J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
Larry Hagman died a few days ago. After all of the wonderful roles he played, the evil J.R. Ewing has to be the most memorable. The Dallas character was unbelievably evil and the overall morality of the show could be argued. I had a more favorable impression of the show before I read Richard Rushfield's case for how it led to shows such as this year's The Mindy Project.
But the Reason.TV video above argues that it had an unintended positive effect in Romania:
During its original run from 1978 to 1991, Dallas was an international cultural phenomenon with ratings higher than late-’70s interest rates. It was the most or second-most watched show in the United States for half a decade, showing up in ABBA songs and Ozzy Osbourne videos, and spinning off the megahit Knots Landing.
But Dallas’ greatest impact ultimately wasn’t in these United States but in communist Romania, where it helped topple the brutal Ceausescu regime.
Dallas was the last Western show allowed during the nightmarish 1980s because President Nicolae Ceausescu thought it showcased all that was wrong with capitalism. In fact, the show provided a luxuriant alternative to a communism that was forcing people to wait more than a decade to buy the most rattletrap communist-produced cars.“I think we were directly or indirectly responsible for the fall of the [communism],” Larry Hagman told the Associated Press a decade ago. “They would see the wealthy Ewings and say, ‘Hey, we don’t have all this stuff.’"
In fact, after Ceausescu and his wife were killed on Christmas Eve in 1989, the pilot episode of Dallas was aired on newly liberated Romanian TV.
As Nick Gillespie narrates:
Throwaway cultural products influence far-flung societies in ways that are impossible for anyone, even dictators, to predict or control.
That lesson is more relevant than ever in a world where movies, TV shows, and music cross borders with impunity and the free West engages the semi-free East, whether in China or Iran. If the United States is interested in spreading American values and institutions, TV shows may go a lot further than armored personnel carriers.
But what does this outfit that Justin Bieber wore to receive an award from the Canadian Prime Minister influence?
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Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
Someone who read this post just sent me a link to this, saying Bieber's outfit shows American strength:
Jul '11
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
Growing up in India, it was cowboys that impressed me more than lawyers and wall street execs. Then I move here and find out that it is fashionable to look down upon all the things that drew me to America.
May '10
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
Ayaan Hirsi Ali credits English romance novels, found in Ethiopia, including Jane Austen and Danielle Steel (!), with awakening in her the idea of love, which later gave her the courage she needed to flee an arranged marriage and take refuge in the west.
Dec '10
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
To me Larry Hagman was the kind "Master" from I Dream of Genie.
I could never get used to him as a bad guy.
Jun '10
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
The greatest gift that the west has given to the world is the notion that individuals matter. The idea is part of what used to be known as the liberal tradition. I don't know what our culture has to offer now, except perhaps a sad look at what happens when a nation becomes decadent.
Bieber is an adolescent fop of no consequence. The onus for this breach of decorum lies with the Canadian PM for not insisting on proper protocols.
Apr '11
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
Ha, ha. I never watched I Dream of Jeannie or Dallas or anything LH was in. Not a reflection on him, just a case of non-intersecting universes of discourse.
One summer in the '70s, I kept coming across curious references to "Who shot J.R.?". I knew J.R. from nobody, let alone when, where, or why anyone would shoot him, and why I should care, as I was obviously assumed to do. Finally, after 3 months of episodes of mild puzzlement, an Art Buchwald (remember him? no, you don't. He used to be a Washington Post columnist, accepted at the best affairs in Washington, D.C. as "funny" "humorist", a dubious accolade in a town where a sense of humor is a professional liability) column gave enough detail for me to place the reference.
Who did shoot J.R., anyway? No, no, nevermind, I don't really want to know. Tell it to the Romanians.
Apr '11
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
I don't know anything about The Mindy Project or its connection with Dallas or why Reason mag thinks it's a bad idea, but it does seem telling that it is easier to get a network job by creating a multicultural show than by losing 25 lbs.
Jun '11
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
Hmmm... perhaps much of what we hear about Russian and Eastern European women can be explained by high-maintenance role models like Sue-Ellen Ewing and Alexis Carrington Colby (never mind their daughters)?
Aug '10
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
And this tweet shows Prime Minister Harper's awesomeness:
"In fairness to Justin Bieber, I told him I would be wearing my overalls too."
May '10
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
Mary Crosby, daughter of you-know-who. Larry Hagman's mother was Mary Martin and the parents were much more entertaining.
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
No, Mindy Kahling is a hilarious writer and actress. I was really excited for her show, but it's ... not good.
Apr '12
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
It also shows Prime Minister Stephen Harper's self control that he didn't fall on the floor laughing. :-)
Apr '12
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
America is nothing like the myths, I find.
Canada isn't either. I thought all Canadians were born with skates on their feet and skis thrown over their shoulders. Not so! :-)
Apr '12
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
Misthiocracy
And this tweet shows Prime Minister Harper's awesomeness:
"In fairness to Justin Bieber, I told him I would be wearing my overalls too." · 4 hours ago
I LIKE that, Mis! "PM Harper's awesomeness: ... "
If ever there was a politician who has been severely underestimated, Harper is he. He is that rare being, a pragmatic, non-ideologist, conservative. Very Canadian I think!
Apr '12
Re: J.R. Ewing and the Fall of Communism
EJHill
Mary Crosby, daughter of you-know-who. Larry Hagman's mother was Mary Martin and the parents were much more entertaining. · 4 hours ago
Hey, wasn't it all a dream? Oh no, didn't the dream have something to do with Pamela and Bobby? Season Nine was it?