Did the TV show ‘Dallas’ contribute to the collapse of the Soviet Union?

Glamour and greed were always defining qualities of the TV series Dallas, which aired from 1978-91. (Let’s pretend the reboot never happened.)

Now, we learn those freewheeling Ewings may have also helped topple the Soviet Union.

At least, that’s the claim from Eurythmics musician Dave Stewart in a recent interview on Joss Stone’s A Cuppa Happy podcast, reports Deadline.com. Stewart says he once had a conversation with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who blamed the prime-time soap for giving residents ideas about living like wealthy Westerners.

According to Stewart: “He said that had more effect, that half-hour or whatever it was, than anything else.”