Football series shouldn't get sacked ontv
TV Goddess
Published: November 10, 2006
Last Modified: November 10, 2006 at 07:24 AM
Several new shows have emerged as deserving hits -- "Heroes," "Ugly Betty," even the almost-good "Brothers & Sisters." But the real story this TV season is how, just as in so many other seasons, one of the best shows is struggling to survive. That show is "Friday Night Lights" (7 p.m. Tuesdays, NBC).
"Friday Night Lights," from all appearances and early previews, looked like it would be geared toward and appeal to a limited target audience. But viewers of the film of the same name -- and those who have read the book that started it all -- can verify that these stories stretch far and wide across the landscape of this country's television viewers.
What many people don't realize is that the TV show is even better than the movie. It has a deeper soul and richer characters. That's expected, of course, since television characters have more time to develop. But these characters were born with this richness, from the paralyzed star quarterback, to his heartbroken, cheating girlfriend, to the shy kid who has to take over and lead the team, to the coach who carries the weight of the world (barely an exaggeration) on his shoulders.
If you've heard that football is life or death in Texas, this show hammers that home again and again, yet it doesn't get old or feel trite or pathetic. Football matters to these people. It brings out the good or bad in them and sometimes both. Football is the tool to tell these stories and as a backdrop to set them against.
That's why recent rumors that NBC plans to focus less on football and more on the characters' off-field lives hurts a little bit. First, Kyle Chandler is the heart of the show as Coach Taylor, and it's hard to imagine a way to keep him as central to it all if the focus shifts from football. Second, "One Tree Hill" quickly shifted its focus from basketball, and ... well, look how that turned out: It's a cheesy, cloying show with more unintentional comedy than genuine drama.
The good news for those who were slow to jump on the "Friday Night Lights" bandwagon is that NBC wants to bring new viewers around to what the network clearly knows is a gem. Not only did they put the program on after the hit "Heroes" last week, but it also offers every episode of "Friday Night Lights" online at www.nbc.com/Video/rewind/full_episodes/friday_night_lights.shtml.
The bad news is that all of NBC's effort will be for nothing if new viewers don't find this show. (Being fooled by the title is no longer an excuse; everyone should know it's on Tuesdays by now.) Then, instead of being the next great drama series, this might end up the next "Freaks & Geeks" or "Wonderfalls" -- terrific programs that were gone far too soon.
• TV reviewer and Portland, Ore.-based freelance journalist DeAnn Welker can be reached at deann@tvgoddess.com. To read more of her TV ramblings, visit www.tvgoddess.com.
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30 Rock
8:20 p.m. Thursday, NBC: OK, the first episode was pretty unfunny -- which was to be expected since the pilot was recast and reshot and re-edited, making it seem choppy, to say the least. But every episode since then has been hilarious, and now it's on Thursdays. If Alec Baldwin isn't the funniest person in a series, you know it has to be good. And he certainly isn't. Tracy Morgan is the star here, and he deserves praise, laughs and viewers.
Dexter
9 p.m. Sunday, Showtime: Michael C. Hall is really getting a chance to shine in this gory drama about his serial killer/serial killer investigator (the line gets confusing ... even for him). Showtime and viewers are loving it, and the show just got renewed for a second season.
Everybody Hates Chris
7 p.m. Monday, CW: You didn't think Chris' run as class president would go well, did you? Remember the show's title? Well, this week the student body decides to try to impeach him for not following through on his campaign promises.
How I Met Your Mother
7 p.m. Monday, CBS: Marshall and Lily, back together, realize marriage is what they both want after all, but they decide on ... Atlantic City. Everything goes wrong, of course. They bring Ted, Robin and, thankfully, Barney along for the mayhem, but mostly for viewers' entertainment.
-- DeAnn Welker Friday Night Lights
airs at 7 p.m. Tuesdays on NBC Channel 2.
Web: www.nbc.com/Friday_Night_Lights
