Dallas remake: A good idea? | The Week

It's been over two decades since viewers wondered "Who shot J.R." But now TNT is bringing _Dallas_ back. The network behind hit cop dramas like _The Closer_ and _Rizzoli &

Isles_ announced a 10-episode order for a revival of the series, which aired from 1978-1991. The new version will still focus on family power struggles, but this time from the point of view

of J.R.'s son, John Ross. Original stars Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, and Linda Gray will all reprise their roles. Though the new _Dallas_ won't begin airing until the summer of

2012, TNT will preview it tonight after the season premiere of _Rizzoli & Isles_. Could this work? IT WON'T LIKELY SUCCEED: This reboot just confirms that TV networks have

"lost the ability to create intriguing new series," says Logan Burdine at _The Landry Hat_. Not only will the new effort perpetuate tired stereotypes — that everyone in Dallas

"is a wealthy, cowboy-boot wearing oil tycoon," for example — the odds that it will be "even halfway decently written" are only "slightly above zero." "TNT

remake of _Dallas_ won't be better than Deion's" SUBSCRIBE TO THE WEEK Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

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From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox. NOSTALGIA SHOULD IGNITE INTEREST: _Dallas_ hasn't lingered in

the pop culture sphere the same way that _Charlie's Angels_ (also due for a 2012 revival) has, says Ethan Anderton at _Collider_, so it's unlikely that young viewers will tune in.

But they're likely not the audience TNT is targeting. The network has carved itself a "niche in the older demographics," precisely the same group of viewers who

"remember the series the most." And with the trio of original stars returning, _Dallas_ 2.0 "just might pull in a decent audience." "TNT finally greenlights a new

_Dallas_ series" IT COULD'VE WORKED, WITH SOME RETOOLING: _Dallas_ was "so much of its time," says James Poniewozik at _TIME_, that a remake seems "unusual" and

"unnecessary." A straightforward update of the show will undoubtedly feel dated. "If you're making a _Dallas_ for the 2010s, why not pick a city that is to today as

Dallas was to the '80s?" It's easy to understand why TNT thinks this is a good idea: Brand recognition can give a new series "a tailwind," propelling it to success.

But with a "TV legend" like _Dallas_, that recognition can be a "headwind" working against it, too. "TNT is remaking _Dallas_. Why are you remaking _Dallas_,

TNT?" A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com