Friday Night Lights on NBC [Archive] - Front Office Football Central

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FrogMan

10-03-2006, 10:16 PM

So, did anybody watch it, the series I mean? What did you think about it?

I liked it, but I'm easily entertained... :)

Just wondering what people thought about it.

FM

Joe

10-03-2006, 10:17 PM

most cliched piece of crap I've seen on tv in a long time.

Poli

10-03-2006, 10:18 PM

Is it based off the book?

Shkspr

10-03-2006, 10:20 PM

You shouldn't have a show called "Friday Night Lights" and then NOT run it on Fridays.

Izulde

10-03-2006, 10:20 PM

this is one show I'm going to have to rely exclusively on Internet feeds because I have class Tuesday nights.

I'm watching episode 2 of Heroes on NBC.com right now, but I'll try and catch FNL tomorrow night.

Brilliant, brilliant move by NBC to post the episodes on the Internet by the way. It helps keep people up to date on and interested in the series.

Joe

10-03-2006, 10:21 PM

You shouldn't have a show called "Friday Night Lights" and then NOT run it on Fridays.

thats when their target audience would not be watching tv

Izulde

10-03-2006, 10:25 PM

thats when their target audience would not be watching tv

Because they'd be at the high school football games or otherwise occupied.

Shkspr

10-03-2006, 10:38 PM

Oh, I know that. But there are times when a man has to stand on principle.

jbmagic

10-03-2006, 10:41 PM

If you happen to miss this episode they are playing it again on Wednesday and Saturday on TV.

also here.
http://www.nbc.com/Video/rewind/full_episodes/?show=fridaynight

ISiddiqui

10-03-2006, 11:18 PM

Incredibly cliched, but it was the pilot. I'm hoping the next few episodes aren't. Also, what was with that last play? Hail Mary type play and a reciever gets behind the defense? WTF? Shouldn't there be like at least 4 defenders standing near the end zone at any rate?

st.cronin

10-03-2006, 11:28 PM

ISiddiqui

10-03-2006, 11:29 PM

Yeah, that amused me too :D. From seeing the pass, I thought it'd be caught in the back of the end zone. I was shocked seeing it was caught with plenty of field to go.

ThunderingHERD

10-03-2006, 11:43 PM

I caught like two minutes. There was a scene when a awed young boy sheepishly asked the star QB "Do you think God loves football?" There was a beat, then the QB gave an assured response: "Everyone loves football."

Needless to say, I changed the channel.

st.cronin

10-03-2006, 11:53 PM

I actually liked what I caught of it.

bhlloy

10-04-2006, 12:22 AM

The producers of Varsity Blues called... they want their script back.

I also realise that these shows aren't supposed to be realistic first and foremost, but that last scene almost made me barf.

Glengoyne

10-04-2006, 12:31 AM

I too thought it was pretty cliched, but I enjoyed it. I love the emotion surrounding the game.

The game winning play was pretty funny though. They recovered an onside kick, got at least one first down, and then threw a forty yard pass that was caught on the 30 yardline, with the receiver clearly behind the defense.

Perfect.

JPhillips

10-04-2006, 07:29 AM

I worked with one of the writers on a new play here in DC. She had to miss the opening because they were researching in Austin. The funny thing was that much of the writing team was hired after football season and didn't actually have time to attend games.

Bridget was very excited though because for her it meant she finally hit it big.

Honolulu_Blue

10-04-2006, 08:19 AM

I actually liked what I caught of it.

Me too.

Passacaglia

10-04-2006, 08:46 AM

Is it based off the book?

I didn't see it, but it seems like the only connection it has with the book is that it's about high school football. It might be set in Texas, too.

JeeberD

10-04-2006, 08:50 AM

The Dallas Morning News absolutely loved it. I only managed to see the last two minutes...damn school.

And yes, it's set in Texas. Somewhere in the Austin area. I think the only real tie it has to the book is that it takes place in Texas (not in Odessa, though) and the team's mascot is the Panthers...

FrogMan

10-04-2006, 08:57 AM

well, in the opening credits, they do say "based on the book from H.G. Bissinger" so yeah, I'd say it is loosely based on it. Is Dillon a real Texas town? I think that's what the name of the place was.

Jeebs, it's playing again tonight on NBC...

FM

Izulde

10-04-2006, 09:03 AM

9/8 Central?

TexasT

10-04-2006, 09:03 AM

No, Dillon is a fictional town. The reason for the team being called the Panthers is so they can put the "P" on the helmet. The team and story is based on the Odessa Permian teams that were a powerhouse in Texas for years and whom the movie was based on. Theirs helmets are identical to Permian's.

FrogMan

10-04-2006, 09:07 AM

9/8 Central?

more like 8/7 Central.

http://www.nbc.com/Schedule/

FM

ISiddiqui

10-04-2006, 09:07 AM

And yes, it's set in Texas. Somewhere in the Austin area. I think the only real tie it has to the book is that it takes place in Texas (not in Odessa, though) and the team's mascot is the Panthers...

Well and a decent number of characters are directly based on the characters from the book and movie. As the FB is a dead ringer (in looks) for the FB in the movie. The star RB is Boobie Miles in his attitude.

JeeberD

10-04-2006, 09:15 AM

Theirs helmets are identical to Permian's.

Except for, ya know, being blue instead of black... ;)

JeeberD

10-04-2006, 09:16 AM

Dola-

Jeebs, it's playing again tonight on NBC...

Class tonight as well... :(

Though if I find some free time, Ill check out the link that Izulde posted...

FrogMan

10-04-2006, 09:23 AM

Dola-

Class tonight as well... :(

Though if I find some free time, Ill check out the link that Izulde posted...

well, at least now you now the premiere will be replayed, so DVR/TIVO/VCR can be programmed ;)

FM

JeeberD

10-04-2006, 09:25 AM

None of the above... :(

I really need to talk to the wife about upgrading to digital cable and getting a DVR. We're at a point now where we can afford to splurge a bit...

Desnudo

10-04-2006, 11:20 AM

jbmagic

10-04-2006, 11:28 AM

Dola-

Class tonight as well... :(

Though if I find some free time, Ill check out the link that Izulde posted...

If you happen to miss this episode they are playing it again on Wednesday and Saturday on TV.

also here.
http://www.nbc.com/Video/rewind/full...ow=fridaynight

spleen1015

10-04-2006, 11:33 AM

So the opening show has the star QB laid up in a hospital with a possible broken neck and they win on a hail mary. How do you possibly follow that up? You can't have a hail mary ending every week. Or can you?

I was thinking this way, too.

I knew the QB was going to get hurt. They focused too much on the backup for the starter not to get hurt. They should have left the backup totally out of the story until he entered the game. Then, focus a little more on him in later episodes.

You also know they are going to win their share of games.

JeeberD

10-04-2006, 11:36 AM

Thanks, jb. I actually watched the episode this morning on the link that you (not Izulde) posted earlier, so thanks for the link.

The show was pretty decent, IMO, but that last series was pretty brutal. Recovered the on-sides kick on the 45 or 50, had a ten yard run (and didn't he get out of bounds? why did the clock keep running?), and then chucked the ball with all his might (with the announced commenting about how the kid has a heck of an arm) for a pass that couldn't have gone further than 15 yards...

I'll be sure to check it out on the website next Wednesday morning...

spleen1015

10-04-2006, 11:40 AM

JeeberD

10-04-2006, 11:43 AM

But if he got out of bounds wouldn't the clock have been stopped until the ball was snapped? They way they did it made it seem like he stayed in bounds and the clock was just stopped for the moving of the chains...

spleen1015

10-04-2006, 11:46 AM

JeeberD

10-04-2006, 11:52 AM

Just watched it again and he definitely got out of bounds. Something else a bit funky with that play is that while the on-sides kick was recovered at the 50, the first play afterward (the run for the first down) starts inside the 30 and he gets out of bounds inside the 10.

That's just sloppy editing, there...

MrBigglesworth

10-04-2006, 11:52 AM

FrogMan

10-04-2006, 11:58 AM

I like it overall, but was dissappointed in the cliche ending.

I have the same fears that a couple of you seem to have: how much is there to this story? How many times can the backup QB lead the team to victory when the starter goes down? A series like this can't focus on the game action or it gets repetitive too fast, I don't think they can make the game the climax of the show every week.

and I don't think they will. From some sort of chat transcript with the series producer on nbc.com, at http://blog.nbc.com/fnl/

Will there be a football game every week?

There will not be a football game every week. We hope to expand the show into something that is much more than just a presentation of football games. There will probably be a football game every four to five episodes, and the show will primarily focus on the characters and their relationships as they unfold and twist and turn.

FM

Klinglerware

10-04-2006, 12:09 PM

The producers of Varsity Blues called... they want their script back.

Ironic, in that Bissinger thought "Varsity Blues" was a rip-off of his book. Ahh, the circle is complete...

JeeberD

10-04-2006, 12:11 PM

And apparently the buddy of the back-up QB had his first acting gig in Varsity Blues...

jonesz

10-04-2006, 12:27 PM

I really liked this show. Yeah the ending was cliché, and the last drive is begging to be ripped apart by anyone who watches football on a regular basis, but overall I still liked it a lot. I thought the acting by the young group of actors was quite solid and I really liked the coach. I especially enjoyed the cinematography and radio voice-overs as well. It gave the same feel as the movie, which I really dug. Overall I thought, other than the last drive, etc., the football scenes, especially the locker room scene were really solid.

Like a couple of people have already said, I wonder how they're going to keep the stories coming. Based on the chat posted (a game every four or five episodes) that would make a football season every two or so TV seasons, which seems like stretching it a little to much to me. If they do a football season every TV season, after a few seasons they are going to have to start replacing players as they graduate (even thought they conveniently replaced the senior QB with a sophomore QB). Or, who knows, maybe we'll get "Friday Night Lights:The College Years"...:p

MrBigglesworth

10-10-2006, 08:00 PM

I liked it.

So is Lyla Garrity genuinely the best girl ever or a gold-digging succubus?

illinifan999

10-10-2006, 08:01 PM

fuck that episode

Dr. Sak

10-10-2006, 08:23 PM

Why was the 1st half of the episode in HDTV and the 2nd half not?

Barkeep49

10-10-2006, 09:26 PM

I missed Peter Berg's direction, but thought that this was an excellent show. I did miss the football though, I won't lie.

jonesz

10-11-2006, 08:08 AM

I liked it.

So is Lyla Garrity genuinely the best girl ever or a gold-digging succubus?

I think she's just basically naive. Small town high school girl who thinks she is "in love" with the high school star QB. I think she honestly believes he'll get better and things will get back to the same as they where. He seems to have accepted reality a bit better than she has at this point. It will be interesting to see if she is so supportive once things sink in and get real...i.e. he'll probably spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

I really like this show and it's easily in my top 3 now (along with Heroes and Lost). The scene where he was in the middle of the field yelling out signals gave me chills. I really, really like the cinematography and the musical score of this show as well. Very solid group of actors too IMO. Hopefully they'll pick up at the start of the game next episode.

My only criticism of the show, actually of TV in general, is there are WAY TO MANY DAMN COMMERCIALS!! I DVR everything, but bejeezus I swear there was about a 5 minute period at one point between commercials. It severely ruined the flow of the show. So the networks answer to people buying DVR's and skipping commercials seems to be throwing more at them. Grrr.

JeeberD

10-11-2006, 11:57 AM

Enjoyed this week's episode, but I wish they had shown the game. Frickin' cliff-hangers...

larrymcg421

10-11-2006, 01:33 PM

Friday Night Lights is one of the best sports books I've ever read. It was a great balance of expose (showing the racism and misplaced priorities inside the school and town) and sports (the author clearly was rooting the team on and the descriptions of the game make you feel like you are there).

Unfortunately, the movie did not seem very interested in talking about the corruption or racism and mostly stuck to the football aspects. Also, it changed many details from the book. What bothered me even worse was in the audio commentary Bissinger insults the people who are upset about the changes from the book, telling them to "get a life."

The TV show, while certainly well acted and very well directed follows the style of the movie more than the book. This is less bothersome because they decided to follow completely fictional players instead of remaking the book, but it still makes it much less interesting than the book was. And yes, the editing on that final play is absolutely ridiculous.

As for why they can't have a game every week, a TV season is 22 weeks long (although it's doubtful this show will make it that far) so they have to have some episodes without games.

JonInMiddleGA

10-11-2006, 08:13 PM

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_7835.asp
Prospects dim for 'Friday Night Lights'
NBC sports drama falls 11 percent, to a 2.4

By Toni Fitzgerald
Oct 11, 2006

NBC had high hopes for “Friday Night Lights,” its critically acclaimed new drama about high school football based on the successful book and movie. But just two episodes into the show, its ratings are falling and dragging down an otherwise strong Tuesday night.

“Lights” averaged a 2.4 adults 18-49 rating last night at 8 p.m., according to Nielsen overnights. That’s off 11 percent from its 2.7 premiere, already the worst premiere on the Big Three networks for any new show.

Certainly part of the viewer drain could be sports fanatics switching over to Fox’s coverage of the American League Championship Series, but that drew relatively low ratings. It also could be that viewers dismissed the high-minded drama as teen fare despite its actually sophisticated presentation.

What’s equally troubling is that the show is pulling the rest of NBC’s lineup down with it. With a sagging lead-in, 9 p.m.’s “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” posted a 3.6, down 14 percent from last week and down from its season average.

At 10 p.m., “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” was also down to a new season low, and NBC’s Tuesday average sank 10 percent week to week, from a 4.0 to a 3.5.

NBC hyped “Lights” heavily, and critics raved about it. With the network already all but abandoning another acclaimed show, “Kidnapped,” it’s doubtful it will want to ditch one more so soon. A new timeslot could well be in the offing for “Lights,” though it’s unclear where that would be. “Kidnapped’s” 10 p.m. Wednesday slot is too late to grab the kids who the show appeals to.

Meanwhile, ABC led easily with a 4.3 rating and 11 share, followed by CBS at 3.6/9, NBC at 3.5/9, Fox at and CW at 1.7/4, and Univision at 1.6/4. Ratings for Fox are approximate, as fast nationals measure timeslot data and not actual program data, and the ALCS ran late.

At 8 p.m., ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” led with a 5.3, followed by CBS’s “NCIS” at 3.8, NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” at 2.4, Fox’s ALCS at 2.2, and Univision’s “La Fea Mas Bella” and the CW’s “Gilmore Girls” at 2.0.

At 9 p.m., ABC again led with a 4.6 for the last half hour of “Stars” (4.6) and the third episode of “Help Me Help You,” which was even to last week at 3.1. CBS’s “The Unit” and NBC’s “L&O: CI” tied for second at 3.6, followed by Fox’s ALCS at 2.9, Univision’s “Mundo de Fieras” at 1.7 and the CW’s “Veronica Mars” at 1.3. The CW did finish third in 18-34s for the night, ahead of Fox and NBC.

At 10 p.m., NBC led easily with a 4.6 for “L&O: SVU,” followed by CBS with a 3.2 for a rerun of “CSI.” That was up 14 percent over last week, when now-yanked “Smith” aired in the timeslot. ABC was third with “Boston Legal” at 2.9, followed by Fox’s ALCS at 2.6 and Univision’s “Ver Para Creer” fourth at 1.1.

Among households, ABC led again with a 10.0/16, followed by CBS at 8.3/13, NBC at 7.1/11, Fox at 5.5/9, CW at 2.6/4 and Univision at 1.9/3.

larrymcg421

10-11-2006, 08:15 PM

The only good news for Friday Night Lights is that it's on NBC. On ABC or CBS it wouldn't stand a chance. NBC is a wreck these days and they may have to stick with Friday Night Lights, or put Deal or No Deal on 5 nights a week.

MrBigglesworth

10-11-2006, 08:31 PM

I hate people. Deal or No Deal is the worst, it takes no skill at all, I don't understand how people are entertained by that.

larrymcg421

10-11-2006, 08:34 PM

I agree. At the very least, you should have to throw a pie in someone's face.

Ragone

10-11-2006, 08:45 PM

I think she's just basically naive. Small town high school girl who thinks she is "in love" with the high school star QB. I think she honestly believes he'll get better and things will get back to the same as they where. He seems to have accepted reality a bit better than she has at this point. It will be interesting to see if she is so supportive once things sink in and get real...i.e. he'll probably spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

I really like this show and it's easily in my top 3 now (along with Heroes and Lost). The scene where he was in the middle of the field yelling out signals gave me chills. I really, really like the cinematography and the musical score of this show as well. Very solid group of actors too IMO. Hopefully they'll pick up at the start of the game next episode.

My only criticism of the show, actually of TV in general, is there are WAY TO MANY DAMN COMMERCIALS!! I DVR everything, but bejeezus I swear there was about a 5 minute period at one point between commercials. It severely ruined the flow of the show. So the networks answer to people buying DVR's and skipping commercials seems to be throwing more at them. Grrr.

not to mention the 10 minute commercial for applebee's during the show

MrBigglesworth

10-11-2006, 10:08 PM

I agree. At the very least, you should have to throw a pie in someone's face.
If they threw a pie in someone's face every time they ended up with a suitcase under $100, I may watch. So maybe I'm not one to talk.

Dr. Sak

10-11-2006, 10:45 PM

not to mention the 10 minute commercial for applebee's during the show

Or the Underarmor logos all over the shoes and uniforms...

Barkeep49

10-21-2006, 12:25 PM

I really wonder about the wisdom of putting this up against MNF. Seems like the audience for this show would have a huge overlap with MNF.

NoMyths

10-21-2006, 01:07 PM

I really wonder about the wisdom of putting this up against MNF. Seems like the audience for this show would have a huge overlap with MNF.
It airs on Tuesdays.

ISiddiqui

10-21-2006, 01:08 PM

It airs on Tuesdays.

Yeah, but they are thinking of moving it to Monday where Studio 60 is being shown now.

Barkeep49

10-21-2006, 01:13 PM

To expand on what has been said:

At least for this coming week, rather than air a repeat of Studio 60, they're going to air FNL on Monday at 10 Eastern.

Joe

10-21-2006, 01:39 PM

To expand on what has been said:

At least for this coming week, rather than air a repeat of Studio 60, they're going to air FNL on Monday at 10 Eastern.

Not this week, Oct 30

Barkeep49

10-21-2006, 01:55 PM

Yes this week

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6382801.html

NBC has ordered nine more scripts of Friday Night Lights in an apparent signal the network will stick with the modestly performing rookie drama.

NBC is also planning on airing an original episode on Monday night, October 30 at 10 p.m., in place of a planned repeat episode of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.The network will try and use a lead-in from freshman hit drama Heroes to draw new viewers to the show.

In the one-off Monday night airing, the football-themed Friday Night Lights will go head-to-head with a New England Patriots-Minnesota Vikings Monday Night Football game on ESPN in much of the country.

This past Tuesday, Friday Night Lights airing in its Tuesday 8 p.m. timeslot averaged a 2.7 rating/7 share in the adult 18-49 demo, up 23% from last week’s performance (2.2/6) and matching the numbers for its premiere.

larrymcg421

10-21-2006, 02:08 PM

That's next week Barkeep. Next Monday is the 23rd, which will air a Studio 60 episode called The Wrap Party.

jbmagic

10-21-2006, 02:11 PM

On the west coast it doesn't affect us. MNF is over by the time that show comes on at that time.

Barkeep49

10-21-2006, 02:40 PM

That's next week Barkeep. Next Monday is the 23rd, which will air a Studio 60 episode called The Wrap Party.
My bad. I stand by my original point, however, that it doesn't seem like such a wise scheduling move.

larrymcg421

10-22-2006, 05:50 PM

My bad. I stand by my original point, however, that it doesn't seem like such a wise scheduling move.

I definitely agree with that point.