Friday Night Lights

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Pyser

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]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

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.

Spoiler

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

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by thesloppy

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

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]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

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]

Originally Posted by chadritt

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]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[Galaril]

Wow awesome news!

[JeeberD]

Spoiler

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]

Spoiler

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]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Spoiler

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)

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]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Spoiler

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

Spoiler

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]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

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)

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.

Spoiler

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!

[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]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Spoiler

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.

Spoiler

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:

Spoiler

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]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

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.

Spoiler

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.

Spoiler

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 :

Spoiler

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

What's Alan Watching?: Friday Night Lights, "The Son": Here lies a funny, funny man

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

Spoiler

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]

Spoiler

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

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.