TNT said they'll reprise their original roles as J.R., Bobby and Sue Ellen in the pilot for a new "Dallas" that would focus on the conflict between the next generation of Ewing oil barons: John Ross, the son of J.R. and Sue Ellen, and Christopher, the adopted son of Bobby and his late wife, Pam.

"Dallas" ran on CBS from 1978 to 1991 and for several years in the 1980s was the most popular show on television, firmly establishing a home for soap operas in prime time with its tales of a forever fighting-and-forgiving family that lived together on a ranch in Texas called Southfork. Indeed, the November 1980 episode that answered the question "Who shot J.R.?" attracted what was then the largest audience in TV history.

Whether the trio would stay with the series if it gets picked up is uncertain. TNT is said to have options on their services, but as with any soap opera, we'll just have to see how it plays out.

-- Lee Margulies