and John Rettino (Leonard Katzman's son-in-law), served as associate producers during seasons 13 and 14. Additionally, Katzman's PA Louella Lee Caraway was credited as executive coordinator for the final three seasons. The final major addition to the staff was [[Lisa Seidman]], who joined the show as executive story consultant for the final two seasons.

===Filming locations===
<!-- [[WP:NFCC]] violation: [[File:CloyceBoxRanch.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The [[Cloyce Box Ranch]], used as [[Southfork Ranch|Southfork]] for the original five episodes.]] -->
The pilot season was shot entirely [[Filming location|on location]] in [[Dallas|Dallas, Texas]], and at the [[Cloyce Box Ranch]] in [[Frisco, Texas]].<ref>[http://www.ultimatedallas.com/news/critic.htm Dallas Critic<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221101754/http://www.ultimatedallas.com/news/critic.htm |date=2014-02-21 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.friscostyle.com/2020/05/05/346451/box-ranch-a-legend-in-limbo | title=Box Ranch: A Legend in Limbo &#124; Frisco STYLE Magazine | date=January 22, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatedallas.com/episodeguide/southfork2.html|title=Official Dallas website - locations used in the tv series Dallas|first=David Massey -|last=Goldlion|website=www.ultimatedallas.com|access-date=1 February 2023|archive-date=September 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913011807/http://www.ultimatedallas.com/episodeguide/southfork2.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later, most interiors for the show were shot at the [[Sony Pictures Studios|MGM Studios]] in [[Culver City, California]] (which was purchased outright by [[Lorimar Television|Lorimar]] in 1986), with some exteriors being shot at the [[Southfork Ranch]] in [[Parker, Texas]], and other sections of Dallas. For [[Dallas (1978 TV series, season 13)|season 13]], rising production costs led to all filming being relocated to [[California]]. Typically the cast and crew would spend six to eight weeks filming on-location sequences in the Dallas area during the summer prior to the season, then film the remainder of the season in the Los Angeles area; fewer than half of the episodes in a given season had on-location sequences filmed in Dallas. MGM built a full-size replica of the Southfork Ranch backyard and pool on one of its soundstages, allowing for filming of "location" shots during the latter part of the season.

===Directors===
[[Leonard Katzman]] is the most prominent director on the show, having directed episodes of every season except seasons [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 1|1]], [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 9|9]] and [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 12|12]]. Next to Katzman, [[Michael Preece]], is responsible for having directed the most ''Dallas'' episodes, having joined the show during [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 4|season 4]] and remaining until the end. Of the two directors attached to the original miniseries, [[Robert Day (director)|Robert Day]] did not return for subsequent seasons, while [[Irving J. Moore]] remained on the show until [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 5|season 5]], and then returned for the final three.

Five of the series' stars also directed episodes: [[Larry Hagman]] ([[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 3|seasons 3]]-[[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 14|14]]), [[Patrick Duffy]] ([[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 4|seasons 4]]-[[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 8|8]] and [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 10|10]]-[[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 14|14]]), [[Linda Gray]] ([[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 9|seasons 9]]-[[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 12|12]]), [[Steve Kanaly]] ([[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 10|seasons 10]]-[[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 12|12]]) and [[Ken Kercheval]] ([[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 13|seasons 13]]-[[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 14|14]]).

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of Dallas (1978 TV series) episodes}}
{{:List of Dallas (1978 TV series) episodes}}
<!-- To edit the table in this section, you need to edit the "Series overview table" in List of Dallas (1978 TV series) episodes. -->

==Ratings==
''Dallas'' originally aired on Saturday nights when it debuted as a regular series. Within a month, the show was moved to Sunday nights, where it stayed until halfway through the season, when it took a Friday-night slot. ''Dallas'' remained on Fridays until the show ended in 1991, alternating between 9{{nbsp}}p.m. and 10{{nbsp}}p.m. airings.

The "[[Who Done It (Dallas)|Who Done It]]" episode of ''Dallas'' that revealed [[who shot J.R.?]], the famous 1980 [[cliffhanger]], received the highest domestic ratings at that point with over 90 million American viewers (representing more than 53% of the U.S. households and 76% of the American television audience for November 21, 1980) tuning in for the answer. The episode surpassed the ratings record of the final episode of ''[[The Fugitive (1963 TV series)|The Fugitive]]'', broadcast in August 1967, but the record of ''Dallas'' was broken only by the [[Goodbye, Farewell and Amen|last episode of ''M*A*S*H'']] in 1983, falling into the second internationally most watched American television episode, with nearly 360 million viewers in over 57 countries worldwide (by the year 1980) tuning in to see who shot J.R.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2006/nov/14/theatre.pantoseason|title=Patrick Duffy, Bobby Ewing in Dallas, talks to William Leith|author=William Leith|work=The Guardian|date=November 14, 2006 |access-date=April 20, 2015}}</ref>

Although the soap's audience had consistently declined since the "Who Done It" episode of 1980, the [[series finale]] of ''Dallas'', "[[Conundrum (Dallas)|Conundrum]]", garnered 33 million viewers and a 22 household rating from 9 to 11{{nbsp}}pm on May 3, 1991, becoming the country's 14th most watched television series finale. Its competition, ''Manhunter'' (on [[NBC]]), only drew a 9.8 rating.

=== Films/specials ===
Date / title / network / household rating / share / viewers / time
* November 15, 1996 / ''[[Dallas: J.R. Returns]]''  / CBS / 13.4 / 23 / 18.1  / 9–11{{nbsp}}pm (lead-in ''The Lion's Pride'' drew a 6.3 rating)
* April 24, 1998 / ''[[Dallas: War of the Ewings]]'' /  CBS / 7.8 / 14  (lead-in ''[[Candid Camera]]'' drew a 6.8 rating)
* November 7, 2004 / ''[[Dallas Reunion: The Return to Southfork]]'' /  CBS / 8.5 / 14 / 12.7 /  9:30–11:30{{nbsp}}pm

===Broadcast history===
====CBS====
* April 2–30, 1978: Sundays, 10:00{{nbsp}}pm ([[Eastern time zone|ET]]/[[Pacific Time Zone|PT]])/9:00{{nbsp}}pm ([[Central Time Zone|CT]]/[[Mountain Time Zone|MT]])
* September 23 – October 14, 1978: Saturdays, 10:00/9:00{{nbsp}}pm
* October 15, 1978 – January 14, 1979: Sundays, 10:00/9:00{{nbsp}}pm
* January 26, 1979 – November 27, 1981: Fridays, 10:00/9:00{{nbsp}}pm
* December 4, 1981 – March 16, 1990: Fridays, 9:00/8:00{{nbsp}}pm
* March 30 – December 21, 1990: Fridays, 10:00/9:00{{nbsp}}pm
* January 4 – May 3, 1991: Fridays, 9:00/8:00{{nbsp}}pm

====Syndication====
Beginning in fall 1984, ''Dallas'' was packaged for [[broadcast syndication|off-network syndication]] by Lorimar to local stations; among the stations to purchase the program initially was the Dallas-Fort Worth [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate, [[WFAA|WFAA-TV]]. Only the first 222 episodes (seasons 1 through 9) were part of the syndication package. However, ''Dallas'' did not achieve the same type of rating success in local markets as it did during its CBS primetime run.

During the 1990s, the show aired briefly on [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]] (from September 1992 to August 1993, again the first nine seasons only), followed by a run on [[Paramount Network|TNN]] beginning in the fall of 1996 (the first network to air all 357 episodes of the original series, but the episodes were heavily edited for time), and from 2003 to 2008 the entire run aired on the soap opera-themed cable network [[SoapNet]], uncut and unedited, as it was originally broadcast. On January 1, 2011, [[CMT (American TV channel)|CMT]] aired the show for one day, and prior to the premiere of the 2012 sequel, select episodes were shown on CMT and its website.

In 1981, [[Mediaset]], [[Silvio Berlusconi]]'s Italian media conglomerate, translated and serialized ''Dallas'' on Italian primetime, where it became popular throughout Italy. 
<ref name="berlusconi">{{cite web
 |title        = Citizen B: The Legacy of Silvio Berlusconi's TV Empire
 |publisher    = Indiewire
 |author       = 
 |date         = October 30, 2012
 |url          = https://www.indiewire.com/2012/10/citizen-b-the-legacy-of-silvio-berlusconis-tv-empire-43823/#!}}</ref> The series aired in Japan on [[TV Asahi]], but as of early 1982, its ratings were low and the series moved to a later timeslot (11pm on Thursdays, previously at 10pm).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lohr |first1=Steve |title='Dallas' Strikes No Oil on Japanese TV |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/10/arts/dallas-strikes-no-oil-on-japanese-tv.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 10, 1982}}</ref>

====Broadcasts in the United Kingdom====
In the UK, the rights to show ''Dallas'' had been bought by the [[BBC]] and it quickly became a ratings winner, drawing audiences of over 20 million. However, in 1985 the corporation refused to pay the $60,000 per-episode asking price for the ninth series. Whilst negotiating with the distributor to acquire the next season, their commercial rival, the ITV franchise holder [[Thames Television]] unexpectedly stepped in and met the price. The BBC reacted angrily to this development, pulling the current series mid-run, and threatening to broadcast the remaining episodes simultaneously with Thames Television's intended scheduling in November of that year. It caused a furore in the press and a question on the matter was even asked in [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]].<ref>{{cite news|title= TELEVISION; J.r. Would Be Proud Of British Tv's 'Dallas' Brawl |work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 5, 1985|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-04-05-ca-27408-story.html|access-date=January 26, 2019 | first=Howard | last=Rosenberg}}</ref> The BBC relented, and re-commenced their broadcasts of the current series on 27 March.<ref>''The Times'', P3, Dallas is back on BBC Next Month, February 19, 1985</ref> 

Ultimately, numerous other ITV franchises, in particular [[Granada Television]] and [[ITV Yorkshire|Yorkshire Television]],<ref>Thames TV head called to IBA after 'Dallas' deal P2, Date: January 18, 1985</ref> were not happy with the deal and thus complained to the regulatory [[Independent Broadcasting Authority]]. After a few months pressure from the IBA and other ITV franchise holders, Thames Television backed down on their plans and sold season nine back to the BBC, at a loss.<ref>{{cite news|title= Thames TV head leaves in dispute over Dallas |work= [[The Times]]|date=July 12, 1985| first=David | last=Hewson}}</ref> It took until January 1986 for the matter to be resolved.<ref>''The Times''. P3. Dallas to return in March. Thames Television will pay BBC £300K. January 15, 1986.</ref> ''Dallas'' continued to be broadcast on BBC1 until the end of the series' run in 1991.

==Cliffhangers==
''Dallas'' is notable for its [[cliffhanger]]s. Throughout the series' run, every season ended with some sort of cliffhanging ending designed to drive ratings up for the season premiere later in the year.

* '''Miniseries cliffhanger:''' Although this really was not a cliffhanger, the end of the fifth episode of the original ''Dallas'' miniseries saw [[J.R. Ewing|J.R.]] ([[Larry Hagman]]) go up to the loft of the barn to talk to [[Pam Ewing|Pam]] ([[Victoria Principal]]), who had gone up there to find her cousin Jimmy (James Canning), after [[Digger Barnes|Digger]] ([[David Wayne]]) had fallen off the wagon at the Ewing barbecue. J.R., intoxicated, tries to convince her to tell [[Bobby Ewing|Bobby]] ([[Patrick Duffy]]) not to leave the ranch. However, she does not want to be bothered, and, in trying to escape J.R., she falls from the loft, landing square on her stomach. Pam, who is pregnant, miscarries her unborn child. Later, [[Sue Ellen Ewing|Sue Ellen]] ([[Linda Gray]]) questions J.R. as to whether it was really an accident or did he mean for Pam to fall on purpose. J.R. says, "I did not." When Sue Ellen asks J.R. if he cares that Pam lost the baby, J.R. does not answer her, leaving it up to the viewer to decide.
* '''Season 2 cliffhanger:''' Sue Ellen's drinking problem has landed her in a sanitarium, where she is pregnant with a child she believes is [[Cliff Barnes|Cliff]]'s ([[Ken Kercheval]]). She escapes from the sanitarium, gets drunk, and then gets into a severe car accident, putting her life and the baby's life in danger. The doctors deliver the baby, named [[John Ross Ewing III]], but he is very small on delivery and is not out of the woods yet; nor is Sue Ellen, who, as the episode ends, is clinging to life. A distraught J.R. is watching his wife at the end of the episode in tears, saying that she has "just gotta live".
* '''[[A House Divided (Dallas)|Season 3 cliffhanger]]:''' J.R. has made so many people in Texas hate him with a passion: men he has cheated in business, women he has cheated in relationships, family members he has angered, and a [[List of Dallas characters#Marilee Stone|Marilee Stone]] ([[Fern Fitzgerald]]), whose husband committed suicide after a particularly disastrous business deal. After all this, somebody waits outside J.R.'s Ewing Oil office late at night, and when J.R. hears a noise, asks who it is and walks to the door, somebody shoots him twice in the abdomen. The cliffhanger to this episode leads to the now-famous "[[Who shot J.R.?]]" debates and speculation, and also speculation as to whether J.R. would actually survive the shooting or be killed off.
* '''Season 4 cliffhanger:''' Sue Ellen tries to sneak her son John Ross off Southfork, but is caught by J.R., who banishes her from the ranch. Pam later intercedes, taking John Ross to his mother while J.R. is away—throwing J.R. into a rage. [[Kristin Shepard|Kristin]] ([[Mary Crosby]]) returns demanding more money from J.R., who tells her it is not too late to prosecute her for shooting him. While heading to a late-night business meeting with Bobby, Cliff finds a brunette woman's body floating in the Southfork pool. He jumps into the pool to see who it is, and when he looks back up, J.R. is standing on the balcony over the pool. Believing J.R. is responsible, Cliff says to his rival, "She's dead. You bastard." The face of the body was not shown, leading to speculation over whether it was Sue Ellen, Pam, Kristin or someone else. This was the show's highest-rated season-ending episode.  
* '''Season 5 cliffhanger:''' Earlier in the season, Cliff had J.R. facing a financial mess, when J.R.'s plan to blackmail the Farlows into handing over John Ross, by stockpiling 5 million barrels of the Farlows' crude oil, backfired on J.R., when the market price of crude oil started to plummet. In order to stockpile the Farlows' crude oil, J.R. had taken out a $200,000,000 loan and used $50,000,000 worth of Ewing Oil assets as collateral. Cliff, along with [[List of Dallas characters#Jordan Lee|Jordan Lee]] ([[Don Starr]]), [[List of Dallas characters#Andy Bradley|Andy Bradley]] ([[Paul Sorensen]]) and [[List of Dallas characters#Wade Luce|Wade Luce]] (Robert Ackerman), then worked with [[List of Dallas characters#Vaughn Leland|Vaughn Leland]] ([[Dennis Patrick]]) in order to buy into the notes owed by J.R., and they planned to foreclose. With Cliff seemingly putting one over on J.R., [[Miss Ellie Ewing|Miss Ellie]] ([[Barbara Bel Geddes]]) bailed Ewing Oil out of this mess by agreeing to a deal with [[Clayton Farlow|Clayton]] ([[Howard Keel]]) that Clayton would pay the price that he would have paid at the time that the oil was stockpiled. By the season's end, J.R. and Cliff's situations had turned sharply in the opposite direction, as Sue Ellen, with whom Cliff had had an off-and-on relationship, decided to return to J.R., planning to marry him again. In addition, J.R. had set a trap for Cliff by making sure that a fake geological report would convince Cliff to invest millions of dollars in buying property on supposedly oil rich land which was actually bone dry. Cliff was then fired by his mother [[List of Dallas characters#Rebecca Barnes Wentworth|Rebecca Barnes Wentworth]] ([[Priscilla Pointer]]) from running Wentworth Tool & Die, due to Cliff's embezzlement of company funds. Cliff attempts suicide with an overdose of pills, and a guilt-ridden Sue Ellen rushes to his bedside as Cliff lies in a coma. J.R. tries to convince Sue Ellen that it was not anybody's fault but Cliff's for what happened, but Sue Ellen disagrees and says she does not know if she can remarry J.R. if Cliff dies. Cliff's life hangs in the balance as the season ends.
* '''Season 6 cliffhanger:''' Earlier in the season, Sue Ellen gets drunk after having seen J.R. in bed with [[List of Dallas characters#Holly Harwood|Holly Harwood]] ([[Lois Chiles]]). She gets into a car and [[Ray Krebbs]]' ([[Steve Kanaly]]) cousin [[List of Dallas characters#Mickey Trotter|Mickey Trotter]] ([[Timothy Patrick Murphy]]) tries to stop her and they are involved in an accident, in a car belonging to J.R., just outside Southfork. Sue Ellen emerges with nothing worse than bruises, but Mickey is paralyzed from the neck down and in a coma. In the final episode of the season, Ray finds out that the driver of the other car was [[List of Dallas characters#Walt Driscoll|Walt Driscoll]] ([[Ben Piazza]]), who helped J.R. in a previous scheme. He also learns that Driscoll deliberately caused the accident, thinking that J.R. was driving, as a means of revenge for being put in jail by J.R. earlier in the year. An angered Ray comes to Southfork late at night demanding answers from J.R., who was not expecting to see him. J.R. asks him what is going on and Ray says he is going to kill J.R. for what happened. J.R. throws a candle holder at Ray, which misses him and knocks over another candle holder with lit candles in it. As the two brawl, the candles ignite a fire and the smoke starts to creep into both John Ross and Sue Ellen's bedrooms as they sleep. Sue Ellen had been given a sedative by the doctor earlier in the day so she does not wake up. J.R. notices the fire and tries to break free of Ray, finally knocking him out with a telephone, and runs upstairs to try to save his wife and son. Ray recovers and runs after J.R. but is consumed by smoke and falls. J.R. is hit with a falling beam as he gets upstairs and both men are unconscious as Southfork burns.
* '''Season 7 cliffhanger:''' Reminiscent of the season three cliffhanger, a mysterious figure enters the Ewing Oil building late one night. Proceeding to J.R.'s office, the figure produces a gun and fires three shots into the back of J.R.'s chair in which somebody is sitting. As the victim falls out of the chair and to the ground, we see it is Bobby Ewing that has been shot.
* '''Season 8 cliffhanger:''' Bobby, who has been divorced from Pam for over a year and is now engaged to [[Jenna Wade]] ([[Priscilla Beaulieu Presley]]), decides that he wants to remarry his ex-wife instead, and Pam agrees. The next morning, as Bobby is leaving Pam's house, someone drives a car at high speed toward Pam. Bobby shoves her out of the way just before she is hit but cannot get out of the way of the car in time to save himself. We see that it is [[List of Dallas characters#Katherine Wentworth|Katherine]] ([[Morgan Brittany]]) who was driving the car, and that she was also killed when her car crashed after running over Bobby. Bobby is rushed to the hospital, where he later dies, with Pam, Jenna, J.R., Miss Ellie, Clayton, Ray and [[Donna Culver Krebbs|Donna]] ([[Susan Howard]]) at his bedside.
* '''Season 9 cliffhanger:''' Evil businesswoman [[List of Dallas characters#Angelica Nero|Angelica Nero]] ([[Barbara Carrera]]) intends to kill J.R. and his cousin [[Jack Ewing|Jack]] ([[Dack Rambo]]) for double crossing her, but J.R. has her apprehended by the police. Unfortunately, Angelica has already had a bomb attached to Jack's car, which explodes with [[List of Dallas characters#Jamie Ewing Barnes|Jamie]] ([[Jenilee Harrison]]) inside. After hearing this on the phone, J.R. runs out of his office to go to Jack's apartment. As he leaves the office, Sue Ellen arrives in the other elevator looking for him. As soon as she enters J.R.'s office, another bomb left by Angelica goes off, and the entire floor that houses Ewing Oil explodes, showering debris onto the street below. The scene then shifts to Pam in bed, the day after her marriage to [[List of Dallas characters#Mark Graison|Mark Graison]] ([[John Beck (actor)|John Beck]]). Pam wakes up to hear the shower running. Assuming it is Mark, she opens the shower door, only to find Bobby Ewing, alive and well. ''(In the Season Ten premiere, Bobby's death and all of Season Nine was revealed as a dream of Pam's).''
* '''Season 10 cliffhanger:''' The Ewings suffer a devastating loss as Ewing Oil is closed down by the US Justice Department as punishment for J.R.'s shady dealings which caused an international incident. Pam, on her way home to Bobby from the doctor's office after finding out she can finally conceive a baby, crashes into a fuel tanker, which then explodes.
* '''Season 11 cliffhanger:''' J.R. and [[List of Dallas characters#Nicholas Pearce|Nicholas Pearce]] ([[Jack Scalia]]), Sue Ellen's new boyfriend, fight in J.R.'s penthouse hotel suite. The fight ends up with both of them on the balcony, and Pearce falls over the balcony to his death. Shocked by what she has just seen, Sue Ellen then picks up a gun from the floor and shoots J.R. three times. She then picks up the phone and tells the police she would like to report a double murder.
* '''Season 12 cliffhanger:''' Sue Ellen prepares to leave Dallas for good, but with a final surprise for J.R.: with the help of her new boyfriend [[List of Dallas (1978 TV series) characters#Don Lockwood|Don Lockwood]] ([[Ian McShane]]), Sue Ellen has made a biographical motion picture about her marriages to J.R. (with actors portraying them and the other Ewings) and previews the film to him, leaving him shocked and horrified. Sue Ellen tells J.R. that she is leaving Dallas, but if he ever crosses her again in the future – or even if she wakes up on the wrong side of bed one morning – she will release the film and J.R. will be made "the laughing stock of Texas", before finally and triumphantly leaving.
* '''Season 13 cliffhanger:''' After deliberately committing himself into a sanitarium in order to persuade Clayton's sister, [[List of Dallas characters#Lady Jessica Montford|Jessica Montford]] ([[Alexis Smith]]), to sign over her voting majority in WestStar Oil, J.R.'s plan backfires when [[Cally Harper Ewing|Cally]] ([[Cathy Podewell]]) and [[James Beaumont (Dallas)|James]] ([[Sasha Mitchell]]) coerce him into signing a property waiver before they will allow him to be released. Once he does, James tears up J.R.'s release papers anyway leaving him trapped in the sanitarium with no means of escape.
* '''[[Conundrum (Dallas)|Season 14 cliffhanger]]:''' After finally losing Ewing Oil to Cliff Barnes, control of Southfork to Bobby, and being abandoned by his wife and children, a drunk and despondent J.R. begins walking around the ranch alone with a loaded gun wishing he had never been born. A gunshot is later fired in J.R.'s bedroom as Bobby returns to Southfork, and he rushes up to J.R.'s room and gasps, saying "Oh, my God!" as the series ends.

==Spin-offs, sequels and adaptations==

===''Knots Landing''===
{{main|Knots Landing}}
Prior to the premiere of ''Dallas'', Jacobs originated the idea for a drama series about four married couples in different stages of marriage, inspired by [[Ingmar Bergman]]'s ''[[Scenes from a Marriage]]''. However, CBS wanted a "saga-like" show, resulting in Jacobs creating ''Dallas''.<ref name="KnotsLanding">{{cite web|url=http://www.knotslanding.net/about/|title=About|work=Knots Landing|access-date=April 20, 2015}}</ref>{{r|marshall201810}} When the series proved to be a hit, CBS reconsidered Jacobs's original idea, which evolved into ''Dallas'' [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]] series  ''[[Knots Landing]]'', premiering in late 1979.

''Knots Landing'' followed the lives of Lucy's parents, Gary ([[Ted Shackelford]]) and Valene ([[Joan Van Ark]]), as they move to California to start a new life following the start of their second marriage in 1979. During the early seasons of ''Knots Landing'', several ''Dallas'' actors ([[Larry Hagman]], [[Patrick Duffy]], [[Charlene Tilton]], and [[Mary Crosby]]) made guest appearances in the new series, and Shackelford and Van Ark continued to make occasional appearances in ''Dallas''. In addition to this, some storylines crossed over, such as the reading of Jock Ewing's will, with events having an impact on characters in both shows.

The ongoing bond between the two series was eventually cut in 1986, as the tenth-season premiere of ''Dallas'' declared Bobby's death the previous year had been a dream. Bobby's death had had some influence on the ''Knots Landing'' storylines as well, with Gary grieving for his dead brother while Gary's wife [[Abby Ewing|Abby]] ([[Donna Mills]]), who had lost her brother [[Sid Fairgate|Sid]] ([[Don Murray (actor)|Don Murray]]) a few years earlier, consoled him. Abby and [[Greg Sumner]] ([[William Devane]]) then took advantage of Gary's grief and Gary's journey to Dallas for Bobby's funeral to gain politically at Empire Valley. Val also named her and Gary's son "Bobby" in memory of his late uncle. Unlike the ''Dallas'' producers, the ''Knots Landing'' producers were not prepared to reset their series, resulting in the producers cutting ties between the two shows. As a result, there were no further crossover episodes or storylines; Bobby's return was never addressed on ''Knots Landing'', nor was he mentioned again (on ''Dallas'', however, mentions of Gary increased, and archive footage of Joan Van Ark appeared in Season 12). However, Shackelford and Van Ark did reprise their roles for the ''Dallas'' series finale "[[Conundrum (Dallas)|Conundrum]]" in 1991, which showed what would have happened to their characters if J.R. had never existed.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

===Films and reunions===
A [[prequel]] story, ''[[Dallas: The Early Years]]'', was a [[television film|made-for-TV]] movie that first aired on March 23, 1986, on [[CBS]] during season 9 of the TV series. The film starred [[David Marshall Grant|David Grant]] as [[Willard "Digger" Barnes|Digger Barnes]], [[Dale Midkiff]] as [[Jock Ewing]], [[Molly Hagan]] as [[Miss Ellie Ewing|Miss Ellie Southworth Ewing]], [[David Wilson (actor)|David Wilson]] as Jason Ewing, and [[Hoyt Axton]] as Aaron Southworth, and was introduced by [[Larry Hagman]] in the role of [[J. R. Ewing|J.R. Ewing]]. Detailing the origins of the Barnes-Ewing feud and the creation of Ewing Oil, and covering a timespan from 1933 to 1951, the film was written by series creator [[David Jacobs (writer)|David Jacobs]].

There were also two made-for-TV reunion movies that aired on [[CBS]] several years after the series ended: ''[[Dallas: J.R. Returns]]'' (1996), which resolved the series finale cliffhanger; and the 20th anniversary movie ''[[Dallas: War of the Ewings]]'' (1998). Alongside returning series stars ([[Patrick Duffy]], [[Larry Hagman]], [[Linda Gray]], [[George Kennedy]], [[Ken Kercheval]] and [[Steve Kanaly]]), and recurring cast ([[Omri Katz]], [[Audrey Landers]], [[Deborah Rennard]] and [[George O. Petrie]]), the two telefilms also introduced new characters – including up-and-coming lawyer Anita Smithfield, played by [[Tracy Scoggins]]. The younger characters [[Christopher Ewing]], and Cliff and Afton's daughter [[Pamela Rebecca Barnes|Pamela Rebecca]] were recast with [[Chris Demetral]] and Deborah Kellner taking on the roles.

In November 2003, SOAPnet aired a ''Dallas'' reunion on ''[[Soap Talk]]'' to coincide with SOAPnet acquiring the rights to rerun Dallas episodes.  Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and Charlene Tilton all participated in the reunion, which included clips of past episodes. The SOAPnet Dallas reunion was included in the special features of Dallas Seasons 1 & 2 DVD set.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

On November 7, 2004, CBS aired a primetime TV special titled ''[[Dallas Reunion: The Return to Southfork]]'', in which the stars reminisced about their work on the series (by coincidence, actor [[Howard Keel]], who played [[Clayton Farlow]], had died earlier that same day).

On November 8, 2008, a ''Dallas'' 30th anniversary reunion was held at [[Southfork Ranch]] in [[Parker, Texas]], with original cast members [[Larry Hagman]], [[Patrick Duffy]], [[Linda Gray]], [[Ken Kercheval]], [[Steve Kanaly]] and [[Charlene Tilton]]; other cast members in attendance were [[Susan Howard]], [[Audrey Landers]], [[Mary Crosby]] and [[Sheree J. Wilson]]. The front and back lawn of the fictional Ewing family home played host to a massive barbecue filled with people from the Dallas area, across the U.S. and around the world (who paid as much as $1,000) to reminisce and celebrate the series, as well as meeting with cast members. During the festivities, Kercheval said he was shocked to see the continued support for the show 17 years after it last aired: "I don't understand it. The staying power. Who knew?" Linda Gray also fondly remembered her time on the show: "I think it was a special time. It was a time when there weren't a hundred million channels and the Internet and all of the other things that came to existence."{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

''A Dallas Retrospective: J.R. Ewing Bourbon Presents [[Linda Gray]] and [[Patrick Duffy]]'' one-night only event was held on March 23, 2017, at the [[AT&T Performing Arts Center]]'s [[Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House|Winspear Opera House]] in [[Dallas]], during which both Duffy and Gray reminisced about their careers and their time on ''Dallas''. It was sponsored by the nationally distributed J.R. Ewing Bourbon and moderated by ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'' columnist [[Robert Wilonsky]].<ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/life/people/2017/03/24/tv-ewings-linda-gray-patrick-duffy-get-standing-o-dallas Dallas News: "TV Ewings Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy get a standing O in Dallas"], retrieved March 26, 2017</ref>

On March 30–31, 2018, a 40th anniversary reunion was held at Southfork Ranch in Parker and the [[Longhorn Ballroom]] in Dallas, with cast members [[Patrick Duffy]], [[Linda Gray]], [[Charlene Tilton]] and [[Steve Kanaly]] attending the festivities. The celebrations included Southfork tours, a meet-and-greet with the cast, an array of ''Dallas'' memorabilia at the "Dallas Legends" exhibit and closing out with a party at the historic Longhorn Ballroom.<ref>[https://www.visitdallas.com/about/press-releases/2018/linda-gray-and-patrick-duffy-reunite-to-celebrate-40th-anniversary-of-the-dallas-tv-series.html Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy reunite to celebrate 40th anniversary of the ''Dallas'' TV series], retrieved April 1, 2018</ref>

In honor of the show's 45th anniversary, another reunion was held on June 13, 2023, at Oscar's in [[Palm Springs, California]] which was attended by [[Patrick Duffy]], [[Linda Gray]], [[Steve Kanaly]], [[Charlene Tilton]], [[Audrey Landers]] and [[Joan Van Ark]]. The cast talked about the ''Dallas'' years as well as their personal lives and careers since with [[CBS]] moderator Sandie Newton.<ref>[https://people.com/dallas-cast-reunites-palm-springs-photos-exclusive-7511720 The Stars of 'Dallas' Reunite 45 Years After the Show's Debut — See the Photos! (Exclusive)], retrieved June 22, 2023</ref>

===Revival series===
{{main|Dallas (2012 TV series)}}

In 2010, cable network [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]] announced they had ordered a [[television pilot|pilot]] for the continuation of the ''Dallas'' series. After viewing the completed pilot episode, TNT proceeded to order a full season of 10 episodes.

The new series, which premiered on June 13, 2012, focused primarily on John Ross and Christopher Ewing, the now-grown sons of J.R. and Bobby. Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray returned in full-time capacity, reprising their original roles. The series was produced by [[Warner Bros. Television|Warner Horizon Television]], a subsidiary of [[Warner Bros.]], which holds the rights to the ''Dallas'' franchise through its acquisition of [[Lorimar Television]] and is a sister company to TNT, both under the ownership of [[WarnerMedia|Time Warner]].

The new series is a continuation of the old series, with the story continuing after a 20-year break. It does not take the events of the 1990s TV movies ''[[Dallas: J.R. Returns]]'' or ''[[Dallas: War of the Ewings]]'' as canon. Instead we find the characters 20 years after the events of the Season 14 cliffhanger.<ref>Patrick Duffy, [http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/dallas.html "Dallas Round Up"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226073041/http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/dallas.html |date=December 26, 2015 }}, "Dallas Round Up", June 2012</ref> In an interview with UltimateDallas.com, writer/producer [[Cynthia Cidre]] was asked to describe the new ''Dallas''. She responded, "I tried to be really, really respectful of the original Dallas because it was really clear to me that the people who love Dallas are [like] [[Trekkie]]s, really committed to that show and I really did not understand that before, so I never wanted to violate anything that had happened in the past. On the other hand that was the past, twenty years had gone by, so at the same time I think we're properly balanced between the characters of Bobby Ewing, J.R. and Sue Ellen. I also have the new cast and it's John Ross and Christopher, the children of Bobby and J.R., and their love interests. Total respect and a balance of old and new."<ref>Colin Hunter, [http://ultimatedallas.com/cynthiacidre/ Interview with Cynthia Cidre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717031922/http://ultimatedallas.com/cynthiacidre/ |date=July 17, 2012 }}, "Official Dallas Website", 2011</ref>

In the show's second season, J.R. Ewing was killed off (following the death of actor Larry Hagman in November 2012), sparking another "who-done-it" storyline throughout the remainder of the season. Various cast members from the original series attended his onscreen funeral.

Despite initially strong numbers, ratings for the new ''Dallas'' declined over the three seasons that the show ran before TNT cancelled it in 2014.

===Books and other media===
During the series' heyday, several magazines, books and merchandise were produced:

*In 1980, a novel titled ''Dallas'' [[Dallas (1978 TV series) season 1|based on the original five-episode]] miniseries written by Lee Raintree was published by [[Dell Publishing]].
* In 1980–81, another three novels adapting the subsequent seasons – ''The Ewings of Dallas'', ''The Men of Dallas'' and ''The Women of Dallas'' – were all written by Burt Hirschfeld and published by [[Bantam Books]].
* In 1980,  ''The Dallas Family Album'' written by Robert Massello was published by [[Bantam Books]].
*In 1980, ''The Southworth Connection'' was an unofficial magazine story by Phoenix Publications detailing Brannigan Southworth's attempt to shoot J.R. Ewing.
*In 1980, ''[[Dallas (role-playing game)|Dallas: The Television Role-Playing Game]]'' was released by [[Simulations Publications, Inc.]] (SPI). 
*In 1981–84, the ''[[Los Angeles Times Syndicate]]'' produced a ''Dallas'' comic strip for newspapers, written by Jim Lawrence and illustrated by Ron Harris, Thomas Warkentin, Padraic Shigetani, Deryl Skelton, and others.
*In 1984, [[Datasoft]] released the [[video game]] ''[[The Dallas Quest]]'' for the [[TRS-80 Color Computer|Tandy Color Computer]] and [[Commodore 64]].
*In 1985, ''Who Killed Jock Ewing?'' by [[Robert Tine]] was published by Arrow as part of a major whodunnit competition that saw J.R., Bobby and Ray investigating their father's death.
*In 1985, ''Dallas: The Complete Ewing Family Saga'' by Laura Van Wormer was published by [[Doubleday (publisher)|Doubleday]].
*In 1986, ''The Complete Book of Dallas: Behind the Scenes at the World's Favorite Television Show'' by Suzy Kalter was published by [[Abrams Books|Harry N. Abrams]].
*In 1986–87, further ''Dallas'' novels were published by Pioneer Communications Network. There were 14 titles in the Soaps & Serials series: ''Love Conquers Fear'', ''Ardent Memories'', ''Love's Challenge'', ''The Power of Passion'', ''Dangerous Desire'', ''Double Dealing'', ''Hostage Heart'', ''This Cherished Land'', ''Power Play'', ''Winner Take All'', ''Reality Strikes'', ''Shattered Dreams'', ''A Cry in the Night'' and ''Family Secrets''.
*In 2004, ''25 Years of Dallas: The Complete Story of the World's Favorite Prime-Time Soap'' written by Barbara A. Curran was published by Cumberland House Publishing. It contains synopses for each season, extensive research into production and interviews with most of original cast, along with a foreword by [[Victoria Principal]] and an introduction by [[David Jacobs (writer)|David Jacobs]].

==Legacy==
{{main|Dallas (1978 TV series) in popular culture}}

===''Dallas'' and the Cold War===
''Dallas'' is alleged to have helped partially hasten the downfall of the communist regime in the [[Eastern Bloc]] country of Romania during the final years of the [[Cold War]]. Romanian President [[Nicolae Ceaușescu]] allowed airings of ''Dallas'', one of the few Western shows allowed to be aired in the Communist state during the 1980s. The belief that the show would be seen as [[anti-capitalistic]] backfired on the regime as Romanian citizens desired and sought the luxurious lifestyle of the American elite seen in the show, compared to the despotic situation in Romania at the time. Shortly after [[Trial and execution of Nicolae and Elena Ceaușescu|the execution of Ceaușescu and his wife]] on Christmas Day 1989, the pilot episode of ''Dallas'', which had been edited for a sex scene, was one of the first Western Shows aired on the newly liberated Romanian TV.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/25/AR2008042503103.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |title=How 'Dallas' Won the Cold War |date=April 27, 2008 |access-date=April 20, 2012}}</ref> The popularity of ''Dallas'' in Romania is the subject of the 2016 experimental documentary ''Hotel Dallas'', directed by artist duo Ungur & Huang and starring [[Patrick Duffy]], who plays a surreal double of the Bobby Ewing character.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Huang|first1=Sherng-Lee|title=Hotel Dallas|date=February 1, 2016|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5134976/|last2=Ungur|first2=Livia|access-date=June 9, 2016}}</ref>

Also in northern parts of [[Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic|Soviet-occupied Estonia]], ''Dallas'' became popular when shown on Finnish television, being watched illegally on modified Soviet television sets. In the [[communist]] [[Soviet Union]] thousands of people drove regularly to the northern tip of Estonia to pick up the series on Finnish TV. This was described in the 2009 documentary ''[[Disco and Atomic War]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holden |first1=Stephen |title=J. R. Ewing Shot Down Communism in Estonia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/12/movies/12disco.html |access-date=April 12, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=November 11, 2010}}</ref>

===Other===
In 2007, British comedian [[Justin Lee Collins]] went searching for all the stars of ''Dallas'' to bring them together for a reunion party. The show was broadcast on May 27, 2007, on UK television network [[Channel 4]] as part of the ''[[Bring Back...]]'' series. Amongst the cast, the participants were Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Ken Kercheval, Charlene Tilton, Susan Howard and Mary Crosby. In an interview in 2011 Charlene Tilton said that show was one of her and the cast's worst experiences ever.{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}

In March 2011, the [[Texas Theatre]] in Dallas began showing two episodes of ''Dallas'' on the big screen every Sunday; over 100 patrons, some in costume of their favorite characters, appeared at the free screenings every week. However, the screenings came to an abrupt end in May 2011 after Warner Bros. issued a cease-and-desist against the Texas Theatre for unauthorized showings, citing the fact that those that were involved in the show's production were not getting paid or benefiting from these screenings.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/mixmaster/2011/05/warner_bros_tells_texas_theatr.php |work=Dallas Observer |title=Warner Bros. Tells Texas Theatre to "Cease And Desist" Dallas Screenings. Now. |date=May 13, 2011 |access-date=April 1, 2012 |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113014625/http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/mixmaster/2011/05/warner_bros_tells_texas_theatr.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

J.R. Ewing's hat, a foremost symbol of the show's inherent "Americanness" that contributed to its hold over audiences on a global scale, is currently held in the [[Smithsonian Institution|Smithsonian's]] [[National Museum of American History]]'s collections.<ref name="NMAH"/> <!-- defined with transclusion of List of Dallas (1978 TV series) episodes -->

The series is mentioned in the lyrics of [[Sweden|Swedish]] pop band [[ABBA]]'s 1982 single "[[The Day Before You Came]]": "There's not, I think, a single episode of ''Dallas'' that I didn't see."<ref>{{cite book |last=Hawks |first=Tony |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JgUUSlBroOQC&q=%22the+day+before+you+came%22+abba&pg=PA1 |title=One Hit Wonderland |publisher=Ebury Press |year=2007 |isbn=9780091882105 |pages=136–7}}</ref>

Country singer [[Hank Williams Jr.]] had a hit with a song called "[[This Ain't Dallas]]" comparing his and his wife's life together with that of J.R. and Sue Ellen.{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}

The show's "[[Who shot J.R.?]]" storyline has been used in other drama series, including the [[BBC]]'s ''[[EastEnders]]'' with the "[[Who Shot Phil?]]" Mitchell storyline, and more recently{{when|date=November 2025}} with the "[[Who Killed Lucy Beale?]]" storyline.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

In 1995, the animated series ''[[The Simpsons]]'' also had a "[[Who Shot Mr. Burns?]]" storyline.

In 2013, ''[[TV Guide]]'' ranked ''Dallas'' at No. 47 on its list of the 60 Best Series of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/news/tv-guide-magazine-60-best-series-1074962/|title=TV Guide Magazine's 60 Best Series of All Time|work=TV Guide|date=December 23, 2013}}</ref>

Prior to ''Dallas'', both Patrick Duffy and Larry Hagman worked in the 1974 made-for-TV film ''[[Hurricane (1974 film)|Hurricane]]'' although they never appeared in the same scenes.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

An episode of the British satirical series "[[Spitting Image]]" showed a sketch entitled "Pallas" which parodied members of the Royal Family as if they were characters from ''Dallas''.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|id=0077000|title=Dallas}}
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226073041/http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/dallas.html|title=Official website|date=mdy}}

{{Dallas (TV series)}}
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