If you’ve been paying attention like a good pop culture addict then you are aware that the 80s juggernaut Dallas is returning to TV in 2012. Earlier this summer TNT gave us a sneak peek at the new series but we have to wait till next summer to see the show itself and that is entirely too long! What is a Dallas fan to do in the meantime besides pick out cowboy hats and experiment with Dallas themed cocktails to consume during drinking games? Oh you know there will be some, even if it’s just the one I’m going to invent where you take a shot every time Sue Ellen slaps JR.

Something else Dallas fans should be doing is checking out the official Dallas fan site UltimateDallas.com. Those guys do the fan site right. They have everything a fan could want. Lately they’ve been getting up to speed with the new series and their latest interview with Executive Producer and writer Cynthia Cidre is full of love and rainbows. Even though she wasn’t a big fan of the old series she has fully embraced the task of bringing it back. Here’s a bit of what she had to say:

“I tried to be really really respectful of the original Dallas because it was really clear to me that the people who love Dallas are Trekkies, really committed to that show and I really did not understand that before, so I never wanted to violate anything that had happened in the past. On the other hand that was the past, twenty years had gone by, so at the same time I think we’re properly balanced between the characters of Bobby Ewing, JR and Sue Ellen, I also have the new cast and its John Ross and Christopher, the children of Bobby and JR, and their love interests. Total respect and a balance of old and new.”

Amen! I wouldn’t have enjoyed a show that was Dallas in name only or tried too hard to be a 90210 ripoff. Too much happened over those 14 years to wipe the slate clean and start over. I’m glad she’s being so conscious of the show’s roots.

“It’s a grounded family drama with flair and that has been at all my writer interviews what I have said to them,” Cynthia added. “I said if you are thinking of Dallas as camp then you are on the wrong show.”

Dallas is only camp in hindsight so I think she has the right attitude about this. Hopefully there will be a nod or two to some of the old Dallas traditions…just one or two for the fans.

Head over to UltimateDallas.com to read the entire interview. The story of the evolution of this reboot makes for interesting reading. I had wondered whether Victoria Principal had been approached about being on the show and Cynthia addresses that point, bringing up some old plot points that I had forgotten about. Also don’t miss the multimedia page where you can check out some great Dallas memories. Now, let’s work on those Dallas cocktails. Who wants a Southfork Sangria? How about a Ranch Hand?

Rejoice Dallas fans! TNT aired a 1 minute sneak peek at their flashy reboot of Dallas that airs in July 2012. A whole year! Why must they torture us so? Hit the cut to check out the preview and bask in its oil-soaked, melodramatic beauty.

Bobby Ewing: I am sick and tired of this family devouring itself over money!

You tell em Bobby! This looks very promising indeed. And what on earth are we going to do with ourselves between now and next July? TNT you tease. Let’s just hope that this isn’t another one of Pam’s dreams. Oh wait, she blew up at the end of season 9 didn’t she? But what if she had a long lost twin!!!! Sorry, I got carried away there.

I nearly fell off my horse when I saw that the official site for TNT’s reboot of Dallas was online and full of hot hunky goodness. And to top it off, they are airing a sneak peek of the new show during the season premiere of The Closer on Monday!!! Set your DVRs people and hit the cut for some pics that will just make you drunk with anticipation.
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Grab your bourbon and your cowboy hat and meet me by the pool because TNT has finally made their much anticipated Dallas reboot official by ordering a nine episode run. This project has been in development forever and now that most of the original cast is back it sounds like the network is ready to pull the trigger.
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