Friday Night Lights

[ISiddiqui]

Remember when FNL was beginning up and people were carping about how family friendly folks would love this and this was a drama for the family? Did they watch anything other than the pilot?! Holy jeez, I'm not complaining, but this show has more sex and self-destructive behavior than most shows out there. I'm sure there are parents who are scrambling to change the channel before the tyke asks "How come the QB's girlfriend is half naked in his best friend's room?"

I wonder if people are pissed at their expectations of family friendly fun and what they actually got?

Does it reflect in the ratings?

[Ragone]

I think it's probably due partly in fact to the old addage "Sex sells"

The show wasn't doing so well, so lets spice up the plot lines

[ISiddiqui]

Well, it was fairly spicy from the beginning, IMO... though I guess a lot more from the pilot. What are the ratings for it? Have they gone up or down? How did the 'special night' move to Studio 60's slot do for it?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Well, it was fairly spicy from the beginning, IMO... though I guess a lot more from the pilot. What are the ratings for it? Have they gone up or down? How did the 'special night' move to Studio 60's slot do for it?

Down. The move didn't go well. The show is on the verge of cancellation.

[JeeberD]

:(

Damn, I like the show...

[ISiddiqui]

Damn.... so do I. I think that it shows teenagers in a far more realistic light than any other drama out there. Then again, perhaps realism isn't in vogue.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I only saw the first episode, but I thought it was quite good as well. I was hoping it'd succeed.

[JonInMiddleGA]

How did the 'special night' move to Studio 60's slot do for it?

It helped, but it may not prove to be nearly enough to ultimately save the show.

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_8261.asp
“Lights,” which aired in place of a “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” rerun last night, averaged a 3.5 adults 18-49 rating, according to Nielsen overnights. That's not a terrific number, but it's 35 percent better than the 2.6 it pulled in its regular 8 p.m. Tuesday slot last week.

That big boost, of course, came courtesy of lead-in “Heroes,” which hit a new series high of 6.4 last night at 9 p.m. Though “Lights” lost nearly half of that lead-in, 45 percent, it did better than “Strip’s” 3.2 in the same 10 p.m. slot last week.

“Lights” also hit a series high in total viewers with 8.3 million, though the show did dip by more than 15 percent from its first half hour to its second among total viewers and adults 18-49. That came against lighter than usual competition, as CBS’s “CSI: Miami” was a repeat.

[TazFTW]

NBC has ordered a full season.

NBC GOES THE WHOLE NINE YARDS IN GIVING CRITICALLY HAILED 'FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS' A FULL-SEASON ORDER OF EPISODES FOR 2006-07

BURBANK – November 13, 2006 – NBC has given a full-season order for 2006-07 to its critically hailed freshman drama "Friday Night Lights" (Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. ET), it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

"We're proud to reward an authentic, poignant series like 'Friday Night Lights' with a full-season order, demonstrating our confidence in it's appeal and quality," said Reilly. "Television critics and devoted fans have supported the show with well-deserved praise for the executive producers, writers and exceptionally talented cast."

"Friday Night Lights" is averaging a 2.7 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 6.7 million viewers overall with Tuesday originals through November 5. The acclaimed drama delivered 18-49 increases from its first half-hour to its second with each of its first five Tuesday telecasts. On a special Monday, October 30 telecast, "Friday Night Lights" won its
time period among adults 18-34, men 18-34 and men 18-49.

Inspired by the book and the film "Friday Night Lights," NBC's poignant series centers on the small rural town of Dillon, Texas, where the coveted state football championship rings are held in the highest regard. Dillon's promising high school team, its star quarterback, and newly appointed head coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, "King Kong," "Grey's
Anatomy") continually feel the mounting pressure of the town's pride and honor riding on their shoulders as soon as the Panthers' new football season kicks off.

The strong cast also includes: Scott Porter ("The Bedford Diaries") as the severely injured team captain and first-string quarterback Jason Street; Gaius Charles ("Book of Daniel") as feared running back Brian "Smash" Williams; Taylor Kitsch ("Kyle XY") as running back Tim Riggins;
Connie Britton ("The Brothers McMullen," "24") as Taylor's supportive wife, Tami; Zach Gilford ("The Last Winter") as third-string quarterback Matt Saracen, and Minka Kelly ("What I Like About You") as Lyla Garrity, Panther cheerleader and Street's girlfriend.

Also starring are: Aimee Teegarden ("Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide") as Coach Taylor's daughter, Julie; Adrianne Palicki ("South Beach") as Tyra Collette, and Jesse Plemons ("Grey's Anatomy") as Landry Clarke.

The series is executive-produced by Peter Berg (the film "Friday Night Lights," "The Rundown"), who also wrote and directed the pilot, as well as Brian Grazer ("The Da Vinci Code," "A Beautiful Mind"), Jason Katims ("Roswell"), David Nevins ("Arrested Development," "24") and Sarah Aubrey ("Bad Santa," "The Kingdom"). "Friday Night Lights" is a production of Imagine Television, NBC Universal Television Studio and Film 44.

[TazFTW]

Can't believe it took them this long to get to a player juicing.

[ISiddiqui]

Well they had to build up to it ;).

[Huckleberry]

Yes, it does show the age group more realistically than most shows. Except for the fact that there isn't a single high school student in the State of Texas that says "sleeping with" to refer to sex. That's happened twice on the show so far.

Well, okay, there isn't a single high school student in the State of Texas that says that and hasn't gotten punched. ;)

[Steveski]

Speaking of TV shows. I am now down to watching TV about 2 nights a week. Monday its How I Met Your Mother, The Class, and Two and a Half Men. Thursday's its My Name is Earl and The Office. I hate reality shows, game shows, CSI type shows and any shows about doctors or lawyers. So there it is, 2 nights a week plus the occasion reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond on TBS.

[ISiddiqui]

'Two and Half Men' over 'Heroes'? Shame... shame.

I'm "seriously watching" TV shows 4 nights a week. Monday: How I Met Your Mother & Heroes (the occasions Studio 60). Tuesday: Friday Night Lights, House, Boston Legal. Thursday: My Name is Earl (though sometimes I skip that one), The Office. Friday: Battlestar Galactica

Though when HBO puts new episodes of their dramas back on Sundays (Sopranos, Deadwood, Rome), then that day will join the list.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Speaking of TV shows. I am now down to watching TV about 2 nights a week. Monday its How I Met Your Mother, The Class, and Two and a Half Men. Thursday's its My Name is Earl and The Office. I hate reality shows, game shows, CSI type shows and any shows about doctors or lawyers. So there it is, 2 nights a week plus the occasion reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond on TBS.

Good for you. TV rots your brain.

[Honolulu_Blue]

To add:

I guess I "seriously watch"

Sundays: Simpsons
Monday: Heroes
Tuesday: House
Wednesday: Bones & Lost
Thursday: Earl & The Office
Weekly: Daily Show & Colbert Report

I'll add "Rome" once it's back on.

I just got my first "Battlestar Galactica" DVD from Netflix this week. I will be joyfully catching up with this series. Everyone I know raves about it, so I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

Yes. My brain is thoroughly rotted.

[FrogMan]

'Two and Half Men' over 'Heroes'? Shame... shame.


While I enjoyed "two and a half Men" for a while, I gotta agree that I like Heroes much more.

I watched episode 2 of FNL yesterday night and I'm very glad it's been picked up. I have all of the episodes recorded on DVD and planned on watching them as I find some time, but hearing how it was having a hard time with ratings and with the short order they first had, I was worried I'd started getting into it and be cut short after 8 or 9 episodes...

As for what I watch on TV, there's not too much: Heroes, Friday Night Lights, House, Survivor. Not always in that order though. I stay current with Heroes and Survivor, for spoilers issues. We just started watching House and have been liking it very very much.

FM

[Steveski]

Heroes? I have seen the previews but never bothered with it. Seems like a scam of X-Men from the previews but I could be wrong.

[ISiddiqui]

It's only perhaps the best drama on TV currently ;). Or at any rate, only behind Boston Legal and House (HBO dramas are in haitus at the moment and don't count).

[spleen1015]

(HBO dramas are in haitus at the moment and don't count).

The Wire! It is a damn good show, better than anything on network tv by far.

[ISiddiqui]

I don't watch The Wire... I'm not into crime dramas.

[TazFTW]

The guy playing Matt Saracen is doing a great job with that character. Any scene with him or the coach is gold. The date was hilarious.

"Is that a member's only jacket?"

"You want a beer?"
"No thanks I'm driving."
"I was joking."

"Have you heard good things about the movie?"
"Oh yeah, one of my people recommended it."
"You mean Landry?"
"Yeah........."

"Eragon is sold out."
"Oh, I'm Matt Saracen. QB1."

http://images.dvdtalk.com/images/smilies/lol.gif

NBC will be moving FNL to Wednesdays 8:00 Eastern starting January 10.

[ISiddiqui]

The guy playing Matt Saracen is doing a great job with that character.

Yep :D. Without him this show wouldn't be even close to as good. He's just so goofy and when he tried to pull the "QB1" thing, I busted out laughing.

[JeeberD]

I'm getting a bit tired of the last second miracle comeback wins, though. Give me a good old fashioned blowout with Matt throwing for six TDs, please.

[NoMyths]

I'm getting a bit tired of the last second miracle comeback wins, though. Give me a good old fashioned blowout with Matt throwing for six TDs, please.
Heh, I was just railing against this after the last episode -- if they were always having to win via last-second comebacks (esp. when the coach calls a run with approx. five seconds left from his own territory), there's no way anyone would be talking about a trip to State. :)

On the other hand, I'm a little convinced that the coach is the best actor on TV right now, and I really hope he gets an Emmy for his efforts.

[Easy Mac]

I love the way he treats his daughter/the qb. I am totally watching this before my non-existent daughter turns 15.

[TazFTW]

I'm getting a bit tired of the last second miracle comeback wins, though. Give me a good old fashioned blowout with Matt throwing for six TDs, please.

Well Dillon did have a blowout. Of course they decided not to show any of it. Good to see Saracen is a fan of The Office.

"Yep, the whore with the website."

[k0ruptr]

ye the coach and Saracen are fuccin awesome.

"they had a blanket."
LOL that was great.

[Ragone]

As much as i hate to admit it.. i like the show..

Kinda reminds me of my high school days loosely

[ISiddiqui]

Yeah, it seems like they don't show the blowouts, but I'd like to see one just to break up the whole 'last second' thing. And who in the world calls a run on the last play of the game when you need over 60 yards or something?

[k0ruptr]

Yeah, it seems like they don't show the blowouts, but I'd like to see one just to break up the whole 'last second' thing. And who in the world calls a run on the last play of the game when you need over 60 yards or something?

Oh but come on, as a certain rb would say "you got the Smash baby, and Smash don't take no for an answer."

[Fouts]

My daughter is 11 and I will probably act the same way as the coach was this last episode, once she gets to high school.

[ISiddiqui]

Oh but come on, as a certain rb would say "you got the Smash baby, and Smash don't take no for an answer."

:D

When he said that I was thinking "Please don't rape or beat up the preacher's daughter". With him on steroids now and "don't take no", it seems to be foreshadowing to it.

[Ragone]

Smash Says No means yes!

[Icy]

Just started to watch this, already saw 10 episodies in two days and i must admit I'm really enjoying it (had to wait for the subtitles to be released, without them i can understand like 50% of what they say). The only thing that buges me is that they win every game in the last second, too "Dysney" for my taste, but the rest of the show is awesome.

[Huckleberry]

That QB1 thing is irritating me now, too. Dammit we say starting quarterback around here.

[Easy Mac]

this show just gets better and better

[Dr. Sak]

this show just gets better and better

I agree...they finally got to a point where they are developing characters. Before the story just seemed a bit rushed.

[TazFTW]

Finally caught up and I really hope this show can survive.

"I was really worried about you on the field."
"You don't need to worry about me. In a fight I just kinda stand in the back and yell stuff."

Saracen, Landry, the coach and his family. Top notch stuff.

[Easy Mac]

All it takes is 5 minutes every week, and this show has me. Its just perfect in everything it does.

[Dr. Sak]

The coach's wife is a definite MILF

[FrogMan]

The coach's wife is a definite MILF

she is a hottie in my book. Never realized she also played the wife in the movie...

I'm a good four episodes behind, can't seem to find time to make it up, but I keep on recording them and I love every episode I watch...

FM

[Dr. Sak]

How many of you thought when the camera went missing somehow Matt Sarazen stole it and was going to tape him having sex with Julie?

[Easy Mac]

It hasn't been ruled out... we can hope. I call dibs.

[Dr. Sak]

I dated the coaches daughter in High School and she was nothing like this one. I went to the wrong school

[Easy Mac]

This is brilliant!

[Dr. Sak]

Do you think coach taylor will let Sarazen keep his equipment on while he kicks his ass?

[Easy Mac]

Just give me a minute, please.

[Dr. Sak]

Riggins is the man! Down that 40!

[Dr. Sak]

Never mind he just got his ass beat

[Jas_lov]

This has quickly became one of my favorite shows. Teenage sex, steroids, racism, adultery, it's got it all. Matt Saracen is kinda funny and Kyle Chandler is really good as the coach. I'm anxious to see next weeks episode with Buddy Garety lodging with Coach Taylor and if Jason is as unfaithful to Lyla as Buddy was to her mom.

[TazFTW]

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7593/fnlog3.jpg

QB1 is screwed.

[spleen1015]

Caught on 3 episodes last night. Very good stuff. Saracen cracks me up.

[Easy Mac]

If Street can't get it up for Lyla, there's something wrong with him... oh, wait...

[Dr. Sak]

I think I like Tyra better

[Dr. Sak]

This show needs more Landry...he kills me

[Easy Mac]

What is that little kid's mom from? This episode isn't on IMDB. for some reason I think she's the girl from the Replacements, but I don't think that's right. Riggins is gonna bag a MILF.

[Dr. Sak]

It does look like the cheerleader from The Replacements

[Easy Mac]

If Street can't get it up for Lyla, there's something wrong with him... oh, wait...

well i rescind my previous statement. good job street. i salute thee.

[Dr. Sak]

Street just got pwned

[Dr. Sak]

WTF Did they recast the MILF?

[Vinatieri for Prez]

It does look like the cheerleader from The Replacements

That was Brooke Langton. Liked her in that movie very much.

[Dr. Sak]

That was Brooke Langton. Liked her in that movie very much.

I don't think she was in last night's episode. I think they recasted her. I couldnt tell for sure.

[ISiddiqui]

This show needs more Landry...he kills me

More Landry is definately called for.

[Easy Mac]

I don't think she was in last night's episode. I think they recasted her. I couldnt tell for sure.

No, its still her. She was still listed as "guest starring" at the beginning.

This is easily the best show on television, bar none.

[Easy Mac]

dola, just got to the "football scene" with Street coaching. Absolutely great stuff. Even the football stuff, the stuff that should be the weak point with this show, is just spot on. From what I hear, it should be safe for at least half of next season, but dammit, people have to start watching this show.

[Dr. Sak]

Part of the problem is that there are so many characters it is hard to keep track. And if you miss just one episode you are pretty lost come the next.

[Easy Mac]

Landry is so awesome. And Connie Britton has an immaculate chest.

[Dr. Sak]

Buddy Garrity gets creepier every week

[Easy Mac]

Why is Saracen throwing in a driving rainstorm on a makeshift field?

[Dr. Sak]

Come on Landry...don't let Tyra down!

[Dr. Sak]

How are their uniforms not dirty at the end of a mud bath game?

[Dr. Sak]

He's not going to TMU

[Jas_lov]

Why did the other team attempt a field goal in those conditions?

[JeeberD]

I've been behind for about two months now, but just got caught up thanks to back episodes being on NBC.com. God, how I love this show...

[Easy Mac]

Who has Lyla in the suicide pool?

And the show just won/was nominated for a Peabody, which is like as classy as it gets for a TV show. Normally this means a show won't get cancelled, but who knows these days.

[Dr. Sak]

She already went psycho last week smashing all those cars...maybe she should be nicknamed...Smash...

[Dr. Sak]

Tim Riggins with the quote of the season!

[JonInMiddleGA]

And the show just won/was nominated for a Peabody

It was a winner, along other network primetime fare Scrubs, The Office, and Ugly Betty.

Full list of 35 winners at http://onlineathens.com/stories/040407/news_peabody.shtml

[JeeberD]

Tim Riggins with the quote of the season!

Holy crap, I just watched this episode and that line had me cracking up for five minutes!

I also loved the scene with Coach Taylor, Street, and Saracen in the coach's office...

[TazFTW]

NBC has ordered 6 more scripts. :cool:

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Friday-Night/700017624

Score!

Multiple sources within NBC confirm that the network has ordered six additional Friday Night Lights scripts!

OK, it might not be a full-on renewal, but it's the next best thing. And let's face it, a second season is so in the bag it's not even funny.

Who's buying the first round tonight?

[Easy Mac]

seroiusly, the 1 episode they aren't showing in HD is the season (series?) finale. Even the commercials are in HD here, but they're not showing me the show in HD? I hate my affiliate.

[ISiddiqui]

That's strange... it was in HD here. And a pretty nice finale, especially showing what coaches have to go through when they pick a new job.

[JeeberD]

Great finale, and they fooled me...I seriously thought they weren't going to win, that they were going to come up just short on that last play.

[TazFTW]

Just watched the finale...

Huh? Riggins is not a senior? Did he fail?

Who will be the new HC? Mac?

Not sure how they are going to give Coach Taylor enough screen time next season with the majority of characters in Dillon. Unless he starts recruiting Dillon players (Smash) to go to TMU.

Lyla and Tyra: The College Years?

[JeeberD]

I still think he's coming back...

[spleen1015]

I still think he's coming back...

I agree.

[Joe]

I disagree from what I've read

[Jas_lov]

I agree.

The show needs it's biggest star front and center if it wants to get a full season so I agree as well.

[FrogMan]

not that I'm super upset about it, but the darn spoiler thingie is just not working with email notifications. I was able to read everything that was posted in this thread and it was only once I visited the thread, which I tried to avoid since I'm maybe 3-4 weeks behind, that I realized that you all were good boys and were using the spoiler markers.

FM

[spleen1015]

I would unsubscribe.

[FrogMan]

yeah, I know, and I said I was not really upset about it, but still, the nice spoiler thing is flawed. Was just bringing this to attention...

FM

[FrogMan]

dola, and this could happen in many other threads, all of which I don't really wanna unsubscribe...

FM

[ISiddiqui]

Why exactly are we spoilering something from a show that already aired, even on the West Coast?

FWIW, I think Taylor stays. His family (and the new little one) pushes him to tell TMU sorry.

[JeeberD]

Why exactly are we spoilering something from a show that already aired, even on the West Coast?

FWIW, I think Taylor stays. His family (and the new little one) pushes him to tell TMU sorry.

People who have either have the show DVR'd or plan on watching it on NBC.com.

Of course, I always stay out of the thread until I've seen the most recent episode, but better safe than sorry...

[ISiddiqui]

People who have either have the show DVR'd or plan on watching it on NBC.com.

Of course, I always stay out of the thread until I've seen the most recent episode, but better safe than sorry...

People used to do the latter and all was good. I assume that people are smart enough to do so. No need to make the rest of us suffer along because one or two folks have taped it and haven't watched it yet.

[Johnny93g]

People who have either have the show DVR'd or plan on watching it on NBC.com.

Then they are idiots for coming into a thread like this. I will never understand people complaining about spoilers. Common Sense!!

[Joe]

I have it taped and will get around to watching it sometime before the next season starts. So don't talk about it plz. Thx.

[FrogMan]

Then they are idiots for coming into a thread like this. I will never understand people complaining about spoilers. Common Sense!!

you do understand I didn't complain about the spoilers per se, just the fact that the thing we think is keeping the threads spoiler free, well is not.

Other than me, I've not seen many people talking about them spoilers in this thread.

FM

[TazFTW]

Renewed for a 2nd season.

http://www.tv.com/story/9518.html?q=friday%20night%20lights&tag=search_results;additional_links;0

[Bee]

woohoo!

[FrogMan]

awesome news, I'll now watch the last four shows that I have recorded with a lot more enthusiasm!!! :)

FM

[JeeberD]

Excellent! I wasn't too worried, but I'm very glad to hear that it's official...

[Emiliano]

Great news!

[Dr. Sak]

NBC needs to keep this on one night and not keep switching it like they did in the beginning of the season.

[ISiddiqui]

Very good news. This was one of my favorite shows last season.

[Dr. Sak]

Friday Night Lights moves to Friday nights at 10pm next season. Thankfully I have TiVo

[Jas_lov]

Ugh. Law and Order dropped off significantly in that spot. I thought FNL drew a more younger audience so why would they move it to that spot? I guess there's not much competition, but it will never become a hit show on Friday nights at 10. They even moved Law and Order: CI to USA so they should have put it on Tuesdays before SVU or Mondays before or after Heroes.

[spleen1015]

I think this will hurt the show.

[ISiddiqui]

Friday Night Lights moves to Friday nights at 10pm next season. Thankfully I have TiVo

Fudge.

That may be the death knell. You don't move a show based on Friday Night Football to Friday nights. And you definately don't move a show based on teenagers to 10 PM.

[Joe]

FNL just got boomtown'd.

[Pyser]

starts tonight! psyched!!

[JeeberD]

I have to work tonight, but have the DVR set. Been looking forward to this a LONG time!

[larrymcg421]

I finally caught up with this show over the offseason. Great stuff. Can't wait for the premiere.

[FrogMan]

I never got to watch the end of last season. Had it recorded then never got around to it. Will record tonight's episode and I'm gonna pick up season one in DVD tonight though and will start watching it soon.

FM

edit: and by "end of last season" I don't only mean the finale, but something like the last 4-5 episodes... shame on me... :( Will get to it though. :)

[Icy]

Awesome, i loved the 1st season, watched it late, once it ended as i had to wait for it to appear in torrent sites with english subtitles. I can underestand enough to follow the plot, but have a hard time catching up all the chat between the actors.

I hope the torrent and subtitles will be released soon, else i'll try to watch it in the NBC website.

[TazFTW]

Uh oh, with the way the show has started it looks like there will be limited interaction between The Great Eric Taylor and The Saracen. :(

The Landry/Tyra subplot looks like it could suck hard. Although some of the critics that have seen the next few episodes say that the end result is passable.

[digamma]

disappointed by the first episode

it is available at yahoo tv for those who didn't see it

[Pyser]

wow, i really dont like a number of directions the show has gone

and i HATE the landry/tyra story turn. HATE. the one thing this show has always been is very realistic of high school life. this is 90210 shit.

dont mind the turn in julies character, though, when you remember she's 16.

[Anthony]

i don't watch this bad show, but i read that the biggest change in this show is that they're basically taking out the sports element and are making it The O.C. w/ Football Pads. there'll be some shots of football practice and whatnot, but it won't be about the games.

[ISiddiqui]

and i HATE the landry/tyra story turn. HATE. the one thing this show has always been is very realistic of high school life. this is 90210 shit.

I think it really depends on where they go with it. It could be ok and with the writers they have, I think they can save it. But having Landry just keep chasing Tyra all season would have gotten old. This at least accelerates some things.

Would be interested, though, in seeing how the Tennessee Terror deals with players like Smash and Riggins. He seems to want to run Riggins until he pukes, but Street is right, he just won't respond. If anything, he'll try to get back at the coach by blowing an assigning on purpose during a big point in the game when the coach tries to tell him that it's all on Riggins.

[larrymcg421]

There were some good moments in this one, but I was also disappointed by the episode. The problem with the Landry/Tyra story is that Adrianne Palicki is just not a very good actress. The same can be said for Minka Kelly, and I expect her storyline to go nowhere also.

The best moments were the scenes between Coach and his daughter. That was some great stuff.

Here's to hoping the show will get better next week.

[Joe]

I think it really depends on where they go with it. It could be ok and with the writers they have, I think they can save it.


I hope they have a lot of episodes in the can before the WGA strike.

[Dr. Sak]

Okay a few lines in this first episode floored me. One was when Landry said to Matt, WWRD. What would Riggins Do and then Matt said about Riggins being the captain of the S-S Ta Tas. Hilarious.

I like the whole Lyla storyline with being "born again". It isn't far fetched to think that someone that has been through a lot in the last year, especially finding out about her father, would do something like this and try to change everyone around her.

I with hold my comments on the Landry/Tyra storyline till i see more. Tyra is smokin hot but if you notice they never show the couple ditching the body over the bridge.

Also I think the new coach's days will be numbered. He will lose control of the team, lose a few games and some how Eric will be back at Dillon.

[spleen1015]

I don't think the guy is really dead.

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Overnights_50/Ho-hum_return_for_Friday_Night_Lights.asp

NBC moved its critically acclaimed drama “Friday Night Lights” to Friday night for the show’s second season, hoping the symmetry between the name and its logical new location would help build an audience on a less-competitive night, a year after the show struggled on Tuesday and Wednesday.

While “Lights” did manage to finish second in its very weak timeslot for its season two premiere, its numbers weren’t all that promising.

“Lights” averaged a 2.1 in adults 18-49 at 9 p.m. Friday, according to final Nielsen numbers, just behind CBS’s critically derided new vampire drama “Moonlight” in that demo while drawing 6.5 million total viewers. That made it NBC’s least-watched program of the night.

The timeslot competition included two reruns, ABC’s “Private Practice” and Fox’s “K-Ville,” as well as CW’s “Smackdown,” which does well in the younger 18-34 demographic.

But the lighter competition didn’t boost “Lights’” average. The show was slightly off from last year’s season average of 2.2 and was down 22 percent from last year’s premiere, which averaged a 2.7.

Perhaps some “Lights” fans didn’t know the show had moved, or maybe it was actually hurt by Friday night’s generally low viewership levels. Whatever the reason, NBC will probably want to see stronger results to keep the show on the air.

“Lights” could still see a kick-up in viewership when digital video recorder ratings are released in a few weeks. The percentage of DVR households in Nielsen’s sample has more than doubled since this time last year, and media people expect seven-day-playback ratings to influence networks’ decisions on what to keep on the air.

Meanwhile, “Moonlight” saw a sharp decline from its opener, dipping 19 percent from a 2.7 last week to a 2.2. Media people were surprised the show, whose pilot was reshot shortly after May’s upfront, had debuted so strongly.

[ISiddiqui]

It amazes me that network execs or the article writers don't particularly realize that FNL may have been hurt because it's primary audience may have been at high school football games, which happen to be on... FRIDAY NIGHTS!

[larrymcg421]

Based on the season premiere, theyre not going after football fans.

[ISiddiqui]

Well, they are going after football fans and their significant others ;). Non football fans aren't going to tune in initially, I don't think. Unless a football fan is watching it and they are on the couch.

[Joe]

yeah they will, it's the OC with a backdrop of football

[digamma]

We were talking over the weekend and decided the show might now be more aptly titled "Sunday through Thursday Night Drama and Romance."

[larrymcg421]

Exec producer Jason Katims explains the reasoning behind last Friday's disturbing plot twist (http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2007/10/friday-night-li.html): "What we want to do is not turning into a murder mystery or 'CSI,' but it's basically these two teenagers in a position where it leads to this incredibly intimate storyline between these two characters that would never -- their relationship would never become as intimate as it does if not for this event. It really becomes this story, like all 'Friday Night Lights' stories, about character, about two people trying to deal with it, what they've done, all the guilt and everything would happen to them, and that the two of them get more connected than they ever would have.

[Karlifornia]

I haven't watched this show at all, although I want to.

Judging from the reaction here, it appears that the channel (NBC, is it?) knows that a drama about football ain't gonna fly with John and Joan Q Public, no matter how great and multi-layered it is. They may be choosing to chase ratings. Talk about Occam's Razor. Shitty for everyone, except MTV watching teens.

[ISiddiqui]

I wouldn't entirely discount that theory. I know that moving a show to Friday nights is a death knell. It's the final resting place before cancellation and FNL didn't do very well on Tuesdays (I think it was Tuesdays) last season. So maybe they are adding something to draw in viewers to prevent cancelation.

[Dr. Sak]

I think FNL started on Wednesdays but got moved to Tuesdays last season. I remember they kept moving it around to new days and time slots and that can hurt a new show if no one knows when it is on.

[Jas_lov]

The Friday move could also mean that they plan on keeping it on that day for a while and hiding it because ratings are never good on Friday nights. NBC did this with Homicide: Life on the Street. But I hope that the show doesn't take too much of a turn away from the football field, but it appears that may be the case. Well, it was a great show for 1 season at least.

[ISiddiqui]

On the other hand, the writers may have foreseen this anyway, regardless of ratings, because Coach Taylor was going to get the job in Austin, which means the football aspect of the show is a bit less compelling (as much as the players dealing with the "Tennessee Terror" may be interesting, I'd imagine it wouldn't be as compelling as Coach Taylor trying to work with the boys... I doubt the new coach would work hands on at night with the guy who just got thrown into the new QB role as Taylor did last season).

[Pyser]

i wonder if the show shot themselves in the foot by giving coach taylor that college job

maybe they thought there was no way they were coming back for season 2, and just went for the best possible storytelling in season 1, consequences be damned.

[ISiddiqui]

Perhaps that and after winning a state championship, where do you go, especially when you have the same main characters.

[Icy]

Just watched it (had to wait for subtitles) and i'm really disappointed. I like some background behind the football plot, in fact that was the great thing both from the original movie and the 1st season, but this first chapter was too much stuff outside football, specially the Tyra/Landry story and the one with the cars dealer daugther becoming a chistian soldier. I guess they ran over of new ideas as standard football backgrounds.

I wonder if they should have graduated most of the 1st season players and start a new season with freshmen, with new stories around them, but standard stories that any kid in high school can live, and no CSI fantastic ones. I wonder if the next will be some extraterrestrials abducting QB1.

[JeeberD]

So the main thing that ticked me off was, ummm, the dude attacked Tyra. Not once, but twice. Then he punched Landry. He was walking away when Landry hit him, but a claim of self-defense would still work pretty well, especially for a cop's son.

My wife never watched FNL with me last year, and I tried to get her to watch this episode. Yeah, she says I can have the show all to myself now...

[Pyser]

ok...wait wait wait.

coach taylor isnt the head coach at the college? was this always known, or am i just dumb??

[Galaril]

ok...wait wait wait.

coach taylor isnt the head coach at the college? was this always known, or am i just dumb??

Yeah, I thought he was going to at least be a offensive coordinator but qb coach?????????? This and the too much off the field stories have me worried this one may have jumped the shark.

[ISiddiqui]

Yep, it was always known (at least by me) that he was hired as the QB coach.

And while the dude attacked Tyra, Landry did kill him with his back to him. I'm not sure self-defense will work all that well especially since its obvious Landry hit him in the back of the head. And it doesn't matter all that much to how Landry feels about it either.

[JeeberD]

coach taylor isnt the head coach at the college? was this always known, or am i just dumb??

What, those have to be mutually exclusive? ;)

Yes, they said last year that he was offered the QB Coach position...


Poor Saracin. At least the writers will have him banging the hot latina nurse before the season is through the way things are going...

[Icy]

Just saw chapters 2 and 3 and things are going better and i'm liking the show again. The only things I don't like are the murder and the new found chistian faith, but the rest of the stuff is credible enough. I'm also liking the college stuff that coach Taylor is being into, it seems now that he will be back to Dilon, but i would prefer the show to follow two different paths, the high school and college football ones, with different issues etc, but please, not fantastic stuff, just stick to football and college/high school life.

[larrymcg421]

I'm not really happy about where things are headed. The murder storyline is just so bad, and apparently they're going to keep it up with this whole watch nonsense. And I can't believe they let that Tyra joke (about the murder) stay in the final version. Nobody in the entire creative process could see what a horrible moment that was?

Also, I don't like how the new coach has been made a one-dimensional villain. It would be more interesting if there was some grey area there, and it wouldn't be so simple for Coach Taylor to come back.

I wouldn't mind the religious thing if I thought they were serious about it, but I fully expect them to have Lyla give in to Riggins (or someone else) eventually. It doesn't help that she's such a bad actress.

I think the writers kinda lost their way by straying too far from last season. It was a gutsy move, but they weren't prepared for it. I think things will get better when Coach is back and they start focusing more on the natural Taylor family dynamic and Matt Saracen, which was what made last season so great.

[Galaril]

I am quickly losing interest in this one with too many moving parts and none working well feeling.

[ISiddiqui]

It seems next week Taylor's taking over of the job hits a snag, after he quits the college job (who does that, make sure you have the job first!). Maybe the rest of the boosters are glad that Buddy isn't the boss man anymore.

[ISiddiqui]

Woohoo! Actually football drama. Coach Taylor making everything better!

[TazFTW]

Lance!

"I'm going in"
"When?"
"Right now"
"You're going in now? But the game's not over yet."

"Hey coach. We put it away coach. We're cool."
"BFFs. Once again."

http://images.dvdtalk.com/images/smilies/rotflmao.gif

[ISiddiqui]

Hehe... lots of good lines in the episode. Hopefully this becomes a semi-reset. Sure you have Taylor's home life (but that's always been around), and Landry and Tyra's problem with the killing (Tyra's handling of getting away from Landry was very touching, btw), but it seems we may see more football now that the Tennessee Terror is out of town.

Though it seems next week, Coach Taylor will have to fight for paychecks... guy can't win.

[Pyser]

not hard to say that that last ep was by far the best of the season. i think theyve almost got this show straightened back out. pretty psyched!

[Jas_lov]

I liked the episode, but why did Lyla kiss both Street and Riggins? Are we to assume that they had a threesome? Good for Saracen putting his foot down and deciding not to be a chump! Will he and Julie get back together? Will anything develop between the new maid and the star quarterback? Coach Taylor is back which is good because he makes the show what it is, imo. I'm curious to see where this Landry and Tyra thing goes and if Landry's dad helps them cover it up.

[NoMyths]

She kissed them because the director liked Y Tu Mama Tambien and decided that most of his target audience hadn't seen it. Love the show but the blatant rip of YTMT was disappointing. However, the coach's wife is maybe the best actress on TV right now.

Also, the kid that plays Saracen does a great dumb but likeable guy. Some incredibly strong acting out of much of the cast on that show (even if we have to avert our eyes a bit with Tyra and Riggins).

And finally, I love how the cinematography consistently tries to help Landry out by cutting off his gigantic forehead in as many shots as they can.

[Dr. Sak]

I liked the episode, but why did Lyla kiss both Street and Riggins? Are we to assume that they had a threesome?

Once that happened it reminded me of the whole Brandon-Dylan-Kelly triangle in 90210.

Loved the episode. Saracen's awkwardness is back!

[TazFTW]

So, the new girl is Kim Smith? Saracen is living the Romo life.

[TazFTW]

"So was it like Cabo in your pants?"


QB1 still has some good lines but the writers have killed Lance. :(

[Jas_lov]

All of the story lines are good, except the Landry one but at least that is coming to a close! Hopefully he gets back to being the funny Landry of last season. I think there's gonna be 5-6 more episodes before they have to quit because of the strike. Whether it can survive another season of bad ratings is up in the air, but they moved it to Fridays so what would you expect?

[Joe]

I love the new storylines. Riggins sleeping in coach's garage... how long before Julie rebels against her parents and starts sleeping with him?

[Galaril]

I love the new storylines. Riggins sleeping in coach's garage... how long before Julie rebels against her parents and starts sleeping with him?

Oh my the coach will have a fucking stroke. That would be interesting:)

[TazFTW]

The coach was gold in every scene this episode. Awesome seeing Tyra beat down the curly head kid.


Preview for next ep spoiler

I can't believe they are going to have a Woody Hayes-esque moment next episode. That might be worse than the murder subplot.

[Icy]

Just saw episode 10, i really enjoy this show and specially the characters.

[Dr. Sak]

Julie has "developed" quite nice over the series.

[Jas_lov]

Last night's episode was decent. The Landry-Saracen scene was great, the race angle between Smash and Noelle at the movies was a bit over the top, Lyla's storyline was boring, Santiago sticking up for Buddy and Buddy sticking up for Santigo was good. I have a feeling that Santiago won't be around much longer though. The same may go for Riggins or more likely his brother after they stole that drug dealer's money. Coach Taylor is excellent in every season and continues to make the show as good as it is. Only 3-4 new episodes left.

[SnowMan]

There's more volleyball lately than football...what's up with that?

[Pyser]

why the saracen episodes always the best?

that kid rules

[Galaril]

Well, I guess last night was the last episode for this great series. NBC has stated this was the last episdoe for season2 writers strike or no writers strike. And already the season 2 dvd is set for april. I would guess that with the crappy ratings this one is done:(

[Jas_lov]

If it was the last episode, they ended on a good one. I read this earlier today though that gives me some hope that they'll either continue the series or at least give it a proper ending now that the writer's strike is over.

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/02/does-friday-nig.html

[Icy]

I hope they won't end this serie, i really really enjoy it.

[JeeberD]

Man, it better not be cancelled... :(

[Joe]

It's probably gone now that Kevin Reilly is no longer at NBC.

[RainMaker]

I'd imagine it's gone. The ratings have been bad and NBC is much more inclined to target a dumber audience on their network. If a show is intelligent and provacative, it will be cancelled. I guess they need another hour for some moronic reality show.

I am hoping the show can work out a deal. Something with USA makes sense to run repeats quickly on the network. I also don't see how it wouldn't be a great pickup for an emerging network like The CW. In any case, I'd be worried about it moving to ESPN. They seem to ruin almost anything they touch these days. I'd hate to turn it on and see Stephen A. Smith giving a pep talk to the players. It'd almost be better to just cancel it.

On a side note, how come Kyle Chandler isn't a bigger name in Hollywood? I think he's a phenomenal actor. Loved his work in Early Edition and even all the way back to Homefront. He seems to be one of those guys that is good in every role he plays yet doesn't seem to get a lot of big ones.

[samifan24]

On a side note, how come Kyle Chandler isn't a bigger name in Hollywood? I think he's a phenomenal actor. Loved his work in Early Edition and even all the way back to Homefront. He seems to be one of those guys that is good in every role he plays yet doesn't seem to get a lot of big ones.

I totally agree. I was a big fan of Early Edition and, although I don't watch Friday Night Lights much, I've always checked in because he's on the show. He always does a great job but was pretty much of out work for a few years after Early Edition until his attention-grabbing guest spot on Grey's Anatomy.

[RainMaker]

I think the saddest part of the show going down is how it went down. With a half season and nothing resolved. The show was just too good to go out like that. The fans deserved to have some finale, some closure to the characters lives.

In a sad way, I wish it had ended after the first season. The first season was just incredible and nearly perfect from a TV standpoint. The second season is good, but went off track. You could see them stretching for storylines. Even if the show did finish off the season and got another one, you have to wonder how hard the storylines would be hit when almost the entire cast has graduated. They really didn't bring in any underclassmen and would have to re-develop characters from scratch.

So I never expected the show to last long, but I am sad how it ended. Either a nice close to this 2nd season or cutting it at season one would be better than what we have now. I'm really getting turned away by NBC, they keep cancelling shows in the middle. Tough to invest the time into them anymore.

[Galaril]

Apparently ala jericho fans of FNL have started a petition to save the show go vote!

http://tv.yahoo.com/friday-night-lights/show/38958/news/urn:newsml:tv.ap.org:20080221:on_the_net

[Joe]

NBC has just announced that they will bring back the popular Friday Night Lights for a third season. According to Variety, there are plans for the critically acclaimed drama to air on other networks.

NBC has entered negotiations with several networks about a plan to carve out multiple broadcast windows for the show, which has received a cult-like following. The CW, Comcast Entertainment Networks (E!/G4) and TNT have all talked with NBC about sharing Friday Night Lights.

NBC has not announced when they plan to air the third season of Friday Night Lights.

http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/63/26763.php

[TazFTW]

Good news that it is coming back. Not too sure about that network sharing idea.

[Pyser]

wow, you know, the strike really helped this show

now the 3rd season can be the 2nd half of the football season. whereas if the strike hadnt happened, a bunch of seniors wouldve graduated end of season 2

now they can wrap it all up for season 3. awesome!

[Icy]

Awesome news!

[Dr. Sak]

Here is the official word on Season 3

http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/03/06/nbc-renews-friday-night-lights-with-the-help-of-directv/

[JeeberD]

Excellent news!

[Dr. Sak]

For those who dont know...

Season 3 of Friday Night Lights starts tonight on NBC at 9pm!!

[larrymcg421]

For those who dont know...

Season 3 of Friday Night Lights starts tonight on NBC at 9pm!!

Looking forward to it. I'm hoping they can rebound from the miserable 2nd season.

[Northwood_DK]

If you download the latest podcast from The Sports Guy he has a pretty fun/interesting talk with the producer of the show Peter Berg

[whomario]

Allready saw it (aired on "The 101" of DirecTV before the NBC run) and it definitely picked it up a lot in comparison to season 3 , but at times i couldn´t really overlook the rushing (just 13 episodes for a full season with several new storylines and of course all the games) .
Like mentioned before Saracen remains the strongest and most apealing character with an unrealistic but fun twist on the court, Street gets a good storyline and some nice "QB flashbacks" (leadership and dealing with people).
Can´t say much more without spoilers.

What obviously needs to be said that the show has some of the most ridiculous lack of continuity ever in a multi-season show. Come on, some characters were clearly named as seniors in season 1 and still here (and with others it was implied) ... People just disapear between seasons without explenation, other get introduced in a different role within the series and then fall back into their old one without explanation given.

And there´s just so many storylines that make you but your head it´s not even funny.

But still i watched it start to end and allways looked forward to it, so sth felt right obviously ;)

[larrymcg421]

There is no reason for Tim Riggins to still be in high school, or at least no reason he should be in high school with athletic eligibility remaining.

[RainMaker]

This is one of my favorite shows. The first episode on NBC was good and I like where they are going with the show. My axe is how they wrapped up all the cliffhangers from last season. I think I would have preferred the show simply continue on from where that one left off. Considering this will probably be the final season of the show, it would have been a great way to end it. Now they have to bring up new themes in 13 episodes that just won't be able to bring viewers in.

Maybe I'm just picky because the first season of that show was perfection.

[Scoobz0202]

I just watched all of season one in four days. Is that healthy?


Why did I not watch this show when it first came out. Why... Why Why Why

[Dr. Sak]

It's an easy show to get hooked on to.

[thesloppy]

Great show....beware season two, as it goes a little wacky (but certainly still has it moments), but it definitely comes back around this season, in my opinion (I already watched this season on the dish).

[Scoobz0202]

Great show....beware season two, as it goes a little wacky (but certainly still has it moments), but it definitely comes back around this season, in my opinion (I already watched this season on the dish).


Gah. That scares me. I hate when shows start to grasp straws.

[RainMaker]

Gah. That scares me. I hate when shows start to grasp straws.
It's still good. There's just one event that kind of stretches things a little too far. Decent season but not as good as the first.

[thesloppy]

It's still good. There's just one event that kind of stretches things a little too far. Decent season but not as good as the first.

That 'event'/sub-plot obviously sucks, but I also hated the whole 'Lyla goes super-christian' storyline, as it seemed just as contrived and overblown (not the subject matter, which I think had potential, but the dialog/writing).

Definitely still a good season of TV, and worth watching, as most of the 'hiccups' were confined to what might be considered 'the supporting cast' (probably in an effort to 'spice things up' and grab ratings), but Coach and Tammy (and Saracen) remain great, and consistent to their characters throughout, and still carry the show pretty well.

[Scoobz0202]

Yea. Those characters in the first season were awesome. But this is one of the rare shows that I have liked almost all the characters. Some I go from loving to hating from episode to episode.

Coach and Tammy are awesome to watch tho. Saracen's interactions with coach are great as well... But I love Riggins, too. His ignorance about relationships is compelling. Buddy Garrity cracks me up to no end. Even the coach's daughter Julie was interesting. At times she seemed really one-dimensional but as the show went on she grew as a character as well... I am really surprised at the acting chops of some of these younger people. The writing is very well done.


Now if the camera would just stop fucking shaking.

[ISiddiqui]

Great show....beware season two, as it goes a little wacky (but certainly still has it moments), but it definitely comes back around this season, in my opinion (I already watched this season on the dish).

Yeah, I'm watching S3 on NBC and the writing is definitely better than S2. I think part of the reason is DirectTV paid for a good portion of the show, so they didn't have to worry about appealing to ratings so much.

Though I think S2 is loathed a bit too much. It was still better than most of the junk on TV. I think we were all spoiled by S1 ;).

S3 seems to be interesting as they are preparing (or have prepared) to say goodbye to a good amount of the "regulars". It is, after all, Saracen's, Landry's, and Riggins' senior years, IIRC.

[Dr. Sak]

I also like what they did with Smash and are doing with Jason Street. Instead of leaving them hanging in some paradox, they are giving them closure.

[RainMaker]

I also like what they did with Smash and are doing with Jason Street. Instead of leaving them hanging in some paradox, they are giving them closure.

I like what they are doing too. Shows typically hang on to characters too long and they are not falling into that trap. My only gripe here is that they seem to be going the happy ending route with everyone.

Street is probably my favorite character on the show. He's kind of a tad neurotic and gets himself to buy into ideas easily which is perfect for a guy trying to find himself. He's one of the most realistic characters I can remember from a TV show. It's the perfect time to send him off, but I'll definitely miss seeing him on the show.

The rest of Season 3 has been real good. Not up there with Season 1 but much better than 2. I like the overbearing Father angle and how they handled Saracen losing his job. This is just a great show and I hope it hangs on for another season.

[ISiddiqui]

I think they are going for a "semi" happy ending for everyone because if they didn't make it, they'd be hanging around Dillion forever (that's what happens when you fail it seems).

I do really want to see what happens with Saracen the rest of the season. Especially since he's with Coach's daughter again (amazingly how that happens when he starts becoming less secure in his football life... and less arrogant about his job).

[Pyser]

word is this may be picked up for 2 more seasons!!

[RainMaker]

word is this may be picked up for 2 more seasons!!
That's good news (I think).

I think they could struggle to bring in new characters and develop them. The only player they have left for next season is J.D. McCoy. With the constant fear of cancellation, they haven't been able to really bring some fresh faces along. Season 4 could be a big shock to viewers as most of the familiar faces are gone.

With that said, I'd hate for the show to go downhill. I'd rather see a great show end on a high note than have to re-develop itself in Season 4.

[thesloppy]

I think they could struggle to bring in new characters and develop them. The only player they have left for next season is J.D. McCoy.

They kinda fudged Landry/Lance's age so that he was apparently a junior this year, leaving the door open for his return in season 4.


I'd imagine that Landry will end up on coach's new East Dillon team, as he's too much of a likable character to leave on the 'other team', whereas J.D. and the McCoy family will make perfect foils.

[larrymcg421]

2009 NFL Mock Draft: The Friday Night Lights Edition (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/138369-2009-nfl-mock-draft-the-friday-night-lights-edition#page/1)

[ISiddiqui]

They kinda fudged Landry/Lance's age so that he was apparently a junior this year, leaving the door open for his return in season 4.

Really? That's really weird. I don't think anyone thought of him as a frosh in S1.

[Pyser]

no one thought riggins was a soph when he was best friends with street s1 either...even if he had been held back at some point

[RainMaker]

Looks to be officially renewed for 2 more seasons.

LIVE: The TV Blog (http://blogs.nypost.com/tv/archives/2009/03/fnl_renewed.html)

It looks like Tyra and Lyla will be written off the show early next season. They also seem to be losing their head writer and director.

As much as I like the show, I just don't know how they are going to draw people in for Seasons 4 and 5. Four of the main characters will now be gone, with Riggins and Saracen out of high school (I can't think of a show that has lost that many of it's characters that fast and been succesful).

The show has really been screwed over by these 13 episode seasons. It really needs a full one to develop the characters properly and play everything out. New characters are always tough to merge into a succesful show that was built on the strength of its character's personalities.

I heard this idea on a podcast the other day. The idea was that TV shows were signed for multiple seasons up front and that was it. For instance they'd just decide up front that FNL would be a 3 season show and end it there. You'd be able to tie up the cast and write storylines for the entire length of the show. FNL really could have benefited from this kind of setup. It's a show that really should have only gone 2-3 full seasons (20+ episode seasons) and then ended.

[chadritt]

I heard this idea on a podcast the other day. The idea was that TV shows were signed for multiple seasons up front and that was it. For instance they'd just decide up front that FNL would be a 3 season show and end it there. You'd be able to tie up the cast and write storylines for the entire length of the show. FNL really could have benefited from this kind of setup. It's a show that really should have only gone 2-3 full seasons (20+ episode seasons) and then ended.

Thats not really a good financial decision for the network though, particularly on a show like FNL. I LOVE the show, season 1 was amazing and season 3 has been amazing so far, but it didn't really have the ratings to justify a 2nd season and absolutely didn't have the ratings to justify a third. If NBC had committed themselves to 3 full length seasons and then got season 1s ratings my guess is that people would've been fired, or at least seriously warned, for getting them stuck with a show that loses money.

Even aside from FNL, its not common for a show to become profitable until it hits syndication which typically takes around 5 seasons. Its become easier with the greater number of cable channels and the DVD sales but its still one heck of a crapshoot to guarantee a show anything beyond the amount of time it would take to be profitable.

[RainMaker]

Thats not really a good financial decision for the network though, particularly on a show like FNL. I LOVE the show, season 1 was amazing and season 3 has been amazing so far, but it didn't really have the ratings to justify a 2nd season and absolutely didn't have the ratings to justify a third. If NBC had committed themselves to 3 full length seasons and then got season 1s ratings my guess is that people would've been fired, or at least seriously warned, for getting them stuck with a show that loses money.

Even aside from FNL, its not common for a show to become profitable until it hits syndication which typically takes around 5 seasons. Its become easier with the greater number of cable channels and the DVD sales but its still one heck of a crapshoot to guarantee a show anything beyond the amount of time it would take to be profitable.

I agree that it's not feasible at all for the networks. I just thought it was a unique idea that if it was the way things worked, we'd see much better TV. Networks would in a way be forced to invest in a show.

My biggest issue with TV is that shows are never given a shot. They get a handful of episodes and then the networks decide whether they give up on them or not. Some shows take a season to really develop their characters and involve interesting storylines. Some shows just don't have the initial buzz and take some time getting that word-of-mouth advertising. I mean Family Guy may be the best example of a show taking some time to catch on. Shows like Seinfeld (which was almost cancelled) didn't really hit their groove till after the first season.

I just think the whole system is fucked. Even if you don't sign a multi-season deal, at least give a show a full season (20+ episodes) with consistent marketing to see whether it can attract viewers. These half seasons where shows can get pulled after a couple episodes force creators to force plots too quick and make bad television. I'd love to see a network pick some shows and actually show confidence in them.

[DeToxRox]

I think it's good for the kids on the show. Don't get stuck being that character. Three years and you're out. They probably should've planned ahead further and introduced more new characters this year but with some clever writing next year you can easily introduce the new main character in the first 5 minutes with a montage.

It looks like how they're gonna do it (Check spoiler above) it'll be eaiser to accomplish.

[ISiddiqui]

I'd love to see a network pick some shows and actually show confidence in them.

That has happened before, just most times the confidence doesn't pan out. "Arrested Development", for one, was given a 3rd season solely on the basis that the head of NBC's programming liked the show. Based on ratings, it should have been canceled. The 3rd season turned out to be a ratings disaster.

Problem with sticking with ratings disaster shows is that the networks are a business. You can't lose too much money and still hope to keep your job.

This is only exacerbated by the rise of cable. Look at the 'horrible' ratings for Seinfeld in its first season. Those numbers would be a highly rated show today. And that is what matters to the advertisers.

[ISiddiqui]

I think it's good for the kids on the show. Don't get stuck being that character. Three years and you're out. They probably should've planned ahead further and introduced more new characters this year but with some clever writing next year you can easily introduce the new main character in the first 5 minutes with a montage.

It looks like how they're gonna do it (Check spoiler above) it'll be eaiser to accomplish.

J.D. and Melanie (what ever her name is, I'm suffering from Mr. McCoy syndrome), should be interesting characters. I do like the J.D. story.

[RainMaker]

I think it's good for the kids on the show. Don't get stuck being that character. Three years and you're out. They probably should've planned ahead further and introduced more new characters this year but with some clever writing next year you can easily introduce the new main character in the first 5 minutes with a montage.

It looks like how they're gonna do it (Check spoiler above) it'll be eaiser to accomplish.

I still think it's going to be real tough for the show to do. It takes awhile to build a character like they do. Fans of the show get sucked into current ones and have a tough time accepting new ones. Some dramas have been able to do it, but many have not. The White Shadow may be the best comparision for what FNL is up against.

Still, the signing for 2 seasons gives them 26 episodes to do it. My gut is that with the writer and director going, along with 4 major cast members (and others graduating), FNL's best days are behind it.

[Dr. Sak]

It's official..FNL Picked up for 2 more seasons...

NBC Renews ‘Friday Night Lights’ - ArtsBeat Blog - NYTimes.com (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/nbc-renews-friday-night-lights/)

[spleen1015]

Finally getting caught up on this show. I've watched through episode 7 of this season. I will catch up with the rest of it this week.

The episode I just watched is the one where Street meets the agent and McCoy's dad wasn't there for him after the game. It was the same episode where Buddy's other 2 kids came for a visit.

I don't really know what I think of the season so far. It is better than S2, like everyone says.

Saracen is still a good character. I am interested in seeing more of the McCoy's kid story. I hope Street manages to find a way to be with his kid.

[DeToxRox]

Finally getting caught up on this show. I've watched through episode 7 of this season. I will catch up with the rest of it this week.

The episode I just watched is the one where Street meets the agent and McCoy's dad wasn't there for him after the game. It was the same episode where Buddy's other 2 kids came for a visit.

I don't really know what I think of the season so far. It is better than S2, like everyone says.

Saracen is still a good character. I am interested in seeing more of the McCoy's kid story. I hope Street manages to find a way to be with his kid.

Just wait. The last 6 episodes or whatever you have left are incredible.

[Galaril]

Wow awesome news!

[JeeberD]

I can't wait to see what Coach Taylor does with the East Dillon "Giraffes" next year. And finally, after three years, I have the wife watching the show with me...

[RainMaker]

While I think the change of scenery will spice up the show a bit, the fact they let him go angers me. What high school would fire a coach who has made two state titles and won one in three years? He would be one of the most sought after coaches in the state. It would be insane to bring in a guy with no experience. Might have been better to have JD McCoy go to East Dillon and his father screw around with redistricting to get the best players.

Also, is Dillon really so big that it requires two high schools? I thought the concept was a small town that everyone rallied around on Fridays. Kind of kills that element of the show. I guess we'll see how it turns out but I'm a little unsure of their decision. Hope it wasn't the "jumping of the shark" that seems inevitable with all these shows.

[JonInMiddleGA]

While I think the change of scenery will spice up the show a bit, the fact they let him go angers me. What high school would fire a coach who has made two state titles and won one in three years? He would be one of the most sought after coaches in the state. It would be insane to bring in a guy with no experience. Might have been better to have JD McCoy go to East Dillon and his father screw around with redistricting to get the best players.

Also, is Dillon really so big that it requires two high schools? I thought the concept was a small town that everyone rallied around on Fridays. Kind of kills that element of the show. I guess we'll see how it turns out but I'm a little unsure of their decision. Hope it wasn't the "jumping of the shark" that seems inevitable with all these shows.

Valdosta, Georgia comes to mind. Football crazy (or downright insane) but two schools separated by a few miles that hate each other passionately.

And to continue that connection, consider the case of coach Mike O'Brien in 2002. (as described by USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2006-02-19-valdosta_x.htm))

Mike O'Brien, an assistant coach at Valdosta for 15 years who took the head coaching job in 1996 following the sudden death of Nick Hyder. O'Brien was 70-20-1 in seven seasons and his 1998 team won a state championship and four region titles.

O'Brien, now the head coach at Woodstock (Ga.) High, was fired following an 8-3-1 season in 2002. He took over the Woodstock program in 2003 while it was in the midst of a 26-game losing streak and guided the program to its first-ever playoff berth in 2005.

Sounds almost too familiar to be entirely coincidental.

[JeeberD]

While I think the change of scenery will spice up the show a bit, the fact they let him go angers me. What high school would fire a coach who has made two state titles and won one in three years? He would be one of the most sought after coaches in the state. It would be insane to bring in a guy with no experience. Might have been better to have JD McCoy go to East Dillon and his father screw around with redistricting to get the best players.

Also, is Dillon really so big that it requires two high schools? I thought the concept was a small town that everyone rallied around on Fridays. Kind of kills that element of the show. I guess we'll see how it turns out but I'm a little unsure of their decision. Hope it wasn't the "jumping of the shark" that seems inevitable with all these shows.

The real town of Odessa has two high schools, the high-end Permian Panthers and the other side of town Odessa Bronchos.

However, I also thought that it would be more interesting if JD threatened to go to the "other side of the tracks" rather than remain under the tutelage of Coach Taylor. However, that's not how the writers decided to go, and I think it'll be interesting to see how they decide to develop the series..

[SegRat]

This show is now my favorite on tv.

[RainMaker]

Valdosta, Georgia comes to mind. Football crazy (or downright insane) but two schools separated by a few miles that hate each other passionately.

And to continue that connection, consider the case of coach Mike O'Brien in 2002. (as described by USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2006-02-19-valdosta_x.htm))

Mike O'Brien, an assistant coach at Valdosta for 15 years who took the head coaching job in 1996 following the sudden death of Nick Hyder. O'Brien was 70-20-1 in seven seasons and his 1998 team won a state championship and four region titles.

O'Brien, now the head coach at Woodstock (Ga.) High, was fired following an 8-3-1 season in 2002. He took over the Woodstock program in 2003 while it was in the midst of a 26-game losing streak and guided the program to its first-ever playoff berth in 2005.

Sounds almost too familiar to be entirely coincidental.

Maybe I misread the show, but I just never considered Dillon to be a large town. From all the bits they did about it, it came across as extremely small. Valdosta is rather large and also has a decent sized college built into it. I never got that from the show that Dillon was large like that.

And while there are some similarities in the two coaches, Coach Taylor had a hell of a track record. I just don't see how a coach gets fired by losing the state championship on a field goal against a team that was better than them. Especially considering he won it two years before. 3 years coaching, 2 state championship appearances and 1 state title. That just seems like an amazing track record to let go with little fanfare.

[spleen1015]

I like the way the season ended, leading us to next season.

Fuck you McCoy!

:D

[ISiddiqui]

I think the reason for the "surprise" at the end of the season was that they wrote it in case the series was canceled. It would have been an interesting ending.

[larrymcg421]

Maybe I misread the show, but I just never considered Dillon to be a large town. From all the bits they did about it, it came across as extremely small. Valdosta is rather large and also has a decent sized college built into it. I never got that from the show that Dillon was large like that.

And while there are some similarities in the two coaches, Coach Taylor had a hell of a track record. I just don't see how a coach gets fired by losing the state championship on a field goal against a team that was better than them. Especially considering he won it two years before. 3 years coaching, 2 state championship appearances and 1 state title. That just seems like an amazing track record to let go with little fanfare.

I think Dillon is clearly modeled after Odessa, TX from the book. That city had two high school teams, Permian High and Odessa High. In the book, they mention that sometime in the 90s the Odessa coach made some accusations about Permian that got them stripped of the postseason and he was not very well liked after that. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw something like that here.

[larrymcg421]

Oh and another reason I like the ending:

It would have gotten really dull if they just kept chasing the state title every single year. This changes the benchmark. Now the big game won't be the state title, it will be the East Dillon-Dillon game.

[Pyser]

anyone watching the new season on directv so far?

how should we handle talking about it, since it isnt on nbc til january?

[Dr. Sak]

I won't be watching it till January or whenever it come out on NBC. I'll just avoid the thread until then.

[Galaril]

I have started watching and like the new direction they are heading though I will miss Tyra and her assets. I am sure they will have a new girl to step in. I love the villainous backdrop happening at the old school (West Dillon?)

[Arles]

I like it as well. I think it's smart the way they are working in Matt and Riggens to keep them on the show. The Vince angle is also interesting and Landry now has a bigger role.

Overall, I think this is one of the better shows on TV and am excited about this season. I think having Coach Taylor "work from the ground up" is a good way to make the show a little more interesting/fresh than it was heading.

[Pyser]

i cant imagine saracen sticking around. i would be supremely disappointed if he did. no way he should still be in that town.

[thealmighty]

I love this show and am glad for the new direction for coach, but if someplace tried to open a school with facilities like that, there would be lawsuits out the ass.

[Galaril]

The actress playing Riggens soon to be new boning buddy looks a lot like Tyra.

[RainMaker]

Isn't Lyla fucking Derek Jeter?

[Galaril]

Isn't Lyla fucking Derek Jeter?

Yup. She was alright.

[whomario]

bump.

Has anyone seen the first episodes of season 4 on direct TV (or other means) ?

It´s great, sometimes even brilliant. Not just "brilliant for this series" but brilliant, period.

Episode 5 is just incredibly intense, if the guy playing Saracen isn´t going to get some serious drama roles then there´s sth wrong. The guy is nailing like every intense scene since the very first episode and that 5th episode of season 4 was the climax.
The fact that i still love that character despite the writers going way overboard with the crisis moments speaks for that just as much as the writers going so overboard with those moments : They know he can pull it off and nails them.

The scene where he looks into the casket, the look onm his face there is unreal ... And when he looses it at the Taylor house, fuck ...
Too bad episode 6 is a major downfall from that, hate the writing there. But still, that character has offered so many great moments ... Real shame they wrote him out the way they did that 6th epiosde, if that was the last we saw of him. Still hoping it isn´t and he´s just driving to talk to someone at a College and comes back for extended good-byes and going out with more closure. I mean, other than the Coach he was the show for much of it´s run

writing is really good overall, not a lot of football scenes with all the new characters but that´s ok.

coach taylor/Kyle chandler is brilliant as usual, Aimee Teegarden less annoying and simply a stunning looking girl...

The new main character alls bring sth to the table.

JD´s Role and the Role of the Panther football team is really cut down. I was wondering how they would balance 2 teams, they went the safe route and just don´t bother much with the Panther team, smart choice seeing that no one is left there anyway.


in terms of football :

appreciate that they don´t even try to build up a new quarterback and concentrate on both new halfbacks exclusively by the 6th episode.

[Pyser]

the show is absolutely unbelievable this season. easily, EASILY the best its ever been.

[whomario]

series got nominated as a Top10 series from the AFI (American Film Institute). No idea how much prestige goes along with that, just figured i´d share that ;)

spoilers ahead : Couple reviews on the epic episode 5 :

Friday Night Lights: Zach Gilford, Most Valuable Player -- Vulture (http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2009/12/friday_night_lights_zach_gilfo.html)

What's Alan Watching?: Friday Night Lights, "The Son": Here lies a funny, funny man (http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-night-lights-son-here-lies-funny.html)

Matt will be back for a bit more after a break of a few episodes, that´s good to hear.

Just yesterday i rewatched a couple seson 1 episodes, still gets me.

[RainMaker]

So I read this won't be available till the summer on NBC. Any other options for watching this show for someone without a Dish?

[Dr. Sak]

So I read this won't be available till the summer on NBC. Any other options for watching this show for someone without a Dish?

I just downloaded them all through bittorrent and watched them on the plane to Seattle.

[RainMaker]

Just got through the 5th episode. Wow. Zach Gilford is unbelievable. If this guy doesn't become a huge star than there is something wrong with Hollywood. Any mention of him for an Emmy as supporting actor? He hit every emotion perfectly, every nuance. Just an amazing performance.

Not sure if everyone caught it, but the blood on the shovel is just a small detail that every other show out there would have never added.

[RainMaker]

Finished the send-off for Saracen. Anyone catch the Bob Dylan song at the end and the continuity from the first season? When Coach Taylor is talking to Street at the hospital and Jason tells him how Saracen is a little different, listens to Bob Dylan and stuff. This show is the best show on TV.

[Pyser]

loving the wire connections this season. both in themes and casting.

[Pyser]

this show gets more and more wirelike every ep this season.

only 2 left, and its GOOD.

i feel like im talking to myself in this thread

[Dr. Sak]

Yeah i was bummed when i watched last week's episode and realized there were only 2 more left this season. So much to be wrapped up in just two episodes.

[spleen1015]

Is this airing on NBC again this year?

[Dr. Sak]

Yea starting April 30th

[JonInMiddleGA]

Report: Fifth Season of Friday Night Lights Will Be Its Last - TV Ratings, Nielsen Ratings, Television Show Ratings | TVbytheNumbers.com (http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/02/10/report-fifth-season-of-friday-night-lights-will-be-its-last/41689)

Michael Ausiello reports that when production ends on Friday Night Lights’ fifth season this June, it will be lights out for the series.

Last season NBC/DirecTV gave the show a 26 episode renewal broken up into two seasons. The fourth season is currently airing on DirecTV and will begin airing on NBC in a few months.

Though NBC isn’t confirming anything, Ausiello cites “multiple sources” confirming that the show will end production for good when season five wraps up.

[Dr. Sak]

Read that yesterday...bit of a bummer because I like the show so much.

[RainMaker]

I don't think that's much of a surprise as I thought it was real lucky to even get the 4th and 5th seasons. Great show that can go off on a high note.