Why Was There No In Memoriam Larry Hagman Tribute During The 65th Emmy Awards Telecast?

I made it through a few minutes past the 90 minute mark of Sunday's 65th Annual Emmy Awards telecast.

I usually find Neil Patrick Harris to be amusing when he is in host mode. But, last night, not so much. The middle of the show, at the 90 minute mark dance production number's finish, is when I hit the TV off button.

I did not know til this morning that Larry Hagman did not get a featured "In Memoriam" tribute.  I saw the Jean Stapleton, Jonathon Winters and Cory Monteith tributes.

Even before learning of the Larry Hagman snub/flub I was sort of appalled that Cory Monteith was featured, what with him being on TV a very short time, as in his big break came in only 2009, in Glee. Cory Monteith did not have a long, storied career. He was an addict who died from an alcohol/heroin overdose.

Meanwhile, Larry Hagman was a TV giant. One of TV's all time most popular stars. Larry Hagman was already well known and well like after 5 seasons with his first hit, I Dream of Jeannie. Followed, about a decade later, with one of the most popular, worldwide, TV shows of all time.

Dallas.

Larry Hagman's character on Dallas, J.R. Ewing, may be the most well know fictional TV character of all time.

Dallas was the #1 show in America for years. Dallas was the #1 show worldwide for much of its run.

The "Who Shot J.R.?" Dallas episode got one of the highest ratings of all time.

And then, in this century, Larry Hagman came back to TV, on TNT, in a well-received re-boot of Dallas, where both Larry Hagman and J.R. Ewing died in the re-booted Dallas second season, which was in this year's Emmy season.

And yet no mention made of Larry Hagman at Sunday night's Emmy telecast.

Appalling.

Larry Hagman should have been nominated for an Emmy this year. In addition to an "In Memoriam" tribute.

The World Is Not Dying To Know Who Killed J.R. Ewing

I put off watching J.R. Ewing's Monday night Dallas funeral til Friday night.

I have opined previously that the re-boot of Dallas has been so much better than I thought it might be. I am still of that opinion.

But, something about Larry Hagman dying 7 episodes into filming the second season of the Dallas re-boot caused me to put off viewing each week's new episode til later. Why I was doing this,  I am not sure, but I think a lot of viewers were of a similar mind, because the ratings have been down.

I was really impressed with how well the J.R. funeral episode, titled "J.R.'s Masterpiece," was done. Classic Dallas, and then some.

And the acting by Sue Ellen and Bobby, I mean, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy really should get them Emmy nominations.

I can not remember another instance where the actor playing a character as well known and popular as J.R. Ewing died, causing the plotting for the show to change.

Whoever it is who is creating the plot for Dallas did a seamless job with the "J.R.'s Masterpiece" episode ending with multiple mysteries, all engineered by J.R.

When the "Who Shot J.R.?" phenomenon hit American and the rest of the world in 1980 I was not then a Dallas watcher. Over the summer of 1980 I watched the re-runs, so by the time J.R. got shot in the re-run, I was on board with the rest of the world wondering who shot J.R.

I believe the "Who Shot J.R.?" phenomenon remains at the top of TVs most memorable moments.

The "J.R.'s Masterpiece" episode ended with the question "Who Killed J.R.?" This time the question has not caused a reaction of the sort that happened back in 1980.

The town in Texas that claims Larry Hagman as their hometown boy is going to erect a statue to his memory. That town is Weatherford. Weatherford already has a statue of Larry Hagman's mother, Mary Martin.

Even though it goes without saying it, I'll say it anyway. Dallas will not be the same without J.R. Ewing.

Dallas Premiere #1 With J.R. & The Ewings on Facebook

TNT seems to be working every possible angle to make Dallas something that has never happened before. That being a TV show becoming a Big Hit, again, decades after being cancelled.

The Dallas premiere had almost 7 million viewers, making it the #1 scripted series on cable so far this year.

Judging from the positive reaction that I've been reading on various Internet forums and talking to people, I suspect the ratings for Dallas, next week, will take a big jump.

At some point during the 2 hour premiere, it was suggested to J.R. that he use email to get his questions answered. J.R. replied something like "Old fogies, like me don't do email."

J.R. may not do email, but he does do Facebook. Well, more accurately, Dallas is on Facebook. With J.R. commenting.

The TNT Dallas website is also very well done.

Dallas Returns In Surprisingly Good Form On TNT

Last night I watched Dallas on TNT expecting to find it un-watchably bad. So, I set the DVR to only record the first episode, not the whole series, not knowing at the time I was setting my DVR that the Dallas premiere was a two hour two episode deal.

By the time the first episode ended I was hooked on  Dallas 2012.

By the time the original Dallas went off the air the show had become embarrassingly bad, with the finale totally not worthy of a show that had been the #1 TV show in America and around the world for many years.

The old Dallas was filmed mostly on a Hollywood soundstage, with a few Texas location shots thrown in. The new Dallas appears to be filmed in North Texas, with the scenery actually looking like North Texas.

The quality of video has so greatly improved in the decades since the original Dallas left TV that the new Dallas appears to be a much higher quality production.

Southfork is now a sprawling monster of a ranch, with Bobby wanting to turn it into some sort of National Park with the help of some conservancy philanthropist, who unbeknownst to Bobby is actually in cahoots with J.R. who, it seems, Bobby thinks is no longer functioning in the thinking department. This is also what the viewers are led to think upon first seeing J.R., looking very old, sitting, eyes closed, seeming not aware Bobby is talking to him, living in some sort of rest home or funny farm.

And then later, when John Ross visits, suddenly the old J.R. wakes up, in full possession of his faculties. Still later we see J.R. vertical in full double-crossing scheming mode.

The writing for Dallas 2012 seems to be by people who actually watched the original Dallas back in its glory days and have managed to recreate the scheming steamy soap opera in all its glory.

Aging is a reality that takes its toll on all of us, should we be so lucky as to grow old. Seeing J.R., Bobby, Lucy, Ray Krebs and Sue Ellen, decades later, was like some sort of reunion. The years have treated Sue Ellen well. There was a short mention of Sue Ellen now either being the governor of Texas or running for governor.

John Ross at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium 50 Yard Line

The strangest example of using actual North Texas locations was at the end of the first episode when we see a pair of legs wearing cowboy boots and another pair of legs wearing high heels, walking to a showdown on the 50 yard line of the Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington.

The legs belonged to John Ross and the lady J.R. is scheming with to trick Bobby regarding the Southfork conservancy. In Cowboy Stadium we learn that John Ross has been doing some double-dealing scheming of his own.

Having this meeting in Dallas Cowboy Stadium may have looked sort of cool, but it was a bit goofy. Something that has always been part of the charm of Dallas.

It is going to be interesting to see the Nielsen ratings for last night's Dallas premiere. Did millions of viewers of the old Dallas, like me, tune in to check it out, to find themselves pleasantly surprised?

Dallas 2012 is being aired all over the world. Is the Dallas phenomenon going to spark, world-wide, again? All the elements seem to be there that made the original such a lowbrow super hit..

Dallas Returns June 13 on TNT

I saw this poster for the upcoming re-boot of the CBS classic, Dallas, last night.

At first I was perplexed as to why everyone was in a shower and the reference to "dreaming."

Then I remembered the infamous Bobby in the shower and the previous season was all a dream, Dallas season, that brought Bobby Ewing back from the dead.

I hope the new Dallas is good. I'm not too optimistic. The Dallas series finale was a bad, bad thing. As have been any Dallas reunions.

If the pilot had been good I would have thought Dallas would be back on CBS.

Instead Dallas is coming back on TNT, premiering June 13.

I'll be watching.

If I can find TNT among the vast number of options on my television viewing device.

Summer of 2012 the Re-Boot of Dallas Arrives Along with J.R. Ewing

For years it seems there have been reports of a re-boot of Dallas. A few years ago there was a reunion show. Sue Ellen had held up well. Pam Ewing, not so well. Lucy Ewing had put on a lot of weight. J.R. Ewing had become elderly. Cliff Barnes looked very unhealthy. Bobby Ewing had aged well.

This coming summer the Dallas re-boot becomes a reality on TNT. Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray, Charlene Tilton and Steve Kenaly will be on the Dallas re-boot pilot.

That is J.R., Bobby, Sue Ellen, Lucy and Ray Krebs for those of you, like me, with bad memories.

TNT has ordered 10 episodes.

I'm assuming they won't be bringing back Pam Ewing from the dead. Although, with Dallas, there is some precedent for such things.

The original Dallas was filmed mostly in Hollywood. The new Dallas is being filmed, for the most part, in Dallas.

I have not come across Dallas being filmed. Yet. But I don't go to Dallas all that often. Sue Ellen needs to go vegetable shopping at the Dallas Farmers Market. I did not know of the existence of the Dallas Farmers Market when I moved to Dallas. I would have if it had been shown on the original Dallas.

J.R. and Bobby's kids are all grown up for the new Dallas. Someone named Josh Henderson plays John Ross. While Jesse Metcalfe is Bobby Ewing's adopted son, Christopher.

I may get Dallas a look when it arrives, if I can find TNT among all the channels AT & T U-Verse sends to me.

Top Chef Texas In Dallas, San Antonio & Austin Adding Judges Emeril Lagasse & Hugh Acheson

My favorite Reality TV hostess is coming to my town. That would be Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi coming to Dallas.

Top Chef Texas is taking place in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas.

BRAVO has yet to announce when this Fall that Top Chef Texas is going to premiere.

BRAVO has announced that famed restaurateur and celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse and fellow celebrity chef, Hugh Acheson, who rose to fan favorite fame on Top Chef Masters, will join Padma, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons as judges in Texas.

Hugh Acheson is known for his amusing commentary. And his signature uni-brow.

BRAVO's ads for Top Chef Texas are indicating that everything is Bigger in Texas. Living in Texas I can tell you that this is true. Including the people. Many Texans like to eat. A lot.

One of the ways Top Chef is being bigger in Texas is by having the competition taking place in 3 different cities. San Antonio and Austin are fairly close to each other, at about 80 miles between the two towns. Dallas is about 270 miles north of San Antonio.

That's a long time in the saddle for Padma to ride her horse from the Alamo to Big D.

Methinks Top Chef Texas is going to be very amusing and entertaining. With some Barbecue and Tex-Mex in the mix.

Amazing Race 13 Winner: Nick & Starr, But Where Is Dallas?

It was not much of a surprise to see the brother/sister team of Nick and Starr Spangler reach their final destination in the final destination city of Portland, Oregon in 1st place. Nick and Starr had a record-breaking Six 1st place finishes during the course of Amazing Race 13 on CBS.

Amazing Race 13 did not seem to visit as many locations as previous Amazing Races. They spent 2 episodes in New Delhi, India and 2 episodes in Moscow, Russia. I don't recollect Amazing Race spending that much time in single locations before. Previously it seemed like each episode you traveled somewhere new.

It was from the final Pitstop, in Moscow, that Nick and Starr learned they were to fly directly to their final destination city of Portland.

The 3 remaining teams all shared the same flight to Portland, so they started off even in the final leg. But the two Fat Frat Boys, Dan Honig and Andrew Lappitt, continued with their tendency to have bad luck and make mistakes. In particular they found themselves a very confused taxi driver. Dan and Andrew were soon hopelessly behind.

Which left it a race between Nick and Starr, who rarely, if ever, bickered, and frequently bickering Ken and Tina Greene, who hoped the race might help solve their relationship problems. Which apparently, despite the bickering, it did. When they came in second, Ken made for an awkward, weird reality TV moment when he pulled out wedding rings and suggested they start wearing them again.

The final challenges were very Pacific Northwesty, with the teams having to climb a tree and walk a log suspended high above the ground and zip-line from the Bridge of the Gods above the Columbia River. And find several locations in downtown Portland, including a green dinosaur by the Portland Building, which is a landmark Michael Graves designed building, which is one of the many reasons Portland is such a good-looking town.

When the Amazing Race ends, standing around the Final Mat, along with host Phil Koeghan, are the teams already eliminated from the race. The eliminated stay at an Elimination Station, til the race is over. This time the Elimination Station was in Acapulco, Mexico.

One odd thing, at the end of Amazing Race, was the absence Starr's budding boyfriend, Dallas and his mother, Toni Imbimbo. Where were the Imbimbo's? Were Dallas and Toni stuck in Moscow? Unable to leave Russia because Dallas left their passports and money in a cab? The missing Dallas and Toni was not mentioned by Phil. Which seemed odd.

In a totally indulgent local Texas note. I ended my subscription to my local paper last week, that being the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. In my other Blog I regularly made fun of 2 odd things this paper would do. One being saying over and over again that some lame thing in Fort Worth was the envy of towns far and wide. They used several variations of this type verbiage. The paper was particularly fond of saying something in Fort Worth made others Green with Envy. It always made me cringe.

The other cringe-inducing thing this paper repeatedly does is if there is any, ever so remote, connection to Fort Worth, or Texas, to anyone on a TV show or in the news, that important Fort Worth or Texas connection will be noted.

Though I cancelled the hard copy Star-Telegram, I still take a look at the online version. I'll copy and paste a little bit from this morning's Star-Telegram article about last night's Amazing Race...

"North Texans have had a good year on TV’s reality-competition shows, and that continued Sunday night as Fort Worth’s Starr Spangler and her New York-based brother Nick won this season of CBS’ The Amazing Race.

The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and her brother, an actor who has appeared in shows at Casa Mañana (a Fort Worth theater), beat 10 other teams to win $1 million in the round-the-world race.

The Spanglers’ win is one of several by North Texans in 2008. Fort Worth’s Joshua Allen won Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance; Arlington’s Melissa Lawson won NBC’s Nashville Star; and Dallas’ Iliza Shlesinger won NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Another Fort Worth contestant, Michelle Aguilar, is in the final four of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, which concludes this month."

Amazing Race 13 got good Nielson Ratings. Last week Amazing Race was the 13th top-rated TV show. Early on Amazing Race was often in danger of being cancelled due to bad ratings. Then winning the Best Reality Show Emmy Award year after year would save it. Now it would appear that good ratings will keep it on the air.

I used to have a friend with whom we both thought it would be fun to try out for Amazing Race. Way back in 2004 she decided she needed to lose weight before we could make an audition video. Since then she has nearly tripled in size. These days I think the only reality show she might qualify for is NBC's Biggest Loser. In more ways than one....

Dallas 30th Anniversary Southfork Ranch Chaos

I must be older than I realize. How can it be 30 years since Dallas became a TV phenomenon?

This past weekend people paid up to a $1000 to attend a Dallas anniversary event at Southfork Ranch. Which is not in Dallas, but is north of Dallas in a suburb called Parker.

Those buying a ticket were hoping to get to hobnob with Larry Hagman aka J.R. Ewing, Patrick Duffy aka Bobby Ewing and Linda Gray aka Sue Ellen Ewing, among others.

But disaster struck at the main event on Saturday, that being a barbecue and cast reunion. Hundreds of gatecrashers crashed past the gate you see in the photo. Security was lax. The event turned into a chaotic disaster.

Those responsible for the mess are trying to work out a way to reimburse those who paid for an event that didn't deliver.

It all sounds like a typical Ewing family barbecue. Those always turned into a chaotic disaster.