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‘Lights’ out tonight? Maybe, maybe not.
“Friday Night Lights” ends its season tonight at 8 on NBC. Maybe. The brilliant drama that is beloved by critics but ignored by viewers has been on a wild ride on the rumor express.
But first things first. Tonight’s installment, which NBC is touting as the “season finale,” features a guest starring appearance by “FNL” creator/executive producer Peter Berg. He plays a former boyfriend of Tami Taylor who stirs things up when he shows up in Dillon. Coach Taylor does not take kindly to romantic competition, so we can expect a few sparks.
Also in the episode, Smash pursues his dream of nabbing a football scholarship, and sad-sack Tim Riggins just keeps on getting his heart broken. I’m thinking of starting a Save Tim campaign if the show continues …
Speaking of which, this so-called season finale is the show’s 15th episode in a season that was supposed to have 22 episodes. The writers’ strike shut down production in December. The Austin-based series has been on the bubble practically its whole life, bringing in little more than 6 million viewers a week. But rave reviews and the hope of audience growth kept it going.
At one point in December, rumors flew that NBC might sell the series to ESPN and let the Dillon Panthers celebrate its football DNA, rather than try to cover it up in hopes of attracting female viewers.
Next came rumors that “FNL” had been guaranteed a third season, no matter what Nielsen said. But that little ray of sunshine was followed by dark remarks by NBC entertainment chief Ben Silverman, who said last week, after being asked about the future of “FNL,” that people should start watching something else. Not good.
But now comes a fresh wave of rumors that NBC is considering moving the show, which won a prestigious Peabody Award last year, to its cable networks Bravo and USA. And, these optimists say, NBC is still mulling keeping it on the broadcast network next season.
Executive producer Jeffrey Katims told Entertainment Weekly recently that if the writers’ strike ends by Feb. 15, “FNL” writers could whip out the rest of the season’s stories in five or six installments — and that they would NOT end it as a series finale.
Hope springs eternal in the hearts of the Dillon faithful.
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By Linda VanDenburgh
February 22, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
Please do not cancel Friday Night Lights. I truely enjoy watching this program on Friday night!
By Christine
February 13, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
It will be a shame if Friday Night Lights is cancelled permanently. I would like to shake some sense into the collective TV audience supporting inane game and reality shows on television rather than a program which offers excellent acting, photography, themes, and scene editing. If anyone knows a means by which I could support the continuation of Friday Night Lights, please let me know.
By austinights
February 12, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
FNL is toast. I guess that is that for FNL on NBC. What happens now? Do we sent a lot of light bulbs to NBC? If so, make sure they are eco-friendly. Check out this link on some breaking news.
http://television.aol.com/news/story/_a/blog-tries-to-save-friday-night-lights/20080211153709990002
By Horn Fan
February 8, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
FNL is one of the best shows on tv! I really hope they don't cancel it. Or, if they do, they MUST move it to another network, because it is too good to not be regularly viewed by the public. The writing is phenomenal, the acting is top notch, and heck, they film the thing right here in AUSTIN!!! We all should be supporting this show every Friday Night. I am a HUGE football fan (Hook 'Em) and but football is NOT the main theme of the show. If people would just give it a chance, they'd be 'Hooked' like I am.
By Gordon
February 8, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
If/When the strike is over, which shows will be returning to 'finish' the season?
Or are we just going to have reality junk until next October/November?
It seems to me that a lot of shows taking almost a year off will make an opportunity for anyone smart enough to take advantage of it... like cable networks that have original shows.
By Michelle Lee
February 8, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
NBC seems totally incapable of promoting this show properly, so hopefully whatever new network is smart enough to grab this gem will do a better job. Not that they need to convince me - I'll gladly wave goodbye to NBC to follow FNL wherever it goes.
By austinights
February 8, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Ben Silverman can (how did Fonzie used to put it) SIT ON IT! Aaaaaayyyy! FNL Rules! That scene last week with Coach Taylor and Saracen, then followed by the scene with Smash - that is darned good TV.
By Monica
February 8, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
I will cry if "FNL" gets canceled.
By Kelly
February 8, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
My guy got me hooked on this show, but I now love it and hope to continue to watch it!! It is not "all about football" and has great short stories mixed in which keeps it happenin' and interesting!
Goode luck FNL!!