From the RTF Dept.

Dallas, An "American Icon"

By Robert Wilonsky Fri., Feb. 18 2011 at 9:05 AM
Categories: From the RTF Dept., Media
dallas_feature_long_image.jpg
​On Christmas Eve afternoon, radio-radio's Julia Barton stopped by the offices to interview Schutze and me for an episode of Public Radio International's Studio 360, which is hosted by Kurt Andersen. Barton had been tasked with doing a piece on Dallas as part of the show's "American Icons" series, which, since the summer of '07, has included the likes of Superman, The Wizard of Oz, Andy Warhol's Soup Cans, Harley-Davidson and Jimi Hendrix's version of "The Star-Spangled Banner." To that estimable company -- nominated for inclusion by the show's listeners -- add J.R. Ewing and Southfork Ranch.

Wisely, Julia wound up using only Schutze's contributions; can't say I blame her. Also part of piece: series creator David Jacobs (who explains that he never intended to make a series about Dallas), an Estonian filmmaker for whom the series helped crumble the Iron Curtain ("We wanted to believe that people live in skyscrapers and have beautiful cars and everything is shiny and glamorous") and Reason's Matt Welch, who co-wrote the November '08 piece that insisted Dallas helped win the Cold War.

Studio 360 airs tomorrow at 1 p.m. on KERA-FM (90.1). But no need to wait till then.

Email to Friend
Print Article

We Recommend

My Voice Nation Help
4 comments
  Livefyre
Sort: Newest | Oldest
LaceyB
LaceyB

Also, may I suggest a raise for Schutze, now that he is a "Dallas Expert" and not just a writer about Dallas (not to mention "Bully")?

LaceyB
LaceyB

It's super crazy true. Been to Russia and Estonia and the Baltic countries, and they can quote the series, as though we do that also. If it helps make peace from pieces. I think they are genuinely disappointed, however, when I say that I'm from Dallas, and have only seen one or two eps.

Nick R.
Nick R.

Great piece.

Oakparkstudio
Oakparkstudio

I agree. Interesting way to look at the show through another lens. I hadn't considered Dallas the city becoming the image of Dallas the show...but it really has.

Southfork was a great metaphor. I love NPR.

VOICE Daily Deals

Slideshows»

Retail

General

More >>
©2013 Dallas Observer, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Dallas / Fort Worth

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city

Join
Log In