Sad news to report for fans of the iconic primetime soap, Dallas.  Ken Kercheval, who played the thorn in J.R. Ewing’s (Larry Hagman) side, Cliff Barnes, has passed away.   The actor was 83 and died at his home in Indiana on Sunday.   The cause of death is under wraps.  He had been previously open about being a lung cancer survivor after years of smoking.

In this week’s tis’ the season episode of the comedy series, American Housewife, none other than former  Dallas and The Bold and the Beautiful star Patrick Duffy returns to TV, when in story, Katie (Katie Nixon) strives to keep her long-separated parents apart when her father, Marty (Duffy), arrives in time to surprise the Otto family for Christmas.  The episode is aptly titled, “Saving Christmas”

This then puts Marty face-to-face and toe-to-toe with ex-wife Kathryn, played by the wonderful Wendie Malick.

Soap fans will remember the Hot in Cleveland crossover between Malick and Susan Lucci of All My Children.

The first look photos of Duffy on American Housewife were first delivered by ABC to TV Insider.

The Duffy-esque episode airs on Wednesday December 12th (8:30pm EST)

For Dallas fans, they are still wishing that that somehow the show will still come back in another incarnation after its latest (the TNT version) was canned after three seasons.

Will you be checking out Patrick on American Housewife? What do you think of the ponytail look? Comment below.

Photo Credit: WireImage

George Kennedy,  the Oscar-winning star of 1967’s Cool Hand Luke, which also starred Paul Newman has died at age 91, his grandson, Cory Schenkel confirmed.

Kennedy died in his sleep at his Boise, Idaho home early Sunday morning, the day of the Academy Awards.  He had been in failing health ever since his wife Joan died a little over a year ago. George had been under hospice care for the past month.

In the soaps, Kennedy is most remembered for his guest stints on The Young and the Restless playing Victor Newman’s despicable father, Albert Miller.  Kennedy first played the role in 2003 and then reprised it again in 2010.   Victor’s relationship with his father gave Eric Braeden some of the finest material of his career as the complex Victor.  Albert had abandoned his family, causing his son to be raised in an orphanage.

CBS original primetime soap Dallas also featured Kennedy as Carter McKay, one of the Ewing families bitter enemies from 1988 to 1991.  Geroge also played the role in two follow-up TV movies, 1996’s Dallas: J.R. Returns and 1998’s Dallas: War of the Ewings.  In addition, Kennedy appeared in several of the 70’s major disaster films including the original Airport and several sequels, as well as in Earthquake.  In the 80’s, he would appear in The Naked Gun franchise of films along with Leslie Nielsen.

After the jump, watch George Kennedy as Albert on The Young and the Restless in scenes with Eric Braeden and Joshua Morrow (Nick).  Then share your thoughts on the passing of this talented actor in the comment section below! (more…)