Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 19 > Entry
Keep “Lights” alive! And in Austin!
Whatever it takes to keep “Friday Night Lights” in Austin, city and state officials should do. Period.
This isn’t some cheesy reality show, a la “Real World: Austin,” with slackers drinking and fighting on Sixth Street. This is a distinguished, high-quality drama series that prompted even the New York Times, which tends to look down its journalistic nose on television, to coo and drool.
In case you missed our Sunday story, “FNL” may be forced to pull up stakes in Central Texas and head for another locale if Texas and/or Austin don’t cough up some financial incentives to stay.
The cast and crew, especially creator Peter Berg and Austin native executive producer Sarah Aubrey, want to stay here. The young cast has fallen in love with their new home and quietly have become part of the community.
But NBC is looking for a way to shave about $100,000 per episode off the budget if the show is renewed for a second season. New Mexico, Louisiana and Georgia are among the state courting the production with substantial incentives.
A show about Texas high-school football needs to be filmed in Texas, and “FNL” has nestled into our environs with its own stadium at Del Valle and production offices in South Austin. They’re happy to be here; we’re happy to have them.
Texas has long touted itself as a movie mecca, but in recent years, productions have found our neighboring states more amenable financially. Our film commission does not offer incentives; other film commissions do.
Governor Perry has included an incentives package in his new state budget, but the Legislature has yet to approve it and probably won’t until mid-May. “FNL” needs to have a plan in place before then because NBC will have to decide on renewal before then.
Besides holding the bragging rights to the “FNL” locale, Austin benefits in many ways from having such a distinguished production in our midst. A cash infusion of more than $1.5 million arrives with each new episode, tourism benefits and other productions are more likely to come here if we can keep the good one we’ve already got.
So come on, city and state officials. Step up and do the right thing. The thought of South Congress Avenue without Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton and a host of gorgeous, talented young stars is just too depressing.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: Entertainment
Comments
By Tom DuBose
February 28, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
FNL should stay in Austin, Central Texas. The revenue and great publicity it does for the community is well worth the money. Community leaders, Mayor of Austin, Local State Reps., State Senators and Governor Perry should step in. If the Governor can broker deals with Samsung to build in Austin, he can broker this as well. GOVERNOR PERRY STEP UP TO THE PLATE!
By FNL Fan
February 22, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
The state and city should do everything they can to keep this show - the writing is amazing and the subject matter thoughtful. As a parent the story lines hit close to home. It will be a pity if production leaves town.
By dan
February 21, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
This is a great show and should stay in texas!!!!!
By TxFNL
February 21, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
If FNL leaves Austin, it will send a message to L.A. that Texas will not work with you. Its not about this one show, its all the shows and movies of the future...and the millions and millions of tax dollars lost if production companies go elsewhere. In Dallas there are acres and acres of empty studios....earning zero tax dollars at Los Colinas (Irving Tx). There is no way Texas looses by giving incentives to hollywood, those incentives are recovered by all the jobs, and business the production companies bring to the area. If you look past all the employment they bring, past the great PR they bring, then be happy with the millions and millions of tax dollars each production brings to Austin. This is a no-brainer. Yes the incentives are up-front monies to get much much more financial return over the course of filming.
By Loriann
February 21, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
I think FNL should stay in Texas. It's good for the economy, it adds authenticity to the show and it's providing jobs to the area. Lots of extras and actors are employed because of this show and if it leaves, these people are REALLY without jobs.
Plus, I have to admit, it is kinda special seeing the most beautiful place in the whole world featured on my TV every week!
Loriann Zello,
a born again Texan!!
By FNL_Cast_Member
February 21, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this
I'm sorry that Tarvin and Reality feel that way. I have loved living here in the beautiful city of Austin while filming FNL. I know that if the show does get moved, I will miss everyone that I have met. For those with negative things to say all I can tell you is everyone is intitled to their opinion. Have a great day.
By Lambo
February 20, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
Austin is suffering from too much exposure already, resulting in pollution, traffic, skyrocketing cost of living, gentrification, and crime. If the big networks want a handout, they should go to Georgia or NM. Rather than subsidizing private business, the State and City should cut taxes.
By Tarvin
February 20, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
Tax money should not be spent on corporate welfare. Period.
By katy
February 20, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
i agree, friday night lights is a great show. and equally important, our great state of texas should want this type of growth and attention. i think "reality" above is missing the point. although i do personally love the show, having this kind of exposure for austin and for texas is a great thing.
By Adan Lerma
February 20, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this
I was tempted to say it was too bad the show didn't pander to some tight narrow cultural group that nevertheless has purse strings, but instead add my voice to those hoping the city and state will do what's needed for something that already (not might) makes $ for the state and city, and, at the same time, adds class and "priceless" positive pr to the area. What more could the networks, the city, and the state want? I know, something catering to a tight narrow purse-string segment of ...nevermind :-)
By Reality
February 19, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
Good riddance to them. Since when did a freaking television show become important? Especially one about Texas high school football, a sport for ignorant redneck kids who are good for nothing except buttin heads and ignorant redneck parents who get their thrills pretending they're football stars. Pathethic. Let the !@#$ show rot. And if this is really important in your life, you desparately need therapy.
By austinights
February 19, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
FNL is a great show and Texas and City of Austin should indeed support. However, NBC has a very important job - promote this show like no other. I mean, come on....Studio 60 was their next Sorkin wonderkid and its now being yanked early in place of a new mid-season show next week. FNL is growing and I've often made reference on the NBC boards to how Seinfeld, Friends and a few others got started and turned into Must See TV Thursday Nights. FNL has grit and the entire cast and supporting cast are incredible actors. As a writer myself...kudos to the show writers, because they are the ones that keep it all moving ahead and growing in viewership numbers. I truly believe the show will become a mainstay on NBC's roster, but they need to step it up and really give it the promotion it did not receive at the start of the season. Put this baby in the sunlight, give it some green water, and watch it grow. As for City and State...make it happen. You won't be sorry!