It’s hard to put a finger on what makes a show awesome. I have a number of favorite comedic shows, a few preferred dramas, and a couple of shows that are simply awful, but I cannot pull myself away. What keeps me coming back to these shows? Of course one of my favorite comedies, New Girl is simple. Who can get enough of Jess’ crazy antics and Schmidt being… well Schmidt. While they have the quick wit humor, which is always pleasing to me, they also have a little bit of romance. I wasn’t the only one screaming when Jess and Nick kissed was I? I guess the thing is, while the humor stays consistent, the story line doesn’t leave me wanting more after the 30 minute episode.
My husband and I recently started watching Netflix. We would watch a few episodes of a show here, a movie or two there, but then a friend of ours suggested Friday Night Lights. She knew that Parenthood was one of our favorite drama’s and seeing as how Jason Katim produced that as well as Friday Night Lights, she figured we’d be fans. Well she couldn’t have been more right- thanks Beth! Friday Night Lights has completely taken over our lives. We just finished watching the last episode of the last season and now we almost feel empty inside. Sad… I know, but you have to understand how great this show is. We spent hours upon hours not being able to stop this heart wrenching high school tale and their stories soon rubbed off on us, making us feel a part. Not many shows will do that to you, that is why Friday Night Light’s is the best show ever!
FNL has everything you could and should want in a show. It has humor, romance, personal struggles, real life dilemmas, emotion, tragedy, characters you love and those that you love to hate. You know when people describe a good book, they couldn’t put it down? This is the exact same, only I could not stop watching. You know you are addicted when you realize that it is midnight, on a weeknight and while you have already watched four forty minute episodes in a row, you forfeit sleep (the thing you love most in the world) to squeeze in one more episode.
Just in case you are not familiar with FNL, I will fill you in. This is an amazing story about football in Dillon, Texas which started it’s first season in 2006. Really makes you want to watch right? Ha! While football is the major theme, it is through football that the characters truly develop. I hope I am not spoiling this for anyone, but in the first season Jason Street the all-star and team quarterback throws an interception. He tries to tackle the opposing player, but unfortunately his head was down rather than up and the impact causes him to be paralyzed. So much drama happens from this. This pinnacle moment, while it took a number of seasons, really helped the other characters realize that life is short and instead of continuing to waste their lives at the Alamo Freeze or The Landing Strip, they have much to live for.
This series mostly takes place in high school, and if we want to go back to school, we can talk about the awesome themes that are present in this show. I am a sucker for some great themes. Let’s see, there was racism, classism, self-discovery, chaos versus order, family prevailing, religion, female roles, betrayal, loneliness used for destruction, failure to success, substance abuse, love and sacrifice, corruption with power, team rivalry, working class struggles, school pride, sex with its consequences, media mind control, I mean I could go on and on. What are you a glutton for? If it’s good looks, there is plenty of that as well.
It could be because I have worked in radio for over 4 years, that I find the impact radio has on this show so intriguing. Dillon TX, mainly East Dillon, was full of low-income families. There might not be a television in every home, but each home or trailer does have a radio. I could be wrong, but I find that Friday Night Light’s is told from the media’s perspective. Throughout all of the season’s, the announcer on the radio is always letting us, the viewer’s, know what has happened in the past and gives us a biased opinion of what is to come. It is almost like instead of a voice coming in saying, “last time on Friday Night Lights” you get an update from the local news station. During the show you often hear, “stop listening to that mess”, “I heard on the radio”, “they are out to get me”, “turn that off”, “what are you doing? Turn on the radio”, “did you listen this morning?”, “turn that up”, because the radio was how everyone in Dillon got their news. Of course the main topic they cared about was Panthers football. Although it is very interesting how media shapes our minds and causes such havoc sometimes.
I must be a sucker for these high school dramas because I was also a fan of Degrassi in its earlier years. In thinking back to other shows I like, if drama is there, so am I. Why can’t we stop watching these shows that are awful, like the Real Housewives? Drama! In that case it’s like a bad car accident, that you can’t turn away from, you aren’t invested in those people in the accident or the characters. In Friday Night Lights you are completely invested. I remember dreaming of FNL, when there is a major scandal or issue going on I would worry to the point I would worry in my dreams, trying to fix the issue. Smash’s drug use, Tyra’s run in with her abuser, Julie’s college experience, Vince and his old habits, Landry’s big secret, abortions, murder, team upsets, Tami and Eric’s parental battles as well as relations between themselves, the fall and rise of Buddy Garrity and of course everything dealing with Tim Riggins. All of these things over time just get so overwhelming. Even now I find myself in a situation and I’ll turn to Matt and say, just like Friday Night Lights.
This series had some of the best characters I have seen. While I loved and still love all of the characters, let me tell you about my favorites. The lovely Tami, who is played by Connie Britton. She was such a strong yet sensitive character, even though there were some gender role issues. She definitely loved her family and made sure everything was taken care of in their home, but she also took charge when need be and in the end roles were reversed and she held the power. She can now be seen on Nashville, alongside Hayden Panettiere. Of course, Coach Taylor acted by Kyle Chandler. What a distinct character. Everyone turns to coach, he held all of the answers and everyone respected him, for the most part. He is also very cute, but definitely a no nonsense type of guy. He coined the phrase, “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose,” which still makes me tear up when I say it. Congrats to Kyle because he was a part of the Oscar award-winning movie Argo. Maybe I was saving the best for last, Tim Riggins, also known as Taylor Kitsch. Oh Tim Riggins, such a mysterious hottie. Tim was best known for being drunk and a bit of a slut, but deep down there were inner battles he was facing that made it impossible not to love him. Yes, Tim got in a lot of fights and made a lot of bad decisions, but he also had a very big heart and was extremely selfless. I am told that the real Taylor isn’t as lovable, but you can see for yourself as he appears in many films, probably best known for John Carter in John Carter.
Whew, well it seems as though I can talk about FNL forever, but you can be the judge. For anyone looking to watch an amazing show, that will make you laugh, cry, fantasize, reminisce, remind you of tough times and struggles you overcame, inspire you to be better, all while leaving you wanting more, you have got to watch Friday Night Lights. No, I don’t work for them or Netflix, but I am probably just as passionate. I am bitter that it ended, but I feel good that I was able to be a part of that beautiful story. Clear eyes, full hearts, CAN’T LOSE… and I’m out!
(sound of football stadium lights shutting off- fade to darkness)
Please comment with your real name using good manners.