For the most part, I think the American public is a lot savvier and smarter than what Hollywood gives them credit for. I believe that most people are craving for deep story lines that challenge viewers in terms of their emotions as opposed to just going for the easy feel-good ending. However, when I see that a show as nuanced and gripping as ‘Friday Night Lights’ is struggling to find an audience, I start to understand why Hollywood goes for the lowest common denominator.
Cindy had some interesting concerns before this show aired about whether this would inappropriately glorify high school sports at the expense of other important educational issues, but after viewing the first two episodes of the show, I believe that it’s as dark and upfront as H.G. Bissinger’s classic book about the obsession of a small Texas town that is both ridiculously misplaced and spiritually uplifting at the same time. The show is a lot less about football and much more about the triumphs and problems of society weaved through a coach, his family and players, and the town that they live in. It amazes me that the television show that is almost universally lauded by the critics as the top new program of this season is getting trounced in the ratings by ‘Dancing With The Stars’ (which I’ll admit isn’t even really a bad show, but everyone ought to be horrified of the prospect that the vein on Joey Lawrence’s Kojak-style head is going to pop out through the TV screen).
I’m the type of person that has the television attention span of a gnat (while I probably watch as much TV as anyone, I can count on one hand the number of shows that I make the commitment to watching every week), yet ‘Friday Night Lights’ has already made it to my must-see list. I don’t ask for much, but please check out ‘Friday Night Lights’ on Tuesday if you haven’t already regardless of whether you even care about football in general – you’ll be thankful.
(Image from Sports Illustrated)
FRANK THE TANK'S SLANT 
Glad to hear that they didn’t completely miss the point of the book. Maybe I’ll watch it this week.
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Crap. Not that I have much free time anyhow nowadays since I have a 1 year old with an appetite for destruction, but I have heard good things about this show and wanted to try and take a look at it. But yeah, my fiancee had that dancing with the stars crap on last night, so I didn’t even think to channel surf and get a chance to check FNL out.
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Well it is on Friday nights now, making it easier to remember for the people we all want to arm twist to watch this show.
It is the most wonderfully scripted, and cast show on TV . The whole crew are terrific actors, I do not even switch during commercials. And FYI I am not a football fan, but I am riveted by this show. Do not take it off the Air.
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Friday Night Lights – The absolute best and most underrated television show since The Cosby Show. People, if you have not had the priveledge to partake in this great show, WAIT NO MORE! Run out and get the season dvd’s 1,2 and 3. Get caught up before season 4 starts in a few months. Afterwards, come hang out with many other fans and chat about the show, cast, episodes, as well as many other topics. There is great website where fans of the show are meeting right now! Check it out!
ILoveFridayNightLights.com
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