By: Kevin Kelly, Special TCA Correspondent
Experimentation. It’s the buzz word of this year’s Television Critics Press Tour.
Will SCRUBS jumping ship from NBC to ABC pay off? Will the CW really shake things up by shifting the start of their Fall season to mid-summer next season? And will satellite provider DirecTV’s gamble to pick up the critically acclaimed yet ratings anemic football series [that’s not really about football!] be hailed as a brilliant programming move or, a grand experiment that was ahead of its time?
Place your bets. Because the only thing we know for sure is what one audience member inappropriately [yet accurately!] yelled out at this morning’s FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS TCA Panel. “FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS will quickly become the most downloaded show on television!” Which in case you’re wondering, star Zach Gilford full endorses, stating, “Well, if you’re a loyal fan I say you download it, and then out of good conscience just switch on NBC when it comes on the air.”
So what else did we learn. Well, Jason Street (Scott Porter) and Smash Williams (Gauis Charles) will be doing four-episode story arcs this season and aren’t signed on as series regulars. Which according to executive producer Jason Katims makes sense because they’ve both graduated from school on the show and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS has always strived to be “as realistic and true to real life” as possible. [With the notable exception of Tyra and Landry’s ridiculous murder story-line! But let’s not get too nit-picky here]
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This just in: Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello continues to put the smack-down on rival E! Online TV scooper Kristin Dos Santos since jumping ship from the sinking ship that is TV Guide.
Oh wait, you wanted breaking news about your Dillon Panthers? Well, for that incredibly sad news involving two of your favorite FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS cast members departing, you’re going to have to head on over to the Ausiello Files. Because for some reason or another, he knows stuff that we don’t. 
It looks like television critics — including this TV Addict — might just have to search for a new whipping boy.
After all, it’s kinda hard not to feel at least a little love for NBC co-chair Ben Silverman, seeing as many of the announcements he made during Tuesday afternoon’s upfronts might well have been lifted directly from the Wish Lists of every viewer who has lamented the death of quality television over the past few years.
Yes, there will be more reality. No, Howie Mandel and his bevy of case-carrying beauties haven’t been sent to Exile Island. (Whoops, wrong network.)
But there will also be more FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
And that right there’s gotta buy the guy a little good will, right?
Don’t worry. It’s not like Silverman didn’t make some major mistakes. (SHARK TAGGERS? Seriously? What was the pitch on this? “Now, every week can be Shark Week!”) But we’re going to focus on the positive. (At least for a few minutes… then we’ll dish the negatives.)
What were the highlights for me? So glad you asked! Here’s the top four:
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Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that NBC has teamed up with satellite provider DirecTV to bring fans a third season of the critically acclaimed yet ratings anemic FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
While nothing is official yet, and Deadline Hollywood didn’t mention specifics like number of episodes and potential premiere dates, one thing is for sure. Come tomorrow morning, TVGuide, E!Online and Entertainment Weekly will all be jumping over themselves to break ‘Exclusive’ FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS stories!
Since news leaked that NBC is shopping FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS to the likes of the CW, TNT and E! in an effort to find a broadcast partner to defer the cost of the show’s third season. This TV Addict thought he’d lend a hand by offering up a few potential plot ideas for the future home, and favorite new network of the Dillon Panthers football team.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS on the CW
Following the split up of her parents and her sordid history with Tim Riggins, its revealed that Lyla Garrity’s entire ‘born again’ Christian schtick was simply the ultimate cover up for her bad behavior [see CRUEL INTENTIONS]. When FNL premieres on the CW in September, expect the unexpected as born again mean girl LG attempts to reclaim her title as queen bee of Dillon High. Also in the cards, a steamy affair for Coach Taylor when the new nanny the Taylor’s hire turns out to me [gasp!] ex-contestant on AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS on SCI FI
Jason Street, determined to reclaim his former football glory volunteers for a top secret government operation that replaces 60% of his body with bionic parts. This September, join Jason Street as he juggles friends, family and his football dreams. All the while secretly spanning the globe to keep America safe from Terrorism. The name’s Street, Secret Agent Street.
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This morning’s Variety is reporting that all hope is not lost for a third season of the critically acclaimed, yet ratings anemic TV Addict favorite FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
In a complicated deal that we’re sure even the resident nerds of THE BIG BANG THEORY would have trouble figuring out, NBC is in talks with the CW, E!, G4, TNT and DirecTV with the hopes of finding a broadcast partner to share some of the cost of the slightly pricey Dillon Panther drama.
Stay Tuned…
GOOD NEWS: CBS has taken the pressure off HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER by switching its 8PM timeslot with rookie sensation THE BIG BANG THEORY. BAD NEWS: While funny, BIG BANG THEORY is no HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. Worse still, CBS once again illustrates that either they have absolutely no confidence in HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, or they just don’t know funny.
GOOD NEWS: NBC gave FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS break out star Taylor Kitsch permission to take a major role in the upcoming WOLVERINE movie. BAD NEWS: Thus putting what looks like the final nail in the coffin for a third season of [all together now] television’s most under-appreciated gem.
GOOD NEWS: NBC announced that they’re going to start streaming classic 80’s shows such as A-TEAM and MIAMI VICE online. BAD NEWS: The most popular of which, NBC will undoubtedly butcher into a two-hour re-imagined KNIGHT RIDEResque movie/series.
GOOD NEWS: AMERICAN IDOL and APPLE have teamed up to make your favorite IDOL performances available on iTunes. BAD NEWS: Did you watch last night’s performances?
Still reeling from NBC’s shabby treatment of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS? Well, we’ve got some exciting news that may put a smile on your face. No, FNL has not been officially picked up for a third season and unfortunately Ben Silverman has not been fired from his post as Peacock President. But trust us, this is almost as good.
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“I love it. You love it. Unfortunately, no one watches it. That’s the thing with shows. People have to watch them. We’re NBC, we have a reputation to uphold. And, man, with this writers’ strike … well, we’ll see what we can do. But start watching 30 Rock.” NBC President Ben Silverman in a recent interview with RadarOnline.
If Ben Silverman’s recent comments are any indication, one thing is abundantly clear. Tonight’s season finale of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS may in fact be its series finale thanks to Mr. Silverman’s penchant for reality television, game shows and apparent aversion to quality.
Let’s help prove him wrong. Put down your pens, forget the letter writing campaign and pick up that remote control. Tune into FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS tonight at 9PM on NBC (Global TV in Canada) and help send the only message that Mr. Silverman will notice. An uptick in the ratings.
The clock is ticking, the game’s almost over and we’re out of time-outs. Tune in tonight or make room in your DVD collection for another brilliant-but-cancelled series. And remember, there will be no reunion on the big screen. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS was already a movie!
Just in case you needed further incentive to tune into tonight’s stellar episode of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS — and judging by the show’s anemic rating, you clearly do — this TV Addict thought he’d remind all of you still suffering through GILMORE GIRLS withdrawal that Matt Czuchry (Logan Huntsburger) shows up in Dillon Texas for the first of four appearances. Czuchry plays a conservative Christian radio show host who not surprisingly, catches Rory’s Lyla’s eye.
Which means, it’s time to help out the perennially under-watched FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and prove you really believe in TV theme songs. Will you really ‘lead where they follow.’ And by ‘they’ I naturally mean GILMORE GIRLS alumni? Lorelai would, as would Sooki. So don’t be an Emily. Don’t miss tonight’s incredible and completely reality TV free installment of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. Airing tonight at 9PM on NBC and Global TV in Canada.
Thanks to KnoxNews.com for the Tip!
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