You sent in your questions to
Susan Howard in this exclusive Ultimate Dallas Interview where we asked your questions.
Read the transcript below and click on the icon to join in the discussion with other fans from across the world.

 

 

Jamie in Germany asks Were Donna and Ray a good couple? Why or why not?

Susan - I thought they were a real good couple, they were more common folk, they were trying to live normal lives, Ray and Donna always brought you back down to a center. Sometimes they did weird things too, like punching women in bars (laughs), I don't recommend that.

Interviewer - Great scene though

Susan - (Laughs) Leonard said "We got an idea, when you find out about Ray and Bonnie, there is not going to be a brawl, its going to be one punch", I said "Oh I can handle that, this is gonna be great" and I did I loved it (laughs)

Interviewer - You can tell from the scene, you looked like you enjoyed it

Susan - (Laughs) I did, it was great.

Evan in Cedar Park, Texas asks As a Texan, I remember that you were active in Texas politics. Are you still involved and, if so, what are you doing?

Susan - Very much so, I was appointed by our Governor right now, Rick Perry, I am on the Advisory Council for Physical Fitness, which everybody knows we have a problem with fat people in the world, and we all have a problem with fat. Primarily its to get people motivated to doing what's right for their own psychical and emotional well being. I serve as the treasurer of the Republican Party of the State of Texas and very involved in local, state and national politics. In fact I will be going to Washington sometime the end of April for a fundraiser for John Cornyn, our new Senator who's up there.

Christine in Germany asks - Being a member of the NRA, as you might know, here in Europe the weapon laws are totally different than in the states.How would you explain the American right to own guns to people from other countries who might not understand.

Susan - It goes to the very root of our country and back to when the British wanted us to stay a British Colony, and one of the major things was if we could just disarm the people then their ours. The National Rifle Association is an organization which is over 130 years old, the majority of Presidents were all life members because written in our bill of rights were the bills that said we believe people should have the right to free speech , the freedom of religion, the right of assembly, the second amendment is the right of the people to own and bare arms because the threat of Government aggression of someone wanting to takeover is always there. In Switzerland you must have an arm, there are countries all over Europe that do that, if you go back into the history of Germany you will realize if you go back to the time of Hitler that one of the major things was disarming the people, I'm sure that's not historically wanted to be taught in a lot of schools but our history is important, who we are, where we came from. I believe you must learn to shoot a firearm safely, I believe that it is a deep responsibility, I do not believe it is one of these things just running around firing into the air, like Saddam Hussain, standing out on his terrace firing into the air. But I believe its important for people, and I hope I have explained it to Christine but its certainly not saying everybody should be armed , its a personal right.

Celestine in Moscow asks Is it true you know George Bush? How did you find him and do you support his current Political strive. I personally have difficulty understanding the whole situation?

Susan - Yes I campaigned for our President before he was elected for Governor, and I find him one of the most honorable people I have ever had the privilege of knowing or meeting. Deeply committed, totally given to serving what he believes is the good and the right of this Country and it's people. I believe what is going on in Iraq right now is a necessity, more and more information will come out. No one likes war, no one wants war but there are certain people in this world, there was gangs in streets that do nothing but go around to destroy what peace other people have, and I believe this is a thug regime that is in Iraq and the sooner its done away with and the decent hard working people who would just like the chance of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am so grateful to Tony Blair, to Australia, to Spain , to all those Nations who have said "We see, believe and know and we're not sticking our finger in the air either". When this is done the world will be a safer place for you, your children and your grandchildren, so I thank god everyday. I said to Calvin, "Wouldn't it be neat, if when this is done if we volunteer to go other there and we could work in a school, give them some of the gifts and the knowledge we have". Start this whole thing all over the world which said 'will you be willing to give six months or a year of your life to go to Iraq and help them become educated about the things we take for granted everyday of our lives.

Jamie in Germany asks Any funny stories that have happened on the set you could tell us about?

Susan - We had fun, we really had fun. To break things up you just do silly things, one day I kept thinking "Why don't I get the make-up, hair and wardrobe and made up like Barbara Bel Geddes", and they did. We got a wig, I got one of her frumpy old dresses, you know the sacks she wore. Barbara was doing this scene in the living room and her back was to the main doorway , she was facing the picture of Jock, (laughs), so the camera was on her back on a medium shot, so I stood on camera and she turned around and I won't tell you what she said (laughs), but it was wonderful.

Robert in California asks Hi, Susan, I had once read talk of a spin-off series involving Donna and Ray moving to Hawaii. How come that never came to be?

Susan - It wasn't that, do you remember this family who at one time adopted all these kids from all over the world, it was a true story, that was the idea, Ray and Donna would become like this. That was the idea of it.

Jake in Humberside asks Would you be in a television movie for Dallas and what would Donna be doing?

Susan - Honey they never even asked me to be in the other ones, they never invited me to the party (laughs). It would depend on the script and how Donna was portrayed but I would always be open to accepting work. I want to see her coming back and marrying Ray, its never too late. The story would be, here they have this daughter now, he probably had very little to do with her, they sent him off somewhere to Switzerland, so maybe Ray and Donna bump into each other on the slopes (laughs).

Interviewer - Thanks Susan, do you have any final words for everyone who sent in a question?

Susan - But that's wonderful because I want to say thank you because the longevity of Dallas has nothing to do with us but with you all.

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Interview by Colin Hunter

Questions sent in by Dallas fans

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