Friday Night Lights review
See if we think this show is MVP material or just another JV squad fluke
By Michael O’Connell, Special to Metromix
October 4, 2007
A high school drama based on a movie based on a book about football doesn’t exactly sound like the kind of show that makes you want to buy the world a Coke…or even bother to watch. Sudsy melodrama and gratuitous sports montages are what we expected from “Friday Night Lights.” What we got was a beautiful and sincere homage to the everyday joys and heartaches of small town America. By the grace of the TV gods, it’s back for a second season, and if you aren’t already hooked, it’s only a matter of time.
Unlikely unions, breakups, departures and one pregnancy marked the season finale. And since the show chronicles the football season and not the school year, we pick up our scattered characters eight months later, during the last days of summer. Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) is off in Austin while his heavily pregnant wife Tami (the flawless Connie Britton) holds down the fort with an increasingly insufferable daughter. The familiar students and recent alums of Dylan High are all around too—some going in completely new directions (there’s a born-again baptism in the premiere) and others stuck in their old routines (sober up, Riggins!). The times may be a-changin', but the caliber is as steady as ever.
Who’s that?: Just because those Rosie O’Donnell rumors ended up being a false alarm (whew!) doesn’t mean we won’t be seeing some new faces in Dillon this season. The surly new head coach is played by Chris Mulkey (“Twin Peaks”); Jessalyn Gilsig (“Nip/Tuck,” “Boston Public”) will play Tami’s sister, Shelly, who’s moving to town to help out with the new baby; and Austin Nichols (“John From Cincinnati” himself) will also have a several episode arc as a Dillon High teacher. (We’re hoping they give him more coherent dialogue than he got at his last gig.)
Buzzed about: With the early release of the first season DVD (for a ridiculously low price and with an unprecedented money back guarantee), more and more folks are jumping on the “Lights” bandwagon.
The “ooh” factor: The formula of the first season (amazing as it was) is almost completely out the window. With all of the changes on deck, now’s the time to see how good this show can really be.
The “eh” factor: It may seem more appropriate, but we can’t get behind their new Friday night slot. Shows as good as “Lights” are best enjoyed fresh. If you’re at all interested in maintaining your social life, you’re going to have to settle for TiVo-ed leftovers.
The verdict: Sports cliché alert! “Friday Night Lights” is the returning MVP on our TV roster.
“Friday Night Lights” premieres Friday, Oct. 5 at 9 p.m./8c on NBC.
Unlikely unions, breakups, departures and one pregnancy marked the season finale. And since the show chronicles the football season and not the school year, we pick up our scattered characters eight months later, during the last days of summer. Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) is off in Austin while his heavily pregnant wife Tami (the flawless Connie Britton) holds down the fort with an increasingly insufferable daughter. The familiar students and recent alums of Dylan High are all around too—some going in completely new directions (there’s a born-again baptism in the premiere) and others stuck in their old routines (sober up, Riggins!). The times may be a-changin', but the caliber is as steady as ever.
Who’s that?: Just because those Rosie O’Donnell rumors ended up being a false alarm (whew!) doesn’t mean we won’t be seeing some new faces in Dillon this season. The surly new head coach is played by Chris Mulkey (“Twin Peaks”); Jessalyn Gilsig (“Nip/Tuck,” “Boston Public”) will play Tami’s sister, Shelly, who’s moving to town to help out with the new baby; and Austin Nichols (“John From Cincinnati” himself) will also have a several episode arc as a Dillon High teacher. (We’re hoping they give him more coherent dialogue than he got at his last gig.)
Buzzed about: With the early release of the first season DVD (for a ridiculously low price and with an unprecedented money back guarantee), more and more folks are jumping on the “Lights” bandwagon.
The “ooh” factor: The formula of the first season (amazing as it was) is almost completely out the window. With all of the changes on deck, now’s the time to see how good this show can really be.
The “eh” factor: It may seem more appropriate, but we can’t get behind their new Friday night slot. Shows as good as “Lights” are best enjoyed fresh. If you’re at all interested in maintaining your social life, you’re going to have to settle for TiVo-ed leftovers.
The verdict: Sports cliché alert! “Friday Night Lights” is the returning MVP on our TV roster.
“Friday Night Lights” premieres Friday, Oct. 5 at 9 p.m./8c on NBC.