Dallas

Dallas traces the power obsessed Ewing clan as oil wealth drives every decision in a sprawling Texas saga. The show pairs sun drenched mansions and gleaming cars with sharp witted schemes, creating a world where loyalty and betrayal live side by side. Over time it widens from a family soap into a broad tapestry of business alliances, personal rivalries, and smoky backroom deals that ripple through an entire community. The tone blends glamour with grit, inviting viewers to watch how ambition reshapes marriages, friendships, and fortunes. It earned a reputation for scale and ambition, and it delivered a legendary cliffhanger that became a cultural touchstone, one of television history's most talked about moments.

Created by David Jacobs, Dallas first aired in 1978 and quickly defined the mega soap format. It brought a sprawling ensemble to the screen, turning a Texan family saga into a glossy but cutthroat procedural of oil money, ambition, and politics.

Its scale and style turned oil money into a defining backdrop for prime time drama, sparking fashion trends and pop culture chatter around the globe. The show helped popularize the idea that family business and personal ambition collide in spectacular ways, leaving a lasting imprint on television storytelling. Its theme music and larger-than-life characters became instantly recognizable.

Critics noted that Dallas starts with a glossy surface but quickly reveals a dense network of loyalties and power plays. Its focus on family ties, business rivalries, and moral ambiguity struck a chord with viewers craving serialized storytelling on a prime time stage. The show celebrated excess while probing the cost of wealth.

Awards: Dallas earned nominations across major ceremonies during its run, reflective of its cultural impact and popularity. While it may not have dominated award lists, its influence on the genre is widely acknowledged and remains a touchstone in discussions of classic television drama.