In Your Opinion, Who Left The Biggest Void?

[midwestdj]

Which of these actors left the biggest void when they left?

I am not including Jim Davis (Jock), simply because he died.

[midwestdj]

I probably missed someone, however, I did my best....

For a number of reasons I could any number of the actors:

Barbara Bel Geddes... To me she was the backbone, heart, soul and spirit of Dallas. I know Larry Hagman was considered the "star" of the show, however, BBG was the sky that star hung in.

Patrick Duffy... The Dream Season left JR listless. JR wasn't himself at all and when JR isn't JR Dallas wasn't much fun. I know there was a new crop of writers for that season and it showed. It was like they didn't really know the characters. Duffy was so vital to Dallas, the contrast between JR and Bobby was one of the best parts of the show. Plus, Duffy had chemistry with the lampshades and ottomans. He was missed terribly.

Victoria Principal... I know die hard Principal fans say that the reason the ratings started to take a hard dip was because of her departure. While I think she had a HUGE fan base, I don't think it was that much bigger than Duffy's, Hagman's or Gray's. Pam did leave a void, however, it wasn't as dire to the continuity of the show like Duffys or to a lesser extent Grays was.

Linda Gray... Without Sue Ellen, JR was incomplete. Just like JR was listless after Bobby left, he was the same way after Sue Ellen left. I have to say I missed Gray in the same way as I missed Duffy. I do agree with Linda Gray's quote about the decision to leave Dallas by saying "Sue Ellen had come full circle". I just wish we would've had a bigger circle, so to speak.

Charlene Tilton... I, honestly, don't know how in the world the writers who created such iconic characters as JR, Sue Ellen, Bobby, Jock, Ellie, Cliff and Pam couldn't figure out what on Earth to do with Lucy. Tilton may not have had the big stories, however, she was such a major force and had some of the best zingers. Only JR had better one liners in my opinion.

That's all the opining I am going to do. I am not voting quite yet in my own poll. I am torn between BBG, Duffy and Gray. Those three, IMO, left such voids. Luckily they all came back in their own time. I'll vote in a few days....

[dr.ivankipling]

It's a tie in my book. BBG&PD left equally large gaping holes when they were absent from the Dallas cast. The show was never the same to me,never complete without either of them.

[EW1NG_1]

i have to say Victoria Principal - if she was to come back now - wow! she has a great chemistry with Patrick Duffy

i know when BBG left the show it did leave a void and i was going to vote for her, but in the end i chose Victoria her character of Pam was not just great with Bobby, but also with JR
they had some awesome scenes together as well and i wished she never left the show - it was sad to see no happy ending for Bobby and Pam

thats what happens unfortunately when you mix a Barnes with a Ewing

watch out Christopher!

[CassadineSon]

I went with Patrick Duffy. Why?? Well, when it was decided to bring Bobby back, they wiped out an ENTIRE season to make it happen. I would say that shows the size of the void that the lack of Bobby had on the show. The only other character that would have gotten that kind of attention would have been JR!!

[EW1NG_1]

I went with Patrick Duffy. Why?? Well, when it was decided to bring Bobby back, they wiped out an ENTIRE season to make it happen. I would say that shows the size of the void that the lack of Bobby had on the show. The only other character that would have gotten that kind of attention would have been JR!!

i know - but because he came back - was the only reason i didnt vote for him lol
thank god he came back as well!!

[lovgrenfan]

The original series needed JR, Bobby, Miss Ellie, Cliff, Pam, Ray and Sue Ellen IMO. The rest were added bonus. But those 7 were needed.

[midwestdj]

OK, I finally voted (I know there were some of you hanging with baited breath, LOL)... I went with BBG. How could I not really? I have herald her as the greatest actress to ever live, so I guess that's good enough reason for me!

Second for me was... Linda Gray. I missed her more than I did Bobby.

[dr.ivankipling]

Midwest just to satisfy my idol curiosity why is James Beaumont on the list?

(no offense)

[midwestdj]

Because I couldn't figure out who else to add and I was watching his last episode when I started the thread. No real reason, but it's the only one I got! LOL

No offense, ever my friend!!!!

[dr.ivankipling]

Lol!!&understood Midwest Too funny!!

[Cliff Barnes]

I liked all these people but the only ones that I missed after they left to the point where it made me enjoy the show less were Ellie and Clayton. The last season where he was only in 4 episodes and she wasn't in any was the only time I felt shorted and could specifically pin it on someone's absence. I really liked JR Returns, I loved it, the first tv movie, even without them. But everything since then, WOTE and the new show also, have been lacking in that element to me noticeably as well-of course now they have passed away so it is without any choice. I think the whole show can never be the same as it was because of that crucial dynamic of not having Miss Ellie there. Before, even when she was alive and not at home, there was a force keeping the two brothers together despite it all in the long haul, and a desire for them both to be at Southfork where they both felt their families belonged. With her gone, no matter which one owns the ranch or whatever, it's clear there is not a strong enough motivating force in the long haul to keep either brother or their sons in league with the other for very long before backstabbing each other. They just don't have a unified parental force keeping things home on the range. So to me that has really made it near impossible to recreate the feel of the old show. There are other things I hate about the new show like insanely bad writing for Cliff and ignoring the reunions-I did love about half the episodes and I felt at first like it had more potential, or does have more potential if they would fix the biggest issues. I am open to a lot of what's new and different about some of it. But even with the best head writer in the world who knew and loved the old show and got it down perfectly, it would be impossible without Miss Ellie for things to ever really feel like they used to totally.

[DrCampbell]

Which of these actors left the biggest void when they left?

I am not including Jim Davis (Jock), simply because he died.

B.D. Calhoun

isthismessagetooshort?

[July Baby]

I voted Patrick Duffy. If the poll had allowed multiple answers, I would have added Barbara Bel Geddes, Linda Gray and Victoria Principal. There was no core conflict any more when PD left. He had to come back! When the others left, one by one, each time I felt like another piece of the show had died. Each one left a huge void for me. It was sad to see them go because they were all such integral parts of the drama. And I really wanted to see Pam and Bobby get their happy ending.

[GuidingLite]

I'd have to go with BBG and PD....individually their absences left a huge void in the show......J.R. without Bobby to 'temper' his underhanded ways at Ewing Oil was far less entertaining to watch.....and not having Bobby to fight with took a lot of spark out of J.R.

BBG's absence took away the presence of the one person who could 'shame' J.R. into submission.....despite all his shenanigans, he did love his mother.....and respected her strength.....

[EW1NG_1]

the main reason i voted for Victoria Principal was because once she left the show.....she left!! and never returned!

whereas when BBG, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy left - they did not leave forever - they came back in the end and that made up for it
and thats why i didnt vote for them and voted for Victoria as Pam left and never returned leaving a big void and her return now would be
great and be a real test of Bobby and Christopher!

[July Baby]

the main reason i voted for Victoria Principal was because once she left the show.....she left!! and never returned!

whereas when BBG, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy left - they did not leave forever - they came back in the end and that made up for it
and thats why i didnt vote for them and voted for Victoria as Pam left and never returned leaving a big void and her return now would be
great and be a real test of Bobby and Christopher!

I would love it if VP returned. The dramatic possibilities are endless. I agree with you that her departure left a huge void, and for me that was the beginning of the gradual decline of the show. She was such an integral part of the never-ending conflict between Bobby and JR, Cliff and JR, etc. And her chemistry with PD was off the charts, IMHO.

Also, her character is needed now. Her son just had his heart ripped out, her brother is out of control, and her niece could definitely use some advice and support from a close female relative (that reminds me - where is Afton?). I really hope VP returns.

[EW1NG_1]

I would love it if VP returned. The dramatic possibilities are endless. I agree with you that her departure left a huge void, and for me that was the beginning of the gradual decline of the show. She was such an integral part of the never-ending conflict between Bobby and JR, Cliff and JR, etc. And her chemistry with PD was off the charts, IMHO.

Also, her character is needed now. Her son just had his heart ripped out, her brother is out of control, and her niece could definitely use some advice and support from a close female relative (that reminds me - where is Afton?). I really hope VP returns.

i totally couldnt agree more - her character was integral to the show and she was absolutely love by the fans! her chemistry with Patrick Duffy was just a match made in heaven for tv shows!
and her return would shock everybody in Dallas - Bobby, Christopher - i wonder how they would react, would Christopher be able to recognise his mother still from memory!?? how would Bobby feel and Anne! and then of course Good old JR would be shocked haha and Cliff too!


even if she came back for a few episodes i'd be happy and give Pam's character finally some closure

PLEASE CHECK ON FACEBOOK FOR THE PAGE TO BRiNG HER BACK!

[Tulip209]

I voted for Barbara Bel Geddes because her wonderful Miss was truly the heart of Dallas to me. .....Yet I think it's a three way tie between BBG, Patrick Duffy and Victoria Principal. For different reasons, all three of their characters were necessary-essential, to make Dallas, well Dallas! Pam was so much a part of the foundation of the whole story that wound throughout the series that her absence really changed the show and left a gap. ......Bobby is the show's White Knight. JR's bookend. They are polar opposites, yet they need each other. And Dallas needs them both! ......and Miss Ellie, well, I've already stated how important she was to the show, imo.

[Viki&Charlie]

It's a tie in my book. BBG&PD left equally large gaping holes when they were absent from the Dallas cast. The show was never the same to me,never complete without either of them.

ICAM Dr.Kipling! Since I only had one vote, I chose Barbara Bel Geddes. Had this been a multiple choice poll, I would have also voted for Patrick Duffy too.

[bill75]

In the original series, I voted for BBG. Unfortunately, for the '12-'13 series, the obviou answer will be Mr. Larry Hagman.

[dr.ivankipling]

ICAM Dr.Kipling! Since I only had one vote, I chose Barbara Bel Geddes. Had this been a multiple choice poll, I would have also voted for Patrick Duffy too.

ITA Viki&Charlie. I'd have voted the same as you were this a multiple poll.

[dr.ivankipling]

In the original series, I voted for BBG. Unfortunately, for the '12-'13 series, the obviou answer will be Mr. Larry Hagman.

So true!!I can't believe this!!

[Jupiter Jane]

I voted for Sue Ellen/Linda Gray - she was always a huge favourite for me and I was delighted she returned to the new Dallas. If it was a multiple choice, I perhaps would have included Pam/Victoria Principal. I can't remember the story around her departure frankly; and seeing Bobby with a new wife in the new show seems a bit "off" to me. Pam belongs in his life (married or not) just as Sue Ellen belongs in JRs.

I may be in a minority, but I was never a fan of BBG/Miss Ellie; she always seemed a bit too self-righteous to me. I do acknowledge though that she was the only one who could reign JR in at times.

[Viki&Charlie]

In the original series, I voted for BBG. Unfortunately, for the '12-'13 series, the obviou answer will be Mr. Larry Hagman.

ITA with you and Dr.Kipling. The loss of Larry Hagman is a void that can and never will be replaced with the relaunch. He is and always will be the one and only J.R. Ewing. Larry will be dearly missed, my condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the cast and crew of Dallas.