The same but different

Back when I was a kid Friday night meant watching Dallas as a family. We'd all be in my parent's bedroom watching the serial soap like so many people i know did and then after the previews of what would be happening next week at Southfork, it was time for 20/20 back when Hugh downs and Barbara Walters were holding court and a young John Stossel (same mustache) was in the field.

This was years before the term age-appropriate was in the lexicon, so this was a ritual many families would take part in. Nowadays there's probably some watchdog group that would have a problem with a 7 year old who was keeping tabs on JR, Bobby and the rest of the Ewing clan.

Since Dallas went of the air there really hasn't been a serial nighttime soap that has captivated the entire country in a really long time. Sure there have been attempts, many of them, but until a little show hit the airwaves a few years back there was a void that needed to be filled.

It wasn't until about two weeks ago during a conversation with some people at the Elle Women in Hollywood dinner that I realized that there was a show that had replaced Dallas and I was already watching it, Brothers and Sisters.

I didn't start watching Brothers and Sisters until the middle of last season and now I'm hooked.

Turns out so is everyone else.

Brothers and Sisters, is the new Dallas.

Everyone is watching and there's doesn't seem to be anyone pulling the ol' oh i don't watch that show as in the case of say Desperate Housewives or Melrose Place back in the day.

Besides the mass appeal and the basic concept of a large wealthy powerful family struggling with all the normal issues of daily life and the added problems a certain demographic has to deal with, there are quite a few parallels between the two shows. Enough to explain why it works but not so many that you're thinking it's a remake or rip off. To find a show that is original but also feels familiar is kinda nice.

I feel like I've known the Walkers for years.

I'm pretty sure Barbara Bel Gedes' Miss Ellie could give Sally Field's Nora more than a few pointers about how to be the matriarch to a family of dis-functional grown children who are trying to find their way while dealing with being a recent window without going crazy.

Next time you watch Brothers and Sisters try playing the little game I played last Sunday. Say Ewing Oil every time Ojai Foods is uttered by one of the characters. The scandals, the financial woes, the power struggles, the controlling interest changing hands, it's all the same.

Now if Balthazaar Getty shows up in the shower as if nothing happened a few years from now that's either going to be genious or the moment i stop watching.

Brothers and Sisters is on ABC at 10pm on Sunday Nights.

Sb