14 DAY TRIAL // Last weekend brought a shocking announcement from TNT, which pulled the plug on the “Dallas” series after 3 seasons and dwindling ratings, even though the finale brought a major cliffhanger. Fans angry over the cancelation have now the perfect venue to vent their frustration.
Since we’re living in a modern world, that venue is online – and will hopefully serve as more than just a place where they can rant, because they believe the online campaign they launched will convince network bosses to give the show another fighting chance.
As of now, the campaign, started over at Causes.com by fan Sara Duckworth, has over 54,000 signatures and even actor Patrick Duffy, who plays Bobby Ewing, is endorsing it.
Fans believe “Dallas” should have at least been given closure
“Signing this petition could help save TNT’s Dallas so it can get renewed for season 4. Fans love this show so much, and it should last as long as the original!!! Please help save Dallas’ legacy and future!!! Every signature counts! Please share this petition!” the text of the petition reads.
In case you didn’t notice, its tone is very urgent. Duckworth isn’t the only one to feel this upset about the cancelation, as messages from all over the world, both as a response to the petition and to the network’s announcement on Facebook, leave no room for doubt as to what fans are feeling: pulling the plug on the show right now is akin to when the original series was canceled.
And it’s just as heartbreaking and infuriating.
At the very least, TNT should at least do the characters justice by wrapping the show beautifully, not just axing it when they feel it’s no longer performing as per expectations. The network owes “Dallas” at least another season for closure, fans are saying.
Patrick Duffy is on board
Patrick Duffy, who appeared as Bobby Ewing both on the original series and the new one, is of the same mind. He tweeted that he wasn’t done with the character and is encouraging fans to continue with the campaign, to let network bosses know that the cancelation isn’t well received, no matter how sound a financial decision it might have seemed.
“I for one am not done with Bobby Ewing! Let’s see if some network wants the Ewings to live on! Love you all!!” he wrote. Previously, he kept tweeting about praying for a renewal, so you can imagine that his disappointment was huge when TNT drew the line, did the count, and ruled that keeping the show on the air was no longer profitable, given its decreasing ratings.
An admirable but useless effort
Campaigns like this one come a dime a dozen, unfortunately. They provide fans with a great venue to gather and mourn the loss of their favorite show, and they might even make headlines because of the impressive number of signatures they collect.
Sadly, most of the times, they don’t pay off because networks refuse to give in to pressure, especially if it’s not coming from the right places. Realistically speaking, the moment a show becomes more expensive to produce than the revenue it generates, it will be canceled. This is how the entertainment business works, with emphasis on the aspect of it that most counts.
At best, fans of “Dallas” can hope that some other network, seeing the interest the petition has generated, will pick up the show and give it another season. It’s been done before, but in order for that to happen, “Dallas” will need more than 54,000 signatures. A whole lot more, in fact.
I for one am not done with Bobby Ewing! Let's see if some network wants the Ewings to live on! Love you all!!
— Patrick Duffy (@therealpduffy) October 4, 2014