The 1978 and 2012 Dallas series

 The 1978 and 2012 Dallas series tell the same Ewing family saga but are quite different in style and focus.

Basic overview
The 1978 Dallas is the original CBS prime‑time soap, running 14 seasons (1978–1991) and 357 episodes, centered on J.R., Bobby, Sue Ellen and the classic oil‑vs‑ranch family feud.
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The 2012 Dallas is a TNT revival/continuation that ran 3 seasons (2012–2014), shifting focus to the next generation—John Ross and Christopher—while keeping Bobby, J.R. and Sue Ellen in major legacy roles.
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Story and tone
The 1978 show is slower‑paced, very character‑driven, and famous for huge cliffhangers like “Who shot J.R.?” which helped define 80s TV melodrama.
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The 2012 version keeps the corporate scheming and family drama but adds faster editing, more serialized plotting, and modern themes like renewable energy vs. oil and political ambition.
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Characters
In 1978, the emotional core is the triangle of J.R., Sue Ellen and Bobby, plus side rivalries like the Ewings vs. Cliff Barnes, with most screen time on the older generation.
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In 2012, John Ross and Christopher become the main rivals, while characters such as Bobby, Sue Ellen, and J.R. act as mentors, power brokers, and links to the past.
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Reception and legacy
The original is considered a landmark series, often listed among the greatest TV shows and remembered for changing how prime‑time drama used season‑ending cliffhangers.
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The revival received generally positive early reviews and a strong nostalgia response but never matched the cultural impact or ratings of the original and was cancelled after three seasons.