FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Returns and More from News NBC

Had I been paying attention and known that NBC was going to be having their faux Upfronts today I might have stayed a bit closer to my computer. But alas I am a wee bit behind in sharing the big news from the Peacock today. But there is news (and not just that of THE OFFICE spinoff), and most of it is pretty fantastic.

Let’s not bury the lead here, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is returning for a third season. Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Hot Dang! My favorite drama mama will be part of a deal with NBC and DirectTV which will have DirecTV airing the episodes first in the Fall and NBC airing them in the Winter. It’s going to suck for those of who don’t have DirecTV as the spoilers will be rampant. But if it was a choice over being spoiled or not having the show come back, I’ll deal with the spoilers.

The superheroes are pulling a switch-a-roo (or not). In my old age my eyes are starting to go, and I thought I had read that CHUCK and HEROES were swapping time slots on Monday nights. I was so excited at the thought of Sylar has melting my brain and then Chuck Bartowski to melting my heart that I screwed it all up. The two shows will remain as it with CHUCK airing at 8pm and HEROES airing at 9pm. Hell, I don’t really care as long as CHUCK comes back soon!!

More form the NBC Upfront presentation after the jump….

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Paley Panel Podcast

I wish you could all know just how much it saddens me to not have more time to properly write a review of last night’s amazing FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Paley Fest panel.  Sitting in the very front row, just inches away from the cast of my favorite drama was spectacular, and something I wish every TV fan could experience.

Today has been a whirlwind of travel issues, changing hotels, L.A. traffic, etc all before tonight’s BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Reunion (for which Dan is already in line).  So I hope you don’t mind that I am just going to post a quick link to our FNL panel and promise that I’ll post some pictures and even video as soon as I possibly can (hopefully before we board the plane to head back to Boston tomorrow).

The podcast is brief but hopefully we covered enough to give you a glimpse into last night’s incredible panel.  Enjoy!!

Listen: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Paley Fest Podcast 

Got Questions for Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Friday Night Lights or Buffy?

On Friday I’m heading out to LA for week full of TV fun at Paley Fest ’08. I’ll be attending some sure to be incredible panels. It’s a TV lovers dream as I’ll be front and center with the casts of Pushing Daisies, Chuck, and Friday Night Lights. Sadly, it turns out that I don’t have a ticket to the Buffy Reunion, but it’s ok – Ducky gets to go and Buffy is his favorite show. I’m bummed because I was really looking forward to it, but thems are the breaks. But if you know anyone with an extra ticket….

Check out the list below to see a full list of attendees. Pretty incredible, no?

This is when I turn it over to YOU. I’m hoping that my little GMMRers can come up with some kick ass questions for me to ask during the Q&A session of the panels*. And if things work out I might just get some special time with some of these casts outside of Paley too so I want to make sure I get your questions answered.

So if you have any questions for the casts or creators of PUSHING DAISIES, CHUCK, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS or BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, let ’em fly in the comments.

*One quick thing…the questions should be directed to the people on the panel about the show they are representing. I just felt the need to throw that out there. So no, I won’t be asking Moderator Damon Lindelof any questions about Lost during the Chuck panel, no questions to Adam Baldwin about Serenity/Firefly, and I refuse to ask Kristin Chenoweth about Wicked. Other than that, I think it’s fair game.

BREAKING NEWS: NBC to Renew FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!!!

This just in exclusively from Nikki Finke at DeadlineHollywoodDaily.

EXCLUSIVE: NBC Picking Up ‘Friday Night Lights’ After Partnering On It With DirecTV

This is great news to that small but passionate audience for the best TV series you’re not watching. I’m told that Jeff Zucker, Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman had been searching for a way to pick up the critically acclaimed but low-rated Friday Night Lights that would still make financial sense. The answer came in a deal with DirecTV, now owned by John Malone’s Liberty Media. Clearly Malone is looking to offer exclusive content to his satellite subscribers to distinguish DirecTV from its rivals on a content basis as well as price. “It’s an innovative deal where NBC found a partner who will share costs and exhibition windows,” an insider explained to me. I’m a big fan of FNL so I say hooray.

I’ve got to say that this news has more than made my day. At first I was a bit confused by the wording and I thought perhaps was being picked up just for DirectTV subscribers, but the more I thought about it, that didn’t make any sense.

Wow, this is going to make the FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS panel at the Paley Festival in a few weeks a LOT more interesting.

CLEAR EYES. FULL HEARTS. CAN’T LOSE.

Save FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – Let NBC Hear YOU!!!

Tonight is the last new episode of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, and although it’s painful for me to even type this, tonight may be the last episode of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS ever. It’s really hard for me to comprehend such a thing because I’m not ready to say goodbye to the residents of Dillon, Texas and NBC shouldn’t be either.

In an era where TV is dominated by reality shows and game shows, it pains me to think that a superb scripted drama like FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS could be so easily dismissed by NBC. But it all comes down to money, and money comes from ratings. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS has never been a break out hit for NBC, and I personally think that has very little to do with the show and everything to do with missteps on the part of the network. The initial marketing campaign of the show was weak, and all changes to its placement on the NBC schedule did nothing to help. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS never had its moment in the sun because NBC didn’t allow it.

Going back to the ratings game, listen I get it. I understand that TV is about money and if FNL isn’t helping then maybe something else should be given a shot. Unfortunately, with the moves that NBC has made as of late, one would bet that the replacement show will be no where near the quality of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.

We as watchers of TV need to stand up for our shows and make sure our voices are heard before there are no more quality shows left for us to fight for.

SAVE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS PROJECT
So now it’s time to make sure NBC hears YOU. There are going to be a number of SAVE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS campaigns floating around, and I plan on supporting every one of them (please participates in BestWeekEver and WWK’s efforts). There is power in numbers. For GiveMeMyRemote.com readers, I’m asking you to participate in a different way. To make sure NBC hears our voices, I’m asking that each of you make a brief video plea to NBC telling them what the show means to you and why they should keep FNL. I’ve already arranged with people behind the scenes to make sure that the videos make their way to the right people at the network.

If you plan on making a SAVE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS video, please make sure there is NO copyrighted material in your video. NO copyrighted music. NO videos or pictures from the show. Just YOU telling NBC why the show should be saved. All videos should be no more than one minute long (I know that doesn’t seem too long, but it’s enough to get and keep their attention).

Please title the video: SAVE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and upload it to youtube.com. Once your video is uploaded, please send me an email at info(at)givememyremote(dot)com and I will be sure to post it on GMMR and add it to my list of all videos submitted.

Writing to the networks…
While I encourage each of you to make a video, I also ask that you take a few minutes out of your day (like right about now just as soon as you are finished reading this) and write a heartfelt letter to NBC asking them to save FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. Early this morning I wrote a letter to Jeff Zucker and Ben Silverman pleading on behalf of the show. Now it’s your turn.

Jeff Zucker | Ben Silverman (send each a letter please)
NBC / Universal
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
(818) 777-1000

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS…Get the Kleenex Ready

Maybe I was just being a chick when I watched tonight’s episode of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, but I cried like an infant. Tonight’s episode, the second to last new episode of the season, is good…I mean really good. All of our favorite Dillon residents (well almost all of them, you can’t expect to see Jason Street two weeks in a row now can you) are featured in their own brilliant storylines.

You know me, I don’t like to give away too much. But I will tell you that Aimee Teegarden once again perfects the role of an average, annoying teenager. Tonight Julie continues her eye rolling and rebellion against her mother, and she isn’t too pleased when Tami’s bond with Tyra grows stronger. But a sweet gesture by Tami near the end will once again show why the Taylor family is so strong. It starts from the top down.

Not benefiting from the family love is poor little Matt Saracen. Be prepared to see Saracen like you’ve never seen him before. Since Carlotta’s return to Guatemala, Matty feels a bit lost and lonely and turns to someone new for life advice and guidance – Tim Riggins. Uh oh. Fans of QB 1 can expect an absolutely amazing performance from our boy tonight, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be left wanting nothing more than to hug his fears away (and perhaps cop a feel during the hug).

Tyra and Landry are still unsure about how they feel for one another, but Landry seems determined to move on with Jane. These two are adorable together, but is Landry emotionally ready to leave Tyra behind? And is Tyra really over Landry? I don’t want to say much more, but pay special attention to Tyra’s eyes at the scene in her doorway and see if you can read anything into them. I did, and I’m not sure what I saw. Or perhaps I didn’t like what I think I saw.

Tonight’s show really belongs to Smash and Momma Smash. Smash’s movie theater brawl has already left him suspended for the final three regular season games, but he’s just starting to feel the effects of his actions. With all his ego-fueled bluster, it’s easy to forget that Smash is just a kid in high school. Gaius Charles (Smash) and Liz Mikel (Corrina Williams) give amazing performances tonight, and their scenes together near the end warranted a rewind on the TiVo. Amazing!!

I’m always afraid that I’m hyping this show too much, but I really do think tonight’s episode is one of the best of the season. It showcases everything that makes FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS the best drama on TV – the writing, the action and the directing. All are just perfect!!

I hope you like it as much as I did.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Returns to its Glory

(The following contain minor spoilers for tonight’s episode so stop reading if you don’t want to know)

Tonight is the first of the final three remaining new episodes of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. If you were one of those people who felt FNL had lost its way at times during the season, be prepared to be reminded of the glory of yesteryear (or at least last season), because I’ve seen these next two episodes and they are some of the best we’ve ever seen (especially next week’s episode which left me in uncontrollably sobbing).

You know how I roll – I don’t like spilling the beans too much and ruining the fun for everyone else, but that doesn’t mean I won’t tease you a bit to get you excited for tonight’s episode, titled “Humble Pie” airing at 9/8c on NBC.

It seems that many of our friends in Dillon, TX have made some decisions that have led to rather surprising consequences – some good, some bad, and some that are just unexpected.

For Brian “Smash” Williams, his decision to let the temper get the best of him at the movie theater has consequences more far reaching than I’m sure he ever imagined – the least of which is being led out of his house in handcuffs while a confused and pleading Momma Smash looks on. Smash struggles with his pride versus making this matter go away, but when his emotions once again take over he finds himself facing consequences that unfortunately might have a lasting effect.

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: “Who Do You Think You Are”

Turning on NBC at 9pm this past Friday, I wasn’t sure if I was watching FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS or Tuesday Night on The CW circa 2006. I mean what a treat to not only have Matt Czuchry (Logan from GILMORE GIRLS) as a guest star but we also had a cameo from the former head of the PCHers, Weevil (played by Francis Capra, formerly of VERONICA MARS). I mean Weevil!! Yeah, I was a little excited to say the least.As for the episode itself, it fell a bit short for me, don’t get my wrong, a lackluster hour of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is much better than most of the derivative droll that is forced on us by the networks, but things just felt a bit off this week night. Important storylines were forced, others were given too much screen time, while others way too little. It was all a bit uneven.

Landry & Saracen…

Talk about disappointing. I’ve been waiting all season for Matt and Landry to get back together. Next to Tami and Eric, Matt and Landry are my favorite couple on the show. I missed the friendship between the two former outcasts. We’ve seen so little of them together this season, that when I saw them standing by the car talking, I thought we were in for an epic episode. Finally we were going to see Saracen’s reaction to the news that Landry and Tyra were not only friends but they had sex, oh and that Landry killed a guy, confessed to the police and was eventually exonerated. But I would have been ok with them just talking about the Tyra sex. But nothing…nope! Instead Landry learned that Matt was banging Carlotta and she was leaving. Yay for that news, but yawn on the rest. I’m hoping the FNL writers have penned the scene (many scenes) where these two “best friends” catch up on each other’s lives. (Oh and I’m not mentioning anything more about Carlotta’s departure because I find her borderline creepy and I just want her gone)

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Reason #4635 Why I Love FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

(Forgive the poor quality of the video and just focus on the performance…stunning)

I’ll tell ya. I thought that perhaps Landry was going to become this sap that just let Tyra walk all over him, and this scene really brought home exactly why these two should be together.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is Back with a Few “Twists” (Spoilers)

WARNING! The following contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.  Read at your own risk. 

I thought the holiday season was over, and here we are getting the gift of an all new episode of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.  And what an episode it is!  I was lucky enough to catch tonight’s episode as well as next week’s during the holiday break and you are all in for quite a treat.  While I will tease you just a bit (I am mean like that), I have to be careful of spilling too many secrets.  Why?  Well mostly because I watched both episodes back-to-back and I’m not crystal clear on what happened during tonight’s episode as opposed to next weeks.  It’s all a blur of hot men and sassy women. We’ve got drunken debauchery, sex scandals and natural disasters – and that’s just talking about Tim Riggins’ week.

Fans of Tim Riggins will be happy to know that #33 not only takes over the majority of the screen time over the next two episodes, but that he brings perhaps some of his best stuff to the table in some emotionally charged scenes (and all along you thought his best stuff were his abs…which he also has on display, so don’t worry).  Riggins has had a tough time as of late – the fallout with Billy, the poor choice to shack up with the gun wielding, meth dealing, ferret creep.  But all seems to be calming down a bit since Coach Taylor brought him into his home. Riggins seems to be settling in just fine with the family, but that seems to unsettle Tami Taylor just a bit.  A little weary about the amount of time both Julie and Shelley spend ogling Tim, Tami voices her concern to Eric – who also seems smitten with Tim, if for no other reason than he likes having another guy around the house to help out.  But don’t expect things to stay smooth sailing when the Coach misinterprets a moment shared between Tim and Julie.

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“Pushing Daisies” & “Friday Night Lights” Among AFI’s Faves

Two of GMMR’s favorites, PUSHING DAISIES and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS have received the honor of being named to the American Film Institutes list of Top Ten programs of 2007. Awarded to the creative ensembles behind some of the best shows on TV, the AFI’s honor excellence in American film and TV.
Joining Pushing Daisies and Friday Night Lights in the top ten are “Dexter,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Longford,” “Mad Men,” “The Sopranos,” “Tell Me You Love Me,” “30 Rock” and “Ugly Betty.”

The AFI honors, which recognizes the entire creative ensemble behind the show, will be presented on January 11th in Los Angeles.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Recap: “The Confession”

Over the past two weeks I’ve received a ton of emails from folks looking for me to reinstate the weekly FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS recaps (even if I can’t get around to them until Monday night).  So here you have it.  It’s rather lengthy so settle in.

So there was a lot to take in during this past week’s episode.  Another simply fantastic episode of the most under appreciated and under acknowledged shows on TV.  Where to start?  Who to start with?  Well, might as well start with the heart of Dillon, TX – the Taylor family.

Little Gracie is about to be christened, but her mother, Tami, and her godmother, Julie, aren’t exactly basking in the Christian spirit.  Still butting heads at every turn, Tami and Julie come to blows again this week in a screaming match so pitch perfect and honest I’m sure it resonated with generations of both mothers and daughters watching.  But with the fighting also came a small breakthrough.  Tami takes a moment to Julie to acknowledge that the family isn’t doing well, but she wants things to be better and go back to the way they were – and although she’s doesn’t say it outright, we think Julie wants the same thing.

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A Gilmore Boy Under the Friday Night Lights

Matt Czuchry, best known as Rory’s rich boy love on the dearly departed GILMORE GIRLS, will be showing up in Dillon, Texas as a devout Christian later this season on FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. Word is that he’ll be around for at least a three episode arc. I’m hoping there will be a little lovey dovey with Lyla Garrity…as long as she stays away from Riggins it’s fine by me.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS on ESPN?

According to Radar Online there are some rumblings that NBC may be sharing its very best drama, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, with ESPN. According to Radar’s sources ESPN ” is in talks to bring the flagging Texas-based show into its original programming stable”. This deal couldn’t be confirmed by NBC or ESPN so the details, if there are any, are scare.

If this were to happen, FNL wouldn’t be the first scripted drama on ESPN. A few years back you may remember the ill-fated (and horribly acted) ESPN original drama, “Playmakers” (then again you probably don’t remember it).

I’ll be keeping my eye out on this one, but I know one guy over at ESPN that would be happy if this were true.

Speaking of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS…

How good was this past week’s episode. Once again each and every actor was superb and the storylines continue to be the best on TV. Another standing O this week for Jesse Plemmons who is showing that Landry was wasted in his role as Matt Saracen’s sidekick last season. What he is bringing to that character each and every week is just amazing. Plemmons should be right up there with Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler at Emmy time.

I’m not really loving Tami’s sister visiting Dillon. I think she’s annoying and she’s only going to cause a rift between Eric and Tami. And why oh why do I think that she will somehow end up in bed with Riggins? He does have a track record of bedding older women. Let’s hope that now that the Coach is back in Dillon full time, Tami’s sister won’t have to be (I can’t remember her name, and I don’t like her enough to look it up.)

It’s easy for me to gush over this near flawless show. For more on my thoughts on this week’s episode of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, check out the latest GMMR|Ducky Does TV Podcast here.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Recap: “Let’s Get it On”

I’ve received your hate mail about not covering FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, so here it is – an overindulgent recap of this past week’s episode. I am expecting to see multiple comments from all of you watching FNL!!

I often wonder if there will come a time when I turn off the latest episode of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and say ‘that show just wasn’t that great’. I’m not sure if that’s even possible, because with the writers and the actors they have on board, it’s almost like they can do no wrong (I did say ‘almost’).

Picking up where we left off last week, Coach Taylor is finally home with his wife and his two lovely daughters (well, Gracie is lovely and Julie is a little selfish brat that needs a kick in the head). Having been gone for quite some time now, Eric is all about reuniting with Tami, and yes I mean “reuniting”. It seem the Coach went to the store and picked up “Seduction for Dummies” because he had the candles going and Barry White on the stereo. Oh Eric. Tami, being the most kick ass woman on television, saw right through it and not only denied her hot hubby but also ordered him to the couch to be on full baby duty. Love it!!

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