Dallas
Emma Bell On Tonight's DALLAS Midseason Finale: "There's No Scene That is Not A Shocker!"
Courtesy/TNT
TNT’s Dallas concludes the first half of it’s new batch of episodes with its midseason finale beginning at 9EST/8CST time! After tonight’s cliffhangers, look for Dallas to return with the second half of its season beginning late summer, August 18th!
In what to watch for tonight: Emma (Emma Bell) and John Ross’s (Josh Henderson) fling is exposed as Pamela (Julie Gonzalo) now knows! A fire engulfs Southfork! John Ross has his wife, his mistress, his alcoholic mother all living under the same roof. Bobby (Patrick Duffy) and Ann’s ( Brenda Strong) relationship hits a snag, and there is an unplanned pregnancy that will be revealed!
Emma Bell (Emma) offered up to Zap2it.com her thoughts on tonight’s episode and the split season: “There’s no scene in the midseason finale that is not a shocker. I feel the writers have outdone themselves each week, but cr** hits the fan — I don’t want to use the ‘bad’ word — in a way you can’t even really expect.”
Courtesy/TNT
Bell what on to say: “It’s such a jaw-dropper, people will tune back in August. I mean, you can’t not. I think TNT is really smart in splitting up our season. Right now, we’re up against some very hard-hitting live shows (i.e, The Voice, Dancing with the Stars), so that’s pretty tough. I think they’re trying to keep us on the air longer, and also to bring us back to the summer slot where we did really well. It gives the fans more of a chance to see us.”
Watch a teaser for tonight’s DALLAS below! Then let us know what you think will happen in the fire, and in the midseason finale!
All My Children
ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
Tuesday’s night airing of ABC and PEOPLE’s two-hour special The Story of Soaps featured many notable daytime and primetime soap stars, past and present, clips from backstage to classic memorable moments, and some participants who were providing commentary on the erosion of the daytime soaps in our culture. Still others, maintained and realized that everything today is serialized from the news we watch, to some of Netflix’s most binge-watchable series, and of course, the birth of reality-programming.
Throughout the airing of the special, The Story of Soaps was trending on Twitter and social media either at the #2, #3 or #4 spots for the entire duration of the broadcast presentation, and the cancelled and beloved All My Children was also at one point trending.
However, known soap writers, journalists, ardent fans, and actors of the genre, were all on Twitter last night live-tweeting their thoughts as the special went down, and there was definitely mixed reactions and reviews, when all was said and done.
What the special did not shy away from, but tackled, was Luke’s rape of Laura at the campus disco on General Hospital. and how that moment now, as Genie Francis (Laura), so eloquently put, would be considered as ‘date rape’ in our culture. The series even included a pivotal moment where Laura addresses Luke (Tony Geary) about the rape years later, after helping Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) through her rape ordeal.
John Stamos (Ex-Blackie Parrish, GH) got a bevy of “Right On’s!” for his comment that the soaps do not get the credit that they deserve and clearly came through as one of the soaps greatest supporters, as did former The Doctors and Knots Landing star, Alec Baldwin.
However, throughout the two-hours, Andy Cohen’s commentary was thread throughout; mostly citing soap’s demise and the creation of reality-programming and his “Real Housewives” franchise, that the special touted as the new soap operas. It continued on the narrative that people preferred to see real-life drama then made-up drama on a fictional soap. And while, that has been a trend in American culture for decades, the commentary came off as often out of place in a celebration of the soaps; and bringing in a lot of negativity to the special that soap fans were tired of hearing.
In a lighting rod moment, Cohen stated: “I know Susan Lucci doesn’t agree with me, but I think that the Housewives have replaced soap operas because truth is stranger than fiction. Soaps became kind of unnecessary because you could do it with real people, and they’re writing the drama themselves.”
The special did also address the cancellations of All My Children and One Life to Live, (which many were not sure they were going to do – given this special was airing on ABC), where One Life’s leading lady and six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Ex-Viki) said what we all wanted to sa ywhen the ax fell on the towns of Llanview and Pine Valley, “People were horrified”.
Clearly, OJ Simpson and his murder trial and reality-programming were also given a chunk of time to show where the once mighty landscape of daytime soaps which once had 13 shows on the air, dwindled town to 4. But, it would have been nice to see more time spent on how in this day and age, the people in this current landscape of the genre work so hard to get episodes done at an unbelievable pace, and how in that climate the performers still deliver gut-wrenching performances.
Photo: ABC
Former Loving, OLTL and Breaking Bad star, Bryan Cranston, did point out how the once powerful soaps, just don’t have the dollars they used to, and need to, to help with production costs and their taping schedule.
Viewers were reminded of soaps’ socially relevant storylines including hankie-inducing moments from: Robin (Kimberly McCullough) and Stone’s (Michael Sutton) HIV/AIDS storyline on General Hospital, to Billy Douglas being a gay teen coming out on One Life to Live, played by a young Ryan Phillippe.
There also did not seem time spent on the contributions of William J. Bell; one of the most prominent writers of the soap genre of all-time.
For many commenting on social media last night, there seemed to be a feeling of some glaring omissions of participants who could speak on this genre, who have been in the trenches as soap producers, soap writers, pundits, actors, and more, who were not included in the special.
So, what was your review of The Story of Soaps? How would you grade it? Do you feel it accurately reflected the history of the genre? Were you happily surprised, or when it came to the end where you over it, or somewhere in between? Sound off in the comment section below. Below are some tweets from notables who have worked as an actor, a writer, and a journalist in the soaps.
What started as a love letter kinda dissolved into a lover kicking you out of bed.
Ummm ok well I guess I appreciate the effort. But that definitely took a turn.🤷🏻♀️😬🤪 #TheStoryofSoaps— Chrishell (@Chrishell7) May 20, 2020
OMG so I’m still watching/catching up on #TheStoryofSoaps. Why does it suddenly feel like a death knell for the genre?! Why can’t it be a celebration? We’re hanging tough with no new episodes IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREAKING PANDEMIC! Why not celebrate our resilience? I’m done!
— Michele Val Jean (@MicheleValJean) May 20, 2020
Here’s the thing: The reason we’re down to 4 soaps is because network execs messed with time slots, cut budgets and interfered with storytelling. ABC can’t admit that so they have to get @Andy to trash them. But #TheStoryofSoaps was still a fun watch. Long live #AMC, #OLTL & #GH! https://t.co/pqR0Gx3cnf
— Carolyn Hinsey (@CarolynHinsey) May 20, 2020
Dallas
DALLAS Online Reunion Coming With Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and More
Breaking News
‘Dallas’ star Ken Kercheval Dead At Age 83
REPORT: Days of our Lives Targets September Production Restart
OLTL Alum Renee Elise Goldsberry On Performing Her Showstopper “Satisfied” In ‘Hamilton’ Premiering On Disney+ Today
DAYS Elani Wedding (Photos): What Did You Think Of The Nuptials?
B&B’s Supervising Producer, Casey Kasprzyk Shares: “Just Finished Viewing Our First Produced Episode Since Starting Production Back Up!”
‘Strahan, Sara and Keke’ Canceled by ABC; Show Aired In Timeslot That Once Housed ‘All My Children’
The Young and the Restless Pushes Back Production Restart Date Due To COVID-19 Spike
GH’s Michael Easton Posts “Ask Me Anything” Part Two
WATCH: 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Winners Virtual Interviews
Y&R’s Executive Producer Anthony Morina Talks On Daytime Emmy Drama Series Win For Neil’s Memorial & Honoring Kristoff St. John
47th Annual Daytime Emmys Draws Over 3 Million Viewers For CBS Telecast with Return to Network TV
‘Strahan, Sara and Keke’ Canceled by ABC; Show Aired In Timeslot That Once Housed ‘All My Children’
General Hospital Setting Their Sights On Mid-July Return To Production
Y&R Wins Drama Series, Jason Thompson and Heather Tom Take Top Acting Honors During 47th Annual Daytime Emmys
How The Virtual Daytime Emmys Came Together And Will Look and Feel
The Young and the Restless Pushes Back Production Restart Date Due To COVID-19 Spike
B&B’s Supervising Producer, Casey Kasprzyk Shares: “Just Finished Viewing Our First Produced Episode Since Starting Production Back Up!”
Y&R’s Executive Producer Anthony Morina Talks On Daytime Emmy Drama Series Win For Neil’s Memorial & Honoring Kristoff St. John
47th Annual Daytime Emmys Draws Over 3 Million Viewers For CBS Telecast with Return to Network TV
Y&R To Air Encore Presentations of The Love Story of Paul & Christine
Daytime Emmy Winners: Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Scott Clifton & Heather Tom Talk Winning the Gold & Returning to Work at B&B
Y&R’s Mishael Morgan Produces Video For Juneteenth Day Featuring Several Soap Notables
Daytime Emmys Release Highlights From Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Nominees
Daytime Emmys Releases Highlights From Outstanding Drama Series Nominees
Y&R Alum Max Ehrich Big Smooch with Demi Lovato in Arianna Grande & Justin Bieber’s New Music Video ‘Stuck With You’
Soap Vet Debbi Morgan’s Emotional Words On How COVID-19 Has Affected the Black Community
WATCH: ‘Venice the Series’ Gregory Zarian Talk Daytime Emmy Pre-Nom, Bullying & Staying Safe During COVID-19
Tony Geary Opens Up About His Iconic Role as GH’s Luke Spencer on Nancy Lee Grahn’s ‘Soaps In Quarantine’
Soap Stars & Jake Gyllenhaal In All-New Episode of Tonight Show’s ‘The Longest Days of our Lives’
WATCH: Nancy Lee Grahn’s Birthday Celebration Replay With Her Drive-By GH Friends & Co-Stars
Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong Continues To Lobby To Be On Y&R & We’d Be All For It
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All My ChildrenJuly 2, 2020‘Strahan, Sara and Keke’ Canceled by ABC; Show Aired In Timeslot That Once Housed ‘All My Children’
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Breaking NewsJune 26, 2020General Hospital Setting Their Sights On Mid-July Return To Production
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Breaking NewsJune 26, 2020Y&R Wins Drama Series, Jason Thompson and Heather Tom Take Top Acting Honors During 47th Annual Daytime Emmys
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Days Of Our LivesJune 24, 2020How The Virtual Daytime Emmys Came Together And Will Look and Feel
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Breaking NewsJuly 1, 2020The Young and the Restless Pushes Back Production Restart Date Due To COVID-19 Spike
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Breaking NewsJuly 2, 2020B&B’s Supervising Producer, Casey Kasprzyk Shares: “Just Finished Viewing Our First Produced Episode Since Starting Production Back Up!”
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InterviewsJune 29, 2020Y&R’s Executive Producer Anthony Morina Talks On Daytime Emmy Drama Series Win For Neil’s Memorial & Honoring Kristoff St. John
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Breaking NewsJune 28, 202047th Annual Daytime Emmys Draws Over 3 Million Viewers For CBS Telecast with Return to Network TV
Jenny Brooks
April 14, 2014 at 11:27 am
Would it be bad of me to wish Pamela would shoot Emma? 🙂
TNT 2.0 Forever
April 14, 2014 at 2:25 pm
LMAO! Not bad at all. I want Pamela to let both Emma and John Ross have it.
Mary SF
April 14, 2014 at 12:03 pm
She’s right– it is hard to compete against live shows– I was watching it on Friday night when Bravo in Canada showed a repeat because my Monday was filled to the brim. But never been a fan of the split season approach most dramas do now– personally I wished they just air all the shows at once during the summer like that first season– no competition and gave me something to look forward to watching when television is the bleakest.
diane
April 14, 2014 at 2:50 pm
I love Dallas. Every show has something you just don’t see coming. That’s what makes it so good. Really hope the ratings go up, cus ppl just don’t know what they are missing. There is so few shows worth watching, it would be ashame to lose this one.
MBmomof3
April 14, 2014 at 3:35 pm
love. this. show.
andrew hass
April 14, 2014 at 4:40 pm
I’m sure it’ll be a great cliffhanger with a lot of the characters fates up in the air.However i’m wondering who sets the fire at Southfork because i’m sure it won’t be accident.
janet
April 14, 2014 at 5:27 pm
I finaly got caught up. the show is ok by me.
Charday
April 14, 2014 at 6:02 pm
Can’t wait to see the mid-season cliffhanger! Yes, I’m watching Dancing live and DVR’ing DALLAS.
Susan Warren
April 14, 2014 at 6:39 pm
Please get rid of Heather. She is not an attractive love interest for Christopher. She is really not up to the quality of the other cast members.
diane
April 14, 2014 at 8:20 pm
That’s what I was saying to myself while watching tonight. She’s just doesn’t look like his type.
Shar
April 14, 2014 at 7:46 pm
Loved it!!!! Need to know is it returning same dates on Bravo in Canada? Please someone tell me. Can’t wait to see it back.
kj
April 14, 2014 at 9:21 pm
The original Dallas is my all time favorite show so I had to give this one a chance. Have been watching from the beginning and really like it, up until now. Tonight’s mid-season cliff hanger crossed the line between good taste and poor taste. There could have been a great story written with Pamela knowing about John Ross and Emma, but instead the writers decided to throw in smut. Bad job.
Don
April 14, 2014 at 11:52 pm
Did not like the ending scene with Pamela, Emma & John Ross. It was completely out of character for all three of them, especially Pamela and Emma. It was cheap, disappointing and ridiculous. They could have written a much better scene. Pamela is a strong woman. It would have been better if she had not taken the overdose of sleeping pills, not initiated some ridiculous desperate sex scene after the pill taking, but instead would have entered the room and shot Emma & John Ross. That would have been much more realistic and true to her character.
kelly
April 15, 2014 at 6:18 am
i agree with kj that was gross. i would have shoot emma that tramp. not what was done. i liked the rest of the show.
Rob
April 15, 2014 at 9:07 am
I agree it was out of character for Pamela, especially after she called Sue-Ellen a “sniveling drunk” but didnt she OD in the end? My DVR cut off right before the end and I read that Pamela OD’d. That would kind of explain the out of character behavior if she were on drugs.
Rose
April 15, 2014 at 2:46 pm
Ditto to everything said on these comments with one exception. Would not have Pamela shoot either, or both,Emma or John Ross. Dallas has been there, done that. Would have liked a more clever, creative Pamela payback that doesn’t make her look like a victim.
kelly
April 15, 2014 at 12:24 pm
hi rob they had to call 911 they have dallas on demand i dont know if you have comcast. but if you do you can put it on.
Marion
April 15, 2014 at 4:51 pm
Love the show, but disappointed in the 3 some issue.
JR Forever
April 15, 2014 at 6:06 pm
Love the new Dallas. When does the second part of Season 3 start?
Jenny Brooks
April 16, 2014 at 6:42 am
August 18th
ROBERTOWCARZ
April 16, 2014 at 9:47 am
NEVER A DULL MOMENT SEASON THREE WAS GREAT I HOPE IT RETURNS AND BETTER STORY LINES FOR LINDA GRAY
lorin
April 19, 2014 at 2:17 pm
The show is fantastic, I really hope people start watching so the ratings go up and it can continue. Maybe the 3some scene was a bit “out-of-character” but it left me shocked and thrilled, which is the whole reason to watch DALLAS. It always has been!
Ken
May 11, 2014 at 4:46 am
I totally agree. I was stunned but it sure got my attention and no one can accuse them of rehashing the same old storylines.
I also love the songs the show uses for these edge-of-your-seat scenes. The Doors song made the final few minutes even more interesting, and in the first season, a few rarely heard Johnny Cash songs did the same thing. They added to the suspense and intrigue.
Although I’m fairly certain everyone will be fine (they’re not about to kill off a major character so soon after losing Larry Hagman) I still found it to be a wild way of teasing us into coming back in August to see what happens next.
Brenda
April 22, 2014 at 2:20 pm
I love this show. I watched the original Dallas and Knots Landing and loved both of those too. I would have loved to see the original Pamela return but it’s great even without her. I miss Larry Hagman and was sorry to hear about his passing. R.I.P.
I hope this show has a great following because I would hate to see it cancelled.
Great job and keep up the good work!!!!
Anne
April 25, 2014 at 1:02 pm
The writers went too far in the last scene between Pamela, John Ross and
Emma. My husband and I were shocked they allowed it. It wasn’t necessary and I’m considering not watching when it returns. There is
always a danger that the writer feels “what can we do to top this.”
Up until now the show has been great but that scene just cheapens the show. Pamela could have just walked in and left…then let John Ross
deal with the situation.
Ken
May 11, 2014 at 4:24 am
The jaw-dropping threesome scene at the end of the episode was so unexpected. It was a bit awkward, yet at the same time captivating. I’ve watched the last scenes several times now and every time I’m a bit freaked out but obviously liked it enough to watch repeatedly.
Pamela COULD have come in and shot Emma or John Ross (as they were making us believe was going to happen when she had her hand in her coat pocket.) but let’s face it, that’s been done soooooooooo many times before. Sue Ellen passed out with Southfork on fire was exciting, but again, it’s not the first time the infamous ranch has been in flames nor the first time Sue Ellen passed out after drinking.
Whether you loved or hated the scene with John-Ross, Emma and Pamela, you certainly remember it and I think is exactly what the producers wanted.
Dave
May 28, 2014 at 2:47 am
A Great Show !! One question though. How can all you people say a threesome is a bad thing ?
ROBERT R OWCARZ
August 28, 2014 at 11:40 am
NEVER A DULL MOMENT WITH THE EWINGS AND THE SHOW IS GETTIN BETTER AND BETTER