FNL Gets the Ball Back

By James Poniewozik | @poniewozik | October 28, 2009 | +

Friday Night Lights returns to DirecTV tonight, and my review (which was held for a week in the print magazine) just posted at time.com. So far, season 4 is not just characteristically excellent, but it’s reinvigorated by the device of sending Coach Taylor to start over at the down-and-out East Dillon High.

I don’t have DirecTV, but I’ll be getting access to the new episodes via screeners. I’m not sure how much time I’ll have for weekly FNL Watches, but I want to gauge interest: how many Tuned Inlanders have DirecTV access and would want to read an FNL Watch this fall? How many don’t, and would rather I held off until they air on NBC next year?

Related Topics: friday night lights, season premiere, Uncategorized

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Bemused

I vote for waiting for NBC’s airings. Barring that, would it be bad blog protocol to rerun your Watches at that time?
http://www.bookhopping.wordpress.com Molly

I vote to wait (or rerun), too. Though I’m really glad FNL came back at all, the wait is frustrating…
jimatl

I agree with Molly and Bemused about waiting until it airs on NBC, if that still exists in 2010.
mcosita

please wait! It would be way too tempting to see your postings on here, and not ruin the season for myself.
Chaddogg

Count me among the wating crew for NBC..

On a related note, James — is NBC’s plan to air the episodes in the summer secretly genius? Here’s my thoughts:

1) It’s a cult show, with a cult audience — lots of passion, and they’ll tune in week-in, week-out. It’s problem is converting more to the FNL “cult.” Given the dirth of programming in the summer, might more people give FNL a shot? Particularly if they play up the attractiveness of the cast and the huge awards/critical acclaim the show gets in advertising?

2) The football thing — If you’re a football fan, summer is when you’re about to pull your hair out, you’re so anxious for football season to start. So would FNL whet the appetites of those fans hungry for game action, even if it’s fictional football? NBC could even use episodes in part to promo their Football Night in America season, doing 2-3 quick “commercials” during each FNL episode where Al Michaels and Cris Colilnsworth preview a different NFL team for the upcoming season…..

3) Lack of competition — I’m always bemoaning the lack of television during summer, which I truly believe is a result of networks falling asleep on their audience. People still watch TV in the summer. And summer is the biggest movie season, meaning there are ad dollars to be obtained out there. Put a quality show on, get a better audience than the rest of the dregs on other networks, team it with live/cheap Jay Leno, and all of a sudden you’re the only show in town offering TV viewers new programming that doesn’t insult their intelligence (I’m looking at you, Wipeout and FOX).

Is FNL in the summer a way to extend the franchise? I mean, I’m grateful just to get 5 seasons of this amazing show, but I truly love the Taylors and the slice of life that FNL offers of Dillon…..
dwhitcomb

I’ve got DirecTV so I’d love to see the FNL watches during the fall.
nycgeoff

I’m another vote in the “wait until spring” camp.
matcatjat

please wait, wait. i would hate to have to skip over a whole section and cover my eyes so i wouldn’t cheat.
http://tomcamfield.wordpress.com/ Tom

FNL Watch! FNL Watch! FNL Watch!
reader

Just read this review in my Time magazine that arrived today. Thank you for highlighting this great show. I enjoy watching television with characters who love their families and help to raise a community of children (and are pleasing to look at simultaneously!) and who face the real-world challenges involved. The talk that Tami had with Julie about her relationship with Matt last season was worth storing in every mother’s “in case you ever need it” file. I hope more people will find this wonderful series.