The first episode of Lone Star, one of two locally made shows premiering on prime-time television tonight, sets up an intriguing premise about a con man who’s wormed his way into a big-time family oil business while balancing two lives, and women, in two different cities. One of those places is Midland. The other is Houston. Both are played on TV by Dallas.
Or, to be more precise, the Dallas area. I realize that we’ll soon become accustomed to seeing a host of familiar sights appear on the small screen regularly, what with the new series (in addition to Lone Star at 8 pm on Fox, Chase starts at 9 pm on NBC tonight, and The Good Guys returns Friday) on the air. But we’re not yet jaded by the novelty, are we?
In the Lone Star pilot (tonight at 8 pm on Fox 4), you’ll see this Garland Shopping Center sign outside the vacant storefront from which Bob Allen (James Wolk) and his father John (David Keith) operate their scam selling fake oil and gas leases. You’ll also watch Bob visit Susan Saffron Fine Jewelry, and a bag featuring that store’s name features prominently in the episode.
In addition, familiar downtown Dallas buildings, like One Arts Plaza’s big square at night, are clearly visible out the window of the Thatcher Oil offices. Which are supposed to be in Houston. Which begs the question: why didn’t they just set the show in Dallas?
(image: publicity still featuring the cast of Lone Star, from left: Bryce Johnson, Jon Voight, Mark Deklin, Adrianne Palicki, James Wolk, Eloise Mumford, and David Keith.)
UPDATE: An insider wrote to ask that I note that Saint Ann Court, a Harwood International office development, is being showcased as the official headquarters for the show’s Thatcher Oil company. And so it is noted.
