Dallas

The 1956 film Giant is considered the inspiration for Dallas, as both productions focus on the struggle between wealthy oilmen and cattlemen in Texas and both feature a lead character prominently referred to as 'J.R.'

Series creator David Jacobs originally knew nothing about Dallas beyond the Kennedy assassination and the Dallas Cowboys, and only realized after visiting Texas that the show should really have been called Houston, since petroleum was more central there while Dallas is known for banking and insurance.

Dallas debuted in 1978 as a five-part miniseries that neither producers nor the network expected to continue, and it was scheduled in a traditionally low-rated late Sunday night slot, yet it proved popular enough to become a full series.

Actor Steve Kanaly, unhappy with his one-dimensional role as ranch hand Ray Krebbs, considered leaving the show; Larry Hagman then suggested writers make Ray a secret illegitimate son of Jock Ewing, noting Kanaly's resemblance to Jim Davis, which added depth to the character.

Jim Davis, who played patriarch Jock Ewing, died in 1981 just after completing production on season 4, making it his final role; his character was written out via an offscreen helicopter crash in South America.

After Barbara Bel Geddes left following heart bypass surgery and salary disagreements, Miss Ellie was recast with Donna Reed for season 8; when Bel Geddes agreed to return for season 9, it caused a public relations debacle and litigation with Reed, who was eventually given a $1 million out-of-court settlement before dying of cancer in 1986.

Dack Rambo, who played Jack Ewing, was written out of the show without an official explanation; he later stated he believed it was due to his bisexuality or conflicts with Larry Hagman, though Hagman denied any involvement.

The 1980 episode revealing who shot J.R. drew over 90 million American viewers, representing more than 53% of U.S. households, and was watched by nearly 360 million viewers across 57 countries, making it briefly the highest-rated primetime telecast until surpassed by the M*A*S*H finale in 1983.

In 1985, a bidding war erupted in the UK when ITV's Thames Television outbid the BBC for the rights to season 9, prompting the BBC to pull the current series mid-run and threaten a simultaneous broadcast; the dispute caused a media furore and was even raised in the British Parliament before Thames backed down and sold the season back to the BBC at a loss.

While most interiors were filmed at MGM Studios in Culver City, California, production also shot exteriors at the real Southfork Ranch in Parker, Texas; for season 13, rising costs led to all filming being relocated to California, with MGM building a full-size replica of the Southfork Ranch backyard and pool on a soundstage.

Patrick Duffy's character Bobby Ewing was killed off in the season 8 finale and absent for all of season 9, but was brought back after production company Lorimar persuaded Duffy to return, resulting in the entire season 9 being retroactively revealed as a dream of Pamela Ewing's.