'Friday Night' Choices

I always find it difficult to write about episodes of Friday Night Lights because no words that I could ever write would even come close to doing the episode, or the show as a whole, justice.  But even I have been unusually silent about this season.  Blame a busy real-world schedule and my own conflicting emotions and thoughts about one of the story lines this season.  Since I wasn't sure how to cover it properly (without letting my own emotions take over), I decided not to write about the show for a large chunk of this otherwise excellent season.  Well, last week's fantastic finale has taken me off the sidelines and pulled me back into the action.  Who could stay silent when a beloved character returned, another took the full blame to spare someone close to him, another took a stand even though it cost her her job, and the upset of all upsets unfolded right when it seemed beyond impossible.

Dillon in the Rear View

If I had to find fault with the amazing Friday Night Lights, it would be the show's penchant for saying goodbye to its wonderful characters. Last season, I had to watch Street and Smash leave and then we lost Lyla and Tyra in the finale when they went off to college. I know... such is life, but I don't have to like it. This week, we welcomed back an old friend only to bid her adieu once again, and we might have said an emotional goodbye to a beloved member of the Dillon family for good. Yes, sometimes life's curveballs are hard to take.

'Friday Night' Sadness

This episode of Friday Night Lights was raw, emotional and tough to watch.  It was one of the show's finest hours (which is saying a lot for a series that's full of amazing outings).  I'll admit that I thought the death was going to be Matt's grandma, so learning that it was his father last week was shocking.  Of course, his father's job in the armed forces and his deployment meant that his life was always at risk, but I still wasn't expecting his tragic death.  And quite frankly, Matt wasn't either.  When he got the news, he didn't seem to process it or how it would change everything right away (who does?).  Watching him work through that process was heart-wrenching, painful and difficult.  And it was all done with the show's usual realism.

Losing someone we love is hard enough, but watching someone else go through it as authentically as Matt did this week was almost as tough.  There were so many heartbreaking moments.

'Friday Night' Divisions

One of the greatest things about Friday Night Lights is its realism.  The show prides itself on it and its small, but devout, audience praises it.  And one of the greatest aspects of its realism is the relationship between Tami and Eric.  What couple hasn't fought over money?  And what spouse hasn't "forgotten" to tell the other (the one who keeps the books) about a check they wrote (or a check card transaction), and consequently, messed up the other person's budgeting?  We've all been there.  But in this case, Eric didn't so much forget about the $3000 check he wrote to Under Armour for new team uniforms (after burning the old ones in a symbolic gesture), he just sorta-kinda failed to mention it to Tami.  Probably because he knew it would illicit the exact reaction it did, and frankly, Tami was completely justified.  And in a nod to the beautiful complexity of this show, so was Eric.  The Taylors have a very good relationship, so after discussing the matter further (and when Eric was a bit more sober), Tami wound up supporting Eric's decision.

Unfortunately, things weren't quite as honky-dorey on the East Dillon Lions' sidelines.

A Tale of Two Dillons

I'm starting to miss the departed Friday Night Lights characters a little less.  Maybe it's just that the abrupt changes in the premiere have had a week to sink in, or maybe it's because we got to know some of the new characters a little better, or perhaps, it's just the prevailing awesome-ness of Eric and Tami Taylor, but somehow the new FNL was a little easier to swallow this week.  I like the way the writers are developing the central conflicts inherent in Coach Taylor's new coaching position.  First, he has no team.  Or at least he didn't until that 10 p.m. practice.  Now, he has a group of kids who are willing to give him a second chance.  They're willing to put the past behind them and go forward with their season.  But they're going to need to learn how to play first.  They need to craft their raw talent, work together as a team, and trust their coach (even if he didn't let them finish their fight during the first game).  Otherwise, it's going to be a very long (and painful) season.

'Lights' Rises From the Ashes

I am so thrilled to have my Friday Night Lights back (and I'm so happy to be a DirecTV subscriber!)!! Having said that, I was very nervous going into this week's premiere. How would the show go on with Coach Taylor at East Dillon instead of on the Panthers' sideline? And how would the show fill the enormous void left by the departure of several key characters (who left for college)? Turns out, the Coach Taylor story line is off to a great start. But, I really miss the other characters. Out of all of them, I feel Tyra's absence the most. I so miss her. I really hope she comes back for a few episodes later in the season. I mean, the University of Texas gets a fall and Thanksgiving break, right? Please come back, Tyra!

TV's Best Duos

When fellow TV blogger and friend Scooter McGavin from Scooter McGavin's 9th Green asked me to take part in his quest to find the best duos on TV, I excitedly and carefully poured over my list. He collected mine and the lists of several other bloggers and came up with a final collection of the top 25. Here is the final list:

The 25 Best Duos on Television

(My Picks are in bold)

1. Coach Eric and Tami Taylor (Friday Night Lights)

2. Liz Lemon and Jack Donagy (30 Rock)
3. Sheldon Cooper Ph.D. and Penny (The Big Bang Theory)
4. Jim Halpert and Dwight Shrute (The Office)
5. Patty Hewes and Ellen Parsons (Damages)
6. Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan and Special Agent Seeley Booth (Bones)
7. Emerson Cod and Olive Snook (Pushing Daisies)
8. Blair Waldolf and Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl)
9. Shawn Spencer and Burton “Gus” Guster (Psych)
10. Chuck Bartowski and Special Agent Sarah Walker (Chuck)
11. Sam and Dean Winchester (Supernatural)
12. Marc St. James and Amanda Tannen (Ugly Betty)
13. Barney Stinson and Ted Mosbey (How I Met Your Mother)
14. Bill Adama and Laura Roslin (Battlestar Galactica)
15. Landry Clark and Tyra Colette (Friday Night Lights)
16. Ben Linus and John Locke (Lost)
17. John “J.D.” Dorian M.D. and Dr. Christopher Turk (Scrubs)
18. Sookie Stackhouse and Bill Compton (True Blood)
19. Jeff Patel and Lester Barnes aka Jeffster (Chuck)
20. James “Sawyer” Ford and Juliet Burke (Lost)
21. Homer and Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)
22. Bill Adama and Saul Tigh (Battlestar Galactica)
23. Richard Cypher and Kahlan Amnell (Legend of the Seeker)
24. Earl and Randy Hickey (My Name Is Earl)
25. Michael Westen and Fiona Glenanne (Burn Notice)

Voters: Dan, Ducky, Kath, Matt, Sandie, Scooter McGavin, TVFan, Vance

For the record, I also included Olivia Benson & Elliot Stabler (Law & Order: SVU), Allison & Joe DuBois (Medium), and Brenda Leigh Johnson and Agent Fritz Howard (The Closer)

Special thanks to Scooter for putting together the list. So, what do you think? Who makes your list? Leave us a comment with your picks.

'Friday Night Lights' Stay On for Two More Seasons

Yes, Virginia there is a TV god! Mike Ausiello at EW.com is reporting that his sources at NBC are confirming that PTR fave Friday Night Lights has been renewed for not one, but TWO more seasons (insert happy dance here). Special thanks to LillyKat for the heads up. Here's the full story from Ausiello:

It's official: 'Friday Night Lights' renewed for two more seasons
Mar 30, 2009, 06:58 PM | by Michael Ausiello
Categories: Friday Night Lights

Touch-freaking-down!
Sources at NBC are now confirming what I first reported earlier this month: DirecTV and NBC have come to terms on a deal that ensures Friday Night Lights will stick around for not one but two more seasons!
And I repeat: Touch-freaking-down!
Although NBC declined to comment, my Peacock insider says the pact guarantees that FNL will see a fourth and fifth season of 13 episodes each. Similar to this season's shared-window experiment, DirecTV will get first crack at the episodes followed by an encore run on NBC.
Let's get a chant going in the comments section! And while you're at it, pray that the show's creative mastermind, Jason Katims, finds a way to juggle both FNL and that prospective Parenthood series he's producing for NBC. Ditto director Jeffrey Reiner, who's attached to NBC's Trauma pilot. Losing one would be devastating; losing both would be a catastrophe. So how about we lose neither? You with me?

Now, we just have to keep our collective fingers crossed that Cold Case, which seems to be experiencing a sort of rebirth as of late, gets the same glorious news.

'Friday Night' Finale

Well, I really hope this was the season finale and not the series finale.  It felt an awful lot like the latter, though, didn't it?  I'm not sure how I'd feel about a fourth season minus Lyla, Tyra, Riggins and all of the others who have already left Dillon.  And then there's the whole Coach Taylor debacle.  It won't be the same if he's not wearing the blue Dillon Panthers jacket on the sidelines.  He's not meant to be an East Dillon Lion!  My ire toward Joe McCoy grows with each passing episode.  This man is despicable and he has the board wrapped around his gold-plated finger.  You know who has to be pi$$ed about this -- Buddy Garrity!  Remember the good ole days when Buddy's influence carried all of the weight?  Whatever he wanted, he got.  Now, he can't even keep the coach of the Dillon Panthers in his position and the man took them to state!  How far the mighty hath fallen!  I guess this is what happens when you make a bad real estate gamble, beat up the guy responsible in a strip club and destroy said strip club in the process.  I'm just glad Lyla saw the light, found the money and hightailed her butt to Vanderbilt (and not just because it's an SEC school)!  I feel much better knowing that she's where she needs to be.

My favorite story line of the night was, by far, Tyra's moving waiting-game plight.  I could so relate.  I wasn't wait listed at my dream school, but I was checking the mail scared to death to get that letter and yet, dying to know if I got in.  I did, and that's why I know what that feeling feels like.  I rejoiced along with Tyra and felt so proud for her.  All of her hard work paid off (no thanks to that kickass essay, I'm sure).  What a moving moment!

I don't want this to be the last season of Friday Night Lights.  I want to continue to follow the joys, triumphs, tears, disappointments, achievements and failures of the residents of Dillon, Texas.  But if this is the end, I will take comfort in the fact that this show ended on a high note -- as high as the note it hit when it premiered 2 years ago.  This is a show that never sold out for a bigger audience or flashier coverage.  It stayed true to itself much like the folks of Dillon.  Now, it's NBC's turn to air the brilliant 3rd season.  The rest of us will have to play a waiting game of our own.  Will it sink or will it swim?  Like Tyra, I'll be waiting with nervous apprehension.   

Friday Night Lights returns to NBC TONIGHT!!!  Get caught up at nbc.com and then watch the brilliant 3rd season each Friday on NBC.  You'll thank me later.

JD Sees the 'Lights'

Can I just tell you guys that I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief when I saw the previews for the next episode?!  I was so concerned that this was it.  Thankfully, we have two more episodes to enjoy after the New Year.  As the episode wore on, I began to feel that there was no way this was the last one, but I was still a little concerned.  Of course after this, NBC gets a turn at running the episodes.  Let's just hope that goes well so we can enjoy another season of Friday Night Lights because if I don't get to see what happens to Tyra, I might scream. I am so invested in her story!  She broke my heart this week with that heart-to-heart with her mother.  She just needs to work hard, hang in there, and wait for things to begin to fall into place.  She can't expect all of those slacker years to erase themselves with a few stabs at the SATs, membership in a few school activities and a new buckle- down- and- do- the- work attitude.  I do think that good things are in store for her.  And how sweet was Landry to pitch in and help with Mindy's shower?  The best part, though, was that Tyra didn't approach him about it.  He volunteered.  Maybe, just maybe, she has learned her lesson.  She has a lot more to learn, but this could be a good start.

It's a rare day when I utter the phrase, "I have to agree with Tim Riggins," but that's exactly what I was saying while watching this episode.  Lyla needs to stop feeling sorry for herself, apply for some scholarships so she can still attend Vanderbilt, work things out with her father and get off the drink, eat, sleep, drink bandwagon that Tim used to lead.  Yeah, it sucks, Lyla, but everybody has their stuff.  You gotta work through it so it doesn't consume you. 

And then there was JD McCoy and his horrible father.  Finally, JD and his mom are seeing the light.  Let's hope that continues because this kid has to get out from under his overbearing, controlling father ASAP.  He called his son's girlfriend's parents and told them that she was a bad influence!!  WTH??!!  I hope he gets what he deserves for that lovely parking lot beat down he gave his son this week.  Just wow.  I guess we'll have to wait until January 7th to find out.

Friday Night Lights is all-new and commercial-free Wednesday nights on DirecTV's 101. The third season will be seen in its entirety early next year on NBC.

Afternoon De-'Lights'

Oops!  That's the first word that comes to mind when I think about Coach Taylor's unfortunate discovery at Saracen's house.  I'm not a parent, but I can imagine that the moment you find out that your daughter isn't your little girl anymore is an emotional one.  Finding it out by walking in on her and her boyfriend (who happens to be on the team you coach) is about as emotionally disturbing as it gets as a parent.  On the other side, I am a daughter and I was incredibly embarrassed for Julie.  Thus, I felt for both Coach Taylor and Jules.  Luckily, Tami saved the day with that kickass talk towards the end.  And once again, Connie Britton broke my heart (she's a very close second to Kristen Bell who always managed to break my heart as Veronica Mars) as she wrapped her head around the realization that her little girl had crossed into some serious adult territory.  The weight of the moment was all over her face, and when she finally broke down, I was very moved.  And remember I'm not a parent.  I also thought that Coach Taylor's controlled response to Matt out on the porch was well done.  You could feel the sweat on Matt's brow and the butterflies in his stomach.  And Coach Taylor's inner anger was palpable too.  Just a nicely done story line.

Like most people, I've read The Giving Tree.  And like most people, I sobbed at the end.  So, I found Landry's parallel between the story and his relationship with Tyra to be very fitting.  Tyra is selfish (like most teenage girls) and she does take advantage of Landry's feelings for her.  Plus, she's too bent on the bad boy type to see that the greatest guy is right in front of her.  But, I'm not giving up hope that she will come to discover the truth.  Until she does, she should stay away from Landry.  She doesn't deserve him yet.  But, I love Tyra, so I'm rooting for her to get things together, wake up and smell the college coffee, and become a better version of herself -- one that knows a good thing when she sees it.  

Elsewhere, I felt bad for Lyla.  She was just talking about going to Vanderbilt (a PRIVATE school that isn't cheap) and now she learns that daddy lost all of the college funds on a bad real estate deal.  To make matters worse, he goes and gets into a brawl at The Landing Strip, winds up in jail, goes to court and learns that he's going to have to pay The Landing Strip $30,000 and he's broke.  And now, Lyla's gone.  At least Buddy Garrity still has Panther football.  If he didn't, I might start to worry about him.

Friday Night Lights is all-new and commercial-free Wednesday nights on DirecTV's 101. The third season will be seen in its entirety early next year on NBC.

Tyra Learns More Tough Lessons

Everyone has a Tyra in their life.  You know the girl - turns lots of heads, but always falls for the wrong guy, dumps the super sweet guy, and continually makes the wrong decision.  It seems like every time she lands on her feet, she stumbles once again.  She's frustrating to be friends with because you want the best for her, but she keeps going down the wrong path.  Yes, we all know a Tyra.  I think this is why this story line is so compelling.  I never know where it's going, but I know it isn't anywhere good.  I suppose the signs were all there about Cash, especially once he and Tyra took their relationship on the road with the rodeo circuit.  His argument with the shady characters, his outburst after placing second and his violent shove when he forced Tyra to sit back down at that extremely sketchy road-side bar had numerous red flags, but it was his outburst when the Taylors arrived to rescue Tyra that really had me concerned for Tyra.  Why do these psychos always start off as the sweetest guys in the world??!!  I hope Tyra talks to Mrs. T once she calms down.  She's going to need a few counseling sessions.

Is it completely wrong that I was clapping when Lyla left Tim's sorry a** on the side of the road?  That boy needs to learn a lesson or two.  Her stunt did seem to have some impact.  He met with the recruiter, filled out the paperwork, and basically landed himself in college (and he's the first Riggins to accomplish that feat).  And how funny was that girls' night scene with Lyla and Mindy?  They're completely bonded in their frustration and love for the Riggins boys!  I can't really imagine Lyla and Tim lasting past high school (especially since she's planning to leave Texas for Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN), and I'm completely OK with that.  In fact, I'd be completely OK with them breaking up, like, yesterday, but that's just me.  

How does Matt Saracen: Wide Receiver sound?  The former QB was lighting it up in the WR position this week!  I was cheering for him.  It can't be easy to be warming the bench after winning the Panthers a state championship just two short seasons ago.  Go Matt!  I am really dreading the end of this season because I'm so afraid it's going to be the end of this show and I just can't handle another awesome show succumbing to the crazy ratings system.  I'm still mourning Everwood and Veronica Mars.

Friday Night Lights is all-new and commercial-free Wednesday nights on DirecTV's 101. The third season will be seen in its entirety early next year on NBC.

'Lights' Keeps Shining Brighter

I love this how! I mean, really, really, really, really, really, really LOVE this show!! I (heart) it more than this post can measure. I want to hug it for its realism, emotion, depth and just overall awesomeness. It pains me that more people don't share my love for this show because that doesn't bode well for its future. Speaking of which, does it feel like the show itself is beginning to act like this is its swan song? I don't know for sure, but it just seems like this season is the last (please, no!) as we've already said goodbye to Smash (he finally accomplished his modified dream and landed on a college playing field), Tyra is working toward going to college (at least she was until Rodeo Boy came along), and now we've bid adieu to Jason. I've always felt proud of Jason for what he has been able to overcome. His entire future changed in an instant, and yet, he rebounded. It wasn't easy and he struggled for so long, but he has come through the other side and he's going to be OK. This week, however, I was prouder than I have ever been of him. He learned the hard way that NYC is a tough town, but with a little help from his friend Riggins, he got back on that horse more determined and he came away with a job. He made his new future a lot brighter and he faced his feelings and fears. He proved himself to Erin, and he's on his way to starting a promising career in sports management and a fulfilling home life with the woman he loves and his young son. It's not going to be easy, but you get the sense that Jason knows that and he's up for the battle. That whole "passing of the guard" scene where Erin took over for Riggins was emotional, and both Scott Porter and Taylor Kitsch really showed their acting chops in that scene.

I'm really not a fan of J.D. McCoy's personal coach filling in as Offensive Coordinator for the ailing Coach Mac McGill. I understand why he's a good fit, but I don't like it. Maybe it's just the fact that Buddy Garrity and J.D.'s father conspired with the boosters to make it happen. I'm not a fan of J.D's father and Buddy being in cahoots anyway. That's a sticky relationship. Meanwhile, I felt for Tammi and her lust for that beautiful home. I know they made the right decision in not getting it, but I get why she needed Eric to be straight forward with her before she was willing to let it go. That entire story line was so well developed because it was so true to life. I've so been there! And I have a father who can't sleep at night when it comes to huge financial decisions, so I get Eric as well.

Friday Night Lights will return in 2 weeks with an all-new, commercial-free episode on DirecTV's 101. The third season will be seen in its entirety early next year on NBC.

Landry Tries to Move On

Poor Landry. He finally meets a girl who can help him get over Tyra. She's everything he has been looking for -- smart, funny, musically-inclined, pretty, and she seems to get him. There's just one problem, he isn't her type. But, Landry makes the most of it and decides to push past the awkwardness and be friends. I'm pretty sure that Landry could use a good friend right about now. His best friend is a little preoccupied with playing second fiddle to the new, shiny freshman QB and his latest development on the Julie front to really get what's going on with Landry. Speaking of that little development with Julie -- wow! I did not see that coming. Coach Taylor is not going to take kindly to his former QB 1 sleeping with his oldest daughter, so for Matt's sake, I hope he doesn't find out. Of course, this is FNL, so it's pretty much a guarantee that there's going to be consequences. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't happy to see these two together again. I never understood Julie's abrupt change of heart about their prior relationship and I've been waiting for her to realize that she threw away something that might not come along again. Then again, I'm glad Matt made her prove herself before he jumped back into a relationship with her.

Ever since Jason Street made a return this season, I have been worried about his future on the show. He has been listed as a "guest star," so I wasn't holding out much hope that the character would be sticking around. Judging from this week's outing, he's not long for the show. I'm bummed, but I think that the character has run his course. He's more than likely moving East to pursue a career as a sports agent and that will bring him closer to his son and the woman that he loves, so I can't really ask for anything more. It was bittersweet to see that scene between him and Lyla as she figured out that he's leaving. Every time I see these two together, I mourn the life that Jason was supposed to have. He was supposed to be heading to college and then the NFL and he was supposed to be doing it all with Lyla by his side. Unfortunately, life doesn't always follow the "supposed to" track and watching these two talking by the pool was an all-too painful reminder. I don't know, maybe I'm a hopeless optimist, but I always thought that these two would find their way back to each other. That possibility is looking less and less likely.

Elsewhere, Coach Taylor and Tami were once again butting heads at work. This time, it was over a star fullback who had neglected to tell his disapproving parents that he was on the football team, and in doing so, forged their signature on the permission slip. Tami, who doesn't realize this, lets it slip during a parent/principal meeting which leads to the player having to quit the team. Whoops! Enter the Eric/Tami conflict. Not that I didn't see conflict coming the moment I heard that she was the new principal. She made it right, though, during a visit to the student's home ahead of the big game, proving once again that outside the confines of the school walls, these two always manage to make it work. And that's just one of the charms of this seriously underrated show.

Friday Night Lights is airing new, commercial-free episodes Wednesday nights on DirecTV's 101. The third season will be seen in its entirety early next year on NBC.

Notso Easy Street

In football, coming off of a big win can lead to a HUGE letdown the following week. Knowing this, I was a little cautious going into this week's episode of Friday Night Lights after last week's outstanding- get- up- and- cheer outing. But, this week's hour, which included the return of Jason Street, did not disappoint. It wasn't a HUGE win like last week, but it was a solid win all the same. I wasn't sure how the Street story line was going to go because I felt like the show sorta drop the ball on Street toward the end of last season (of course, it was shortened by the writer's strike, so that could have something to do with it). I'm glad they fastforwarded to after the birth of the baby and focused on the struggles of young parents instead of a pregnancy. Jason is carrying a huge weight on his shoulders and he doesn't have a football scholarship, college degree, NFL contract or even a well-paying job to help lift some of that weight. He needs to earn more money so he can help his family, but times are tight and he just isn't catching any breaks. So, he decides to go in on a real estate investment -- buy Buddy Garrity's house with a few others, fix it up, and flip it for a nice profit. Sure, it's risky, but it could pay off well for Jason giving him the capital he needs to support his family. There's only one problem: the mother of his child has decided to take Noah and move back east to be with her family. Talk about a heart break! Let's hope Jason is able to change her mind.

Elsewhere, Julie was facing off with her parents about her new tattoo, which led to a really nice mom/daughter heart-to-heart on the side of the road. Sometimes, a tattoo is just a tattoo and not a gateway to bad behavior or a one-way ticket on the Bad Path Express. And while I understand Tami's concerns about Tyra and her influence on her daughter, I'm not so sure that Tyra is as bad as she used to be (back when Tami had more reason to be concerned). She seems to have matured a bit over the course of this series, even if she's ditching school for a rodeo cowboy. I get it, though, she has some pretty strong feelings for this guy and that has her questioning her priorities. In the end, I think she'll figure it all out (if a surprise visit next week doesn't do it for her).

Friday Night Lights is airing new, commercial-free episodes Wednesday nights on DirecTV's 101. The third season will be seen in its entirety early next year on NBC.

Smash Leaves the Dillon 'Lights' Behind

I'm pretty sure that out of all of the story lines on Friday Night Lights (past and present), the Brian "Smash" Williams story was the best written, consistently most emotional and all-around champion of the series. As such, it was bittersweet to see it come to an end this week. Of course, I was happy for Smash. He finally landed a walk-on position at a university (no less than Texas A&M). Knowing everything that he had to overcome post-knee injury and how much this opportunity meant to him made it that much sweeter. There were two moments during this week's episode that cemented this series as network television's best and left me completely in awe of its brilliance. The first occurred when Coach Taylor walked across that Texas A&M field, got the coach's attention and convinced him to allow Smash to tryout. It was one of those moments when you have to fight the urge to leap out of your seat to give the writers, the actors and every single other person who works on this show a HUGE standing ovation. That, my friends, is the Coach Taylor that we love. It's the Coach Taylor that we keep coming back to watch and it's the Coach Taylor that keeps us fighting to keep this show on the air. The second scene came at the very end when Smash finally got the call from A&M. My eyes welled up with tears of joy as he told his mother that he was going to college. What a payoff for all of his hard work, determination and disappointments along the way. I will miss Smash, but I am very happy for him.

Trying to nail down two outstanding scenes in this series is like trying to decide which UGA football highlight is my favorite: they're all excellent! And this was most certainly the case this week as we also had a couple of emotional scenes involving Landry and Tyra. I'm not sure why she fights her feelings for Landry. Is it just because she's afraid of them? She told him in the latter scene that this is the closest she has ever been to a boy, but she stopped short of fully explaining her feelings and how deep they run. I'm still holding out hope for them, but I do think that Tyra needs to mature quite a bit first.

Raise your hand if you thought that Tami was ultimately going to win this re-appropriated funds battle -- yeah, me neither. You just knew that the boosters were going to get their jumbotron in the end, but it was nice to see Tami get the last laugh. Sure, that money would have been much better suited for things like teachers' salaries, textbooks, etc., but there was no way the football-loving boosters were ever going to see it that way. And with the mayor and superintendent in the tank for the boosters, well, Tami couldn't win. Hey, nobody said being principal was going to be easy.

Friday Night Lights is airing new, commercial-free episodes Wednesday nights on DirecTV's 101. The third season will be seen in its entirety early next year on NBC.

'Friday Night' Returns

I am a bad TV fan. I completely missed writing about last week's season premiere of Friday Night Lights (don't panic -- this is just the DirecTV season. NBC will air the third season in its entirety in early 2009). I had all intentions of posting something, but I completely ran out of time, so this week's post will include themes from both the premiere and the second episode (which aired Wednesday night on DirecTVs 101). Let me just start by saying that I feel Tami. I really do. She did the right thing by reallocating the jumbo screen fund to education. We saw how good teachers were leaving for greener pastures and the school was lacking in essential supplies and proper A/C in the Texas heat. We know that a jumbo screen for the football field would be awesome and the fans would be super psyched, but the money is better served in the classroom. Then again, the boosters who donated the money donated it because they wanted a jumbo screen scoreboard -- shouldn't they be able to say where their money goes? And herein lies the central conflict of governing. Perhaps, Tami could make things right by using the money for the jumbo screen, but also gently encouraging those same boosters to donate to the education fund as well. Bottom line: I wouldn't want to be in her shoes right about now, especially with her husband in the head coaching position. I smell conflict rising!

Elsewhere, Tyra is making a huge effort to undo her slacker ways and get into a good college. She doesn't want to end up like her mother and sister, and I say, Go Tyra! She's beefing up her courses and grades and padding her resume with a run (and a win) for student body president. The best part about this story line was its obvious parallels to the current U.S. Presidential Election. It was a nice tongue-in-cheek play on the current climate of our nation that, unfortunately, won't translate as well when it airs on NBC early next year. I'm glad Tyra won, but I, like Mrs. T, wasn't a fan of her tactics. Now, she has to get serious and prove that she can be responsible and a good student body president.

Things are getting more complicated for Matt as a new, highly-touted quarterback has arrived at Dillon High. Plus, Julie seems to be interested in rekindling their relationship. I would like to see these crazy kids get back together, but Julie has a lot of atoning to do first. And then there's Lyla and Tim. Unlike the Matt/Julie relationship, I'm NOT rooting for these two to work things out. Like Buddy, I think that Tim is bad for Lyla. Of course, I also think that Lyla is good for Tim, so one of the two has to win out. Hopefully for both of their sakes, it's Lyla.

Friday Night Lights is airing new, commercial-free episodes Wednesday nights on DirecTV's 101. The third season will be seen in its entirety early next year on NBC.

Wednesday is the New 'Friday' on DirecTV

It pays to be a DirecTV subscriber. The third season premiere of one of television's best shows kicks off tonight for subscribers of the satellite TV service. In an unprecedented event, Friday Night Lights will begin its uninterrupted 13-episode run on the service's Channel 101 before it premieres on NBC this February. Since PTR is a DirecTV subscriber, I will be blogging about the series this fall. For those of you waiting for NBC, be warned that there will be spoilers for the third season laced throughout those posts. Another advantage to catching the new season on DirecTV? All of the episodes will air uncut and COMMERCIAL FREE! And the talented folks behind this stellar series have packed plenty of punch into the new season. The premiere picks up 8 months after we left off this past winter. Coach Taylor will clash with the new principal, Smash will struggle with some developments on the scholarship front, Jason will deal with being a young father, Matt sees some new competition at QB, Tyra's love life heats up and two faves will try the whole dating game. If that's not enough to get you hooked, check out the ad on the right sidebar or this extended "Devil Town" promo:


If you miss new episodes on Wednesday nights, you can catch encore presentations on Fridays. For those without DirecTV, NBC will roll out the new season in early 2009.

'Lights' Shine On

File this under Best. News. EVER!!! NBC has renewed PTR fave Friday Night Lights. Thankfully, we'll be following the stories about the folks of the small football town of Dillon, Texas for a 3rd season If you're a DirecTV subscriber (like me), then you'll get the new season beginning October 1st on a DirecTV-only channel. Everyone else will be able to watch the new season beginning in early 2009. It's a deal designed to cut costs and keep the Lights on. More from The AP:

`Friday Night Lights': back for season 3

By FRAZIER MOORE, AP Television Writer

NEW YORK - "Friday Night Lights" will shine again next season.

The acclaimed football-and-family drama will return on NBC for a third year after 13 new episodes have aired on satellite-television provider DirecTV, in an unusual deal designed to spread production costs while rekindling a series whose audience until now has been as small as it is fervent.

The series will unfold weekly for DirecTV subscribers beginning Oct. 1. Then, early in 2009, it will be seen on NBC, which made the announcement Wednesday. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.


Also returning -- PTR new fave Chuck. For a look at NBC's complete fall schedule, visit TVGuide.com.

'Friday Night' Shock

Wow! Didn't see that one coming! Jason Street is going to be a father??!! Much like the characters involved, I have mixed feelings about this story line. On the one hand, I hate it. Jason's 19 years old, working a job he doesn't like, and struggling to come to terms with his shattered future. He can't even motivate himself to continue with his plans for higher education let alone take on the rigors of parenthood. On the other, the writers sorta "worked it out in the end" (TM Randy Jackson). Of course, the whole "this could be my only chance at being a father" twist may have had a heavy hand in working it out for me. According to any medical textbook, Jason is supposed to be sterile, but against all odds, he wound up getting a girl pregnant after a one-night stand. I'm not sure how this story will pan out, so for now, I'm sticking with my mixed feelings stance on it. And since this was the last pre-strike completed episode and ratings have been less than stellar (and the telling news that the season 2 - current season - DVD set will hit store shelves in April with the 15 episodes, meaning no new episodes should the strike end), we may never know.

It's no secret that Lyla still has feelings for Riggins, right? Well, except to Logan Chris. I've got to hand it to my girl Lyla, though; because she really is trying to convince herself that she is 100% over Riggins. She spent the weekend with Chris's family in their mountain cabin, she tried to make a move on her good Christian boyfriend, and continually blew off Tim when he tried to make small talk. Oh Lyla, Lyla, Lyla. You're not fooling anyone, probably not even yourself. This is not going to end well for Chris.

Meanwhile, things seem to be looking up for Smash. Sure, playing football at a small off-the- grid college is not what he envisioned for his future, but at least he's back in a position to play the game he loves and possibly go to the NFL someday. Can I just gush about this awesome story line for a moment? Being an SEC girl myself, I LOVE the authenticity of it and of course, all of the SEC references. There is only one inaccuracy that I spot -- Georgia's Coach Richt would give this kid another shot. Smash was barking up the wrong SEC school's tree when he approached the scout at Alabama. He should be a Bulldog with the rest of the best. LOVED the scene in his room with his mom. Smash has the best mom ever!! She'll make sure he lands on his feet. And Coach Taylor will make sure he lands on a collegiate football field. I guess it takes a village to raise a football player.

How funny was that Eric/Tami/high school boyfriend triangle story line??!! I'm not sure what cracked me up more -- seeing the jealous side of Eric or watching Kyle Chandler beat up real-life boss (and FNL showrunner) Peter Berg, who played the role so brilliantly.

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Photos courtesy nbc.com