Shame on you, NBC, for moving the critically acclaimed Friday Night Lights to your Friday night 9pm slot. Perhaps it is more fitting, what with the name of the show, but I worry that the move will send this fantastic program into primetime oblivion, losing even the rabid core of fans that stuck with it through all of last season.
Now to you, dear viewers. Why are more of you not watching this show? Not a fan of high school dramas? Not a football fanatic? Not reason enough.
I actually do like high school dramas. I’ll ashamedly admit to having been a die-hard Dawson’s Creek fan (I was an extra on the show), as well as an on-again off-again viewer of The O.C. And I do love football. I’ve been a North Carolina State Wolfpack fan through good and bad seasons (this one being a disturbingly bad one) and have been an Indianapolis Colts fan for many years.
But when it first premiered last year, I was extremely pre-disposed to hate Friday Night Lights. Why? The television show is based on a movie which was, in its own right, based on a stellar non-fiction book of the same name by H.D. Bissenger. I love this book and have actually read it twice now, just for the sheer enjoyment. The movie - well directed by Peter Berg, and superbly acted by Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Derek Luke, and Garrett Hedlund - I rank in my top five sports movies of all time (along with Hoosiers, Rudy, The Sandlot, and Eight Men Out).
Both the book and the movie follow the 1988 Permian Panthers as they push through a grueling season where their star player is injured, dashing his chances at a football career. It is a story full of action, real-life drama, and most importantly…heart.
Article comments
1 - JH
I think everyone should stop nagging people to watch this show. I mean it's gotten to the point where people telling you to watch FNL just reek of desperation. Say it once, explain the good qualities then move on. Puting a guilt trip on people like the show is a charity case is only backfiring.
2 - Chris Beaumont
If a show is worth watching, there is no reason not to encourage people to watch it. No nagging going on here.
I am not a big football fan, and not really into HS dramas. Never liked Dawson, OC, 90210, etc.... (though I love Veronica Mars, RIP)
As for FNL, one of, if not the best show last year. Frankly, I am just happy that it got a second season, I was sure it was going to get canned. If it did, I thought the season was strong and well contained that I would not be left hanging.
I have not yet watched the S2 premiere, though I understand the reason to move it. It was not garnering ratings where it needs to get them, so it will move to Friday where the pressure is less. On the other hand, it is the night where shows generally go to die. I suspect this will be the last season.
3 - Kate C. Harding
JH, thanks for commenting. Perhaps I am a bit desperate, because I'd be quite sad if this show went off the air during this season.
But, I guess I saw this article less as nagging and more as a reminder that the new season was starting. I have quite a few friends who are big fans of the show who had no idea that it had moved to Friday nights because there wasn't much promotion about the switch. I figured if they didn't know, many others might not as well. Sorry if you felt nagged!
Chris, thanks as always for the support.