From 'Dallas' to 'Lone Star' and 'Friday Night Lights' Texas TV shows shine so bright

"Dallas" (CBS, 1978-91): Well, of course. If the new TNT update comes even half as close to being the hit the original show was, Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman and Linda Gray -- who all return in this summer's version -- may be in for another long run as the saga of the oil-rich Ewing clan resumes. On his own, Hagman became an all-time television icon as J.R., his being shot becoming nothing less than one of the signature moments in the medium's history.

"Walker, Texas Ranger" (CBS, 1993-2001): As long as Chuck Norris was around in the title role, it didn't seem there was much worry of lawbreakers not being caught. Of course, the martial arts star's feet and fists came into play, but his soft-spoken and generally laid-back style also was a big appeal of the show.

PICS: Lone Star TV - Everything's bigger in Texas

"King of the Hill" (FOX, 1997-2010): The misadventures of the animated Hill family fueled this animated comedy, with series creator Mike Judge voicing patriarch and propane company worker Hank.

"Reba" (WB/CW, 2001-07): She'll get a chance to reaffirm her sitcom value next season in ABC's "Malibu Country," but music superstar Reba McEntire made her humor value known with her long run as a mom and divorcee.

"Friday Night Lights" (NBC/DirecTV, 2006-11): "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose" was the mantra of the fictional Dillon Panthers high-school football team ... and of the devotees of this superbly written and acted drama series.

"Lone Star" (FOX, 2010): It wasn't on the air long -- two weeks, to be exact -- but the caliber of its stars, including Oscar winner Jon Voight and Andie MacDowell (who didn't even get her episodes shown), suggests this serial might have merited a longer chance.

"Chase" (NBC, 2010-11): Now on a much more urban beat on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," Kelli Giddish played it admirably tough in this action drama about a federal marshal.

"GCB" (ABC. 2012): Given its pedigree -- star Kristin Chenoweth, creator Robert Harling ("Steel Magnolias"), etc. -- it's more than a little surprising that this comedy about a returnee (Leslie Bibb) to a snarky group of church-abiding Texas women didn't have its life extended beyond its midseason run.