About
"I'm a natural writer. I always had a lot of words in me."
In his over two-and-a-half-hour interview, David Jacobs (1939-2023) discusses his long career as a writer of non-fiction books, including a biography of Charlie Chaplin, and of magazine articles for such publications as The New York Times Magazine. He talks about his transition to television writing, which began on the series The Blue Knight and on Family when he was well into his thirties. Jacobs describes in great detail his creation of two popular and long-running nighttime serials: Dallas and Knots Landing. He notes the fact that Knots Landing was created before Dallas, but pitched and produced afterward. He recounts how Dallas was created around actress Linda Evans (who would be a regular on Dynasty), how the show came to be titled and set in Dallas (a city he had never been to), and how the show reflected its era. Jacobs also explains the premise of Knots Landing, gives his impressions of the actors who appeared on the show and discusses some of the storylines on the popular series. He then comments on a number of series, miniseries, and television movies he produced in the 1980s and '90s, including the western series Paradise and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Shelley Jenkins conducted the interview on February 29, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
David Jacobs on the "Who Shot J.R.?" storyline on Dallas
David Jacobs on the Bobby out of the shower/last season was all a dream storyline on Dallas
On how Dallas reflected its era
On how Dallas was Romeo and Juliet and Cain and Abel
On the importance of music on Knots Landing
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early years, influences, and his start in writing
On his start in television writing
On the development and production of Knots Landing and Dallas
Chapter 2
On Dallas (continued)
On the role of a story editor (on Family )
On Knots Landing
Chapter 3
On producing; on Knots Landing (continued)
On his later series; on his advice to writers; on how he would like to be remembered
Shows
Behind the Screen
David Jacobs on his role on the late night show Behind the Screen - a soap opera about the making of soap opera
Berrenger's
David Jacobs on his role on Berrenger's
Blue Knight, The
David Jacobs on his first television job - a rewrite on The Blue Knight
David Jacobs on how Bob Schlitt gave him a much needed job on The Blue Knight
Bodies of Evidence
David Jacobs on creating the show Bodies of Evidence
Dallas
David Jacobs on the genesis and production of Dallas and Knots Landing
Creator/Producer David Jacobs on Dallas (continued)
David Jacobs on the fifth episode of Dallas, "Barbeque"
David Jacobs on the Dallas prequel, Dallas: The Early Years
David Jacobs on the "Who Shot J.R.?" storyline on Dallas
David Jacobs on the Bobby out of the shower/last season was all a dream storyline on Dallas
David Jacobs on the Dallas prequel Dallas: The Early Years
David Jacobs on the writing of Dallas
Dallas: "Barbeque"
David Jacobs on the fifth episode of Dallas, "Barbeque"
Dallas: "The Return to Camelot: Part 1"
David Jacobs on the Bobby out of the shower/last season was all a dream storyline on Dallas
Dallas: "Who Done It?"
David Jacobs on the "Who Shot J.R.?" storyline on Dallas
Dallas: The Early Years
David Jacobs on the Dallas prequel, Dallas: The Early Years
David Jacobs on the Dalla s prequel Dallas: The Early Years
Dynasty
David Jacobs on Dynasty as a perfect representation of Reagan's 2nd term
Family
David Jacobs on becoming a staff writer on Family
Writer David Jacobs on the role of a story editor (on Family)
Four Corners
David Jacobs on his role on CBS' Four Corners
Homefront
David Jacobs on two of his writers creating Homefront
Knots Landing
David Jacobs on the genesis and production of Dallas and Knots Landing
Creator/Producer David Jacobs on Knots Landing
Creator/Producer David Jacobs on Knots Landing (continued)
David Jacobs on the writing of Knots Landing
Kukla, Fran & Ollie
David Jacobs on the show Kukla, Fran and Ollie
Lace
David Jacobs on his role on the ABC miniseries Lace
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
David Jacobs on his role on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Lucky Pup
David Jacobs on how he enjoyed the children's show Lucky Pup
Moloney
David Jacobs on his role on CBS' Moloney
Paradise
David Jacobs on the western Paradise
Perfect Match, A
David Jacobs on his role on the CBS TV movie A Perfect Match
Picket Fences
David Jacobs on creating the show Bodies of Evidence and time slot differences with Picket Fences
Secrets of Midland Heights
David Jacobs on his role on the night-time soap Secrets of Midland Heights
Waltons, The
David Jacobs on working with Lorimar Productions - producers of The Waltons
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Dallas creator David Jacobs on the character of J.R. Ewing
Dallas creator David Jacobs on the characters of Dallas
Memorable Moments on Television
David Jacobs on the "Who Shot J.R.?" storyline on Dallas
David Jacobs on the Bobby out of the shower/last season was all a dream storyline on Dallas
Pop Culture
David Jacobs on casting Dallas
Professions
Genres
Daytime/Primetime Serials
David Jacobs on the genesis and production of Knots Landing and Dallas
People
Merv Adelson
David Jacobs on working with Lorimar Productions executive, Merv Adelson
Joan Van Ark
David Jacobs on Knots Landing actress Joan Van Ark
Dean Cain
David Jacobs on working with Dean Cain on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Philip Capice
David Jacobs on Phil Capice, Executive Producer on Dallas
George Clooney
David Jacobs on creating the show Bodies of Evidence with George Clooney
Jim Davis
David Jacobs on Dallas actor Jim Davis and his character Jack Ewing
William Devane
David Jacobs on Knots Landing actor William Devane
Patrick Duffy
David Jacobs on Patrick Duffy from Dallas
Linda Evans
David Jacobs on pitching Knots Landin g, then creating Dallas as a vehicle for Linda Evans
Michael Filerman
David Jacobs on how Lorimar development director Michael Filerman helped inspire Knots Landing
Robert Foxworth
David Jacobs on casting Dallas - Robert Foxworth was the original choice to play J.R. Ewing
Barbara Bel Geddes
David Jacobs on casting Barbara Bel Geddes for Dallas
Larry Hagman
David Jacobs on actor Larry Hagman
Teri Hatcher
David Jacobs on working with Teri Hatcher on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Steve Kanaly
David Jacobs on Dalla s actor Steve Kanaly
Leonard Katzman
David Jacobs on Leonard Katzman, Producer on Dallas
David Jacobs on the Bobby out of the shower/last season was all a dream storyline on Dallas
Ken Kercheval
David Jacobs on Dalla s actor Ken Kercheval
Michele Lee
David Jacobs on Knots Landin g actress Michelle Lee
Kim LeMasters
David Jacobs on CBS President Kim LeMasters changing the location of Paradise and on creating future shows
Deborah Joy LeVine
David Jacobs on working on Deborah Joy Levine's Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Camille Marchetta
David Jacobs on story editor Camille Marchetta's role in the "Who Shot J.R.?" storyline on Dallas
Nigel McKeand
David Jacobs on advice on writing from writer Nigel McKeand
David Jacobs on advice on writing from writer Nigel McKeand
Victoria Principal
David Jacobs on the difficulties of casting the character of Pamela on Dallas
David Jacobs on actress Victoria Principal and her Dallas character Pamela
Lee Rich
David Jacobs on working with Lorimar Productions executive Lee Rich
Robert Schlitt
David Jacobs on his first television job - a rewrite on The Blue Knight, and on his admiration for development executive Bob Schlitt
David Jacobs on how Bob Schlitt gave him a much needed job on The Blue Knight
Ted Shackelford
David Jacobs on Knots Landing actor Ted Shackleford
Peter Strauss
David Jacobs on working with actor Peter Strauss
David Jacobs on his role on CBS' Moloney with Peter Strauss
Charlene Tilton
David Jacobs on actress Charlene Tilton and her Dallas character Lucy