The Dal-List: 10 Reasons TNT Should Renew Dallas (Again) 

Between the Lines and Behind the Scenes of TNT's Dallas

We’ll find out who survived the Southfork fire when “Dallas’s” third season resumes on Monday, August 18, but there’s an even bigger cliffhanger afoot: Will TNT give the series a fourth season? To ensure the cable channel’s executives make the right decision, here are 10 reasons TNT should renew “Dallas” again.

10. “Dallas” is TNT’s most-watched show (right now). “Dallas’s” midseason cliffhanger episode clocked 2.1 million viewers on April 14, making it TNT’s most-watched regularly scheduled show last week. Only the cable channel’s NBA coverage performed better. One week earlier, “Dallas” finished first overall, besting basketball and the ever popular “Law & Order” reruns. TNT, surely you wouldn’t drop your top show at the moment!

9. “Dallas’s” ratings are growing. Yes, we all know “Dallas’s” numbers dipped this year, but they’re bouncing back. Since March 17, when the show hit a series low of 1.78 million viewers, “Dallas’s” audience on Mondays at 9 p.m. has grown 15 percent, with that cliffhanger episode hitting 2.1 million viewers. This means for the past five consecutive weeks, the show’s numbers went up.  This is what’s known as “momentum,” TNT.

8. “Dallas” is a DVR hit. Last season, roughly 800,000 DVR users recorded “Dallas” each Monday night and watched it within the next three days. This number has pretty much held steady this year, lifting “Dallas’s” Monday night average of 1.9 million viewers to 2.8 million viewers overall. This means “Dallas” has one of the most reliable DVR audiences in prime-time cable television. That’s nothing to skip over, TNT.

7. Adults love “Dallas.” This might be the most important number of all: “Dallas” is averaging 1.2 million adults between ages 25 and 54 (including DVR users). Why should you care? First, TNT targets 25-to-54-year-olds, so these are the viewers the channel cares about most. Second, last year, “Dallas” averaged 1.5 million 25-to-54-year-olds, so even though the show has declined overall, it’s held fairly steady with TNT’s favorite viewers.

6. “Dallas” is TNT’s biggest show on social media. “Dallas” has 1.6 million Facebook “likes” and 88,800 Twitter followers — more than any other TNT series. In fact, TNT’s biggest hit, “Major Crimes,” has only 488,000 Facebook likes and 12,500 Twitter followers. That’s right: “Dallas” is three times as big as “Major Crimes” on Facebook and

times as big on Twitter. Suck on that, “Major Crimes”! (Sorry, “Major Crimes.” Couldn’t resist.)

5. “Dallas” has buzz. “Dallas” raised a ruckus with that notorious three-way in the midseason cliffhanger, but the show has made its mark in other areas too. Entertainment Weekly went gaga over Judith Ryland’s coke-snorting scene, and on separate occasions, Judith and Sue Ellen each wound up near the center in EW’s weekly “Bullseye” feature. You know what show hasn’t hit EW’s “Bullseye” this year? “Major Crimes.” Just sayin’.

4. Metacritic loves “Dallas.” From a creative standpoint, “Dallas” has never been better, but don’t take my word for it: Users at Metacritic, the online review aggregator, currently give the show’s third season a score of 8.6 (out of 10), up from a 6.7 for Season 2 and a 7.3 for Season 1. This means “Dallas” outranks the current cycles of “Scandal” (7.4), “The Walking Dead” (7.4), “Downton Abbey” (7.3) and, yes, “Major Crimes” (5.5).

3. Two words: “Josh Henderson.” “Dallas” is blessed with one of the strongest acting ensembles on television, but this season, Henderson has emerged as first among equals. He’s delivering a remarkably complex performance, alternately making John Ross a source of scorn and sympathy. (Remind you of someone else we once knew?) Trust me: Henderson is going to be a big star someday. Hold on to him as long as you can, TNT.

2. Two more words: “Linda Gray.” As much as we love everyone on “Dallas” — and we adore them all! — Gray is special. Our admiration for her knows no limits. Dare I suggest she’s the main reason most of us watch, DVR, tweet and Facebook the show? No one does a better job evoking the old Hagman magic, and if there’s any justice in the world, TNT will renew “Dallas” and campaign like hell to get Gray the Emmy she deserves.

1. If you don’t renew “Dallas,” Bobby Ewing will be pissed. And take our word for it: You don’t want him mad at you. Just ask Ann.

Why do you think TNT should renew “Dallas”? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and read more

Filed Under: Dal-Lists, Opinion Tagged With: Brenda Strong, Emma Bell, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Mitch Pileggi, Patrick Duffy, TNT

« 9 Questions (and Answers) About Dallas’s Future

We’ve Got Lots of ‘Mama Drama,’ Tonight on #DallasChat »

Dallas TNT is not only the best show on tv with the best ensemble cast, as you pointed out, but it is also one of the most talked about shows on Twitter and Facebook, probably more so than any other tv show on the air right now. And, to me, Josh Henderson has totally and sucessfully learned from the best, Larry Hagman, on how to be a scoundrel and still evoke sympathy. Larry is very proud watching him from Heaven, I’m sure. And of course, Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray have each only gotten better and better over the years. You really feel for Bobby and Sue Ellen!

Honestly unless the show takes a sharp turn back to what it was I don’t care if it gets renewed. The female characters have all become weak sniveling messes. Pamela a clueless trophy wife who rails at Sue Ellen about being a weak drunk only to take pills. Like that’s totally different. And don’t get me started on Ann. She has become someone I don’t recognize. Apparently forgetting everything Harris ever did to her. Where is the woman who stood up to him to protect her family? And this portrayal of him as some mr nice guy is ridiculous. His whining that it’s all his mother’s fault is pathetic. He’s a grown ass man. Back to Sue Ellen. It’s the saddest thing of all to see her like this. I just don’t understand Cynthia Cidre at all.

I agree Sarah and Mary. Since when were Sue Ellen, Ann or Pamela weak women. Dallas writers have made them not to be able to handle anything. Totally out of character.

That’s exactly my thought. Bringing Sue Ellen to the bottle again is just so stupid. She’s been there already, we had this in the early Dallas days, now is just ridiculous to have and old woman doing this. And for what reason? Also the characters are changed so much during the seasons. Who’s the bad guy? Who’s the good one? A lot of disgusting scenes and from an interview I read recently, Cynthia said ” Pamela took pills just to vomit on both John Ross and Emma and make them not to ever have sex again”. This is really disgusting and lame. I am watching old episodes and I see just a look, or a smile, or a simple quote of the old cast, that would make you say: this is JR, this is Miss Ellie, this is Pam. Whatever they are trying to do now is not going to work. From my point of view the show should have ended with 2nd season.

So are we saying a decision on renewal needs to/will be made one way or another before the second half of the current season is ever broadcast?

Dan, it isn’t clear when a decision on renewal will be made. It could happen soon, or it could happen during or after the summer run. I figured I’d put this list out now, regardless.

Linda Gray is wonderful, but Patrick Duffy is a fantastic actor too. I hope these marvelous actors continue to bring so good moments to their fans. Elizabete

YES! It is THE BEST SHOW ever… I have watched every episode of the old Dallas and the New Generation Dallas. It’s awesome. PLEASE don’t cancel it!!!!!!!!!!!

I love in the UK and the third season hasn’t even started over here. I want to see it so bad. It is a fantastic show and deserves a forth season. From what I can tell ratings are steady and reliable and the show highly regarded. Don’t kill it before it’s had a chance

Josh Henderson has really come into his own this season. He definitely has you going back and forth between hating John Ross and feeling sorry for him.

I’ll be devastated if they do not renew…it’s my favorite show. Enjoyed it then and love it now!

This show is an absolute keeper – people get tired of reality shows over and over!!! Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, Survivor, etc. – Same stuff over and over and over again!!!!!! Keep this show – some of us like some drama in our lives!!

I think if TNT doesn’t renew Dallas, I will never watch another of their shows…period!

Are you crazy? It’s one of the best shows on! Why cancel a show that so many love. And by the way I watched the original show and I’m in my 60s. There are more in this age bracket than you think. So leave it alone! Let us seniors enjoy!!!

Because its a great show even w/out J.R. & I didnt think it would even be watchable!

It better be renewed, I leave the voice for that hour every Monday night. Josh Henderson is to die for amazing talent, he fits that role perfectly and he’s some pretty good eye candy.

I am very happy with Season 3. Everyone stepped up. The fans are all over the place online. The cast makes me believe that the characters they are portraying are realistic. The people behind the scenes are the very best. My message to TNT “Dallas” is not only a great show, it is also an important show.

Love it! 1. Josh Henderson, 2. Patrick Duffy, 3. Linda Gray.

In this article there is Not one mention of the original dallas. This new show is a different show and u are changing history and characters and making up new characters as u go along. Who is ann? Who are the ramoses? Teresa and Raul were the cooks not Ramos. Needs Lucas and Jenna for a start. What happened to the missing 20 years? Why has cliff changed? He was always calm with bobby. Why does John Ross hate bobby? When did sue Ellen divorce don? They respected each other in the original. I don’t know how this show will survive without JR

Sarah you make great points. I am not that familiar with the original but those questions should be addressed. What happened to Ray and Jenna? I think we are beginning to find out more about Ann’s past. As much as her and kissing Harris pissed me off we did learn she left home at 17 to be with him. But why? What was that life she didn’t want? We basically know how she met Bobby. The writers basically admitted they made up the Ramos family because there must have been a family that we didn’t know about. Really? Also I read that in one TV movie John Ross and Christopher met Pamela as teenagers. So now neither of them knew who she really was in season 1?

I can answer your last question. The reason Christopher and Pamela have no memory of their teenage meeting is that it never happened. When the TNT series started up it was announced that the two CBS reunion movies were removed from contiuity entirely.

Too many story lines without any build up. Makes no logical sense.

I have to agree with many of the commenters here. Josh Henderson has really captured the “J.R. Magic” while still making the role his own. I am very impressed with his acting ability. I was a devoted fan of the original show. I just LOVE the new version. Anytime the writers can throw plot twists in that I never see coming, they will hook me in to being a devoted fan and viewer. The entire cast is awesome!!!! Hey TNT…Don’t blow it! RENEW DALLAS!!!!!!!!

RENEW, RENEW, RENEW. IF YOU DON’T, I WILL BOYCOTT FOREVER TNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please, please renew!!! So nice to watch a non-reality series that has excellent writing, twists and turns, and memorable characters! Bu far, the best show on your network

Dallas is a great show and full of suprises it is the only reason I watch TNT. The cast is outstanding !!!

Nice list! I really hope it gets renewed. I’m really enjoying it.

Here’s what I don’t get. These folks that are saying, “The show has changed”, “It’s not the same”, “Where is so & so?” “The old dallas, never would have done that sleezy three way, or a grandmother (judith ryland) snortting cocaine”. Guess, what? it’s 25 years later and here it is (wait for it……..the most important part) “TIMES CHANGE”. Who ever would have thought 25 years ago, that Miss Ellie would have taken on the roll of Breast Cancer? I believe Cynthia Cryder has done a wonderful job of giving us back some of the old characters. Damn, it’s only been 3 season, she very well could not have brought everyone back at the same time. Give her time, is my point. This NEW DALLAS has just as much DRAMA as the OLD version. If not, more!!! And as far as story lines, well they are vivid and pulled straight from TODAY’s Society, just as the old version was pulled straight from the 80′s. If you can’t tell by now. I LOVE THE NEW DALLAS.

You make good points. My problem is not that it’s not like the old Dallas. The threesome didn’t offend me. I just couldn’t figure out the motive. My problem is inconsistent behavior from characters that there seems no logic to. Elena’s plot makes little sense and has been a turn off for me. Although Nicolas is awesome. I don’t understand Ann’s change in attitude toward Harris. He’s responsible for an incredible amount of pain in her life. So that’s all forgotten because he works for the CIA? Ridiculous. Will any of this be addressed when the show returns? I hope so. The cast is phenomenal especially with the crappy writing they’ve been given.

C.B., there’s always the celebrity guest cameos of Ray Krebbs, Lucky Lucy (a J.R. nickname), possible Gary & Val comebacks, & there’s always the Cliff Barnes factor. That adds 5 more reasons to your list boy!

Love, love, love Dallas! Love the mix of original and new cast. John Ross is sooooo much like his Daddy! This show NEEDS to be renewed!!!

Where I will admit that the new Dallas is not as good as the original Dallas it is still a great show. Honestly I do believe that Ms Cidre needs to look at some more footage original Dallas footage so that she can make some better decisions. First off take a look at the character of Cliff Barns. He had his ups and downs emotionally and financially but over all by the end he was a successful multi-millionare who yes today (20+ years) could be a billioniare, but he was never ever an evil murderer. He may have done some JResk deals but never would have someone murdered nor have a rig bombed yet alone bombed with his daughter (pregnant or not) on there. With the Original Dallas I remember every story line and can tell you where the characters should be today. This is the only plot that I can say does not make any sense at all to me. I would hope that as maybe they write that Cliff has brain tumor or something (of course curable) that can explain his deeds on the new Dallas. Even if Larry Hagman lived to still be on the show how could he fight this man (Cliff) when Cliff is being portrayed to me like a Godfather who orders hits. No I am not buying that. Plus in Season 10 of Dallas Cliff finds proof that his father Digger was never cheated out of his share of Ewing Oil but rather but rather Digger’s gambling and drinking was the cause of Jock getting Digger’s share. There is a famous scene of Cliff apoligizing to Miss Ellie where he puts an end to the whole Barns/Ewing feud and also where he states that no matter whaet their names were that him and JR would probably still hate each other. So I just don’t get that. All in all I do ask TNT not to cancel and to re-new the new Dallas but I hope that Cynthia Cidre some how can re-write and maintain Dallas to the standard it should be. Here is the youtube clip of Cliff with Miss Ellie: http://youtu.be/0eU1pByff7E

DALLAS/Linda/Josh/Patrick/Jesse. YPU BETTER RENEW THE CONTRACT! there is a LONG ASS haul left in this show! And Yes I am an honorary Ewing!

I LOVE DALLAS. Monday Is the worst day of the week. I get through it knowing I get to go home, get a cold Diet Coke and pop some popcorn, relax and watch the greatest drama ever.

Dude, you are seriously getting some traffic on this website, hence the “buzz” you refer too, and that’s great. I love the fans who criticize the show and talk about how they’re done watching, but continue to post on here again and again. Please don’t take that as a jab, I just think this show is hard to let go of, even if you’re frustrated with it, that’s my point.

Quote of the day: “Dallas” is three times as big as “Major Crimes” on Facebook and seven times as big on Twitter. Suck on that, “Major Crimes”! , that’s beautiful. I thought Dallas had good performance on twitter, but had no idea it was that much. I’ve said forever, if they could find a good time to air the show, it would garner 3-4 million an episode, I truly believe that, and DVR users prove it. Monday is the toughest night on television, I believe.

Tremendous article Chris, I really admire and appreciate the research that you put into your articles. I follow Dallas about as closely as a fan can, including ratings, media buzz, etc…but I learned several new things about the show’s popularity alone by reading this article.

I think TNT needs to let it keep going for just a bit longer. My goal for this show was always at least 5 seasons. I think between the large social media buzz, the decent ratings with DVR users at about 3 mil, the fact the show has much more story to tell, and the fact that it’s still a top performer for TNT, I just can’t see it being cancelled yet.

Please keep Dallas on.. I’m 41 years old and still remember my mom watching Dallas years ago… I loved it then…

As am adult woman, I am so sick of watching stupid reality shows, horrible singing competitions and mind numbing 30 minute sitcoms… Dallas gives me a night to look forward to getting supper and needed household chores done and lock myself away to lose myself in the glamorous drama at South-fork!!

I love Christopher!! He is so cute but John Ross is a charmer…

Please leave it on so we can have some real drama on television!!! I’m sick of cop and medical shows!!!

There is a niche for Dallas!!! I DVR it and watch it over through the week!!! Lol..

I think the new Dallas is every bit as good as the original.I have been watching since the original came on the air. if TNT doesn’t renew Dallas then they will be losing a good thing

I’ve enjoyed every episode of the TNT version of Dallas. I think the acting, writing , everything is just right. A perfect balance of the old and the new. I love seeing old character like Cliff, Afton and I love the new, Judith, Christopher’s new girl friend. The acting is superb…..did you see Linda Gray and Josh Henderson in that kitchen scene? GREAT and I hope they both get Emmy nominations. I hope TNT keeps Dallsa around a long time. I never would have thought the show would survive without JR but it has. I love Julie Gonzalo almost like I use to love the original Pamela Ewing. Keep up the great work! I hope the writers continue to bring some familiar old faces back and give us vibrant new characters as well.

Love, love the old and new Dallas!!!!! Please continue the drama! The actors are fabulous! Judith Light plays a wonderful evil character !

Yes renew I hate it when he gets bad renew now before he ticked off

If TNT Wants Younger Viewers, Look No Further Than Dallas – Dallas Decoder

[…] can serve as your bridge to the younger, media-savvy viewers you’ve set your sights on. It’s one more reason this show deserves a fourth […]

RT @EmmaBell17: 10 reasons @TNTdrama should renew @Dallas_TNT: #7 Adults love Dallas. @DallasDecoder dallasdecoder.com/2014/04/25/the… 19 minutes ago

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