Friday Night Lights

I know I blog about TV a lot, but that's because I watch so much of it. I have a long list of TV shows that I have to watch every week... and this week is the start of another one of my favorites. Friday Night Lights premieres this Wednesday on Channel 101 of Direct TV at 8 pm central time. For as much as I hate Direct TV, this is one time that I am very happy to have it.

If you haven't seen this show yet, which judging from the Nielson ratings that almost got the show cancelled you have not, then it's seriously time to start. Friday Night Lights is honestly one of the best shows on TV not named Entourage or Weeds. It's classified as a family drama, which obviously is not one of my prototypical genres that I like to watch, but this show is nothing less than entertaining and defies what any "family genre" I have ever seen before. It has something for everybody- football, sex, partying, boozing, and relationship drama- you won't be dissapointed.

From a FNL enthusiast website: The concept for the Friday Nights Lights TV show comes from the book by H G Bissinger and the successful movie that followed, one of my favorite Sports movies to date. Anyone who has experienced playing varsity high school football first hand can relate to the events which take place over a season; over a year. It's not just the double-day practices during summer, weight lifting year round, practice after school, and games on Friday nights; the community, faulty, student body that make a football season what it is. Friday Night Lights TV goes deeper, introducing the relationships, families, and everyday lives when these players are not under the lights.

The show is entering it's 4th season, and I'm expecting great things. It was nearly cancelled during the writer's strike, but protest from fans brought the show back and now Direct TV has exclusive rights to air the new episodes and then they will be replayed on NBC in the spring. Gay, I know, but I recommend watching old and new episodes of FNL at sidereel.com.

A quick recap from season 1 and a look at the great cast of FNL... The fictional town of Dillon, Texas is the setting for FNL. Like most small towns in Texas, football is god-- the peoples focus centers on the young men of the local high school football team. The Dillon Panthers are coached by head-coach Eric Taylor. The team is full of talent and ranked number one in Texas. Jason Street is the starting quarterback equipped with a canon arm and good looks. Universities see him as one of the best prep players ever and is highly recruited going into the season. His girlfriend Lyla Garrity (Minka Kelly- Derek jeter's gf) is the beautiful head cheerleader with personality to match. Brian Williams, also known as "Smash", is the star running back overflowing with confidence and attitude. Tim Riggins gives Brian competition at running back. Unlike the flashy Smash, Tim is a hard-nose, "run them over" type of guy. Football and Texas are Tim's life. Whether drinking beer or in the huddle with the boys, Tim shows himself as a leader, and an intimidating person most respect. At backup quarterback is Matt Saracen. Matt comes across as a nice guy who receives little attention being in the shadow of Street. Landry Clarke is Matt's best friend. Landry doesn't play on the football team but remains connected through Matt. Bringing heat and drama is Tyra Collette, a sexy vixen with a history! Unlike most in Dillon, Tyra looks beyond the lights, beyond Texas, for her future. Two people not on the football team but feel the same community pressure are Tami and Julie Taylor, the wife and daughter of Coach Taylor. Tami supports Eric, attending every game and understanding of time for Eric's devotion to the team. Julie shows no interest in jocks, especially football players. She's a good student and also has a "snippy" attitude. [synoposis borrowed from the same FNL website mentioned above]

Seriously, take my word for it and watch this show.