One thing I noticed watching IDOJ is that Larry Hagman is terrific at doing slapstick comedy--he takes falls and stumbles like a real pro. Maybe not quite as adept as Dick Van Dyke but very good in his own right.

I also think he is the glue which really holds the show together though his chemistry with Barbara is wonderful.

Yes, I agree- he cracks me up about as much as Dick Van Dyke does :lol:

And yes, not many TV couples can top the chemistry between Hagman and Eden!

In episode 126 “Jeannie the Matchmaker” is a funny example of Hagman’s physical comedy. Jeannie puts up a wall separating the living room and dining room while Tony has his back to the dining room so he doesn’t notice. He then turns around quickly and heads off at full steam into the dining room only to immediately collide into the wall that he wasn’t expecting. He bounces off the wall backwards, flips backwards over the couch where he hits his leg on the coffee table (I think that was not planned) and rolls out of frame. Jeannie/Barbara looks at him with great concern and starts to go around the couch to see if he is OK but then stops because I guess Jeannie was supposed to stay on that side. Jeannie/Barbara asks very quietly (like it really isn’t a line in the script) “Did you hurt yourself?” Tony/Hagman takes a few seconds to get up (he’s still out of frame) and he gets up slowly without saying anything. She again asks; “Did you hurt yourself?” quietly under her breath. She still seems to be out of character. He finally gets up and come back into frame and straightens out his blouse (uniform jacket) that was really askew due to the hard fall. However he remains in character and says quietly but sternly “Remove the wall.” She says “Give us a little kiss” and puckers up. He again says “Remove the wall.” as he leans slowly and gives her a little kiss (obviously in still in pain). They had to cut immediately after the kiss because she starts to laugh. It was pretty funny especially that I could watch it in slow motion several times – unlike the last time I saw that episode before there were VCRs.

They had to cut immediately after the kiss because she starts to laugh.

Thanks. That's pretty funny. I'll have to watch for that!

Yes! I wish I had the episodes on tape. I can't wait until they play that episode (I guess I'll be waiting atleast a month!) I'll definitly watch for that!

You know, that's quite true. It's a testament to Hagman's great acting to go from Tony to J.R. It floors me that the same actor plays both.

Similarly, that's like Carroll O'Connor playing Archie Bunker and Bill Gillespie.

You know, that's quite true. It's a testament to Hagman's great acting to go from Tony to J.R. It floors me that the same actor plays both.

Similarly, that's like Carroll O'Connor playing Archie Bunker and Bill Gillespie.
That proves what a great actor he is. He is completely 2 different characters in those roles. I don't think you can find Anthony Nelson anywhere inside JR Ewing.