Chapter 1
The birth of a soap opera titan
Chapter 2
The shot heard 'round the world
Chapter 3
Global domination and the Iron Curtain
Chapter 4
The legacy of the modern cliffhanger
YOUR GOAL
Master of Who shot J.R. and made Dallas world-famous
Ch 1 · The birth of a soap opera titan
andy The real-life Southfork Ranch became one of the most famous houses in television history.
andy Explore how the iconic TV show Dallas and its infamous villain, J.R. Ewing, captured global attention with the "Who shot J.R.?" cliffhanger.
Fun Fact
J.R.'s signature hat: Larry Hagman's Stetson hat from the show is now preserved in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Glossary
soap opera (noun)
A serialized television or radio drama characterized by melodrama and ongoing, interconnected storylines. Creator David Jacobs originally pitched Dallas as a five-part miniseries before its 1978 CBS premiere.
A serialized television or radio drama characterized by melodrama and ongoing, interconnected storylines. Creator David Jacobs originally pitched Dallas as a five-part miniseries before its 1978 CBS premiere.
Quiz
What real-life Texas ranch served as the famous exterior home of the Ewing family in Dallas?
Quiz
Which character was originally intended to be the main protagonist of Dallas before J.R. took over?