The first season wasn't officially a "miniseries" [and wasn't promoted as one]. CBS initially ordered six hour-long episodes- a common practice in television- with an option for more if the series was a success. They scheduled 'DALLAS" the way they did other "short-flight" series: if it "clicked", more would follow. On the other hand, after ordering six episodes of "CO-ED FEVER" for February 1979, the ratings for its "sneak preview" were so disappointing, they decided not to schedule the rest.
At the time, no one- including CBS- knew HOW successful this was going to be. It wasn't until it appeared on Friday nights at 10pm(et) [with "THE DUKES OF HAZZARD" just before it] in January 1979, did it become "appointment viewing", and ushered in an era of similar prime-time "soaps", right through the mid-'80s.
That's right. A different ranch was used for the first 5 episodes (aka the miniseries, now called season 1). "Southfork' was we all know it first appeared in the fall of '78 in episode 6.
YouTube, a memory time machine . . . While watching this clip, I felt 11 years old again. Sweet.
DavidRobertLaman 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Love it, back in the days of good tv shows.
videozfann 3 months ago
The first season wasn't officially a "miniseries" [and wasn't promoted as one]. CBS initially ordered six hour-long episodes- a common practice in television- with an option for more if the series was a success. They scheduled 'DALLAS" the way they did other "short-flight" series: if it "clicked", more would follow. On the other hand, after ordering six episodes of "CO-ED FEVER" for February 1979, the ratings for its "sneak preview" were so disappointing, they decided not to schedule the rest.
fromthesidelines 8 months ago
At the time, no one- including CBS- knew HOW successful this was going to be. It wasn't until it appeared on Friday nights at 10pm(et) [with "THE DUKES OF HAZZARD" just before it] in January 1979, did it become "appointment viewing", and ushered in an era of similar prime-time "soaps", right through the mid-'80s.
fromthesidelines 11 months ago
Did they think the miniseries was going to be the end of it?
bakerandbaker1 8 months ago
That was a different South Fork ranch.
whitewitchoz 1 year ago
@whitewitchoz
That's right. A different ranch was used for the first 5 episodes (aka the miniseries, now called season 1). "Southfork' was we all know it first appeared in the fall of '78 in episode 6.
bettyfromuk 8 months ago
@whitewitchoz
This ranch was The Box Ranch, whereas the following ranch was Duncan Acres (it is now known as Southfork). The Box Ranch has since burnt down
bettyfromuk 8 months ago 2
Awesome!!!
snoops71 1 year ago
"the ruthless yet gracious parents" :)
The80sTrashKid 1 year ago 2
@The80sTrashKid Yeah, that is kind of weird.
wookie72 1 year ago
ha ha ha! Love it!
The80sTrashKid 1 year ago
WOW!!!
dolemitedavis 1 year ago
Bad ass! Love it! :)
surfergirlCali 1 year ago