It’s been three decades since Dallas – the show about Southfork Ranch and the Ewing family who ran it – left our screens, but there’s still things you may not know about the TV phenomenon that was watched by more than 300 million people worldwide...
1 IT ORIGINALLY HAD A DIFFERENT NAME!
Creator David Jacobs wrote the story about Ewing Oil in 1977 and the TV executives who read it changed the name to Dallas because, well, “it sounded better than Houston”, he said. Back then, Dallas was known more for its banks while Houston was the city known for oil.
2 LARRY HAGMAN BASED JR EWING ON A REAL PERSON
Larry grew up in Texas, and as a young man did odd jobs for an oil baron with four sons. “When [the oil man] died, there was kind of a war to see who would take over the business and one of the sons won, and I modelled my character after that son,” he once said.
3 JR WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE THE LEAD CHARACTER
The star of the show was meant to be Pam Ewing, played by Victoria Principal. However, Larry’s portrayal of JR was so good – and so popular – that the producers made him the main character instead!
4 LINDA GRAY WAS ONCE FIRED...
Linda, who played Sue Ellen Ewing, actually had her contract terminated after she asked for a pay rise and for a chance to direct a couple of episodes.
5 ...BUT LARRY WENT TO BAT FOR HER
This story is from the September 27, 2021 edition of Woman's Day Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 27, 2021 edition of Woman's Day Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ANNA SAMSON 'MURDER'S ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME'
We hit the set of the sunny spin-off to Death In Paradise and meet the cast!
5 minutes With...ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH
His No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series has a new instalment
Rolling the DICE
Hobart's iconic Wrest Point Hotel Casino is looking better than ever
UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE
Quality of life is at the forefront of this approach
OUR TOWN'S A MOVIE STAR!
When Runt arrived in town, locals couldn't wait to play a part!
ANNA HEINRICH 'I LOVE BEING A GIRL MUM!'
The mum-of-two speaks with affection about her daughters
KEITH TELLS NICOLE I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT LEADING MAN!'
He's sick of playing second fiddle to a string of hunky co-stars
GUY TAKES A STAND 'I WANT JESS BACK!
The Voice Australia gets an ultimatum from its number-one coach Guy Sebastian
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!
ED SHEERAN'S SHOCK FAMILY FEUD
He's often seen as one of the nicest guys in music, but Ed Sheeran's cousin has exposed their secret feud - and claimed that Ed has even made legal threats against him!
