TNT's next-generation reboot of the wildly popular '80s drama 'Dallas' is due out next summer, but here's a new first-look trailer at the Ewing clan back in action.

The new version of the show has plenty of continuity from the old 'Dallas,' as it still features Larry Hagman as J.R. and Patrick Duffy as Bobby, but it adds the next generation of Ewings, played by Jesse Metcalfe and Josh Henderson, to the mix.

And guess what ... the Ewing family is still drilling for oil in Texas and feuding with each other about how far they're willing to go in pursuit of staying rich. In the trailer, Bobby makes it pretty clear that he doesn't want the kids making the same mistakes he and J.R. made, but greed has a way of making things complicated for the Ewings.

Check out the new trailer after the jump.

Patrick Duffy called 'Dallas' "the gift that keeps on giving" Tuesday on 'The Talk' (weekdays, syndicated on CBS). That's thanks to TNT's reboot of the series, which was originally canceled in 1991, starring Duffy, Larry Hagman, and Linda Gray. The three actors played the mainstays of the Ewing clan for 13 years, and became household names in the process.

Duffy described stepping back into the role of Bobby Ewing as "a real time warp situation," feeling as if no time had passed since the last time he was on the 'Dallas' set. "I haven't been Bobby for twenty years and Larry and Linda and I stepped back into the wardrobe, back on the set at the ranch, and it was as if we had been on our three-month hiatus and we were back at work," he said.

The major difference comes up, he said, when he looks in the mirror and realizes twenty years have indeed passed. "You have to talk louder to Larry now," he yelled, joking. Season one is already in production, and debuts in the summer of 2012.

'Dallas' reboot is a go! TNT has picked up the series.

"TNT has explored the possibility of an updated version of 'Dallas' for several years, but it wasn't until we read Cynthia Cidre's outstanding pilot script that we knew we had the foundation for a great new series," Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM), said in a statement. "It is incredibly exciting to see both new and familiar characters in the hands of a dream cast under the guidance of the enormously talented Cidre and Mike Robin. We couldn't be more pleased with how 'Dallas' has come together."


The new series focuses on the children of the original Ewings -- J.R.'s son John Ross and Bobby and Pam's adopted son Christopher. Josh Henderson ('Desperate Housewives') plays John Ross, while Jesse Metcalfe stars as Christopher.

In TV, there are two distinct worlds: our world and the cartoon world. So far, we've gotten along pretty well because, for the most part, cartoons have kept their animated butts in their world.

We don't allow it to happen very often because when cartoons try to invade the real world on those rare occasions, the transference is nightmarish. Their distorted animated features and expressions can make 'Eraserhead' look like an Olson Twins movie.

Here are five of the creepiest looking and sounding real life cartoon crossovers that will have you bleaching your brain with the magic of Clorox 2.

It was the daddy of all cliffhangers: Who Shot J.R?

On March 21, 1980, 'Dallas' viewers gasped as an unknown assailant shot J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman), the ultra-manipulative, double-dealing womanizer we loved to hate. The Texas oil baron had so many enemies, anybody could have pulled the trigger. Was it his bitter alcoholic wife Sue Ellen? His upright but resentful brother Bobby? His arch-enemy Cliff Barnes, who blamed him for stealing his daddy's oil business? Or any number of other relatives, business associates, mistresses (or their angry husbands), who had ample motive for revenge?

It was an unprecedented pop culture moment with "Who Shot J.R.?" T-shirts and Vegas laying odds about who the culprit would be. Ninety million people tuned in the next fall to find out that the shooter was Kristin, J.R.s sister-in-law whom he'd also been sleeping with.

The show never again reached such ratings heights, but the cliffhanger craze was born. Over the next 12 seasons, we were treated to crashes, fires and all kinds of bite-your-nails finales that left nearly every character's life on the line at some point. In honor of the 30th anniversary of that fateful shot, we count down 'Dallas's top 10 most memorable moments.

Watch out, J.R.: 'Dallas' is officially back.

The Hollywood Reporter confirms that TNT and producer Warner Horizon are working on a remake of the '80s staple, with 'Cane''s Cynthia Cidre on tap to write it.

Cidre created and served as executive producer on 'Cane,' the story of a Cuban-American family and its successful Florida-based rum and sugar cane business. The Sept. 2007 series premiere was huge for CBS, bringing in 11 million viewers; however, the show got lost in the shuffle during the 2007-08 WGA strike and, after going on hiatus to accommodate mid-season replacements, died in May 2008.

It worked for Star Trek, right? The CW has gone to the next generation well with both 90210 and Melrose Place the past couple of years, to less than stellar results. So would it even be a good idea for TNT to pick up a sequel series to the '80s classic Dallas?

The premise of the relaunch would be for the show to focus on the next generation of Ewings, featuring J.R. and Sue Ellen's son John Ross and Christopher, the adopted son of Bobby and Pam, as the new leads. The producers have already been in touch with original actors Larry Hagman, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy to discuss their possible involvement.

While there's no guarantee of a series, it does look like a pilot at least will be filmed. They'd have to be careful to make sure it appeals to people who've never seen Dallas, because that's getting to be a long time ago now. But there's always room on television for a well written family soap opera. Me, I'm still holding out for a next generation iteration of Soap.

Have you ever had a fantasy in which you had lunch with your favorite television celebrity? Well, if you have the cash on hand, now's your chance. Celebrity lunches up for auction include Jon Hamm, Nathan Fillion and Kevin Smith, among others (Patrick Duffy? He's still around?). All proceeds benefit the Adrienne Shelly Foundation for female filmmakers.

Honestly, if you did participate in the auction and win one of the lunches, what would you say to the person? I've been tongue-tied in front of celebrities before, when I was much younger. Would you simply ask how they're doing? Would you try to promote that script you've been working on for year? Would you have to buy the lunch, or would the celebrity pay?

Gary Dourdan ... David Hasselhoff ... Michael Landon ... find out where they rank on our list.

Sexy, hotties, beefcake -- call 'em what you will; to us, they're simply the 50 hunkiest men to ever populate primetime TV.

From cowboys and cops to legal eagles and Supermen (we've got two of those), these are the handsome fellas who've made us laugh, cry ... and drool on our remote controls.

But hunkiness is in the eye of the beholder, so peruse our countdown and see if your favorite TV man candy made the list.

Are you available Saturday, November 8th? Will you be in Parker, Texas? If the answer to these questions is yes, then maybe you'll head out to Southfork Ranch for a reunion with cast members of the classic CBS mega-hit Dallas. In honor of the 30th anniversary of the primetime soap, several actors from the show -- those still around -- will gather for a huge celebration. J.R. -- Larry Hagman -- will be the unofficial host, with Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) and Bobby (Patrick Duffy) also confirmed. No, this is not a dream. It's a real anniversary get together!

And what's really terrific about this event, if you ask me, is that it's not a private party. You can buy a ticket and take part. Tickets go on sale August 22 and will cost between $100 and $1,000. And for that money there will be a chance to ask questions of the stars, enjoy a concert of country music, tour Southfork and watch a fireworks display. Presumably that will not be a re-enactment of "Who shot J.R.?"

Yeah, I'm repeating myself, but the only two words that come to mind about today's Family Guy table read/lunch session are: freakin' sweet!

And I'm not just talking about the FG swag (pens, notebooks, inflatable Brian dolls) either. The cast of FG is doing a live table read of the show's 100th episode titled "Stewie Kills Lois." The title says it all!

A FOX publicist advises anyone of the faint of heart and all non-Quagmire-types to consider making their way to the exit door. I don't see anyone leave.

Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.

Today on TV Squad Daily:

• The Simpsons Movie named Springfield, Vermont as the official Springfield for the movie's premiere.
  
• The former cast of Dallas proves again why celebrity charity auctions are more show than fundraiser.
  
• National Bingo Night is coming back! Don't act like you're not excited.
  

The video's embedded below, or you can subscribe to this podcast via our feed. Plus, you can also download the file directly.

With the announcement that the unaired pilot of Aquaman would become a downloadable video courtesy of iTunes I began to ponder all of the television shows that took place, or featured characters that lived, under the sea. After some extensive research (about five minutes) I discovered that there weren't many. So, as a public service to you, the dedicated TV Squad reader, I present the following list of underwater shows. Please put on your wet suits.

Surface: This on the list first because it was the most recent show telecast that featured underwater creatures. Only lasting one season on NBC (despite a strong fan base) the show starred Lake Bell as an oceanographer who is attacked by an unknown life-form in the Pacific Ocean. After that initial encounter, things go a little bonkers on planet Earth, including stars falling from the sky into the water, and unknown creatures washing up on public beaches. A cliffhanger episode was aired at the end of the first season, but was left up in the air due to the show's cancellation.

Patrick Duffy, who starred in Dallas and Step by Step and was once the leg of Scuzzlebutt, is coming back to television. This time Duffy will be playing Stephen Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful. Stephen is the father of Brooke Logan, played by Katherine Kelly Lang. Part of me wants to call this a step down for Duffy, but I don't think he has people banging down his door these days, so I'll just say it's cool he's getting work. Besides, he's not a bad actor. I was always impressed by his comedic talent on Step by Step, even if the show itself was absolutely wretched.

[via BC Beat]