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VACELTS
Brookie L. Crawford
Articles Posted: 329; Links Seeded: 707
Member Since: 3/2007Last Seen: 9/07/2009
Member Since: 3/2007Last Seen: 9/07/2009
32 Comments
PrintIs it Lights Out for Friday Night Lights?
News Type: Opinion — Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:55 AM EST
Fans of Friday Night Lights are ready for more.
Photo courtesy of NBC
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Well it looks like we might have seen the last original episode ever of Friday Night Lights last Friday. And if you've had a chance to see this fine drama, you'd agree this news is a travesty.
In its second season, Friday Nights Lights, based loosely on the 2004 movie by the same name, is about a small Texas town obsessed with high school football. But you don't have to be a football fan to enjoy this drama about relationships.
However, while football plays a background role in the show, it does provide a basis for the timing of the season, aligning with the high school football season. In Friday's episode, "May the Best Man Win," we were still one or two games away from playoffs.
But it looks like the Dillon Panthers might not being finishing this season. According to both TV Guide and Kristen at E, Friday Night Lights will have no more episodes produced this season and that the chance of the series returning in the fall is slim.
In fact, a campaign to save the show has already started requesting fans to send light bulbs to NBC execs to "keep the lights on" for Friday Night Lights.
But all hope might not be lost. While Variety confirmed no more Lights this season, it said that NBC is looking for a way to bring back the show for a third season.
But I question if this is even possible. First NBC banished Friday Night Lights to Friday night this season. Sure the name lends it self to that schedule, but the fan-favorite was already struggling for ratings.
Now NBC is contemplating leaving the Panther storyline hanging in the middle of the season? If Lights gets a third season is it going to pick up at the next school year?
What happened to the last few games? Did the Panthers make it to playoffs again? Did they win the state title? Sure football is secondary in this story, but the relationships are based on the dynamics of how they are dealing with each other among these major events (play offs, state championship).
What about all the characters? (I'm avoiding going into specifics to prevent spoiling it for anyone who hasn't watch the series completely yet.) What happens to them? More than eight months will take place in their lives between Friday's episode and the start of their next school year. Given that many of the characters are teens that's a lot of time to just gloss over.
I know that networks think that viewers are a dime a dozen. But after putting us through a three-month strike, you'd think they'd show us a little love. Networks want viewers to show loyalty. How about a little loyalty for viewers?
NBC please give Friday Night Lights and the Panthers a chance to wrap up their season that way when you finally come to your senses and grant the show a third season, it'll be ready to make a nice clean start.
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{"commentId":1461734,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
Are there any Friday Night Lights fans out there?
If you haven't seen the series, I highly recommend it. The first season is available on DVD. Or you can watch episodes from both season online at the Friday Nights Lights website.
{"commentId":1461734,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
- 3 votes
#1 - Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:01 AM EST{"commentId":1464386,"authorDomain":"archangelrichard"}
It was the writers strike - they did all the shows that were written and even if they started now they would not have new ones until May or so.
Maybe they can put it on one of their cable channels next year.
{"commentId":1464386,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"archangelrichard"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1464446,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1461868,"authorDomain":"justregularrobert"}
{"commentId":1461952,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
I think the first season of Friday Night Lights may have been the best single season of television ever. I am completely serious with that statement. I bought the first season of both this show and Heroes at the same time to watch during the summer. I figured Heroes would be the amazing one and FNL would be good filler. It ended up being the other way around. Heroes was good, started great but didn't end so well. FNL was simply amazing.
I can't say it any better than the Sports Guy himself, Mr. Bill Simmons:
On Aug. 28, NBC released the American DVDs with a "satisfaction guaranteed" gimmick. Now if you continue to ignore FNL, it's only because you're trying to hurt me. If you do give it a shot, let me recommend the impeccable acting, the lively football scenes (although they tend to go overboard on exciting finishes), the risky story lines and especially Coach Taylor's family, the most authentic household in recent TV history. Every nuance is nailed, every hug seems genuine, every fight makes sense, every sarcastic barb and flustered reaction ring true. If there are better TV actors than Kyle Chandler (Coach) and Connie Britton (Mrs. Coach), I haven't TiVoed them. Pay particular attention to the astonishing two-parter in which an older assistant sets off a racial powder keg before a big playoff game. If FNL were Michael Jordan, Lyla Garrity's slam-page episode would be the 63-point game in Boston (the coming-out party), and the two-parter would be the 1991 Finals (the moment considerable potential is realized).
The only weakness in the entire series was the show going a little overboard on exciting last minute wins (and somehow the team played only 11 games to win the Texas State Championship that takes 16 games to win in real life...) But that's just nitpicking.
However, for the most part, season two has been a huge disappointment. From the "murder" plot, to the general feeling that the show is turning more Dawson's Creek-ish, the second season just hasn't lived up. They are also something like 16 or 17 episodes into what would have been a 22 episode season sans-strike, but they have only played six actual football games so far. There's been a four or five episode stretch that feature no actual games. The show was never solely about football, and it would never have been half as good if it was. But in the second season the football has been an after thought at best.
I would love it if the show would come back and be more like season one, but if all we had was more of season two in store, than I'm really not sad to see it go. I actually have the past three episodes on DVR still and I just don't want to watch them because this season really hasn't been that good.
Well, whatever happens, I always have the amazing first season to watch on DVD.
{"commentId":1461952,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
- 2 votes
#3 - Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:59 AM EST{"commentId":1462230,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1464187,"authorDomain":"RMAATOD"}
As far as the first season is concerned, you can rank the pilot right up there with Lost, Buffy, and Friends as far as truly excellent pilots. It might be the best pilot I've ever seen. I also think that its fairly obvious that season two was written to appeal to a broader demographic, bringing in a much larger variety of plots and characters. With that said, I thought that it continued to be and excellent representation of modern high school life, minus the murder plot. It will be a darn shame if it is canceled, but it will hardly be a surprise. I just keep wishing that they would move the show to USA, or another one of NBC's subsidiary networks! There it could grow creatively without having to worry so much about numbers. If it was the 8:00pm lead in to Monday Night Raw, I think it would do extremely well.
{"commentId":1464187,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"RMAATOD"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1464332,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1462056,"authorDomain":"finalcut"}
I watched chunks of the first season and it was pretty good. I have watched 2 episodes of this season (fairly recent episodes) and liked them as well.
I do agree that Coach and the Mrs are great actors on TV - their family relationship is pretty genuine feeling.
I was kind of surprised at how quickly I was drawn back into the show when I turned it on a few weeks ago. It has more depth than most shows I watch (which, truth be told, I don't watch many so I'm not the best judge).
Vacelts - you either have a huge harddrive on your DVR or you are the TV-watchinist person I have ever seen. You seem to have an article about every episode of any show I ever get lucky to see.
{"commentId":1462056,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"finalcut"}
- 2 votes
#4 - Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:29 PM EST{"commentId":1462272,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1463913,"authorDomain":"bentoons"}
Please don't pull this show! At least finish the season!!! I love this show. Friday Night Lights is about morality, about family values, courage and accountability. This show is an example of fine writing and acting. Contrary to what other shows nowadays display, this show is excellent. Please let is loyal fans of this show, whom have dedicated our time to watch it consistently, finish the season.
PLEASE
{"commentId":1463913,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"bentoons"}
- 2 votes
#5 - Tue Feb 12, 2008 7:58 PM EST{"commentId":1464338,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1464287,"authorDomain":"klbeck"}
I have always loved any show that Kyle Chandler is in (anyone remember Homefront?) He is an excellent actor and Mrs. Coach is his equal. The family is portrayed as a real family with real issues (how about the pouty teen phase?) All of the actors is this show are great. I also hope that it either continues on NBC or goes to another channel for the fans. Please at least wrap up this season with an appropriate ending. It is really discouraging to find a great show only to have it disappear into TV neverland.
Save Friday Night Lights!
{"commentId":1464287,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"klbeck"}
- 2 votes
#6 - Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:13 PM EST{"commentId":1464346,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1464425,"authorDomain":"archangelrichard"}
I think the first season was meant to be self contained in case it wasn't renewed; the second season they had to expand the characters, show more life outside of football, so they had something to build a 5 year show on (most of the high school characters would graduate at some time; and I can't see trying to follow all of them through college and then life).
I liked both seasons because there was that character development; and I liked the 'murder' plot line in that Landry did feel guilty and kept trying to confess as some people do in that situation. They make mistakes; they are real people.
If it is true that it is cancelled (I haven't seen this yet) that's another night with nothing worth watching.
{"commentId":1464425,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"archangelrichard"}
- 2 votes
#7 - Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:55 PM EST{"commentId":1464453,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1464655,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
so they had something to build a 5 year show on (most of the high school characters would graduate at some time; and I can't see trying to follow all of them through college and then life).
That can actually help the show. It can be centered around the Taylors, but they get to rotate in fresh characters every year and show them for a season or three and then bring in even more fresh characters as the old go off to college or the real world.
The problem in the second season was that they wouldn't let old characters go. The Jason Street character was terrible in the second season and really didn't fit in anywhere. Also, I could have sworn Riggins, Lyla and Tyra were seniors last year, but there they were back again this season. In the first season I know they mentioned that Smash was only a junior, so he was back naturally and doing the whole recruitment thing. And Saracen was a sophomore, and thus returned.
{"commentId":1464655,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1464686,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1464862,"authorDomain":"melissa93"}
Another great show pulled by the loser network - and they wonder why their network is struggling. I am tired of being lured into watching new shows only to get them pulled prematurely (the Nine; Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - I could go on and on). If I recall, Friends was truly horrible the first two seasons - all that mood spotlighting, one line per star and rotate to next face shot - so programmed and stiff. This is truly a gem of a show - the best in recent years - if this truly does go that will be it for me. I hate reality shows - but at least they don't seem to get pulled.
{"commentId":1464862,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"melissa93"}
- 1 vote
#8 - Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:40 AM EST{"commentId":1465197,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1464936,"authorDomain":"bnlmatthes"}
I am a mom in her late 30s who grew up in Texas where football is a religion (and yes, I was a worshipper at the Church of Turf). That is what got me to watch the show in the first place. But, now I am addicted to this show. Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, Coach and the Mrs., have the best chemistry and are terrific actors. All the kids have some great acting chops as well.
I would be very disappointed if NBC dropped this show. One more quality drama left for dead so that we can put "My Dad is Better Than Your Dad" on. Don't get me wrong, I love some good reality t.v., but we need to have a better balance in programming. We need smart and engaging shows, not just endless drivel. I will be sending in my lightbulb if I hear this is genuine info, and not just gossip.
P.S. Chuck anyone? Love it. Please bring that one back too.
{"commentId":1464936,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"bnlmatthes"}
- 1 vote
#9 - Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:59 AM EST{"commentId":1465203,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1465216,"authorDomain":"pma"}
I love this show. It reminds me of my high school years. I am single but it is nice to have a family show on the air for a change. I am over all of the "reality" shows. Friday Night Lights is a show you watch and enjoy. I have really gotten into the show lately and can't miss it . You have to bring it back.
{"commentId":1465216,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"pma"}
- 1 vote
#10 - Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:09 AM EST{"commentId":1465457,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1465236,"authorDomain":"RMAATOD"}
Yes, I'm also under the impression that Chuck is getting new eps in the fall. Chuck was actually my favorite new show of the season! I'm not ashamed to say that I was a big OC fan when the show was in its prime, and Chuck got all the heart and soul Josh Schwartz put into The OC(Whilst Gossip Girl got all the promiscuity and high school antics!). Its a really fun show and I'll be happy whenever it comes back.
{"commentId":1465236,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"RMAATOD"}
- 1 vote
#11 - Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:18 AM EST{"commentId":1465478,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
{"commentId":1465974,"authorDomain":"DaveR-238819"}
Friday Night Lights is one of the best shows on T.V. I haven't missed an episode and I purchased season one on DVD....Keep FNL ....Finish season two.....it's ridiculous that NBC would consider canceling this show....you can't find a better cast...Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton are GREAT!
{"commentId":1465974,"threadId":"218220","contentId":"1295814","authorDomain":"DaveR-238819"}
- 1 vote
#12 - Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:36 AM EST{"commentId":1466294,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
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