MEMO TO TV PRODUCERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Please, please, please stop promoting Dallas’ “cowboy” image. You know what I mean: lots of cowboy hats, boots, interior shots of Billy Bob’s (which is not even in Dallas), exterior shots of Pioneer Plaza. Just stop. The latest culprit? Last night, the Food Network aired the Dallas episode of $40 a Day. Now, I do love me some Racheal Ray, so I’m going to blame her producers for writing the line: “Texas has it all by the barn-ful.” And for ending the show with “Y’all come back now, ya hear.” Other “highlights” from the show: a guidebook suggested Ray check out the West End because it’s “a great place to stroll and take in the local color” (accompanied by shots of a vacant West End Marketplace and a now-defunct Planet Hollywood). Ray also suggested riding the trolley along McKinney Avenue (yes, she was the only person on it). And a video montage of popular local eateries included Fat Ted’s in Deep Ellum, Gator’s in the West End, and Whataburger. Yes, Whataburger. Yeehaw!