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Dallas stars reunite for anniversary Dallas stars reunite for anniversary
(about 11 hours later)
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Larry Hagman on the show's appeal - clips courtesy of Lorimar Television/Warner BrosLarry Hagman on the show's appeal - clips courtesy of Lorimar Television/Warner Bros
By Peter Bowes BBC News, DallasBy Peter Bowes BBC News, Dallas
The stars of one of television's longest running and most successful dramas have reunited to mark the show's 30th anniversary.The stars of one of television's longest running and most successful dramas have reunited to mark the show's 30th anniversary.
Dallas, the story of everyday rich folk from Texas, ran from 1978 to 1991 and was watched around the world.Dallas, the story of everyday rich folk from Texas, ran from 1978 to 1991 and was watched around the world.
The show revolved around the trials and tribulations of the larger-than-life Ewing family. The dastardly deeds of JR, played by Larry Hagman, enthralled audiences.The show revolved around the trials and tribulations of the larger-than-life Ewing family. The dastardly deeds of JR, played by Larry Hagman, enthralled audiences.
We mustn't get too carried away with it but it's still a nice indication that we were part of television history Patrick DuffyWe mustn't get too carried away with it but it's still a nice indication that we were part of television history Patrick Duffy
Torrid tales of double crossing and infidelity turned the bed-hopping oil baron into television's all-time favourite villain.Torrid tales of double crossing and infidelity turned the bed-hopping oil baron into television's all-time favourite villain.
Three decades after the start of the show, cast members returned to the Ewing family mansion, Southfork Ranch, on the outskirts of Dallas. Fans and hoards of journalists from around the world joined them for a huge barbecue.Three decades after the start of the show, cast members returned to the Ewing family mansion, Southfork Ranch, on the outskirts of Dallas. Fans and hoards of journalists from around the world joined them for a huge barbecue.
Autograph-hunting admirers swamped the stars as they made their way down a red carpet to the ranch's front door.Autograph-hunting admirers swamped the stars as they made their way down a red carpet to the ranch's front door.
"This is shocking, I'm still stunned," said Linda Gray, who played Sue Ellen Ewing."This is shocking, I'm still stunned," said Linda Gray, who played Sue Ellen Ewing.
"It's like, how is this happening 17 years after we have not been on the air? It's phenomenal and I'm thrilled to be part of it.""It's like, how is this happening 17 years after we have not been on the air? It's phenomenal and I'm thrilled to be part of it."
Asked how he felt to be back at the ranch, Hagman, who had a liver transplant in 1995 years ago, responded: "Lucky!" Asked how he felt to be back at the ranch, Hagman, who had a liver transplant in 1995, responded: "Lucky!"
Patrick Duffy, who played JR's little brother Bobby, added: "We mustn't get too carried away with it but it's still a nice indication that we were part of television history."Patrick Duffy, who played JR's little brother Bobby, added: "We mustn't get too carried away with it but it's still a nice indication that we were part of television history."
Wedding venueWedding venue
TV historians have pontificated for years over the question of why Dallas struck such a chord with TV viewers.TV historians have pontificated for years over the question of why Dallas struck such a chord with TV viewers.
Duffy added: "It just caught on at the right time and we also had an iconic character in the persona of JR Ewing. I don't think that character would have been what it was without Larry doing it.Duffy added: "It just caught on at the right time and we also had an iconic character in the persona of JR Ewing. I don't think that character would have been what it was without Larry doing it.
"A combination of all those things made this show a must watch. People wanted to see what he was going to do and we went along for the ride.""A combination of all those things made this show a must watch. People wanted to see what he was going to do and we went along for the ride."
The show was originally shot entirely on location in DallasThe show was originally shot entirely on location in Dallas
Charlene Tilton, who played Lucy Ewing, said she was touched by the response.Charlene Tilton, who played Lucy Ewing, said she was touched by the response.
"It's unbelievable, I was 17 when it started so the fact that people still care about it, it's still relevant to people, it's just amazing.""It's unbelievable, I was 17 when it started so the fact that people still care about it, it's still relevant to people, it's just amazing."
Southfork Ranch was used mainly for exterior shots on the TV show. The long driveway and the pool area in the garden have hardly changed over the years.Southfork Ranch was used mainly for exterior shots on the TV show. The long driveway and the pool area in the garden have hardly changed over the years.
The property is now a conference centre and a venue for weddings. It is also a museum to the TV series, with dozens of photographs and original props on display.The property is now a conference centre and a venue for weddings. It is also a museum to the TV series, with dozens of photographs and original props on display.
They include the gun that character Kristin used to shoot JR.They include the gun that character Kristin used to shoot JR.
Sharon Skrzypkowski, a longtime fan of the show, travelled to Dallas from Nottingham in the UK for the party.Sharon Skrzypkowski, a longtime fan of the show, travelled to Dallas from Nottingham in the UK for the party.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," she said."It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," she said.
"Me and my mum used to watch it every week. There'll never be anything like it again and I wish it had never ended. I loved it and I still watch the re-runs.""Me and my mum used to watch it every week. There'll never be anything like it again and I wish it had never ended. I loved it and I still watch the re-runs."
Long queuesLong queues
About 1,500 people turned up for the celebration. Some had paid $1000 (£630) for a ticket.About 1,500 people turned up for the celebration. Some had paid $1000 (£630) for a ticket.
Record audiences tuned in for the "who shot JR?" cliffhangerRecord audiences tuned in for the "who shot JR?" cliffhanger
There were chaotic scenes as the celebrities arrived. At times the event descended into disarray with angry security guards struggling to keep order.There were chaotic scenes as the celebrities arrived. At times the event descended into disarray with angry security guards struggling to keep order.
Some people complained that the reunion failed to live up to their expectations with long queues and few opportunities to get close to their favourite Dallas stars.Some people complained that the reunion failed to live up to their expectations with long queues and few opportunities to get close to their favourite Dallas stars.
But most revelled in the opportunity to reminisce. Among the most enthusiastic were the stars themselves.But most revelled in the opportunity to reminisce. Among the most enthusiastic were the stars themselves.
Ken Kercheval, who played JR's nemesis, Cliff Barnes, said: "We were all standing in the house there when we first got here saying, 'doesn't it feel like we should start filming a scene'?Ken Kercheval, who played JR's nemesis, Cliff Barnes, said: "We were all standing in the house there when we first got here saying, 'doesn't it feel like we should start filming a scene'?
"We were all just so used to each other and used to that environment. There's that familiarity about us all being together so that we said, 'well, let's go back to work'.""We were all just so used to each other and used to that environment. There's that familiarity about us all being together so that we said, 'well, let's go back to work'."
But it will not happen. Rest assured, a Dallas sequel is not in the works.But it will not happen. Rest assured, a Dallas sequel is not in the works.