Hagman, Duffy, Gray spawn a new generation of family dysfunction in reboot of “Dallas”

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Good news, Ewing family fight fans. If the 1 minute and 6 second sneak peek of next summer’s TNT reboot of “Dallas” is any indication, sibling rivalry and imploding family units remain the chief export of Ewing Oil, even in the age of “Dr. Phil.”
 
During its season premieres of “The Closer” and “Rizzoli & Isles” Monday night, the Atlanta-based cable channel gave fans the first taste of the updated primetime soap that ran for a whopping 13 seasons from 1978 to 1991 on CBS. In the 21st century edition, Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray will all reprise their roles as J.R., Bobby and Sue Ellen Ewing, along with Jerrold Immel‘s iconic theme music. They’ll be joined by former “Desperate Housewives” actors Jesse Metcalfe and Josh Henderson, playing Bobby and Pam Ewing’s adopted son Christopher and J.R. and Sue Ellen’s son John Ross respectively. The scantily clad young woman who comes between the bickering cousins (who apparently enjoy shoving each other at Ewing barbecues as much as their daddies did) will be played by “Fast and Furious” actress Jordana Brewster. Plus, Brenda Strong, who has spent the entire run of “Desperate Housewives” playing the show’s dead narrator Mary Alice Young, will spring to life as Bobby’s latest wife in the reboot.
 
In the clip, Bobby ruefully reflects to a pajama-clad J.R. (who is seated in a leather chair and staring out a window all Charles Foster Kane-like): “All those fights over Ewing Oil and Southfork laid waste to everything in our path. And for what?! I don’t want them to be like us!”
 
Um, too late, Bobby. It seems that Christopher and John Ross are already knocking boots with and heads over the same girl. Or as John Ross more succinctly hisses at his cousin: “You’ll never be a Ewing, Christopher!” which naturally might result in some awkward moments during the passing of the mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving. Add into the mix, the ever-plotting Sue Ellen (Linda Gray looks spectacular in the promo, btw) who sidles up to John Ross and whispers: “Think of me as your ally.”
 
But what would “Dallas” be without its signature villain? Clearly, J.R. recovers from his medical malady in time to proclaim “Bobby was always a fool” and to growl at his son in the premiere “Southfork is mine and only mine!”
 
The scenery chewing will commence in the summer of 2012 when the new “Dallas” debuts on TNT. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, you can join the show’s fan page on Facebook and see the sneak peek at dallastnt.com.

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